9.25.2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

It feels like summer is back in Bedford!  Earlier this evening, I sent out Open House videos to each pod.  Parents can watch videos to get a better understanding of how pod classes work, and to get to know the rest of your child's teachers such as IA and World Language.

School Schedule-September 28th-October 2nd:

A-K at MIS on  Monday, Wednesday

L-Z at MIS on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

HYBRID CALENDAR

Morning Drop-off/Afternoon Pick Up:  

For parents dropping off students at the canopy entrance in the morning (G-K and S-Z), the canopy entrance closes at 8:50.  If you arrive after 8:50, please bring your child to the Liberty Hill entrance for drop-off.  After 8:50, your child is considered tardy and will need to sign in at the Main Office.  

For both morning and afternoon drop off and pick up, please pull all the way up to allow for more cars in our pick-up lines.  This will greatly help with the flow of traffic.

McKelvie Academic Desk Help:

As a reminder, McKelvie staff members are available to answer questions on your distance learning days. If you have an academic question please click on the link below and a staff member will get back to you shortly.  Staff members will be sending you a response through email so check your G-mail for a reply.

McKelvie Academic Desk Help

If you have difficulty with your Chromebook (i.e. broken key, camera not working) students should continue to use the:

Tech Support:  BSD Help Desk Ticket

Library News:
Please click HERE to see this week's Library News blog. I hope you all have a fabulous, fun fall weekend! Kindly, Mrs. Cote

NH Foodbank:

In previous years, WMUR has partnered with the NH Food Bank and 57 New Hampshire High School football teams to collect food and monetary donations for pantries and programs around the state. The food drive/fundraiser is known as NH Tackles Hunger. This year’s NH Tackles Hunger food drive has to be quite different due to the implications of Covid. During the month of September, monetary donations are being collected via the NH Food Bank website and BHS has paired with the Bedford Community Food Pantry for this fund raiser. Please consider giving to this worthy cause.  Thank you!

https://www.nhfoodbank.org/nh-tackles-hunger/

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jen Asdot

9.20.2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

I hope everyone has enjoyed the cool weather this weekend!  Scroll to the bottom for a few MIS pics from this past week!

School Schedule-September 21st-September 25th:

A-K at MIS on  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

L-Z at MIS on Tuesday and Thursday

HYBRID CALENDAR

Sickness/Quarantine Protocol & Response to School Nurse:

Please adhere to this FLOWCHART for protocols for sickness/symptoms of COVID-19. 

 

As I mentioned in previous emails, 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 kindness, respect and patience with our school nurse during these instances as she is following the protocols given to us by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.  

McKelvie Academic Desk Help:
McKelvie staff members are available to answer questions on your distance learning days. If you have an academic question please click on the link below and a staff member will get back to you shortly.  Staff members will be sending you a response through email so check your G-mail for a reply.

McKelvie Academic Desk Help

If you have difficulty with your Chromebook (i.e. broken key, camera not working) students should continue to use the:

Tech Support:  BSD Help Desk Ticket

Breakfast Is Available:

Just a reminder that breakfast is available and free at McKelvie!  Please see THIS flyer for further breakfast information.  If your child would like to get breakfast at McKelvie have them come directly to the cafe in the morning either from the bus or parent drop off. 

Library News:
Hello McKelvie Families! Please click HERE to see the McKelvie Library News blog post. Enjoy the crisp fall weather. ~ Warm regards, Mrs. Cote

Box Tops:
Please read the attached flyer regarding our Box Top program. This is an easy way to make a difference for McKelvie.  Our goal is to reach $1,000 before the end of the school year.  Last year we were shy of our goal due to the pandemic.  It is super easy to use the app and making a habit of scanning your receipt.  The money automatically gets posted to McKelvie once you set up your app.  It will take less than 3 minutes of your time.  HERE is the flyer.

Thank you, Amy Gaff, McKelvie Remote Shopping Coordinator

NH Foodbank:

In previous years, WMUR has partnered with the NH Food Bank and 57 New Hampshire High School football teams to collect food and monetary donations for pantries and programs around the state. The food drive/fundraiser is known as NH Tackles Hunger. This year’s NH Tackles Hunger food drive has to be quite different due to the implications of Covid. During the month of September, monetary donations are being collected via the NH Food Bank website and BHS has paired with the Bedford Community Food Pantry for this fund raiser. Please consider giving to this worthy cause.  Thank you!

https://www.nhfoodbank.org/nh-tackles-hunger/

MIS Pictures:

A Class Enjoying the Courtyard!

