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McGovern News!
April 30, 2021
It has been a busy and fun week back from vacation. Our students have gotten right back into their routines and are working so hard for this final push of the 2020-2021 school year. It was great to see students dressed up and showing off their smile today for picture day....something we have taken for granted in the era of masks.
Next week is National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to publicly and emphatically THANK all of our faculty and staff for the Herculean effort they have put in this year. We have an amazing group of educators who put in 150% every year, but these last 14 months have required them to grow in ways we never thought possible as educators. Our faculty and staff have continuously put students and families first, have shown tremendous flexibility and resiliency, and never quit. I am so honored to work with such a talented, dedicated and humble group of people. Please join me in thanking them for the tremendous job they have done this year!
Finally, there are several important updates in this week's newsletter. Please take the time to read the information below.
Best,
Amy McDonald, Principal
Next week is National Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week!
Kindergarten Screening
If your child speaks another language, our ELL teacher will do a language screening as well, which also takes about 30 minutes. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions.
If you have not been scheduled yet, please call the school at 508-533-3243.
Kindergarten Camp
The summer kindergarten program, Kindergarten Camp is for incoming Kindergarten students; it will be held during the week of July 12-16, 2021. The program will introduce our incoming kindergarten learners to the kindergarten experience and help them to begin to feel comfortable with a typical kindergarten day. This experience also allows the students to become better acquainted with the McGovern School. You can find out more information about our program by clicking on the Kindergarten Camp Flyer.
Welcome to Kindergarten Night, Follow Up
Thank you so much for attending the “Welcome to Kindergarten Night” on Wednesday night. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the video here. In addition, to access the slidedeck you can click on this link.
For a list of events leading up to the first day, you can view our “Road to Kindergarten” flyer. Finally, if you have not signed up for kindergarten camp yet, please use this Kindergarten Camp Flyer to sign up.
We cannot wait to welcome you to the McGovern School and if there is anything we can do to assist with your child’s transition, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Dismissal
Please be sure you are in the pickup line by 3:10 PM. Thank you!
Scholastic Book Fair
K-5 Literacy Audit
We are excited to inform you that our district has partnered with The Hill for Literacy to conduct a K-5 Literacy Audit. This is a comprehensive review of our English Language Arts curriculum, assessment, resources, instructional practices and interventions, to name a few. Each school has developed a Literacy Leadership Team and there are several phases and components of the audit. Through this process, we will develop a literacy plan that clearly articulates action steps for the areas of leadership routines, multi-tiered instructional model, professional learning, data-based decision making and family engagement.
We are eager to work with The Hill in this process. Updates will be provided as we move through the audit.
MEPTO NEWS!
Reminders!
Travel Reminder
From Dr. Pires' recent communication:
As a friendly reminder, as you prepare for February break, please keep in mind the State’s travel policy and general guidelines. The Governor’s order requires you to quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. If not obtained before entry to Massachusetts, a test may be obtained after arrival. However, all such arriving travelers must immediately begin the 10-day quarantine until a negative test result has been received.
For additional information, please refer to the gathering guidance and the Massachusetts Travel Form, click on the links below:
CDC Guidelines on Safe Celebrations
In addition there have been changes to the travel restrictions regarding children. Testing for children, 10 years and younger, who are traveling with an adult from their household is not required. Children 10 years and younger should mimic the quarantine requirement and testing options completed by the household adult they accompanied for travel. If the accompanying adult chooses to quarantine, the child must also quarantine. If the accompanying adult chooses to obtain a test, the child and adult must quarantine until the adult’s negative test result is received. The complete Travel Order can be found here.
Covid Response Hotline
In order to ensure confidentiality and begin Contact Tracing as soon as possible, the District has established lines of communication if ever you need to report a positive COVID Test.
Report a student positive COVID test results by either emailing or calling the hotline below:
- covid@medwayschools.org
- 508-321-4779
Medway Public Schools COVID-19 Information Hub
To provide families with the latest information and resources related to COVID-19, we have created a COVID-19 information hub, which can be accessed here, and by visiting our district’s homepage. Please visit this site for information about school/community COVID-19 health data, positive test reporting, student protocols, and local testing sites.
Meal Access for Remote Learners
As we prepare for more students to make their full return to school, remote meal distribution will now take place on Thursday mornings from 7 am to 9 am. Beginning Thursday, April 1, 2021 students who have opted for remote learning may pick-up meals at Medway Middle School on Thursdays from 7 am to 9 am at the Door # 24 on the Kelly Street entrance side of the building. A week's worth of meals will be offered during this pick-up date each week. Please see the food services website for menus. https://medwayschools.nutrislice.com/ Please contact Shawn Fallon at sfallon@medwayschools.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Dressing for Recess and Outdoor Time
Please be sure to dress your child in layers. Students go out for recess daily for 25 minutes. In addition, students may have music or wellness classes, which are also taught outside for 40 minutes.
Now that the weather is getting nicer, it is often cooler in the morning and there is up to 30 degrees difference by afternoon. In addition, please remember that we keep windows open on the bus and in the classroom to increase air flow.
Students can always take a layer off if they are hot, but the same can't be said if they are cold.
Communication
Important Dates!
April 28-May 11: Scholastic Book Fair
May 12: School Site Council, 3:30 PM
May 31: Memorial Day, No School
Do you need the Smore Newsletter Translated?
Here is the link for the master directions in English.
Here is the link for Spanish.
Here is the link for French.
Here is the link for Russian.
Here is the link for Arabic
Haga clic en los siguientes enlaces para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo traducir el boletín.
Aquí está el enlace para español.
Here is the link for Spanish.
Veuillez cliquer sur les liens suivants pour savoir comment traduire le bulletin d'information.
Here is the link for French.
Пожалуйста, нажмите следующие ссылки для получения инструкций о том, как перевести информационный бюллетень.
Вот ссылка на русский.
Here is the link for Russian.