Update from Maisha Rounds: October 9, 2020

October 9, 2020

Dear FMA Families,

It was wonderful to see so many of you last night during the Virtual Open House last night! I truly appreciate your patience with the technology. Here is the Open House video including detailed information from the Open House slide deck that was not presented live due to time. I will send along the virtual video tour in a separate email early next week. On Tuesday, Oct. 13th, we launch into hybrid learning. It's going to be great! Remember there are staggered start times 7:40-7:50 & 7:50-8:00 a.m. and staggered dismissal 3:35 -3:40 & 3:40-3:45 p.m. ALL scholars are fully remote on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

  • Word of the Week: Flexibility - bending easily without breaking (Encourage scholars to use it in a sentence and show flexibility, both literally and figuratively, this week:-)
  • SEL Skill of the Month - Focusing attention (Encourage scholars to practice focusing their attention by trying Mindfulness meditationsSquare Breathing3-Minute Body Scan, and other fun activities!)

Upcoming Dates 
9/15-10/15 - 
National Hispanic Heritage Month
10/12 - NO SCHOOL - Indigenous People's Day
10/13 - Hybrid Learning Begins In-Person
10/13-10/30 - DHSP "Fall on the Fields" 3-6 p.m.
10/19 - Courageous Conversations 6-8 p.m. 
11/2 - Community Meeting 8 a.m. 

Important Links/Deliverables

National Hispanic Heritage Month
This week, we celebrate César Estrada Chávez. He was an American labor leader, community organizer, businessman, and Latino American civil rights activist. Along with Dolores Huerta, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later merged to become the United Farm Workers labor union. As a labor leader, Chavez employed nonviolent means to bring attention to the plight of farm workers. He led marches, called for boycotts and went on several hunger strikes. His dedication to his work earned him numerous friends and supporters, including Robert Kennedy and Jesse Jackson. 

Nurse Shubert News
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617.349.6868

Please return health forms Asap, thank you!

Hi FMA Families,

My name is Mackenzie Shubert and I am so excited to have started at Fletcher Maynard Academy this year as your school nurse. 

Please read this Back to School letter from the health office with important information you need to know for the upcoming school year. 

Also this Health History Form will need to be filled out if you haven't already done so. This is very important so that I know any health needs your child may have and the quickest way to reach you in an emergency. You can return the completed for by email, fax, mail or you can arrange to drop it off outside of the school (I can meet you "Curbside")

This Medication Consent form is required for any student who may need medication (emergency or scheduled) during the school day. Thank you and please reach out with any questions or concerns!

Transportation Updates
Find your bus stop here! Due to COVID-19 safety limitations, students can only use the bus stops they are assigned to. If you want to request a change to your morning pick up location or afternoon drop off (including for afterschool programs) you must submit the Transportation Change Form and wait for confirmation from your school clerk. Masks are required on the bus! Review other COVID-19 bus information on bus safety precautions. Contact Tina Fisher, Transportation Supervisor, 617.349.6862 with questions. 

Technology Support
Starting 10/13 the remote helpdesk hours will be M-F 8-4. If your scholar experiences difficulty logging in to class, please email [email protected] Assigned Technical Support Technicians will be available for in person support and remotely. As always, please direct any technology questions, concerns or issues to the Helpdesk for the quickest possible resolution.


Launching Hybrid Learning

  • Remote Learning Day - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (formal instruction ends @ 3 p.m.) Mon.-Fri.
  • In-Person Learning Day - 7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
  • FULLY REMOTE WEDNESDAYS for ALL - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

In-Person
When PK-3rd students return in person next week, it will be "all hands on deck." Families are asked to pre-screen your child at home using this CPS Health & Safety Checklist. Do not send your child to school if s/he/they exhibit symptoms or meet any of the conditions on the checklist. 

PPE is mandatory on school grounds for all staff, students, and families. Upon arrival on the playground, please maintain 6 ft. social distancing. Student temperatures will be checked at the door. Students will be asked to remove hats/caps and make sure their foreheads are dry a few minutes before lining up to have their temperatures checked. 

Immediately upon entry, students should use 1 squirt of hand sanitizer (located at each entrance), grab their breakfast from the nearest table/cart, and go directly to their classroom. Staggered start times are as follows:

  • 7:40-7:50 - PK/JK/K arrival and escort to classroom
    • PK/JK - Door #1 (Main entrance)
    • K - Door #2 (Left side of playground)
  • 7:50-8:00 a.m. - Grades 1-3 arrival & escort to classrooms
    • 1st grade - Door #1 (Main entrance)
    • 2nd grade - Door # (Main entrance)
    • 3rd grade - Door #2 (left side of playground)
  • 7:40 - 8:00 a.m. - Bus riders - Door #5 (Windsor Street)
  • 7:40 - 8:00 a.m. - All ASD - Door #4 (Broadway)

There is no supervision for students who arrive before 7:40 a.m. Students arriving after 8 a.m. are considered tardy. 

If your child presents with a fever at the door, you will be asked to recheck your child's temperature at home. Students will not be able to enter school with a fever. If a bus rider or student whose family member is not present has a fever at the door, the nurse/health aide will escort them to the "Get Well Room" to recheck their temperature and call home if a fever is confirmed. If you receive a phone call to pick up your child, please come right away. You may also give consent for Covid testing.

Morning Arrival Team
Mr. H, Mr. Skeritt, Mr. Jardin, and Mr. West are your friendly morning arrival team who will greet students at the doors and take their temperatures each morning. They will be wearing full PPE (mask, gloves, face shield, & gown) every morning during temperature checks. 

Late Arrivals
Please arrive on time during your child's designated time. Let us know if there is anything we can do as a school to support your child’s on-time arrival. If your child is tardy...

  • Parents/caregivers should buzz the main office and wait outside the front doors of the main entrance.
  • Students may enter the building when buzzed in.
  • Families will sign in their child on a clipboard at the main entrance.
  • Parents/caregivers will not be able to enter the building for any reason. This is to ensure health and safety.

Dismissal
Early Dismissal (non-illness)
Families must pick up their child outside of the main entrance (Door 1).

Regular Dismissal:
Dismissal for bus students will be conducted by classroom paraprofessionals and will be called over the loudspeaker. Students will be escorted out of the building through the SAME doors they entered in the morning.

Dismissal for parent pick-up will be staggered at the same location as arrival.

  • 3:35 - 3:40 - PK/JK/K (includes ASD)
  • 3:40 - 3:45 - Grades 1-3 (includes ASD)

Sincerely,
Maisha Rounds, Proud Principal
Fletcher-Maynard Academy
225 Windsor St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617.349.6588
Fax: 617.349.6595
Website: https://fma.cpsd.us/

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