Husky Family News 2/14/2021
Happy Valentine's Day!
Hello Husky Families!
Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope your day is filled with chocolates, flowers, and lots of love!
Beginning after the February break, we will be conducting VOLUNTARY BinaxNOW Covid-19 testing for students and staff. (Note: there is mandatory testing for all athletes and coaches)
Information on MHHS BinaxNOW testing can be found below and also here: MHHS BinaxNOW Covid-19 Testing
Congratulations to Emily Marino and Rachel Ouellette for their acceptance to the 2021 NAfME (National Association for Music Education) 2021 All-Eastern Honor Ensembles. This is a huge honor awarded to only the finest musicians throughout New England! Congratulations also to Mr. Christopher Lambert and Mr. David Lauria on the success of their ensemble members. We are so proud of the great accomplishments of these two Mt. Hope High School musicians! Check out the press release and pictures below!
Enjoy a well deserved February break!
Please review the information below that includes:
- Attendance & Tardy Reminders
- BinaxNOW Covid-19 Students and Staff Testing Info
- IF you are TRAVELING this week
- STUDENT Tips and Strategies when Learning from Home
- Parents/Guardians of 11th and 12th Grade Students!
- Congratulations to our All Eastern Honors Musicians!
- MHHS Robotics Teams are Competing Virtually!
- Is your House Suicide Proof?
- RIDOH & RISAS Youth Mental Health Series
- SENIORS interested in exploring MTTI:
In Case you Missed It!
THANK YOU for your ongoing support!
Dr. DiBiase,
Principal, Mt. Hope High School
1. Attendance and Tardy REMINDER!
If your child will be absent from In Person learning OR Virtual learning, please be sure to contact the school at 401-254-5980 OR email Jean Coelho at jean.coelho@bwrsd.org to report the absence.
IF a student signs into class after 7:45 it is THE STUDENT or PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY to inform Mrs. Coelho. She will change the absence to tardy.
Daily robocalls are sent to families of students who are marked absent either virtually or In Person.To avoid getting these messages, please be sure to contact us if your child is absent OR late signing in.
If your child is experiencing any Covid related symptoms contact Ellen Estrella, School Nurse Teacher, at ellen.estrella@bwrsd.org or call 254-5980.
Thank you!
2. BinaxNOW Covid-19 Students & Staff Testing Information
The Bristol Warren Regional School District (BWRSD) takes the health and safety of our students and their families very seriously. As such, in addition to screening protocols, and mask and social distancing requirements, we are adding a voluntary K-12 COVID-19 testing program for students and staff. This program uses BinaxNOW tests provided by the federal government.
Testing will only be completed with parent/guardian (for students) or staff consent. A COVID-19 Testing Consent Form is located in Aspen under the “Tasks'' widget area (similar to the “Covid Daily Student/Staff Screening”). See video tutorial below.
This Consent Form only needs to be completed once for parents/guardians and staff to agree to periodic testing for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
This testing is required for all student athletes and coaches. For all other students and staff, It is optional, but strongly encouraged to help us keep our schools as healthy and safe as possible.
What is the test?
The BinaxNOW COVID-19 test involves using a swab placed inside the tip of the nose to collect a specimen for testing. For students under the age of 12, a trained COVID-19 test facilitator will conduct the swab test. Students ages 12 and older will be assisted through the process by a trained test facilitator.
Students athletes and coaches will be tested weekly. ((Student Athlete/Extra Curricular BinaxNOW testing schedule) . All other students and staff will be tested once every 1-2 weeks beginning the week of February 22. See schedule below and also here: MHHS BinaxNOW Testing Logistics. PLEASE NOTE: Students or staff who have tested positive within the last 90 days of a BinaxNOW test date will not be tested.
Staff or parents/guardians will only be notified by the school nurse if there is a positive test result. Results will then be reported to the RIDOH. Students who test positive will be immediately taken to an isolation room and parents/guardians will be notified to pick up the student within the hour. Parents/guardians should contact their primary care physician, and schedule a test at K-12 portal.ri.gov. Staff who test positive will immediately be sent home and should also contact their primary care physician and schedule a test at K-12 portal.ri.gov.
