Principal's Notes 3/27/2020

Message of the Month
Optimism- The power of being positive. 

Remote Learning

Governor Sununu has extended Remote Learning through May 3rd. For the BSD that means that we will be extended through Friday, April 24th as our Spring Vacation is April 27-May 1. Here is a link to the Remote learning page on our district website where there is a parent section for updates and information.

As you know, permission was requested this week for students to be able to participate in Google Hangouts/Meet with their teachers starting on Monday. If you have not filled out the form yet, please do so HERE. Google Meet is a video conferencing tool that allows teachers to create synchronous video classrooms to meet with their students for face-to-face interactions. This is an optional tool for teachers to use if/when they feel it would be beneficial to students’ instruction.  While we are adding the ability to utilize Google Meet, students and staff members are not required to use it in the remote classroom. We respect the individual needs and comfort levels of students, families, and staff members, and therefore we will continue to offer all core instruction through the methods that we have been utilizing to date.

Spirit Day
We will be having a weekly Remote Spirit Day each Friday.  This Friday April 3rd is Super Hero Day! (In honor of the hospital workers, First Responders, Grocery employees, city and maintenance employees,  and all other essential personnel) Have your kids dress up as a Super Hero to honor these individuals. Feel free to send in pictures of them dressed up for our school website.




Parent Questionnaire
In order to calibrate and plan their weekly lessons, teachers will be sending out a very quick questionnaire to parents each Friday. It is very important that you complete it each week. It will be turned off every Sunday night at 6:00 PM. Thank you!

Quarter 3

The end of Quarter 3 is today (March 27).
Report cards will be released on PowerSchool at 2:45 PM on Friday, April 3rd. To access your child's report card online, log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and you will see a Report Cards icon in the left hand pane. When you click on this icon your child's report card will appear on the screen. You can scroll to see the entire report card and choose to print it, if you'd like.

School Offices
All physical buildings in the BSD are closed to the public. Employees will be working remotely. If you need to get in touch with someone at the school, please call our main line 603-627-1776 and leave a message. Messages will be returned within 24-36 hours. Email is the most efficient method of contacting the schools.

Playground Access

A reminder that students are not in school because we do not want people together in crowds. This is also true for school playgrounds, basketball courts, and fields. Allowing students to gather in large groups defeats the purpose.

Attendance
Attendance will be taken daily.  It is our expectation that students will be working each day on the assignments prepared by their teachers.  If we see students did not do any work on a particular day they may be marked absent.  If a student is sick or unable to complete any work for the day you should call the attendance line and report the absence as usual.  
603-627-1776

A Message from Ms. Hodgdon
The Energy Bus is a book that is a reminder to all of us that the power of positive thinking is inside us. It’s the choice we make. Finding the positive even in the toughest of situations. We all learned how to use GRIT and to not give up. Listen and read along to this story about optimism and GRIT. Remind yourself this week to get on the energy bus.  

Wellness Team is here for you
Memorial School's Wellness Team consists of our School Nurse, School Counselor, Social Worker, Assessment Specialist and Assistant Principal. Throughout the school year, we've met to support students in a variety of ways. As we transition to Remote Learning, please feel free to reach out to us individually or as a group if needs arise. Please let us know if you have concerns about emotional and behavioral support, school supplies, access to food, illness and any other needs for additional resources or support. We will continue to be here for you! 

- Anna Cook (School Nurse), Christine Hodgdon (School Counselor), Katelyn LeBlanc (School Social Worker), Beth Purcell (Assistant Principal) 

Breakfast and Lunch other Food Options

The Bedford School District Food Service Department will be providing grab-n-go breakfast and lunch for all students in the community at no charge. Pick up will be available 9am-12pm at the High School gymnasium entrance.

PLEASE fill out the Food Service Meal Order Form (Link is below). Deadline for pre ordering is 2pm the previous day. Please know that pre-ordering is a must in order to ensure you have meals. The meal service will be starting Tuesday at 9am.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefPlzhEtEz3Dx5eu9p0yK_zziRbCtnlsy-fc4AWcoB1idnjw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Contact Emily Murphy at murphye@bedfordnhk12.net for any questions or concerns.

