NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - March 8, 2021
Assessing Student Learning
As you know so well, this has been a year in education unlike any other and assessing student learning has gotten creative as well. Our teachers have worked hard to learn new ways to gather data on student learning and to implement familiar assessments in new ways to accommodate for virtual learners. In addition to projects, student presentations, teacher observations, teacher/student conferencing, writing samples, reading running records, student work, and unit assessments we are implementing MAP testing this month across all grade levels. At NIS we use MAP testing to gather student benchmark data in both reading and math. At the completion of MAP testing, we will be sharing student reports with you and as a school, looking closely at student growth and progress since the fall. This information will be invaluable to determining next steps for instruction and intervention.
It's hard to believe, but we will be engaging in MCAS testing later this school year beginning in May. Our third and fourth graders have never taken the MCAS test, so this will be a first for them. This year, the MCAS is strictly being used as a diagnostic summative assessment to determine where our students are against grade level standards. This information will help our district and the state revise curriculum and standard priorities for the year ahead. More information will be coming soon about in-school testing dates and logistics. Next month we will spend some time familiarizing students with practice MCAS tests so that the format and tools within this online assessment won't be new to them on test day. We are grateful that the state has reduced the testing by half with only one test session each for ELA and for math. Our fifth graders will also have one session of science/technology/engineering (grade 5 only).
Finally, trimester two report cards will be published in ASPEN on March 26th and mailed home the following week.
Please reach out to us or to your child's teachers if you have specific questions about the assessment of your child's learning.
Best regards,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Family Engagement Opportunities
- Thursday, March 11th at 5:30 PM - NIS Principal's Coffee Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/nzn-guap-yzn
- Thursday, March 18th at 3:00 PM - Joint School Council NES/NIS/CPS/NHS Link to come
- Thursday, March 18th at 6:30 PM - School Committee Meeting
FONPS Presenter - Raising and Educating Kids During Uncertain Times
Raising and Educating Kids During Uncertain Times
"Everyone wants to raise happy, well-adjusted kids, but they don’t always know how to get the job done. They don’t know when it’s time to worry, or when to leave it alone."
Who: Phyllis Fagell, Licensed Counselor, School Counselor, Author & Journalist
When: Tuesday, March 16th
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Virtual Meeting link
Details: https://www.smore.com/az976
School Counselor Newsletter
SMORE Newsletter from School Social Worker Emily Sybert
Please click this Smore link for Ms. Sybert's latest family communication. She focuses on breaking down behaviors and identifying alternative ways to respond to your childen rather than being reactive. There is also news about COVID resources being offered at the Family Resource Center. Emily Sybert - School Social Worker - syberte@npsk.org
Thank you Ms. Sybert!
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
Vision Screenings: Although vision screenings are not required this year due to Covid-19, I feel it is important to screen all students. Research is showing that the increase in screen time can affect one's vision. Therefore, vision screening continues at NIS. All COVID 19 precautions will be followed. If you do not want your child to participate in vision screening this year, please email me at smalln@npsk.org to opt out. For Cohort D families, if you want your student screened, please reach out to me to make an appointment.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
COVID-19 Travel Order
From the Superintendent's Office:
Per Governor Baker's COVID-19 Travel Order, individuals must either quarantine for 10 days or have a negative COVID PCR test (NOT a rapid antigen test) within 72 hours of returning to the state of Massachusetts from any state that is not deemed "lower risk". For children under the age of 10, a parent/guardian with whom they traveled must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of returning to Massachusetts, or the child must quarantine for 10 days. If parents, guardians or children are waiting for COVID test results, they must quarantine at home until the results are available.
The Nantucket Public Schools are not responsible for enforcing the MA Travel Order; however, if a parent/guardian chooses to disclose to the school district an intention to travel internationally or to any high-risk state, we expect that they will follow the law and abide by the COVID-19 Travel Order and the school nurse or district COVID Liaison may follow up with the parent/guardian.
Dress for Cold Weather!
While this week we are promised some spring temperatures, cold days will surely continue during the month! Please be sure children have what they need to be comfortable and warm during our early spring weeks. We head outside even when it's chilly!
Is your child in need of a coat, hat, gloves etc.? Please reach out to Ms. Foulkes or Mr. Peckham as they have access to these through the Family Recource Center.
You can reach out directly to FRC if you prefer: 508.815.5115
March NPS Calendar
Schoology Support for Parents/Caregivers
Our NIS in house Schoology trainers are Grade 5 teacher Taylor O'Brien and Library Teacher Olivia Myers who have both expressed their availability to parents for Schoology questions. Here is their contact information:
Taylor O'Brien: Obrient@npsk.org
Olivia Myers: myerso@npsk.org
Please see attachments below for more information in English and Spanish.
Free and Reduced Lunch News
Even though meals are free to all, families who are Directly Certified or Approved via a paper application for Free or Reduced lunch can use their letter for:
- Reduced electricity costs through National Grid
- Reduced internet through Comcast Xfinity
- May also qualify for Food Pantry or Nantucket Housing & Fuel Assistance
Please contact the Central Registrar Sarah Erichsen if you have questions by calling 508-228-7285 x1149 or emailing erichsens@npsk.org.
Behavioral Support
Laura Stanley, NPS district behavior analyst, wants to share her newsletter with you full of strategies for supporting your any behavioral challenges you may be experiencing with your children at home. Here it is: Behavior Support Strategies at Home
Laura Stanley, MS, BCBA, LABA
District Behavior Analyst
Nantucket Public Schools
Phone: 508-228-7290 ext 4226
E-mail: stanleyl@npsk.org
BCBA Behavior Newsletter https://www.smore.com/wuh54
Please Charge Chromebooks Each Night - Thank You!
Technology Cheat Sheet Guides for Students
Meals Provided
Nantucket Public Schools Food Truck: On Remote Learning Days...
Parents can pick up student breakfast and lunch meals served by Island Kitchen and Patrick Ridge between 9:30am - 11:30am at the food truck.
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
District and NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NPS Return to School Protocols - Fall 2020
NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
For NPS District Information
Be sure to check the www.npsk.org website for specific District communications and updates.
Nantucket Intermediate School
Email: mcneile@npsk.org
Website: https://www.npsk.org/NIS
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, USA
Phone: 508-228-7290
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nantucketintermediateschool/
Twitter: @NISlearners