Principal's Notes 9/10/21

Message of the Month

Be Safe - (Safe body-safe words-safe student behavior)

Parent Resources

BSD Reopening Plan 2021/22

Start of School Letter--Preventing COVID

COVID-19 Schools Dashboard

Important Dates

• September 24 – Meet the Principals Event
• September 28 – Open House (Date Change)
• October 11 – Columbus Day Observance – NO SCHOOL
• October 12 – District Workshop Day – No School for Students
• October 29 – End of Quarter 1
• November 5 – Report Cards Released
• November 11 – Veterans’ Day Observance – NO SCHOOL
• November 15 –  Picture Retake Day
• November 24-26– Thanksgiving Break

Update on COVID Status at MEM

Due to the recent increase in positive cases over the holiday weekend that resulted in DHHS identifying an outbreak at Memorial, we have been working with an investigator from DHHS on mitigation measures and strategies. The investigator is happy with what is currently in place such as universal masking, minor adjustments in some of our lunches, our hand-washing routines, and spacing students when appropriate. We will continue to monitor the situation daily to provide a safe environment for our students. Universal masking will continue through Friday, September 17th. Thank you!

Open House (New Date)

Open House will be on Tuesday, September 28th and will run similar to the way we ran our Meet and Greet. Classes will be divided in two sections by students' last names. The exception will be BEEP and Kindergarten where they will come as AM/PM and grade 4 where we will spread parents out in the cafeteria.  

The schedule is as follows:

• 5:30-6:00pm  Morning BEEP Students, AM Kindergarten and Grade 1 A-K
• 6:00-6:30pm  Afternoon BEEP Students, PM Kindergarten and Grade 1 L-Z
• 6:30-7:00pm  Grades 2 and 3 A-K
• 7:00- 7:30pm Grades 2 and 3 L-Z
• 6:45-7:30pm  Grade 4 in the cafeteria
• Specialist teachers available throughout the evening

Reminder from the Health Office Re: Allergy Symptoms

If your child has seasonal allergies, please get a note from your child’s physician for Mrs. Cook to keep on file for this school year.  Please keep in mind that DHHS recommends COVID testing for any new or unexplained symptoms, and our school district follows that recommendation. 

Please see THIS LETTER regarding "Positive Case Protocols" from Mrs. Cook.

Infosnap

We still have 95 families who haven't started Infosnap.  If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the Infosnap process. If you do not have the email with the link/snapcode that was sent to you this summer, please contact the school office. 

 

Guest Riders on Buses

I wanted to let families know the district’s decision about riding on a bus that’s not your child’s assigned route.  Busing for child care will be allowed.  Busing for playdates, birthday parties and organizations (DI, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.) will not be allowed.  If your child does have a child care situation, please provide their teacher with a note containing the details.

SUPPORT THE PTG: Through Donations and Fundraisers the PTG helps fund…

• For our Students…Author Visits, Science Programs, Musical Performers and much more.
• For our Community…Principal Winter Reading Night, New Family Welcome and many other community focused events. 
• For our Staff…Staff Appreciation, Library Donations, Nurses Office Donations and more.

We couldn’t do it without your continued support. Please consider making a donation to the PTG either via the PayPal link HERE or send in a check payable to Bedford PTG in the support envelopes that have been sent home (K-8) or an envelope labeled with your name and email address (turn into your child’s school or mail to PO Box 10077 Bedford, NH). 100% of your donation through the Support Drive goes directly to the schools and students of Bedford.

LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER: We will have information about volunteering for Bedford Schools in the upcoming weeks. Links to a Volunteer Google Form for each school will be available at that time. You will need to fill this form out in order to hear about volunteer opportunities at the schools or district wide. Currently, some schools are looking to fill open school coordinator level roles.

MEET THE PRINCIPALS EVENT SEPTEMBER 24TH: You are invited to meet the Principals from all six schools at our annual "Meet the Principals" event on Friday, September 24th from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. It will also be broadcast live on BCTV. This is a great opportunity to hear what each school has in store for the year. Please email questions before Sept. 22 for the Q&A session that follows the presentation to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com.

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 29th, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Bedford Town Library.

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 keldamyork@gmail.com and specify if you will be attending the morning or evening session.

BOX TOPS PROGRAM: Put away the scissors! No more clipping! Use the Box Tops mobile app to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Visit www.boxtops4education.com to learn more and start earning for our schools.

Reminders

Principal/Parent Communication

As my primary form of communication you will receiving an email and text link to Principal’s Notes, each Friday afternoon. This will include Important Dates for upcoming events, informational news, and action items (highlighted in yellow). I appreciate you reviewing these weekly and taking care of any action items highlighted.

Library News from Ms. Garcia

Please click HERE to read the September News from the Library.

Outdated Reading Workbooks

We have some old, outdated reading workbooks that are no longer used and available for free to anyone who would like them.  We will have a box inside our main entrance where you can help yourself to what you would like. 

Anti-Bullying Partnership Agreement

Please keep an eye out for a document coming home with your children this week about bullying. Last year’s 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.

Strings Program is coming back to Memorial

If you child is interested in learning how to play the violin, viola, or cello, The Manchester School of Music will be offering classes here at Memorial School. Click HERE for more information.

BHS Basketball Clinic:
Calling all basketball players! The Bedford High School girl’s and boy’s basketball teams are hosting clinics for Bedford students in grades 3-8. The two-day clinic will be held on 9/12 and 9/19 in the BHS gymnasium. Registration is $50. Please click HERE for more information. 

Kinship Support (From our District Social Worker)

Support for families involved with Adoption, Foster Care, DCYF, or Legal Guardianship. Waypoint has many services available. Click HERE for more information.

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!

Q&A session that follows the presentation to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com.