For additional meal and food support the Bedford Community Food Pantry has extended their hours from 9am-12pm. Click HERE for more information.

Principal's Notes 3/20/2020

Message of the Month
Optimism- The power of being positive. (Needed now more than ever)

Important Dates 

• March 23- Remote Learning begins

I hope this note finds everyone doing well.  Many teachers will be sending video messages to your children.  Click HERE for example of a video message from me.

Remote Learning
As you know, we will begin remote learning for our students next week.  This will be a new experience for everyone involved.  We have developed a Remote Learning Parent Guide to assist with questions.  It can be viewed HERE. 

Attendance
Attendance will be taken daily.  It is our expectation that students will be working each day on the assignments prepared by their teachers.  If we see students did not do any work on a particular day they will be marked absent.  If a student is sick or unable to complete any work for the day you should call the attendance line and report the absence as usual.  
603-627-1776

Chromebook Pickup
An additional Chromebook pickup time has been added for grades one through six for families who need a device for their child.

Date: Monday March 23rd

Times: 9:00 am-10:30 am and 2:00 pm-3:30 pm

Location:McKelvie School

Map for location pickup

Wellness Team is here for you

Memorial School's Wellness Team consists of our School Nurse, School Counselor, Social Worker and Assistant Principal. Throughout the school year, we've met to support students in a variety of ways. As we transition to Remote Learning, please feel free to reach out to us individually or as a group if needs arise. Please let us know if you have concerns about emotional and behavioral support, school supplies, access to food, illness and any other needs for additional resources or support. We will continue to be here for you! 

- Anna Cook (School Nurse), Christine Hodgdon (School Counselor), Katelyn LeBlanc (School Social Worker), Beth Purcell (Assistant Principal)
Recommendations

Because school buildings are open we have had parents ask us about the possibility of using the playground here at school with their children.  I just want to share that The Center for Disease Control and Department of Health and Human Services recommends kids do not use public playgrounds.  Playing outside is recommended but not in areas that may have been contaminated in any way.  Thank you for understanding.

Breakfast and Lunch other Food Options
The Bedford School District Food Service Department will be providing grab-n-go breakfast and lunch for all students in the community at no charge. Pick up will be available 9am-12pm at the High School gymnasium entrance.

PLEASE fill out the Food Service Meal Order Form (Link is below). Deadline for pre ordering is 2pm the previous day. Please know that pre-ordering is a must in order to ensure you have meals. The meal service will be starting Tuesday at 9am.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefPlzhEtEz3Dx5eu9p0yK_zziRbCtnlsy-fc4AWcoB1idnjw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Contact Emily Murphy at murphye@bedfordnhk12.net for any questions or concerns.

For additional meal and food support the Bedford Community Food Pantry has extended their hours from 9am-12pm. Click HERE for more information.

Principal's Notes 3/13/2020

Message of the Month
Optimism- The power of being positive.

Important Dates

• March 16 - Community Conversations with Superintendent Fournier 6:30pm 
• March 27 - End of Quarter 3
• March 27 - MEM Spring Fling Postponed; date TBD
• March 31- Spirit Day inside-out, wacky, or backwards day
• March 31 - Last day to turn in donations for the Kids Heart Challenge
• April 3 - Report Cards released online
• April 6-10 - Scholastic Book Fair
• April 20- School Spirit Day - Disney Day 
• April 27- May 1- No School, Spring Vacation

Covid-19 update

As you saw from Superintendent Fournier’s note to parents yesterday, “All school events/trips between today and April vacation will be either postponed/modified or cancelled. Due to no students at school next week all afterschool activities are cancelled.  

• Our Spring Fling is being postponed.  Our goal is to still have our Spring Fling this year.  We will, however, be waiting to choose a date until we feel it is appropriate to have a gathering at the school.   
• Grandparents’ Day is cancelled.
• Field trips are cancelled.

