INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT- ACTION REQUIRED!
As of today, we still have 86 families who have not completed the transportation survey. If you need yellow bus service this academic year (this includes January and beyond), it is required for you to complete this survey.
Please remember:
*If you have already filled out the survey, you do not need to again.
*This applies to kindergarten and 1st grade students in hybrid and virtual school.
*If your child usually takes the bus from school to an after-school center (MEDI, Country Cottage, The Learning Tree, etc.), please click on YES (even though the form states taking the bus home; you still require afternoon transportation via the bus).
Please complete the survey here. Families should complete one survey for each child.
We will do another check on Monday before we start calling families. Please, complete the survey this weekend, if you have not done so already. This will save us valuable time and is incredibly appreciated!
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On a different note, as mentioned in last week's newsletter, it is such a challenge to ignore the existing trends of State and National Public Health data. Starting today, there are new safety measures in place for the commonwealth. Here is a link to that language: Governor's COVID-19 Order #54
Unfortunately, as was communicated last night, the opportunity to test staff during the Professional Development day on Tuesday revealed three positive cases. As a result, the district completed the required contact tracing and individuals were informed if they were a close contact.
As Dr. Pires shared in his communication last evening, "We would like to reiterate that our student body and staff have been closely adhering to the safety protocols including mask-wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing. We are grateful to our families for their continued efforts to keep our school communities safe. We ask that you continue to monitor your child for symptoms, and keep your child home if they show any symptoms or are not feeling well. These measures, taken in combination, greatly reduce the risk of additional transmission.
While we recognize that this news is unsettling to learn, had we not had the testing, then these cases may have gone undetected, leaving others vulnerable to transmission. We are thankful for the opportunity this testing provided us to better understand our internal vulnerabilities.
I think it is important to also reiterate that we are heading into a time of celebration and family traditions. It is incredibly hard to think about how much these special family times have changed over the last 8 months. I would encourage you to be mindful of the updated Governor's order “Limits on Gatherings” and the MA Travel Order. When families adhere to these orders, it will not only help to keep your child/children remaining healthy, but it will also support keeping our schools open.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that this coming Wednesday, November 11th, there will be NO School. I hope you are able to spend some quality time with your family.
Amy McDonald, Principal
Family Conferences
‘S.U.P. Medway / T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Preventing Teen Substance Use
‘S.U.P. Medway is a newly formed youth substance use prevention coalition who has teamed up with Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. to host a community event: Planning for Prevention. During this 30-minute webinar community members will learn from Aubrey Ciol, Prevention Specialist, about how to engage with youth in discussions around mental health and substance use. Attendees will also learn how community coalitions have been shown to significantly decrease youth substance use and about how they can join the ‘S.U.P. Coalition. The event will take place on Wednesday, November, 18th from 7:00-7:30 pm. To register please click here.
Expansion of In Person Offerings
Our goal in Medway has always been to safely bring students back to school 100% of the time. On November 4th, we will welcomed our preschool-grade 1 students back in person on Wednesdays for half days. Students were so excited to be in school and our faculty and staff were thrilled as well. As a reminder, dismissal will begin at 12:00 pm, which is our standard early release dismissal time. We will be looking to move to a full in person day eventually.
Since our Preschool Programs are half days (and Wednesdays will only be in the morning), we will alternate in person learning every other week so students have equitable access to the program. As such, in person learning will be 8:35-11:30 AM (this means afternoon sessions will be coming in the morning on their specified dates (below)) and will follow the schedule below:
November 11: No School, Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 18: Just the Afternoon Session (8:35-11:30 am)
Wednesday, November 25: Just the Morning Session
Wednesday, December 2: Just the Afternoon Session (8:35-11:30 am)
Wednesday, December 9: Just the Morning Session
Wednesday, December 16: Just the Afternoon Session (8:35-11:30 am)
Wednesday, December 23: Just the Morning Session
On days that your child does not have in person learning, teachers will share at home activities for students to engage in. For preschool dismissal at 11:30 am, if you pick your child up from the program, please use the front parking lot (the circle where the busses usually go), not the drop off loop.
Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or me if you have any additional questions.
Scholastic Book Fair
This Fall both McGovern and Memorial School will hold a virtual Book Fair. All the proceeds from the Fair will benefit both schools.
- November 9-22
- The homepage can be viewed using this link
Food Drive
Girl Scout Troop 74922 is holding a food drive in collaboration with the annual Turkey Trot. The troop will be placing the collection box outside the Memorial School Entrance. Collections will be made on a daily basis by the troop. The troop will organize all of the pick-up of the canned goods.
We are so grateful to be a part of this volunteerism and encourage anyone to participate to ensure that everyone has the best meal for the upcoming holidays.
Donation Requirements
- Canned goods
- No expired items
Yearly Student Information Update - Online Registration
We request that all families complete the beginning of year packet [Online Registration] in the parent portal to ensure we have the most up to date information for you and your child. To access OLR in the portal, login and choose MORE > Online Registration. Please follow the prompts to complete this information. If you are new to Medway or in need an access code to create an account, please email support@medwayschools.org.
Transportation Information and Survey
As of today, we still have 86 families who have not completed the transportation survey. If you need yellow bus service this year, it is required for you to complete this survey.
Please remember:
*If you have already filled out the survey, you do not need to again.
*This applies to kindergarten and 1st grade students in hybrid and virtual school.
*If your child usually takes the bus from school to an after-school center (MEDI, Country Cottage, The Learning Tree, etc.), please click on YES (even though the form states taking the bus home; you still require afternoon transportation via the bus).
Please complete the survey here. Families should complete one survey for each child.
