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superintendent's updates

Superintendent Update 5/7/2021

5/7/2021

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5/7/2021

Dear North Smithfield Families, 

I am pleased to report that we have had minimal COVID cases since our return from April Vacation. With people remaining cautious, testing, and with vaccinations available to students 16 and older, I am again optimistic that we will finish this school year strong. 
Below are a couple of updates for the next school year:

21-22 Calendar

We have posted the District School Calendar for the 21-22 school year at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0B4pXf2-eHXpCNVh3bHhHQXNheGs.

Our first day of school for students will be August 31st and the last day of school will be June 14th. 
This calendar is different in that it contains four Rhode Island Department of Education professional days. These four days will be asynchronous days in that students will have assignments to work on during teacher professional development. Our district professional development days, which were usually listed as “No School Days” for students, have been rolled into a new Common Planning Time detailed later in this email.    

21-22 Schedule

During this current school year, we ran a slightly shortened version of the usual student day to make room for additional preparation and work required by the mix of in-person, hybrid, and at-home learning. 
For the 21-22 school year we are returning to something closer to normal as we fully expect and are planning a return to five days a week, all in-person instruction. There will however be a slight shift in the school start times so we can accommodate a new Common Planning Time for staff. 


NSMS/NSHS:    Student Start 7:55     Student End 2:20
NSES:    Student Start 8:45     Student End 3:10

More information will become available around bus times, and student drop-off and pick-up by school. 

What is the Common Planning Time requirement and why it is important?


One of the accreditation requirements from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is that high schools provide teachers with Common Planning Time. Common Planning Time is also required by the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. With an already packed student instructional schedule, this has proved very difficult to implement. Many districts have found a solution by implementing a Wednesday early release for students in order to hold Common Planning Time for teachers in the afternoon.  


Our solution is much more far-reaching, consistent, and not limited to just the high school.  Instead of dismissing students early one day a week, our teachers will report for Common Planning each day of the week 45 minutes before the student school day begins. 


This morning Common Planning Time can/will be used for:

  • Weekly grade level, team, departmental, or subject area meetings to discuss curriculum planning, implementation, instruction, and student progress. 
  • Professional Development: Next year a major PD focus with our teachers will be to meet all the PK-12 literacy skills as outlined in the comprehensive Right to Read Act. Additionally, we will be conducting professional development on our new high-quality mathematics curriculum and will be continuing our professional learning series around student equity, culture, diversity, and social-emotional support. 
  • To provide the flexibility to accommodate other needs such as student before-school tutoring or parent meetings and communications. 

We are piloting this model on a one-year trial basis, followed by a review and decision for continuation. No district in the state has been able to implement this model with their high schools, let alone including all grade levels PK-12. Even with the addition of Common Planning Time, our schools are still exceeding the daily student instructional time defined in the Rhode Island Basic Education Plan.  

​Thank you all for your support and have a great weekend. 


Michael St. Jean, Superintendent
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Superintendent Update 4/14/2021

4/14/2021

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4/14/2021
Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff, 


I wish I could be sharing better news with everyone. Since Easter, and as of yesterday, we have 9 positive COVID cases in our schools and 173 students and staff on quarantine. We are currently seeing the largest COVID surge in our schools ever. More concerning is that since we returned from the Easter weekend our school nurses have had to send home 32 students who came to school with COVID-like symptoms and these 32 students were just those who were brought to our attention.  When students come to school with symptoms they potentially compromise their friends, classmates, teachers, and teammates.  

COVID cases are on the rise across Rhode Island with the more virulent UK variant taking hold. Young people are having the highest rates of infection. Among young people, student-athletes have the highest concentration. 


I am very concerned about what we will face after the April Vacation with so many having travel plans. I am concerned that the week we return from break, we start the spring sports season with 10 teams in play. With the trajectory we are on, I am concerned about maintaining spring sports and other spring events such as proms and graduation.

