NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - Sept. 29, 2020
Planning for a Staggered Start to Hybrid
Dear wondering NIS families,
The health metrics on island have been changing resulting in some deep analysis of contact tracing by health officials. This information has been critical to determining the exact date for beginning the hybrid model of learning. Many thanks to our community members, teachers, and parents who joined the community forum last evening. In addition to their input, health officials, town officials and Dr. Hallett have been communicating daily to make the best decision for our community. The MA Commissioner of Education has also weighed in on this decision. This evening, Dr. Hallett announced a decision, and shared it with all of us. As a school, we have been actively preparing to shift from all remote learning to hybrid learning. Below, find the information you will need to be prepared for a staggered start to the hybrid model. As our start is now staggered, please be on the lookout for more information regarding remote learning for Cohorts B and C for the next two weeks.
Staggered Start to Hybrid: Please know that all safety measures outlined in our protocols will be followed.
Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 - Cohort A students start at NIS (only Cohort A). Their face-to-face days are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Anticipated: Monay, Oct. 19, 2020 Cohort B students start at NIS. Their face-to-face days are Mondays and Tuesdays.
Anticipated: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 Cohort C students start at NIS. Their face-to-face days are Thursdays and Fridays.
Wednesdays - All students REMOTE Learners
How to Prepare:
Watch our return-to-school video below created by Ms. Johnson and several of our students!
Review the NIS Return to School Protocols below
Review the draft NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021 (see below)
Pre-order breakfast for in-school days (see information below)
Charge student Chromebook and gather materials into student's plastic bin. The bin and Chromebook will travel between home and school.
Review student health screening questions daily on in-school days
Review arrival and dismissal procedures - do not drop off students before 7:40 am.
Check out this document in English and Spanish: Welcome Back to NIS!
Here's hoping we will all be together soon!
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
From NIS Nurse Nancy
Welcome back to school!!! Although we started the year off in remote only learning, I know that we are Nantucket Strong and will continue to fight the good fight. We must be diligent in wearing face masks, washing hands, and social distancing. We know these work in helping to stop the spread of Covid 19. Hopefully we will be in the hybrid model in no time.
In August the state mandated that all students must be vaccinated with the flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. Nantucket Cottage Hospital is running a drive thru Flu Clinic Monday - Friday 7am to 6pm, Saturday 8-12 noon. How convenient is that!! I urge the whole family to get the vaccine as well. Make it a family affair. It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms are very similar to those of Covid-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve healthcare resources.
This year when calling in your student’s absence, please leave the reason why. Even when we are in remote learning, we need to know why the student is absent. This will help me to track illnesses and do the necessary follow up, if needed.
Have a safe and healthy fun school year!!!!
Nancy Small BSN, RN
NIS Welcome Back Newsletter
Mask Wearing on School Grounds
Per health and safety requirements, our students will be required to wear masks all through their school day. There have been recent reports about which masks are safest to wear: "Of the 14 masks and other coverings tested, the study found that some easily accessible cotton cloth masks are about as effective as standard surgical masks, while popular alternatives such as neck gaiters made of thin, stretchy material may be worse than not wearing a mask at all." Click HERE for a link to that Washington Post article.
It will be important that students have had some practice wearing a face mask for longer periods of time just to get used to it. Here is a video to help your child learn about how to appropriately put on and wear a mask: For Kids - Masks for Older Kids We thank you for all you have done to keep our island safe through social distancing and wearing your masks when expected!
Taking the Bus?
Safety precautions will be in place on the school bus.
District and NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NPS Return to School Protocols - Fall 2020
Draft NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: draft NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
Tech Help Desk Access en Espanol
Video # 1
Steps for TECH HELP DESK REQUEST/Pasos para SOLICITAR AYUDA TÉCNICA
Loom | Free Screen & Video Recording Software — Watch Video
Navigating NPS Website en Espanol
Video # 2
How to navigate Nantucket Public Schools web pages/Como navegar las página Web de Las Escuelas Publicas de Nantucket
ASPEN Verification en Espanol
Video # 3
How to VERIFY, update information and forms in ASPEN/Cómo actualizar información,verificacion y formularios en ASPEN
Supporting our NIS Community - Parent Initiative!
Thank you Kate!
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
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