NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - June 1, 2021
Memorial Day - May 31, 2021
More DESE Updates About Protocols
Dear NIS families,
Here are the latest updates from the Commisioner of Education regarding school safety protocols and our district stance as articulated by Dr. Hallett:
- Updated COVID-19 guidance from DESE: as outlined in this document, all public school students and staff are expected to maintain all mitigation strategies throughout the school year. For Nantucket, this means all students and staff must wear masks indoors until the end of the school day on June 25, and we must maintain 3-6 feet of distance in our classrooms. It is important that we finish the year off strong and support our students and each other to maintain our safety protocols... they have served us very well, so let's keep it going until the end!
- What to expect for next year: according to DESE, all emergency protocols will be lifted by the start to the 2021-22 school year. All schools will be in session in-person, 5 full days a week with no option for remote learning (Cohort D) with very specific exceptions (see the last paragraph of the linked document above).
- Last week's guidance stated that staff members must continue to wear masks outside. That has been changed. Both staff and students may take masks off outdoors. Please know that we respect any decisions your family and child make to continue to wear a mask outdoors. They will be fully supported by our staff.
We are excited by the changes occurring and ask for your support with students as we enter our last month of school. Nearly all of our kiddos are easily complying with the safety protocols in place, but as things loosen outside of school it may be difficult for them to understand why we have to remain "strict" with regard to protocols in school. Our hard work has paid off so far with zero community spread of COVID at NIS. We want this to continue!
Thank you so much for your support!
Happy June!
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Sewer Project - Traffic Delays Possible
SEWER PROJECT UPDATES
This week's and next week's updates includes:
6/1/21 - 6/4/21
Tuesday thru Thursday:
Continue installation of gravity sewers, progressing north on Surfside Road from Bartlett Road towards First Way
**Phase 2 Road Closure and Detour in place**
Friday: Trench paving
6/7 thru 6/11
Monday thru Thursday:
Continue installation of gravity sewers, progressing north on Surfside Road from Maclean Lane towards First Way
**Phase 2 Road Closure and Detour in place**
Friday: Trench paving
Here is a link to visit for the project webpage that has very detailed information. They will regularly be updating this project webpage (weekly).
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Dear NIS Families,
We are almost at the finish line of this pandemic. I can see the light at the end of this tunnel and it’s burning brighter every week. The CDC, State, and Department of Education and Secondary Education have lifted some mask wearing protocols. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask while outside or inside, except with a few exceptions. (see CDC link).
The 12-15 year olds are now eligible for the vaccine. The school nurses, in conjunction with the town, had a successful vaccine clinic last week for our 12 year old and older students. If you were unable to attend the clinic and are still looking to get your student vaccinated, you may get one through the Town. Town nurses will hold a walk-in clinic on Wednesdays 5-7pm at the Saltmarsh Center on 81 Washington St. No appointment needed. See the link below.
https://nantucket-ma.gov/2028/COVID-Vaccine
Stay safe and healthy and get vaccinated!
Nancy Small RN
Important Student Drop Off Information
Students are to be dropped off for school using the entrance off of Backus lane only. Using the surfside road entrance poses a safety issue for students, therefore should not be used in the morning to drop students off.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Spring Newsletters from Our Social/Emotional Learning Team
School Counselor Spring 2021 SMORE Ms. Rachel Foulkes & Mr. Aaron Peckham
Social Worker Spring 2021 SMORE Ms. Emily Sybert
NIS Safety Protocols - Revised
Healthy Bodies Support Healthy Minds
We know that children's birthdays are special and that they want to share their special day with the class. This year especially, and going forward students should not bring in food items to share with the class (cupcakes, cookies, chips etc.). Most of you have been so supportive with adhering to this change in support of healthy student bodies.
If your child desires to share something with classmates for their birthday consider any one of the following: special pencils, stickers, painted shell or drawing(s). Another idea is to purchase a book for the classroom or school library in honor of your child's birthday. This is a lasting way to celebrate!
MCAS Testing at NIS
This week 5th graders will take the MCAS Science test on Thursday. Only makeup testing will be administered after that.
Remaining Testing Dates:
June 3 - Gr. 5 STE
Here is a link for more information about MCAS testing: MCAS Resources for Parents/Guardians
For 2021, students will only take one session for each subject area test.
MCAS Subject Area Test for Grades 3–8
Recommended Testing Times *All tests are untimed
STE for Students in Grade 5
1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours
COVID-19 Travel Advisory - Still in effect
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
- Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
- Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
- Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.
Schoology Support for Parents/Caregivers
Our NIS in house Schoology trainers are Grade 5 teacher Taylor O'Brien and Library Teacher Olivia Myers who have both expressed their availability to parents for Schoology questions. Here is their contact information:
Taylor O'Brien: Obrient@npsk.org
Olivia Myers: myerso@npsk.org
Please see attachments below for more information in English and Spanish.
Free and Reduced Lunch News
Even though meals are free to all, families who are Directly Certified or Approved via a paper application for Free or Reduced lunch can use their letter for:
- Reduced electricity costs through National Grid
- Reduced internet through Comcast Xfinity
- May also qualify for Food Pantry or Nantucket Housing & Fuel Assistance
Please contact the Central Registrar Sarah Erichsen if you have questions by calling 508-228-7285 x1149 or emailing erichsens@npsk.org.
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
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