August 3, 2020
Good Evening
Shawsheen Families,
First, I want to
acknowledge that this is not my typical welcome back letter to families. In
fact, I kept wanting to rewrite this first paragraph to talk about all the
great things that have occurred over the summer with vacations and family. I
always loved referencing the many post cards I would receive from all kinds of
places from all of our students and I would write back to each one.
Unfortunately, this summer was different and my family had to adjust like many
of yours. We may not have experienced vacations like we knew them but we
tried to make the best out of our time together. Whether it was watching Cloudy
with a Chance of Meatballs over and over again or having some extra snuggle
time, we did what we could. I am sure I am not alone with some of these
sentiments and I know that we all want what is best for our students and our
staff.
Thank YOU to our
Staff and Custodians
Although, the
summer at home seemed different, inside the Shawsheen remained mostly the same.
The custodians moving furniture and doing an incredible job cleaning the
building as usual. I want to thank them for all their dedication in the summer.
This is not an easy job under any conditions and they have been extremely
helpful. In addition, I want to thank my staff for their countless hours and
efforts to try and support the schools and the reopening committees to make
sure that everyone is safe. The Shawsheen Building Based committee is made up
of an amazing representation and all their efforts are continued from possible
scheduling changes, room changes from how recess and bathroom breaks will work.
Please join me in thanking our teachers and valuing all they do all year long.
This is not an easy time for all of us and many of our teachers have families
as well, so they understand the importance on all fronts including family
stressors due to the unknown and socialization and academics concerns for your
children. I wish I had a simple and easy answer that would support families,
staff and community members. What I can tell you is that the district
will continue to update you as we move forward with our plans and move toward
learning in the fall, whatever that shall look like. I can also tell you that
we will remain optimistic in making whatever decision work best for our
students.
Classroom
Assignments and Delays
Please note that
during this time of year I would have sent out updates on classrooms, and
orientations for first graders or new students or events that would have
occurred in the spring. Due to all the uncertainty and many new procedures that
are being developed we will have to delay this typical timeline. We are all
working toward some type of transition piece for all students even if it occurs
virtually. As information becomes available on this or any other supports we
will send something out to families. There are also a variety of resources on
our district webpage and in addition families can follow the Shawsheen on the
facebook page, twitter account or the blog. All the same information will be
pushed out to all sources so whatever works for your family to access
information, please utilize.
District
Learning Plan Information
As you are aware the
district is considering all the options for learning to occur in a safe and
effective way and are in the process still of gathering data to make the best
decision for all stakeholders. The district will be sending out something early
this week that will ask families to make a commitment for their child as to
which mode of learning that you want to pursue for the start of the current
school year. As you know by now, there is the intent to start the year with a
hybrid mode of learning that will see students in school part of the time and
participating in remote instruction part of the time. While you will be
provided with the opportunity to change your decision periodically throughout
the upcoming school year it is essential that we know definitively the plan of
our families for the start of the year. Please watch for this information
coming soon. As this information will certainly inform buildings on number of
students in a classroom and the way in which we may have to place students, class
lists at this point will be delayed. We will send out classroom teachers as
soon as possible.
Supply Lists Update
Also, we are
grappling with supply lists for grades 1-3 as we do not want to put any extra
burden on families as we navigate what materials are necessary to purchase. At
this time we would like each student should have the following:
·
Headset
for either remote or hybrid learning
·
Pencil
or storage case for their materials
·
Possibly
Donations of hand sanitizer (individual or larger sizes)-type will be determined
·
Grade
3 only - composition books (2-3)
We are planning on
providing each student with individual scissors, pencils, and pencil sharpener
for desk, crayons, glue sticks, colored pencils and expo markers. A fuller list
will be provided at a later date and it will be consistent amongst grades, not
by individual teachers. With the new DESE guidelines, we will be
eliminating the need for any shared supplies. If you are in need of any
financial support with regard to school supplies (backpacks, lunch bags, etc.),
please feel free to let us know, as we are working with several local
organization and generous donors.
Update on WPS Reopening Plans
Please note that Dr.
Brand, Superintendent of Schools, will be hosting an online meeting this
Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m. to provide parents/guardians with specific
updates and information regarding our reopening of schools. Please watch for
the link to this meeting coming from his office soon.
This is just an
initial email to give you some updates. I will be sending out more information
as it becomes available. In addition to email communication, we have a
Shawsheen Facebook page, Twitter page and Principal Blog where we post
information. For district information please visit our new website at
lisaking@shawsheenschool
Twitter
Thank you and have a
good evening,
Mrs. King
Principal
