Principal Madden’s Weekly Message—Week of May 10, 2021
Dear Caregivers,
***Tuesday, May 11 is a half day with a 12:20 dismissal.***
Huge thanks for all the staff appreciations given last week! It was a really wonderful week!!
And, I hope all the mothers among you had a lovely Mother’s Day!
RKFRR Book Fair
• May 2-15 We are throwing a Scholastic virtual book fair! We missed having an in-person fair last fall during open house. A regular Scholastic classroom order only kicks back 2% of sales to our school. During a virtual fair event, we get 25% back to spend on new library books. So, join us this week and/or next online for an all new virtual book fair experience with interactive shelves kids can browse that are set up just like an in-person fair. AND, stay tuned to our social media channels and emails for some fun events.
Please use this link to shop our virtual fair
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/rkfinnryanrdelemsch1
Pooled Testing for COVID-19
• I hope that you received a call from Superintendent, John Provost, recently regarding pooled testing for COVID-19. We sent a letter last week with a link to sign up online. If you prefer, we have attached a paper consent form here. Please return to school if you would like your child to participate in the weekly COVID testing here at school. Thank you!
Student-Pooled-Testing Student-Pooled-Testing-SpanishOther COVID news–I want to make sure everyone understands the COVID routine if someone in our community tests positive. Anyone who has been within 6 feet of that person for 15 minutes or more is considered a “close contact” and needs to quarantine and get tested. Contact tracers will notify close contacts and answer any questions you may have.
We did have a positive case at school last week (letter is here). If more than half of a class has to be quarantined because of close contacts, then that class has to be remote during the quarantine period.
NPS-RKF-5_7_21-positive-case-notification-letter-Staff-and-Caregivers.docx RKF-5_7_2021-positive-case-notification-letter-staffand-caregivers.Spanish-.docxI know that it is unsettling when we have a positive case, but we are being very careful here at school and have had no school transmissions. Fingers crossed this will continue. Please remain vigilant regarding safety protocols and procedures, as a positive case impacts many children and families.
Photos
• This week’s photos show recess fun, gardening with Ms. Hope (building some new garden beds and planting potatoes), 5th graders enjoying Nature’s Classroom on Wheels (they were here all day doing nature activities with our 5th grade), and fabulous Lunch Hero, Barbara Morin, with the author of the Lunch Lady books, Jarrett Krosoczka (famous for his books but also for being the father of our student, Lucky!).
MCAS Dates and Information 2021
Third Grade Duffy
Monday, May 10–ELA (yes, it is also picture day—that should not be a problem)
Monday, May 24—Math
Third Grade Cleary
Friday, May 14—ELA
Friday, May 28—Math
Fourth Grade Desmond
Thursday, May 13—ELA
Thursday, May 27—Math
Fourth Grade Simmons
Monday, May 17—ELA
Tuesday, May 25—Math
Fifth Grade (both classes)
Friday, May 21—ELA
Friday, June 4—Math
Thursday, June 10—Science
We will do all we can at school to make these days go smoothly for your children. It is important to remember that any test is only one measure of a child’s performance at school, especially this year! Teacher evaluations through the years, day-to-day work, other academic screeners we use during the year, and other types of performance assessments and projects are additional ways to evaluate learning. However, these tests are important, and we will do all we can to prepare our students to take these tests with calm confidence. All of the tests are taken online, and the state has modified them this year to only take place one day per subject area (instead of the usual two days per subject).
Please make every effort to get your children to school on time for their testing days. Please do not schedule appointments on testing days. Thanks!
Please contact me with any questions and concerns (about the MCAS or anything else).
From our Nurse, Karen Schiaffo:
The COVID-19 protocol is as follows:
In order to minimize risk and keep the school community safe, district nurses are required
to send students home that have 1 symptom. Symptoms include: headache, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, chills, fatigue, body aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, or fever since these mimic COVID-like illness. Caregivers will be asked to contact their health care provider to see if testing is needed. There may be other diagnoses that cause these symptoms and your provider can discuss that with you. In order for your student to return to school, you will need to provide a negative test result or a note from your provider documenting an alternative diagnosis as the cause for the symptoms.
Many students experience seasonal allergies at this time of year and allergy symptoms can mimic COVID-like symptoms. Please consult your child’s health care provider about treating your child’s seasonal allergy to avoid your child being sent home for symptoms that appear Covid-like.
Remember to review the Student Daily Checklist before sending your child to school.
Thank you for your cooperation.
2021 – 2021 School Year
• The 2021-2022 school calendar has been approved by the school committee. Here it is. Please note the change in school hours (in the lower left-hand corner) that were recently approved by the School Committee to allow for a later start for high school students.
2021.2022.Calendar• Looking for information about Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 School Year?
https://northamptonschools.org/kindergarten-2/
Also, I have had many questions about whether or not we are planning to have our kindergarten students in-person full time, and that is certainly our plan. We are all looking forward to a typical and spectacular start at Ryan Road School!
Important Upcoming Dates:
• Monday, May 10: School Photos (taken outside). Information linked here.
• Tuesday, May 11: Half day with a 12:20 dismissal (Teacher Work Day)
• Wednesday, May 26: Half Day with an 11:30 Dismissal (Staff Professional Development)
• Monday, May 31: No School for Memorial Day
• Friday, June 18: Last day of School! 12:20 Dismissal
Stay up to date with all of our school activities on our School Website’s Calendar!
I hope that all families feel welcome, comfortable, and valued at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sarah Madden, Principal