3.28.21 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

I hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend so far!  

MIS Remote Parent Guide                 Bedford Reopening Plan         

COVID-19 Schools Dashboard   BSD Metrics Information

Quarantine Protocols

Important Dates:

April 2nd: Q3 Ends

April  9th: Q3 Report Cards Available Online

April 26th-30th: Vacation Week

Light It Up Blue!:

April is World Autism month and this year’s Theme is “Learn with Kindness.” The Autism Speaks kindness campaign celebrates and encourages acceptance, understanding and inclusion with daily acts of kindness. Next week McKelvie students will have the opportunity to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders, participate in daily kind acts, and wear blue on Friday April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day. To learn more about World Autism Month, visit www.autismspeaks.org

Important reminders from the Health Office:

Please continue to answer the questions on the Daily Screening Tool each day before sending your child to school.  If your child exhibits any of the symptoms on the screening tool, your child should stay home and it is strongly recommended to have your child tested.  Your child may return to school once your child is feeling well, 24 hours symptom free without fever reducing medication and has a negative covid test.  Please check with the school nurse to be cleared to return to school.

Allergy season is upon us with the warmer days we have been having. If you child has seasonal allergies, please get a note from your child’s pediatrician for the nurse to keep on file for this school year.  DHHS recommends testing for any new or unexplained symptoms.   

Travel and Contract Tracing Guidance (Updated):

• Domestic travel within the U.S. is still discouraged however, no longer requires quarantine upon return to NH (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status). This includes domestic travel to U.S. territories. Even though a person may not be required to quarantine, the CDC does suggest that people seek testing 3-5 days after returning from travel for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children will be allowed to attend school while awaiting the test results.

• NH DPHS will not recommend quarantine for students or staff if a COVID-19 exposure occurs in the classroom setting where students and staff are seated and spaced at least 3 feet apart with consistent and correct face mask use.

• The 3 feet of distancing applies to controlled areas only (i.e. classrooms).  It does not apply to recess, lunch and bus.  Those areas will still be contact traced based on 6 feet of distancing.  

Guest Riders on Buses:

A note from our Transportation Coordinator, Anne Wiggin… we are not allowing guest riders on the buses at this time.  Since ridership numbers are increasing, we expect that mitigation measures and contact tracing will be more difficult if we were to include guests.

Library News:

Please click HERE for the McKelvie Library News blog for our second successful 5 day, full-in week. Enjoy the first full weekend of spring and the full Worm Moon! ~Mrs. Cote

Clean Up Bedford:

PTG News:

VIRTUAL COLOR BLAST FUN RUN/WALK - REGISTRATION IS OPEN!  CLICK HERE to register. All registrations come with a color packet. Plus, register by April 23rd for the opportunity to purchase a color bucket (to make your celebrations even more colorful) and an event t-shirt (the perfect tee to get colorful in)!  Participate in our Virtual Color Blast Fun Run/Walk any time between May 22^nd and May 31^st. You set the distance and course; get out for a run, jog, skip, walk or hop and celebrate with a color party in your backyard. Visit our Color Blast Fun Run/Walk website for more details.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS DISCUSSION SERIES: 
ThePTG is partnering with the Bedford School District to bring this series. Mark your calendars to join us for the second session on Thursday, April 8th! Limited seating at the BHS Theater (mask required) at 7 p.m. BCTV will also be live streaming this session.

This event will be an informal presentation and will incorporate community questions and feedback. Questions can be emailed in advance  to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com  or submitted at the event. The panelist(s) will do their best to address as many questions/concerns as they can related to the topic.

April 8: Parents of High Schoolers: A Deeper Dive - How to Best Support Your Teens’ Wellness. During COVID and non-COVID times.

To see the first session, please click on this link:

Psychological First Aid: Parents, Kids and Mental Health Sponsored by the PTG and Bedford School District 3-18-21

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR:  The PTG is looking for volunteers on the District and School level. If you are interested or would like more information please email  bedfordnhptg@gmail.com

District Gift Card Coordinator:  Work with the Gift card coordinators at each school, as well as the VP of Fundraising to coordinate and execute the PTG Gift Card fundraising event. Help secure and collect gift cards from local participating businesses. The Gift Card fundraiser runs mid-October until late December.

