NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - Aug. 3, 2020
Grade 5 Yearbook Pick Up TODAY!
Monday, Aug 3, 2020, 01:00 PM
Nantucket Intermediate School
Keeping NIS Families in the Loop!
Dear patient NIS families,
I can't express enough how extremely grateful I am for your patience as the district leadership team and multiple task force teams determine the nuances of what learning will look like in the coming school year. Currently we are planning for a hybrid learning model. Here is the logistical breakdown of that model:
It is anticipatated that there will be four different cohorts of students.
- Cohort A: These students will be invited to come to school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week (all of the in-person learning days). Wednesday will be a remote learning day. These invited students have met the criteria for prioritization for in-person learning determined by the state and in alignment with local objectives.
- Cohort B: These students will be invited to come to school on Monday and Tuesday for in-person learning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be remote learning days.
- Cohort C: These students will be invited to come to school on Thursday and Friday for in-person learning. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be remote learning days.
- Cohort D: This group will participate in 100% remote learning provided by Nantucket Public Schools. Families may choose this option for their child.
Please respond to the survey(s) you will receive today asking you to commit to a learning model. If you receive a Cohort A survey, that survey is specific to one of your children. If you are unsure which of your children has received a Cohort A invitation, don't hesitate to reach out to your school principal(s).
All survey data is what is needed to strategically group students into learning teams and assign teachers to specific classes. Your prompt responses will be most supportive of our preparation efforts. Thank you for completing these surveys no later than Thursday, August 6, 2020.
As always, reach out with any questions!
In partnership with you,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
NIS Principal Office Hour for Parents
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 941-800-3156
PIN: 475 151 461#
Thursday, Aug 6, 2020, 05:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
NPS Parent/Community Forum
Dr. Hallett's parent/community forum meets weekly and we are well represented as a school.
Your NIS representatives on Dr. Hallett's Parent/Community forum are Erin Carson and Audrey Anderson. You can reach out to Erin at nantucketerin@gmail.com and Audrey at aeanderson2010@gmail.com as your parent representatives.
NIS School Council Meeting
Here is the information if you are interested:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US) +1 413-497-4225
PIN: 272 344 102#
Your NIS School Council Parent representatives are Tracy Canty and Erin Carson
Thursday, Aug 13, 2020, 08:00 AM
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School Counselor Summer Information
School Counselor Summer Office Hours
Wednesdays: 8:00 - 2:30 PM
During the summer one of our school counselors or social worker will be working at NIS each Wednesday. Students, caregivers, parents, and families may call NIS requesting to speak to the counselor working. You can also email the counselor(s) to set up an appointment.
Mr. Aaron Peckham peckhama@npsk.org
Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg rosenberga@npsk.org
IMPORTANT DEADLINE - August 1st
In order to receive a new Chromebook OR continue to use any device beyond August 1, families must log onto the Aspen Family Portal (https://www.npsk.org/domain/1321) and verify the student information. You may begin doing this at any time. If you are not able to complete the verification by August 1, the Chromebook will be disabled.
Please reach out to the Technology Help Desk if you need assistance. Here is the LINK
Chromebooks & Summer
Parents and students:
As you might imagine, we have been having many conversations about how best to handle the Chromebooks this summer and going into next school year. Administration, with input from the Technology department, has decided to allow students to keep their Chromebooks over the summer in hopes of addressing further learning opportunities and equity issues. That being said, many grades normally get newer Chromebooks before September. The Tech staff will work with families to upgrade and/or swap out the Chromebooks over the summer.
In order to receive the new device or continue to use any device beyond August 1, families must log onto the Aspen Family Portal (https://www.npsk.org/domain/1321) and verify the student information. You may begin doing this at any time. If you are not able to complete the verification by August 1, the Chromebook will be disabled.
For all grades:
If you do not want to use your Chromebook over the summer, you may drop off the Chromebooks at any time at the front entrance of Nantucket Intermediate School. The closest parking lot is accessed from Backus Lane off Surfside Rd.
If your Chromebook needs repair, please tape a note on it and drop it off at the entrance of NIS.
If you have multiple Chromebooks, please drop off whichever one you are not using at the entrance to NIS.
For grades K-11 (as of June 1):
You will need to verify the student information by August 1 to continue using your Chromebook.
Grades 5 and 8, normally you would be provided with a new Chromebook as you enter 6th and 9th grade, but due to Covid, we may not be able to get them in time.
Mifi devices:
Families with mifi devices are welcome to keep them if you need them.
If you no longer need the device, please drop it off at the entrance to NIS.
If you have any questions, please let us know. (https://www.npsk.org/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=103)
Have a wonderful summer! Keep learning and enjoying our beautiful island.
Jenn Erichsen
Director of Technology
508-228-7280 ext 1213
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 14 days or produce a negative 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
2020 Summer Reading Program at Nantucket Atheneum
Happy summer everyone!
This summer may be the most important summer for your children to develop a habit of reading at least 20 minutes per day. The Atheneum is excited to be able to offer a fun and interactive way that may help inspire them. Beanstack is an online program and app that enables readers of all ages to register in seconds as individuals or a family. Participants earn virtual badges as they reach certain milestones. I strongly encourage you to sign up! It is easy! Begin by clicking here nantucketatheneum.beanstack.org
We have also created a Weezie Library for Children FB page serving youth from birth through age 18. This will be the primary way we will communicate with our patrons during this time. We’ll offer Grab-and-Go programming, downloadable activities, Story Walks, LIVE performances, breaking library news, and much more. We hope you will join us. FB The Weezie Library for Children
All of us at the library miss our patrons. Please feel free to call us with questions or requests (or to say “hello”) 508-228-1110 x103, we’d love to hear from you. While the library is not open yet, we are offering curbside pick-up and will be at the desk M-F 10-2 for the time being.
Have a wonderful summer. I hope we’re all back together again soon.
Stay safe and well,
Leslie Malcolm
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Reopening School - DESE
Our guidance from the state with regard to reopening schools is informed frequently. On Friday, July 10th a new document came out to provide more information to districts in Massachusetts. Here are some of the Commissioner of Education's comments regarding district expectations and clarity provided by the newest document linked below:
At this time, given the current low transmission rates of COVID-19 in the state, and pursuant to emergency regulations recently passed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, we are asking districts and schools to prioritize in-person instruction. Specifically, we have asked districts to focus on assessing the feasibility of bringing back students in-person, and those feasibility studies should be taking place in your districts now.
While you continue working to flesh out these models, I am requesting that you hold off on announcing any final decisions about what reopening will look like for the fall in your district until early August. While preparations for the fall must move forward, we are still waiting for key information that will directly impact the best fit reopening model for each community. This includes more information about financial resources that may be available, including the possibility of a second federal stimulus package, and any change in local COVID-19 transmission rates.
I understand that local communities are eager for districts to finalize their reopening plans as soon as possible. At the same time, I am confident that our families and students will be better served by a thoughtful planning process that works first to explore options and takes in critical additional information before local plans are finalized.
To support your planning, we have attached our first installment of answers to frequently asked questions. We will continue to release FAQs with updates and covering additional topics as more details become available.
Thank you for all of your tireless work on behalf of our students.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey C. Riley
Commissioner