NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - April 13
Week One of Required Remote Learning Completed
Dear NIS Families,
While everything about it was new, we did it! Together our students, families, and educators worked hard to figure most everything out - technology, internet glitches, work expectations, assignments and projects, new routines, and how to access support. Our educators worked diligently to reach out to you if they didn't "see" your child come to class meetings all in an effort to make sure you are all okay. That is our very first priority: making sure you and your family are okay. We want to connect you with what you need to feel safe and successful as we recognize the obligation parents feel to support their children with remote learning. Thank you for being our partners! It's obvious, we can't engage your children in remote learning without your help and assistance.
Now that week one is in the books, your feedback is needed to assist us with refining instruction, schedules, and communication methods to better meet the needs of children and families. Please reach out to your child's teachers to share with them what went well and what was hard. You can do this during their parent connection hours or by email. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to assist us with the refinement of our work.
Week one also highlighted some new challenges that online learning can bring pertaining to "Netiquette". We understand that remote learning and stay at home orders have the potential to increase screen time for your children. At NIS, we are truly grateful that we are able to connect with students and families through the digital platforms Meet and Zoom. While we are confident that most students are using the technology appropriately, we are getting word from some teachers that students may need some additional support from home to ensure that technology is being used appropriately. The following “Netiquette” has been shared with students and we would greatly appreciate if you could support your child at home with practicing the following suggestions and expectations:
Determine a time to turn screens off. Ensure that children do not have access to technology during the night time hours when they should be getting sleep. If students need to contact their teachers, set aside time first thing in the morning or at the end of the “school day” to send questions or to share their great work.
We understand that some children are using Google Hangouts Meet to connect with their friends. While we understand the need for this contact, we ask that students do not use the teacher’s meeting address to socialize. Under adult supervision, kids can create their own Meet links to connect with friends. We expect that this is done only after their school work is done for the day.
Please remind your child, that while we are not in the building, teachers and administrators still can access a student’s Chromebook screen and history via GoGuardian. Students are expected to adhere to the NPS Technology Acceptable Use Policies at all times when using the NPS network and devices.
Please remind your child that they are expected to dress appropriately when meeting live with their class and/or teacher. While comfortable clothing is appropriate, students should ensure that they are adhering to the NIS dress code and sufficiently covered up when using Zoom and Google Meet.
We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher, the NPS Technology Department or the NIS administrators if you have any questions or need additional support.
Speaking of support, please read the information pertaining to social emotional support provided by our bilingual social worker, Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg. She shared a lot of helpful suggestions for managing as a family during this difficult time.
Finally, we hope that those of you who celebrated had a very happy Easter yesterday.
Thank you for all you are doing!
Evemarie McNeil, Principal mcneile@npsk.org
Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal johnsond@npsk.org
Message from our Social Worker - Ms. Rosenberg
Social Emotional Support
Around the world parents and families are being asked to do unimaginable tasks while managing the loss of “normal”. Trying to create a safe and supportive learning environment for their children when they likely feel out of control themselves is a difficult task. We first want to acknowledge just how hard this might be. Children can feel the emotions of their caregivers, which is why taking care of yourself is a vital chore at this time. As you can practice and model how to manage this time, you are actively demonstrating for your children how to do the same. Set reasonable expectations for yourself and for your children. It is important to understand that being home and being present with your children are not the same things and your children will likely be demanding more of your attention than usual as they try to make sense of all the change in their world. Here are some tips to help support your children. If you are interested in more details the links are included below.
Keep or establish routines that work for your family. Try breaking up work times with fun activities - remember children have approximately a maximum of 45 minutes for sustained attention.
Find new ways to add exercise and creativity to each day. Take a family walk, bike riding or yoga. Adding music and art can help give kids creative outlets.
Manage your own emotional health - Try to take a break (even a moment in the bathroom alone) when you are overwhelmed or frustrated and try not to talk about your fears in front of our children.
Limit your exposure to the news. Things are changing rapidly but the social distancing recommendation is in place nationally until April 30, 2020. You don’t need an hourly update!
Stay in touch virtually- help kids find ways to stay in touch with friends and family - maybe plan a family zoom with extended family.
Make plans - when so much of life is out of control, help by finding some things you can control - plan what's for dinner or have them help you create the plan for the day (do they want to do math first, then lunch followed by reading, or would they like to start with reading?).
Keep it positive - try to help kids find at least one positive thing in each day.
Give kids information, but not too much.
Check in with little kids who might not understand what is going on but can feel the anxiety and stress of others in their life. More tantrums, acting out or defiance than usual can be indicators of anxiety in young children. It is important to bring them into your calm rather than join their chaos.
Sometimes you have to let some things go and pick your battles. If you're trying to work from home, parent your children and help with school work it’s likely impossible to do all of those things perfectly. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself permission to make some concessions.
Ask for help when you need it. Reach out to your child’s teacher if you are struggling to get assignments done. Check in with the counselor or social worker if you are noticing significant changes in your child’s behavior. We all need each other more than ever and it is okay to ask for support!
Further reading if interested:
https://www.unicef.org/media/67211/file
https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/
School Counselor Information
School Counselor Office Hours
Monday: Miss. Adams from 10am to 12pm
Tuesday: Mr. Peckham from 10am to 12pm
Wednesday: Miss. Adams from 10am to 12pm
Thursday: Mr.Peckham from 10am to 12pm
Friday: Miss Adams and Mr. Peckham from 10am to 12pm.
Students, caregivers, parents, and families may call in to either School Counselor at those times. If these times do not work for you please contact the School Counselors to Schedule an appointment.
Ms. Adams: 774-333-2017 adamsv@npsk.org
Zoom Meeting: zoom.us/j/952032798 Password: NISRULES
Mr. Peckham: 508-348-9332 peckhama@npsk.org
Zoom Meeting: zoom.us/j/6919371321 Password: NISRULES
Want to reach our Social Worker? Here is her contact information:
Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg: 508-257-1783 rosenberga@npsk.org
Thank You Ms. Johnson!
From the Desk of our School Nurse
Hello NIS Community!!
I hope you are all well and surviving the Coronavirus. Although it has been about 4 weeks since the “stay at home” campaign started, I still have surreal moments. It is unbelievable to me at times. Is this really happening?? What can I do to help?? It has been a roller coaster of emotions to say the least. So, yes this is real. I have had family and friends, off island, who have been affected by Coronavirus. Luckily, they are all doing okay. As of the morning of April 10th, Nantucket has had 10 cases thus far and 6 consecutive days with no positive results. That is awesome!! However, we still need to take this very seriously and keep doing our part. Please continue to wash your hands frequently, cough/sneeze into tissue if available or your elbow, wear a cloth mask when going to the grocery store and keep your social distance. This is what we can do to help win the battle against Coronavirus.
Here is a great 1-minute video on proper hand washing:
Until next time, stay strong, healthy, and 6 feet apart!!
Nancy Small RN
Ms. Nancy Small available daily to answer your medical questions Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Start with an email to smalln@npsk.org and Ms. Small will email or call you back.
Specialist Teachers' Learning Activities
Check back weekly for updated learning activities!
Please know each of our specialists have Parent and Student Connection hours too! Just email the specialist teacher you want to connect with to learn when the are available virtually.
Art - Heldj@npsk.org
Library - myerso@npsk.org
Music - sheppards@npsk.org
Physical education - gardnerg@npsk.org
Spanish - nashz@npsk.org
SEL - see counselor information above
Enrichment - baskettf@npsk.org
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
Family Input Regarding Class Placement 2020
Please see the attached guidance for writing a letter about class placement for the 2020-2021 school year below.