The Clayville Chronicle
Distance Learning Edition: April 2020
From the Desk of Mrs. Francis
I'd also like to give a much deserved deserved shout out to our Clayville parents and guardians! Thank you so much for the support you have shown our teachers and of course your students! You are playing a huge role in the success of Distance Learning and we are so grateful for your partnership. We will continue to make our Distance Learning plan even better using parent and staff feedback. Changes will be communicated to you in a timely manner.
As you know, Distance Learning in RI will continue through May 1st. Districts have been asked to adjust April calendars to accommodate the following dates:
- April 3rd & 17th will be professional development release days for teachers to engage in longer term strategic planning for distance learning. Students will not be attending school on those days.
- April 9th & 10th will be days off, creating a long weekend for everyone. Scituate already had April 10th off, so that means we will add April 9th as another day of vacation.
The RI Department of Education was also granted a waiver from standardized testing for this year. The following tests will not occur this year:
- RI SAT School Day with Essay
- PSAT10
- Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessments
- Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS)
- Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSA)
Lastly, I want to remind all families that we have many supports available for both academic and social emotional needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any suggestions, questions or concerns.
Proudly,
Mrs. Francis
Distance Learning Attendance
To date, our attendance at Clayville School has been AWESOME! On average, 99% of students attend Distant Learning.
Submitting Daily Attendance:
- Gr. PreK-3: Parent will email student’s teacher by 9:30am
- Gr. 4 & 5: Will submit a Google Form in their Google Classroom by 9:30am
- If your child is sick, please email Mrs. Reynolds (Elfriede.Reynolds@ScituateSchoolsRI.net) to excuse your child from daily attendance
RI Reads At Home! April Reading Challenge
Governor Raimondo and Commissioner Infante-Green have challenged all students in Rhode Island to read for at least 20-60 minutes every single day in the month of April.
Here are the guidelines for the amount of uninterrupted reading students should strive to reach each day in April:
- Pre-K and Kindergarteners read or are read to at least 20 minutes
- Grades 1-3 read at least 30 minutes
- Grades 4-5 read at least 45 minutes
- Grades 6-12 at least 60 minutes
We encourage families and educators to get creative and help us band together as a community to promote reading as a daily habit for our students. We are hoping you will help make sure this is a fun activity for students, and we will be strongly encouraging you to use social media throughout the month to model good reading habits using the hashtags #RIReadsAtHome and #ReadTogether.
Click the link below to learn more! Source: Ride.RI.gov
Kindergarten Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
PAWSitive Office Referrals
*We look forward to continuing this positive initiative when we return to school!
Tootle Lunch
All Tootle Tickets and pictures of our PAWsitive Office Referral recipients are displayed in our cafeteria. We look forward to continuing Tootles when we return!
Read, Draw, Write, Check! Problem Solving Strategy
Scituate Art Festival Grants
Mrs. Ethier, our music teacher, was recently awarded $270.00 from the Scituate Art Festival Grant! The funding will be used to purchase materials to start a Ukulele program at the elementary schools!
THANK YOU to the Scituate Art Festival Committee for supporting the education of our students!
Distance Learning: Week 1 Highlights!
PreK Is Hooked on Learning!
Kindergarten: Where in the World is Ms. Radtke?!
Lunch Time with Kindergarten!
Firsties Prove Distance Is No Barrier to Learning!
Grade 2 Students Are Focused At Home!
Grade 3: Virtual Mini Lessons & Just for Fun Readers
Grade 4: Virtual Daily Meetings and Writing Conferences!
Grade 5 Reading Challenge
Detective Speech Lessons with Mr. W & His Side Kick!
Art Work Across the Grade Levels
STEAM Bingo Challenge!
Physical Education: Notes from Mr. Ceprano
Playworks has for over 24 years focused on bringing games and activities to schools, while creating a safe and healthy recess for students. Now, more than ever, they are committed to responding to the need for continued healthy activities at home through several resources being offered for free!
- Live Virtual Recess! A Playworks Coach leading a morning warm-up, a midday game, and an afternoon cool down each day. Anyone can tune into Facebook Live Monday- Friday at 12 noon, 2pm, and 4pm ET and play along. Watch what the experience will feel like!
- Play at Home Webpage: A library of videos and other resources featuring games and activities families can play at home. Each meeting the CDC requirements of social distancing and limited equipment. All available free on the Play at Home webpage
- Play at Home Playbook: This game guide has a variety of games and activities families can do in their own home, with little to no equipment necessary.
School Based Events
State Testing
NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST’S CORNER: Mr. Rapp
HELPFUL THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TALKING TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT THE CURRENT CORONA CRISIS
Concern over the current Corona virus can make children and families anxious. In addition given the many changes for children and families both in terms of remote learning and unemployment (for some) have added to what is already a stressful time for all. It is important to acknowledge concerns without undo alarm or panic, and finding ways to communicate effectively with your child can go along way to helping to alleviate their fears and worries. It is important to remember that children, especially of elementary school age look to their parents as to how to react to stressful events. Becoming overly anxious or worried can increase the youngster's sense of insecurity and anxiety.
Specific Guidelines
Remain calm and reassuring.
- Children will react to your reactions, be aware of how and what you talk about re: Covid-19
Make yourself available
- Stay positive, spend time together doing activities outside as permitted, and let your children's questions guide your responses.
Monitor television viewing and social media
- Excessive viewing of Covid-19 news updates and social media viewing can increase anxiety.
Maintain a normal routine to the extent possible
- Set up a schedule of learning time and activity breaks for each school day and try to keep to typical school day morning and bedtime routines.
Be honest and accurate
- Correct any misinformation and explain safety and hygiene routines.
Communicate and stay connected with your school
- Be sure to reach out to your child's teacher with questions and concerns about their coping and schoolwork.
Keep Explanations Age Appropriate
- Elementary aged children need simple information about the virus and reassurance that adults are going to help them keep safe and healthy. Older aged elementary children may be more vocal with their questions and may need help separating rumor from fact.
For a more detailed discussion of these issues see the attached link: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crises/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource?
Adapted from, Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses, NASP, 2020.
Notes from Nurse Gosselin
I hope everyone is staying well rested, hydrated and healthy during this unparalleled time. There are many challenges at home these days including keeping our kids engaged in learning, healthy and as happy as possible. I am attaching a few links for some helpful ideas.
The first is a great resource for keeping kids busy at home. It is a blog from a nationwide children's site.
The following link is about the importance of parents taking care of themselves during this period as well:
https://childmind.org/article/self-care-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/
And lastly, one that has been widespread, has great information about routines:
https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus-routine-help-you-stay-healthy-sane-while-you-re-t176315
Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of any help or provide any information.
Angela Gosselin, RN
PTO Update
News from the Scituate School Committee
Dates to Remember:
- 4/3: Professional Development Day: No School
- 4/9 & 4/10: No School
- 4/17: Professional Development Day: No School
Stay In Touch!
Email: Courtney.Francis@ScituateSchoolsRI.net
Website: https://clayville.scituateschoolsri.net/
Location: 3 George Washington Highway, Clayville, RI, USA
Phone: 401-647-4115
Twitter: @Mrs_Francis7