While many districts are planning to end hybrid instruction after the April Vacation, we have already done that. In an earlier update, I expressed optimism that as we discontinued the remaining Hybrid grade levels we could end the year strong and together.  Now I am concerned that as excitement builds for a “return to normal” our surging cases brought on by the new variants and COVID fatigue will force us backward. 

 
Family Travel During April Vacation

Vaccinated individuals are exempt from the requirement to test or quarantine upon returning to Rhode Island after out-of-state travel.  Unfortunately, none of our children are currently vaccinated so community spread is a very real and continuing concern.  


If you must travel during the April vacation, please refer to updated regulations from the Rhode Island Department of Health at https://covid.ri.gov/covid-19-prevention/travel-tofrom-ri. 
Below is a summary as of this writing: 


  • International travel: If you plan to travel internationally, the student must quarantine for 10 days or have a negative PCR result from a test taken at least 5 days after return, and may then shorten quarantine to 7 days with a return to school on the 8th day.
  • Domestic travel: If you travel outside of Rhode Island to a hot spot within the 50 states or DC, the student must quarantine for 10 days or provide proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken after returning to Rhode Island.  A rapid or BINEXNow test is acceptable such as those offered at airports or through RI testing sites https://covid.ri.gov/testing/testing-k-12-students-and-staff.  These locations will also provide documentation of the negative test result which needs to be shared with your school’s nurse. 

If you must travel, please continue to follow established procedures and precautions and monitor for any potential symptoms.  


In all cases, please monitor your child for symptoms for a full 14 days after returning from travel. If your child does exhibit symptoms, he or she must stay home, isolate and be tested (PCR).  Likewise, if any member of the family is exhibiting symptoms or received a positive test result, the student must also isolate and have a full PCR test. 


Mondays

​We have received inquiries about our plans regarding the Monday Distance Learning Days. We fully understand and appreciate the desire to return to in-person instruction on Monday. Our teachers want nothing more than for everyone to return to full in-person instruction.  We are keenly aware of the struggles of some of our families to arrange coverage for children at home and we know the fatigue many feel supervising their children during Distance Learning. 


Last night I reluctantly made the recommendation to continue with Distance Learning Mondays, which was likewise reluctantly approved by the School Committee. Below are the reasons I shared: 


  • With the COVID surge that I detailed at the beginning of this letter,  Monday has become an increasingly important public health break helping to reduce the overall transmission, contact tracing, and quarantining of our students and staff. Essentially the Monday DL Day is helping our schools remain open for in-person instruction Tuesday - Friday along with keeping athletics and, we anticipate, other spring events such as prom and graduation, going.     
  • Currently, about 20% of our students remain on full-time Distance Learning. Many of these students have underlying medical conditions preventing them from returning to in-person instruction.  Our full-time at-home learners still need to take State Assessments. These assessments have to be done in school. The safest time for them to be in school is on Monday, separate from the rest of the student body. As a result, RICAS English Language Arts, RICAS Mathematics, Next Generation Science, Alternate Assessments, as well as Kindergarten and other screenings, have all been scheduled on Mondays.   
  • Mondays also fall within two holidays and a previously scheduled Professional Development Day. 
  • Between assessments, screenings, holidays, etc. there are very few remaining unscheduled Mondays for the remainder of the school year. 

I recognize the disappointment and anger some will feel with this recommendation and decision. We wish we could go back to five days a week in-person instruction, including our at-home learners. While some may feel otherwise, NSPS re-opened our schools faster, and remained consistently open, more so than many districts across the state. 


Despite the concerns I expressed above, all of us are truly hoping that, with everyone’s cooperation, we can get a handle on this surge and will indeed finish the year strong and together.  


Everyone, please have a restful April Vacation, and keep safe and healthy. 


Michael St. Jean - Superintendent

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Illness and Allergy Letter to Families

4/1/2021

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Dear North Smithfield Families,

As we have been closing out hybrid instruction and expanding in-person instruction, we have been reminding families that the intent of Distance Learning was to accommodate continuous instruction for full-time at-home students, students on the hybrid schedule, and students who have to quarantine. 

