NIS News - October 14, 2021
Nantucket Intermediate School
Teaching the Whole Child
As part of our commitment to teach the whole child we tend to students' social and emotional growth in addition to their academic growth. Last week during our professional development day trainers from Responsive Classroom came and provided workshops for staff. What is Responsive Classroom? Here is the description from their website:
- Responsive Classroom is a student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline. It is comprised of a set of research, and evidence-based practices designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities for both students and teachers.
Our practices include teaching social emotional competencies such as cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control as well as teaching academic competencies such as academic mindset, perseverence, learning strategies and academic behaviors. To learn more check out the Responsive Classroom website.
Last year, we started to use the DESSA screener to assess students' social emotional strengths and areas for growth to assist us with informing instruction and measuring student growth. Here is the parent letter explaining all you need to know about the DESSA screener. English Spanish Portuguese
Please reach out if you have any questions about our social emotional programing or the assessment.
Your partners in education,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
NIS Needs TAs
Thank you for your help in sending candidates our way!
Vaccine News
Hello NIS Families,
It is that time of year to think about getting your annual flu vaccine. Luckily, Nantucket Cottage Hospital is offering flu shots through its annual clinic in the Anderson Building at 57 Prospect St., from 1-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Appointments are required and can be made through the online Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway, or by calling (508) 825-1000.
Speaking of vaccines, the FDA advisory committee is meeting on October 26 to approve the Covid-19 vaccine for children 5-12 years old. If they accept, students could get the vaccine as early as November. The vaccine is a smaller dose than the regular adult dose and Pfizer is saying less side effects. Right now children are about 25% of all the covid cases in the US. Our students are vulnerable and having a vaccine for them will help keep everyone healthy and in school. My fingers are crossed that it will be approved soon!!
Stay healthy,
Nancy Small, RN
NIS School Nurse
Early Dismissal on October 20, 2021
Previously Shared Information Below
NIS STEM/STEAM Night Information
New Date for STEAM Night: Tuesday, November 16th 5:30 - 6:30
As our STEM teacher position has changed to a STEAM postion (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) and we are still looking for a long term teacher, we are postponing our STEAM night to now be in November. This evening is noted on the school year calendar as happening on Oct. 26th. Please make this change on your calendars at home.
Protocols for School COVID Testing
Dear NIS Families,
We are fortunate enough to be participating in the Test and Stay program which allows school close contacts to test daily (5-7 days) with the BinaxNow test (rapid covid antigen test) and stay in school with a negative test result and be asymptomatic. Students who are deemed close contacts to a positive case outside of the school setting, cannot participate in this program. They must use the protocols set by the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health. The reasoning for this is that school close contacts are less likely to become positive because of masking, social distancing and hand washing. We can control the school environment.
We are also participating in Symptomatic testing. This is another way to keep the students in school. So if your student comes to my office with a covid symptom and I have your signed consent, then I can use the BinaxNow test to help rule out covid.
There are links below for the protocols and close contacts.
My main objective is to keep my students safe, healthy, and in school. If you have not handed in the consent to test, please do so. Please reach out if you have further questions.
Stay healthy,
Nancy Small, RN
NIS School Nurse
Dept. of Education COVID-19 Flowchart Protocols (linked below)
2021 MCAS Reports
Brrr....Cool Weather is Here
Bus News - Wait List Information
If your child still needs bus transportation, please email Ms. Emily Murphy and your child will be put on the bus waitlist. Once we hear anything we will be in contact with you. Here is Emily's email: murphye@npsk.org
Children are only permitted to ride the bus if their address is 1.5 miles or more away from the school.
No Birthday Food Treats Please
We would like to encourage you to donate a birthday book to your child's classroom library in honor of their birthday. Other acceptable ideas include bringing in a special pencil or decal for everyone in the class if that's preferred.
Thank you for not sending your child to school with food items for the class to celebrate their birthday.
NPS Vision, Mission and Core Values
NPS Vision Draft
We commit to provide equitable, inclusive, and challenging learning experiences where every student and adult feels seen, heard, valued, and respected.
NPS Mission Draft
Nantucket Public Schools, in partnership with a caring community, will create a dynamic and equitable learning environment which engages each of us to be inspired learners and responsible citizens, prepared to meet local and global challenges.
NPS Core Values Draft
Nantucket Public Schools values collaboration, communication, and reflection that supports:
Equitable access to multiple pathways for individual and collective success.
High expectations and a student-centered educational approach that integrates academic progress, extra-curricular participation, personal responsibility, and community involvement.
Inclusive and sustained family relationships that respect all cultures and the experiences each child brings to our schools.
Challenging ourselves to embrace and advocate for the needs of every student, adult, and family within our school community.
NPS Return to School Safety Protocols - updated 8/18/21
Nantucket Intermediate School
Email: mcneile@npsk.org
Website: www.npsk.org/NIS
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, USA
Phone: 508-228-7290
Facebook: facebook.com/NantucketIntermediateSchool
Twitter: @NISlearners