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Superintendent Update 10/23/2020

10/23/2020

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Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

​At Tuesday’s School Committee Meeting, I recommended the next phase of student returns. We are looking forward to seeing our students with 504 plans and our 4th graders next week. The following week is a big week with the scheduled return of Grades 2 and 3. 

Returns to date: 
  • Week of 09/21: Hybrid K-12. PK and Life Skills students (Tues-Fri)
  • Week of 10/05: Return Kindergarten. (Tues-Fri)
  • Week of 10/12: Return Grade 1. (Tues-Fri)
  • Week of 10/19: Return Grade 5 students, as well as all students with IEPs (Tues-Fri)
  • Week of 10/28: Return Grade 4 students, as well as all students with 504 Plans (Tues-Fri)
  • Week of 11/02: Return of students in Grades 2 and 3. (Tues-Fri)
  • Additional Returns: Under Review

NSES

Grades 2 and 3 have been a challenge with their return as they are both large classes and we are trying to maintain as much classroom spacing between students as possible. Our ELA and Math Specialists have come to the rescue and volunteered to switch their roles and become classroom teachers. This will enable us to open an additional classroom in Grades 2 and 3 as well as help permit greater social distancing in the classroom and better balance to meet the needs of both our in-person and at-home learners.  More information will be coming from NSES as we coordinate the return. 

This is truly a wonderful solution for NSES. I thank our teachers and administrators at every school as they continue to brainstorm solutions.  

We are in the process of hiring more substitute teachers to provide additional coverage and supports at all schools, with a focus on NSES. Our admin team (including myself) has been taking turns to provide extra classroom coverage and supports at NSES. Working with the NSES students has been among the highlights of our week.  

We have a new drop-off procedure at NSES which appears to be very effective. Our transportation company is re-analyzing the bus routes with the return of new grade levels in mind. We will certainly notify everyone of any changes. 

Quarantine, Contact Tracing and Precautions

As we move forward with our phased-in reopening plan, COVID cases across the state are increasing, and yes, we are seeing positive cases in our schools. 

By HIPAA law, we are limited in the amount and types of information we can share in order to assure privacy protections for families, students, and staff. When a positive case is made known to us, we are obligated to follow the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) procedures and directives around quarantining. We are aware of many of your concerns and frustrations around contact tracing timelines and notifications. Improving the speed of testing and tracing has been been a continued topic of discussion at state-level meetings between schools, RIDOH, the Department of Education, and the Governor’s office as we emphasize the need to improve speed, efficiency, and communication because of the confusion, stresses, and anxiety it creates within our communities. 

​While we are doing what we can within our schools to mitigate risks and follow the guidelines and procedures defined by RIDOH, we are increasingly concerned about what is happening outside of school which may negatively impact our ability to remain open.

To date, we are not aware of any positive cases connected to being in school and any spread seems to be coming from outside activities and interactions. When in school we want our kids to be with their friends and learn. During the evenings and weekends, we want our kids to be kids, to have birthday parties and sleepovers, and to play and have fun. We want to be able to travel again, but unfortunately, many locations are still considered “hotspots” and carry mandatory restrictions upon return. We all want to support one another and keep each other healthy. My hope is that we can collectively keep everyone well, both inside and outside school, by following all the recommended health and safety guidelines, precautions, and restrictions no matter how inconvenient.   

As a reminder please use the health screening forms (NSES Admit One Ticket and MS and HS students and district employees on the district website https://www.nsps.us/) every morning. Parents, if your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms as listed, he or she should remain home. If symptoms persist, or by recommendation of the school nurse or RIDOH, please use the free COVID testing services for K-12 provided by the State. 

Thank you everyone and have a healthy and safe weekend.

