Bronco Bulletin
Keefe Regional Technical School
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September 11, 2020
We encourage any students who were unable to attend the their class presentation to take some time and watch the recording and review the information shared. If students have questions, please reach out to your School Counselor, or member of the administrative team. Thank you!
Message from Dr. Snow, Principal
Dear Students and Families,
We are all looking forward to our first day of school!
I would like to share some logistical information for the opening of school. The first week, September 16-18th, is an A Week. Students in grades 9 & 11 are in academic classes, and students in grade 10 & 12 are in their vocational classes. You should have all received invitations to Google Classrooms from your instructors - in Google Classroom you will find the Zoom link for your class. Remember - teachers will be live teaching and attendance will be taken.
Each week you will receive a bulletin from me that outlines the “Brain Break” offerings, with the Zoom link, as well as the “X Block” offerings, also with the Zoom links. We strongly encourage all students to participate in these sessions; they are a great way to get involved, have some fun and to connect with your peers.
If you have not done so already, please check iStudent for your schedule. You will need to know the order of your classes and where you should be logging onto Zoom. We do not want anyone to miss the first day of school! If you are having difficulty with your schedule, please contact your Guidance Counselor.
I wish everyone a great first day of school, and we are looking forward to seeing you in person as soon as it is safe and possible!
Message from Superintendent, Mr. Jon Evans:
To The Keefe Tech Community,
While we are disappointed that we will not be starting with our students in the building, we are still excited for the start of the school year. Over the past two weeks, our faculty and staff have done fantastic work preparing the building for the arrival of students, which we hope will be in the very near future. Our team has also been hard at work preparing engaging lessons for our remote start.
At this time, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to list Framingham as a “Red” community based on this Wednesday’s report. While there is some improvement seen, the numbers need to improve more, and for a period of time, before we can safely resume in our Hybrid Model. Families should prepare for at least the first several weeks in a Remote Model. As we continually monitor the data, we remain hopeful that the situation will improve soon.
Students have been participating in class meetings, and opportunities have been scheduled for students to pick up the supplies they need for the year. I encourage all of our families to stay tuned for important updates and information regarding our first remote day of school next Wednesday, September 16th .
Students will be getting information from teachers about how to connect to their scheduled
remote classes. In spite of the challenges we all face, we are very much looking forward to working with our students, and helping them to have the best possible year.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school’s efforts on behalf of the students,
Jon Evans
Mask Policy Approved by School Committee:
Student Handbooks 2020-2021
Student Handbook 2020-2021 - English
Announcements and Upcoming Events:
Back to school material pick-ups continue! All grade 9 students are encouraged to attend on their respective mornings. Lists of courses with materials for upperclass students are included below.
If you are in need of technology to start the school year and have not already filled out the technology survey, please do so ASAP: Technology Survey
If you filled out the technology survey requesting a device, you will need to be there on your scheduled pick-up days to get your chromebook.
Monday, September 14:
Back to school material pick up grade 9 (last names A-L) between 8 AM - 10 AM
Back to school material pick up grade 10 between 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Classes/Programs with Items to be Picked Up - Grade 10:
Biology II with Ms. Portney and Ms. Locke
English with Mr. Peppersack
ESL & ESL Literature
Art with Mr. Lamb
Culinary Arts
Dental Assisting Program
Early Childhood Program
Cosmetology Program
Health Careers Program
Tuesday, September 15
Back to school material pick up grade 9 (last names M-Z) between 8 AM - 10 AM
Back to school material pick up grade 11 between 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Classes/Programs with Items to be Picked Up - Grade 11:
Physics
AP Environmental Science
Environmental Science
English with Mr. Peppersack, Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Rector, Ms. Clifford, Ms. Petro, Mr. Beling
AP Literature
ESL & ESL Literature
Art with Mr. Lamb
Culinary Arts
Dental Assisting Program
Cosmetology Program
Health Careers Program
Early Childhood Program
Metal Fabrication
Wednesday, September 16 - First day of school for all students
Monday, September 21 - School Committee Meeting at 7:00PM. Click the link below for more information: https://keefetechorg.finalsite.com/about/public-meeting-information
Monday, September 28 - No School - Yom Kippur
Student Schedules for the 2020-2021 School Year:
Parents/guardians - If you do not have an iparent account, follow this link for information on how to sign up. This is definitely the school year to make sure you do this! https://keefetechorg.finalsite.com/students-parents/ipass-login
If you already have an istudent or iparent account go here to sign in: https://ipassweb.harrisschool.solutions/school/kts/syslogin.html
Grade 9 students should use the ID number on their schedule that was mailed home to create their account and follow the instructions included in the mailing - also linked below in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
For any grade 10, 11 or 12 student who does not remember their password to istudent use the forgot password function.