Unfortunately, we have received multiple reports of students falling back on Distance Learning because they: 
  • Slept late, 
  • Claimed they missed the bus, 
  • Decided on their own to attend classes online instead of in-person, 
  • Went on family vacations while school was in session. 

In these cases, Distance Learning was used as a convenience and not for its original intent.   

Our reminder was intended to end this behavior, and not to deny instruction to those with medical reasons and who may need to temporarily isolate at home

Quarantine, Illness, and Allergies
As you know, families are required to fill out a daily wellness screening before sending their children to school. Now that we have more than 80% of our students in the school buildings four days a week, this is especially important. We ask that you please be diligent about completing this daily screening. 
Children who are supposed to be learning in person are expected to be in school, and they are not permitted to participate in classes virtually when absent. However, if your child must be in isolation or quarantine, then participation in virtual instruction is permitted. Please follow these guidelines to help us support your child appropriately:
  • One Symptom: If your child has just one possible symptom of COVID, and it isn’t a symptom you associate with seasonal allergies, please keep your child home, call the school office to report your child sick along with the nature of the illness/symptom. If the illness aligns with any of the COVID symptoms, you may request online instruction. You should also contact your pediatrician for further guidance.
  • Two or More Symptoms: If your child exhibits two or more possible symptoms of COVID, please keep your child home, call the school office to report your child sick along with the nature of the illness/symptoms, request online instruction, and schedule a PCR COVID test. While your child isolates and waits for his or her PCR test results he or she can attend classes online. 
  • Seasonal Allergies - even if allergies are typical for your child - you must be thinking in terms of COVID when they first start. The first time your child has symptoms, keep your child at home, call the office to report your child sick along with the nature of the illness/symptoms, request online instruction, contact your pediatrician, and schedule a PCR test. If the test is negative, you may send your child to school daily as long as the symptoms do not change and additional symptoms do not develop. We will also accept official documentation from a doctor’s office regarding a seasonal recurrence of allergies. 
  • In all the situations above, while your child is self-isolating and waiting for a COVID test and/or test results, he or she is considered under quarantine and will be allowed to participate in virtual instruction. In all cases you must: 
    • Call the school office before the start of the school day to report your child sick along with the nature of the illness/symptoms. If the illness aligns with any of the COVID symptoms, you may request online instruction.
    • You should immediately schedule a COVID PCR test at https://covid.ri.gov/testing/testing-k-12-students-and-staff 
    • While you await test results your child may continue virtual instruction. PCR test results are typically available within 48 hours of testing. Please note that during any time of isolation or quarantine your child will not be permitted to participate in after-school extracurricular activities or athletics. 
    • Before your child is permitted to return to school in-person, you will need to provide to the school nurse an official doctor’s note or an official negative PCR COVID test result, as well as a completed Return to School After Illness Attestation form. https://health.ri.gov/publications/assessments/After-Illness-Return-Attestation.pdf
  • If your child does develop COVID, or if your child is identified as a close contact of someone with COVID, participation in virtual instruction is permitted for the length of your child’s quarantine. Please be sure that the school office is aware of the situation. 
  • If your child is too sick to attend classes, even online, also notify the school. Make-up work will be available when he or she feels better. 

While we all eagerly anticipate a return to normal, please remember that for us COVID is still very much our daily reality, especially as more students return to in-person instruction and the numbers of positive cases are again on the rise across the state. We want to continue to expand in-person instruction, and continue moving forward without risking a backslide. 


​As always, feel free to reach out to your school staff or school nurse with any questions. 

  • Michael St. Jean, Superintendent
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Superintendent Update 3/9/2021

3/9/2021

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Dear North Smithfield Families,

Friday, March 12th will be a Distance Learning Day as our district employees, bus drivers and monitors, kitchen workers, coaches, and everyone that works with our children, has the opportunity to receive vaccinations at the joint North Smithfield/Woonsocket vaccination clinic this Friday. Friday will be a synchronous day of instruction, meaning classes will still take place online. Teachers receiving their vaccination on Friday will arrange alternate assignments during the period their vaccination appointment is scheduled.  

