Whether you have been in school as a teacher, staff member, or a student, or if you have been home as a parent that is trying to navigate this ever-changing school year, please take some time this weekend to decompress. It has been non-stop since the start of school (and before for some) and our bodies and minds need the break. Play some board games with family or watch some seasonal specials, but either way, take some time for yourself.

We can't thank everyone enough for all of the amazing efforts they have put in so far, and let's hope we can all have a great stretch from when we return until our next holiday break.

We all understand that this year has provided many new obstacles and challenges to overcome. However, given this great adversity, our school community was able to donate almost 600 food items to local food banks through the Turkey Trot Donation Station. Thank you to everyone that was able to contribute even in this very unique environment.

Please remember to reach out to our school nurse at jflis@awrsd.org if you plan on leaving the state for travel. You can read all of the district travel guidelines here.

Remote learning and having your child(ren) learn at home can often present challenges and the need for support. We are hopeful that this document will provide strategies that are realistic to implement and resources that you are able to come back to when needed.

What you will find in this document:

• Basic tips for creating a learning environment at home

• Visual supports and schedules

• Simple reinforcement procedures to increase desired behaviors

• Transitions & Supports

• Responses to challenging behavior

• Where to access additional resources

Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, influenza vaccine will be required for all students. Influenza vaccine is always important to receive to reduce the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduce the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza, as well as preventing the spread of influenza to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.

Which students need to receive influenza vaccine?

Students in Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 12 will be required to receive influenza vaccine for the current influenza season for school attendance unless they have a medical or religious exemption.

When do students need to receive influenza vaccine?

Students must receive influenza vaccine for the current season by December 31, 2020.

Will influenza vaccine be required every year or just for the 2020-2021 school year?

Influenza vaccine is now a required vaccine for school attendance and will be required as of December 31 for all students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 each school year.

If my school will be providing instruction remotely, will students still need to meet immunization requirements?

The school immunization requirements, including the requirement for seasonal influenza vaccine, apply to all Massachusetts students enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, regardless of whether the district is providing instruction in-person, or using a hybrid or remote learning model.

Please forward the record of this immunization to the Health Office/Nurse at school.

Thank You.

Physicals are due. If your child has had a physical recently (since January 2020) please have a copy of the physical returned to school. If your child is in need of a physical, please contact your child’s doctor and make an appointment. If you are in need of a form, please contact me.

As we continue to press through this year wearing masks for safety, please remember that cloth student masks should be cleaned after each use. Disposable masks are certainly welcome at JRB too, but again only use them as directed.

If your family is in need of support this holiday season, you can email jrbholiday@awrsd.org.

JRB is collaborating with several other community organizations through our Holiday Help Coordinator, Dorene Francis. Your family’s request for help is confidential. Please email by Friday, December 4th.

As we get closer to the end of the first trimester, we wanted to remind you of a few things. First of all, report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, December 15th, and Thursday, December 17th. Teachers are trying their best to weigh the differences between in school and at home learning. Please approach any report card conversation with grace and patience, just as we have asked all year. Hopefully, you just completed a parent conference, so there should not be any major surprises.

Email: nnorth@awrsd.org
Website: https://jrb.awrsd.org/
Phone: 978-827-5750