Good Afternoon,
I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend heading into the vacation week. All of our schools will have a little time off from teaching and learning in any format, recharging and hopefully enjoying a little down time away from screens and devices. Except for a little snowfall today, the week is looking very pleasant to get outside and take in some fresh air! As you’re engaging in different activities that don’t include devices, if you’re able to capture them in a photo, please consider sending them in to feedback@sau29.org (See below in the update). We’ve had some wonderful photos sent in already, so let’s keep them coming!
On Friday, February 19th, the Governor issued Emergency Order 85 requiring all New Hampshire Schools to provide in person instruction for at least two days per week for any student that wishes to elect such an option no later than March 8th. I am happy to report that all SAU 29 schools are in full compliance with this executive order. As reported earlier this month, our schools returned to onsite teaching and learning on February 1st as follows:
- Chesterfield: Returned to the hybrid model and continued the remote only option for those that selected that model at the beginning of the school year.
- Harrisville: Returned to the hybrid model and continued the remote only option for those that selected that model at the beginning of the school year.
- Keene: Returned to the hybrid model and continued the remote only option for those that selected that model at the beginning of the school year.
- Marlborough: Returned to fully onsite 5 days per week for all grade levels with a remote only option for students.
- Marlow: Returned to a blended hybrid for grades 1-6 and fully onsite for pre-K and K four days per week and continued the remote only option for those that selected that model at the beginning of the school year.
- Nelson: Returned to fully onsite for all grade levels four days per week and continued the remote only option for those that selected that model at the beginning of the school year.
- Westmoreland: Returned to fully onsite for all grade levels four days per week and continued the remote only option for those that selected that model at the beginning of the school year.
We have had some of our staff members qualify and receive either their first round or both rounds of the COVID-19 vaccinations. While this is good news on that front, we still have a way to go before all of our Pre-K - 12 staff become eligible for the vaccine. When that window opens up, we will work with all of our staff to help facilitate that process for those that wish to receive the vaccine.
We continue to review the Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Mitigation released by the CDC and most recently updated last week. I am once again pleased to see that we have implemented the same procedures in our schools that are recommended by the CDC. I have referred to them as “The Big 4” for several months now, and it serves as a great reminder on keeping our students and staff as safe as possible. When we return from the break next Monday, March 1st, please continue that effort with:
- Fill out the screening assessment honestly. When you have a symptom of COVID-19, DO NOT go into the buildings.
- Adherence to face covering protocols. As a reminder, on September 18th, we issued guidance that gaiters, face shields (alone) and face coverings with valves and vents are NOT an acceptable form of face covering for students and staff unless an accommodation supported by medical documentation has been filed and approved by the building administrator. Additionally, face coverings are designed and intended to cover both the mouth and the nose when worn properly.
- Maintaining distancing guidelines. Exposure/close contact means less than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes cumulative throughout the day. Making certain we all maintain that distance will reduce the risk of exposure.
- Maintain hand hygiene. Regular and frequent cleaning of the hands through washing with soap and water or if unavailable, sanitizer, has been determined to help minimize the risk of spread.
There is a significant difference in the CDC document with regard to the community transmission metrics compared to our state community transmission metrics. The primary difference is how the rates are calculated. Our state uses a 14 day new case per 100,000 measure and the CDC uses a 7 day new case per 100,000 measure. We will continue to follow our state guidance as it relates to this and use the 14 day new case measure until such a time as that metric is changed by state officials.
Lastly, just a friendly reminder that we are in the final stages of the annual budget processes for our districts. Please see below in the update for more information. In the meantime, please enjoy the week off from the routines and school work. Try to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible, and know that we’ll be ready for the return to school on March 1st!
Be Well,
Robb
Unplugged Challenge: This is a reissuance of a previous challenge from last spring in which we asked folks to share all of the activities they were engaging in while unplugging from electronic devices. The difference is that instead of just telling us what those activities are, we’re looking for photos of the activities. What we’ll attempt to do with the photos is create some collages showcasing the fun activities people are doing to spend some time away from electronic devices. Please submit your photos to feedback@sau29.org by Friday, March 5, 2021.
COVID-19 Data: Providing all of the COVID-19 data that we have been tracking since the onset of the pandemic back in March, 2020.
Confirmed COVID-19 Positives that our school personnel are aware of from the beginning of school year 2020-2021 (numbers from 1-4 will be suppressed to help protect individual privacy). These are aggregated so that it does not identify either student or staff and provided in both the most recent weekly totals as well as the totals for the entire school year.
District Meetings Information:
E-Flyer Distribution Program: As a reminder, there are many flyers that our schools are asked to send home throughout the school year. We also post these flyers on our website and it can be found by going to this E-Flyer Distribution Program embedded link.
Mental Health & Cultural Awareness: Below are valuable resources that many people find helpful. Enjoy!
