Greetings Bishop Woods Families,

As you are aware, we are transitioning to our hybrid plan this week. I have provided a number of resources below regarding this transition. Our data currently shows that 56% of our K-5 students are returning to school, and 44% are remaining remote. Regardless of the plan that you selected for your child, they will continue to work with their same teachers and remain one learning community.

At this point all families are committed to a return plan. Parent information sessions were held last week, and I have included the PowerPoint and some key reminders below. Remember that all students are to log in to their Google Meet every day at 8:45 regardless of their return plan.

• Grades K-3 HYBRID Students - In the building Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday; Work from home on Wednesdays (early dismissal, independent work after the attendance/SEL block)
• Grades K-3 REMOTE - Live instruction throughout the day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (See teacher schedule); Expect more asynchronous time the first 2 weeks as teachers transition in person students back in to the building; Students will be LIVE on Wednesday morning from 8:45 - 9:15 only, then work independently until 11:45
• Grades 4 & 5 HYBRID Students - Divided in to cohorts alphabetically, unless notified of a change by their homeroom teacher - Cohort A (Last Names A-L) will attend school on Mondays and Tuesdays, and work from home Wednesday - Friday; Cohort B (Last Names M-Z) will attend school on Thursdays and Fridays, and work from home Monday - Wednesday. For the first 2 weeks, after the attendance/SEL lesson, students will work independently if it is not their cohort's live day.
• Grade 4 & 5 REMOTE Students - Based on our numbers, all hybrid student in grade 5 only will be in Cohort A. Grade 4 remote students will be in the A cohort (last names A-L) and the B cohort (last names M-Z). Students will log in every morning at 8:45, but receive live instruction in the same cohort model as hybrid students for the next few weeks.
• After February break, all students, regardless of plan or cohort, will receive live instruction on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• If in doubt, your teacher will direct you with your schedule during the morning SEL block.

This week, there will be no school on Monday, January 18th in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As our country remains in turmoil, please use this day to discuss justice, equality and acceptance of differences with your children. I continue to hope that this generation will be the one that changes our nation.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Best,

Mrs. Natalino

Tues. 1/12 - Yamilet O. (Grade 4)

Wed. 1/13 - Mr. Colon (Middle School Teacher)

Fri. 1/15 - Justin A. (Grade 2), Serenity A. (Grade 2), Anabelle C. (Grade 5)

Sun. 1/17 - Dennis S. (Grade 6)

Wed. 1/20 - Shekina C. (Grade 8), Kellery C. (Grade 6), Kevin M (Grade K), Heaven W. (Grade 2)

Thurs. 1/21 - Omar J. (Grade 6), Khloe M. (Grade K)

Fri. 1/22 - Ms. Haines (Middle School Teacher)

Sat. 1/23 - Alyce E. (Grade 6), Janeilys F. (Grade 2)

Sun. 1/24 - Guadalupe C. (Grade 5), Limarie G. (Grade 4), Mr. DeFelice (PE Teacher)

Mon. 1/25 - Kendra G. (Grade 4)

Tues. 1/26 - Gianna G. (Grade 4), Ms. O'Brien (Art Teacher)

Wed. 1/27 - Madeline B. (Grade 4), Hiba E. (Grade K), Desire L. (Grade 7)

Thurs. 1/28 - Kennedy J. (Grade 8)

Fri. 1/29 - Brandon H. (Grade K)

Sat. 1/30 - Rilee B. (Grade 2), Madelyn D. (Grade 6), Faith P. (Grade 7)

Sun. 1/31 - Paris W. (Grade 6)

Please note that no parents are allowed to enter the building. In an attempt to make our arrival and dismissal run as smoothly as possible, the following plans are in place.

Arrival

Arrival will be drop and go. Please pull up to the front of the building and staff members will be outside to assist your child. Students in grades K, 1, 2 and 5 will enter through our main entrance. Students in grade 3 & 4 will enter through our cafeteria doors.

