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NIS News - February 1, 2022
Nantucket Intermediate School
Welcome Fabulous February!
February can be such a beautiful and peaceful time on our island. Yes, it's cold, but the days are getting longer and the sun feels stronger. The traffic is much less and we have Valentine's Day, Presidents Day weekend, and a winter break to look foward to this month.
Our students are engaging in a lot of robust learning activities across the curriculum! I've enjoyed reading so many of our teachers weekly or monthly newletters all about the activism unit in fifth grade, the informational writing happening in grade 4, and the persuasive speech/essay writing taking place in grade 3. Visiting our classrooms and engaging with students is one of our favorite things to do! They are really demonstrating a higher level of independence and confidence when it comes to school work, and are excited to share their individual learning goals. Thank you for taking the time to read communications about the teaching and learning from your child's teacher!
Our school is avidly seeking your help with getting the word out about our need to hire two teaching assistants. Please have any candidates interested in learning more reach out to one of us. Our emails are below or they could call the school and we'd be happy to respond. Speaking of hiring, do you know any licensed teachers off island or new teacher graduates? We will have teacher openings for the 2022-2023 school year so let them know!
Wishing you time to enjoy the "quiet" season!
Warm regards,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Club Walker or Walker/Biker?
Here is a refresher on the difference:
Club Walker: Your child is escorted directly from the school to the club. We take responsibility for ensuring they walk with the group and arrive immediately after school.
Walker/Biker: Your child is independent and trusted to make their way home, to the ice rink, to the skate park, to the club, to Cumby's, to a friend's house etc. as directed by you. We wave them goodbye at the end of the school day and they are on their own to get to their next destination.
If your child's teacher believes them to be a club walker, they will be asked to stay with the club group all the way to the club. We understand that as children mature, parents want to allow for additional responsibility. If you want your child to change to a walker/biker from a club walker, please communicate this to your child's teacher in writing.
Thank you so much!
Still, No Treats for the Classroom
Thank you!
We are STILL Hiring! Teaching Assistants Needed!
Bullying...What We Do About It
At NIS we take bullying behavior very seriously. If a parent, teacher or student reports bullying we open an investigation immediately and interview the victim, accused aggressor and witnesses to get a full and complete picture of whether or not the exhibited behavior constitutes bullying. By definition, behavior is deemed bullying when it is unwelcome, repeated, and there is an imbalance of power between the victim and aggressor.
Parents of the victim and aggressor are always apprised of a finding of bullying. A safety plan for the victim and a support plan for the aggressor are developed. Often, there are challenges between peers that do not rise to the level of "bullying" by definition. We still intervene with what is needed to resolve the situation, end the unwelcome behavior, and educate those involved as to expected behavior. Supports are often implemented where deemed needed.
Finally, either situation can result in logical consequences for aggressors. We follow progressive discipline at NIS, which means if the behavior continues the next consequence will be more impactful. Please know that we cannot share the consequences for any child with the parents of any other child. We ask that you trust us when we say we are following protocols appropriately which includes imposing logical consequences and progressive discipline.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to teachers, counselors or administrators if you feel your child is being bullied and is not reporting it.
NIS Specials Team Newsletter
Vaccine Clinic NOW FEBRUARY 19th
February 19th Vaccine Clinic (Please Read updated Information as of 1/31/22)
Unfortunately the weather canceled the mobile vaccine clinic scheduled for last Saturday. The earliest the vaccine team could return to Nantucket is February 19th. Below is a new link to make an appointment for this clinic. The old link did not carry over any appointments so please reschedule the vaccine appointment.
Vaccine Clinic Appointments for 2/19/2022
If anyone experiences any issues please email: vaccinequestions@transformativehc.com
Hello NIS Families,
Are you aware that if your child is fully vaccinated (2 weeks after the 2nd dose) they are exempt from having to quarantine if they are considered a close contact from school or from home. If vaccinated, your student will most likely have a milder case of covid and stay out of the hospital.
We are having another Vaccine clinic on February 19th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at NES cafeteria. Pfizer 1st, 2nd and booster shots available for anyone 5 years or older. All community members are welcome. See above for the updated appointment link.
Please send me an email (smalln@npsk.org) if your student is already vaccinated. If you already have sent one, Thank You!!!!
