NES WEEKLY UPDATE
Monday, March 22, 2021
Latest Information
Dear Families,
It is official - we will be returning to in person learning at NES as of April 5, 2021. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey or updated Patricia and/or Jane in our Main Office. We believe we have your requested information all updated. We continue to do planning to get this all squared away and we will be in touch with you if we should need to make any changes to current classroom teachers.
The schedule for both groups beginning 4/5 will be full days Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (7:45 - 2:20) and half day Wednesdays (7:45 - 11:50).
Some other facts to take note of:
- Wednesday will be a half day for in person students and remote students.
- Students will stay in classroom groups. If there is a need for students to mix with another class or group of students, this will be done following all the safety protocols.
- Lunch will still be the one time of day when ALL students must be at least 6 feet apart, like they are now, when eating. This applies to all times that the whole class may be eating.
- We are working out how we will accomplish this, but are confident we have the space. We also look forward to warm weather days and classes going outside for lunch.
- We will do everything we can to keep your child's teacher as is, but there may be a need to switch teachers if we need to balance a room or if a child is going from remote to in person or vice versa.
- Students will be 3 feet - 6 feet apart in the classrooms.
- Know that we will still be wearing masks, washing/sanitizing our hands per current protocols, and continuing with physical distancing. These measures are critical to ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Out hope is to send you the updated safety protocols/new information by next Monday's update.
I have recently learned there will be some sewer construction on Surfside Road. This will definitely cause some traffic disruptions. As soon as I have exact information to share with you, I will put this out. This work will be done in April and May.
Best,
Kim Kubisch and Kim Albertson
Upcoming Events
Schoology Help Session
March Schoology Drop-in Help session for parents will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd at 5pm for any parents who have a question about Schoology. This is not a presentation, but rather a question and answer session.
Link: meet.google.com/ank-poyu-aqi
ELPAC Meeting - Thursday 03/25 at 7:00 pm. Link for the meeting:
https://meet.google.com/rqr-trnt-bpy?hs=122&authuser=0
Here is the link to the flyer for this important meeting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e9zusocm5i_DEdGjAc_bk_9wSiapsSU5/view?usp=sharing
Island Cup Fundraiser
Hello Everyone!
The Class of 2022 is bringing back the annual Island Cup Fundraiser! Due to the pandemic, our football season is now currently happening. As a result, the Island Cup game has also been moved. This year, the game will be held on Saturday, April 24. Members of the Class of 2022 have designed a sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt, which we are now taking pre-orders for. If you place your order by the end of the day on March 21, you will be guaranteed to receive what you order. If not, there will be some extra merchandise ordered, which can be bought on a first come first serve basis. Sweatshirts will be $40 and long sleeve shirts will be $25. We ask that you pay for your order when you pick it up. You can place your order by filling out this Google Form. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at lucasd@npsk.org. All money raised will go directly to the Class of 2022 to help with costs during their senior year. On behalf of the Class of 2022, we thank you for supporting the class! Go Whalers!
From,
Darren Lucas-Hayes, M.Ed.
Nantucket High School
New guidance for school bus ridership: DESE recently changed its guidance on school bus protocols for transporting children, which lifts restrictions on seating space. If all other safety protocols are adhered to (i.e., windows open 2 inches, masks worn at all times, assigned seating, cleaning/disinfecting/hand sanitizing), the buses will be able to transport more students. Thank you to Linda Bayard from Cape Cod Collaborative along with our front office ESPs who have been working on a new schedule that adds in children who were currently on the waitlist for transportation. We also hope to have 6 buses running by 4/5. If you are interested in having your child ride the bus, please contact Jane Melville at extension 2104 or Patricia Harding at extension 2187. Below is the link for the newest Bus Routes!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_dedptiDh6oxHs-4IoIL7EyELoCnJWEP/view?usp=sharing
Weather Updates
It is so important that the children come prepared to be outside. This means wearing boots, gloves, hats, warm coats, and snow pants. It is important that children have these and a change of clothes (in case they do not have snow pants and clothes get wet.) We follow the guidelines of having students go outside if the temperature feels like 15 degrees or higher. The warm clothes are necessary for sure!! But I am hopeful, as the sun is rising earlier, we will be having better weather soon.
Parking and Driving on Campus
1. The parking lot on First Way behind the school is ONLY for staff. Student drop off or Parent Parking back there is NOT permitted. All of the spots are numbered and assigned to staff. When parents park back there, our staff are unable to get into the building to be ready for working with students. All the spots are assigned. There are no extra spots. This is no place for students to be walking. It is incredibly unsafe.
