NOTES FROM the OFFICE
4/2/20
ENGLISH:
Need translation? Click HERE then scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Translate" in the black bar.
SPANISH:
¿Necesita traducción? Haga clic AQUÍ, después vaya a la parte inferior de la página y haga clic en la palabra "Translate" que aparece sobre fondo negro.
PORTUGUESE:
Precisa de tradução? Clique AQUI, em seguida vá até o final da página e clique em "Translate " na barra preta. Please let me know if you have any questions!
All previous Notes From the Office are available by using this LINK.
Dunning Families
We wanted to reach out to you as a check in point. Earlier this week, Dr. Tremblay sent an email to all FPS families letting you know that we are working to roll out a remote learning plan that is aligned with guidelines recommended by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for all grade levels beginning the week of April 6.
We want to let everyone know that we recognize that remote learning at home will look different in every home and will likely be impacted by many things including family and/or work schedules. It is important to us that we communicate to all of you that we understand that there will be challenges that will come up and that we are here to help.
- Will it be perfect? Not as perfect as we woud like it to be. We are all learning and adjusting.
- Will your children be provided with academic content to reinforce already taught skills directed by educators? Yes
- Will it be several hours a day of live-streaming? No, there will be online and “no tech” options included in work provided to students.
- Will our Dunning staff work with all they can to do their best for your children? 100% yes.
As we move forward with rolling out this remote learning format, please let us know if we can do anything to help. We want this to be the best it can be!
As always, our virtual door is always open.
All our best,
Michele & Kathie
Read Alouds From Ms. Randall
See the Dunning Staff "Lighting It Up Blue" Slideshow:
Click HERE
Help Us Celebrate Today....Let's all "Light It Up Blue!
Ways to "Light It Up Blue"
Read Aloud on April 2nd to celebrate as well as photos of the Teachers and staff all spreading awareness dressed in BLUE! We cannot wait to see you!!!
With April 2nd coming up, Charlotte Dunning School always does an AMAZING job of coming together as a community to celebrate Autism Awareness through Lighting It Up Blue.
Each year our school comes out in full color to celebrate friendships and differences by all wearing blue and engaging in activities such as:
Reading books about Autism
Explore the Autism Speaks website (see link below)
Having meaningful discussions about how an awareness of differences creates a more mindful and inclusive place to live
Making puzzles or crafts (while discussing uniqueness)
Creating posters celebrating friendship and connections with all friends
Sing songs or create books
Make friendship bracelets
See link below: 8 ways you can "Light It Up Blue"
With a new time upon us, our school does not want to lose what makes us such a strong and wonderful community.
Please join us on Thursday April 2nd in celebrating Autism Awareness with your best LIGHT IT UP BLUE!
Take a selfie of how your family is showing their support of their Dunning community and classmates and post it to the PTO facebook page!! We will also be posting a Read Aloud on April 2nd to celebrate as well as photos of the Teachers and staff all spreading awareness dressed in BLUE! We cannot wait to see you!!!
Books to Read:
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
The BIg Umbrella by Amy June Bates
All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
One Big Heart: A Celebration of Being More ALike than Different by Lindsey Davis
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
Will Light It Up Blue! by Kerry Magro
All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph
Uniquely Wired: A Story about Autism and Its Gifts by Julia Cook
I see things Differently: A First Look at Autism by Pat Thomas
My Brother with Autism: A Story book to celebrate differences by S. Nadia
My Brother is Special My Brother Has Autism: A story about acceptance by Marta M Schmidt-Mendez
We can find ways to create beauty with the things we have. Thank you Mrs. Gold.
Internet Access through Comcast (Free / Reduced Price)
Notice for Families: For information regarding Comcast's Internet Essential Program for any families in need of internet access - click here > https://www.internetessentials.com/
Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: As announced recently, it’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward.
Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.
How to Login to District Provided Chromebook: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Page/8767
------------ SPANISH ------------
Acceso a Internet a través de Comcast a precio reducido o gratuito.
