November 2020 Newsletter

~ Greetings from Mr. Gauley ~

Stony Brook Families: As we move into November, it will be very important to send your child to school dressed in layers. We plan to continue use of our outdoor classrooms and we plan to keep doors and windows open to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. If your child is dressed in layers, he or she can add layers or take off layers as necessary to remain comfortable throughout the day. As always, we recommend labeling all of your child's clothing and belongings to ensure that items misplaced can be returned to the proper child/family.   Also, we are looking for several parent volunteers who would be willing to help us on Friday, November 6th in the afternoon (approx. 1:00 - 4:00 PM) to help paint recess areas and our sensory pathway using stencils we have purchased. We already have the paint and the brushes - we just need the human power to complete this task. Children may stay with their parent(s) after school to help as well. If you are available and interested, please contact Mrs. Barnes (barnesl@nausetschools.org) to let us know. This will be a messy job, so be sure to dress down and to have proper clothing for your child if she or he is helping out with you after school. Thanks!!

Wednesday, November 11th - No School - In observance of Veteran’s Day. Wednesday, November 18th - Staff Training Day, Early Dismissal, 11:00 a.m. No Lunch is served. November 25th-27th - NO SCHOOL –Thanksgiving Break Wednesday, December 2nd  - Staff Training Day, Early Dismissal, 11:00 a.m. No Lunch is served. Wednesday, December 9th - Report Cards Sent Home

Information from Mrs. Lawless, School Nurse

Many have asked about keeping siblings home from school when another family member is having COVID-19 – like symptoms. To clarify: Siblings or students who are not experiencing COVID-like symptoms, and who have not been advised to quarantine for any other reason, may attend school. Example: The school nurse has referred you to contact your provider regarding your fifth grade student because the student is experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed below.  The sibling, a first grader, is not having any COVID-like symptoms, and has not been directed to quarantine for another reason may come to school as normal. ·         Temperature (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills. ·         Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic diagnosed cough) ·         Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath ·         New loss of taste or smell ·         Sore throat ·         Muscle aches or body aches ·         Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea ·         Headache when in combination with other symptoms ·         Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms ·         Nasal congestion or runny nose when in combination with other symptoms or when not due to other known causes, such as allergies, for which you have an alternative diagnosis from your provider

As the Holiday Season approaches, you may be considering travel. A few reminders regarding the Nauset School District travel protocol: Notification Requirements: Parents/Caregivers must notify the school nurse and the school Principal of their student’s travel to a non-lower-risk state and their plans for the student’s return to school. Information about lower-risk states and MA travel order Return to School/Work Requirements: A PCR negative COVID-19 test must be presented to the school nurse prior to the student’s re-entry to school.  In the case of a student who is 10 or younger, the school will accept the parent/guardian negative PCR test result. All students over the age of 10 must be tested, and the parent/guardian results will not be adequate for return to school. If the family/caregiver chooses not to test or have the student tested, the student must quarantine for 14 days before returning to school.

November News from the Library Media Center It is so exciting to have all students, both in-school and remote, working on their own iPad this year. The children are learning so many new skills and have the ability to work on assignments electronically. Each class, from grades K-2, has learned how to login to Seesaw, use the Seesaw tools, locate their assignments, complete work, and turn it in to their teacher.  Grade 2 has also recently started to visit the computer lab. Since they have had smaller numbers per classroom, we are able to space students out appropriately to work on a lab computer in order to accommodate their curriculum. Recently the students began our typing program called Typing Quest. This week they are learning about “home row” and have also played some keyboarding games in Typetastic.  Library looks a bit different this year. Since students are not able to visit the library or check books out yet, I am spending time each week visiting their classrooms. The children will hear a variety of books read aloud, as well as discuss topics such as theme, genre, and story elements. I am hoping to come up with a safe procedure to allow students to eventually check books out to bring home. Stay tuned for more information.  -Mrs. Whitney

Lunch Menu

Don't forget your layers for school.

Also from PTO: Scan your grocery receipt and earn money for our school. Check out this video to see how.

Box Top Video

Stony Brook Elementary School 384 Underpass Road Brewster, MA 02631 508-896-4545