Week at a Glance Feb. 12-26, 2021

W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School

Week at a Glance, News and Notes

2/12/2021-2/26/2021

Note from the Principal:

We had all of our grades back in the building for two day a week hybrid learning.  In addition each grade has added synchronous class times on the remote days as well as Wednesdays.  This will help with engagement and still give students some time on remote days to complete asynchronous work and take a break from the screen.

I also want to acknowledge that I not only sent out the wrong bell schedule two weeks ago, I repeated the mistake last week.  The General Hybrid Schedule copied below is the correct one for period times.  I apologize if it caused any confusion.

Here is a general overview of how the school days work:

• The school day will be from 7:45-2:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

• Students attending in-person follow a similar schedule to what they experienced when we were in Hybrid before.  We take the time needed to re-teach how to be in school in the building through the first weeks of this Hybrid model.  Students attending remotely also have a similar experience, logging into sessions with their classmates and teachers.

• The bell schedule is copied below, and also was shared out to students by Crew leaders and teachers.

• We are using the same groupings that we used in the fall Hybrid schedule.  Group B attend synchronously (in-person or remotely) on Monday and Tuesdays.  Group C do the same on Thursday and Friday.  Group D will attend on their Group days remotely.  Group A will attend four days a week.  The big shift will be that on remote days students attend Crew, and two classes from their program, so that students have those classes synchronously four days a week, some days in-person if they come to school on their Group days, and two days remote.  This is so these subjects can have the benefit of daily practice.  The other classes are retaining their two day Group sessions to take advantage of small class sizes to go deeper with curriculum.

• Wednesdays will be partly synchronous from 8:00-9:35.  Students will have a short Crew for attendance and check in session, then attend a cycle of classes through the weeks for additional synchronous class time.   We will no longer hold office hours due to the shifted schedule.  Crew Leaders and teachers will send out the period schedule for Wednesday classes in Crew on Monday and Tuesday.

• The middle school, along with the district, may transition between Hybrid and Remote learning models through the winter and spring.  After this initial switch to the Hybrid model detailed in this document we will use this model for 2-Day Hybrid, and keep the same time for periods on remote days once we fully switch next week.  That way classes always happen at the same day and time regardless if we are in-person or remote.

• Families can continue to choose for their children to remain fully remote through the 2020-2021 School Year as per the Commissioner’s guidelines.  You can switch the designation between in-person and remote if you want at the switch to the last trimester in mid-March.

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Hybrid Schedules

General Hybrid Schedule for the School

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As always, if you have any questions please email me at ben.doren@bhrsd.org.  If you have questions about classes please email your child’s teacher, and if you have questions about the grade please email your child’s Crew Leader.

Have a good vacation week!  We will see students back in school, in-person and remotely, starting on Monday, February 22.

Ben Doren

Principal

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REMINDER:  School is closed for Winter Break this week.

There will be no school from Feb. 15-Feb. 19.  School resumes on Feb. 22nd.

Monday, Feb. 22

Hybrid Learning Day:  Group B In Person (Group C Remote and remote classes)

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Hybrid Learning Day:  Group B In Person (Group C Remote and remote classes)

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Remote Learning Day for all-Crew and Synchronous Learning 8:00-9:30

Thursday, Feb. 25

Hybrid Learning Day:  Group C In Person (Group B Remote and remote classes)

Friday, Feb. 26

Hybrid Learning Day:  Group C In Person (Group B Remote and remote classes)

Lunch Menu

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February Vacation note from Peter Dillon, Superintendent

Dear BHRSD Families and Staff,

As February break approaches and families consider travel, I would like you to carefully decide if this is the safest choice.  The bottom line right now is traveling presents a risk, even in the United States.  We know how easily this virus is spread and our entire collective goal is to keep the entire school community healthy, safe and to continue our in-person school option.

In the event you do choose to travel, let me remind you of the state’s travel guidance.  The state is requiring all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:

1) Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to your arrival found here Massachusetts Travel Form.

2) Quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.  If you are not able to obtain it before entry back to Massachusetts, a test may be obtained after arrival.  However, all such arriving travelers must immediately begin the 10-day quarantine until a negative test result has been received.

The only state as of today that is deemed “low risk” is Hawaii and is considered an exemption.  This may change at any time and is why I encourage you to visit this website for the latest direction from the state as you consider travel, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order.