2. If you are driving into our drop off lanes from Backus Lane, the driver MUST STAY in the car. The child should get out of the car on the right side.
3. Cars should not pull around other cars on the left side in the circles. It is important to model safety and patience. We have observed so many near accidents.
4. If you wish to get out of the car, please park in the lot on Backus Lane and walk your child to their class line.
5. If you leave the state of Massachusetts, your child must receive a COVID-19 negative test result in order to come back to school. If you do not want to have your child tested, they must stay home for 10 days. We have had no school spread because people are adhering to these safety protocols.
6. Attendance =
a.virtually present means the child is online off and on all day, not just for morning meeting
b.virtually absent means the child is not signing on for remote learning
c. physically present means the child is in school present for the day
d. physically absent means the child is not in school at all for the day
7. When children are working remotely, they may need a parent to assist them in signing on. We know you have been doing this. We would ask finally that you allow the children to answer questions. It is okay for them to make mistakes.
I continue to be grateful for all of your support in this very challenging time. I know that this is hard for all of you as it is for us too. I keep reminding myself that things will be better soon. I want to reiterate our need for a partnership in this pandemic. It is critical for you to respond to teachers' emails, phone calls, and remind messages. They know how hard it is for you. They are trying to keep you updated as often as they can. The favor of replies to their efforts to reach out to you would be greatly appreciated.
Our Third Trimester began today! New specials started for this last trimester. Report cards will be shared on 3/26/21.
Counselors' Information (Most recent on top)
As you know, we are using the Second Step program in your child’s classroom. The Second Step program teaches children important skills for getting along with others and doing well in school. It also helps our school be a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.
To further help our school be a safe and respectful place, we are also going to use the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit. In the lessons, your child will learn specific skills to help stop bullying. We anticipate beginning these lessons in Grade 1 and 2 next week and in K shortly thereafter.
Students will learn how to:
• Recognize when bullying is happening
• Report bullying to a caring adult
• Refuse to let bullying happen to themselves or others
• Be a bystander who stands up and is part of the solution to bullying
Home Links will continue to be sent home with your child to help you understand what your child is learning about bullying at school. They also give your child another chance to practice skills for handling bullying. We need your support! Make sure your child knows to tell you or someone at school if he or she is being bullied. And give your child the clear message that it is never okay to bully others.
If you have any questions about the Bullying Prevention Unit or the Second Step program, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor. Thank you for helping us make our school a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.
Jeanne Clark and Lisa Hood, our school counselors, are excited about the progress with the Second Step Lessons this year in SEL! All grades will be finishing up the Problem Solving Unit in the next few weeks. Be sure to check out your child’s weekly playlist for the weekly lesson and supplemental activities for extra practice. Feel free to reach out to your child’s school counselor if you have any questions or if they can support you in any way.
Holly McGill, our School Social Worker, continues to work both with individual students and small groups focusing on specific Social skills, such as being a kind friend, coping skills and problem solving. If your child works with Ms. McGill be sure to ask them to share what they are practicing!
Our School Counselors and Social Worker (our Student Support Team) have asked me to share this information with you. We are hearing from so many of you about the struggles students are having with remote learning. Here is an article with some friendly suggestions and helpful hints!
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/family/2021/01/at-home-tools-to-help-kids-manage-their-emotions Also, please visit current and previous SEL playlists in Schoology. There is lots of information about how to help children manage their emotions!
Nurse’s Corner 3/15/2020
March is here and spring and summer are around the corner. Before things start to get busier it is important to make sure your child has an appointment for their yearly physical and be sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
As far as COVID, we are not out of the woods yet! The guidelines for travel are changing and as of today, no test is needed if traveling to Washington, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Missouri. Be sure to keep an eye on this prior to any April vacation travel!
I am really excited to have all of our students safely back in school in April! It is important for everyone to continue to mask, wash their hands and socially distance so we can have a safe school!
ABOUT NES
Principal
Kimberly F. Albertson
Assistant Principal
Email: kubischk@npsk.org
Website: www.npsk.org
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, USA
Phone: 508 228 7290
Children with any illness symptoms
Know that we understand and appreciate when you choose to keep your child at home because they have one of the symptoms or don't feel well, not necessarily COVID-19 positive but run down as happens to us all. With a bit of notice and clear communication to your child's teacher, they can work with you to determine the child's participation in synchronous and/or asynchronous work.