August 21 Update from School
Dear NCS Parents and Guardians:
With the start of school just over two weeks away, I wanted to highlight a handful of topics that have come up regularly during our Zoom reopening meetings. However, if you have any additional questions or concerns in the days ahead, I would encourage you to reach out with a phone call or an email (585-374-7901, mfrahm@naplescsd.org).
Start of School:
Because of all the challenges involved with the start of the school year, we have made three changes to the original 2020-2021 school calendar. You can access the updated calendar by clicking this link, and I would ask that you note the following modifications when arranging childcare and planning for the first day of school:
- Change #1: Wednesday, September 9 will now be the first day of school for students
- Change #2: Friday, September 25 will now be a Staff Conference Day (no school for students)
- Change #3: Friday, October 9 will now be a full student day (1/2 Conference Day cancelled)
Internet Connectivity:
Because many of our students will be engaged in remote learning on a regular basis, we want to do all we can to support the connectivity needs that families might have. To help us get a better sense of who might need additional support, we are asking that families take this 30 second survey by early next week.
Important Information:
In the coming weeks, you will be receiving a lot of detailed information related to reopening. However, I wanted to pass along a timeline regarding class assignments, supply lists, and transportation.
- Elementary School Teacher Assignments: Mailed on Monday, August 24
- Elementary School Supply Lists: Available here
- High School Schedules: Available on SchoolTool by Friday, August 28
- High School Supply Lists: Available on the NCS homepage by Wednesday, August 26
- Transportation Bus Numbers and Pick-Up/Drop-Off Times: Mailed by Wednesday, August 26
Medical Exemption for Face Coverings:
When arranging classrooms, we have made sure to space desks 6 feet from one another so that students and staff can remove their face coverings as long as physical distancing can be maintained. I want to emphasize, however, that most engaging lessons will involve times when teachers are moving around classrooms providing individualized support, as well as paired or small group activities. When this is the case and physical distancing cannot be maintained, teachers will be requiring students to wear their face coverings.
Relatedly, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that masking might pose particular challenges for students with certain diagnosed physical or mental health conditions. If you believe your son or daughter should be medically exempt from wearing a face covering, please have your child’s physician complete this form as soon as possible.
Upcoming Facebook Live Conversation:
When I think back over the past two months, I know we have asked you to go above and beyond by attending virtual meetings, reading over detailed communications, and filling out surveys with little notice. Please know how much we appreciate your continued support, and that our reopening plans are stronger and safer because of your engagement. If you are interested in connecting over social media next week to talk about the start of school, I would invite you to visit our NCS Facebook page at 2:00 on Wednesday, August 26 for a Facebook Live conversation.
Hoping this finds you safe, healthy, and well.
Matt
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