DUNNING NOTES FROM the OFFICE
Sunday 12/6/20
ENGLISH:
Need translation? On a computer/laptop click HERE then click "Translate" in the black box. On a mobile phone/tablet click the Accessibility Icon at the bottom of your phone screen and then click 'translate'.
ESPAÑOL:
¿Necesita traducción? Desde una computadora o portátil, haga clic AQUÍ y luego haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir) en el cuadro negro. Desde un teléfono celular o tableta, haga clic en el icono de Accesibilidad en la parte inferior de la pantalla y después haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir).
PORTUGUÊS
Precisa de tradução? No computador/laptop clique AQUI e, em seguida, clique em "Translate" (Traduzir) na caixa preta. No celular/tablete clique no ícone Accessibilidade na parte inferior da tela e clique em 'Translate' (Traduzir).
All previous Notes From the Office are available by using this LINK.
Dear Dunning Community,
We hope everyone enjoyed the weekend!
As you know, the district announced that we will be shifting to all remote for all students. We anticipate that the students and staff who had returned to in-person teaching and learning on October 5th and November 5th will return to in-person teaching and learning on January 4, 2021. This decision was made jointly by the FPS school committee and Dr. Samuel Wong, the Director of the Framingham Department of Public Health.
In planning for mid-January returns for students, the district sent out a request for parents to complete a commitment that identified if you want your child to return to in person learning or to continue remote learning. Families were asked to complete an online Return to Learn Commitment Form using Aspen X2. Instructions for completeing this form can be found on this link: Return to Learning Commitment Form Instructions. The deadline to complete the form was Friday, December 4th, so if you have not completed this form please complete it as soon as possible.
Families may wish to change their selected learning model as public health conditions change. Such requests will be accommodated to the best of our ability. The FPS Back-to-School Plan provides several checkpoints from now through the remainder of the school year where those decisions can be evaluated in consideration of available space and staffing. The next check point date for changing the decision is March 19, 2021 with the implementation of the changed plan on April 5, 2021.
Please let us know if you have any question or concerns! We are ALWAYS available! Please call us or email us.
Sincerely,
Michele & Kathie
Flu Vaccine
This is a reminder that Massachusetts requires that all school-aged children be vaccinated for the flu before December 31, 2020. Getting your child vaccinated against the flu is critical to protect you and your family's health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Getting a flu shot reduces the risk of getting sick with flu, reduces the severity of disease if you or your child get sick with flu and prevents the spread of flu to others.
- Please call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to schedule a time to get the flu vaccine for your child.
- If you need help in getting the flu vaccine for your child contact your school nurse.
- Provide your school nurse with documentation of the flu vaccine as soon as possible.
- You can read about the Massachusetts flu vaccine requirement here.
Once you child has receieved the vaccine, please submit documentation from the doctor to the school.
Scholastic Bookfair - Online
DeHello Dunning Pandas!
Our Scholastic Book fair is OPEN! You can shop for your favorite reads and a portion of your purchases will go back to the school. There are a ton of fantastic books and most SHOULD arrive before the holidays. Your order ships free with a $25 purchase. If you have any questions please let me know - bethlast@ymail.com.
Happy Shopping!
Dates to Remember
DECEMBER
Thursday, 10th
- Early Release: Parent Conferences
- 12:00 dismissal for remote studants
- 1:05 dismissal in person students, Lunch IS served.
- Early Release: Parent Conferences
Monday, 14th
- Kindergarten Force and Motion Workshop, Discovery Museum, 9:45am – 1:45pm
- Fifth Grade Virtual Field Trip- Art Quest, 12:05 – 3:30pm
School Council Meeting, 4:00 – 5:00pm
Thursday, 17th
- Virtual Community Meeting, 9:30 – 10:30am
- Early Release: Parent Conferences
- 12:00 dismissal for remote studants
- 1:05 dismissal in person students, Lunch IS served.
Fifth Grade Virtual Field Trip- Art Quest, 12:05 – 3:30pm
- Virtual Winterfest Celebration Presentation, 9:30 – 10:00am
Thursday, 24th - Thursday, 31st
- No School Winter Recess
JANUARY
Friday, 1st
- No School: New Year's Day
Thursday, 7th
- Early Release: Parent Conferences
- 12:00 dismissal for remote studants
- 1:05 dismissal in person students, Lunch IS served.
Thursday, 14th
- Early Release: Parent Conferences
- 12:00 dismissal for remote studants
- 1:05 dismissal in person students, Lunch IS served.
- No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- No School: Professional Development
Thursday, 28th
- No Homework Day
Food Services Information
District Calendars
Dunning Directory
Click on the link below to input information and sign up for the Dunning Directory,
School Hours
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
Half Days
- Students are dismissed at 12:00pm.
- Lunch IS NOT served.
- Half Days: 11/25 and the last day of school.
Universal Lunch & Recess Hour for Remote Learning Kindergarten through Grade 5
The district-wide lunch/recess hour from 12:00PM-1:00PM each day at all nine elementary schools is starting tomorrow, Monday, November 16, 2020. This shift will allow us to provide a coordinated and consistent lunch/recess time for all remote students
Our hope is that this universal lunch/recess hour affords all students with a greater amount of uninterrupted instruction in the classroom and supports all students and families during this challenging time.
Thank you for being outstanding educational partners in this work as we navigate these uncharted waters together.