We will make a decision on events that are scheduled after April Vacation at a later date.


As you know, we will begin remote learning for our students on Tuesday of next week.  This will be a new experience for everyone involved.  We will be providing more details to all of you as plans are made.   We appreciate your patience, support, feedback and partnership. 

School District Vote on March 10th

Thanks to all of you who went out to the polls and voted on March 10.  With the passing of the budget we will have some positive changes taking place here at Memorial School.  
This summer we will be constructing a new nurses office where our current conference room is, redesigning the nurses office to house our new full-time preschool coordinator and BEEP clerk, enlarging gym storage and creating new office space for Mr. Vitigliano, constructing a new conference room and replacing tile in 12 classrooms, ramp floors, and hallways upstairs and down.

KidVote Results

We had 92 students from Memorial turn out to vote.
Mrs. Purcell and I will be dressing up on Monday April 20th, Disney Day.
Here are the results:

• Timon and Pumba 39% (Winner)
• Elsa and Kristoff 28%
• Ariel and King Triton 18%
• Belle and the Beast 15%

School District Calendar

Please click HERE for the 2020/2021 Bedford School District Calendar.

Kids Heart Challenge:
Thank you for your effort and support of Kids Heart Challenge! We are at our halfway point, and we have 53 students enrolled and $2,106.90 raised for the American Heart Association! We have until March 31 to donate, so if you haven't signed up yet, follow the link here to enroll. Thank you for all of your support!

The Harlem Wizards game against the Lurgio Middle School Staff has been cancelled.

Reminders

State Assessment

This coming April our students in grades 3 and 4 will begin participating in the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS).  For detailed information, please take a look at STATE TESTING INFORMATIONAL 2020.

Principal's Notes 3/6/2020

Message of the Month
Optimism- The power of being positive

Important Dates

• March 8 -   Daylight saving time begins
• March 10 - No School - Workshop Day/Town Voting Day 
• March 13 - Kindergarten Love Bug Brunch 9:00-10:00am
• March 16 - Community Conversations with Superintendent Fournier 6:30pm 
• March 27 - End of Quarter 3
• March 27 - MEM Spring Fling 5:00-8:00pm
• March 31- Spirit Day inside-out, wacky, or backwards day
• March 31- Intelligent Lives Film, 6:30pm at BHS
• March 31 - Last day to turn in donations for the Kids Heart Challenge
• April 3 - Report Cards released online
• April 6-10 - Scholastic Book Fair
• April 20- School Spirit Day - Disney Day 
• April 27- May 1- No School, Spring Vacation

We kicked off our Kid Heart Challenge with a jump-rope demonstration during our All School Meeting on Monday morning. 

Congratulations to Mr. Buffett
Mr. Buffett is WZID and Autofair's Teacher of the Month recipient for March!

Covid-19 update

As our superintendent shared, the School District continues to follow the guidance from DHHS and the CDC with respect to travel and the concept of self quarantine. Each individual case is discussed with DHHS, the family physician and the school district. Based on those conversations, a decision is made regarding what precautions to take.
As always, please continue to follow the guidelines below:

General Precautions
The following precautions are recommended for all respiratory illnesses:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid being in close contact to a person who is sick
• Avoid sharing drinks, utensils or objects that may transmit saliva
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

School District Vote on March 10th

Please remember to vote on Tuesday, March 10th. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Bedford High School in the gymnasium.

• Voters will select two people for open Board seats.
• Voters will decide whether to support the following Warrant Articles:
• Sprinkler Bond (Memorial, Peter Woodbury and McKelvie)
• Contracts for BESSA (Custodians & Maintenance) and BEPA (Instructional Assistants, Secretaries, Clerks, Food Service)
• Athletic Maintenance & Improvements
• Operating Budget

More information can be found HERE.

KidVote on March 10th at BHS 

Bring your kids along when you go to vote Tuesday so they can participate in the KidVote.  This year the kids will be voting on what Disney characters Mrs. Purcell and Mr. Schappler will be dressed up as on Monday, April 20th, our Disney Day!

