NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - March 15, 2021
Returning to School - April 5, 2021
It's true that all of our students have the opportunity to engage in in-person learning five days per week beginning April 5th. The schedule will be full days of school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and half-day Wednesdays. It is also true that parents may opt to have their child participate in Cohort D, all remote learning, for the remainder of the school year. Last week we sent a survey home to find out your preference for your child. The only two choices are:
- Cohort A - In-person learning all 5 days
- Cohort D - All remote learning all 5 days
On Thursday evening of last week some questions came up at the NIS Principal's Coffee that may assist you with your decision making:
1) Will Wednesdays be a half-day of school for all?
- Yes, all Wednesdays beginning April 7th will be half school days with dismissal at 11:50 AM. This is true for Cohort A and Cohort D.
2) Will students be mixing with all students in the grade level?
- No. Our students will remain in pods with their classmates throughout the day. They will not be mixing for lunch, recess, or special activities. Some small groups are made up of students from other classrooms, but will be safe with the physical distancing.
3) What will lunch look like?
- Lunch will still be the one time of day when ALL students must be at least 6 feet apart, like they are now, when eating. This applies to all times that the whole class may be eating.
- We are working out how we will accomplish this, but are confident we have the space. We also look forward to warm weather days and classes going outside for lunch.
4) My child is in Cohort D. Will the teacher change if my child goes to Cohort A?
- Most likely your child's teacher will change. As we collect data from our families we will know if we need 2 or 3 Cohort D teachers. If we need only two Cohort D teachers, the one teacher switching to in-person learning can keep any students moving into Cohort A. We will have a transition plan for any students changing teachers/classrooms. What we really need is for our Cohort D families to tell us their plan for their students so we can plan and keep Cohort D families in the loop.
5) What is the distancing in the school and classrooms going to be?
- The state says that we can be 3 - 6 feet apart, with all other safety protocols in place, and still be safe. Our class sizes are small enough that most desks will be placed 4.5 - 5.5 feet apart.
Please know that we will still be wearing masks, washing/sanitizing our hands per current protocols, and continuing with physical distancing. These measures are critical to ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Please complete the survey as soon as possible to assist us with thoughtful planning.
Thank you so much for your partnership,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Half-day of School on Wednesday, March 17th
Our remote learning day will end at 12:00 this Wednesday, March 17th for teacher professional development.
Family Engagement Opportunities
- Thursday, March 18th at 3:00 PM - Joint School Council NES/NIS/CPS/NHS Link to come
- Thursday, March 18th at 6:30 PM - School Committee Meeting
- Tuesday, March 30th at 6:00 PM - Special Needs Advisory - Presentation by Patti Menzel "Ausome" Connections: A Look a Friendships on the Autism Spectrum - See flyer below
FONPS Presenter - Raising and Educating Kids During Uncertain Times
Raising and Educating Kids During Uncertain Times
"Everyone wants to raise happy, well-adjusted kids, but they don’t always know how to get the job done. They don’t know when it’s time to worry, or when to leave it alone."
Who: Phyllis Fagell, Licensed Counselor, School Counselor, Author & Journalist
When: Tuesday, March 16th
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Virtual Meeting link
Details: https://www.smore.com/az976
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
Vision Screenings: Although vision screenings are not required this year due to Covid-19, I feel it is important to screen all students. Research is showing that the increase in screen time can affect one's vision. Therefore, vision screening continues at NIS. All COVID 19 precautions will be followed. If you do not want your child to participate in vision screening this year, please email me at smalln@npsk.org to opt out. For Cohort D families, if you want your student screened, please reach out to me to make an appointment.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
Island Cup Fundraiser
Hello Everyone!
The Class of 2022 is bringing back the annual Island Cup Fundraiser! Due to the pandemic, our football season is now currently happening. As a result, the Island Cup game has also been moved. This year, the game will be held on Saturday, April 24. Members of the Class of 2022 have designed a sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt, which we are now taking pre-orders for. If you place your order by the end of the day on March 21, you will be guaranteed to receive what you order. If not, there will be some extra merchandise ordered, which can be bought on a first come first serve basis. Sweatshirts will be $40 and long sleeve shirts will be $25. We ask that you pay for your order when you pick it up. You can place your order by filling out this Google Form. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at lucasd@npsk.org. All money raised will go directly to the Class of 2022 to help with costs during their senior year. On behalf of the Class of 2022, we thank you for supporting the class! Go Whalers!
From,
Darren Lucas-Hayes, M.Ed.
Nantucket High School
School Counselor Newsletter
SMORE Newsletter from School Social Worker Emily Sybert
Please click this Smore link for Ms. Sybert's latest family communication. She focuses on breaking down behaviors and identifying alternative ways to respond to your childen rather than being reactive. There is also news about COVID resources being offered at the Family Resource Center. Emily Sybert - School Social Worker - syberte@npsk.org
Thank you Ms. Sybert!
COVID-19 Travel Order
From the Superintendent's Office:
Per Governor Baker's COVID-19 Travel Order, individuals must either quarantine for 10 days or have a negative COVID PCR test (NOT a rapid antigen test) within 72 hours of returning to the state of Massachusetts from any state that is not deemed "lower risk". For children under the age of 10, a parent/guardian with whom they traveled must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of returning to Massachusetts, or the child must quarantine for 10 days. If parents, guardians or children are waiting for COVID test results, they must quarantine at home until the results are available.
The Nantucket Public Schools are not responsible for enforcing the MA Travel Order; however, if a parent/guardian chooses to disclose to the school district an intention to travel internationally or to any high-risk state, we expect that they will follow the law and abide by the COVID-19 Travel Order and the school nurse or district COVID Liaison may follow up with the parent/guardian.
Dress for Cold Weather!
While this week we are promised some spring temperatures, cold days will surely continue during the month! Please be sure children have what they need to be comfortable and warm during our early spring weeks. We head outside even when it's chilly!
Is your child in need of a coat, hat, gloves etc.? Please reach out to Ms. Foulkes or Mr. Peckham as they have access to these through the Family Recource Center.
You can reach out directly to FRC if you prefer: 508.815.5115
March NPS Calendar
Schoology Support for Parents/Caregivers
Our NIS in house Schoology trainers are Grade 5 teacher Taylor O'Brien and Library Teacher Olivia Myers who have both expressed their availability to parents for Schoology questions. Here is their contact information:
Taylor O'Brien: Obrient@npsk.org
Olivia Myers: myerso@npsk.org
Please see attachments below for more information in English and Spanish.
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.
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
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