Miscoe Hill Weekly Update

This week is an B week. Concurrent instruction will be done in ELA and Social Studies.

Who: Jen Mannion and Paul Marshall invite all caregivers of Miscoe students to attend

Why: To help caregivers understand the logistics of our return to in person learning.

When: Wednesday evening, 3/24 at 7pm

How: Via Zoom. The link will be shared with you in a separate email.

Youth Art Month (YAM), is celebrated nationally each March to bring awareness of the fact that visual art education is a viable factor in the total education curriculum that develops citizens of a global society.

In Massachusetts during the month of March MAEA annually sponsors a Statewide preK-12 YAM Exhibit of student artworks submitted by art educators in public, private and independent schools from across the state. There are also regional and district wide YAM exhibits, as well as school-based exhibits and events throughout the year celebrating Art Education.

Typically held in Boston, this year’s MAEA Statewide Exhibit is virtual! We are happy to share that even with the difficulties of teaching through a pandemic, 136 teachers from public, private and independent schools located in 85 different Massachusetts cities and towns submitted 756 student works of art! And these numbers don’t include work from our Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists Recognitions Exhibit.

Here's a main link to to YAM: https://massarted.com/youth-art-month/

And a link to our school's artwork by talented artists from Miscoe Hill: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LjwjsoUStAo7px4WKMCzH5rP5XFQd6WVctDWxLcmeqo/edit#slide=id.gc7437cbe29_0_15

There's also a link to a guestbook if you'd like to add some words of encouragement to our students! https://massarted.com/2021/03/18/the-statewide-virtual-youth-art-month-exhibit-is-live/

The Miscoe choruses are excited to share the news that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has recently released updated guidelines for music classes. These guidelines were developed based on several recent scientific studies and the recommendations of both the National Federation of State High School Associations and the National Association for Music Education. The new protocols allow for singing to take place indoors with students spaced 10 feet apart, wearing masks at all times, and singing in intervals interspersed with non-singing activities/breaks. Following the announcement, MURSD music teachers and district leadership have reviewed the new recommendations in detail and compiled these MURSD Indoor Singing Guidelines. Please reach out to Ms. Formon (hformon@mursd.org) if you have any questions or concerns.

Ordering is now open for the Miscoe Hill 2020-2021 Yearbook.

Price per book: $35.00

Place your order by: 04-16-21

For more information on how to place your order, please click the link below.

As your last year here at Miscoe is upon us, the Yearbook Club will be working diligently to make sure this year’s yearbook will have the most memorable moments of your middle school experiences. With that in mind, please begin your search for a baby picture:

Please submit only one photo.

Please email the photo to miscoeyearbook@mursd.org

Please put the student's first and last name as the subject.

Thank you

Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Tinio

This is a program designed to help students who are struggling with organization and work-completion. It will be especially helpful during the unique circumstances of this school year.

W.I.N. After School Program Update - Please note the change in time and place: W.I.N. will start immediately after school and run until 3:45 in Ms. Joyce's classroom, Room 220. Don't forget to bring a snack!W.I.N.

Schedule Changes for March: WIN will take place REMOTELY for both cohorts on Tuesday, March 16th and there will be no WIN on Thursday, March 18th. (The weeks of March 8, March 22nd and March 29th WIN will be as normally scheduled [Tuesdays & Thursdays from dismissal until 3:45].

Miscoe Hill Middle School is taking part in a wonderful fundraiser for Mendon and Upton. This winter, we are selling firewood for $10.00 a bundle. All proceeds will help benefit people in our communities that may need financial assistance throughout the year.

If you would like to purchase wood and support this fundraiser, please email Bill McInnis at wmcinnis@mursd.org to make arrangements. Students (who will be wearing masks and adhering to COVID-19 protocols) will carry bundles of wood to your car and place them in the trunk.

If you or anyone you know needs wood to help defray the cost of heat, please let us know. We would be happy to donate to you/them directly.

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The following are the DPH guidelines for those who have been exposed to COVID-19:

All close contacts should be tested but must self-quarantine, consistent with the guidance outlined below:

• At least 7 days, provided that all of the following are satisfied:

• They are tested (either polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test) on day 5 or later from their last exposure to the positive individual and receive a negative test result

• They have not experienced any symptoms up to this point

• They conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 14, and self-isolate if new symptoms develop

• At least 10 days, provided that all of the following are satisfied:

• They have not experienced any symptoms up to this point

• They conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and self-isolate if new symptoms develop

• No test is necessary under this option for the purposes of exiting quarantine

• At least 14 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive, if:

• They have experienced any symptoms during the quarantine period, even if they have a negative COVID-19 test; or

• They are unable to conduct active monitoring of symptoms

All students working remotely, either on their asynchronous days in the hybrid model, or those who are in the stand-alone remote model, should log into their Miscoe homeroom teacher's Zoom link between 8:10 and 8:25 to be marked present for daily attendance. This will assist in accurate state reporting. Homeroom teachers are identified in students' schedules on PowerSchool.

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Every week, the Weekly Remote Learning Communication Chart will be shared with parents on Monday. This chart will allow for adults supporting students to understand the learning following:

• Learning objectives for the week
• Specific materials needed
• What special resources will be used instructionally.
• Information regarding how to access teachers.

Please click below to access this week's Hybrid Learning Communication Chart.