BWRSD Community Update 12/15/20
Message from Jonathan Brice, Superintendent of Schools
Contents of this Update:
In person Distance Learning Support at KMS and MHHS
COZ Childcare Update December 21, 2020 - January 8, 2021
BWRSD calendar with changes based on state guidance
Snow Event Thursday December 17, 2020
2021 Regular School Committee & Workshop Meeting Dates Schedule
Parents as Teachers Newsletter and Group
Family Supports & Resources Available
Parent Access to Google Classroom
1. In person Distance Learning Support at KMS and MHHS
As you may have heard, all schools will be in distance learning Dec 21-23 and Jan 4-8. Students will return in person on Jan 11: PK-5 Full In Person and Middle and High School Hybrid Model.
During this time, BWRSD will offer support for KMS and MHHS students that may have difficulty working from home during the upcoming distance learning days. Parents will be able to sign their children up for in person, distance learning support for Dec 21, 22, 23 and Jan 7 and 8. These days will allow the students to complete distance learning assignments while in the school building being supervised by an adult. The instruction for these days will be via Chromebook with students logging into their virtual classroom.
Parents of middle and high school children who meet one or more of the following criteria are encouraged to sign their student up to attend these in person (distance learning support days):
Students with more than 10 absences or 10 days they did not log into school,
Have failed 2 or more subjects,
Have an academic or social/emotional support plan.
Requests must be submitted by 4 p.m. Thursday, December 17 to your school administration using the following form:
Transportation, breakfast/lunch, and supervision will be provided. An administrator will also be in the building daily. Remember this is for 5 days: December 21, 22, 23 and January 7 and 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students will connect virtually to their classes and be supervised by an adult within the school.
All COVID safety guidelines, as well as school rules and policies, will be implemented.
2. COZ Childcare and Distance Learning Support December 21, 2020, to January 8, 2021
Our K-5 COZ childcare program will be open from 7am-4pm on Dec 21-23 and Jan 4-8. Distance learning support for K-5 students during this time will be provided by staff in the COZ Childcare program. Students will need to bring their school materials and technology with them to the school building each day.
Enrollment is based on first come first serve and there is very limited space. Spots are offered to COZ families first. In order to register, please click on the link below to complete a full registration form for each child. We will notify you either way if your child has a spot in the program.
You can contact Amy.Bratsos@bwrsd.org if you have questions or would like additional information.
3. BWRSD Calendar with Changes Based on State Guidance
The BWRSD has been updated based on changes to the statewide RIDE calendar. Please see the updated calendar at this link.
4. Snow Event - Thursday, December 17, 2020
The BWRSD area is preparing for a potential snow event beginning the evening of Wednesday, December 16 into Thursday, December 17. Please remind your children to bring home their chromebook and all other materials they need in order to participate in distance learning on Thursday, December 17. If school is closed due to inclement weather, students will be asked to participate in distance learning from 9 am until noon. The afternoon should be used for students' independent play and physical education activities. Let’s hope the kids will go outside and play in the snow.
2021 Regular School Committee & Workshop Meeting Dates Schedule
Here is a document listing all of the 2021 Regular School Committee & Workshop Meeting Dates. All workshops will be held on the second Monday and regular business meetings on the fourth Monday of each month unless otherwise noted, beginning at 7:00 PM. If Monday is a holiday, the meeting will be held on the Wednesday of that week. Scheduled workshop/meeting dates and meeting locations are subject to change as circumstances may dictate. During the COVID 19 pandemic, meetings have been and will continue to be virtual until further notice. Virtual meeting links will continue to be posted on the meeting agenda and on BWRSD District calendar via our website (www.bwrsd.org).
6. Parents as Teachers Program and Newsletter
The BWRSD Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is a FREE program, available to families in Bristol and Warren who have children ranging in age from infant to pre-K (0-5). Our trained parent educators use a national early childhood curriculum to support caregivers with children’s physical, social, emotional, and learning development to promote school readiness. Please help spread the word about our PAT program - we are looking for new families! To view the Parents as Teachers Winter Newsletter, click here.
