NOTES FROM the OFFICE
10/4/20
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All previous Notes From the Office are available by using this LINK.
Dear Dunning Families,
As we continue on this learning journey for however long it may be, please be assured that you can continue to count on us to work in partnership with you. This connection and partnership is more important than ever. We will continue to experience bumps in the road, but though patience and flexibility we will get through them.
Included this week are the following:
- Importance of Using FPS Issued Chromebooks
- Student Supply/Materials Pick-Up
School Health Services Updates - October 2, 2020
Bus Tracker App
- Updated School Calendar
- Attendance
Please let us know if you have any question or concerns! We are ALWAYS available! Please call us, or email us.
Regards,
Michele & Kathie
Importance of Using FPS Issued Chromebooks
This will be much easier for your child to access district programs and will be compatible with the software and programs that teachers are using.
Additionally, school issued chromebooks have the following features.
- They have protection against unauthorized and potentially harmful sites.
- They allow teachers to use a program called Securly which allows them to control each student's chromebook during class time.
Lastly, the district’s technology staff can troubleshoot or replace technology that is not working.
Student Supply/Materials Pick-Up
Wednesday October 7th and Thursday, October 8th
We will be having an additional learning materials distribution day this Wednesday (10/7) and Thursday (10/8). Included in the bags are crayons, glue stick, pencils, pens, etc., as well as teacher supplied materials.
Pick up times for both days are as follows:
- 7:30 am – 9:00 am
- 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Please adhere to these times as we will have student arrivals at 9:00 – 10:00 am and student dismissals at 3:00 – 4:00 pm and we will have busses and vans in the driveway.
The details of the pickup are as follows:
- Pull into the main driveway entrance and proceed to the front entrance.
- In preparation for the pickup, please write the name of your student/students (last name first) and grade level(s) large enough for staff to see and hold it up in your window upon arrival.
- You will be asked to open trunks, hatchbacks, or back doors to allow staff to put materials in your car.
- Once you have opened your trunks, hatchbacks, or back doors, please return to your car.
- Staff will place materials in cars.
- We respectfully request that no one leave their vehicle as we are working to maintain social distancing to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
- We are doing our best to make this as efficient as possible, however we ask for your patience if there is some wait time.
School Health Services Updates - October 2, 2020
- FPS Interventions and Strategies for a Safe Return to School
- Massachusetts (MA) Immunization Requirements
- MA Physical Examination Requirements During COVID-19
- Flu Vaccine Requirements for All Students
- Emergency Contact Information
- Children with Special Health Care Need
Bus Tracker App
Dear Framingham Families,
We are excited to let you know that you will be able to track the location of your child’s bus in the morning and/or the afternoon - beginning on October 5th. We hope that you will have peace of mind knowing the location of the bus prior to your child’s pick-up and likewise, it lets you know where the bus is as it approaches your child’s drop-off in the afternoon.
We kindly ask for your patience as we launch this new system. The bus route and Edulog Parent Portal access codes may change after October 23rd as more students are scheduled to return to Framingham Public Schools. You will find instructions linked below and you can also access them on the transportation website.
Note:
If your child takes one bus, please enter the Registration Code below in the app (once)
If your child takes two different buses, you will need to register for both buses using the different registration codes provided below
All students must be at their morning bus stop 5 – 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
Sincerely,
Framingham Public Schools
Updated School Calendars
Dear Framingham Families,
This message is to communicate to you the changes to the 2020-2021 school calendar. We recognize that changes to the planned 2020-2021 District Calendar pose challenges for those of you who’ve made arrangements around the previously approved early release days. We appreciate your flexibility and continued patience as we react to the evolving situation.
Negotiations between FPS Administration, the School Committee and the Framingham Teachers Association (FTA) resulted in shifts to the October and November Early Release Days. This was done to allow more time for teachers to work with students - both remotely and ideally in-person prior to holding Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students will produce work differently in those two environments and the elementary teachers wanted an opportunity to get to know the students in the physical world. We know based on Dr. Tremblay’s message from Wednesday that our November 5th return may also be delayed, but this was the reasoning behind the decision to move the Parent Conference dates.
Here is a breakdown of the changes which are all reflected in the new 2020-2021 District Calendar. The first page contains the calendar and the second page contains the school hours.
Early Release Shifts
The original Early Release days scheduled for October 15, 22, 29 and November 5 have become full school days.
The Elementary Early Release days for Parent Conferences were moved to December 10, 17, and January 7 and 14.
The Middle School Early Release days for Teacher PD were moved to December 10 and 17, and January 14.
Report Card Dates
The Report Card Dates shifted to allow more learning and evaluation time in these early Semesters / Trimesters / Terms.
Elementary School Shift: January 29th to February 5th
Middle School Shift: December 9th to December 21st and March 23rd to March 31st
High School Shift: November 6th to November 13th, January 29th to January 22nd, and April 9th to April 8th
School Hours
Given that the references to breakfast and lunch are only relevant when students are present in our school buildings, text was added to provide some clarity.
There were also specific changes to the School Hours at Framingham High School for the start of the year, and therefore descriptions were added to make the distinction clear on what the hours are now and what they will be beginning on October 26th.
Sincerely,
Framingham Public Schools
CALENDARS
Attendance
Just a reminder that you should email your child's teacher, Shannon Pierson (spierson@framingham.k12.ma.us) and Donna Cebula (dcebula@framingham.k12.ma.us) if your student is going to be absent, tardy, or dismissed early from school, even during remote learning.
Your child's teachers will continue to reach to provide feedback regarding accessing/participating in classroom learning. We understand how challenging this is and know how hard you are working to support your child in remote learning. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher, our guidance counselor, our social worker or Kathie and me. We are here to support you in any way we can.
In Grades one through five, attendance will be taken three times per day during Reading, Math and Closing Circle
In Kindergarten Attendance will be taken three times per day during Morning Circle, Reading and Math.
Dunning Directory
Mark Your Calendars - Virtual Curriculum Night
Additional information to follow.
Technology and Learning Platforms for Remote Learning
Google Classroom: Students and educators will be using Google Classroom in all grade levels as their "remote classroom". Educators are busy creating these virtual classrooms now and will share classroom codes with families shortly.
Google Meets: Students and educators will be using Google Meets for video conferences throughout the school day.
In addition, there are consistent instructional programs being used by our students and educators this year. Here is a complete list for your reference.
Dates to Remember
OCTOBER
Wednesday, 7th
- PTO Meeting, https://newton-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/91659026542, Password: 379946
- Student Supplies Pick-Up
Thursday, 8th
- Student Supplies Pick-Up
Friday, 9th
- No School: Professional Development
Monday, 12th
- No School: Indigenous Peoples' Day
Monday, 19th
- School Council Meeting, 4:00-5:00pm
Wednesday, 21st
- Curriculum Night/Open House 6:30-8:00pm
School Hours
School Hours 9:15am - 3:30pm
Early Release Days
- Students are dismissed at 1:05pm.
- Lunch IS served.
- Early Release Thursdays: 9/18/20, 12/3/20, 12/10/20, 12/17/20, 1/7/21, 1/14/21, 3/11/21, 4/29/21, 5/6/21, 5/13/21, 5/20/21, 5/27/21
- Students are dismissed at 12:30pm.
- Lunch IS NOT served.
- Half Days: 11/25 and the last day of school.
Community Resources
Visit the Dunning Website
Join the Dunning PTO FB Page
If you are not already a member, please join the PTO FB page. It is a great way to stay connected with the Dunning Community! www.facebook.com/groups/228212977304928/?ref=bookmarks