The BinaxNOW test is only for individuals who are asymptomatic (not showing symptoms). Staff or students who are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 should remain home, contact their primary care physician, and schedule a test at K-12 portal.ri.gov.
Disclaimer:
While we realize precautions will be taken for the safety of students, please understand that neither the test facilitator nor the BWRSD, nor any of its committee members, officers, or employees are liable for any accident or injuries that may occur to your child or yourself (if you are a student age 18 or older), as a result of agreeing to the test.
If you have questions regarding the BinaxNOW testing program, please contact Ellen Estrella, MHHS School Nurse Teacher, (ellen.estrella@bwrsd.org), Robert Hanlon, Assistant Principal (robert.hanlon@bwrsd.org), or Dr. DiBiase, Principal, (deborah.dibiase@bwrsd.org).
Watch how BinaxNOW Testing is done! - 45 Second Video
VIDEO TUTORIAL: How to Complete the BinaxNOW Consent form in ASPEN
BinaxNOW Testing Consent Form
3. IF you are TRAVELING this week:
Please refer to the following link from the Rhode Island Department of Health if you have plans to travel this week.
https://covid.ri.gov/covid-19-prevention/travel-tofrom-ri
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ellen Estrella at ellen.estrella@bwrsd.org.
Thank you!
4. STUDENT Tips and Strategies when Learning from Home
Please reach out if you need support!
5. Parents/Guardians of 11th and 12th Grade Students!
PLEASE remind your students to complete the portfolio presentation survey that is posted in Portfolio Google Classroom.
In the survey, they will indicate if they would like to do a virtual or in person presentation as well as to request the time for their presentation. Surveys must be completed no later than Monday, 2/15/2021.
Presentations will be on March 16th and there will be no live classes that day (for all grades).
The surveys are below, but they are also posted in the Portfolio Google Classrooms.
If you have any questions, please contact Caitlin Booth, Portfolio Coordinator, at caitlin.booth@bwrsd.org.
Thank you for the help!!!
6. Congratulations to our All Eastern Honors Musicians!
Congratulations to Emily Marino and Rachel Ouellette for their acceptance to the 2021 NAfME (National Association for Music Education) 2021 All-Eastern Honor Ensembles. This is a huge honor awarded to only the finest musicians throughout New England! Congratulations also to Mr. Christopher Lambert and Mr. David Lauria on the success of their ensemble members. We are so proud of the great accomplishments of these two Mt. Hope High School musicians!
Emily and Rachel are among 719 of the finest high school musicians chosen from Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont who were accepted into the NAfME 2021 All-Eastern Honor Ensembles!
CONGRATULATIONS!
7. MHHS Robotics Teams are Competing Virtually!
8. Is your Home Suicide Proof?
Every year, millions of kids and teenagers seriously think about attempting suicide. You might think your child or teenager is not at risk for suicide, but why take a chance? These simple things can help you suicide proof your home and might save someone’s life. See MORE INFO ATTACHED BELOW.
If you are concerned about your child please contact: Kids Link 1-855-543-5465 for children in crisis. If you are over 18 please call BH-Link at 401-414-5465.
9. RIDOH & RISAS Youth Mental Health Series
10. SENIORS interested in exploring MTTI:
A MTTI Virtual Info Sessions is scheduled for Wednesday February 17, 2021 - 6pm to 7pm.
Interested seniors can register to attend this MTTI ZOOM session by emailing Rick Shaw.
Email: rshaw@mtti.edu
Subject Line: 2.17.21 Info Session
In the body of the email please type:
FirstName LastName
School Name
Graduation Year
Program of Interest (programs can be viewed at www.mtti.edu)
Phone Number
In Case you Missed it!
Follow Mt. Hope High School!
@mthopehs
Email: deborah.dibiase@bwrsd.org
Website: www.bwrsd.org
Location: 199 Chestnut Street, Bristol, RI, USA
Phone: (401)254-5980
Facebook: facebook.com/mthopehs
Twitter: @mthopehs