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NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - January 19, 2021
Resources for you...
Dear NIS Families,
This week we are adding another resource to support you with supporting your children at home. This one is from National Geographic and is about talking to kids about the inagaugaration.
Talking to Kids About the Inagaugaration by Cassandra Spratling
"Westring and other experts advise discussing the Inauguration and the events surrounding it—children will hear about what’s going on whether you talk about it or not."
Below are resources shared last week. The first addressed how to talk to your children about the events at the U.S. Capitol and the second is a free workshop to support literacy education. We sincerly hope these are helpful! Click on the links to learn more.
10 Tips for Talking to Your Kids About the Attack on the U.S. Capitol
Here is a quick summary list:
- Give your children the space to ask questions. ...
- Limit media exposure based on the age of your child. ...
- Reassure them that they're safe. ...
- Be transparent and honest. ...
- Talk about bad actions, not bad people. ...
- Highlight the helpers. ...
- Name your feelings. ...
- Keep your own feelings in check. ...
- Teach healthy coping skills. ...
- This is a springboard for tough conversations
The second resource is from the The Reading & Writing Project at Teachers College at Columbia University. There is a free workshop for parents and caregivers on Thursday, January 28th rom 1 - 3:00 PM. Here is a quick synopsis of the information being shared:
"Learn more about ways to support your child’s literacy education at home, what or how they are learning in school, how to best engage in home literacy projects, and more. Parents and caregivers can choose the workshops that match their needs and are free to come for one workshop or many."
Here is a link to additional resources for parents from TCRWP: TCRWP 3-5 Family Videos
Please reach out to us here at NIS with any ideas for ways we can support you at home while you support our shared students.
In partnership with you,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Back to Hybrid Learning for All!
It is wonderful to have our students and teachers in the building interacting, learning and laughing!
Thursday, Jan. 21st: Cohort C will return to in-person learning
Your expressed concerns about all of the pitfalls of learning remotely have been heard and we are glad you are sharing these with administration, our teachers and our counselors. It is our sincere hope, that with this return to hybrid, our students will again feel connected to their teachers and peers in a way that supports their learning and motivation on their remote days.
We truly wish we could invite all students back into the building for all school days, but with six foot distancing this is still not possible. Many thanks to all of our parents and caregivers for the support you give day in and day out to our students learning remotely. We genuinely couldn't do it without you and realize just how hard it might be for you. Our counselors are here and available to support you and your student with any observed concerns about mental health and wellbeing. Please don't hesitate to reach out to them:
peckhama@npsk.org - Mr. Peckham - school counselor
foulkesr@npsk.org - Ms. Foulkes - school counselor
syberte@npsk.ort - Ms. Sybert - school social worker
Several families have reached out inquiring about securing a Cohort A spot. At this point, there is little to no room for adding more students to Cohort A. Please be sure to work with your child's classroom teacher and/or our counselors if you find yourself or your child needing more support with remote learning. We will do the best we can to problem solve with you!
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
As of January 15th, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health removed the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in schools. Preliminary data shows that this flu season has been mild, most likely due to social distancing, mask wearing and good hand hygiene. Thank you to the families that did get the vaccine. It is better to be prepared than be sick.
When traveling out of state, please remember one must quarantine for 10 days or get a Covid test. The Covid test that is acceptable is the PCR test, not the antigen/antibody test. For more details, please use the link. Massachusetts Travel Order
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
Free and Reduced Lunch News
Even though meals are free to all, families who are Directly Certified or Approved via a paper application for Free or Reduced lunch can use their letter for:
- Reduced electricity costs through National Grid
- Reduced internet through Comcast Xfinity
- May also qualify for Food Pantry or Nantucket Housing & Fuel Assistance
Please contact the Central Registrar Sarah Erichsen if you have questions by calling 508-228-7285 x1149 or emailing erichsens@npsk.org.
Kindergarten Registration News
VIRTUAL Kindergarten Registration Sign-Up is Jan. 19-31
More information is available at npsk.org/kregistration
Please share this info with your family and friends who have children born between 9/1/2015 and 8/31/2016
Noticias de exámenes ACCESS para familias de estudiantes de inglés/ACCESS Testing News for Families of English Learners
Haga clic en la carta adjunta para obtener información sobre las ACCESS examenes
Behavioral Support
Laura Stanley, NPS district behavior analyst, wants to share her newsletter with you full of strategies for supporting your any behavioral challenges you may be experiencing with your children at home. Here it is: Behavior Support Strategies at Home
Laura Stanley, MS, BCBA, LABA
District Behavior Analyst
Nantucket Public Schools
Phone: 508-228-7290 ext 4226
E-mail: stanleyl@npsk.org
BCBA Behavior Newsletter https://www.smore.com/wuh54
Please Charge Chromebooks Each Night - Thank You!
Technology Cheat Sheet Guides for Students
Meals Provided
Nantucket Public Schools Food Truck: On Remote Learning Days...
Parents can pick up student breakfast and lunch meals served by Island Kitchen and Patrick Ridge between 9:30am - 11:30am at the food truck.
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
District and NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NPS Return to School Protocols - Fall 2020
NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
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 10 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