Here is a flyer for this month's Parent as Teachers group. They are offering a FREE fun winter storytime and craft on December 29 from 5:00-6:00 pm. If you have previously participated in PAT give them your feedback on this short survey, please do - it only will take a few minutes. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NDY95NM
7. Family Supports & Resources Available
In the event your family or someone you know is in need of additional support during this difficult time, we’ve compiled a list of family supports and resources available families in Rhode Island:
- Bristol Health Equity Zone- supporting the families of Bristol and Warren with innovative approaches that support healthy child development and create environments where healthy choices are easier to make. https://www.bristolhealthequityzone.org
The East Bay Family Care Community Partnership managed by Child and Family Services - https://childandfamilyri.com/our-services/family-care-community-partnership-fccp/ ; 31 John Clarke Rd, Middletown RI 02842, (401) 849-2300
Housing/Emergency Shelter: 401-277-4316 (This brings you to Crossroads which manages the State’s Coordinated Entry System for the homeless). https://www.crossroadsri.org/housing-services/strategy-solutions/coordinated-entry
The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Screening and Response Unit (SRU) which helps families navigate services in their own communities. Rhode Island families are encouraged to call the SRU by dialing 1-888-RI-FAMLY (74-32659). which is intended to help families access resources such as: (a) Short-term, home- and community-based services for families and children who need support; (b) Assistance for families when their older youth are exhibiting wayward or disobedient behavior; (c) Local resources to better support families whose children have behavioral health needs.
Rhode Island 211 (a referral service operated by United Way): Provides connections to a variety of agencies across the state to help with a wide range of needs. Contact via their phone number: 211. https://www.uwri.org/2-1-1/.
Youth LGBTQI: Youth Pride Inc., 743 Westminster Street, Providence RI 02903 401-421-5626 https://www.youthprideri.org/
Sexual Assault Resource: Day One. https://www.dayoneri.org/ 1.800.494.8100
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - https://www.AFSP.org, and the lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Behavioral Health: BH Link. https://www.bhlink.org/ For Confidential Support And To Get Connected To Care: Call 401-414-link (5465); For Under 18 Call: 855-kid(543)-link(5465); Visit Our 24-hour/7-day Triage Center: 975 Waterman Ave., East Providence, RI
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV): 401-467-9940 – Business; 800-494-8100; 24/7 Rhode Island Victims of Crime Helpline; RICADV Services Include: (a) Emergency shelter and other housing options (transitional, permanent supportive); (b)Legal advocacy in police departments and courthouses; (c) Individual counseling; (d) Support groups; (e) Case management; (f) Culturally specific programs
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence Member Agency - Women's Resource Center: Women's Resource Center (WRC) was founded in 1977 to provide comprehensive domestic violence intervention and prevention services that educate, advocate for, and shelter any individual in need of assistance. Each year, WRC helps women, children, families, men and the elderly obtain the services they need to secure their physical, mental, emotional and financial safety from domestic abuse. 401-846-5263 – Business; 114 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840 or 624 Main Street, Warren, RI 02885; Serving: Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown
8. Parent Access to Google Classroom
Your child’s teacher can add you to their Google classroom to allow you to receive daily or weekly Guardian Summaries. If you are not already registered, please send an email to their teacher(s), asking them to invite you. Once you accept their invitation, you will be able to select the frequency of receiving the updates. In email summaries, you can review:
- Missing work—Work not turned in when the summary was sent.
- Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails).
- Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.
If there’s no activity to report or if a teacher turns off email notifications, you might not get an email summary.
You can see more information on digital learning resources here.
Bristol Warren Regional School District
Website: www.bwrsd.org
Location: 151 State Street, Bristol, RI USA
Phone: 401-253-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BristolWarrenSchools