Principal's Notes 9/25/20

Message of the Month
Safety- Safe Body/Safe Words/Safe student behavior

Important Dates

• September 25 – Virtual Open House
• October 12 –  NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day Observance 
• October 30 – End of Quarter 1
• October 31 – Happy Halloween!

Open House

Classroom teachers will be sending their presentations directly to their individual class. For other staff members presentations you can click on the link below.

Virtual Open House Presentations

Parent Resource Documents

K-8 Hybrid Calendar

Hybrid Parent Guide 

Remote Parent Guide

Bedford Reopening Plan

Memorial School Welcome & Orientation Video

Daily Health Screening for Students 

COVID-19 Overview Dashboard

Memorial Student to be featured on Chronicle

One of our Memorial Students will be featured on Chronicle tonight at 7:00pm to share his efforts to raise funds to build ADA playgrounds at two CHaD locations.  Click HERE for more information and how to help.  

Permanent School Substitute Teacher

We are looking for someone interested in becoming a substitute teacher for MEM for this school year.  You would be assigned to Memorial Elementary School four days each week, schedule to be established by school. We are looking for the person to work in-person and possibly remotely during the school year.  

Schedule is as follows: 
4 days a week
Rate of pay $110/day 

Please contact Beth Purcell or Phil Schappler if interested.

Classroom Support

We are sharing to let you know about classroom programs at Memorial School that will enrich your child’s learning experience throughout year. Teacher resources are continually reviewed and organized to allow for the most comprehensive program for students. During instructional portions of the day, a special educator may be working alongside and in conjunction with your child’s classroom teacher. The help can be in the classroom, and at times, outside the general classroom setting. This type of approach is referred to as a Team Instruction model.

Together, these teachers bring to the classroom a broad range of expertise in all subject areas. This approach allows us the flexibility to work with students in small groups or individually as needed. Typically, both teachers will work within the classroom with students, but may work outside the classroom when appropriate.

We anticipate an exciting year of educational challenge and growth for all!

Spirit Days

We have had some questions regarding our school Spirit Days.  We will once again be celebrating Spirit Days on a monthly basis beginning in October.  More information on dates and themes will be coming soon.

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS: As the district embarks on a very unique school year, the PTG is dedicated to embracing its challenges while continuing to cherish and celebrate past traditions. Due to the uncertainty of this year, the PTG will not be able to host all of its usual events, programs and fundraisers. Although some things may look different this year, the PTG is committed to working directly with the schools to focus on classroom, staff, student and school needs.

This year more than ever the PTG will rely on the generosity of our community. To support the PTG you can donate through PayPal by clicking HERE or by check made out to Bedford PTG (turn into your child’s school or mail to PO Box 10077 Bedford, NH). Through our Support Drive, 100% of your donation goes directly to the schools and students of Bedford.

LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER: The schools and the PTG appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to focus on the safety of staff and students while minimizing volunteers in the buildings at this time. We will communicate volunteer needs as the PTG is made aware of them. Please complete a Volunteer Google Form for each school you have a child attending. To access the form click HERE or you can find them on the PTG website www.bedfordptg.org under PTG Forms. You need to fill this form out in order to hear about volunteer opportunities at the schools or district wide.

NEW FAMILY WELCOME: If you recently moved to Bedford or are sending your first child to a Bedford School, you’re welcome to attend Bedford School District’s New Family Welcome hosted by the Bedford PTG on Wed., September 30th, from 4-5 p.m., at the Lurgio Middle School outdoor classroom tents.

Representatives from each school will be available to answer questions, provide school and town information, share opportunities on how you can be involved, and welcome you into our community.

Please RSVP to thealey1027@gmail.com.

MEADOW FARMS GIFTS, WRAP AND MORE: Bringing you quality gift wrap, unique gifts, home & kitchen items, gourmet food, Kringle Candles and more. Our popular  GIFTS, WRAP, AND MORE  fundraiser is just around the corner. Brochures will be coming home with elementary students at the beginning of October. Online ordering only this year. 40% of sales goes back to our schools and orders ship directly to home! Sale runs from October 9-23.

