Jordan/Jackson News You Can Use
Friday, January 8, 2021
ATTENDANCE UPDATE
As you are aware, the Mansfield Public Schools generates automated calls and emails with our School Messenger notification system to notify families when their student is marked absent from school. Calls are made to families of students in grades 1-12 who have not already called the school office to notify us of the student’s absence. The School Messenger phone calls are generated for the Jordan/Jackson during the morning around 10am.
Beginning Monday, January 11, students who are not in school but are attending virtually will be marked IAVP (In-Person Absent, Virtually Present) and families will receive a phone call. For example, it's Monday and Cohort A Student 'Joey' should be in school but is required to quarantine at home. If he is feeling well, he can join his class virtually. His attendance will be marked as "IAVP". The District views IAVP as being “present”; it will not show as an absence on Joey's report card.
If you want to learn more about the policy and what was approved by School Committee, you can find further information here.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT NO COST EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE
Breakfast and lunch at no cost to families has been extended through June 2021. In addition, Grab and Go Meals are available for pick-up every Wednesday from 3-4pm at Mansfield High School. Please see the links below for additional information.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
January 13, 2021 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day
January 18, 2020 - NO SCHOOL - Holiday
January 21, 2021 - Cohort A and Daily Students
January 21, 2021 - Virtual Cohort Students 3pm - 4:30pm
January 22, 2021 - Cohort B Students
February 15 - February 20, 2021 - February Vacation
PICTURE DAY MAKEUP DATES
Thursday, January 21, 2021 - Cohort A and Daily Students
Thursday, January 21, 2021 - Virtual Cohort Students 3pm - 4:30pm
Friday, January 22, 2021 - Cohort B Students
Our Cohort A, B and Daily students will have their pictures taken during their in-person school day. Virtual Cohort Families: Click HERE for updated information regarding pictures on Thursday.
Mansfield Youth Baseball Spring 2021
NEEDED!! SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS/PARAPROFESSIONALS AND LUNCH/RECESS MONITORS!!
Substitute Teachers and Substitute Paraprofessionals
Applications should be mailed or dropped off at Central Office, 2 Park Row, Mansfield Attention: Human Resources
Applications should be mailed or dropped off at Jordan/Jackson, 255 East Street, Mansfield
Attention: Denise daGraca
Family Activities and Mental Health Resources for Families
Family Activities
Real Simple - Winter Activities During COVID
Mental Health and Parent/Guardian Support
Boston Children's Hospital - Preparing your kids for the holidays during COVID-19
CDC COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit
Reid Health - Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Socially Distanced Holidays
ChildMind.org - Holidays During the Pandemic
BRYT Managing This Holiday Season With Mindfulness
National Association of School Psychologists COVID-19 Family & Educator Resources
Healthychildren.org Keeping the Holidays Happy and During COVID-10
PBS for Parents - Coronavirus Resources for Parents
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Mayo Clinic Health Lifestyles Dealing with Stress
Social Services
SNOW DAY PROCEDURES
Snow Days
It is the time of year when I begin to think ahead to the wintry weather that results in my calling a “snow day”. Our school calendar was designed with 5 additional days for inclement weather.
Recently the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education informed districts that under certain conditions, a school district can use remote learning when a “Snow Day” has been called and it will be counted as a school day. I want you to understand how I plan to manage this situation.
Mansfield Public Schools will not make any changes to our current inclement weather plan. A "snow day" will continue to be a "snow day" for our students and staff. There are several factors involved in my decision. First, I have heard from some teachers and students that it is not easy to pivot from hybrid lessons and schedules to remote (or vice versa). Second, a remote day of learning will never replace a day of in-person learning. Third, inclement weather oftentimes results in power outages in communities outside of Mansfield where many of our faculty live and a remote day of learning depends on electricity and the internet. Finally, our children have missed out on many fun activities during the pandemic; I’m not taking the joy of snow days away from them.
If needed, as the school year progresses and perhaps the number of days we need to make-up in June increases, I may re-evaluate this plan. As a reminder, the last day of school without any snow days is June 17. With 5 snow days, the last day of school would be June 24. ~ Superintendent Murphy
Influenza Vaccine Requirement for School Attendance
The Mansfield Public Schools adhere to Massachusetts Regulations, 105 CMR 200.000 & 220.000 which require a physical examination and up-to-date Immunizations prior to school entry.
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, influenza vaccine will be required for all students. All students must receive seasonal influenza (Flu) vaccine by December 31, 2020.
Please send confirmation of your child’s flu vaccination to your school health office. Health Office contact information can be found here.
Thank you for your adherence to this regulation. Influenza vaccine is always important to receive in order to reduce the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduce the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza, as well as preventing the spread of influenza to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine is especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.