NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - March 22, 2021
Returning to School - April 5, 2021
Dear families,
Our diligent planning continues for our return to in-person learning five days per week beginning Monday, April 5th. Thank you so much for completing our family survey about your preferences. If you DID NOT complete the survey, and your child is currently in Cohort A, B or C, we are planning on your child's full return to five days of in-person learning. If you actually want your child to join Cohort D - fully remote learning - please call the school ASAP.
In other good news there are more school busses being added and more open seats on each bus. If your child does NOT currently ride the bus and you want bus transportation, please reach out to Emily Murphy at murphye@npsk.org or call the front office at 508-228-7290 ASAP. Your child needs to be put on our list for bus transportation.
1) Will Wednesdays be a half-day of school for all?
- Yes, all Wednesdays beginning April 7th will be half school days with dismissal at 11:50 AM. This is true for Cohort A and Cohort D.
2) Will students be mixing with all students in the grade level?
- No. Our students will remain in pods with their classmates throughout the day. They will not be mixing for lunch, recess, or special activities. Some small groups are made up of students from other classrooms, but will be safe with the physical distancing.
3) What will lunch look like?
- Lunch will still be the one time of day when ALL students must be at least 6 feet apart, like they are now, when eating. This applies to all times that the whole class may be eating.
- We are working out how we will accomplish this, but are confident we have the space. We also look forward to warm weather days and classes going outside for lunch.
4) My child is in Cohort D. Will the teacher change if my child goes to Cohort A?
- Most likely your child's teacher will change. As we collect data from our families we will know if we need 2 or 3 Cohort D teachers. If we need only two Cohort D teachers, the one teacher switching to in-person learning can keep any students moving into Cohort A. We will have a transition plan for any students changing teachers/classrooms. What we really need is for our Cohort D families to tell us their plan for their students so we can plan and keep Cohort D families in the loop. *All Cohort D classes will be communicated with as a group to keep all informed as decisions are made.
5) What is the distancing in the school and classrooms going to be?
- The state says that we can be 3 - 6 feet apart, with all other safety protocols in place, and still be safe. Our class sizes are small enough that most desks will be placed 4.5 - 5.5 feet apart.
6) Are there any plans to vaccinate children at school?
- No. At this time there is not an approved vaccine for children under 16 years old.
7) Can my child take the bus?
- Yes, if you live at least 1.5 miles from school. Please reach out to our front office to be put on the bus list ASAP.
Please know that we will still be wearing masks, taking structured mask breaks, washing/sanitizing our hands per current protocols, and continuing with physical distancing. These measures are critical to ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Thank you so much for your partnership,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Family Engagement Opportunities
- Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 PM - English Learner Parent Advisory Council Google Meet Link - See flyer below
- Tuesday, March 30th at 6:00 PM - Special Needs Advisory - Presentation by Patti Menzel "Ausome" Connections: A Look a Friendships on the Autism Spectrum - See flyer below
- Thursday, April 8th at 6:30 PM - Family Life parent meeting for grade 5 parents - Save the Date!
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
Spring has arrived with its sunny days and warmer temperatures, hoorah!! With the change of seasons, comes allergy season. Unfortunately, allergy symptoms and covid symptoms overlap with runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, and headaches. So, if your student has documented seasonal allergies, please let me know as soon as possible. The physician can fax or email me a note stating the history of allergies. Having this information will allow your student to stay in school and not have to get tested for covid.
I will finish with vision screenings this week. I have been mailing out referrals as needed so please look for those letters in the mail. Follow up with your physician or an eye doctor. Healthy eyes are an important part of your child’s learning.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
COVID-19 Travel Advisory
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
- Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
- Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
- Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.
Island Cup Fundraiser
Hello Everyone!
The Class of 2022 is bringing back the annual Island Cup Fundraiser! Due to the pandemic, our football season is now currently happening. As a result, the Island Cup game has also been moved. This year, the game will be held on Saturday, April 24. Members of the Class of 2022 have designed a sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt, which we are now taking pre-orders for. If you place your order by the end of the day on March 21, you will be guaranteed to receive what you order. If not, there will be some extra merchandise ordered, which can be bought on a first come first serve basis. Sweatshirts will be $40 and long sleeve shirts will be $25. We ask that you pay for your order when you pick it up. You can place your order by filling out this Google Form. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at lucasd@npsk.org. All money raised will go directly to the Class of 2022 to help with costs during their senior year. On behalf of the Class of 2022, we thank you for supporting the class! Go Whalers!
From,
Darren Lucas-Hayes, M.Ed.
Nantucket High School
School Counselor Newsletter
SMORE Newsletter from School Social Worker Emily Sybert
Please click this Smore link for Ms. Sybert's latest family communication. She focuses on breaking down behaviors and identifying alternative ways to respond to your childen rather than being reactive. There is also news about COVID resources being offered at the Family Resource Center. Emily Sybert - School Social Worker - syberte@npsk.org
Thank you Ms. Sybert!
March NPS Calendar
Schoology Support for Parents/Caregivers
Our NIS in house Schoology trainers are Grade 5 teacher Taylor O'Brien and Library Teacher Olivia Myers who have both expressed their availability to parents for Schoology questions. Here is their contact information:
Taylor O'Brien: Obrient@npsk.org
Olivia Myers: myerso@npsk.org
Please see attachments below for more information in English and Spanish.
Free and Reduced Lunch News
Even though meals are free to all, families who are Directly Certified or Approved via a paper application for Free or Reduced lunch can use their letter for:
- Reduced electricity costs through National Grid
- Reduced internet through Comcast Xfinity
- May also qualify for Food Pantry or Nantucket Housing & Fuel Assistance
Please contact the Central Registrar Sarah Erichsen if you have questions by calling 508-228-7285 x1149 or emailing erichsens@npsk.org.
Behavioral Support
Laura Stanley, NPS district behavior analyst, wants to share her newsletter with you full of strategies for supporting your any behavioral challenges you may be experiencing with your children at home. Here it is: Behavior Support Strategies at Home
Laura Stanley, MS, BCBA, LABA
District Behavior Analyst
Nantucket Public Schools
Phone: 508-228-7290 ext 4226
E-mail: stanleyl@npsk.org
BCBA Behavior Newsletter https://www.smore.com/wuh54
Please Charge Chromebooks Each Night - Thank You!
Technology Cheat Sheet Guides for Students
Meals Provided
Nantucket Public Schools Food Truck: On Remote Learning Days...
Parents can pick up student breakfast and lunch meals served by Island Kitchen and Patrick Ridge between 9:30am - 11:30am at the food truck.
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
District and NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NPS Return to School Protocols - Fall 2020
NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
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