Northwood School Laker

September 17, 2021

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Northwood Families,

At this time, the 7-day total PCR day positivity rate is below 1% in the Northwood Community. Per our School Board’s decision to approve the Northwood School District 2021-2022 Reopening Plan on September 8^th, 2021, masks will be optional in the Northwood School starting on September 20^th. This will be reevaluated by the Superintendent and the Northwood School Covid Response Team on September 24^th, 2021, or prior if there are spikes in local numbers. Per NHDHHS, face masks are still recommended for people who want maximal protection for themselves or others. Please find additional information regarding the Reopening Plan and the schools COVID response, on the Northwood School website.

Sincerely,

Nate Byrne

Superintendent of Schools

Governor Sununu Signs New Hampshire House Bill 2 Into Law:

New discriminatory practice prohibitions are now applicable to New Hampshire K-12 educational programs.

While there has been much discussion about this legislation and what prohibitions it places on educators, the essence and expectation for all people who provide services on behalf of the State of New Hampshire is the same: All parties, including teachers in an educational setting, are expected to treat anyone, and all those, with whom they may come into contact with equal dignity and respect. As such, the law essentially prohibits schools from teaching that one whole, or specific, group is inherently superior, inferior, or racist towards the people of another group.

So, what does this mean for New Hampshire educational programs, curriculum, and students?

The following information is provided in a condensed format taken from the FAQ document provided by the Department of Education and Commission for Human Rights and Department of Justice:

What specifically does this prohibit in the classroom?

Schools are prohibited from teaching that one identified group (a group based upon: age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, religion, or national origin) is inherently oppressive, superior, inferior, racist, or sexist. Teach and treat all classifications equally and without discrimination.

Can schools teach students about the historical concepts related to discrimination?

Yes. Nothing prohibits schools from teaching about discrimination, or the historical existence, facts, topics, or subject matter relating to these ideas as part of the larger course of academic instruction.

In summary, it is important to note that while these topics tend to lend themselves to the social studies curriculum, the new law applies to all curriculum expectations across the board regardless of the subject/discipline that is being taught within the classroom.

We here at Northwood School are committed to teaching and treating all people and groups equally without discrimination. We believe in an environment that fosters openness, acceptance, and appreciation of culture and identity, and strive to create culturally supportive and equitable learning environments that ensure high expectations for the academic achievement of all students.

Mike Ling, Curriculum Director

Grade 6 Mathematics Update

This year we have been learning a lot about patterns in math, and some mathematical thinking strategies and habits of learning. We also have been learning some foundational middle school math concepts. Below are examples of some of the great work we have been doing in sixth grade!

This is a picture of students finding visual patterns. Learning that deep thinking about math is more important than speed and that when we connect visual thinking to numerical thinking we are using two sides of our brain, which supports deep learning!

This is a picture of students working together to practice some long division.

We are answering questions to get a chance to throw the basketball into the (clean) trashcan. We call this game, "Trashketball".

This is a shot of students working in teams to "escape the classroom" from a loony mathematician. They were tasked with a series of mathematical puzzles to practice our newly learned skill "Least Common Multiple" (LCM). By solving problems involving LCM, students are passing levels on a Google Form for an escape code. (Note: students were doing this in an open door classroom, it's fun to pretend.)

We have been having a blast getting to know another, working in groups (safely), and learning some foundational mathematics concepts for middle school! Great job sixth graders!