Thursday, December 24, 2020

12.24.20 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

I hope everyone is able to enjoy a nice break during this vacation!

Parent Resources:

K-8 Hybrid Calendar                     Daily Health Screening 
MIS Hybrid Parent Guide            Bedford Reopening Pla
MIS Remote Parent Guide           Bedford Metrics Website

School Schedule-January 4th-8th:
A-K at MIS on Monday, Wednesday, Friday
L-Z at MIS on Tuesday, Thursday

Important Dates:
December 24th-January 3rd:  Holiday Break

Communication During the Vacation Period
Although we will be on vacation for the next 11 days, you will still need to inform us if your child tests positive or is contact traced and needs to quarantine during vacation. The school is required to report student and staff cases to the state during vacation as well as provide students and staff members with their return dates.

Also, we will have to conduct contact tracing for all positive cases that occur on or before December 25th. Contact tracing goes back 48 hours from the onset of symptoms or testing date, whichever is first. Therefore, if a student shows symptoms or is tested on the 24th or 25th, we would have to go back to the 22nd or 23rd for contact tracing in school. If that is the case, I'm sorry to say that Ruthanne Stefekos (nurse) and/or I will have to make calls to staff and families on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day because we can't have anyone who's been contact traced unknowingly going about the community or getting together with family members when they should be quarantined. Please let me apologize ahead of time if either of us has to reach out to you on Christmas Eve or Day. We promise to keep it as brief as possible!

Please email asdotj@sau25.net if your child tests positive for Covid.

Please email asdotj@sau25.net if your child is contact traced as a result of a Covid exposure.


Holiday Travel
The CDC recently recommended that families DO NOT TRAVEL for the Holidays. Please keep in mind that individual decisions made by all members of our community can have a direct impact on one another. The Bedford School District humbly asks that each of us do our part to stay safe, flatten the curve, and maintain open schools.

New Quarantine Guidelines
The Bedford School District follows the guidelines of DHHS. DHHS follows CDC recommendations and adjusts them to meet NH’s needs. Click HERE for the updated guidance.

PTG News:

IMPACT OF YOUR PTG SUPPORT: Thanks to your support, PTG has been able to fund Sigmund Brouwer's Story Ninja Writing Class at RAL, where students will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual writing class. We’ve also recently funded an interactive virtual tour of Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum for the third graders of PWS and a virtual Pulpit Rock Field Trip for fourth graders at RBS. 

 

AMAZON SMILE: Make a purchase on Amazon and support the PTG! Visit AmazonSmile, and select "Bedford NH PTG" as the organization that you wish to support or simply go to Bedford PTG's unique link HERE. Bookmark this unique link as only purchases made at smile.amazon.com are eligible for donations. Now every time you shop at Amazon a percentage of your purchase price is donated to the Bedford PTG!


McKelvie Pics:

Mrs. Steere's science class making slime!








Have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

Jen Asdot


Sunday, December 20, 2020

12.20 2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

We are in the home stretch!  Hopefully everyone is ready for the holiday break.  Scroll to the end to see pictures from our Design Engineering class!

Parent Resources:

K-8 Hybrid Calendar                     Daily Health Screening 
MIS Hybrid Parent Guide            Bedford Reopening Pla
MIS Remote Parent Guide           Bedford Metrics Website

School Schedule-December 21st-23rd:
A-K at MIS on Monday, Wednesday
L-Z at MIS on Tuesday

Important Dates:
December 24th-January 3rd:  Holiday Break

Spirit Week:
Monday, 12/21:  Cozy Day 
Tuesday, 12/22:   Flannel Day 
Wednesday, 12/23:   Holiday Sweater Day 

Strings Program:
The district's strings program will continue this winter, and there is room for more students to join! Please click THIS FLYER for additional information.


Library News:
Click HERE to read the McKelvie Library News blog for the week. Season's Readings, McKelvie, and here's to a happy and healthy 2021! ~Mrs. Cote

Toiletries and Crafts:
We are collecting toiletries and arts and crafts for New Horizons/Families in Transition.  There is a box by the main office if you are able to donate unused toiletries or arts and craft supplies for families in need.

PTG News:

IMPACT OF YOUR PTG SUPPORT: Thanks to your support, PTG has been able to fund Sigmund Brouwer's Story Ninja Writing Class at RAL, where students will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual writing class. We’ve also recently funded an interactive virtual tour of Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum for the third graders of PWS and a virtual Pulpit Rock Field Trip for fourth graders at RBS. 

 

AMAZON SMILE: Make a purchase on Amazon and support the PTG! Visit AmazonSmile, and select "Bedford NH PTG" as the organization that you wish to support or simply go to Bedford PTG's unique link HERE. Bookmark this unique link as only purchases made at smile.amazon.com are eligible for donations. Now every time you shop at Amazon a percentage of your purchase price is donated to the Bedford PTG!


