Principal Madden’s Weekly Message—Week of January 10, 2022
Chilly Winter Greetings,
I hope you are all hanging in there. January must seem like your kids will never be in school! Sorry about the disrupted schedule this month. I hope the snow day on Friday was some fun and not too much hassle. Here is the School Calendar again. We still get many calls about the half days and no school day at the end of the month. We’ll do our best to keep your child’s learning moving ahead.
2021.2022.Calendar.revised.9.9.21This month we will be doing our mid-year screening assessments, so that will be good information for teachers to have prior to the conferences at the end of the month.
COVID Updates
We did have a positive pool in last week’s testing, and close contacts have been notified. Those notifications are coming by email. I am very glad that we can have students “Test and Stay”. Let Nurse Karen know if you have any questions. I know that it is all very hard to keep track of, and we all were hoping for a calmer winter, but we will get through this.
Here is a handy QR Code to sign up for testing at school if you wish to have your child participate in weekly testing and/or Test and Stay! If the QR code does not work for you, call Nurse Karen or the school office, and we can send you the consent form.
Testing-QR-CodePlease stay vigilant regarding COVID safety and get vaccinated if you have not already done so. I am glad that I have heard from so many of our students that they have been vaccinated, as this is the best way to keep the whole school community safe.
Call (587-1557) or email our wonderful nurse, Karen Schiaffo, if you have any health questions.
Thank you for keeping your child home if they are ill. Here is a link with some guidelines to help you make the decision: http://www.northamptonschools.org/project/illness-prevention/
More and more caregivers are using rapid home tests which is great for peace of mind but these tests are not acceptable for clearance to return to school when students have had symptoms. Sorry about that.
Here is a handy document from Nurse Karen about where to go for COVID testing, if needed.
Covid-Testing-ResourcesMilk
Please remember that if your child buys Milk Only or an extra milk, your account will be charged $.50.
Morning Drop Off
Thank you for doing all you can to get your children to school on time. It really helps to start the day right when they can be a part of morning meeting, when classes focus on community building and share information about the day ahead. Also, please use the drop off area and have your child use the cross walk. Cars should not be entering the bus loop. These safety rules and routines are important. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!
Warm Clothes
Please make sure to send warm clothes for your child for recess. We go outside unless it is pouring or below 15 degrees. Let us know if you need help with outdoor clothing. We will make sure your child has what they need. Thank you!
And, speaking of clothes, Nurse Karen, would love some donations of gently used clothing for her supply in the nurse’s office. Students often need a change of clothes during the school day (for any number of reasons), and we are getting low on options. Thank you!
Important Upcoming Dates
January 17: No School—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 24-27 & January 31—Early Release Days (11:30 Dismissal) for Teacher/Caregiver Conferences—Teachers will be in touch with you about signing up.
January 28: No School—Teacher Work Day
February 9: Early Dismissal (11:30) Teacher Work Day
February 21-25: February Vacation
Stay up to date with all of our school activities on our School Website’s Calendar!
I hope that all families and caregivers feel welcome, comfortable, and valued at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am happy to meet with any of you after school hours (when I can allow you inside!) or can talk on the phone anytime.
Sincerely,
Sarah Madden, Principal