SKI, SKATE AND MORE SALE for 2020 CANCELLED: We regret that we will not be able to host this event this year and we look forward to bringing it back in 2021.

BOX TOPS PROGRAM: Put away the scissors! No More Clipping! Box Tops has changed to fit today's families. The Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Visit www.btfe.com to learn more and start earning for our schools.

Reminders

Morning Announcements for Distance Learning & Remote Students

It's been great seeing the kids who join us remotely for our morning announcements. I enjoy seeing them and connecting on their "home" days.  This will continue being done using the Google Meet invitation embed into their Google Classroom doc.  Just type in mem to join.  It will take place each day at approximately 8:05 AM.  It is not required and there’s nothing for parents to do.  

Morning Drop Off

If you are driving your child to school we could use your help as traffic begins to back up.  The Bedford Police has expressed concerns about cars blocking Old Bedford Rd.  The Manchester Christian Church directly across the street is willing to help us out.  Click HERE to view the map with directions to follow in order to keep traffic moving and the roadway clear.  Thank you!

From the Health Office

As I mentioned previously, please be prepared for children to be sent home if they are ill or display any symptoms of COVID-19.  We ask that you display kindness, respect and patience with our school nurse during these instances as she is following the protocols given to us by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.  

If you are curious what to expect if you receive a positive COVID test you can read the 5 Steps to expect if a student tests positive for COVID-19

Quarantine Protocols

Please adhere to this FLOWCHART for protocols.

 

Layers of protection

CDC has a new video posted to their site explaining layers of protection.  

layers of protection

Anti-Bullying Partnership Agreement

Please remember to return the Anti-Bullying Partnership Agreement. The District Bullying Task Force developed a Partnership Agreement among students, teachers, and families to better understand and address student conflict, and what is and is not considered bullying.  We are asking all families to read, discuss, and sign this document to help ensure a happy, safe, and nurturing environment for all. Please click HERE if you would like an electronic copy of that agreement.

In addition to the above agreement, teachers will be having a discussion with students about expectations and following "the Golden Rule" of treating everyone the way they would want to be treated.  

BSD Food Service Announcement: 

Food Service has received a formal waiver from the USDA to provide FREE breakfast and lunch to all children ages 2-18 in the community through December 31, 2020. Meals will be offered at each school when students are on site and at the drive through pick-up located at the high school gym entrance for distance & remote learning students. Please continue to pre-order lunch through:  https://www.sendmoneytoschool.com/. Monthly menus can be found on the district Food Service website. Breakfast is available at MIS, RAL & BHS in the morning and at the drive through pick-up service. Please contact Emily Murphy, Director of School Nutrition with any questions,  murphye@bedfordnhk12.net.

NH Tackles Hunger fundraiser 

In previous years WMUR has partnered with the NH Food Bank and 57 NH High School football teams to collect food and monetary donations for pantries and programs around the state. The food drive/fundraiser is known as Tackles Hunger. This year’s Tackles Hunger food drive is going to be quite different due to several factors surrounding 2020. This year the program is open to all 89 high schools in the state of NH and only monetary donations are being collected via the NH Food Bank website. All high schools have been paired with a pantry or program in their town or region, and your program is one such recipient! You can see the full list of schools and their partnering program here. https://www.nhfoodbank.org/nh-tackles-hunger/

Over the next month, residents of NH, businesses, schools and more will make monetary donations via this same website link, and any funds that are collected for your assigned school will be credited to your Food Bank account at the conclusion of the drive. We will notify you then as to how much money was donated to your program via the high school.
We are excited about this virtual food drive and hope that you are too. If for any reason you feel that you do not want to participate in this virtual food drive/fund raiser please let us know. Thanks so much.