NOTES FROM the OFFICE
4/5/20
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All previous Notes From the Office are available by using this LINK.
Dunning Families
Dear Dunning Families,,
This week is a big milestone for all families in Framingham as we will roll out the new weekly calendars. As we wrote in the last Notes From the Office, 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. Please reach out if you have any questions. This is new for all of us and we are here to help navigate through this new learning platform.
Please know that teachers all over Framingham have been working tirelessly to provide students with high quality plans that support all students and are meant to engage students in their learning while we are at home.
The remote learning plans will be shared first by the district in three languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish. Dunning's remote learning plans will be posted on the homepage of our website. The goal of the remote learning plans is to increase students' understanding of particular topics, get help if something does not make sense and/or to go deeper into a topic to gain greater understanding.
Dunning staff will continue to reach out to all families through many different communication modes (phone calls, newsletters, email, Class Dojo, google classroom). Our goal continues to be to maintain consistent communication across the school and within each classroom.
As always, our virtual door is always open.
All our best,
Michele & Kathie
Bamboo misses everyone!!
i-Ready
The district has created a slide presentation for parents to support your child in using i-Ready.
Please follow the link for more information!
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
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
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.