     LITTLE MERMAID- Ariel and King Triton
     LION KING- Timon and Pumba
     FROZEN- Elsa and Kristoff
     BEAUTY AND THE BEAST- Belle and The Beast

Spring Fling is coming back to Memorial on Friday, March 27th! 

Please click here to:
     - Get more information about this fun family event
     - Learn how you can donate a family basket
     - Access digital copies of dinner and raffle ticket forms
     - Sign up to help on the night of the event

The Harlem Wizards are coming! On Friday April 17th at 6 pm, the Harlem Wizards will be facing off against the teachers of Lurgio and our own Mr. Vitagliano. Come see a night full of trick hoops and alley oops! Tickets go on sale on Friday, March 6th. Anyone who purchases tickets by 3/13 will be entered into a raffle to win a Wiz Kid Jersey! Tickets can be purchased at https://harlemwizards.thundertix.com/events/151595. Questions can be directed to Dr. Rachel Fairhurst at fairhrustr@sau25.net

BEEP is currently accepting registrations for the 2020-2021 school year
Bedford’s Early Education Program (BEEP) is a developmentally appropriate preschool that is respectful of the talents and needs of individual children. Each class has a teacher that is a certified early childhood educator and a classroom paraprofessional.  Click HERE for more information.

Intelligent Lives Screening

Intelligent Lives is a film by New Hampshire’s own Dan Habib. The film stars three young American adults with Intellectual Disabilities who challenge the perception of intelligence as they find their way through high school, college and the workforce. This film questions what it means to be intelligent and points to a future in which people of all abilities can participate in higher education, meaningful employment, and personal relationships.

Bedford School District, in partnership with Amherst School District, Merrimack School District, Manchester School District, the Bedford PTG, and St. Anselm’s Meelia Center, will be hosting a screening of the film on March 31, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the Bedford High School theatre. Following the film, there will be a question and answer session led by the filmmaker, Dan Habib.

Click HERE to reserve your Free tickets 

COLOR BLAST FUN RUN/WALK COMMUNITY EVENT:  Get excited, registration opens Friday, March 13^th for PTG’s 4^th annual Color Blast Fun Run/Walk to be held on Sunday, May 31^st.  Whether this is your 4^th or 1^st Color Blast we look forward to you joining us for a fun-filled family event full of color!  

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION with Superintendent Fournier: Join us on Monday, March 16^th at 6:30 p.m. at the SAU Office building for a small round table discussion with Superintendent Fournier. We will discuss the voting results and other district questions/comments the community may have. Ask your questions, share your opinions or just come listen! If you are able to attend, please RSVP HERE. 

PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION through DIGNITY AND RESPECT. Join us for a community presentation led by David Flood, youth motivational speaker, on Wednesday, March 25^th at 7:00 p.m. at the BHS Theater. This presentation will focus on continuing to raise awareness and to promote inclusivity and diversity within schools and our community; and help students, parents and teachers understand their part in promoting positive inclusion of all, regardless of differences. This presentation is open to parents, teachers, community members and students age 12+. Parents are encouraged to bring their Middle and High students with them. For more information on this event and David Flood click HERE  

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE  – Tuesday, March 10^th  at BHS 7am-7pm.

Reminders

Love Bug Brunch

We are inviting our kindergarten parents to our Love Bug Brunch on March 13th from 9-10 AM. All kindergarten students are invited to attend during the morning session.  The kindergarteners and their special adult will enjoy a brunch together in the cafeteria.

Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible at Memorial School
We are continuing to emphasize behavior expectations at Memorial School with the consistent language of 'Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible'. Students are encouraged through positive language to have appropriate behavior at school events, on the bus and in all areas of Memorial school (the hallway, classroom, playground and the cafeteria). Please feel free to take a look at how we're teaching children about behavior at school on our website. 

State Assessment

This coming April our students in grades 3 and 4 will begin participating in the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS).  For detailed information, please take a look at STATE TESTING INFORMATIONAL 2020.