Aviso para las familias: Información sobre el programa esencial de internet de Comcast para cualquier familia que necesite acceso a internet - haga clic aquí > https://www.internetessentials.com/
Internet esencial es gratis para todos los clientes nuevos: Como se anunció recientemente, es fácil para las familias de bajos ingresos el inscribirse a este servicio si viven en un área en donde Comcast provee servicio, el programa de adopción de banda ancha más grande y completo del país. Los nuevos clientes recibirán 60 días de servicio gratuito de internet, que está disponible para todos los hogares de bajos ingresos que califiquen por $9.95 al mes. Además, para todos los clientes nuevos y existentes de internet esencial, la velocidad del servicio de internet del programa se aumentó a 25 mbps de descarga y 3 mbps de carga.Este aumento entrará en vigor sin cargo adicional y se convertirá en la nueva velocidad base del programa en el futuro.
Xfinity WiFi gratis para todos: Los puntos de acceso a la red WiFi de Xfinity en todo el país estarán disponibles para todos los que los necesiten en forma gratuita, aun si no son clientes de Xfinity. Para ver un mapa de los puntos de acceso a la red WiFi de Xfinity, visite www.xfinity.com/wifi. Cuando se encuentre en un punto de acceso, los consumidores deben seleccionar el nombre de la red "xfinitywifi" en la lista de puntos de acceso disponibles y luego iniciar un navegador.
¿Cómo iniciar sesión en el Chromebook de la escuela?: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Page/8767
------------ PORTUGUESE ------------
Acesso à internet pela Comcast (Grátis / Preço reduzido)
Aviso para famílias: Para informações sobre o programa Internet Essentials da Comcast para famílias que tenham necessidade de acesso à internet – clique aqui > https://www.internetessentials.com/
Internet Essentials grátis para novos clientes: Como anunciado recentemente, está ainda mais fácil para famílias de baixa renda que vivem em uma área de serviço coberta pela Comcast inscreverem-se para o Internet Essentials, o maior e mais completo programa de adoção de banda larga do país. Novos clientes receberão 60 dias de serviço gratuito do Internet Essentials, que está normalmente disponível por $9.95/mês para famílias de baixa renda que preencham os requisitos para o programa. Além disso, para todos os clientes novos e existentes do Internet Essentials, a velocidade do serviço de internet do programa foi aumentada para 25 Mbps para dados recebidos (downstream) e 3 Mbps para dados enviados (upstream). Esse aumento entrará em vigor sem qualquer taxa adicional e será a nova velocidade inicial para o programa.
Xfinity WiFi grátis para todos: Pontos de acesso da Xfinity WiFi em todo o país estarão disponíveis gratuitamente para quem precisar – incluindo não assinantes da internet Xfinity. Para ver o mapa de pontos de acesso da internet Xfinity, visite www.xfinity.com/wifi. Ao conectarem-se ao ponto de acesso, os consumidores deverão selecionar a rede de nome “xfinitywifi” na lista de locais de acesso disponíveis e, então, iniciar o navegador.
Como fazer o login ao Chromebook fornecido pela escola? https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Page/8767
COVID-19: Helpful Info, Resources, and How to Talk to Children
Please use THIS LINK to access resources, preventative measures, and guidance on how to talk with children.
Dunning PTO FaceBook Page
Let's celebrate the Dunning Community of Friendhip!
This week, we will continue the emphasise building upon and sharing our #PandaSpirit with the focus on the theme of "Rainbow Friendship Week" highlighting the color blue in honor of the Autism Awareness celebration "Light it up Blue" on Thursday!
During Rainbow Friendship Week, we will be showing our school spirit for our community connections based on Character themes such as Kindness, Respect, Gratitude, Acceptance and Compassion.
To show our #PandaSpirit, kids can do lots of activities to show our community of friendship
Read books and share favorite books about Friendship
Write letters or make cards for our friends or teachers
Make rainbow posters that reflect our Dunning Character themes from school.
Write a rainbow friendship poem
Write a rainbow friendship book
Dress up in the rainbow color of the day to represent
Create a friendship song
create a rainbow with objects from home and share pictures of their creation
Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt
And on Thursday....Be sure to Light it Up for Blue!
Snap a picture and post it on the Dunning PTO Facebook page. Not a member, you can join HERE.
FROM THE BOOSTERTHON TEAM
JUST IN FROM THE BOOSTERTHON TEAM
National Family Fun Run
- Kicked off this Monday, March 23rd at 3pm EST with a Pep Rally.