HANNAFORD HELPS REUSABLE BAG PROGRAM:  Hannaford on Jenkins Road has chosen Bedford PTG to be the beneficiary of the Community Bag program in March. For every $2.50 Community reusable bag purchased at Hannaford on JENKINS ROAD in March, the PTG will receive a $1.00 donation.  Get yours today to support the PTG and the environment!

McKelvie Pics:

Roller Coaster projects in Mrs. Allen's Class

Wacky Cakes in FACS class

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Jen Asdot

3.21.21 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

What amazing weekend weather we had! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some time outside. Traffic has been better at MIS but is still tough. I encourage parents to have their children take the bus.

MIS Remote Parent Guide                 Bedford Reopening Plan         

COVID-19 Schools Dashboard   BSD Metrics Information

Quarantine Protocols

Important Dates:

April 2nd: Q3 Ends

April  9th: Q3 Report Cards Available Online

April 26th-30th: Vacation Week

Yearbook Information:

Click HERE for important McKelvie 2020-21 Yearbook information including both purchasing a yearbook and submitting a candid photo.

Daily Student Health Screening:

Students will be required to complete a daily health screening prior to traveling to school.

COVID-19 Symptom and Risk Factor Screening Questions

• Have you had any symptoms of COVID-19?

• Do you have a fever of 100 F or greater?

• Have you had close contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the prior 10 days?

• Have you traveled in the prior 10 days internationally (outside of the U.S.,  except for essential travel to/from Canada) or on a cruise ship?

 

Please be prepared for children to be sent home if they are ill or display any symptoms of COVID-19.  We ask that you display patience with our school nurse during these instances.

Library News:

Please click HERE for the McKelvie Library News blog for our first 5 day, full-in week. Enjoy your weekend and the expected warmer temperatures, McKelvie! ~Mrs. Cote

Updated DHHS Travel & Contact Tracing Guidelines:
Domestic travel within the U.S. no longer requires quarantine upon return to NH (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status), this includes domestic travel to U.S. territories.

A new study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases is the first to show that in the setting of universal face mask use in classrooms, COVID-19 infection rates were equivalent for schools that implemented either a minimum of 3 feet or 6 feet of physical distancing. Therefore, NH DPHS will not recommend quarantine for students or staff if a COVID-19 exposure occurs in the classroom setting where students and staff are seated and spaced at least 3 feet apart with consistent and correct face mask use.

This is for in school contact tracing only.  Outside organizations will still conduct their own contact tracing: 3 feet of distancing applies to controlled areas only (i.e. classrooms).  It does not apply to recess, lunch and bus.  Those areas will still be contact traced based on 6 feet of distancing. 

NHSAS Testing:

The New Hampshire Statewide Assessments will occur in the Month of May.  Please click here for detailed information regarding NHSAS testing.

PTG News:

VIRTUAL COLOR BLAST FUN RUN/WALK:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!  CLICK HERE to register. All registrations come with a color packet and the opportunity to purchase additional color. Register early to take advantage of the option to purchase an event t-shirt! Participate in our Virtual Color Blast Fun Run/Walk any time between May 22nd and May 31st. You set the distance and course; get out for a run, jog, skip, walk or hop and celebrate with a color party in your backyard. Visit our Color Blast Fun Run/Walk website for more details.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS DISCUSSION SERIES:

The PTG is partnering with the Bedford School District to bring this series. Thank you for joining us for the first session this past Thursday (March 18th). Mark your calendars to join us for the second session on Thursday, April 8th! Limited seating at the BHS Theater (mask required) at 7 p.m. BCTV will also be live streaming this session.

This event will be an informal presentation and will incorporate community questions and feedback. Questions can be emailed in advance to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com or submitted at the event. The panelist(s) will do their best to address as many questions/concerns as they can related to the topic.

April 8: Parents of High Schoolers: A Deeper Dive - How to Best Support Your Teens’ Wellness During COVID and non-COVID Times.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR:

The PTG is looking for volunteers on the District and School level. If you are interested or would like more information on any of the roles below please email bedfordnhptg@gmail.com

District Gift Card Coordinator: Work with the Gift card coordinators at each school, as well as the VP of Fundraising to coordinate and execute the PTG Gift Card fundraising event. Help secure and collect gift cards from local participating businesses. The Gift Card fundraiser runs mid-October until late December.

