Time to Mask Up

 As I'm sure you can all imagine, sending home the letter about masks was not easy.  While many will be very happy that all students will be wearing masks, there are some that are very disappointed.  I didn't get too many emails about it which could be a good thing.  It could also mean that parents have not all read it or they are choosing to ignore it.  Monday morning will tell us where people stand.  If a student should come to school without a mask, please send them to the office to get one and follow up with an email home reminding parents of the new policy.

Please be sure you have read the letter that went home to parents on Friday.  Beginning Monday, all faculty, staff, and visitors must wear a mask indoors when in the presence of others.  It does not matter if you are vaccinated.  While PK students are not required to wear a mask, teachers and assistants in those rooms must wear a mask at all times when indoors.  Those who have lunch duty can take classes outside for lunch, just be sure to let Ken know so that there are trash cans available.  Teachers can take their classes outside for a mask break or for a lesson like we did last year.  Masks are only required indoors.  

Monday's faculty meeting is a PLC and the purpose was to review i-Ready scores.  I'm not sure they will be ready so instead, we will grade Mustang Writes.  Gina will send instructions.  

Now for some really good news!  There are only four days of school this week and then we have four days off!!  Enjoy both!

Who Ready? i-Ready!

 Ok, so maybe that was a corny title 😏  But what I really wonder is who sang that in their head?  And do you know what song inspired that?  A Mustang Buck to the first person who replies.  No Googling Allowed!  

I'm not sure if all of you follow our school Facebook page, but there was a beautiful post by a parent this weekend.  She tagged our school on her post so I shared it on our page.  When does a parent say, "Thank you for taking my money!"?  When the teachers and staff are doing an amazing job of teaching their children and keeping them safe.  Parents are watching the news and all the commotion in Hillsborough and throughout the state, and they see us the calm in the storm.  A safe haven tucked back here on Boyette Road.  You should all feel good about the work you are doing here. 

Good luck to all our students as they take their first i-Ready Diagnostic tests.  Thank you, Barbara, for working hard on creating the schedules.  

I also want to thank everyone in this school who has to stand outside for afternoon carline.  I was out there three times last week and it was HOT!  It is fun talking with the students though.  One little girl asked me if I was the principal and exactly what did I do.  I wasn't quite sure how to answer that.  

There is a lot happening this week.  Students in grades 3-8 should stop by the FLC on their way back from Mass for a brief Band presentation.  Please have the students spread out and sit on the floor.  Thursday is picture day.  While there will be a schedule, please do not come down until you are called.  Pictures are taken in the East Hall.  When you bring your class down, be sure they are in alphabetical order.  Friday is Jean Day for everyone.  Please read over the handbook with the students regarding Jean Day and what they should be wearing.  T-shirts are in and hoping to get them picked up on Monday and distributed by Wednesday.  I will deliver the shirts with a class list showing the sizes ordered.  For new students and the few whose parents didn't provide a size, I will bring down the extras and help them find one that fits.  

Everyone should have received the email with instructions for your Virtual Retreat.  I hope you enjoy it and it gives you ideas to ponder when creating your Faith Development Plan.  

Thank you all and have a wonderful week!

      

      

Good Challenges

When we hear the word challenge, we typically think of something negative we need to overcome.  While the start of this year is bringing some Covid-related challenges, we are also faced with a positive challenge.  The challenge is parents are banging down the door to enroll their young students.  The flow has not stopped and Nicki is still hard at work bringing them in.  Some of you may be aware that our PreK class was overflowing and there were more lining up to come in.  Therefore, Isabel (thank you, Isabel!!) is jumping in once again to head up a PreK 3 class.  We did some quick moving of furniture last week and we are ready to start tomorrow.  Here are the changes you will see as a result of this change:

• Pre-K 4 will now have 15 students 
• Renee will continue to be the Pre-K 4 assistant in the morning
• Pre-K 3 will have 12 students (some full-day, some half-day)
• Karen B and Maria will assist in Pre-K 3 until a new assistant is hired (we have an interview tomorrow!)
• The Good Shepherd Atrium has a new permanent home at the end of the East Hall.
• Title I will be in the front section of Room 21 in Angel's Wing 

Thank you to everyone for being flexible and jumping in where needed!

