Survey Says...update!SB 3-26-21
Bone Marrow Drive: 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, March 27 to answer questions and add people, ages 18-44, to the Be the Match Registry. Please stop by Abbot Elementary School this Saturday, March 27 from 10-2. Social Distancing is required. Please swab for Ali!
Translations via Google Translate:
Everyday we focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) but today was International SEL Day. So, along with celebrating our favorite decades, leaning into a few more SEL activities in classes, we also conducted a survey to get students and staff perspectives on how either a Long Block schedule or Short Block schedule would be “most beneficial for your individual needs at this time” when we transition to a new schedule on April 26. As of this posting, 461 individuals submitted the survey. We are going to keep it active through Monday’s Advisory so that any student who didn’t get to access it from their Google Advisory Classroom today can still share their thoughts on Monday.
What we are considering is whether or not continuing to focus on 3 main classes per day as we are right now would be more beneficial with extended time (long blocks) rather than just automatically reverting to our more traditional schedule of having all 6 classes (short blocks) meet per day. The feedback has been very interesting as there are strong arguments for both options. The overall focus whichever schedule we transition to is to add more air into the day and not make students or staff feel rushed to cover more material or increase the student workload at this time. Both versions provide the same amount of time for classes over a two day period. The difference is which provides more flexibility and opportunity for connections. We might find ourselves developing a “hybrid” :-) No, we won’t use that word for a while now. But we might use aspects of both schedules at different times. Again, our focus is going to be increasing authentic opportunities to foster relationships while making connections to the curriculum and classmates. I told everyone this morning that this next chapter is really about building and maintaining confidence and that might just look a little different for all of us.
With all of that being said, we will be providing everyone with more information next update about any changing logistics as we approach April 26. For now, know that the majority of all of our protocols will stay in place in terms of arrival and dismissal, transitions through the building, mask breaks, etc. Lunch will be a whole new adventure of which I am very excited. Our cookouts have always been quite successful and we are going to plan on having outdoor picnics everyday unless the weather completely prohibits that. We won’t be grilling everyday, but I don’t think it was ever our cooking that made the events so enjoyable. So, students should be prepared to sit on the ground at some point everyday just like when we eat outside in a typical year.
If you missed it last week, we want to remind you that Westford Integrated Preschool is now accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year. Information can be found on the District's website, along with a link to the application form. Applications are being accepted until April 8 at 4pm. Availability is limited! A lottery will be held on April 9 with prompt notification to families.
We also don’t want anyone to forget this important reminder from our Yearbook Club...If your child did not have their school portrait taken this year and you would like to send in a photo from home, please submit the photo directly to TreeRing.com NO LATER THAN April 1st. Instructions for UPLOADING A PORTRAIT OF YOUR CHILD: https://help.treering.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057155012-Uploading-a-Portrait-Photo-of-Your-Child
Our Water Filling Station Fundraiser is off to a great start! Thank you very much to everyone who has helped so far. As of 7:30 this morning, we already raised $2,109 of our $4,500 Goal. It’s not too late to help:
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 are needed by April 2nd 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”.
This weeks notes from the Clinic brought to by AAA:
I wanted to make sure everyone is aware that the travel order has now been changed to a travel advisory. Please see this link for more information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-advisory
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
What this means is that there are no longer mandates or fines. You are advised to follow the guidance to quarantine for 10 days (or receive a negative test) but we will no longer require you to do so. Also, travel in and out of the state for less than 24 hours no longer advises testing or the need to quarantine.
Please see this link to an hour long powerpoint presentation about COVID and how the vaccines work (this was taped prior to the J & J vaccine so it talks about Moderna and Pfizer). The presenter is a Pediatric Infectious Disease Doctor and she does an excellent job explaining how the virus works and why children are less susceptible to the virus than adults: https://players.brightcove.net/70829860001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6224871114001
The Westford Public School Nurses have a blog with up-to-date information. Sarah Creegan, our Nabnasset Nurse has done an excellent job keeping information current: https://westfordpshealthservices.weebly.com/blog.
Have a great weekend. As always, call or email with any questions or concerns.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN
978-392-6974
Have a wonderful weekend!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
PTO Update
IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!! THE STONY BROOK GEAR STORE IS EXTENDED THROUGH SUNDAY March 28th! PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!!
With warmer weather comes the need to update your Stony and Westford gear. Support Stony Brook PTO and shop for all your apparel needs.
Last day to order is extended to Sunday March 28th. Orders will be available for curbside pickup at school after April vacation. An email will follow with details for pickup date and time.
https://stonyspring21.itemorder.com/sale
Check out our latest newsletter for all your PTO updates.
https://mailchi.mp/0411e073412f/new-stony-brook-pto-3606562
Westford Education Foundation is holding an online Meet and Greet, Wednesday April 7th at 8:00pm.
Join us to learn more about WEF and how you can get involved! We are looking for new board members and event volunteers. Help us make a difference for our teachers and students in this great community! Getting to know more people in town and working closely with our schools are just some of the benefits!
For more information please check out:
https://www.westford.org/wef/meet-and-greet/
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Westford Education Foundation
P.O. Box 535
Westford, MA 01886
978-418-9179