NIS News - March 28, 2022
Nantucket Intermediate School
MCAS is Here!
It's hard to believe that we are in our final trimester of the school year. There is so much that happens this term including our state assessment, MCAS. Our students have been working hard all year and beginning this week, our third graders will engage in the English language arts (reading and writing) assessment followed by grades 4 and 5 in the weeks ahead. After the April spring break students will all take the MCAS math assessments. If your child is in grade 5, they will take the Science/Technology/Engineering test as well. While testing is not our favorite part of our school year, we do work hard to make sure students are familiar with the test format and are ready with what to expect. We tell them it is their chance to show all they know and it's okay if there is something on the test that they don't yet know - just try your best!
We look for you to ensure students have a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast to ready for testing days. If your child is a bit nervous, just assure them that it's a chance to show what they have learned. Their results do not go on their report cards or inform whether or not they can move onto the next grade...sometimes they think these things are true!
Thank you for all of your support during MCAS testing. The dates are all listed below and we are eternally grateful to you for making sure students are in school on time on testing days.
Reach out if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
NIS MCAS Dates - Please Ensure Students are in School
NIS MCAS Dates
Grade 3 ELA March 30th, 31st
Grade 4 ELA April 5th, 6th
Grade 5 ELA April 12th, 13th
Grade 3 Math April 27th, 28th
Grade 4 Math May 3rd, 4th
Grade 5 Math May 10th, 12th
Grade 5 STE May 18th, 19th
Vaccine Clinic 4/2/2022
Hello NIS Families!
I’m sure glad Spring has arrived! It is so nice to be outside. It’s also great to see the students’ smiling faces as they walk in the hallways now that masks are optional. Although when they visit me in the Health Office masks are still required. I know everyone would like covid to be over and have things return to “normal'', but we must still do our part to keep ourselves and the community healthy. One of the things you can do is to get vaccinated. Being vaccinated will not stop you from getting covid, but the vaccine will lessen the symptoms and keep you out of the hospital. Also being vaccinated helps to keep the people who are unable to be vaccinated safe. Right now at NIS we have 40% of the students vaccinated.
The Town has taken over the Vaccine Clinics and the next one will be Saturday April 2nd, 9-2pm @ NES cafeteria. Anyone 5 years and older can get a Pfizer 1st dose, 2nd dose, and booster, if eligible. Below is the link to make an appointment.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!
Nancy Small RN
NIS School Nurse
2022-2023 School Year Planning
April is around the corner and thus, so are student placement decisions for next school year. If you have a third or fourth grader and want to share pertinent information with us about classroom placement, please draft your email/letter and send to me by Friday, April 15th. The information that we find most helpful is about peer relationships, your child's learning style and type of classroom setting that has worked in the past. You may NOT request a classroom teacher.
Please know that our teachers work very hard on determining the very best placement for students and your information is included in that determination. Also know that parent letters are NOT required. They are simply helpful when you believe there is important information to share. Important: We do not consider last year's letter (if you sent one) as children grow and change.
If you have a second grader, please share your letter with Kim Kubisch as the second grade team creates the classes for grade 3.
Thank you!
Evemarie
Busy Spring Ahead...
* Unified Arts Night will be held on Thursday, April 7th!
* Lip Sync group sign ups are happening NOW! Reach out to Katie Bedell in our front office to get a slot for your child's group - bedellk@npsk.org or 508-228-7290
More info to come about upcoming field trips, fund raisers, and events!
Lip Sync Information
Interested? You need to sign up your child's group. See below for helpful attachments.
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
* Now - Lip Sync Group Sign Ups! - NIS front office
* March 28th - Report Cards Published - Term 2
* March 30 & 31st - Grade 3 ELA MCAS
* April 5th & 6th - Grade 4 ELA MCAS
* April 5th - School Committee Meeting - 6:00 PM
* April 7th - NIS Unified Arts Night
* April 12th & 13th - Grade 5 ELA MCAS
* April 13th - FONPS Meeting - 6:00 PM
* April 18th - 22nd - No School - Spring Break
* April 26th - School Committee Meeting - 6:00 PM
* April 27th & 28th - Grade 3 MATH MCAS
Previously Shared Information Below
No Student Drop Off on Surfside Road or Behind NES
It is also not okay to drop NIS students off behind NES. This is creating some challenges for their arrival process.
NIS School Improvement Plan
No Birthday Food Treats Please
We would like to encourage you to donate a birthday book to your child's classroom library in honor of their birthday. Other acceptable ideas include bringing in a special pencil or decal for everyone in the class if that's preferred.
Thank you for not sending your child to school with food items for the class to celebrate their birthday.
NPS Vision, Mission and Core Values
NPS Vision Draft
We commit to provide equitable, inclusive, and challenging learning experiences where every student and adult feels seen, heard, valued, and respected.
NPS Mission Draft
Nantucket Public Schools, in partnership with a caring community, will create a dynamic and equitable learning environment which engages each of us to be inspired learners and responsible citizens, prepared to meet local and global challenges.
NPS Core Values Draft
Nantucket Public Schools values collaboration, communication, and reflection that supports:
Equitable access to multiple pathways for individual and collective success.
High expectations and a student-centered educational approach that integrates academic progress, extra-curricular participation, personal responsibility, and community involvement.
Inclusive and sustained family relationships that respect all cultures and the experiences each child brings to our schools.
Challenging ourselves to embrace and advocate for the needs of every student, adult, and family within our school community.
Maria Mitchell Association 'LOOK UP' Program
Loines Observatory (59 Milk St Extension) is open to Nantucket children age 5-18 and their families free of charge. The schedule for the Look Up Program for 2022 as follows:
Wednesday, April 6th, 8-9PM
Friday, April 8th, 8-9PM
Wednesday, May 4th, 8-9PM
Friday, May 6th, 8-9PM
This program is generously funded by the Weezie Foundation, along with support from our donors.
Nantucket Intermediate School
Email: mcneile@npsk.org
Website: www.npsk.org/NIS
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, USA
Phone: 508-228-7290
Facebook: facebook.com/NantucketIntermediateSchool
Twitter: @NISlearners