We will do another check on Monday before we start calling families. Please, complete the survey this weekend, if you have not done so already. This will save us valuable time and is incredibly appreciated!
Remote Learning Guidelines for Families and Students
As we work to bring more synchronous (virtual, live, scheduled) time to our students during their at home learning days and also continue to enhance our practices to ensure readiness SHOULD we need to transition to a fully remote learning model, we have crafted some "rules of engagement" to support students, their families, and our faculty and staff. The success of this work is dependent on all of us working together to ensure compliance and partnership. Please sit and review the information found through the links below WITH your child, regardless of their grade level.
The second section of this form asks for your partnership and agreement with these guidelines in support of all. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.
You can access the form here and we would like all students and families to electronically sign the form.
Dressing for Recess and Outdoor Time
Can you believe the weather today? It's a great reminder to be prepared for all that New England weather has in store for us. Here is a helpful graphic to ensure that students are arriving to school with the best layers and apparel as we transition from summer temperatures to the crisp air of fall. This is also helpful in the classrooms and on the bus, if your child is a rider, as we are trying to keep windows open as much as possible.
On snowy days, students will need boots, snow pants, a hat, mittens, and winter coat. And, it will probably be 70 degrees next week! Flexibility... the key word to this year!
Nurse's Notes
I hope this finds everyone healthy.
A gentle reminder that all students’ immunizations, whether an in-person or virtual learner, need to be compliant as mandated by the MA Department of Public Health. In addition, an in-person physical exam is needed for students entering the McGovern school for the first time; typically pre-kindergarten or kindergarten students or a student transferring from another district. Documentation of an in-person physical is required. This physical exam should be conducted within one year before or within 90 days of the start of school and can not have been a phone or virtual examination. If your child had a virtual visit please contact your child’s provider to discuss setting up an in-person appointment.
As many of you are aware, Massachusetts now requires that all students, pre k - grade 12, receive an influenza vaccine by December 31, 2020. The only exceptions allowed are for medical or religious reasons.
Please provide the appropriate documentation as soon as you are able. All forms are to be sent to the attention of the nurse. They may be sent to school with you child, scanned and emailed to pmckay@medwayschools.org or faxed to 508-533-3263.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at the above email address or at 508-533-6626 x5354. I am at school every day and available to meet with parents to discuss health concerns, develop health plans, and receive medications and paperwork. Be aware that, at this time, all in-person meetings will take place outside of the building. I am also available to speak with you on the phone or communicate via email.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Penny McKay
Covid Response Hotline
In order to ensure confidentiality and begin Contact Tracing as soon as possible, the District has established lines of communication if ever you need to report a positive COVID Test.
Report a student positive COVID test results by either emailing or calling the hotline below:
- covid@medwayschools.org
- 508-321-4779
Flu Shots Required by December 31, 2020
The state of MA now requires that all students receive the influenza vaccination. Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020, for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for all students attending school in Massachusetts. Elementary and secondary students in districts and schools that are using a remote education model are not exempt.
Free School Lunch and Breakfast For ALL STUDENTS for the Entire 2020/20201 School Year
The USDA recently announced that school breakfast and lunch would remain free for ALL students for the entirety of the 2020/2021 school year. We realize that parents and guardians are being asked to do many different things in support of their children this school year. We are pleased to be able to take one thing off of your plate by providing your student with breakfast and lunch.
Nutritional Support / Remote School Lunches
In order to ensure that children’s nutritional needs are satisfied during this period of remote learning, we are offering any Medway resident under the age of 21 the opportunity to access free school meals every day of the week and/or food to prepare meals at home. For more details about these offerings and to sign-up for remote meals please click here.
Communication
Square One Art
Please read the letter below regarding square 1 art:
Dear Family,
Welcome to Square 1 Art! The Square 1 Art art project provides you the opportunity to purchase keepsakes and gifts featuring your child's art and every order profits your school. This year will look a little different as all artwork will be done at home and will be submitted virtually.
Your 3 Simple Steps:
1. Your child creates art. Art Creation instructions and art/order deadlines will be provided by your Square 1 Art coordinator.
2. Take a photo of your child's art with your phone or tablet.
and upload the art online at square1art.com/shop/upload
3. You may then begin to shop for keepsakes!
Together, we can help support the school, and create keepsake memories of your child's art to enjoy for years!
More detailed instructions coming soon...
Square 1 Art
888.332.3294
McGovern School Square 1 Art Coordinator
Meagan Wilde
Memorial School Square 1 Art Coordinator
Julie McMenamy
Nov 1: Daylight Savings, turn the clocks back 1 hour
Nov 2: PM preschool returns to in person learning
Nov 3: No School, Election Day, Professional Development Day for faculty and staff
Nov 4: Wednesday 1/2 day learning begins
Nov 11: Veterans Day, No School
Nov 25: Early Release 12:00 pm for kindergarten and 1st Grade
Nov 26-27: Thanksgiving break, no school
Dec 2: Early Release Days (12:00 pm dismissal), Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences
Dec 9: Early Release Days (12:00 pm dismissal), Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences
Do you need the Smore Newsletter Translated?
Here is the link for the master directions in English.
Here is the link for Spanish.
Here is the link for French.
Here is the link for Russian.
Here is the link for Arabic
Haga clic en los siguientes enlaces para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo traducir el boletín.
Aquí está el enlace para español.
Here is the link for Spanish.
Veuillez cliquer sur les liens suivants pour savoir comment traduire le bulletin d'information.
Here is the link for French.
Пожалуйста, нажмите следующие ссылки для получения инструкций о том, как перевести информационный бюллетень.
Вот ссылка на русский.
Here is the link for Russian.