NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - May 4, 2020
Celebrating our Educators!
Dear NIS Family Partners,
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and at NIS we inlude all of our staff members in this celebration as each one of them contributes to the education of our students in so many ways. Every year, especially during this week, we find ways to celebrate all of the hard work and dedication our staff exhibits each and every day. This year though, the work they are doing is above and beyond anything any of us could have imagined. Our educators have faced unprecedented challenges, and they've risen to meet them with grace, care, and excellence. Their dedication has kept children feeling safe, engaged in learning, and, most importantly, part of our school community. We need your help, especially now, in recognizing them for all they do for your children and to support you during remote learning.
Here are some ideas for how to celebrate our teachers this week:
* Send a short thank you video to teachers by email
* Create a class photo or video collage for classroom teachers and specialists
* Send an E-card to teachers
* Create a Teacher Appreciation Word Cloud as a way of saying thanks
* Create a drawing or card for your teachers and send a picture of it to them
* Email your teachers a letter telling them why you think they are so great
* Place thank you yard signs in their yards (if you know where they live)
* Send dinner from a local restaurant or purchase a dinner for curbside pickup
For these and other great ideas see ptotoday.com
We would also like to recognize that this coming Sunday, May 10th is Mother's Day. We wish all of our NIS moms a beautiful day of rest and relaxation with your families. You too are working harder than ever right now with having your children home full time, seven days a week. A big, heartfelt thank you to all of our mom's for all they do to provide love and care to their children!
Thank you for helping us to recognize our educators this week, many of whom are also moms!
Best regards,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal mcneile@npsk.org
Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal johnsond@npsk.org
From the Desk of our School Nurse
Dear NIS Families,
As you all know, Nantucket is a beautiful and unique island. We are all so lucky to be able to live and work in this community. I have lived here for over 20 years and have never seen a more committed, giving, selfless community. I truly feel the sense of “we take care of our own”. Look what we did as a community with the stay at home advisory. We managed to have three weeks without a positive case of covid. That is remarkable!! We all did our part by social distancing, wearing masks, frequent hand washing and staying home. So over the past week we’ve had two more positive cases, it was bound to happen. We will get through this Nantucketers. We will keep doing what we do best and that is taking care of our own by social distancing, wearing masks, and staying at home.
To help you all stay healthy, I thought I would give you some ways to help boost your immunity.
Get adequate sleep, at least 7 hours or more, try to keep a structured bedtime
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Get some form of exercise daily, go outside for fresh air
Laugh more, remember laughter is the best medicine
Wash your hands frequently
Try to minimize your stress, practice self care, deep breathe, learn to meditate
Show Gratitude
Be Kind
Avoid excessive use of alcohol or drugs
Until next time, stay strong, stay healthy and 6 feet apart,
Nancy Small RN
Ms. Nancy Small available daily to answer your medical questions Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Start with an email to smalln@npsk.org and Ms. Small will email or call you back.
Behavioral Support Offered to Families
Dear Families,
These are challenging times for our students and we recognize that feelings of sadness or anxiety may present themselves as behavioral challenges at home. If you are looking for additional support and strategies to address your child’s behavior during remote learning time please reach out to me during office hours noted below. I am also available by phone appointment. Also included is the link to my BCBA newsletter that includes additional information, resources, strategies etc. to address behavior.
Best regards,
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
Parent Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday, 12:30-1:00
Zoom ID: 960 679 983
Password: bcba1234
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-10:45
Zoom ID: 880 409 252
Password: bcba1234
Assistance for Families
Nantucket Food-Fuel-Rental Assistance --- https://www.assistnantucket.org
Nantucket Culinary Center is offering buy one give one for their family meals. If you are interested in purchasing a meal click here: https://nantucketculinary.com
If you are in need of a free meal please click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9ozRLWoaXIJ3aiSxp7AayARfyhIm3pifmEJ2W5iHfcrkz0A/viewform
Health Resources:
Fairwinds - https://www.fairwindscenter.org/fairwinds-corona-response/
Free drop-in Zoom support meetings:
Groups 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
How: Click on this zoom link to join any meeting: https://zoom.us/j/994360705
Groups 4:00-5:00 p.m. (individual Zoom log-ins, see below)
Mondays: From 4-5 p.m. Un grupo de apoyo gratuito en español:
El Grupo Creando Calmate ayuda a lidiar con la ansiedad y el estrés
Creating Calm Support Group in Spanish. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/712149785Thursdays: From 4-5 p.m. Teen Recovery Group offering support and answers to teens ages 14-21 in a non-judgmental, open forum. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/790603392
Gosnold- Teletherapy support and Mobile Crisis (877) 784-6273.