Ending Hybrid Instruction starting with Grade 7:

We will be returning our remaining hybrid grade levels (7, 8, 10, 11) to four days a week in-person instruction beginning with Grade 7 which will return to four days a week instruction starting Tuesday March 16th. 

We will shortly announce a schedule for grades 8, 10, and 11 to end Hybrid scheduling. 

In order to do this, we will need everyone’s help and cooperation. For the remainder of this school year, we have to carefully manage our spacing and transportation. 

Buses are currently limited to 50% capacity, up to 36 students.  At NSES, with so many students returning from at-home instruction, several of our buses have reached the 36 student limit. We will continue to monitor and may have to adjust a few routes. 

For the MS/HS buses, we have some space on the buses to begin phasing out the hybrid schedule. We can’t do it all at once, but can ease into it and monitor our counts and make adjustments as needed. 

There is also a strong possibility that in the coming weeks the CDC and RIDOH will be issuing new bus guidance and raise the limits allowable on the bus.  

What expanding in-person learning will  mean (as of this writing)

  1. Monday, for now, will remain a Distance Learning Day for the district. We will still have students and classrooms moving in and out of quarantine. We have statewide testing scheduled on Mondays along with the previously scheduled professional development days and holidays.   
  2. Hybrid classes will no longer be an option. Students will either attend classes in-person or at-home Tuesday - Friday. We ask that you commit to one or the other as we can’t have students moving back between the two unless they are under quarantine. 
  3. At-home learning is only available only as a full-time parental choice due to a medical need or health concern, or when a student must quarantine. It was never intended to be used as a convenience.  
  4. We continue to welcome the return of our full-time at-home learners to in-person instruction. While we ask for a commitment, we understand that as more parents and relatives, who live in the same household as our students, receive their vaccinations, the risk to them is lowered and they will want their students to return to in-person learning. 
  5. With the return of our full-time at-home students and the remaining hybrid grade levels, students will be sitting closer in classrooms and in the cafeteria. We cannot maintain the recommended six feet of separation in every location. Fortunately, our schools have good ventilation and our mask-wearing, handwashing, and cleaning protocols are effective.  Additionally, as the weather gets warmer, we will move more activities outside.  
  6. Bus ridership remains restricted to 50% capacity. If you have access to alternate transportation to and/or from school we ask that you use it. As more students return to in-person learning, we may run out seats on the bus for those with no other means of transportation. As a result we will have to carefully manage our bus capacity, ridership, and routes. I am told that the CDC and RIDOH are reviewing this restriction and new guidance is forthcoming. Hopeful bus restrictions will no longer be an issue. 
  7. Specific school-related questions should be directed to your respective school administration.

Here’s to looking at the light at the end of the tunnel and finishing this year strong and together. 

Michael St. Jean, Superintendent 

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Superintendent Update 2/12/2021

2/12/2021

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Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

I want to start off by wishing everyone a safe February Vacation and share a few updates. 

Facilities: 

Last Friday, we had to switch our middle school and high school to Distance Learning due to an exterior leak in the underground propane system that fed the middle school ovens and science labs. Despite the dramatic flames, people may have seen in the bus loop overnight and early in the morning, this was a controlled burn to empty the propane tank to begin repairs. I need to emphasize that at no point were our schools, students, or staff in danger. 

Not only did we have the leak repaired, but we also used this opportunity to implement other modifications and safety upgrades. The new systems have been fully inspected and will be back online shortly. 

February Vacation and Travel:

In previous years, our nurses always welcomed the February vacation as a firewall against the spread of the seasonal flu. We hope everyone will continue to practice caution during this week. 

We need to remind people that if you are traveling during this time, travel warnings and quarantine restrictions still apply:  https://covid.ri.gov/covid-19-prevention/travel-tofrom-ri

Student Returns:

Up until Thanksgiving, we opened grades PK-6, grade 9, and any student with an IEP and/or a 504 Plan to four days a week in-person. We were on a roll. The period of spikes between Thanksgiving and the New Year greatly slowed our progress, especially where entire grade levels were concerned. 