After logging into iParent/iStudent with your UserID, click on the + Plus sign next to iParent/iStudent and click Schedule Rotation to see the first term schedule.
Questions about your schedule?
Please reach out to your School Counselor if you have any questions regarding your classes for the 2020-21 school year. You can do this beginning next week by emailing, calling or filing our a Counselor Request Form and selecting schedule concerns. Counselor contact information can be found below in the School Counseling section or on the school website at: https://keefetechorg.finalsite.com/departments/school-counseling
Please note that our add/drop period will close on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
Grade 9 - Gmail and istudent login directions - English
Grade 9 - Gmail and istudent login directions - Portuguese
Grade 9 - Gmail and istudent login directions - Spanish
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Remote Learning Schedule
Wednesday Remote Learning Schedule
2020-2021 School Calendar:
Information on IT Support:
Their direct line is 508-416-2390 (x390 if in the building) and email address is IT@jpkeefehs.org
Support requests can be sent at other times as needed. The times above are specific regarding quicker response times.
Helpful Resources!
How to Log In to Your Keefe Tech Chromebook
Video Instructions: https://spark.adobe.com/video/oAUaSjEZilENJ
Power your computer on by holding the power button on the top right of your keyboard.
Make sure you are connected to the internet. If not click the WiFi symbol on the button right on the screen and choose your network.
The login screen should appear at this time. Enter your username which is your first initial, followed by your last name, followed by your year of graduation then @jpkeefehs.org. For example, if your name is John Smith and you are a freshman, you would login as jsmith2024@jpkeefehs.org. Note that the @jpkeefehs.org is already filled in for you.
Your initial password is “Keefe”, with a capital K, followed by your 4 digit ID number. For example: “Keefe0000”.
You will then be prompted to change your password. Make it easy to remember.
Scroll down and click “accept” to accept the terms of use.
Once you see the main page, you have successfully logged in.
How to Log In to Google Classroom
Video Instructions: https://spark.adobe.com/video/bdQRvlnl1k3hq
Either:
Open a google chrome browser. You should already be signed in if using a Keefe Tech Chromebook. Click the “google app” icon and click “classroom”.
If you are not signed in, or not using a Keefe Tech Chromebook, navigate to classroom.google.com and sign in with your keefe email address and password.
Click the “+” icon and type in the class code provided by your teacher to join a new class.
How to Log Onto a Zoom Meeting
Video Instructions: https://spark.adobe.com/video/SM2NDvpogyC8X
1. Click the zoom link your teacher has provided via google classroom or email.
2. If this is your first time using zoom, you will need to install zoom to google chrome. Click "Install from Chrome Web Store", next click "Add to Chrome", then click "Add App".
3. Enter your screen name as your first and last name. For example, John Smith.
4. Wait for the meeting to begin, or your teacher to admit you into the meeting.
5. Upon entry, mute yourself by clicking the “mute” button. Stay muted until you are instructed to unmute or you have a question.
6. If your webcam is not connected, click “start video” and keep your entire face visible the entire zoom meeting.
7. You may click “chat” to add appropriate comments, concerns, and questions.
School Breakfast/Lunch Information for the 2020-21 School Year
Free Meals for Keefe Tech Students
While School is Fully Remote
Mondays
2pm -4pm
Curbside Grab & Go Student Meals are available for Keefe Tech students at Keefe Technical High School by entering Fountain Street and following the meal pick up signs. Meals are available to all enrolled Keefe Tech students at no charge.
