BTSN Live!(Previously Recorded)...update! SB 9-25-2020
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Well, that was interesting!
Thank you to everyone who was able to tune-in live and help us kick off the inaugural BTSN Live! Webinar Special. There were a few hiccups with the technology and we did run long but the commercial sponsors have not filed any complaints...as of yet. We were able to record the event but the settings did not capture the live presentation as broadcast but part of the view that the panelists were able to see. The information is all included and the audio of the speaker is accurate but the camera feed does not always focus on the person speaking. In the description, there are timestamp links to take you directly to one of the main segments if for some reason you don’t want to watch the entire two hours and forty minute recording. At any rate, here is the link so that you can access it on your own: https://vimeo.com/461846585
So, now that we struggled our way through a large Zoom Webinar event, let’s talk about technology: cameras specifically. A couple of times last night, teachers were able to remind parents how vitally important it is for students to feel comfortable turning their cameras on while they are in remote lessons. At this time, we are still not requiring it, but it is really important to understand the disadvantage students are putting themselves at if they regularly do not turn on their camera. We will continue to do everything we can to create the welcome, supportive atmosphere that we have created in our classrooms in the virtual classrooms. We remain focused on developing positive relationships and as those relationships grow we hope more and more students will grow confident in keeping their cameras on while in class with their teachers and peers. For some content areas, not being able to see the students directly impacts the teachers ability to provide feedback and support the student’s individual skill development. Please do your best to support our students' comfort and confidence while they are working from home so that we can build the strong connections that are necessary for learning.
The other technology piece we should discuss is how to best get support if students are having issues while at home. Just as it was very difficult for me to help our teacher panelists if they were struggling with their own connections last night, it is difficult for the classroom teachers to address technology issues while trying to conduct a class. If students are having individual trouble with their device or connection, the best thing to do is contact our Home Support by emailing: homesupport@westfordk12.us Now, if you are having tech difficulties how do you send an email...good question...if you it is that dire of an issue...call us here at the school and we will try and send the message for you. That will just certainly take longer to get the actual help you need.
And now for this week's installment of...
Notes from the Clinic:
We have the most amazing parents! Thank you so very much for all of the documentation you have been sending in! My desk is a big pile of paperwork right now but I am so grateful for the attention that has been given the state mandate.
Now that we have had all of our Hybrid students in the building, I wanted to share the process when a child doesn’t feel well at school. The teacher will call me, I will go to the classroom and on my way back to the clinic, will have a conversation with the student who doesn’t feel well. The clinic will be considered the ‘clean’ office and the care room that is set up will be where I take students who I am concerned might be showing COVID symptoms. There are many reasons children have headaches, stomach aches, sore throats, coughs and runny noses besides COVID. Please know I am not an alarmist but unfortunately with so much unknown, children who are not feeling well will be sent home far more often than they would have in the past. Continue to call me with any and all health concerns or questions. If your child is being tested for COVID, please call the absentee line to report their absence and then call my direct line to share this information. This will be kept confidential.
Finally, if you or any of your family members need to be tested, please get a PCR test not an antigen test! I am attaching information here about testing and where you can get it done locally: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COVID TESTING
Be well.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN, NCSN
978-392-6974 (direct line number)
WPS Nurses blog: https://westfordpshealthservices.weebly.com/
A couple of more things to think about before heading into the weekend, we have been reminding all of our students to maintain their “bubbles” and remain at least 6’ physically distant from each other. It is my new “stop touching each other” mantra that seems to be on constant repeat in middle school. Please do your best to keep reminding them to maintain their bubble while they are out of school. This is very challenging and we recognize that; however, things are going very well so far getting students into the building and back into classes and we would hate to see that compromised because students were not diligent protecting their bubbles :-)
Finally, another thing mentioned by some of the teachers last night was the fact that we are still missing some textbooks from last spring. Do not be afraid to still return books. We have shelves right inside the main doors for any drop-off items. Assure the students that no one will judge them if they still have a 7th grade math book at home and bring it into school now to return. They might judge them if they realize they still have it a few years from now when they are all graduating and they didn’t return it when everyone else did...just sayin’...I might not be able to protect anyone from that potential embarrassment, but we can help now.
Enjoy this beautiful weekend!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School