During this “pause” we did, however, prioritize additional students who were either on full-time Distance Learning, or in one of the hybrid grades, and offered families four days a week in-person instruction. Thirty students either switched from full Distance Learning to in-person learning or opted to increase their in-person days. 

Grade 12 is next. We are currently surveying seniors and their parents about their choice to expand instruction to four days a week or remain on full-time distance learning. This survey will help us to better assess capacity. Depending on the family and students’ responses, we may need to reschedule some students into alternate classes or sections to balance class sizes, find alternative locations for classes with larger enrollments in order to create more space for social distancing, and/or make adjustments to transportation, cafeteria assignments, and movement within the school. 

Going Forward: 

November and December were difficult months with contact tracing and the sheer numbers of staff and students who had to quarantine. Staffing classrooms on a daily basis was and is an on-going challenge. Thank you to all our teachers, instructional assistants, and administrators for your hard work and flexibility in keeping our schools open.

The Distance Learning week after the Winter Vacation was a welcome health break. We had comparatively few positive cases when we returned.  

Unfortunately, it has not stayed this way. At the end of last week, for example, we had 7 students and 3 staff who had tested positive with an additional 53 students and 19 staff under quarantine. 

Despite this mini-outbreak, we hold that our protocols and procedures are effective as to date,  transmissions of the virus appear to have all occurred outside of school and not from within our walls. 

Our goal remains to have all students returning to full in-person instruction.

We will be expanding our in-school BinaxNOW asymptomatic screenings. As the weather gets warmer, as more staff and people in the community receive vaccinations, and as guidance from the CDC and RI Department of Health is updated (with hopefully more relaxed restrictions), we will continue to evaluate the remaining Hybrid grades along with eliminating the Monday Distance Learning day. 

For the time being, we are still under restrictions that guide social distancing, classroom, and school layout and limit bus ridership capacity, cafeteria seating, and gathering sizes and locations.   

Community Support

We need everyone’s help maintaining a consistent schedule with the students. This is particularly true with the older students. Originally we required a quarter by a quarter commitment to full Distance Learning. After school reopened and based on numerous family requests, we relaxed this commitment and allowed students to move in and out of Distance Learning. Unfortunately, we are now seeing Distance Learning being used by some as a convenience and not as a health or medical necessity. For example, on days students are supposed to be in school, we have seen some instead attend classes online because they overslept. We have some student-athletes who have switched to Distance Learning and later learned that they did so because they did not want to increase their chances of being quarantined and missing a portion of the season. 

With this in mind, and based on phone calls, emails, and conversations with parents, students, and staff, I’d like to make the following observation: The changes and cancellations brought by COVID are difficult on our students. As adults, no matter the pressures we feel, the weight of our responsibilities, or how tired we are, we need to remember to remain positive and consistent and not unintentionally contribute to their disappointment, anxiety, or uncertainty.  For our children and students, we need to project positivity, engage their interests, and continue to nurture their natural curiosity and creativity. During a pandemic, in the cold and grey of winter, it is easy to forget to just let go and play and laugh with the kids.  

Everyone, please have a happy and safe February Vacation. Play, laugh, and anticipate the warmer and better days ahead. 


Michael St. Jean, Superintendent

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Superintendent Update 12/9/2020

12/9/2020

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Calendar update for the week of December 21st

During the week leading up to the Winter Recess, Tuesday and Wednesday will become  Distance Learning Days. 

Monday, 12/21 - Distance Learning Day (standard)
Tuesday, 12/22 - Distance Learning Day (new)
Wednesday, 12/23 - Distance Learning Day (new)
Thursday, 12/24 - Winter Recess begins

We did this during the week leading up to Thanksgiving in order to give everyone time to isolate prior to the holiday and it makes sense to do the same leading up to the Winter Recess.  

Can we remain open?

After Thanksgiving, many high schools, and even entire school districts, switched to full Distance Learning. This week some of our neighboring districts, along with many districts across the state, have begun announcing their transitions to Distance Learning starting this week with more to follow next week. 

