Blue Hills News

We have had a great start to the school year at Blue Hills! It has been wonderful welcoming back our students. This week, we've welcomed back our sophomores and seniors. On Monday of next week, our freshmen will begin their first exploratory.

Thank you very much to our parents, guardians, and families that have made this reopening go smoothly so far. Health-checking students in the morning; encouraging mask wearing while in the building; attending remote classes - we couldn't do this without you!!!

Grade 9 - Exploratory begins on 9/28/2020! Click here to access this year's "Exploratory Guide."

Here are a few important notes and changes - please review!

• If dropping a student off before school, we are allowing drop-offs in front of the cafeteria before 7:40. Students will be asked to sit individually in the cafeteria until the 7:40 start to the day.
• Bus routes are still being fine-tuned, and with the reduction in traffic and the number of students on the bus, some buses are completing their routes faster than usual. We will keep adjusting and will communicate any changes.
• When a student is attending school in-person, please make sure that you are checking and certifying that your student is symptom-free, according to the self-check guidelines.
• Remember that attendance is required for all remote learning - failure to attend classes during the day will lead to an absence and potentially a zero on schoolwork. If you are having a difficult time with technology at home, contact IT@bluehills.org.
• Please make sure you review and complete all FamilyID registrations. We are trying to move paperless this year, and need emergency and other information on every student.

Each week, I will send out the following week's schedule of in-person learning. We will try to keep at least 10 days ahead, but please be flexible as we know that data and information can change quickly.

Sincerely,

Geoff Zini

Principal

Remember - if you are not "in-person" on a given day, you are still REMOTE LEARNING. Anyone who is having technology issues should immediately reach out to the school by phone or email IT@bluehills.org.

• It is very important for students to be logged in BEFORE class begins. Beginning class on time is crucial to having quality instructional time.
• Teachers would like to encourage students to turn ON their cameras when attending class and participating in lessons. While there may be valid reasons to having a camera turned off during class, it is proving much more effective to have cameras turned on when requested by the teacher.
• Planning and preparation is essential - and so is communication! Students, reach out to teachers, special education teachers, guidance counselors, or others that can help you address problems, fix broken screens, and access work.
• Attendance, attendance, attendance - the "three rules of education" - showing up for class is the first and most important step to success!

Without question, figuring out which schedule you are following on a given day can be difficult when you are at home and your routine is thrown off. Here's a quick guide to help:

Vocational "Remote" Days - these all look the same! If you are on a vocational week and are remote, simply follow your shop's instructions for the synchronous meeting times (8:30 and 1:30, usually) and work independently or as needed during the day. Failure to attend both synchronous sessions will lead to the student being marked as "absent" and potentially receiving no credit for the day.

Academic "Remote" Days -

• "Blue Days" - Mostly on Mondays and Thursdays. Refer to the released schedule to make sure you have the right day. On these days, you'll meet "live" with periods 1-4. The rest of your day is extra help and independent work.
• "Green Days" - Mostly on Tuesdays and Fridays - Refer to the released schedule to make sure you have the right day. On these days, you'll meet "live" with periods 5-8. The rest of your day is extra help and independent work.
• "Wednesdays" - On Wednesdays, follow the Wednesday schedule! You'll meet with all of your academic classes throughout the day. HINT: We may occassionally use this schedule on other days, like September 18th.

For both vocational and academic "remote" days: Please remember that school runs from 7:48 to 2:20. At any time in this period of time, you can be asked to meet with a teacher, attend a session, or do extra help/support activities. If class begins at 8:30 or 9:00, you may very well have things to do and prepare for prior to the start time. Be diligent in checking your email and google classroom. Getting an education is your "job" right now, and is the best investment you can make at this stage of life!

Reopening Procedures - Students and Parents

READ THIS! Changes and updates are in yellow.

Remote Learning Expectations 2020-2021

Please read and review our expectations for the coming school year.

Grade 9 Parent Orientation Broadcast

Grades 10-12 Student Orientation Broadcast

Both broadcasts contain verbal summaries of the documents above and may help you to understand our reopening procedures better.

As we embrace the challenges of educating in an age of remote learning, we are asking every family to complete the FamilyID registration to update emergency contacts and household information. Please go to https://www.familyid.com/organizations/blue-hills-regional-technical-school to complete this registration, or click on the links below.

All Parents/Guardians and students must complete:

Bus Stop Location (if riding the bus)

Concussion and Anti Hazing

Equipment and Machinery Use

Parent-Student Handbook (sign off)

Emergency and Contact Information

Title I Compact

Optional:

Parking Registration

Medicaid Benefits

Media Permission - Denial

Military Recruiter Opt-Out

Educational Opportunity for Military Children

Thank you!

Blue Hills Regional Technical School’s mission is to continue its history of academic achievement, technical training and character development through a curriculum which emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technical programs and challenging academic courses, enabling its students to become competent, caring and productive people in a diverse and changing world.

Students at Blue Hills Regional Technical School have a history of academic achievement, superb technical training, and character development. Through a curriculum which emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technical programs and challenging academic courses, we enable them to become competent, caring and productive people in a diverse and changing world.

Website: www.bluehills.org
Location: 800 Randolph Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781 828 5800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Hills-Regional-Technical-School-549020528796565/
Twitter: @bhrtech