- Every day, it’ll be LIVE streamed from the Booster Facebook page at 3pm EST.
- Families can do dance breaks, learn character lessons, and do fun challenges. No fundraising at all.
- The Big Event: National Family Fun Run day at home on April 1st.
Hey Dunning School,
During these uncertain times, we wanted to reach out to let you know that we’re thinking of you and are here to help however we can.
As you and your family are stuck inside, we have some helpful resources to keep the fun and learning going (we’ve done the leg work, so you don’t have to!) Below is a great social media template to share with other families in your school who are looking for enrichment at home. Please use, and share!
Parents, if you’re looking for helpful things for your children to do at home, add this to your list: streaming character and fitness videos online from the company our school works with, Booster.
Go to BoosterthonCharacter.com
Access Code: AtHome
- There’s no cost to register
- It offers 75+ videos with character topics and fitness exercises (PBIS, SEL, STEAM, ect.)
We hope this serves as an opportunity for character-building conversations and staying active at home. Stay safe!"
Community Resources
FOOD:
Framingham Public Schools
Beginning on Wednesday, March 18th
Demographic Served: All School-Aged children
Days of Operation: Monday through Friday
Hours of Operation: 10 AM - 1 PM
Contact Information: 508-626-9109
Pick-up Locations:
Cameron Middle School - 215 Elm Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Barbieri Elementary School - 100 Dudley Road, Framingham, MA 01702
Fuller Middle School - 31 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA 01702
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School - 169 Leland Street, Framingham, MA 01702
DANIEL’S TABLE
Beginning on Tuesday, March 17th, Daniel’s Table will be open and distributing food. Daniel’s Table is looking for volunteers. Please go to https://www.weallvolunteer.org/ to sign up.
Demographic Served: Open to Anyone
Days of Operation: Tuesdays and Fridays, Wednesday (Night)
Hours of Operation: 1 PM - 3 PM, 5 PM - 7 PM (Wed)
Contact Information: 508-405-0769
Pick-up Locations: 10 Pearl Street, Framingham MA
PROJECT BREAD
If you are in need of food security, please contact Project Bread at 1-800-645-8333.
UNITED WAY OF TRI-COUNTY - PEARL STREET CUPBOARD & CAFE AT PARK
Demographic Served: All Ages
Days of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Hours of Operation: 9 AM - 1 PM (M, W, F), 5:30 PM- 7 PM (W)
Contact Information: 508-370-4921 and 774-200-3556
Pick-up Locations: 46 Park St., Framingham, MA 01702
SHELTER
A PLACE TO TURN
A Place to Turn will be open during their regular hours (noted below). A Place to Turn is also currently working with the Framingham Housing Authority to ensure delivery of groceries to older adults in housing. If any residents have questions, they are encouraged to give them a call.
Demographic Served: Open to All MetroWest Residents through Referrals
Days of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
Hours of Operation: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (M, T, Thurs.)
11 AM - 12:30 PM and 5 - 7 PM (W)
Contact Information: 508-655-8868
Pick-up Locations: 99 Hartford Street, Natick MA
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
General suggestions to keep kids active and engaged:
READ! Check out the Framingham Public Library Digital Books Collection. No library card? No problem! Sign up for a temporary card here and get immediate access to their digital collection. Talk to each other! Begin with these Conversation Starters. Play your favorite family games! Here are some old-fashioned, tried and true Games that require few or no materials. Write a play, poem, or story! Then act it out or read it aloud! Need some inspiration? Try these Writing Prompts. We will be working to post read aloud videos of picture books for elementary students on school websites. Stay tuned as we get those up and running! We will be offering some science activities and STEAM challenges over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned as we get those up and running!
Ways to stay physically active:
Try to get at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day (but avoid physical contact)!
Consider making weekly goals and create a daily plan for the next three weeks. Kids can track their progress and celebrate successes. Make it a family project!
Don’t forget to stretch--this can even be done while watching TV and helps to relieve tension and stress.
Drink water instead of fruit punch or soda. Stay hydrated!
Make healthy food choices whenever possible.
Dance to a favorite song, hop on one foot while counting by 5s, go for a walk, or try one of these physical education activities at home.
- For younger kids, mix in some learning activities.