We currently have five employees and five students who have tested positive for the coronavirus and we all wish them a speedy recovery back to full health. We have significantly more staff and students who are home ill, who are ill and waiting for test results, who are in isolation because they were in contact with someone who tested positive, including immediate family members, or….and this number is growing among our own staff...because their own children’s schools have switched to Distance Learning or their daycares have closed. 

Many of our teachers are persevering as they continue to provide remote instruction from home while under quarantine even when that quarantine means that they are caring for their own family members with the coronavirus. As more schools around us switch to Distance Learning, the strain on our staff to remain open becomes greater, but we all agree that students need to be in school.  

As of today, we have 6 days of in-person instruction remaining before the Winter Recess. During these days, North Smithfield fully intends to keep our schools open for in-person instruction. We will continue to closely monitor for situations beyond our control and respond accordingly. 

As always, I thank everyone for your hard work, dedication, patience, and continued support of our students. 

Michael St. Jean, Superintendent

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Superintendent Update 11/19/20

11/19/2020

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Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving and summarize my report at the 11/17/2020 School Committee Meeting.

COVID, Quarantines, and Remaining Open

Thank you to our teachers and students for maintaining the protocols and procedures we put in place to mitigate the risk of COVID spread. As cases continue to climb across the country and state, we will continuously monitor the conditions in North Smithfield and our schools. 

To date, what all of you are doing is working. Our numbers of positive cases are lower than most other school districts and so far all of our positive cases have been traced to exposure occurring outside of school.
 
  • NSHS - 4 In-person students, 1 full distance learning student, 0 staff
  • NSMS - 0 In-person students, 1 full distance learning student, 1 staff
  • NSES - 0 In-person students, 2 full distance learning students, 2 staff

Even though our positivity rates are very low compared to other districts, the number of students and staff the DOH is sending into quarantine is increasing dramatically. While this is a necessary precaution it does place a strain on our ability to adequately staff our classrooms and continue uninterrupted instruction to our students. 

With the COVID spike statewide, family members are testing positive, meaning that our staff members must quarantine by association. With the COVID spike statewide, schools and daycares have been switching between in-person and Distance Learning, meaning that some of our staff members, especially those with small children, must take FFCRA leave (federally available to all employees). Also when a staff member feels ill with probable COVID symptoms, they must isolate and get tested, and wait at least 48 hours for a negative PCR test during which time we must try and cover classes. Unfortunately with the current spike in cases across the state, the K-12 testing system is overburdened resulting in delays in testing appointments and results. The original 48 hour period is no longer in effect and is extended. 

We have established a system where we can pivot from in-person to at-home teaching and learning to ride out the various quarantines, and so far, with a tremendous effort from our teachers, we are making it work.   

At a statewide superintendent’s meeting this week, I heard from districts that are considering switching to full Distance Learning due to the high numbers of staff who are in quarantine. I heard from districts that suggested they may need to switch to full Distance Learning because of their increased COVID-related expenses and uncertainty in State Aid to Education which has them facing budget deficits. 

The coming weeks between Thanksgiving and the period after New Years will be a challenge for all of us. While we have protocols in place during the school day, we are affected by what happens after hours, during the weekends, and across the region and state. 

We have brought back students in PK-6, 9, as well as students with IEP’s and 504 Plans. While we do want all of our students to return, we must still operate under a number of restrictions and precautions. I have stated at several School Committee meetings that I want to bring back our 12th graders, but I cannot commit to a date, or even if it is a possibility, until we have data regarding the return of the 9th graders to NSHS. 

At the 11/17/2020 School Committee Meeting, Chair James Lombardi expressed concern for those students who are struggling. I was able to reply that I have already asked for a list of students in the Hybrid grade levels 7-8 and 10-12 who are struggling the most academically, emotionally, and psychologically to determine if we can offer their parents to bring them in additional days. 

Governor’s Press Conference on 11/19/2020

At her press conference on 11/19/2020, Governor Raimondo announced that as of November 30 until the Winter break, all high schools will shift to their limited in-person plans that were developed earlier this year. PreK-8 students will remain in-person with the exception of students currently enrolled in virtual learning. 

