Remembering...update! SB 9-11-2020

Many of you have reached out with messages of support and understanding over the last two weeks in regards to all of the preparations and organization necessary to begin this very unique school year.  This morning two of those messages were the first things waiting for me in the list of emails in my inbox.  One of those was from a parent thanking all of her children’s principals for the work we have done over the years and right now specifically in taking excellent care of her children.  That was heartwarming.  The other was from a current Stony Brook student who reached out to me to let me know that although she was not alive on September 11, 2001, she was taking time today to “listen, learn, and reflect upon what people had to go through” just as I have been encouraging students to do every year here when we are actually in school. That was a great way to start a Friday and end a week.

So, let’s talk about this week a little...once all of the viewing privileges were straightened out in the iParent portal, it was easier for folks to follow the “helpful” directions we provided.  We did end up closing the portal in order to allow buildings to readjust some of the pod information across the district.  We needed to make some adjustments here but the overwhelming majority of the information we initially shared on Thursday has not been impacted and if we made any changes from that we have been reaching out to families directly to let them know.  

A few questions did come up about the Remote Learning Academy (RLA) pods.  As a district, we determined that the pod placement for the Hybrid model students needed to be the first priority in order to keep families together and balance sections while not exceeding the max capacity of students in a room.  To that end, some of the RLA siblings are not in the same pod and we are aware of that.  Since RLA students are always working remotely from home, the pod designation indicates when they need to log in to the live remote classes.  So, two RLA students on two different pods in the same household will be joining their live synchronous classes at the opposite times...one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.  For many households, that is actually an easier balance to manage in terms of technology access and utilizing the learning space at home.

I did also get a few questions about next week’s Virtual Orientation.  It is for ALL Stony Brook students regardless of the pod placement or Hybrid vs RLA model.  Additionally, it is ONLY for Stony Brook students...so as much as I know all of the adults would love to go back to middle school...this is not for you...it’s for the kids...your event is later in the month. On September 15, everyone...all the currently enrolled SB students (he corrects himself quickly) will be able to log into their Advisory Google Classroom (class invitation links will be sent to students' school email accounts directly) and all of the information they will need to know to access the Virtual Orientation classes will be posted in their Advisory Google Classroom.  They will be able to meet “live” with their teachers and go through a truncated version of their schedule to meet all of their other teachers throughout the morning.  They should log into their Google Classroom at 7:35 and the event will end at 11:00 am.  They will get a few breaks between class meetings throughout the morning.  Each advisory of students follows the same general schedule so posting their groups “rotation” in each Advisory Google Classroom is the best way to communicate that information.  This Virtual Orientation is a brand new experience and there are going to be bumps along the way just as there will be bumps along the way as we venture into these new models of learning this year.  

Wednesday will be our first “regular” day of classes.  We are starting with an A Pod week so they will be “attending” the morning sessions for Weds, Thurs and Fri while the B Pod students will be logging in for remote live sessions during the afternoon.  I say “attending” because it is important to remember that the RLA students are following the same Pod schedules and the A Pod students will be joining their own morning sessions through Google Classroom, as well.  We are still required to take daily attendance for both Hybrid and RLA students.  That will take place during the morning advisory scheduled for both pods.  Students in the Pod with the morning synchronous sessions will begin their day at 7:35 when our bell rings and their attendance will be taken at time (including RLA students who will need to log into their Google Advisory at 7:35).  Students in the Pod with scheduled afternoon sessions that week, will need to log in to their Google Advisory at 8:00 am to quickly meet with their Advisory teacher for attendance and prepare themselves to work independently on their asynchronous material until their live sessions with their teachers later in the afternoon.  Here is a link to the Stony Brook schedule of classes which should help this explanation (he says hopefully): SB 2020-2021 Weekly Schedule It is slightly different than the schedule included in the original model presentations only in that we have rearranged the order of classes within the morning sessions to better maximize the time.  

As a district, we are all sharing the same message in terms of remaining flexible with additional opportunities for the two different pods of students to connect:

As you know with the hybrid model, there will be times when students are assigned asynchronous activities to be done, while their peers in the opposite Pod are receiving live instruction.  We are pleased that our model allows for students in grades 1-12 to connect daily with teachers, either in the physical classroom (during the in-school week) or live, remotely in the afternoons (during their at-home week).  

