Avery Moments
November 14, 2020
Dear Avery Families,
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to replace the aging Chromebooks in grades 1, 2 and 4 with brand new Chromebooks. We are exchanging these for the students who are learning in the Hybrid model when they come to school. For students learning remotely, we have been exchanging them as parents return the Chromebooks and chargers.The old Chromebooks will stop working as of Thursday. Please make arrangements to exchange your child's Chromebook before Thursday.
You would think that this would solve all of our technology problems. But alas, no. Just as we started to distribute the Chromebooks, an update to Google and Chromebooks was done. For the best success it is important that you update to the latest ChromeOS. The directions can be found here.
Many families and children are experiencing anxiety and other mental health concerns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Mental Health in Massachusetts has released an interactive parent website for children/adolescents struggling with mental health concerns. It is a very user-friendly and interactive site- https://handholdma.org/
Regards,
Clare
Upcoming Dates
November 19- Avery Virtual Back to School Open House- 6 p.m.
November 19-20 Than Scriping Days-PTO Fundraiser
November 24- Gr. 5 Parent Meeting 6 p.m.
P.T.O. Meeting 7 p.m.
November 25- Early Release Day-Thanksgiving Break
November 26-27- No School-Thanksgiving Break
December 9- Early Release Day- Parent Conferences
December 18- Elementary Progress Reports Distributed
Travelling for the Holidays?
- If you travel to a high risk state, you must fill out a Massachusetts travel form and either produce a negative COVID-19 test administered up to 72 hours prior to returning to Massachusetts, need to quarantine for 14 days, or get a test on your return to the state and remain in quarantine until you receive a negative result. The Massachusetts Stop the Spread Sites are great options to get a test done quickly, for free, for both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.
- Please share documentation with the school nurse before your child returns to school.
- The number of "low risk" states is decreasing and changes regularly. You can find the list here.
Library News
Mrs. Garland
From the Secretary's Desk
Mrs. G.
A Message from the Avery PTO
The Avery PTO strives to enhance the educational experience of each student at the Avery School. We serve an economically and culturally diverse group of over 300 students. We raise funds to host special cultural and creative programs, defray the cost of field trips, purchase additional books for the library, and provide supplemental classroom materials requested by teachers. Families of Avery students are automatically members of the PTO, we would love to connect with you!!
We have openings for the board positions listed below and are accepting nominations until our meeting on Tuesday 11/24. See the general position descriptions below, or e-mail current PTO President Jaime Brogan at jaime.brogan@gmail.com for more information.
Time commitments for the board can vary depending on how many events we are planning or how many fundraisers we decide to run. There is a monthly meeting that typically runs about an hour. Currently all meetings are virtual. Some months are public with all PTO members welcome, and in months without pressing agenda items just the board will meet.
Duties of Officers
Co-Presidents
Co-Presidents will work together and with committee members to set the general agendas and annual goals of the PTO
Co-Presidents will work together to ensure annual goals are met
Post on PTO social media
Represent Avery at Town-Wide PTO Meetings
Secretary
Secretary will take notes at all meetings. Provide notes to Executive Committee and Principal (Principal then posts to Avery School webpage)
Monitor the PTO email account
Post on PTO social media
Represent Avery at Town-Wide PTO Meetings
Co-Treasurers
Co-Treasurers accept and distribute all monies.
Provide monthly reports
Work with 5G PTO to make sure 5G financial goals are set and met
Work to submit any and all tax forms
Represent Avery at Town-Wide PTO Meetings
Avery School Masks
Thank Scriping Day
Families can earn up to 20% back for the Avery PTO by purchasing physical gift cards or e-gift cards from your favorite stores and restaurants for friends and family members. Retailers donate a percentage of the value of every card purchased to the PTO. Linked here is the Shop with Scrip Holiday Gift Guide.
Here's how!
Choose on the following ways to order:
1. Visit shopwithscrip.com & create an online family account. Avery's code is BA2292CB1916L. After you create an account, you can order online and submit a check (payable to the Avery PTO) to the office through your child's backpack or dropping it off at the school.
2. Use the paper form found on the Avery website and attached below. Choose the plastic gift cards and denominations you want. Send the completed order form and check, payable to the Avery PTO, in your child's backpack or drop it off at the school. Your gift cards will arrive before the holidays.
Extra bonuses will be provided to the PTO for orders placed on November 19 and 20 but orders for traditional gift cards will be accepted until December 7. Orders for e-gift cards may be placed until December 20th.
Stop and Shop A+ Program
Attendance
- If your child is sick or will be out of school for any reason even if they are participating in REMOTE learning please call the attendance line. 781-310-5799 to report the absence.
- All students will be expected to attend all scheduled remote and in-person sessions.
- Attendance is taken daily. Teachers also monitor and track student attendance for all scheduled remote sessions.
- If your child is required to stay home due to illness, he or she may attend school remotely. You must call the attendance line to report this, as well as notifying your child's teacher.
- The school will excuse up to 7 absences in a six month period. Students who are chronically absent will receive notification from the school.
About Us
Email: csullivan@dedham.k12.ma.us
Website: dedham.k12.ma.us/avery
Location: 336 High Street, Dedham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-310-5000
Twitter: @DPSAveryES