You can also utilize the “Stop the Spread” program available to you at no cost done through Berkshire Health Systems. The phone number is 855-262-5465.  I suggest you call this number to schedule your COVID-19 tests prior to your departure to ensure testing is done within that 72-hour window back to Massachusetts.  Once you receive the tests results, please send them to your school nurse prior to their entry back into the building.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Peter Dillon, Superintendent

Food Service Update & Reminder

As a reminder to families receiving grocery deliveries – we are asking that you please keep your driveways, walkways, stairs or other house access clear for our staff.  Please keep these areas safe.  If we should have “winter weather” on a Wednesday and the road conditions are not safe, we would not be able to have pick-ups or deliveries.

Thank you for your understanding.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact me directly.  Many thanks as always, Katherine Sullivan, Director of Food Service (413)644-2325 or (855)255-8666.

Student Portraits for Grade 5 students and Retake Day for Grades 6-8

Tues. Feb. 23–Cohort B Gr. 5 Portraits and Gr. 6-8.  Fifth grade students in Cohort B will have their portraits taken.  Retakes for students in grade 6-8 Cohort B.  Or if your Cohort B student was absent for picture day, they can have their picture taken this day.

Tues. Feb. 23–Cohort D.  If your student does not attend in person, and you would like to have their picture retaken, or if you didn’t get your picture taken during our first picture day, please email julie.duffin@bhrsd.org or call 413-644-2300 ext. 2300 to make an appointment.  Appointments will start at 3:00.

Fri. Feb. 26–Cohort C Gr. 5 Portraits and Gr. 6-8.  Fifth grade students in Cohort C will have their portraits taken.  Retakes for students in grade 6-8 Cohort C.  Or if your Cohort C student was absent for picture day, they can have their picture taken this day.

Food & P-EBT Update: January

P-EBT benefits were issued to EBT or P-EBT cards on 12/30/20. For questions, additional information or to request a new/replacement card please visit https://www.map-ebt.org.

See flyer below for a list of Food Pantries & Meal Sites in Berkshire County.

Hand Hold Massachusetts, a program from the MA Department of Mental Health

You know your child better than anyone. But even you have a few questions.  COVID-19 is putting incredible pressure on families. You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse. Should you worry about your child’s behavioral health? We’re here to help you figure that out.  Follow this link to see advice and resources for families like ours: https://handholdma.org/  And as always, please reach out to us at school if you have concerns about your child or want help or advice on your child’s health.

News from the yearbook club!

Yearbook Club is still looking for yearbook staff. Open to ALL grades!

Contact Mrs. Malone-Smith Katharine.malone-smith@bhrsd.org

Yearbooks

Order at jostens.com

Ski Butternut Program

Ski Wednesday’s for BHRSD students at Ski Butternut.  See flyer below.

School Calendar

The school calendar can be found here:  https://www.bhrsd.org/school-calendar-2020-21/

Flyers and School Letters

Flyers and School letters are available on our website at this link:  https://dbrms.bhrsd.org/category/families/flyers/

This week’s flyers:

• STEM Opportunity:  FREE Virtual Engineering Program for Middle School Girls

• Babysitter Training Certification

Recent flyers:

• Parent Education Workshop, Monday, Jan. 25 – SBCHC

• ZOOM Dance Classes – BSRCC

• Food Pantries & Meal Sites in Berkshire County

• Project Safe Childhood in the Berkshires Education Series – Internet Safety – Resources

Older flyers:

• Yearbook Order Form

• Attend BFAIR & UCP Present: Listen to My Actions

• Yearbook Cover Contest

• BSRCC’S Shining Star flyer for families that need help this Holiday season

• Berkshire Museum – 24 hour Pajama Read-a-Thon

• Ski Wednesday’s at Ski Butternut

• SC COVID Situation Webinar – Description for Registration Nov 5 2020

• Family Newsletter from Great Barrington Libraries

• Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop at BSRCC

• Holiday Food Service Schedule

• Ski Butternut Program Proposals

• Warm the Children Donations

• STEM Week:  Berkshire Museum

• Flu Vaccination Clinics

• Great Barrington Family Resource Center Information

• Parent Support Group

• Homework Help

• Weekly Activities

• Mindfulness Mondays

• Babysitter Training @ BSRCC

• Family Forum Video and Thank You!

• Health Office letter

• 5th Grade Family Letter

• Grade 6 Letter to Families

• Letter to Grade 6 Parents – Important!

• Team Green Welcome Letter

• Team Orange Information Letter

• Help with P-EBT Card Use