Pupil Services Post
from Kate Ryan, the Director of Pupil Services
September 18, 2020
We have had a successful week of orientations and are looking forward to our first full cohort cycle next week!
In this edition of the "Pupil Services Post," you will find updates from Health Services, Student Services, and the ESL Department.
On behalf of our teachers and administrators, thank you for your continued support.
HEALTH SERVICES
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has made recent changes regarding mandated school immunizations for the 2020-2021 school year. Starting with this school year, the MDPH will be requiring all school age students to receive the influenza vaccination. The influenza vaccine reduces the risk of getting sick with influenza and reduces the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza. It also prevents the spread of influenza to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.
Please click the link below to see the new immunization schedule reflecting the update, as well as an FAQ document:
Please make an immunization appointment with your child’s pediatrician office (it is typically a nurse appointment or designated flu clinic day) in order for your child(ren) to obtain the seasonal flu vaccine. If your child is age 9 or over, you can alternatively bring them to a local pharmacy (with no appointment needed) to have the pharmacist vaccinate your child. Please forward the documentation of proof of vaccination/ updated immunization records to your child(ren)’s school nurse via email, fax, or mailing:
Elmwood Street School (Pre-K through grade 3):
Cynthia Romeo
Ph: 508-865-0844
Fx: 508-865-3420
Raymond E Shaw Elementary School (Grades 4 through 6):
Pamela Perkins
Ph: 508-865-0870
Fx: 508-865-3430
Millbury Jr/Sr High School (Grades 7 through 12):
Angela Avramidis
aavramidis@millburyschools.org
Ph: 508-865-3256
Fx: 508-865-5845
Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns.
Student Services
Initial Evaluations, Reevaluations and IEP/504 Team Meetings
Taken from the MPS Return to Learning Plan (pp. 32-33):
The closure of public schools due to COVID-19 had a significant impact on the district’s ability to conduct assessments related to the Special Education process. As a result, the Team Chairpersons spoke with individual families to revisit the evaluation timelines and agreed upon how this would be adjusted.
Upon the start of the school year, the Special Education process will resume in accordance with 603 CMR 28.04.
In accordance with 603 CMR 28.04(3), IEP Teams will continue to conduct annual review Team meetings as they are due. Per DESE guidance, the IEP will be developed as though the student will be attending school full time in-person.
It is important to note that a change in the delivery of services due to a school’s change in learning model, in-person, hybrid, or remote, as a result of COVID-19 does not result in a change of placement. The services outlined in the IEP remain and are considered “stay put.”
As of this writing, Special Education IEP meetings will be held virtually. If a meeting must occur in person, clearly delineated protocols for screening, physical distancing, hand washing/hand sanitizer use, and use of masks/face coverings will be fully enforced. Regardless of whether meetings are held in person or remotely, interpreters will still be provided as needed to ensure multilingual families are able to participate in their native language.
Special Education Team Chairs:
Elmwood St. School (Pk-Gr. 3): Mrs. Kristie Barry-Ayres, kbarry-ayres@millburyschools.org
Shaw School (Gr. 4-6): Mrs. Stephanie Bazinet, sbazinet@millburyschools.org
MMJSHS (Gr. 7-12): Mrs. Christine Warren, cwarren@millburyschools.org
Clerks:
Preschool: Mrs. Lynn Isaacson, lisaacson@millburyschools.org
Gr. 1-6: Ms. Andrea Rodrigues, arodrigues@millburyschools.org
Grades 7 -12: Mrs. Amanda Westerlind, Clerk awesterlind@millburyschools.org
Section 504 Building Coordinators:
Preschool - Gr. 3: Mrs. Kelly Beahn kbeahn@millburyschools.org
Grades 4 - 6: Mrs. Cathy Williamson cwilliamson@millburyschools.org
Grades 4 - 6: Ms Ashley Chaput achaput@millburyschools.org
Grades 7 - 8: Ms. MaryEllen Courtney mcourtney@millburyschools.org
Grades 9 -12: Mrs. Heidi DeSautels hdesautels@millburyschools.org
Grades 9 -12: Ms. Ann Meservey ameservey@millburyschools.org
Grades 9 -12: Mrs. Stephanie DeLucia sdelucia@millburyschools.org
English Language Learners
Engaging our multilingual students during distance learning is of the utmost priority. All teachers are responsible for furthering the language acquisition and achievement in the content areas of their students. Just as English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers bring their expertise in language development, general education teachers provide English learners with opportunities to practice and refine their developing language skills. Collaboration is encouraged at all levels among ESL and general education content teachers with sharing of resources to facilitate student interaction and academic achievement. Integrating language and content in lesson planning during remote learning is essential to students’ success. Teachers should utilize all available resources to promote student interaction and support students in making content accessible and comprehensible to them.
Communicating to multilingual families in a language they understand is a key to this success. Supporting our families with technology needs leads to meaningful interaction among teachers, families and students. Educators may reach out to their building principals to arrange for translator/interpreter services to support this work.
While instructing in different models, English as a Second Language (ESL) educators will continue to implement research-based best practices. Language learning occurs through authentic, meaningful student-to-student interactions. Students at English proficiency levels 1 and 2 will be prioritized for in person learning. Our students will maintain their connection to their teachers, their classmates, and work towards meeting content and language learning targets. The federal and state legal mandates for English language instruction continue to be in place.
Please use Google Translate or Microsoft Translator to help with any attachments sent out by your child's teachers and the district.
Online resources shared by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Do you need assistance quickly? Get the answers you need. It's FREE, confidential, and multilingual.
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HEARING IMPAIRED INFORMATION
Callers can use Mass Relay (7-1-1). 7-1-1 is the single, toll-free, nationwide number that gives everyone access to relay services. People can simply dial 7-1-1 from any phone to reach someone who uses a standard phone or a TTY. An operator will relay verbatim the conversation between the parties.
You can also chat with us online at mass211.org
Call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-6277
Runaway Assistance (Police Officers) ext 11
Childcare ext 23
Call2Talk (Mental Health Line) ext 25
Child Requiring Assistance ext 24
Disaster ext 20
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
The Department of Public Health is sharing the following information on access to WIC services and food for our families with young children.
The MA Department of Public Health's Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program is informing our health and community partners that WIC services are available by phone. ALL WIC Programs are able to provide all services by phone to align with social distancing efforts. Our website will be kept up-to-date as well. Contact local WIC programs with any questions about breastfeeding, nutrition or shopping. Even if local program offices are not open, they are responding to phone calls and providing services from remote locations. WIC is committed to providing families with continued support now and in the days ahead.
WIC welcomes families at any time. Check out WIC's eligibility page to see how to families can apply online for WIC services. Parents, grandparents and foster parents may apply for children under the age of five years who are in their care.
Call WIC at 1-800-942-1007 or 617-721-6601weekdays Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm. If you hear a recording, please leave a message with your name and telephone number, and staff will respond the same business day or email the Worcester WIC Program (Oanh.Nguyen@FHCW.org) directly with any questions.
Contact the Director
Kate Ryan, Director
Mary O'Brien, Administrative Assistant to the Director
Email: kryan@millburyschools.org
Website: https://www.millburyschools.org/domain/15
Location: 12 Martin St, Millbury, MA, USA
Phone: 508-865-0875
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillburyPublicSchools/
Twitter: @MPS_SpecialEd