Our Limited Reopening Plan for the High School is the Hybrid plan we began the school year with. We have since expanded the plan to include four days a week in-person instruction for all students with IEP’s, 504 plans, 9th graders, whom we prioritized because 9th grade is an important transition year. 

Based on the effectiveness of our protocols, the very low positivity rate in our schools, and the need to have students in school, we intend to keep the high school status quo for the time being. We will continue to closely monitor for any changes at the High School, and all schools, and dial back accordingly if it becomes necessary. 

Enrollment Update

I have posted the enrollment report I presented to the School Committee at their 11/17 meeting. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AXvJuMvj-7X8KGe4ebox_pEEzax2xQiQ/view?usp=sharing

Enrollment Summary:

  • Like every district across the state, our overall enrollment numbers have declined due to COVID-realted reasons, primarily parents delaying enrollment in PK and K programs by a year, or seeking 5 day a week daycare options. We have also had an increase in homeschooling applications with many parents citing COVID-related concerns. We anticipate a return of the majority of these students with a vaccine and a new year. 
  • While our overall enrollment declined slightly, the number of new students entering into the district increased. If not for COVID, we would have an overall enrollment increase this year. 
  • The number of tuition paying students to or CTE programs at NSHS increased from 4 last year to 7 (with one pending) this year. 
  • The number of out-of-district special education students decreased from 17 last year to 14 this year, as we work to bring even our most fragile students back and keep them closer to home. 
  • The number of North Smithfield students transferring to private, charter, and parochial schools has, so far, decreased this year. 
  • Additionally we have seen an increase in students returning to North Smithfield Public Schools from private and charter schools. 
  • We take this as a positive recognition of the strength of our schools, programs, and instruction. From a budgetary standpoint, the more students we attract and/or retain means the more funds we have available to invest in our own schools, students, and programs.

Student and Family Supports

During the 11/17/20 School Committee Meeting, Committee Member Paul Jones asked about supports that were available to parents. While our school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers are here for our students and families, we also recommend: 

Mental Health/Suicide:

KidsLinkRI- 1-855-543-5465   
Available 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. 
Call if your child is feeling:
  • Excessive anger or sadness
  • Lashing out at others
  • Having behavior problems at school
  • Having severe worries
  • Hurting himself/herself or others

BH Link (for 18 yrs old and over)-401-414-5465 
Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Samaritans of RI hotline-1-800-365-4044
24 hour crisis hotline/listening line 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 1-800-273-8255. 
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Community Care Alliance-401-235-7120
Mental Health/Addiction/Child & Family services.

Alanon/Alateen-401-781-0044 
Substance abuse meetings, information, and resources. www.riafg.org 

Food/Housing/Utility Support:

Community Care Alliance - 401-235-7000.
Housing support and Basic needs support (including heat and utilities)
Basic Needs Assistance > Programs & Services

Tri-Town Community Action Agency- 401-351-1913
11 Emanuel Street, North Providence, RI.
Housing and food assistance

Neighborhood Works- 401-762-0993
Housing assistance

St. John’s Food Bank - 401-762-0946
63 Church Street, Slatersville, RI.  Call to schedule a pantry appointment

Manville Food Share Program- 401-757-0605
11 Winter Street, Manville, RI 02838
Open 9-11 on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month

Clothes to Kids RI- 401-941-8050. https://clothestokidsri.org/
Clothes to Kids is a nonprofit providing school aged children in K through GED a full wardrobe of clothing - FREE OF CHARGE! Students can receive clothing twice a year.

COVID Resources:

TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19

North Smithfield Schools Support Staff: 

Available during school hours:  In the event of an  emergency, please call 911 or utilize an emergency number listed above if you or your child are at risk. 