District Support Coordinator: Work with the Support coordinators at each school, as well as the VP of Fundraising to coordinate and execute the PTG Support drive. The Support drive runs throughout the school year with a kick-off and appeal at the beginning of the school year.

HANNAFORD HELPS REUSABLE BAG PROGRAM:

Hannaford on Jenkins Road has chosen Bedford PTG to be the beneficiary of the Community Bag program in March. For every $2.50 Community reusable bag purchased at Hannaford on JENKINS ROAD in March, the PTG will receive a $1.00 donation.  Get yours today to support the PTG and the environment!

 

McKelvie Pics:

Hand Designs in Art Class

Design Engineering- Grade 6 students using chrome books and coding to program CUE Robots!

Have a good evening!

Jen

3.12.21 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

What a wonderful week we had with all of our hybrid students back in the building!  Traffic was definitely smoother toward the end of the week, though I would still encourage students to start taking the bus.  

Parent Resources:

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

NHSAS Testing:

The New Hampshire Statewide Assessments will occur in the Month of May.  Please click here for detailed information regarding NHSAS testing.

Destination Imagination:

We would like to wish all our teams the best of luck in the Destination Imagination Virtual Tournament this weekend. We are so proud of the 13 Bedford teams who stepped up to the challenge of collaborating and creatively solving challenges virtually! We would also like to thank all of the volunteer Team Managers who facilitated all of the virtual meetings with these students. 

Library News:
Please click HERE for the McKelvie Library News blog which includes some images. Enjoy your weekend, McKelvie! ~Mrs. Cote

PTG News and Information:
VIRTUAL COLOR BLAST FUN RUN/WALK - REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 19th:  All registrations come with a color packet and the opportunity to purchase additional color. Register early to take advantage of the option to purchase an event t-shirt! Participate in our Virtual Color Blast Fun Run/Walk any time between May 22nd and May 31st. You set the distance and course; get out for a run, jog, skip, walk or hop and celebrate with a color party in your backyard. 

Click HERE for more event information.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS DISCUSSION SERIES: The PTG is partnering with the Bedford School District to bring this series. The first one is on Thurs., March 18. Limited seating at the BHS Theater (mask required) at 7 p.m. BCTV will also be live streaming this session.

This event will be an informal presentation and will incorporate community questions and feedback. Questions can be emailed in advance to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com or submitted at the event. The panelist(s) will do their best to address as many questions/concerns as they can related to the topic.

March 18: Psychological First Aid: Parents, Kids and Mental Health Moving through the psychological stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR: The PTG is looking for volunteers on the District and School level. Please be on the lookout in upcoming weekly Principal Notes for these opportunities. If you are interested or would like more information on any of the roles below please email bedfordnhptg@gmail.com

District Gift Card Coordinator: Work with the Gift card coordinators at each school, as well as the VP of Fundraising to coordinate and execute the PTG Gift Card fundraising event. Help secure and collect gift cards from local participating businesses. The Gift Card fundraiser runs mid-October until late December.

District Support Coordinator: Work with the Support coordinators at each school, as well as the VP of Fundraising to coordinate and execute the PTG Support drive. The Support drive runs throughout the school year with a kick-off and appeal at the beginning of the school year.

HANNAFORD HELPS REUSABLE BAG PROGRAM: Hannaford on Jenkins Road has chosen Bedford PTG to be the beneficiary of the Community Bag program in March. For every $2.50 Community reusable bag purchased at Hannaford on JENKINS ROAD in March, the PTG will receive a $1.00 donation.  Get yours today to support the PTG and the environment!

“LOVE YOUR SCHOOL” EFFORTS:  In addition to helping the PTG to continue its focus on providing support to our schools and students, we are able to do something special for our staff and administration at each school this month (see what these are by checking out our FACEBOOK PAGE). They have been amazing in taking care of our kids during this challenging year and we want to express our thanks. 

McKelvie Pics:

Mrs. Sevilla's Class

Have a terrific weekend!

