The Pod People...update! SB 9-4-2020
I was going to lead with a link entitled Pod Information and connect it to a video of Rick Astley...but I thought better of it. If you are laughing now at that image...great...if not...I made the correct choice :-)
We are certainly making progress, but I have seen the word “pod” enough to last a lifetime at this point. All of that information will be shared with you next week. Balancing one building's schedule is difficult enough; aligning it with six to seven others that share siblings is a Suduko puzzle from another planet. However, as we continue our venture into the unknown, it has been wonderful to see all of the faculty again after such a long separation. This week of professional development has been critically important and productive. Today’s sunshine was rejuvenating as we were all able to plant ourselves physically distanced from each other outside for lunch. Many people brought folding chairs and we all enjoyed the weather together. It almost seemed normal.
What does not seem normal to me but has become increasingly normal to some of our students is the need to follow and or contribute to negative Instagram accounts. I was informed today by a helpful parent who was equally disturbed by the accounts that her child had seen recently which were apparently created by Westford teenagers to spread gossip and rumors about others in town. She was able to have a conversation with her child reminding her that participating in any activity like that including “reposting” or even “liking” comments made by others can quickly find a child being investigated for bullying or even harassment...not to mention it is just down right mean and contributes zero positivity to a community. A lot has happened since last spring and often issues develop over the summer months. For those of you joining our middle school rodeo for the first time, we talk about this quite a bit over the three years but it will also be necessary to have the message set on repeat at home, as well. If you didn't already know, adolescents are temporarily inhabited by beings from another universe. Fear not, we have access to wonderful resources on our SB Guidance Google Site.
As we get ready to reopen school in just over a week, our school nurse, Ms. Hanly asked me to share a message from her this week.
Notes from the Clinic:
Welcome back! I am looking forward to ‘seeing’ many of your children soon. And for those who will be attending the remote academy, please know I am still available for you and your children.
A few reminders as we look towards the start of the school year. Last spring, I had sent letters out to all of the incoming 7th grade parents if I was missing immunization information or a physical. Thank you to all of you who have emailed me or sent hard copies to the school. Whether your child is going to be remote or in person, I still need all of the required immunization/physical paperwork. If you have any questions about your child, please don’t hesitate to email me at shanly@westfordk12.us or call my direct line number-978-392-6974.
This year in the state of Massachusetts, it is also a requirement to have every child, K-12, vaccinated against the flu. It will be very helpful to me if you could send in a copy of that flu immunization record as you take your child to the doctor. I will need to keep track of every student’s flu shots-again whether remote or in person, it is a state requirement. The deadline for this flu shot is 12/31/2020. Please see the following website for more information: https://www.mass.gov/news/flu-vaccine-now-required-for-all-massachusetts-school-students-enrolled-in-child-care-pre
For the 2020-2021 school year, I am not requesting that Epipens or inhalers be kept in the clinic. But I will still need the paperwork that was mailed out at the beginning of the summer. The expectation will be that your child will be carrying their Epipen or inhaler. If you would be more comfortable leaving them in the clinic, you can still continue to do so.
The Westford Public School Nurses have been working hard over the summer to get ready for a safe return to school. Education is paramount and is taking place with staff and students as well as with all of you. There is a nurse’s blog that you can access for information. We will continue to update it throughout the school year. The link to that blog is: https://westfordpshealthservices.weebly.com/. Our forms can be found on this site.
Finally, for the past 10 years, I have co-lead a parent support group with Dianne Walsh, LICSW. This support group is for parents with children struggling with mental health issues. In the past, we have met monthly. With the pandemic, we are still hoping to run some groups but they will most likely be virtual. We do share information with parents on an ongoing basis via email. If you would like to be part of our listserv, please email me at smhanly1@gmail.com and I will add you to the distribution list.
Please do not hesitate to call or reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN, NCSN
On September 15, we will be conducting a virtual orientation for all of our students in Grades 6, 7, & 8 both in the Hybrid and RLA model, as well. As the entire organization of this school year is very different from the past, we decided it would benefit everyone to be able to connect with their teachers and hear from us virtually before starting classes on September 16. Next week, I will be sending home more specific details about that orientation opportunity along with how to access the pod distribution and Advisory assignments for students. Teachers will be sharing Google Classroom information with students before September 15 so that they will all know how to connect and participate in the orientation as we get the year started. Included next week will also be detailed information about our changed drop-off and pick-up locations for this year.
Earlier in the summer, we were able to order an individual white board, marker and eraser for every student at Stony Brook and we will be distributing them along with the student agendas on the first day for each “pod” of students. For students participating in the RLA model, we will schedule pick-up opportunities so that those students will have those resources with them at home.
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School