A Safe Place - 508- 228-2111 https://www.asafeplacenantucket.org
Nantucket Cottage Hospital -- Still open for same day appointments. Call ahead as they are working to keep potential Covid-19 patients separated from the general patient population. 508-825-1000
Utility Services COVID-19 response:
Wannacomet Water Company
No late fees, penalties or interest will be charged at this time: https://www.wannacomet.org
National Grid
Payment options and support services : https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Default.aspx
Comcast: Will not disconnect internet for nonpayment (and other assistance plans) Contact directly for more information: https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Verizon: Contact for specific offers of assistance: https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-helps-eliminate-worry
Emergency Child Care:
Emergency drop-in child care programs are opening to provide emergency, back-up, drop-in child care for vulnerable families and members of essential workforces who have no other option. Parents and guardians working from home are not a priority for emergency child care. Likewise, if you have alternate child care, such as friends or family, you should not contact these programs. (from https://eeclead.force.com/apex/EEC_ChildCareEmergencyFAQParents)
Nantucket Locations: (See chart below)
School Counselor Information
School Counselor Office Hours
Monday: Miss. Adams from 10am to 12pm
Tuesday: Mr. Peckham from 10am to 12pm
Wednesday: Miss. Adams from 10am to 12pm
Thursday: Mr.Peckham from 10am to 12pm
Friday: Miss Adams and Mr. Peckham from 10am to 12pm.
Students, caregivers, parents, and families may call in to either School Counselor at those times. If these times do not work for you please contact the School Counselors to Schedule an appointment.
Ms. Adams: 774-333-2017 adamsv@npsk.org
Zoom Meeting: zoom.us/j/952032798 Password: NISRULES
Mr. Peckham: 508-348-9332 peckhama@npsk.org
Zoom Meeting: zoom.us/j/6919371321 Password: NISRULES
Want to reach our Social Worker? Here is her contact information:
Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg: 508-257-1783 rosenberga@npsk.org
Specialist Teachers' Learning Activities
Check back weekly for updated learning activities!
Please know each of our specialists have Parent and Student Connection hours too! Just email the specialist teacher you want to connect with to learn when the are available virtually.
Art - Heldj@npsk.org
Library - myerso@npsk.org
Music - sheppards@npsk.org
Physical education - gardnerg@npsk.org
Spanish - nashz@npsk.org
SEL - see counselor information above
Enrichment - baskettf@npsk.org
NIS Trimester II Report Cards Ready to View in ASPEN
Trimester II report cards are now ready to view in ASPEN. They will not be printed and mailed home. If you don’t know your ASPEN password please reach out to Katie Bedell, BedellK@npsk.org or Emily Murphy, Murphye@npsk.org. You will need this password to access your child’s report card in ASPEN. They are also willing to walk you through how to access the report card online.
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
Information About Special Needs Advisory Council Attached Below...
Reminder about Netiquette and How You Can Help
We have seen some new challenges that online learning can bring pertaining to "Netiquette". We understand that remote learning and stay at home orders have likely increased screen time for your children. At NIS, we are truly grateful that we are able to connect with students and families through the digital platforms Meet and Zoom. While we are confident that most students are using the technology appropriately, we are getting word from some teachers that students may need some additional support from home to ensure that technology is being used appropriately. The following “Netiquette” has been shared with students and we would greatly appreciate if you could support your child at home with practicing the following suggestions and expectations:
Determine a time to turn screens off. Ensure that children do not have access to technology during the night time hours when they should be getting sleep. If students need to contact their teachers, set aside time first thing in the morning or at the end of the “school day” to send questions or to share their great work.
We understand that some children are using Google Hangouts Meet to connect with their friends. While we understand the need for this contact, we ask that students do not use the teacher’s meeting address to socialize. Under adult supervision, kids can create their own Meet links to connect with friends. We expect that this is done only after their school work is done for the day.
Please remind your child, that while we are not in the building, teachers and administrators still can access a student’s Chromebook screen and history via GoGuardian. Students are expected to adhere to the NPS Technology Acceptable Use Policies at all times when using the NPS network and devices.
Please remind your child that they are expected to dress appropriately when meeting live with their class and/or teacher. While comfortable clothing is appropriate, students should ensure that they are adhering to the NIS dress code and sufficiently covered up when using Zoom and Google Meet.
We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers, the NPS Technology Department or the NIS administrators if you have any questions or need additional support.
Nantucket Antheneum Information to Support You!
Hello everyone!
- The Atheneum can now look up your library card number. If If you've lost your card (or need to sign up for one), please send us an email and we'll get you set up. info@nantucketatheneum.org
- We've created a YouTube channel with instructions on how to easily set up your desktop or mobile device to download ebooks, audiobooks, stream movies, read magazines, learn a new language or take a class. There is something up there for everyone in the family, all you need is your library card and pin number (usually the last 4 digits of your card #).
- Nantucket Atheneum Digital Library
- Visit our homepage for further staff-curated educational links, resources and booklists to inspire you or sign up for an online class using our calendar.
- Nantucket Atheneum
Both pages will continue to evolve as we add more. Please stay safe and well. Hopefully, we'll all be back together soon.
Kind regards,
Leslie Malcolm