During the at-home weeks, it is highly encouraged that your child follows the schedule for the day even though in many cases they are not live with the teacher during that morning time.  This is because there may be times when the asynchronous Pod is asked to remotely join their opposite Pod peers who are live with a teacher.  This will be at the teacher’s discretion, based on the lesson objectives.  Adequate advanced notice will be provided to the asynchronous students so they are aware if/when they should log on to join their teacher live from home during a designated/predetermined time. 

Here is a link to the latest district calendar that includes the A Pod/B Pod week distribution:

2020-2021_school_calendar_Rev C PODS.xlsx [Group]

While many of you are preparing the kids in your household to come into the building this week, it is important to remember all of the mask expectations and protocols.  All students are expected to wear a mask while in the building. One of our teams has already prepared the slogan wearing a mask is like wearing underwear...that gave me pause...and a chuckle...change it everyday, make sure it is clean, don’t share it with others...something like that. Teachers have been organizing specific times in the schedule for mask breaks and they will communicate that to the students as to when those will be.  Our students are wonderful and understand the importance of why we have certain behavioral expectations because our teachers talk about being a member of a community and the responsibility that we all have to keep each other safe.  I am confident that wearing masks will not become a behavioral concern.  If any student struggles with how to wear their mask appropriately we will work with them to understand the concern and collaborate in a manner that will address the concern and work to solve any problem.  As shared in the information gathered by our school nurses, masks should be at least made of two layers of material and effectively cover the nose and mouth.  Please take a moment to access this letter from the WPS Nurses : Opening Letter from Nurses

Here is some additional information from our SB Nurse, Mrs. Hanly:

Thank you so much to those of you who responded so quickly sending in physicals, immunizations and records of flu shots! It is very much appreciated. Records can be sent in via email (shanly@westfordk12.us), fax (978-692-5391) or hand delivered. There is a seventh grade requirement for up-to-date physicals and immunization records. Please know that I am aware that some of you may not be able to get into the MD’s office until later this fall. If you could just send me an email letting me know that you have an upcoming appointment that will be very helpful. Regardless of whether your child is remote or hybrid, we still do require immunizations. Please see the following link that explains why: https://shotofprevention.com/2020/08/20/do-kids-need-vaccines-if-theyre-doing-virtual-learning-or-homeschool-this-fall/

If your child does struggle with allergies, let me know and I can share it with your child’s teachers. Not every cough or sneeze is COVID-related! As I mentioned last week, 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/.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

Sue Hanly, MSN, RN, NCSN

978-392-6974 (direct line number)

Mr. McElhinney prepared some detailed information about how our morning drop-off and dismissal pick-up routines need to shift this year to accommodate the many changes we are incorporating to best help support all of our students.  His information includes arial pictures of the school along with short videos to show students and parents what to expect.  That information is available here: Stony Brook Bus and Parent Drop-off information 2020

I know this comes as a big surprise to all of you, but adolescents tend to have trouble remembering certain things...not things like the latest meme they saw on social media or how to find it again…they never forget that...or any “promise” that was made for an extended bedtime or opportunity to do something with their friends... but things like their backpack or their homework or that thing they asked you to sign at the very last minute.  Knowing that things need to get dropped off at the school... a lot...we needed to update how items forgotten at home can be delivered to students in the building.  We have a shelf right inside the first set of doors marked with each grade level. One of the administrative assistants in the main office will be able to see you and you can let them know who you are leaving something for and they will be able to contact the student.  You will not be able to enter the building to leave items in the office this year. 

Over the summer a bunch of our teachers read the students’ version of the book that I mentioned a few weeks ago by Ibram X. Kendi.  This “remix” as it has been called is written by award winning young adult author Jason Reynolds.  Many of the teachers have collaborated to create a great opportunity for our students in the form of a new club this year: The Anti-Racism and Social Justice Book Club.  Together they are going to read Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi's young adult book entitled "Stamped".  Students will meet virtually after school for large and small group discussion about the book and the history of racism in the United States.  For more information, interested students and parents can email Mary Larkin:  mlarkin@westfordk12.us

As always, there will be more information about everything else sometime soon ;-)

Enjoy the sunshine,

Chris

Dr. Christopher Chew

Principal

Stony Brook School