Principal Newsletter 3/25/21

Thursday, March 25, 2021

  • A friendly reminder that if there is a change of plans for the end of the day, it’s extremely helpful to send a note or call.  The end of the day is a very busy time and it’s challenging to try to call a family member when a student believes they are being picked up/ riding or not riding the bus, or walking home.  Your attention to this is greatly appreciated.

  • From the Nurse’s Office,

With April vacation sneaking up on us, please remember the travel advisory that Massachusetts continues to have in place. Here are the most recent guidelines, thank you for your understanding with this, as always you can contact Nurse Sue with any questions at 413-863-7441 or suzanne.martino@gmrsd.org.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-advisory

  • I am in need of your help.  There is no rolling pick up in the afternoon.  If you are picking up your child/ren in the afternoon, please park your car in one of the parking spaces.  Please do not pull up along the curb, as this is causing congestion and frustration.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

  • Thank you for attending our virtual spring parent/teacher conferences.  These meetings enable you and your child’s teacher to collaborate on your child’s social/emotional and academic needs.  If you were unable to attend your child’s conference, please reach out to your child’s teacher to reschedule.

  • We are extremely excited to welcome students back full time on Monday, April 5th!  Students will be seated 3 feet apart in their classrooms, wearing masks, having the window cracked and with an air purifier to continue student health and safety.

    • Breakfast and lunch will be eaten in the cafeteria at individual desks.  The extra who we cannot safely seat in the cafeteria will eat in our gymnasium in the bleachers.   When weather permits, the students in the gymnasium only, will be allowed to eat outside on towels. (more information on which classrooms this affects will be coming out later)

    • Opening up April 5th means students attending full time Monday-Friday.  There will no longer be remote only Wednesday’s.  For planning purposes, Wednesday, April 7 will be a half day for teacher professional development on our new ELA program, Wit & Wisdom which we will officially begin with all grades in the fall.

    • If your child borrowed a chromebook from school, please have your child bring it to school along with the charger for their April 5th return.  The devices will remain in a charging station in the classroom overnight and will no longer need to be brought back and forth.

 

  • Here’s messaging from Ms. C. our 21st Century Afterschool coordinator: 

Dear Sheffield Families,

I am so glad to be looking at the restarting of in-person programming at Sheffield! On March 29th, Sheffield 21st CCLC After School Program Spring Semester will begin after school enrichments some in person, some virtual. March 30, in-person begins on Tuesday/Thursdays and will transition to all "in-person" after April vacation. Musica Franklin may begin March 29 in person, it depends on enrollment. Please follow this link for registration: https://forms.gle/rtYSKn6GDiTKXP1SA 

I cannot wait to be there in person with the kids! We have some fun events planned. Enrollment is limited and teacher recommendations will guide selection. Ms. C (Christine K. Bates)

SPRING SEMESTER OFFERINGS:

VIOLIN/STRINGS- MUSICA FRANKLIN New and Returning Students

  • Preparing Students for a Brighter Future Through Music

NOVEL ENGINEERING

  • Science fun, hands on problem solving, building and testing!

    • English- Science in English

    • Spanish- Science in Spanish

CREATIVE MINDS

  • real art, real techniques, fun and art show!

VIRTUAL ACADEMIC SUPPORT

SOCIAL, ACTIVE, and GIVE BACK TIME must chose an enrichment from above

  • 3:15 Snack, one hour enrichment from choices above, PLUS this one hour of Social, Active, and "Give Back Time."

  • Each day that we meet in person we: enjoy snacks and chat together, play actively, and work to make our community better.

BONUS FAMILY NIGHT FUN some virtual, some in person!

  • Pie/Pi, Cookies and Paint, Family Hike, and Star-Gazing.

After School is continuing to offer online support for in-school work, Musica Franklin, Science in Spanish, and packets are being delivered with home activities and times to log in for, "make together" and "show and tell." In the packets, there are "do-it" items, "mix-it" items, "make-it" items, "imagine-it" items, and a "write-it/draw-it" component.

Delivery available. All currently recommended students are or will be receiving packets to sample and enjoy.

Christine Bates

Site Coordinator

Sheffield 21st Century Community Learning Center

Collaborative for Educational Services

 

With Sheffield Pride,

Melissa Pitrat