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.