![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/applebasket.8d7e398b.jpg)
NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - Sept. 21, 2020
Week One in the Books!
Dear supportive NIS families,
Thank you!!! Our first four days of learning remotely have gone remarkably well considering our swift shift to all remote learning for all learners. During my visits to virtual classrooms I have happily witnessed students eager to learn and engage with their teachers and friends. During our first four days teachers have been building relationships with their new students, talking about hopes and dreams for the year ahead, and supporting them with all of the new technology tools. They have also been working hard on creating playlists - daily schedules of lessons - to share with you and your children. If you have not been receiving these playlists from your child's teacher, don't hesitate to reach out to let them know. It is more important than ever that the lines of communication between home and school are open and flowing with information!
Many thanks to the families who have found and taken time out of their busy schedules to offer feedback about remote learning so far with teachers and administrators. We know how absolutely busy you are and your feedback has been so helpful, and in many cases, your praise motivates us to continue the good work started.
Return to Hybrid: Parents, we are still very optimistic that we will be able to return to hybrid learning on October 2nd. This decision will be based on health metrics and trending health data as well as consultation with local and state health departments. Please know that all safety measures outlined in our protocols will be followed when we return. Today the district leadership team discussed keeping schedules simple by having Cohort C come to school with Cohort A on Thursday, Oct. 1st and Friday, Oct. 2nd should we reopen for hybrid that week. On Monday, Oct. 5th and Tuesday, Oct. 6th we would welcome Cohorts A and B. While final decisions have not been made yet, we understand you are trying to plan and be ready for what might be next. We will keep you in the loop as decisions are finalized.
What's new and what's coming:
- Check out our return-to-school video below created by Ms. Johnson and several of our students!
- The NIS Family Handbook will be presented at school committee this week on Thursday for their approval. As you can imagine, there are new sections pertaining to this very unusual year.
Wishing you and your student a wonderful week!
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
From NIS Nurse Nancy
Welcome back to school!!! Although we started the year off in remote only learning, I know that we are Nantucket Strong and will continue to fight the good fight. We must be diligent in wearing face masks, washing hands, and social distancing. We know these work in helping to stop the spread of Covid 19. Hopefully we will be in the hybrid model in no time.
In August the state mandated that all students must be vaccinated with the flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. Nantucket Cottage Hospital is running a drive thru Flu Clinic Monday - Friday 7am to 6pm, Saturday 8-12 noon. How convenient is that!! I urge the whole family to get the vaccine as well. Make it a family affair. It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms are very similar to those of Covid-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve healthcare resources.
This year when calling in your student’s absence, please leave the reason why. Even when we are in remote learning, we need to know why the student is absent. This will help me to track illnesses and do the necessary follow up, if needed.
Have a safe and healthy fun school year!!!!
Nancy Small BSN, RN
NIS Welcome Back Newsletter
District and NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
Mask Wearing on School Grounds
Per health and safety requirements, our students will be required to wear masks all through their school day. There have been recent reports about which masks are safest to wear: "Of the 14 masks and other coverings tested, the study found that some easily accessible cotton cloth masks are about as effective as standard surgical masks, while popular alternatives such as neck gaiters made of thin, stretchy material may be worse than not wearing a mask at all." Click HERE for a link to that Washington Post article.
It will be important that students have had some practice wearing a face mask for longer periods of time just to get used to it. Here is a video to help your child learn about how to appropriately put on and wear a mask: For Kids - Masks for Older Kids We thank you for all you have done to keep our island safe through social distancing and wearing your masks when expected!
Tech Help Desk Access en Espanol
Video # 1
Steps for TECH HELP DESK REQUEST/Pasos para SOLICITAR AYUDA TÉCNICA
Loom | Free Screen & Video Recording Software — Watch Video
Navigating NPS Website en Espanol
Video # 2
How to navigate Nantucket Public Schools web pages/Como navegar las página Web de Las Escuelas Publicas de Nantucket
ASPEN Verification en Espanol
Video # 3
How to VERIFY, update information and forms in ASPEN/Cómo actualizar información,verificacion y formularios en ASPEN
Leaving Nantucket Public Schools?
First step is to complete the survey sent to you to indicate you will be leaving NPS.
Next, you will want to email Sarah Erichsen at erichsens@npsk.org and copy murphye@npsk.org. Sarah will provide you with a withdrawal form.
Library books should be returned to NIS as well.
We wish you all the best this school year and will miss you.
Supporting our NIS Community - Parent Initiative!
Thank you Kate!
COVID-19 Travel Order
Effective August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders. The Commonwealth has made great progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 and gradually re-open the economy, and all visitors have a responsibility to help us keep transmission levels as low as possible.
All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
- Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health.
- Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.
Please find more information, including the list of lower-risk states, exemptions, business guidance and other details at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
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