Dismissal

For dismissal, all students, bus and pick up, will be sent home with 3 cards on Tuesday, 1/19. This card, which has your child's name and grade level, is to be displayed in the car window of the person that is picking up your child. On Tuesday, since the students will not yet have the cards, we will be checking IDs of individuals who are picking up students. If anyone other the parent/guardian is picking the student up, please complete the form at the link below so that we have record of this individual: https://forms.gle/evvBJCyUmq2XdTZT8

Remember that we have staggered dismissal times to cut down on congestion in the parking lot:

• All Walkers, and Pick-Ups for Grades 4 & 5- Dismiss at 2:40
• Pick-Ups for Grades 2 & 3 - Dismiss at 2:45
• Pick-Ups for Grades K & 1 - Dismiss at 2:50

We expect traffic to be slow moving on Tuesday as everyone learns new procedures, but know that the pace will pick up after the first few days. Please have patience!

Bus Students

Bus students will follow a similar procedure as drop off students, entering the building in different locations based on grade levels. Staff will be directing bus drivers and students of drop off locations in the back of our building. Staff will be strategically placed in the hallways and stairwells to ensure students maintain 6 foot distance, and to direct them to the appropriate class. Kindergarten students will be walked to and from the bus loop.

At dismissal, only 2 buses will be called at a time. All students in grades K-1 will need a parent at the bus stop in order to be allowed off of the bus. If there is not a parent at the stop, students will be returned to the building. You will receive one warning, and then your child may be removed from the bus.

You MUST pre-screen your child prior to sending him/her to school (Please see forms below). If you are keeping your child home, you MUST fill out the sick day for at the link below prior to 10am. If we do not hear from you, someone from our main office will be contacting you to check in.

Student Absence Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF189bI0rAf_29TM8UV7eobPbM3WgPR7HiKVnGvomvQPH36g/viewform

• Dress your child prepared to go outside - students will be having class time and recess outdoors

• Make sure your child knows his/her username and password - students will need to log back in the their devices in order to connect to the school network (lower grades...please send this information in, taped to your child's device)

• Breakfast is served at school. If you plan to feed your child breakfast, please make sure they eat prior to arrival. Breakfast should not be brought in to school.

• Any medications your child needs to keep with the nurse (Epipen, Asthma Pumps, Etc.)

• Plastic bin to hold all items that will be kept in classroom - Clearly labeled with your child’s name - NO LOCKERS WILL BE USED

• Reusable NON-GLASS filled water bottle with covered spout (to be brought back and forth daily) - Remember we will not have water fountains

• Minimum of 2 extra masks to be kept in school

• Sturdy backpack large enough to fit chromebook or iPad (this will travel back and forth to school each day)

• Your child's device AND charger - NO PERSONAL DEVICES, SCHOOL ISSUED ONLY

• Personal sized bottle of hand sanitizer

• Plug In Headphones/Earbuds to be kept in school

• Plastic pencil case large enough to fit all classroom supplies (teachers will send individualized lists)

• Hand held personal pencil sharpener

• Kindergarten ONLY: Change of clothes, including underwear and socks, in a ziploc bag

• 6 foot distance rule
• Importance of mask wearing - PLEASE PRACTICE HAVING YOUR CHILD WEAR HIS/HER MASK FOR EXTENDED PERIODS
• How to wash hands (since ABC song TWICE for appropriate length of time)
  
• Practice routine for charging device each night
  
• Drop & go procedure

New Haven Public Schools Families:

The CSDE (Connecticut State Department of Education) has notified us of their participation in their Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Program (P-EBT). Families who are eligible will receive funds to the address NHPS has on file in PowerSchool.

It is important that we have accurate addresses in PowerSchool for all enrolled students. Parents are encouraged to change their address with their child’s school via the school’s Administrative Assistant and must provide proof of residency at the new address. The following documents are acceptable.

• A copy of the current mortgage statement or original lease agreement for
your residence. OR
• One current utility bill (within the last 30-60 days) for your residence (UI, gas, cable, water)

If a parent is not able to provide proof of residency (e.g. they are not listed on a lease and have not utilities in their name) they must complete a NHPS Residency Affidavit. This document must be notarized and submitted to the Office Of School Choice & Enrollment. All documents can be easily accessed on the district website or by clicking the links below.