Jen Asdot

3.7.21 Principal Notes

 Dear McKelvie Families~

We are really excited to have all of our hybrid students back into the building full time this week!  As always, if your child is not going to be attending school for any reason, please call the attendance line at 472-3951 and then press 1.  

Parent Resources:

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

School Schedule-March 8th-12th:

A-Z In Person Students All in Monday through Friday

Fully Remote Students still Fully Remote

Important Dates:

March 9th: No School- Workshop/Voting Day

Traffic During Drop Off and Pickup:

Traffic continues to be heavy during drop off and parent pickup, particularly in the afternoons.  Cars cannot park in the street waiting to get into the lots, blocking the road.  Doing so creates very unsafe conditions for those traveling past the school.  If the lots are full and you are unable to enter, please drive by and come back to the school.  Blocking the road also causes gridlock which further increases wait time. 

Suggestions to reduce your wait time include-

1.  Don't come to the school early.  Dismissal begins at 3:15 so plan to arrive between 3:15 and 3:25.  Spacing out arrivals will help greatly!

2.  Pull all the way up when you get to the main entrance or canopy to allow more cars to enter.

3.  Have your child take the bus.  

HERE is  link to McKelvie AM pick-up locations and times.

HERE is a link to McKelvie PM drop-off locations.

Thank you for your patience when interacting with police officers and school personnel who are working traffic details to keeps kids and families safe.

School Lunches:

The Bedford School District will resume serving lunches on trays rather than in boxes effective March 8, 2021.  The FDA has released their findings that Covid-19 is not transmitted via food preparation.  Click HERE to read the article.  

School District Vote on March 9:
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, March 9th. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Bedford High School in the gymnasium. 

• Voters will select two people for open Board seats.  

·       Voters will decide whether to support the following Warrant Articles:

o   Sprinkler/Alarm Bond (Memorial, Peter Woodbury and McKelvie)

o   Contract for BEA (Teachers/Professional Staff)

o   Operating Budget

More information can be found HERE and HERE.

Library News:
We are beyond excited to welcome everyone back on Monday! This is such an exciting time for our school community. Please click HERE for the McKelvie Library News blog which includes some images. Enjoy the weekend! ~Mrs. Cote

COVID-19 Relief to families in need:

Although there might be light at the end of the COVID19 pandemic tunnel there are still organizations and people in our community that continue to need assistance. Bedford Presbyterian Church will continue to offer additional resources during this difficult time.

 

Additional resources include:

A dedicated COVID19 Fund to provide assistance to community programs and individuals.

Our Helping Hands Outreach Ministry, that can provide necessary urgent home repairs

to people that are unable to afford or perform them themselves.

Bedford Presbyterian Church also houses the Bedford Community Food Pantry

which is open every Saturday from 9am-11am. (603) 867-1445

PTG News:

VIRTUAL COLOR BLAST FUN RUN/WALK - REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 19th:  Our annual Color Blast Fun Run/Walk will be held virtually this year. Participate any time between May 22nd and May 31st. You set the distance and course; get out for a run, jog, skip, walk or hop and celebrate with a color party in your backyard. All registrations come with a color packet and the opportunity to purchase additional color.
Register early to take advantage of the option to purchase an event t-shirt!
Click HERE for more event information.

STRESS, ANXIETY AND MENTAL WELLNESS: The PTG is partnering with the Bedford School District to bring three special events, once a month in March, April and May, about mental well-being. Please mark your calendar to attend these events! The first one will be on Thurs., March 18 at the BHS Theater (limited socially distanced seating and mask required) at 7 p.m. BCTV will also be live streaming these sessions.

March 18: Psychological First Aid: Parents, Kids and Mental Health

        Moving through the psychological stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

HANNAFORD HELPS REUSABLE BAG PROGRAM: Hannaford on Jenkins Road has chosen Bedford PTG to be the beneficiary of the Community Bag program in March. For every $2.50 Community reusable bag purchased at Hannaford on JENKINS ROAD in March, the PTG will receive a $1.00 donation. Get yours today to support the PTG and the environment!

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE  – Tuesday, March 9th  at BHS 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Enjoy the warmer weather moving in!

Jen Asdot