NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - April 5, 2021
Happy New Year - Sort of...
Dear NIS families,
We are beyond excited about our students returning to in-person learning today! Watching several students new to in-person learning come into the building last week and engage with new classmates during planned transition activities was so heartwarming. Their new classmates were so excited to greet and play with them.
What's different at NIS beginning this week?
- Students will be no less than 3 feet apart when learning (formerly 6 feet).
- Snack breaks will be staggered in classrooms to ensure those eating at once are 6 feet apart.
- Lunch will happen, still in our class pods, at least 6 feet apart. Your child's teacher may opt to bring students outside for lunch.
- ALL Wednesdays are half days of school with an 11:50 PM dismissal
- Students can order a lunch on our half day Wednesdays. They will bring their lunch with them to eat at their after school location.
- ALL specials classes will be in-person with the specials teacher.
- There are now six school busses running so more students are able to take the bus
- Most homeroom teachers will NOT offer a remote classroom link as students are expected to be in school for learning. Exception: students in quarantine may remote into all classes except for PE.
What's the same and important...
- Parents still need to check students for COVID symptoms every morning before sending your child to school
- ALL safety protocols will continue to be in place and enforced. If your child is struggling to follow school safety protocols we will reach out to you for support.
- All families will have access to learning playlists - however classroom links will only be provided to students in quarantine
- Cohort D still exists at all grade levels (all remote teaching/learning). This is an option for all families, however students may not switch back and forth between Cohort D and Cohort A. Choose what works for your family and stick with it.
- We will continue to work hard build positive classroom communities and make teaching and learning engaging and meaningful!
Thank you so much for your partnership,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
NIS Safety Protocols - Revised
Family Engagement Opportunities
- Thursday, April 8th at 6:30 PM - Family Life parent meeting for grade 5 parents. Email with information sent to all grade 5 families. Reach out to Ms. Gardner at gardnerg@npsk.org for more information.
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
It sure is great to have a full house again. Our students have been doing so well following the rules of wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand washing. I feel our protocols will keep us all safe and healthy. As I stated last week, it is allergy season and allergies and covid have very similar symptoms. With that being said, if your student has a documented history of allergies and takes medicine for them, please let me know. Your physician can fax or email me stating the history of allergies. Having this information will allow your student to stay in school and not have to get tested for covid if they present to me with any symptoms.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
MCAS Testing at NIS
* The testing window for grades 3 - 5 is May 10th - June 11th.
Here is a link for more information about MCAS testing: MCAS Resources for Parents/Guardians
For 2021, students will only take one session for each subject area test.
MCAS Subject Area Test for Grades 3–8
Recommended Testing Times *All tests are untimed
ELA
2 to 2 ½ hours
Mathematics
1 ½ hours
STE for Students in Grade 5
1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours
COVID-19 Travel Advisory
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
- Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
- Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
- Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.
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
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!
April 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
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