Residency Affidavit – English :
https://www.nhps.net/cms/lib/CT50000447/Centricity/Domain/76/Residency.Aff.ENG.2020%20updated%20-%20FILLABLE.pdf

Residency Affidavit – Spanish: https://www.nhps.net/cms/lib/CT50000447/Centricity/Domain/76/Residency.Aff.Span.2020%20updated%20-%20FILLABLE.pdf

If a parent may be experiencing homelessness please consult with your school’s McKinney Vento liaison.

We are here to help. Feel free contact the Office of School Choice & Enrollment at 475-220-1430 if you need any assistance.

Please share any videos, images, quotes, or successes with remote learning each week to our Padlet!

1. Click the link to the Padlet: https://padlet.com/cara_campo/58q8knqx4rgib18q
2. Click the plus sign in the bottom right hand corner of your screen.
3. Please be sure to add your child's first name, last initial, and grade level to the title of the Padlet. (i.e. Londyn A., Grade 1)
   
4. You will have the option to upload or add anything you would like to share with the Bishop Woods school community!
5. Please submit all entries by Thursday of each school week so we can share in our Sunday Newsletter!

Community Learning Hubs are safe spaces for children to go during the school day for supervised distance learning with high-speed internet access, social support, and enrichment, in a small cohort of no more than ten children. Children eligible to attend a Hub must be New Haven residents in 1st through 9th grades, registered for the New Haven Public Schools, and demonstrate high need. Space is extremely limited and families with the greatest need will receive priority, so if you are interested, apply ASAP. There is no cost to families.

Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2W7k5DCjjLr2OQiIlaxf9gVLl849pMLYVGk6X5xVGsPpJxQ/viewform

Starting soon, Mr. Ray Wallace will be offering online Zoom groups to boys in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. His group, The Young Kings, has been offered in the past at Bishop Woods as a place for students to gain confidence, connection, and leadership and life skills through group discussion, volunteering, visits from guest speakers, and ongoing mentorship. These groups will be offered during lunch, so as not to impede on academic activities.

SCHEDULE:
6th Grade Boys: Mondays - 11:15-11:45 am
7-8th Grade Boys: Tuesdays - 11:40 am -12:10 pm

I hope our young men can take advantage of the is mentorship opportunity, and time to socialize with their peers. If you give permission for your child to participate in this offering, please fill out the form below at the link below. Thank you!

Young King's Permission Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2qB5OrrszcU75_W3JdjYRUL5NMxeC4Bwbw1fP9G5d0FahLQ/viewform

Take the "NHPS School Lunch Challenge" -- looking to recognize all who take part, every student, every family, the class with the most orders, the school with the most orders -- everyone please get involved...our school lunch program depends on it!

School lunches are for children 18 and under - teachers can pick up meals for their children too!

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS - We challenge you to get as many people out to the schools daily to get lunch and breakfast OR to order a meal box by calling: 475-220-1612.

THEN, repost this and ADD YOUR PICTURE of you, your family, AND/OR your Zoom classroom eating your lunch -- remember the more we eat, the stronger we get, and the more money we receive to feed everyone -- every student can do it! HELP OUR MEAL PROGRAM! It's easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A59WGFz2OiQ&feature=youtu.be

Any family interested in the Boys & Girls Club After School Program should fill out the application at the following link: https://forms.gle/3fXDtPHsQzwy5mMG6

NHPS has started a Homework Help Line to support students. The Homework Help Line is a collaboration effort with Yale University. If your child is having a problem understanding their homework assignment , they can connect to https://meet.google.com/iur-dbux-zsm

The line is open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday to Thursday.

CLOSED DURING HOLIDAYS

We are very much hoping that you and your family are healthy and doing well!

We also want to provide you with just a bit of information. Bishop Woods has a Student and Staff Support Team (SSST). This team is made up of professionals who can provide support or strategies for students who are experiencing significant challenges (such as learning, social, behavioral, or emotional challenges). Typically, students who do not receive special education services can be referred to the SSST. If you would like more information or to make a referral, please contact the following:

Stephanie Willis, School Social Worker

Sarah Northrop, School Psychologist

Maria Nuterangelo, School Counselor

Rather thank keeping all of this information on the newsletter each week, I have created a Bishop Woods Family Resource Padlet to house all of the important information and resources I have been sharing. The link is below:

https://padlet.com/dinanatalino4/eyn4eoma0k8zzyal