McKelvie Pics:

The following pictures are from Ms. Pelrine's Design Engineering Class playing their Minute to Wit It games!








Enjoy the rest of this chilly Sunday!

Jen Asdot

Sunday, December 13, 2020

12.13.2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

The kids are having a lot of fun participating in spirit month!  Scroll to the end to see some fun pictures from last week, and check out this week's spirit days below!

Parent Resources:

K-8 Hybrid Calendar                     Daily Health Screening 
MIS Hybrid Parent Guide            Bedford Reopening Pla
MIS Remote Parent Guide           Bedford Metrics Website

School Schedule-December 14th-18th:
A-K at MIS on Monday, Wednesday
L-Z at MIS on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Important Dates:

December 14th-December 23rd:  Spirit Month.  See details below.
December 24th-January 3rd:  Holiday Break

Spirit Month Part Two:
Monday, 12/14:  Hat & Crazy Hair Day 
Tuesday, 12/15:   Hawaiian/Tropical Day - wear a fun tropical shirt and a lei.
Wednesday, 12/16:   Mismatched Day - nothing to wear that matches today?...no problem!
Thursday, 12/17:   College theme Day - Wear a hat, sweatshirt or make a t-shirt!
Friday, 12/18:  Ugly Holiday Sweater Day - bring on the merriment & laughs

12/21-12/23:  TBD

Concurrent Learning (A Message from Assistant Superintendent Laliberte)

The Bedford School District continues to adapt our practices to support the needs of learners. As you are aware, the state of New Hampshire has seen increased positive COVID-19 cases. As a result, we have had more students who have been required to quarantine and are unable to attend school in person. To support these students, our K-8 schools will offer synchronous opportunities, when appropriate, for students to connect with their teachers. For some, this will be in the form of concurrent learning. Teachers will determine when and how students join concurrently, and will work with parents as to what will be best in those situations.

 

Concurrent learning occurs when students who are receiving instruction in the classroom are joined by their peers who are in a virtual setting. This is more difficult for the teacher to navigate; however, they have been offered training opportunities in order to assist quarantined students who would otherwise not have direct access to their teachers while at home. Please find the expectations for students and parents in THIS document.


Feel free to contact your building leaders and teachers with any questions.


Library News:
Click HERE to read the McKelvie Library News blog for the week. Stay healthy and well. Enjoy a quiet December weekend! ~Mrs. Cote

Toiletries and Crafts:
We are collecting toiletries and arts and crafts for New Horizons/Families in Transition.  There is a box by the main office if you are able to donate unused toiletries or arts and craft supplies for families in need.

PTG News:

IMPACT OF YOUR PTG SUPPORT: Thanks to your support, PTG has been able to fund Sigmund Brouwer's Story Ninja Writing Class at RAL, where students will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual writing class. We’ve also recently funded an interactive virtual tour of Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum for the third graders of PWS and a virtual Pulpit Rock Field Trip for fourth graders at RBS. 

 

AMAZON SMILE: Make a purchase on Amazon and support the PTG! Visit AmazonSmile, and select "Bedford NH PTG" as the organization that you wish to support or simply go to Bedford PTG's unique link HERE. Bookmark this unique link as only purchases made at smile.amazon.com are eligible for donations. Now every time you shop at Amazon a percentage of your purchase price is donated to the Bedford PTG!


Covid Reminders:
COVID EXPOSURE:
If your child is on a team that has been asked to quarantine due to exposure, or if they were exposed some other way that you were made aware of, please do not send him or her to school.  Keep them home until the required 10 day quarantine is over.  For example, if your child was exposed on December 2nd, they would need to quarantine at home through December 12th and can start leaving the house again on December 13th.  These are DHHS guidelines.  See the steps below if your child has been exposed.
  • Let the school nurse know via email at stefekosr@sau25.net
  • Email your child's teachers to get makeup work during their quarantine
  • Monitor your child for covid symptoms
COVID POSITIVE:
If your child tested positive for Covid please email either the school nurse or email me as soon as you find out so we can contact trace.  We check emails throughout the weekend and evenings, to work with families to keep kids safe at school.  Don't wait until the following morning to reach out.  School hours do not apply in a pandemic.  See the steps below if your child has tested positive. 