Table Team! Thank you to the parents who came to seal and stain Camp McKelvie!

9.13.2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

Scroll to the bottom for a few pictures from this past week.  Enjoy your Sunday!

School Schedule-September 14th-September 18th:

A-K at MIS on  Monday and Wednesday

L-Z at MIS on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

HYBRID CALENDAR

Important Dates:

September 14th: Picture Day for A-K kids

September 15th: Picture Day for L-Z kids

School Picture Days:
As a reminder, school pictures will take place for all students on September 14th and 15th. All pictures will be taken outside, rain or shine, under canopies. For hybrid students, pictures will be taken in the morning during their in-person school day. For remote students, pictures will be taken between 12:30 and 2PM on both days. Remote teachers will communicate with students to ensure that pictures don't conflict with instruction.  Remote families should pull up to the County Road entrance for their pictures. 

Picture orders are paperless this year.  Please refer to this informational flyer from Geskus regarding school pictures.

Open House:
Our teachers will be providing a virtual Open House on Friday, September 25th. The goal is to inform parents of what’s going on in the classroom, expectations and other information. In addition, there will be a mechanism for you to ask your child’s teachers questions, and they will get back to you in a timely manner. Your child’s teachers will be in touch with you to let you know how to submit your questions, such as via Google Forms or  Google Meet. Our IA teachers and administration will be including videos as well.

Box Tops:

We are still doing box tops this year, only instead of cutting them out, you can simply scan your receipt!  Please click THIS FLYER for simple instructions on how to send in your box tops!

Library News:

I hope that you all have a nice weekend. It has been wonderful connecting with our readers and researchers here at the McKelvie Library! Our students have been actively using our Destiny Discover library management system to place holds. There is a new video posted about how students can check their Destiny Discover library account to see what books they have checked out. Click HERE to see this week's McKelvie Library News blog post.  Be well, ~Mrs. Cote

Information about joining Cub Scouts

Click HERE for Pack 114 and HERE for Pack 5 for information about joining the Cub Scouts.

PTG News:

BACK TO SCHOOL GREETINGS FROM THE PTG! As we embark on a very unique school year, the PTG is dedicated to embracing its challenges while continuing to cherish and celebrate past traditions. Let's make it another great year for our students, staff and families!

SUPPORT THE PTG: Although our funding for programming and enrichment opportunities may look different this year, we will be working directly with the district to focus on what the classroom, teacher/staff, student and school needs are based on the current environment.

We know these may be trying economic times for many people so we ask if you are interested and able, please support the PTG by making a donation via PayPal by clicking HERE or by checks made out to Bedford PTG (turn into your child’s school or mail to PO Box 10077 Bedford, NH). Through our Support Drive, 100% of your donation goes directly to the schools and students of Bedford.

LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER: We will have information about volunteering for Bedford Schools in the upcoming weeks. Links to a Volunteer Google Form for each school will be available at that time. You will need to fill this form out in order to hear about volunteer opportunities at the schools or district wide. Currently, some schools are looking to fill open school coordinator level roles.

PTG VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: McKelvie has one more book fair coordinator position to fill. Please contact McKelvie Co-liaisons Amy Gagnon (AmyLGagnon@comcast.net) or Marc Murai (marcmurai@gmail.com) if you or someone you know might be interested.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION with Superintendent Fournier: Hosted by the PTG, Superintendent Mike Fournier invites you for a “Community Conversation” on Friday, September 11th, 9:30 a.m. at the SAU Building. This will be a small, informal gathering to discuss Bedford School District happenings. Questions and comments are encouraged. You must RSVP to attend. Seating is limited (adhering to social distancing guidelines) and masks are required. Click HERE to sign up.

MEET THE PRINCIPALS EVENT SEPTEMBER 25TH: You are invited to watch the Principals from all six schools at our annual "Meet the Principals" event on Friday, September 25th from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. It will be broadcast live on BCTV. This is a great opportunity to hear what each school has in store for the year. Please email questions before Sept. 23 for the Q&A session that follows the presentation to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com.

McKelvie Pics:

Take Care!

Jen Asdot

9.4.2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

We have successfully finished our first full week of school!  I hope everyone is able to enjoy some rest and relaxation over the long holiday weekend.  Please read the important update below, regarding traveling over the Labor Day holiday.

