Colrain Central School News
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April 7, 2023
A Note From Mrs. Looman
- Many of our younger students have been bringing toys to school with them to play with on the bus. While it's fine if they play with them on the bus, they should be in their backpacks once they arrive and remain there until the board the bus in the afternoon. Thank you for reminding your child that toys should not be taken out while they are at school.
- MCAS testing will begin next week. All students in grades 3-6 will be taking the ELA test on Tuesday and Friday of next week. Please make sure students are at school on time and well rested. If your child is absent on a testing day, they will be given the make up test when they return.
- With all of the incredible advances in technology, we've noticed that many students now wear smartwatches, fitbits, etc. I, myself, am a fan of my Garmin watch. However, due to security issues, students will not be allowed to wear them while taking the MCAS. The best bet is for them to stay at home on testing days. However, if they are worn to school on testing days, they will be put in a secure location until the student is done testing for the day. Thank you for your help with this.
- Our Preschool and Kindergarten registration days have been rescheduled for Friday, April 28, 2023. Preschool registration will begin at 9:00 and Kindergarten registration will begin at 10:00. Current PK and K students will not have school that day. Please help us spread the word.
- Love our town? Looking for a way to help spruce it up? It’s time for Spruce it Up Colrain again this year! Join your friends and neighbors in town-wide cleanup opportunities on April 22 and 23, Earth Day Weekend. Work off your post winter blues by ripping out the invasive plants at the Colrain Central School. There will be music and dance at the Library. For more information, contact Jonathan Lagreze at 413-559-7755.
A message from 5th grade
Dear CCS Families,
We, the fifth graders, are replacing the flags in CCS (Colrain Central School). We have done research on what flag would be the best buy and the proper way of disposing of the old flags. We want to represent our country.
Sincerely, Fifth Graders
2023 MCAS testing schedule
April 11: ELA for all students in grades 3-6
April 14: ELA for all students in grades 3-6
May 11: Math for 5th grade
May 12: Math for 5th grade
May 15: Science for 5th grade
May 15: Math for 6th grade
May 16: Science for 5th grade
May 16: Math for 6th grade
May 18: Math for grades 3 & 4
May 19: Math for grades 3 & 4
If your child is absent on a day they are supposed to be testing, they will be tested when they return.
If you have any questions about the testing schedule or about MCAS, please feel free to reach out to me.
Specialist's Scoop: Kari A. Lyden, M.S., CCC-SLP - Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist
Screens: If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em?
We all know increased screen time is negatively impacting our kids’ development, but didn’t we all watch TV growing up? What changed? The biggest differences are:
➤ TV used to be a group activity - there was usually only one in a house, and families tended to watch a show together and talk about it. Now, handheld devices go everywhere, allowing kids to tune out the people and environments around them.
➤ Children today have less “downtime” so there are less opportunities for them to be bored. Boredom is actually a good thing - it allows them to wonder, come up with new ideas, imagine, etc.!
It’s clear that screens aren’t going anywhere, so what’s a busy grown-up to do about it? The best things you can do for your child are:
➤ Engage in screen time with a purpose. Watching a show together and talking about it is better than letting your child play hours of a single-player video game. If you can’t watch with your child? Ask them to tell you what happened, name the characters, make predictions about what will happen next, etc.
➤ Set limits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
- 18 months and younger: No screens unless on video chat.
- 18-24 months: 1 hour/day watching educational programs with grown-up
- 2-5 years: 1 hour/day of non-educational programming Monday-Friday, and 3 hours total over the weekend
- 6 years and older: encourage healthy habits around screens
➤ Turn off screens during meals and outings.
➤ Learn about and use parental controls (for content and time limits).
➤ Avoid using screens as babysitters or to stop tantrums.
➤ Turn off screens and remove them from kids’ bedrooms at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
➤ Limit your own screen time. When you’re on a device in the presence of your child, you’re unintentionally sending the message that the screen is more important than them!
Adapted from Neal, A. (2022). Screen Use in Children and Impact on Development: What Has Changed? SpeechPathology.com, Article 20518. Available at http://speechpathology.com
spruce it up Colrain 2023
Use the link to get to our Super Duper Litter Picker Upper Map App
Directions to sign up:
1. Click on this link-
In the -Special Notes- please describe where you intend to pick up. You only get to pick one spot on the map per registration so specify here the extent of your claim. Your contact information is not public but can be seen by the coordinator.
Zoom in on the map to the area you want to take on and click on it. If you miss clicking again will relocate your dot.
Click on "Report It" and you should be all set.
Roadside litter will be accepted at the Colrain Transfer Station at no charge for the month of April during normal operating hours.
Practice the signup and put your mark down on the Colrain Central School for the Colrain Firefighters Pancake Breakfast,
April 22nd !EarthDay!
Folks are reporting that things are looking much better roadside than this time last year. You make a Difference!
Contact Us at SpruceUpColrain@gmail.com
From the district Nurse leader's desk
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will end on May 11, 2023.
We want to provide you with some details about what this means for you and your family starting May 12, 2023.
COVID-19 Vaccines:
Medicare and Medicaid (Mass Health) will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines after the Public Health Emergency ends. There may be a co-pay for your vaccine, depending on your insurance plan.
We expect most commercial insurance companies will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines. There may be a co-pay for your vaccine.
Check with your insurance company if you have questions about the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Testing
Tests ordered by a provider
Starting May 12, mandatory insurance coverage for COVID-19 testing will end. Your insurance company will continue to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing when a provider orders the test and you have been exposed or have symptoms. You may not be covered for elective testing, such as for travel.
At-home testing
Starting May 12, most insurance companies will no longer reimburse you for buying at-home COVID-19 tests. If you want to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests before insurance reimbursement ends, you can purchase them from your local pharmacy or online. See the websites below for more information about where to purchase at-home COVID-19 tests.
- COVID-19 Testing Resources – Search by State
- At Home COVID Test Kit – CVS Pharmacy
- COVID-19 Testing & Locations | Walgreens Find Care
- COVID-19 Tests Insurance Reimbursement - Amazon.com
- Community Care Van | Mass General Brigham
COVID-19 Treatment and Therapies:
There is no change in coverage for COVID-19 treatment. If you are paying a deductible or cost share for these treatments now, then you will continue to pay these costs after the end of the Public Health Emergency.
COVID-19 Isolation and Masking Requirements:
There is no change to requirements and guidelines for Covid-19 related isolation and masking at this time.
upcoming events
4/11: ELA MCAS for grades 3-6
4/11: 3:30 LEC meeting
4/12: School committee meeting
4/13: grades 3 & 4 field trip to Pioneer Valley Symphony
4/14: ELA MCAS for grades 3-6
4/17-4/21: No school for April break
4/28: 9:00 PK registration, 10:00 K registration: no school for current PK/K students
March early release dates:
1:50 dismissals: 3/29
April early release dates:
1:50 dismissals: 4/5, 4/12, 4/26
