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NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - Aug. 10, 2020
Keeping NIS Families in the Loop!
Dear helpful NIS families,
Thank you so much to all of you who filled out our Reopening Schools Commitment Survey. Your responses are critical to determining student cohorts and staffing for the coming school year. If you have not yet filled out the Cohort B, C, D survey please do ASAP (unless you filled out a Cohort A survey). We have started to call families who have not responded to any of our sent surveys and will continue to do so through the week. Many thanks also to families who let us know they are withdrawing their student(s). We wish you all the best as you pursue new life and/or educational adventures!
If you were waiting to discover more about what learning may look like as school opens on Sept. 16th, please read through the NPS DRAFT Comprehensive Plan. This plan is a DRAFT and subject to school committee review and approval at their next meeting on Thursday, August 13th at 6:00 PM. There will be opportunities for parents/guardians to ask questions about this plan - one on a Google Doc for recording your questions. The other opportunity is for you to join the Parent/Community Advisory Committee tomorrow, August 11th, at 6:00 PM with Dr. Hallett. Please reach out to me if you would like the link to that meeting.
I've learned that the Inky is looking to speak to parents about the coming school year. If you have been a part of NIS Parent Office Hours, the Parent/Community Advisory Council, or even joined the NIS School Council meetings you know a lot about the thoroughness of this process of reopening. Please consider sharing your insights with the Inky! Here is a contact number I found on their website: Call: 508-228-0001
Finally, I encourage you to reach out to your elected school committee members to share your thoughts about our NPS Comprehensive Plan for Reopening. Your survey results collected thus far strongly indicate your desire to have your children in school for learning. While we are doing our very best to following all expected safety protocols, and thus can't invite all children into school at this time, we look forward to implementing a hybrid model of instruction to give at least some face-to-face learning time for our teachers and students. We know this is the very BEST way to establish strong and important relationships! Their emails can be found here on our district website: School Committee
As always, reach out with any questions!
In partnership with you,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
Leaving Nantucket Public Schools?
First step is to complete the survey sent to you to indicate you will be leaving NPS.
Next, you will want to email Sarah Erichsen at erichsens@npsk.org and copy murphye@npsk.org. Sarah will provide you with a withdrawal form.
Library books should be returned to NIS as well.
We wish you all the best this school year and will miss you.
NPS Parent/Community Advisory Committee
Dr. Hallett's parent/community advisory committee meets weekly and we are well represented as a school.
Your NIS representatives on Dr. Hallett's Parent/Community forum are Erin Carson and Audrey Anderson. You can reach out to Erin at nantucketerin@gmail.com and Audrey at aeanderson2010@gmail.com as your parent representatives.
There is an open invitation to all parents/guardians who want to attend the August 11, 2020 virtual meeting of this committee at 6:00 PM. Please reach out to mcneile@npsk.org if you would like the link to this meeting.
NIS School Council Meeting
Here is the information if you are interested:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US) +1 413-497-4225
PIN: 272 344 102#
Your NIS School Council Parent representatives are Tracy Canty and Erin Carson
Thursday, Aug 13, 2020, 08:00 AM
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NIS Principal Office Hour for Parents
Google Meet
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 336-515-0659
PIN: 766 614 651#
Thursday, Aug 20, 2020, 04:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
School Counselor Summer Information
School Counselor Summer Office Hours
Wednesdays: 8:00 - 2:30 PM
During the summer one of our school counselors or social worker will be working at NIS each Wednesday. Students, caregivers, parents, and families may call NIS requesting to speak to the counselor working. You can also email the counselor(s) to set up an appointment.
Mr. Aaron Peckham peckhama@npsk.org
Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg rosenberga@npsk.org
IMPORTANT DEADLINE - August 1st
In order to receive a new Chromebook OR continue to use any device beyond August 1, families must log onto the Aspen Family Portal (https://www.npsk.org/domain/1321) and verify the student information. You may begin doing this at any time. If you are not able to complete the verification by August 1, the Chromebook will be disabled.
Please reach out to the Technology Help Desk if you need assistance. Here is the LINK
Chromebooks & Summer
Parents and students:
As you might imagine, we have been having many conversations about how best to handle the Chromebooks this summer and going into next school year. Administration, with input from the Technology department, has decided to allow students to keep their Chromebooks over the summer in hopes of addressing further learning opportunities and equity issues. That being said, many grades normally get newer Chromebooks before September. The Tech staff will work with families to upgrade and/or swap out the Chromebooks over the summer.
In order to receive the new device or continue to use any device beyond August 1, families must log onto the Aspen Family Portal (https://www.npsk.org/domain/1321) and verify the student information. You may begin doing this at any time. If you are not able to complete the verification by August 1, the Chromebook will be disabled.
For all grades:
If you do not want to use your Chromebook over the summer, you may drop off the Chromebooks at any time at the front entrance of Nantucket Intermediate School. The closest parking lot is accessed from Backus Lane off Surfside Rd.
If your Chromebook needs repair, please tape a note on it and drop it off at the entrance of NIS.
If you have multiple Chromebooks, please drop off whichever one you are not using at the entrance to NIS.
For grades K-11 (as of June 1):
You will need to verify the student information by August 1 to continue using your Chromebook.
Grades 5 and 8, normally you would be provided with a new Chromebook as you enter 6th and 9th grade, but due to Covid, we may not be able to get them in time.
Mifi devices:
Families with mifi devices are welcome to keep them if you need them.
If you no longer need the device, please drop it off at the entrance to NIS.
If you have any questions, please let us know. (https://www.npsk.org/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=103)
Have a wonderful summer! Keep learning and enjoying our beautiful island.
Jenn Erichsen
Director of Technology
508-228-7280 ext 1213
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
2020 Summer Reading Program at Nantucket Atheneum
Happy summer everyone!
This summer may be the most important summer for your children to develop a habit of reading at least 20 minutes per day. The Atheneum is excited to be able to offer a fun and interactive way that may help inspire them. Beanstack is an online program and app that enables readers of all ages to register in seconds as individuals or a family. Participants earn virtual badges as they reach certain milestones. I strongly encourage you to sign up! It is easy! Begin by clicking here nantucketatheneum.beanstack.org
We have also created a Weezie Library for Children FB page serving youth from birth through age 18. This will be the primary way we will communicate with our patrons during this time. We’ll offer Grab-and-Go programming, downloadable activities, Story Walks, LIVE performances, breaking library news, and much more. We hope you will join us. FB The Weezie Library for Children
All of us at the library miss our patrons. Please feel free to call us with questions or requests (or to say “hello”) 508-228-1110 x103, we’d love to hear from you. While the library is not open yet, we are offering curbside pick-up and will be at the desk M-F 10-2 for the time being.
Have a wonderful summer. I hope we’re all back together again soon.
Stay safe and well,
Leslie Malcolm
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