March 30, 2020
Dear Stratton Families: Hi, everyone, I hope you're all doing ok. We miss you, and your kids! Since our time apart has been extended, you should have received communication from Dr. Bodie that I hope responded to your questions and concerns. I will continue to be your resource, though, as best as I can be. Email continues to be the best way to communicate, so please reach out if you need assistance in any way. In this message, I will share information on expectations of students and teachers, as well as provide some guidance for families, and share a reminder about devices and an additional distribution this of Chromebooks for student use. But first, Stratton families by and large have reached out to me asking how they can help. Thank you. I think the best thing we can do right now is to watch out for our neighbors and friends (at a distance, of course). We’re a strong community and we take care of each other. We will weather this storm together. So, if you see someone has a need, please encourage them to reach out to me or to any of the resources that either I or the district or town have shared. Beyond making sure everyone is well and safe, my first priority this week is to make sure all students have access to a device for remote learning. We want to make sure that everyone is connected, so we will be distributing Chromebooks one more time on Wednesday. More information on how to do this was sent home in a message from the district on Friday. An issue we had this past week was many emails from Kathy Bodie went to SPAM folders and were missed. Please check those folders, if you can, and watch for any additional messages about device distribution. Devices will be distributed on Wednesday at Stratton. Some guidance on whether or not you should request a device: As you know, our first distribution was put in place to make sure every family was connected. This continues to be the case, however, you may also consider asking for a device if you have multiple children in school or are trying to share your work computer with your children. Moving forward, students will not necessarily need their own device. They can still share with a sibling, but we will trust you to make the determination about what is necessary for your family. If you need more than one device, please ask for it. A form to complete to apply for a Chromebook is found by clicking here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflGfO7ukpfyGRepAXK1YhZINUWozxwYA9E16_rfSbaTRXJMw/viewform Next, here are some thoughts on Remote Learning. Remote Learning is not the same as Online Learning or Distance Learning. In a document providing guidance from our MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) it was stated: "Remote learning is not synonymous with online learning. Remote learning can take place in a multitude of ways, including by helping students engage with resources in their everyday lives and in the natural world around them. Remote learning also provides unique opportunities to further engage students in the arts or interdisciplinary work. Finally, we must be conscious of the effects of increased screen time and seek balance between learning through technology and remote learning that happens offline to support students’ curiosity and understanding." Based on this information, we have determined that the path we are taking in APS with our enrichment website is the appropriate path. We will continue to offer a wide range of opportunities for students to practice already taught skills and to deepen their understanding of previously taught material. Our expectation for families will be:
Finally, I would like you all to know that the two feelings from faculty that I can sense is commitment and care: commitment to doing everything they can to make this time as high quality as possible without overwhelming you all, and care for the individual students that they know so well, and with whom they so wish they could be working. I share these feelings with them, and would ask that you all PLEASE say hello to your child or children from me - thank you! In that spirit, please see the following messages from our Social Workers, and Mrs. Thomas! Hello Stratton families, We hope this message finds you well! In an effort to share social emotional resources with the community during this unique time of school closure, Ms. Scully and I have created an Instagram page. It can be found at @stratton_sel on Instagram. Please note that these resources are voluntary and commenting will not be available. If you have any resources you would like to share, or questions, please feel free to send an email to Ms. Scully at gscully@arlington.k12.ma.us, or Mrs. Henry at lhenry@arlington.k12.ma.us Enjoy, Laurie Henry and Gina Scully Stratton School Social Workers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Stratton Families: I wanted to take a moment to reach out and let you know that I am thinking of you and your students. I am looking forward to spending my days with them again when we get back to school. In the meantime, the visual arts department has been working to determine how best platform to interact with our students remotely. Please stay tuned for more information coming soon. In the meantime I have started an Instagram page where I will be posting ideas for students to try at home and also pictures and videos of art I am making. Please follow strattonartstudio for these updates. If you have not already visited, here is the link to the enrichment document from the visual arts department: https://5403f6f5-0f76-4aa2-b4c2-197ea47e4cf8.filesusr.com/ugd/3b7abe_99ae639913b94a67a3cf9d08e336733e.docx?dn=K-5%20Visual%20Art%20Home%20Learning%20Choice%20Boar I would be thrilled to see any work your students have done at home even if it is unfinished. If they would like to share with me, please email photos to me. Be well and stay creative! Melody (Ms. Thomas) mwthomas@arlington.k12.ma.us Instagram: strattonartstudio Additional Resources: Navigating Technology: Information on how to log into Spyponder accounts is found here. How to connect to a wireless network: Chromebook - https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1047420?hl=en Other online resources: https://arlingtonenrich.wixsite.com/mysite/updates Arlington Food Resource Starting on Monday, March 30, school lunches will no longer be available for pick-up and the Arlington EATS Market will be temporarily closed to shoppers. This is to ensure the safety of all of our citizens. Instead, Arlington EATS and the Town of Arlington will be delivering shelf-stable food to any Arlington resident in need. To receive food:
Message from APS Director of Nursing: A video message from Susan Franchi, APS Director of Nursing. In her message, she reiterates the importance of social distancing and keeping children at home. Please continue to check your email for APS updates. Upcoming Events at Stratton
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Welcome To Our School!
Greetings from the Stratton Health Office,
The first few weeks of school are such an exciting time for all. I am looking forward to a happy and healthy year for our students, staff and parents. Just a few reminders I would like to share: - Students are not allowed to start school unless all immunizations are up to date. I have already reached out to parents/ guardians regarding compliance. - Emergency Health Forms will be sent home the first week of school. It is very important that these be completed and returned to your child's classroom teacher. Please make sure your Emergency Contact is local and willing to pick up in the event of illness or injury. - If your child(ren) is sick. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. 1. Heavy cold symptoms such as deep uncontrollable coughing/sneezing or significant lack of energy even without fever. 2. A sore throat and swollen glands accompanied by a fever; if their sore throat is a strep infection they should remain home until they have been on an antibiotic for 24 hours. 3. A temperature over 100.4 degrees; the student may return to school after being fever free without medication for 24 hours. 4. Vomiting or diarrhea; the student may return to school 24 hours after the last episode. 5. Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions. 6. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye);the student may return to school 24 hours after starting an antibiotic. 7. Earache; a child should remain home until they are pain free. 8. Head lice or scabies; keep your child home until they have been properly treated. 9. Any communicable disease. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Best wishes, Lauren Connors, BSN RN Stratton School Nurse 
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