Each child will receive the equivalent of 5 breakfast & lunch meals
1. Google form will be emailed to all students every Monday for the following week (breakfast items will vary according to availability)
2. Students will request meals by completing Google form by 6pm each Wednesday for the following week
3. Student or family member will pick up meals each Monday between 2pm and 4pm
Student shout out!
A few summer highlights from our Keefe Tech faculty!
Ms. Erickson got to spend a lot of time hiking in the White Mountains this summer with her dog, Bindi.
From Ms. Blain (our new ESL teacher!) - Camping in the White Mountains with my kids was so much fun!
Mr. Allain photographed this pair of eagles this summer!
From Ms. Kellogg!
Mr. McGrath and Mr. Westerman visited muscle beach this summer!
Mrs. Conti became an Aunt and her kids loved matching outfits this summer!
Lots of sunsets and beach time in Chatham for Mrs. Chrisom!
Ms. Fairclough had many adventures in hiking this summer, rain or shine!
From Mrs. Lyskowski!
Lots of social distant summer adventures for Dr. Snow and her little ones!
Mr. Lesieur visited family in Frederick, MD and Easton, MA!
Mrs. Portney spent time exploring Massachusetts towns with her husband!
Mrs. Almeida and her husband, Helio, bought a new home!
The best sunsets can be found on Block Island at the end of the summer! Mrs. Swasey
Mrs. Rector in ELA can’t wait for you to fill this great space with your writing and projects!
Mrs. Hargrove had lots of family adventures this summer!
From Ms. Louison!
I am very grateful to have them in my life.
Coach, Mrs. Kane, and their family got to see the most stunning, energizing, and humbling sunsets on Sebago Lake, Maine, this summer!
Mrs. Clifford had a baby, and went to the Cape!
Mr. Adamiak explored the salt marshes of Cape May, NJ!
From Mr. McIntosh - a picture of my French Bulldog, Harper, going for a ride with her head out the car window!
Mrs. Straton goes camping with her family and finds a praying mantis for the first time in years!
Mrs. Fisichella had a blast with her family at Canobie Lake Park!
From Ms. Sanclemente!
Mrs. Bogusky had some family fun up in Maine this summer!
Lots of summer fun for Mr. Collins and his family!
School Counseling Department
Counselor Caseloads for the 2020-2021 School Year:
Additional School Counselor Contact Information:
Link for Counselor Appointment Request Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSeQxBm36zzH2QAYozm5ICzLO6-8oJWO6EGa9dGda88-J0Yg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Mrs. Fisichella
Email: afisichella@jpkeefehs.org
Work Phone at Keefe Tech - leave a message): 508-416-2274
Google Voice (during school hours): 617-855-9234
Zoom Personal Meeting Room (During office hours and scheduled appointments):
https://zoom.us/j/4243545959?pwd=L3VzOVVRZ1hCZjYrYUR2Rzd5WUhzdz09
Meeting ID: 424 354 5959 Passcode: 7t9YYX
Google Hangouts (on your school gmail account)
Mrs. Cupertino
Email: scupertino@jpkeefehs.org
Work Phone at Keefe Tech (leave a message): 508.416.2312
Google Voice (during school hours): 508.556.0228
Zoom Personal Meeting Room (During office hours and scheduled appointments):
https://zoom.us/j/2204650199?pwd=TUNTWkVEMUhUYTRjT3ZlTWl1R0U0dz09
Meeting ID: 220 465 0199 Passcode: YW0uVR
Google Hangouts (on your school gmail account)
Mrs. Soares-Moreno
Email: ksoares@jpkeefehs.org
Work Phone at Keefe Tech - leave a message): 508-416-2275
Google Voice (during school hours): 508-656-0717
Zoom Personal Meeting Room (During office hours and scheduled appointments):
https://zoom.us/j/8681704233?pwd=Z0NaRDEzaVVZRSt6VVpkTkIxNjB6dz09
Meeting ID: 868 170 4233 Passcode: 3M4sg3
Google Hangouts (on your school gmail account)
Mrs. Lyskowski
Email: slyskowski@jpkeefehs.org
Phone at Keefe Tech (please leave a message): 508-416-2272
Google Voice (during school hours): 508-656-0879
Zoom Personal Meeting Room (During Office Hours and scheduled appointments):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2558704730?pwd=L0lBc1hQeHlTcWNPSSs1ZlducVIxUT09
Meeting ID: 255 870 4730 Passcode: 408288
Google Hangouts (on your school gmail account)
Ms. Fairclough - Adjustment Counselor
- Email: jfairclough@jpkeefehs.org
- Phone at Keefe Tech (please leave a message): 508-416-2106
- Google Voice (during school hours): 508-656-0679
- Zoom personal room: https://zoom.us/j/4148415605?pwd=VGp3MEN5SldWalREbHVZei9QVkZSZz09. Meeting ID: 414 841 5605. Passcode: yUVc1m
Things you can expect from your School Counselors over the next few weeks:
- Welcome videos sent to student emails
- Invitation to guidance google classroom based on your grade level
- Individual connections with students and families
- Times for virtual drop-in office hours and class meet and greets
- Check out the weekly calendar sent by Dr. Snow for specific programming from our department
- Hang out with us on Brain Breaks! Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10-10:15 AM!