School Schedule-September 9th-September 11th:
A-K at MIS on  Wednesday and Friday

L-Z at MIS on Thursday

HYBRID CALENDAR

Important Dates:

September 7th: No School Labor Day

September 8th: No School Voting Day

September 14th: Picture Day for A-K kids

September 15th: Picture Day for L-Z kids

Travel Reminder:

As we enter the long Labor Day weekend, please keep in mind the NH DHHS travel regulations, which the Bedford School District is following:

NH residents...traveling to/from areas outside of New England...need to self-quarantine for the first 14 days.…(starting from the last day of their travel outside of New England). This recommendation is irrespective of the mode of transportation for travel. 

 

Also, students cannot test out of quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test.  They must complete the entire 14 days. Please take a look at our Quarantining Protocol/Flowchart for more information.

 

In order to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, it is essential that we adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in our Hybrid plan.

Hybrid Quarantining Protocol for Absences and Work:

Quarantined students will be marked absent on the days they are scheduled to be in-school (A-K or L-Z) and present on their scheduled Distance Learning days, provided that they are able to do the work that the teacher has assigned.  Teachers will not be able to provide instruction to students who are quarantined as they will be instructing the students in the building.  Please reach out to your child's teachers to be able to access make-up work that can be done at home.  Students may not be able to have access to all missing assignments, depending on the nature of the activities.

Anti-Bullying Partnership Agreement:

Please keep an eye out for a document going home with your child next week about bullying. The District Bullying Task Force developed a Partnership Agreement among students, teachers, and families to better understand and address student conflict, and what is and is not considered bullying.  We are asking all families to read, discuss, and sign this document to help ensure a happy, safe, and nurturing environment for all. Please click HERE if you would like an electronic copy of that agreement.

In addition to the above agreement, teachers will be having a discussion with students about expectations and following "the Golden Rule" of treating everyone the way they would want to be treated.  

School Picture Days:
School pictures will take place for all students on September 14th and 15th. All pictures will be taken outside, rain or shine, under canopies. For hybrid students, pictures will be taken in the morning during their in-person school day. For remote students, pictures will be taken between 12:30 and 2PM on both days. Remote teachers will communicate with students to ensure that pictures don't conflict with instruction.  Remote families should pull up to the County Road entrance for their pictures.
Picture orders are paperless this year.  Please refer to this informational flyer from Geskus regarding school pictures.

Library News:

Hello and happy Friday from the McKelvie Intermediate School Library! Please click HERE to link to the Library Blog Post for this week. There is important library news being shared. Enjoy the long weekend. ~Julie Cote 

BSD Food Service Announcement 

Food Service has received a formal waiver from the USDA to provide FREE breakfast and lunch to all children ages 2-18 in the community through December 31, 2020. Meals will be offered at each school when students are on site and at the drive through pick-up located at the high school gym entrance for Distance & Remote learning students. Please continue to pre-order lunch through:  https://www.sendmoneytoschool.com/. Monthly menus can be found on the district Food Service website. Breakfast is available at MIS, RAL & BHS in the morning and at the drive through pick-up service. Please contact Emily Murphy, Director of School Nutrition with any questions,  murphye@bedfordnhk12.net.

PTG Principal Notes:

BACK TO SCHOOL GREETINGS FROM THE PTG! As we embark on a very unique school year, the PTG is dedicated to embracing its challenges while continuing to cherish and celebrate past traditions. Let's make it another great year for our students, staff and families!

SUPPORT THE PTG: Although our funding for programming and enrichment opportunities may look different this year, we will be working directly with the district to focus on what the classroom, teacher/staff, student and school needs are based on the current environment.

We know these may be trying economic times for many people so we ask if you are interested and able, please support the PTG by making a donation via PayPal by clicking HERE or by checks made out to Bedford PTG (turn into your child’s school or mail to PO Box 10077 Bedford, NH). Through our Support Drive, 100% of your donation goes directly to the schools and students of Bedford.

LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER: We will have information about volunteering for Bedford Schools in the upcoming weeks. Links to a Volunteer Google Form for each school will be available at that time. You will need to fill this form out in order to hear about volunteer opportunities at the schools or district wide. Currently, some schools are looking to fill open school coordinator level roles.