- Michael St. Jean, Superintendent

Testing Children and K-12 Testing Sites:
https://health.ri.gov/covid/testing/children/

Back to School RI:
https://www.back2schoolri.com/what-you-need-to-know/

RIDOH Outbreak Response Protocols
https://reopeningri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-09-14_K-12-Playbook_edited_v2.pdf
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NSPS District Goals 20-21

10/21/2020

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Alignment to the NSPS District Strategic Plan

The NSPS District Strategic Plan outlines the following Annual Assessment Process: “In September of each school year, the Superintendent will present the year’s upcoming focus areas, goals, priorities, and initiatives. All school and district focus areas and initiatives will directly connect to the Strategic Plan’s overarching Strategies, Priorities, and Goals.” 

20-21 Superintendent Priorities and Goals
1. High Standards, Quality Instruction, Curricula, and Student Success: All students will achieve high standards, annual growth, and graduate college- and career-ready as independent, creative, and contributing members of society.
  • Approach COVID-induced changes as an opportunity to improve teaching and learning:
    • Expand and refine online resources and technology access in support of anywhere, anytime, and anyplace learning.  
    • Integrate and improve synchronous and asynchronous modalities to engage and support in-person and at-home learners. 
    • Plan for assessing students’ learning progress and loss due to Spring 2020/Covid 19 and develop a district-wide framework for instruction for 2020 focusing on critical standards.
  • Implement new Middle School and High School English Language Arts instructional programs. 
  • Implement new Middle School and High School mathematics instructional programs. 
  • Update yearly frameworks for Middle School and High School English Language Arts and Mathematics. 
  • Implement district-wide professional development focused on culturally responsive teaching.
  • Develop a district Literacy Plan.
  • Expand and refine online/self-paced professional development opportunities (virtual PD catalog.) 

2. Safe and Supportive Schools All students will learn in environments that embody a culture and climate of excellence, mutual respect, and safety.
  • Implement district-wide Culturally Responsive Teaching/Social-Emotional Health professional development series.
  • Devise and implement reopening plans that are in alignment with the RIDE guidance and template documents to ensure the health and safety of their school community.
    • Follow CDC and RIDOH guidelines regarding face coverings, social distancing, and hand washing.
    • Ensure the availability of personal protective equipment, adequate cleaning supplies, and cleaning protocols.
    • Develop and implement systems and structure, in accordance with RIDOH guidelines for screening students and staff for Covid-19 symptoms and managing response when someone tests positive.
    • Conduct audits of the mechanical systems, air filtration and ventilation, and space availability to provide the information needed to identify gaps, remedies, and opportunities to make spaces safer for students, teachers, and staff for reopening
    • Update HVAC systems to meet or exceed Rhode Island Department of Health Guidelines.
3. Quality Staff: All students will benefit when staff has ongoing access to quality professional development, professional learning networks, and time to work, meet, and plan collaboratively.
  • Create additional opportunities in teacher schedules for additional academic planning, student supports, and student and parent communication
  • Hire and assign adequate building-based substitute teachers, tutors, and/or assign staff to support classroom teachers to best meet the needs of in-person and at-home learners. 
4. Communication and Community Engagement: All students will benefit from increased family and community engagement that builds resources and opportunities for their success.
  • Expand community outreach and support.
  • Regular/scheduled communications from Superintendent and schools to School Committee and community.  
5. Effective, Efficient, Responsive Operations and Facilities: All students will benefit from school and district operations, practices, systems, and facilities that are aligned to supporting quality learning and work environments.
  • Channel COVID-related expenses into purchases and/or initiatives that remain viable post-COVID.
  • Continue in-house renovations and modernization at all schools. 
  • Complete NSHS Locker Room renovations and begin NSHS window replacements
  • Upgrade wireless access in all schools. 
  • Continue responsive, student-centered budgeting, cost savings, and efficiencies.
  • (continuation from 19-20) Review and update School Committee Policies for new Policy Handbook.
  • (continuation from 19-20) New Employee Handbook.
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    Author

    Michael St. Jean, 
    Superindent of Schools

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North Smithfield School Department
P.O. Box 72
​Slatersville, RI 02876 
P: (401) 769-5492      F: (401) 769-5493

Michael St. Jean, Superintendent
North Smithfield Middle School - ​Room 137
1850 Providence Pike
North Smithfield, RI  02896

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