Attention Class of 2021:
If you have not already reviewed this information please do, thank you!
A few basic tips for success!
- Start your college list on Naviance - you can share this with your counselor
- Attend college visits - we are setting up virtual visits through Naviance and will share that information with juniors and seniors
- Check out college websites and see what schools are doing for tours - are they virtual, driving through campus ones with narration, small on-campus tours - schedule your visits!
- Check out the admission's pages on the colleges and universities that you are interested in
- Start and finish your college essays before the school year begins - also check out college essay help sessions during X block!
Updated Information Regarding Standardized Testing for the Class of 2021 - Recent Announcements & Resources - August 2020
List of Test Optional Colleges (as of 8/16/2020)
For students wishing to pursue athletics in college:
NCAA Announces Flexibility for Initial Eligibility 2021-2022 (8/17/2020)
Recent publications signed by College Admission Deans and Administrators:
NACAC Pledge: Test-Optional Means Test-Optional
Care Counts in Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID-19
If you would like to see an informative presentation by Adam Ingersoll of Compass Prep:
Video: The Current State of College Admission Testing (8/6/2020)
Virtual College Tours/Fairs
A few websites to check out regarding virtual college tours/fairs:
- https://www.virtualcollegefairs.org/ upcoming Virtual College Fairs: 10/12; 10/18; 11/8
- https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
- https://campustours.com/
- https://www.ecampustours.com/
- Framingham State visits - here is an example of what school's are doing: https://www.framingham.edu/admissions-and-aid/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/undergraduate-campus-visit/undergraduate-campus-visit
- UMASS Amherst - virtual visits: https://yes.umass.edu/portal/virtual_student_guided_visits?_ga=2.162434492.1042432132.1592327165-829407169.1590775254
Standardized Testing
Though we know SAT and ACT have test dates set up for the fall, we still don't know what the availability of test centers will be around our area. If you've registered for either the SAT or ACT, that's great, but we want to make sure you don't panic if your test center for some reason is closed or a test date doesn't run. It is likely the number of test optional schools will continue to grow with the uncertainty around being able to offer these standardized tests in the fall.
- SAT website: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
- ACT website: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
- Keefe Tech's School Code is: 220854
Daily College Financing Webinars for Families - Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
Beginning Monday, September 28th through Thursday, November 5th , MEFA will host a live College Financing webinar daily every Monday through Thursday, with daytime and evening hours. All webinars will be recorded and available online for families who are unable to attend a live event. Their webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the full financial aid application process. Presenters will include MEFA staff members as well as guests from financial aid offices across the Commonwealth, providing families the opportunity to hear from many of the most knowledgeable financial aid leaders in the industry.
Go to mefa.org/events to register for a live webinar. If you have any questions, please reach out to them at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or collegeplanning@mefa.org.