Resources:
- https://www.edutopia.org/article/back-to-school-resources-parents - GREAT website for anyone looking to ease the jitters of transition, managing screen time for kids and how to get involved in your school.
- https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism to help talk with your children, our students about racism. This article covers ages ranging under 5 years old, between 6-11years old, and 12+.
- https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/5-ways-stand-against-racism-and-injustice/37355 This article addresses acceptable ways to condemn racism.
- https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/how-white-people-can-talk-their-kids-about-racism/37361 This is a great way to start a conversation about racial issues with your kids. Racism thrives in silence.
- https://www.naminh.org/resources-2/crisis-lines/ a comprehensive resource for support with mental health.
- The 5 Signs to help you identify and support others who may be struggling more than usual at this challenging time, or at any time.
Reporting Abuse: If you see something, please say something. You can find guidance on the NH Department of Health and Human Services website.
Additional Resources:
- Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention - We’re here for you 24/7. You don’t have to be in crisis to call. Call our hotline at: 603-352-3782 or 1-888-511-MCVP
- National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Meals: NO MEAL PICK-UP FOR FEBRUARY BREAK.
Every student in SAU 29 and all children 18 and under are eligible for free meals through June 2021. Meals for all students in SAU 29 are free at this time. Students are eligible for up to 7 days’ worth of meals per week, remote meals and/or in-school dining depending on the modality of their instruction.
Please read carefully for the schedule of remote meals that best fit your student’s situation as schools have a variety of instructional plans.
- All hybrid students attending school in person 2 days a week (remote 3 days) may receive a total of 5 days’ worth of remote meals each week: 3 days’ worth of meals on Tuesday and 2 days’ worth of meals on Friday.
- Fully remote students may receive a total of 7 days’ worth of remote meals each week, 3 days’ worth of meals on Tuesday and 4 days’ worth of meals on Friday.
-Chesterfield, Nelson, and Westmoreland students that are in school in person 4 days per week and remote 1 day per week may receive 3 days’ worth of remote meals on Friday.
- Marlborough School students that are in person 5 days per week may receive 2 days’ worth of remote meals on Friday representing meals for Saturday and Sunday.
Please do not sign up under a parent name, use your student name only.
ONLY SUBMIT 1 ORDER FORM PER STUDENT. If you are not sure if you signed up, please call Keene Food Services to confirm.
Please submit your order for the following week's meals no later than 7:00am Friday, February 26th. You will receive an email confirmation after placing your order. This form is to order meals for remote pick up on Tuesday, March 2 and Friday, March 5th.
Click here for the LINK for Remote Meals Order Form
Please contact Keene Food Services with any questions. 603-357-9011
Screening Assessment: Please continue to complete the screening assessment each school day. This allows our school nurses to continue to monitor and provide support with regard to the health of the school community. Please note that we are not requesting that this be done on the weekends, holidays or breaks, only on days that school would typically be in session.
COVID19 Daily self screening Convenient MD : You can find the links to your students schools here along with videos to help walk you through using the page.
Special Education: Special Education continues to work very closely with building leaders to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are met. As always, please reach out to your child’s special education teacher or building principal with questions. You can also contact the Student Services Offices at 357-9001 extension 230 or email rmatte@sau29.org if you have any questions. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. We want to hear from you, Thank you!
Contact Information: Dr. Rick Matte is the lead contact person for all COVID-19 inquiries and concerns at all SAU 29 schools and districts. He can be reached at rmatte@sau29.org.
Governor Sununu has also activated a 24-hour COVID-19 hotline for all related needs and supports. The hotline can be reached by dialing 211.
Technology:
Parents of 6th through 12th grade students: Please if you have not already picked up your students Chromebook for the 1:1 program we need you to print and sign the agreement HERE .
We can not release the Chromebook to your student until we get a signed agreement. Please send the agreement in with your student.
Keene high school only We will be at KHS on Saturday Feb.20th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
For Chromebook pick up. This is for grades 9 to 12 only. Enter at the scripture parking lot. Door D1.
Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing.
Parents and Students, Chromebooks should be used for your school work only. Please do not eat while using your school issued Chromebook. We are experiencing high volumes of damaged Chromebooks due to spills. Please make sure you fill in the online registration for your students. It is important to have all the correct information in place.
Teachers, we have installed some software for remote teaching. Currently we have Kami which integrates with Google classroom. Screencastify will let you record your computer screen to share with the class. You can also have your image in the corner of the screen as you record the lesson. EquatIO Easily add equations, formulas, graphs to G Suite for Education. It has a scientific calculator, and periodic table charts.
Clever academy for teachers: Login to your clever account and click on the question mark in the upper right corner of the screen and choose Clever academy.
Technology support during COVID19: Please see the update.
Power School update:
Power school online registration help can be found here.
Please remember to fill out the youtube permission form. For KHS and KMS
Help desk number: (603) 352-0640 ext 3871. For help with the Home user and remote learning click here.