ESL Writing Assessment Information
ESL Teachers will be administering the biannual ESL Writing Assessment to students (remote and in-person) to students identified as English Learners in grades 3-12, during the following testing windows:
Final Interim Assessment Testing Window:
March 29-April 30
Framingham Public Schools Opens Online Pre-Registration for the Class of 2034
Parents / Guardians can begin the registration process for the incoming Kindergarteners for the 2021-2022 school year.
Families who have a child or children that will be five years old by August 31, 2021 are invited to pre-register their incoming Kindergarteners online. The Parent Information Center, located at 31 Flagg Drive – Door # 4A, has just opened the process that all families must go through before a child can begin their academic career in Framingham Public Schools.
Please visit https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/kindergarten2021 to begin registration and for additional information including detailed steps and timing. Here is a snapshot of the Kindergarten registration process.
Online pre-registration (Now - April 2, 2021)
Schedule a phone appointment with the Parent Information Center (December 7, 2020 - April 2, 2021)
Attend Virtual Kindergarten Information Event(s) (Details are still TBD)
School Tours (March 2021)
Receive school assignment form by May 14, 2021
Confirm your school placement with the Parent Information Center by May 21, 2021
Kindergarten Orientation on June 1, 2021
Housing Help
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has centralized information about resources for families struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19. For information, go this this WEBSITE.
Resources if You Are Struggling to Make Rent or Mortgage Payments
Framingham Public Schools Expands Food Distribution to All School Sites
Framingham Public Schools (FPS) is proud to announce an expansion to the current food distribution operation from four school sites to all school buildings. Framingham Public Schools has been offering free grab-and-go lunch and breakfast at Cameron Middle School, Fuller Middle School, Barbieri Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School since Wednesday, March 18th.
Beginning Monday, November 2nd, families can drive-by or walk-up to any Framingham Public School between 10am and 1pm Monday through Friday to receive meals.
Food is offered by the School Department to ALL families. If a family is having difficulty getting to a distribution site, they can contact the Food Service Department at 508-626-9109. Anyone who approaches the food pick-up area should wear a mask / face covering and follow physical distancing protocols established by Food Services staff. The specific pick-up locations and traffic routes have been posted to the Food Services Website.
Food is provided at no cost to families. Anyone can pick up meals at any of the locations and children do not need to be present to receive food. Families who are eligible for free or reduced meals or those who attend the following Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools including Brophy Elementary School, Fuller Middle School, FHS Thayer Campus, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary School have received or will be receiving a Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Card.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) means that all students at the designated schools receive free meals.
P-EBT is a federal program created in Spring 2020 to provide additional funds for families to buy food while schools were closed due to COVID-19. For more information on P-EBT, please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt.
FPS Food Distribution: Starting November 2nd
- Food pick-up time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
- Locations: All Schools (BLOCKS at Juniper Hill, Barbieri, Brophy, Cameron, Dunning, FHS, FHS Thayer Campus, Fuller, Hemenway, King, McCarthy, Potter Road, Stapleton, Walsh, Woodrow Wilson)
- Is there a cost for families? No
- Which families can pick up meals? All families. Meals are not limited to Free & Reduced families. Any family can get food! (Meals are for school age children between the ages of 5 years old to 18 years old)
- Do students have to be in the vehicle when families pick up meals? No
- Can families pick up multiple meals? Yes
- Do families have to pick up meals from the school their child attends? No
Covid-19 Testing
FREE DRIVE-THROUGH TESTING AT THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
- Location: 770 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA 01701 (entrance to the testing site is on Speen Street near the Mass Pike exit ramp overpass)
- Dates: Starting Monday, November 2, 2020
- Days/Time: Monday to Saturday– 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Eligibility: Open to everyone; symptomatic and asymptomatic
- Appointment: No appointment required
- Format: Drive-through only
- Cost: FREE; no health insurance required
- Test Results: People will receive results in approximately 72 hours from Fallon Ambulance, who is conducting the tests.
FREE, WALK-UP COVID-19 TESTING AT THE
SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL (SMOC)
- Location: South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), 7 Bishop Street, Framingham
- Dates: Starting, Monday, August 31
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3-6 p.m.
- Eligibility: Open to everyone; symptomatic and asymptomatic
- Appointment: No appointment required
- Format: Walk-up (limited parking available on-site)
- Cost: FREE; no health insurance required
- Test Results: People will receive results in approximately 72 hours from Fallon Ambulance, who is conducting the tests.
FREE, WALK-UP COVID-19 TESTING AT AMAZING THINGS ART CENTER
(WALK-UP TESTING ONLY, NO PARKING AVAILABLE)
- Location: Amazing Things Arts Center - 160 Hollis St., Framingham, MA 01702
- Dates: Starting Tuesday, August 18,
- Hours: Tuesday and Thursday – 3-6 p.m.
- Eligibility: Open to everyone; symptomatic and asymptomatic
- Appointment: No appointment required
- Format: Walk-up testing only
- Cost: FREE; no health insurance required
- Test Results: People will receive results in approximately 72 hours from Fallon Ambulance, who is conducting the tests
If you do not receive your test results, after 72 hours, please call the Fallon Hotline at 617-765-0176
For additional information CLICK HERE.
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
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.
Click HERE for FPS Family Tech Support
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
Follow Us on Twitter
Thursday December 3 Is An Early Release Day
- 12:00 dismissal for remote students
- 1:05 dismissal in person students, lunch will be served