Stay Healthy,
Nancy Small RN
NIS School Nurse
Annual NIS Citrus Sale Underway!
Sales: January 26, 2022 - February 16, 2022
Delivery: On or about the week of March 7th
Price: $35.00 for 36 Sunkist navel oranges or for 20 grapefruits
Please seek out a 5th grader to make your citrus purchase! If you can't find a 5th grader and would like to purchase citrus, please contact the NIS front office at 508-228-7290.
Kindergarten Registration for 2022-2023 School Year
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2022-2023
Wednesday, February 9 & Thursday, February 10
Updated event plans will be announced soon.
For students turning 5 years old BEFORE 9/1/2022
More information about Kindergarten is available here:
https://www.npsk.org/registration
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INSCRIPCIONES PARA KINDERGARTEN 2022-2023
Miércoles 9 y Jueves 10 de Febrero
Los planes de eventos actualizados se anunciarán pronto.
Para estudiantes que tienen 5 años ANTES del 1 de Septiembre de 2022
Más información sobre Kindergarten está disponible aquí:
https://www.npsk.org/registration
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REGISTRO PARA KINDERGARTEN 2022/2023
Quando: Quarta-feira, 9 de fevereiro e Quinta-feira, 10 de fevereiro/2022
Mais informações sobre o evento serão anunciadas em breve.
Para estudantes que completarem 5 anos antes de primeiro de setembro de 2022.
Mais informações sobre como preparar para o kindergarten estão disponíveis aqui, no link abaixo: https://www.npsk.org/registration
NPS Campus Master Plan - Years of Thoughtful Planning
6:00 - 8:00 Nantucket High School
See NPS website for more information: Campus Wide Master Plan
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
* February 1st - School Committee Meeting 6:00 PM
* February 8th - Campus Wide Master Plan School Committee Workshop 6:00 - 8:00
* February 9th - MLPAC Meeting 6:00 PM
* February 15th - School Committee Meeting 6:00 PM
* February 16th - Half day of School - Teacher Professional Development; SNAC Meeting 6:00
* February 21st - No School - Presidents Day
* February 28th - March 4th - No School - Winter Break
Community News - Boys Lacrosse Sign Ups
Maria Mitchell Association 'LOOK UP' Program
Loines Observatory (59 Milk St Extension) is open to Nantucket children age 5-18 and their families free of charge. The schedule for the Look Up Program for 2022 as follows:
Wednesday, February 2nd, 6-7PM
Friday, February 4th, 6-7PM
Wednesday, March 9th, 7-8PM
Friday, March 11th, 7-8PM
Wednesday, April 6th, 8-9PM
Friday, April 8th, 8-9PM
Wednesday, May 4th, 8-9PM
Friday, May 6th, 8-9PM
This program is generously funded by the Weezie Foundation, along with support from our donors.
Previously Shared Information Below
NIS School Improvement Plan
No Student Drop Off on Surfside Road
Brrr....Cold Weather is Here
No Birthday Food Treats Please
We would like to encourage you to donate a birthday book to your child's classroom library in honor of their birthday. Other acceptable ideas include bringing in a special pencil or decal for everyone in the class if that's preferred.
Thank you for not sending your child to school with food items for the class to celebrate their birthday.
NPS Vision, Mission and Core Values
NPS Vision Draft
We commit to provide equitable, inclusive, and challenging learning experiences where every student and adult feels seen, heard, valued, and respected.
NPS Mission Draft
Nantucket Public Schools, in partnership with a caring community, will create a dynamic and equitable learning environment which engages each of us to be inspired learners and responsible citizens, prepared to meet local and global challenges.
NPS Core Values Draft
Nantucket Public Schools values collaboration, communication, and reflection that supports:
Equitable access to multiple pathways for individual and collective success.
High expectations and a student-centered educational approach that integrates academic progress, extra-curricular participation, personal responsibility, and community involvement.
Inclusive and sustained family relationships that respect all cultures and the experiences each child brings to our schools.
Challenging ourselves to embrace and advocate for the needs of every student, adult, and family within our school community.
NPS Return to School Safety Protocols - updated 8/18/21
Nantucket Intermediate School
Email: mcneile@npsk.org
Website: www.npsk.org/NIS
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, USA
Phone: 508-228-7290
Facebook: facebook.com/NantucketIntermediateSchool
Twitter: @NISlearners