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NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - July 27, 2020
Keeping NIS Families in the Loop!
Dear supportive NIS families,
Over the course of last week the district leadership team met to complete the preliminary planning templates for the state department of education. These planning documents were heavily influenced by input from staff, administrators, families and community members as well as by budget limitations and health/safety directives. Dr. Hallett then presented the feasibility of the NPS in-person, hybrid, and remote learning plans to the school committee on Friday evening prior to submission to the state as required by July 31st. Her communication to you later today will include that draft document. Many thanks to all of you who have completed the NIS Transportation Survey, to our school council members, and to your NIS representatives on Dr. Hallett's Parent/Community forum: 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.
At the building level, we have shared new surveys with families about transportation and with staff about their ability to return to in-person learning. This data will really help us to determine next steps with any planning for in-person learning whether full time or part-time. In many ways, it is a numbers game...how many families will choose remote learning for their children? How many children will be homeschooled or attend private schools? How many staff members are unable to return to in-person learning due to health concerns? How many children need bus transportation to attend in-person learning and thus, how many bus runs will be needed? This is the type of information needed to make thoughtful decisions about the best learning model for our Nantucket community always keeping in mind that COVID data can impact any chosen plan. We will be sending out another survey soon seeking your commitment to the hybrid learning model (some in-person days, some remote learning) or to full remote learning. This will assist us greatly in allocating staff and creating classroom cohorts of students.
I am so grateful for your willingness to complete surveys and for your patience as we all await important decisions about what school will look like in September. Please join me for a parent "office hour" this week on Thursday, July 30th at 5:00 PM. Information is below.
Kind regards,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
NIS Bus Transportation Survey
If you didn't fill it out yet, here is the link: NIS Bus Survey
If we don't have your responses by the end of the day today, please expect a phone call from the school to gather the needed information this week.
Much appreciated!
NIS Principal Office Hour for Parents
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 575-754-4390
PIN: 235 662 923#
Thursday, Jul 30, 2020, 05:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
NIS School Council Meeting
Here is the information if you are interested:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 314-474-2147
PIN: 436 041 683#
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2020, 02:00 PM
NIS Patio off of Backus Lane
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Reopening School - DESE
Our guidance from the state with regard to reopening schools is informed frequently. On Friday, July 10th a new document came out to provide more information to districts in Massachusetts. Here are some of the Commissioner of Education's comments regarding district expectations and clarity provided by the newest document linked below:
At this time, given the current low transmission rates of COVID-19 in the state, and pursuant to emergency regulations recently passed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, we are asking districts and schools to prioritize in-person instruction. Specifically, we have asked districts to focus on assessing the feasibility of bringing back students in-person, and those feasibility studies should be taking place in your districts now.
While you continue working to flesh out these models, I am requesting that you hold off on announcing any final decisions about what reopening will look like for the fall in your district until early August. While preparations for the fall must move forward, we are still waiting for key information that will directly impact the best fit reopening model for each community. This includes more information about financial resources that may be available, including the possibility of a second federal stimulus package, and any change in local COVID-19 transmission rates.
I understand that local communities are eager for districts to finalize their reopening plans as soon as possible. At the same time, I am confident that our families and students will be better served by a thoughtful planning process that works first to explore options and takes in critical additional information before local plans are finalized.
To support your planning, we have attached our first installment of answers to frequently asked questions. We will continue to release FAQs with updates and covering additional topics as more details become available.
Thank you for all of your tireless work on behalf of our students.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey C. Riley
Commissioner