  • Email either asdotj@sau25.net or stefekosr@sau25.net as soon as you get a positive result
  • Email your child's teachers to get makeup work during their isolation
  • Monitor other family members in the home for covid symptoms

McKelvie Pics:












Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Jen Asdot






Sunday, December 6, 2020

12.06.2020 Principal Notes PLEASE READ

Dear McKelvie Families~

It certainly is a winter wonderland outside!  Kids who choose to play in the snow SHOULD wear boots, at a minimum.  They can also wear snow gear.  If you have a child who loses their snow gear, labeling it will give you a much better chance of getting it back!  

Parent Resources:

K-8 Hybrid Calendar                     Daily Health Screening 
MIS Hybrid Parent Guide            Bedford Reopening Pla
MIS Remote Parent Guide           Bedford Metrics Website

School Schedule-December 7th-11th:
A-K at MIS on Monday, Wednesday, Friday
L-Z at MIS on Tuesday, Thursday

Important Dates:

December 7th-December 23rd:  Spirit Month.  See details below.
December 24th-January 3rd:  Holiday Break

COVID EXPOSURE:
If your child is on a team that has been asked to quarantine due to exposure, or if they were exposed some other way that you were made aware of, please do not send him or her to school.  Keep them home until the required 10 day quarantine is over.  For example, if your child was exposed on December 2nd, they would need to quarantine at home through December 12th and can start leaving the house again on December 13th.  These are DHHS guidelines.  See the steps below if your child has been exposed.
  • Let the school nurse know via email at stefekosr@sau25.net
  • Email your child's teachers to get makeup work during their quarantine
  • Monitor your child for covid symptoms
COVID POSITIVE:
If your child tested positive for Covid please email either the school nurse or email me as soon as you find out so we can contact trace.  We check emails throughout the weekend and evenings, to work with families to keep kids safe at school.  Don't wait until the following morning to reach out.  School hours do not apply in a pandemic.  See the steps below if your child has tested positive. 
  • Email either asdotj@sau25.net or stefekosr@sau25.net as soon as you get a positive result
  • Email your child's teachers to get makeup work during their isolation
  • Monitor other family members in the home for covid symptoms

Spirit Month:
We are making December more festive by having Spirit Days until winter break!  See the themes below:)
Monday, 12/7:   Lumberjack Day - wear a flannel shirt, knit cap, or perhaps even ripped jeans
Tuesday, 12/8:  Sports Day - wear your favorite sports team
Wednesday, 12/9:   Blue & Gold Day - wear the McKelvie colors
Thursday, 12/10:   Cozy Day - wear comfortable clothes (sweats, pajamas, jeans - you pick)
Friday, 12/11:  Festivity Day - dress for your favorite holiday - Fourth of July? Super Bowl? 

Monday, 12/14:  Hat & Crazy Hair Day 
Tuesday, 12/15:   Hawaiian/Tropical Day - wear a fun tropical shirt and a lei.
Wednesday, 12/16:   Mismatched Day - nothing to wear that matches today?...no problem!
Thursday, 12/17:   College theme Day - Wear a hat, sweatshirt or make a t-shirt!
Friday, 12/18:  Ugly Holiday Sweater Day - bring on the merriment & laughs

12/21-12/23:  TBD

Library News:
Click HERE to read the McKelvie Library News blog for the week. Stay well and safe and enjoy the first weekend of December! ~Mrs. Cote

PTG News:
IT’S A G.A.S PROGRAM:
The Great Artists Have Returned!  The PTG is excited to announce the return of the (Virtual) It’s a G.A.S. program to our elementary schools. The Great Artists Series is a beloved arts-enrichment program in the elementary schools. We wanted to find a way to continue to share the life and works of some of the world’s greatest and most loved artists in our new hybrid and remote learning models. So we have adapted our program by creating monthly video presentations and at-home art projects exploring the lives and works of artists ranging from the old masters to some of today’s most popular artists.  Be on the lookout for information and links to the virtual It’s a G.A.S. Program from your child’s teacher. A huge thank you to Kenn Archibald our, It’s a Gas District Coordinator, for updating the artists and making this program available virtually.

 

PTG FEATURED IN BEDFORD LIVING MAGAZINE: PTG is excited to be featured in the December issue of Bedford Living Magazine. Be sure to read all about the PTG…how we operate in a usual year and how you can help during this unique year.


AMAZON SMILE: Make a purchase on Amazon and support the PTG! Visit AmazonSmile, and select "Bedford NH PTG" as the organization that you wish to support or simply go to Bedford PTG's unique link HERE. Bookmark this unique link as only purchases made at smile.amazon.com are eligible for donations. Now every time you shop at Amazon a percentage of your purchase price is donated to the Bedford PTG!


McKelvie Pics:


Exploring physical changes in Science. Folding paper is an example of changing something physically. Picture of Esme, Mina, and Dharini tossing their origami boxes in Science Class.






Students completing our cave paintings in class for the Early Man Unit.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Jen Asdot