NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - March 1, 2021
Welcome back!
We hope you enjoyed the time away from school and found some time for family activity. This week we had the opportunity to spend time reading students' writing shared with us and is it powerful! Our readings included class letters to President Biden imploring him to address specific issues important to students, student reflections on Amanda Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb", the ABC's of Activism and the difference one can make, and letters advocating for the six foot distancing in classrooms to be reduced so all students can attend in person learning. These writers are passionate and own their power to change the world! As one student writer put it, "In conclusion what I got from this is to never give up, to not let people talk you out of things, set goals, try to achieve them, and don't let anything get in the way of what you do best." While times are difficult, our students are reading, researching and writing about how one can truly make a difference to make their personal world and the larger world a better place.
We are proud to be part of a teaching and learning institution where our school community is willing to respectfully examine and talk about multiple perspectives and beliefs in an effort to stretch and grow all of our thinking. Our students feel empowered and it's our responsibility to celebrate and encourage that. Thank you for all of your support and partnership this school year. We simply can't do it well without you.
Happy March!
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
School Bus Routes - Slight Changes
Bus routes were changed slightly to accommodate increased ridership. See link for updated routes: Updated Bus Routes
Students Awaiting Test Results Can Remote In
Students on island awaiting PCR test results due to state travel order ARE allowed to remote into class this week. As always, students in quarantine are allowed to remote into class. Please alert the classroom teacher if your child will be learning remotely due to quarantine.
COVID-19 Travel Order
Effective August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders. The Commonwealth has made great progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 and gradually re-open the economy, and all visitors have a responsibility to help us keep transmission levels as low as possible.
All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
- Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health.
- Quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative PCR COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.
Please find more information, including the list of lower-risk states, exemptions, business guidance and other details at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
School Counselor Newsletter
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
Vision Screenings: Although vision screenings are not required this year due to Covid-19, I feel it is important to screen all students. Research is showing that the increase in screen time can affect one's vision. Therefore, vision screening continues at NIS. All COVID 19 precautions will be followed. If you do not want your child to participate in vision screening this year, please email me at smalln@npsk.org to opt out. For Cohort D families, if you want your student screened, please reach out to me to make an appointment.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
Dress for Cold Weather!
Our winter weather and temperatures continue! Please be sure children have what they need to be comfortable and warm during these remaining cold weeks. We head outside even when it's chilly!
Is your child in need of a coat, hat, gloves etc.? Please reach out to Ms. Foulkes or Mr. Peckham as they have access to these through the Family Recource Center.
You can reach out directly to FRC if you prefer: 508.815.5115
SMORE Newsletter from School Social Worker Emily Sybert
Please click this Smore link for Ms. Sybert's latest family communication. She focuses on breaking down behaviors and identifying alternative ways to respond to your childen rather than being reactive. There is also news about COVID resources being offered at the Family Resource Center. Emily Sybert - School Social Worker - syberte@npsk.org
Thank you Ms. Sybert!
March NPS Calendar
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.
Behavioral Support
Laura Stanley, NPS district behavior analyst, wants to share her newsletter with you full of strategies for supporting your any behavioral challenges you may be experiencing with your children at home. Here it is: Behavior Support Strategies at Home
Laura Stanley, MS, BCBA, LABA
District Behavior Analyst
Nantucket Public Schools
Phone: 508-228-7290 ext 4226
E-mail: stanleyl@npsk.org
BCBA Behavior Newsletter https://www.smore.com/wuh54
Please Charge Chromebooks Each Night - Thank You!
Technology Cheat Sheet Guides for Students
Meals Provided
Nantucket Public Schools Food Truck: On Remote Learning Days...
Parents can pick up student breakfast and lunch meals served by Island Kitchen and Patrick Ridge between 9:30am - 11:30am at the food truck.
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
District and NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NPS Return to School Protocols - Fall 2020
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