Astley...update! SB 4-2-21
Today is World Autism Awareness Day! Our trivia question this morning was: In 2007, which organisation established World Autism Awareness Day. While trying to extend some of our April Fools fun at dismissal with an attempt to “Rickroll” everyone with dismissal dance music, I forgot to announce the correct answer and winner for the trivia contest. But I will not forget to include it at the end of this update :-)
Translations via Google Translate:
As reminder to everyone, we are not transitioning to our new Full Day return schedule until April 26th, the Monday after April vacation. The district elementary schools are transitioning this Monday, April 5. Students in grades 6-12 are not doing so until April 26th. So, we still have two more weeks of the current Hybrid model before vacation. When we come back from vacation students enrolled in the In Person model will transition to being in the building for a full day and all students both In Person and RLA will participate in all of their classes every day. I decided to wait until next week to provide more information about our transition in terms of our planned lunch/picnic protocols, the shift in schedule and other logistics so that students and families will have that information before vacation. We gave you a bit of the teaser last week, but with the handful of questions we got following that update with just the mention of the transition, I think intentionally delaying more of the information will help to not to confuse the timing with any of our district elementary schools. Nothing is changing at the middle school level until April 26.
This week’s notes from the clinic are brought to you by Mr. Astley:
As we prepare to return to school in a few weeks, please let me know if there are any daily medications that your children will need to take during the school day or if there are any other health issues I should be aware of. I do not stock allergy medications. If your child needs Claritin, Zyrtec, eye drops or an inhaler, please send it in with your child to be dropped off in the clinic.
I have not gotten all of the emergency cards in and have not tried to track them down because many of the students have been remote. At the beginning of the year, all students whether remote or in person, were given a yellow emergency card. If your child has been working remotely and you never filled out the emergency card, please send it in when we return to school after April vacation. I have extras in the office and will be sending blank ones home if necessary.
A few letters have gone out recently from Stony Brook and some of the other schools because of positive cases. If your child is considered a close contact and needs to be tested, please call your pediatrician. Many people have been getting tests done at CVS. While that is convenient, those tests are antigen tests and are not as reliable. I have attached a document about quarantine guidance before but am including this link again: COVID Quarantining Guidance
As we head into this Holiday weekend, please continue to be mindful that although restrictions have been lifted and or relaxed in certain situations, the virus is still with us. I am very much looking forward to getting our students safely back on April 26th. This link was updated today:https://www.westfordk12.us/district/pages/westford-public-schools-covid-19-dashboard
Have a good weekend and call or email with any questions or concerns.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN
978-392-6974
As of this morning, the PTO has raised $3,522 of our $4,500 goal. We will certainly be able to keep our 3rd floor folks well hydrated as we move into the warmer weather...eventually. Thank you very much to everyone who has already helped out...for the rest of you...we are going to extend the deadline to Wednesday, April 7...this way you don’t have to stress and feel guilty about not participating yet...you’re welcome :-)
Congratulations to Team Imagination as Arjun S. was today’s winner in the trivia contest. Rather than everyone bothering him for the answer, let him enjoy his weekend: In December of 2007, The United Nations General Assembly established April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. It was first celebrated in 2008.
Enjoy your weekend!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Another Be the Match Event: In November, we learned that our very own Stony Brook 8th grader Alexa Pantoja was diagnosed with Leukemia. There is a chance that Ali will need a bone marrow transplant. A drive-thru Bone Marrow drive is being held on Saturday, April 3 to answer questions and add people, ages 18-44, to the Be the Match Registry. Please stop by Millworks this Saturday, April 3 from 10-2. Social Distancing is required. Please swab for Ali!
Another great way to help this weekend is to support WYSA's EGGHUNT for ALI!!!
Come support an egg-ceptionally good cause! All proceeds benefit Westford resident Ali Pantoja. Ali is a life-long WYSA soccer player. She’s been crushing it on the field EVERY season since kindergarten, but has been side-lined by leukemia this year. Help get Ali back on the field where she belongs. Join Team Ali this Saturday! All are welcome!!
Due to Covid, spots are limited and registration is STRONGLY recommended! Masks are required. It's a big field with plenty of space to socially distance. Come out and celebrate spring while supporting a good cause. It's supposed to be a beautiful day to be outside!
Register here: wysa.as.me/egghuntforali
Volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4ba8a72da0fdc16-egghunt
Water Filling Station Fundraiser
Stony Brook PTO is collecting funds to purchase three water bottle filling stations at the school, one for each floor. Please help us reach our goal of $4500 by making a donation today.
To help prevent the spread of COVID all regular water fountains have been closed but having these water filling stations will allow students and staff to keep their bottles filled during the day.
Donations deadline extended to April 7 and any funds raised in excess of the goal will be diverted to the regular PTO fund for teacher appreciation and our 21-22 school year initiatives.
Please visit https://sites.google.com/view/stonybrookpto/home to find the PayPal link or send cash or check, made out to WEPTO – Stony Brook, into the school labeled: “PTO-water station fundraiser”.