PTG VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: McKelvie has one more book fair coordinator position to fill. Please contact McKelvie Co-liaisons Amy Gagnon (AmyLGagnon@comcast.net) or Marc Murai (marcmurai@gmail.com) if you or someone you know might be interested.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION with Superintendent Fournier: Hosted by the PTG, Superintendent Mike Fournier invites you for a “Community Conversation” on Friday, September 11th, 9:30 a.m. at the SAU Building. This will be a small, informal gathering to discuss Bedford School District happenings. Questions and comments are encouraged. You must RSVP to attend. Seating is limited (adhering to social distancing guidelines) and masks are required. Click HERE to sign up.

MEET THE PRINCIPALS EVENT SEPTEMBER 25TH: You are invited to watch the Principals from all six schools at our annual "Meet the Principals" event on Friday, September 25th from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. It will be broadcast live on BCTV. This is a great opportunity to hear what each school has in store for the year. Please email questions before Sept. 23 for the Q&A session that follows the presentation to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jen Asdot

8.30.2020 Principal Notes

Dear McKelvie Families~

It was such a wonderful first two days of school, having kids back in the building. It was certainly different than in years' past, but none the less, so good to be with kids again!  

School Schedule-August 31-September 4th:
A-K at MIS on  Monday and Wednesday

L-Z at MIS on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

HYBRID CALENDAR

Important Dates:

September 7th: No School Labor Day

September 8th: No School Voting Day

September 14th: Picture Day for A-K kids
September 15th: Picture Day for L-Z kids

Drop Off and Pick Up Reminder:

Students whose last name begins with the letter A-F or L-R will be dropped off at the main entrance on Liberty Hill Rd.  Students whose last names begin with G-K or S-Z will be dropped off at the canopy entrance on County Rd.  Traffic was quite heavy on both days, for both morning drop off and afternoon pick up.  Given how few kids take the bus right now and that Lurgio drop off and pick up times are the same as ours, it likely will continue to be busy.  Please remember to pull all the way up when dropping off and picking up your child, so that we can get as many cars lined up as possible to avoid blocking the intersection as well as exits and entrances.

Sickness/Quarantine Protocol:

Please adhere to this FLOWCHART for protocols for sickness/symptoms of COVID-19. As I mentioned in a previous email: 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 nurses during these instances. In order for schools to stay open, it is imperative that we follow these protocols. HERE is a document from the NHDOE on what to expect if your child tests positive.

Looking to be more involved at McKelvie?
We have the perfect opportunity for you!  We are looking for two lunch/recess monitors to work at McKelvie from 11:45am to 1:45pm. We have a Monday through Friday position available as well as a Tuesday through Thursday position. If you are interested, please email parsonsj@sau25.net for additional details.  

Box Tops Shopping Coordinator Update:
Please keep in mind that the Box Tops for Education Program is a fundraiser that we can use to help our school. For over 20 years, this Program has given families an easy way to earn cash for their school with products they already buy. Now you can simply scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase with the Box Tops mobile app (Apple or Android) to identify participating products and instantly add cash to your school of choice. You can even give credit to your child’s homeroom teacher for any competitions we may have throughout the school year. If you have any questions on how this works, please reach out to me at amygaff9692@icloud.com.

NH Tackles Hunger Virtual Food Drive:
Over the next month, residents of NH, businesses, schools and more will make monetary donations via LINK, and any funds that are collected for your assigned school will be credited to your Food Bank (Bedford Food Pantry) account at the conclusion of the drive. We will notify you then as to how much money was donated to your program via the high school.

Girl Scouts:
We typically hang up flyers for parents to see when in the building, so in lieu of that, we are allowing this information to be sent home via Principal’s Notes.
Flyer 1  Flyer 2

Pre-Ordering Student Lunches:
Families are required to pre-order meals using the online system. Online ordering will be through www.sendmoneytoschool.com. Please click HERE for other important lunch information.

Table and Tents:
I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the families that donated time and money towards purchasing tables and tents for our outdoor classroom spaces. The response was overwhelming, and as a result, we were able to create 8 outdoor classroom spaces.  McKelvie School is incredibly fortunate to have so much support from the community.  Thank you!

I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather today and as always, call or email if you have any questions!


Jen Asdot

8.26.2020

Dear McKelvie Families~

Tomorrow is the big day for our L-Z Hybrid kids and our Fully Remote kids! School drop off starts at 8:35 and kids should be in their homerooms by 8:50. Our L-Z Hybrid kids will be bringing home Chromebooks tomorrow, to use at school and on distance learning days. All 5th grade students will be getting new passwords from their teachers on their first day of school. They will not be able to log in with their elementary school passwords.