Michelle Halloran- School Social Worker, North Smithfield Middle & High School 401-597-6100. mhalloran@nsps.us

Maria Corsini- School Psychologist, North Smithfield Middle & High School 401-766-2500. mcorsini@nsps.us

Kim Cote-School Social Worker, North Smithfield Elementary School
401-356-4881. kcote@nsps.us 

Maggy Bell-School Psychologist, North Smithfield Elementary School 
401-597-0363. mbell@nsps.us 


 - Michael St. Jean, Superintendent
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Superintendent Update 11/6/2020

11/6/2020

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Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

It is hard to believe that we have only been back to school for only seven weeks. I am sure it seems longer than that for most of us. I have to express my sincere thanks to everyone. 

Thank you to our teachers and support staff who have been giving 1000% to their students and colleagues. 
Thank you to our many students who have been amazingly resilient working under the constraints that COVID has imposed on them. We are very aware of the social-emotional burden, depression, and weariness felt by many of our students, which is driving so many of our efforts. 

And thank you to parents who have been patient, who are working with our teachers and encouraging their children to engage and succeed, despite the challenges. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. 

It was with all this in mind that we addressed the North Smithfield School Committee at a special meeting Thursday, November 5th. The video from the meeting can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Hcj2e-v_GKQ.  An outline is included below. 

Progress
  • School Return Timetable to Date
    • Week of 09/21: School Begins Hybrid K-12. PK and Life Skills students 4 days a week.
    • Week of 10/05: Return Kindergarten
    • Week of 10/12: Return Grade 1
    • Week of 10/19: Return Grade 5 and all students with IEP's 
    • Week of 10/28: Return Grade 4 and all students with 504 Plans
    • Week of 11/02: Return Grades 2 and 3. 
    • Week of 11/17: Return Grades 6 and 9
  • With the return of students in Grades PK-5, North Smithfield Schools have met the Department of Education and State’s requirements to prioritize the return of students in grades PK-5. Adding Grades 6 and 9 means we are now exceeding the Department of Education and State priorities as we continue to find means to bring students back under current restrictions.  
  • Mr. McGee led a very frank discussion of the challenges of bringing back the 9th grade as well as the overwhelming need to make this happen. https://youtu.be/Hcj2e-v_GKQ?t=2377

Cautions
  • Positive cases so far: 4 students and 3 adults. 
  • Systems Working: Coming out of the summer and beginning the school year, many of us (Including myself) anticipated we may have had to shut down by now due to community spread within our walls.  That has not happened.  This shows to me that we made the right preparations of our facilities, including early investments in our heating and ventilation systems, and that our COVID-mitigation processes and procedures have been effective.
  • Staff Coverage: Maintaining consistent staff coverage due to the Department of Health's mandatory quarantines plus general illnesses (which require testing, and 48-hour return) have been an ongoing challenge. We need to keep schools open and instruction continuous. We have designed our instructional delivery to be able to rapidly move between at-home and in-person instruction whether it is a student or students, teacher or teachers, an entire classroom, grade level, or an entire school.   
  • Contact Tracing: The slow pace of the Department of Health contact tracing and notifications has been a challenge. We have raised our concerns directly in state-level meetings and are pushing for greater efficiency and speed with student/parent notifications. 
  • We are closely monitoring statewide increases in cases and the effect on the community and our schools

Other Updates
  • Curriculum: Our Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Arnold shared information around our review of the frequency and types of student assignments, our grading policies and procedures, and further honing our focus on critical standards. https://youtu.be/Hcj2e-v_GKQ?t=1898
  • Communications:  Please keep checking our district and school websites, along with Facebook for information. Our district Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/northsmithfieldschools has 1900 followers. It is amazing to see the community helping to get the word out by sending out Shares like watch beacons.  
    • If you are not receiving School Messenger notifications, please check the Parent Portal (https://nspsri.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/nsmithfield.jsp) or contact your school (https://www.nsps.us/schools.html) to verify or update your telephone number or email.
    • We will be scheduling regular “Town Hall” type forums with each of our schools where we welcome staff, parents, and students to ask questions and exchange ideas.  
  • Calendar Update: Tuesday, November 24th is changed from an in-person school day to a Distance Learning day ((Mon -Tues = DL. Wed - Fri = Vacation). 
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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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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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