Resources from our School Nurses
All upper class (grade 10, 11 and 12) students should have received a new copy of our health form (orange form) that needs to be updated and sent in. This is something we need a copy of every single school year. You can bring with you at on your back to school material pick up days, mail in, scan and email in or fax!
Questions or concerns can be directed to our Health Office beginning next week using the number 508.416.2263 or by emailing bveale@jpkeefehs.org and mwade@jpkeefehs.org
Lots of resources for families to review below!
COVID-19 Resources
De los CDC: cómo usar una máscara de manera segura
COVID-19 Symtoms
Sintomas do COVID-19 - Português
Síntomas COVID-19 - Español
From the CDC - how to manage your COVID symptoms at home:
Do CDC - como gerenciar seus sintomas COVID em casa:
De los CDC - cómo manejar sus síntomas de COVID en casa:
Community Resources and Events
CS Driving School - Fall 2020 Virtual Class Schedule
Comcast Internet Essentials Program:
The “Internet Essentials Partnership Program” is designed to help accelerate Internet adoption at a critical time. It offers households low-cost, broadband Internet service for $9.95/month, the option to purchase a heavily subsidized computer, and multiple options for digital literacy training. Today, Comcast also announced it is giving all Internet Essentials customers its innovative xFi platform, which enables parents to control and manage their children’s WiFi connected devices.
The initiative builds on Comcast’s recent announcement that it will continue to offer, through the end of 2020, all new Internet Essentials customers two months of free Internet service and it will forgive back debt due so more families can apply.
With so many families at home, parents and caregivers need controls to manage their home WiFi connection and their children’s devices. Access to xFi, which is a simple, digital dashboard that enables customers to set up and manage their home WiFi, families can see what devices are connected, set safe-browsing modes so children can only access age-appropriate content, get notifications about activity on their home WiFi, and have the ability to pause devices for dinner or bedtime.
The program also includes two months of free Internet service for new Internet Essentials customers.
Food Resource: Daniel's Table
During this crisis, Daniel’s Table will be distributing groceries to families with children 0-18 years of age or persons over 60 years of age.
HOURS: Wednesday 4 – 6:30 p.m. OR Friday 1 – 3 p.m.
We ask clients to choose one day per week to come to Daniel’s Table for groceries.
While we encourage families to find transportation from a friend, family member, or neighbor to Daniel’s Table on Wednesdays and Fridays, we can deliver to families on an emergency basis if they are quarantined or have absolutely no other form of transportation.
Deliveries: Wednesday from 3:15 – 5 p.m.
Fridays from 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Family member must answer the phone when the driver calls and the delivery driver will leave groceries outside. If no answer, the groceries will not be left.
As of now we do NOT have the ability to do outreach, so if a family needs another delivery, they MUST call the hotline number.
508-239-6690 English/Spanish
508-239-6691 English/Portuguese
Mental Health Resources
Partnership with Interface Referral Service:
The William James College INTERFACE Referral Service, offered through our Freedman Center, is an outpatient mental health and wellness referral Helpline available Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for all residents and public school students in Hopkinton and Natick, public school students of Holliston as well as students from Ashland and Framingham attending Keefe Tech.
Callers are matched with licensed outpatient mental health providers from our extensive database, on average, within 2 weeks of their call to INTERFACE. Each referral best meets the specialty needs, insurance or fee requirement, location and availability needs of the caller.
For more information: visit their Facebook page @InterfaceReferralService or our website at interface.williamjames.edu
Psychiatric Emergency Services PES - 508-872-3333
PES is operating primarily under a telehealth model. Parents and schools can still call the PES number to triage emergency situations. If a follow-up with a clinician is needed PES will do so via a zoom session. Some in-person meetings with a clinician can be possible if there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., no internet at home, a child is too young to zoom).
TEMPO - 508-879-1424
TEMPO is still open by appointment only and only two young adults (masks worn) can be inside the building at one time to accommodate social distance regs. People can call to book an appointment. All services, however, are still running, such as drop in therapy visits and support groups. Clinicians are doing so via zoom and will give zoom info to callers.
Keefe Regional Technical School
Website: keefetech.org
Location: 750 Winter Street, Framingham, MA, United States
Phone: 508-416-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/keefetech