Our A-K Hybrid kids' first day of school will be on Friday! A-K Hybrid kids will get their Chromebooks on Friday to use at school and on distance learning days.  A-K Hybrid kids do not have school or distance learning tomorrow. 

If you or your kids have not seen the orientation video yet, here it is!

McKelvie Welcome & Orientation Video (Aug. 2020)

Before Coming to School:

Per CDC guidelines, students and staff are expected to stay home if they feel ill, display symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Parents will be required to complete a daily health screening for their child prior to traveling to school.

 

AM Arrival Procedures:
Students whose last name begins with the letter A-F or L-R will be dropped off at the main entrance on Liberty Hill Rd.  Students whose last names begin with G-K or S-Z will be dropped off at the canopy entrance on County Rd.  Students cannot be dropped off at the playground as we no longer have morning recess.  Students who take the bus will be dropped off on the playground.  Grade 5 students will walk in through the library doors and grade 6 students will walk in through the blue sixth grade doors. Students need to be in their homeroom classes by 8:50 or they will be marked tardy.  We give some leeway to this on the first week of school.

PM Dismissal Procedures:
Afternoon announcements begin at 3:15 followed by dismissing parent pick-up students.  All students whose last name begins with the letters A-F and L-R are picked up at the main entrance on Liberty Hill Road in front of the school. A-F and L-R students exit the cafeteria doors near the flagpole and parents need to pull all the way up to pick up their kids.  This keeps the line moving and helps to prevent the blocking of intersections.  All students whose last name begins with G-K and S-Z are picked up at the canopy entrance on County Rd.  Parents need to pull all the way up to prevent blocking intersections and to keep the lines moving.

Students who are parent pick-up, walkers, or bike riders need a note stating how they are getting home.  All students go home on the bus that do not have a note indicating they are going home a different way.  If your child is always a parent pick-up, send in a note indicating the specific days and we will put their names on the permanent parent pick up list.  If your child is a permanent walker/bike rider, send that note in as well.

At approximately 3:17 we begin dismissing busses.  After ALL busses are dismissed and have left the parking lot, we dismiss walkers and bike riders at approximately 3:25.  Walkers and bike riders are dismissed last as there are far fewer cars and busses on the road. I anticipate students will get home a little late the first days of school.

School Lunch Program:
As a reminder, if you plan on purchasing hot lunch for your child, lunches need to be pre-ordered. Please click this link for information on pre-ordering your child's hot lunch.

Bus Routes:

Bus routes are online and can be found HERE. Scroll down to MCK Afternoon and MCK Morning Bus Routes for stop locations and pick-up times.

Have a terrific evening, and I can't wait to meet your kids in the next couple of days!

Jen Asdot

08.16.2020 McKelvie Update

Dear McKelvie Families~

It's hard to believe that school is starting in less than two weeks! Below are some important updates about the upcoming school year.  More information will be coming later this week.  

Infosnap Registration and Placement Information:
Schools are working hard to complete their hybrid and remote placements for students based on the information we have received from parents over the past couple weeks. Due to the Hybrid schedule, this has delayed our typical launch date for Infosnap. (Returning Student Verification)

Registration will be going out to parents on Wednesday, August 19th. High school students will have immediate access to their schedules while students at McKelvie and Lurgio will receive notifications of their placements after registration. 

I anticipate McKelvie placement going out to families by Thursday, August 20th.  We had to completely redo the placement process in order to create a hybrid model and offer a fully remote model, causing a delay.

Tents and Picnic Table Donations:
We are looking to create outdoor spaces for classrooms and are in need of tents and picnic tables. If you can donate or lend us either, we would greatly appreciate it! Please email me at asdotj@sau25.net if you can lend or donate a tent or a picnic table.

Before School Program:
We will continue to have the Before School Program this year for students. Kids will sit at individual desks in the cafeteria. THIS LINK contains additional information as well as the registration form.

Bedford Strings Program:
The Manchester Community Music School Strings Ensemble Program, in partnership with the Bedford School District, is once again offering strings lessons for interested students. These lessons will be done remotely. Please click THIS LINK for additional information.

Stay tuned for more information this week about placement, supply lists, Chrome Book and text book distribution for fully remote students, and other odds and ends regarding the 2020/2021 school year!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Jen Asdot