Next are some Covid challenges that I need to address.  Our positivity rate in Hillsborough went from a rate of 20% to 23% last week.  In addition, I believe we had more Covid-positive students in one week than we had all year last year.  The Delta variant spreads quickly once it gets in.  Therefore, I feel we need to make some temporary changes in addition to the mask mandate (with the parental choice to opt-out) until we see the numbers drop.  These are the changes for next week:

• Middle school will eat lunch in their classroom.  A number of parents AND students are not comfortable with our choice of eating in the FLC while numbers are high.  (6th-grade supervision will be by Jamie on M, Timothy on T-Th, Gina on F.  George will be monitoring both 7th and 8th M-F.  I will help on Monday to get this started and as needed.)
• We will continue to separate cohorts (students may still move to other classrooms but may not be together indoors).
• Middle school will come up with a plan for lockers and switching classes that allow for students to be separate in the hallway (I will come to your meeting on Monday to discuss ideas).
• All special events continue to be on hold (Movie night, book fair family night, etc.)
• 5th grade will eat in their classroom when they return to school (supervision by Darien on M-W, Barbara on Th, Jamie on F)

Thank you all for understanding.  These decisions are always made after many discussions and looking at the recent events related to Covid.  

The remainder of the blog is specifically for teachers.  As you read in Tidbits and in my email, Back-to-School night will once again be virtual.  Please be sure to have your presentations to Gina by 8 am Tuesday morning.  Also, 

I would also like to give a reminder of what we should see in every classroom.  Walk the walls in your room and see if you have the following:

• Objectives and Essential Questions
• The school mission statement
• Prayer corner

You should also have a brief list of rules that students can often refer to.  A few rules can cover many things like respect others (that covers calling out, touching other's property, and so many other things), come prepared (homework, books), etc.  

Lastly, be checking uniforms.  I saw so much contraband jewelry on the first day.  It was a bling fest!  

Thank you everyone for a great first week.  Regardless of the challenges, we were all able to smile and laugh and make it to Friday!

Have a great 2nd week!! 

Welcome Back!

 Good morning!  I hope everyone is enjoying the remaining hours of summer break before The Arrival.  Last night I dreamed about Open House and a student wanted me to go visit a classroom with her.  I had no idea who she was because she wasn't wearing a mask and I didn't recognize her.  I'm hoping that doesn't really happen but in my dream, and in my reality, I was very excited to see all the smiling faces.  

I was at school on Saturday and all the classrooms look great!  Thank you for your hard work this past week and I hope you feel prepared for the first week of school.  While the inside of the building was ready, the outside was not quite ready.  But then... some Caring for Creation happened!  I came with my husband and another person and we pulled all the weeds out of the playground mulch where the swings and monkey bars are, as well as some other areas.  Nicki, Erin Black, and Johnny also came and did some weeding and gardening work.  Isabel was there with her husband power washing little houses on the PK playground.  Things look much better now!  Big shout-outs to all who helped!  Please tell the children to be careful on the swings.  After the weeds were gone, it was clear there is not enough mulch and Duffy is putting in a rush order on Monday.  Duffy also asked that we move our soccer goals.  The goals need to be closer to the fence away from the building where the internet wires are located.  We can move them Monday morning.  

On Friday, I reshared the schedule folder and alerted everyone to check their schedule again.  A few changes were made (that the teachers are aware of) and I added some clarity to the K-5 schedules.  We are still looking for an Extended Day person for middle school so please let us know if you know anyone who may be interested.  

On Monday, I will visit the Middle School classes in the morning and then stay to help with the Encore teacher visits.   I will also stop by PK and K in the morning.  In the afternoon I will visit grades 1-5.  I don't have a specific schedule so if you see me come in, please finish your thoughts at that moment then pause so I can speak with the students.  I won't stay longer than 5 minutes.  

Please be sure you are ready for the Morning Show Monday morning.  Jamie sent an email with the information you need.  If you have any questions, I will be at school today before Open House so feel free to stop by and know that my door is always open if you have any questions or concerns.  Don't forget PTCO is providing breakfast Monday morning.  Thank you to Erin Black, Nicki Gallagher, and all the PTCO members who helped!!

HAVE A GREAT FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!