RBS Remote Learning Parent Guide
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide. It contains the big ideas regarding our implementation of remote instruction at Riddle Brook School. Please think of this as a mini-addendum to our regular school handbook.
As usual, if you have questions, please direct them to the person who you think has the answer:
- Teachers for classroom-specific questions
- Technology Questions
- Debbie Rodd (Digital Learning Specialist) roddd@sau25.net
- Special Education
- Case Managers, Service Providers
- Matt Munsey (Special Education Facilitator) munseym@sau25.net
- Guidance & Behavior
- Marty Reese reesem@sau25.net
- Kelly Kent-Kiburis (Behavior Specialist) kiburisk@sau25.net
- Brianna Fedolfi (BCBA) fedolfib@sau25.net
- Nurse - (603) 471-1082 x25201
- Michele Ouellette ouellettem@sau25.net
- Administrators - (603) 471-1082
- Molly (Principal) mccarthym@sau25.net
- Matt Munsey (Asst. Principal) munseym@sau25.net
We will be in touch regularly as well with information and updates. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with questions, concerns and information. We’re here to support parents/guardians and students during this transition to Remote Learning. We all recognize that this is a very stressful time for families as we are adjusting to a very different work, school and family life. Please know that RBS is here for you if you need support!
Sincerely,
Molly and Matt
Goal of Remote Instruction:
The central goal of remote instruction is to continue student learning. Students will continue to be given instructional opportunities and demonstrate competency in a variety of ways.
Preparation for Remote Instruction:
Staff members have spent this past week preparing for remote learning. Through extensive work as teams, individuals, and in coordination with our Digital Learning Specialist (Debbie Rodd), teachers have prepared a number of lessons and resources to ensure a continuity of programs.
Access to Riddle Brook:
At this point, we are asking that no students or parents enter our building. We are doing our best to keep the building disinfected and mitigate any chance of infection/contamination of those staff members that need to be in the building.
If you need anything from the building, please call the main office to ask about if/how/when you can pick up the item.
Communication:
For teachers, email will be the primary mode of communication. If you need to reach a teacher, counselor, or other staff member, please use email. Staff members are available to answer emails throughout the typical school hours. Emails that come in after the end of the school day may not be returned until the next school day. Main office and health office staff are available by phone or email to answer questions throughout the day. If someone does not answer your call, please leave a message and someone will get back to you. STAFF DIRECTORY
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
• Quarter 3 closes on March 27th.
• Teachers will be in touch about how parents want to handle Parent/Teacher Conferences (i.e. phone or email).
Class Expectations:
All students are expected to participate in the online activities that their teachers prepare for them.
During this period of remote instruction, it will be important to maintain as much normalcy as possible for our students. We understand that homes are now strategizing how to have multiple students, and in many cases parents, working remotely from home. Please use some flexibility during your day, but note that most assignments will be due the date they are assigned, unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
Teachers will make themselves available via email to parents for academic questions throughout the time of a typical school day.
We have asked teachers to reduce the scope of the curriculum and instruction in order to adjust to a remote learning model. We cannot cover all the same material as we would have in a physical classroom setting.
Playground Access:
Given the guidance from the CDC and DHHS about stopping the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, we are asking that students DO NOT come to our playgrounds.
Tech Support (UPDATE):
- Chromebooks were distributed this week. Thank you to families for helping to make this distribution seamless!
- If you need tech support during the Remote Learning period, please contact the IT department through this form. They will try to arrange for a drop-off to McKelvie School, so they can fix the Chromebook if it is broken or they will call you back to help resolve the issue. Our technology staff can also be reached at (603) 310-9559.
- An additional Chromebook pickup time has been added for grades 1-6 for families who need a device for their child.
- Date: Monday March 23rd
- Times: 9:00 am-10:30 am or 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
- Location: McKelvie School - Please come around to the back of the school for pickup.
Attendance:
Teachers will be taking attendance each morning. Each teacher will communicate to their parents/guardians how attendance will be taken.
Even if your child will not be able to get to their work assignments until later in the day, please take a minute in the morning to let the teacher know that your child is “present” that day.
If your child is sick and unable to attend Remote Learning for that day, please call into our Attendance Line (471-1082 x1) just as you normally would do.
Guidance Help:
During these times when all adults are less certain about how things are going to proceed, it’s ever more important to create normal structures for our students.
Students thrive on structure, clear expectations, and a sense of normalcy. It's important for all of us to create an environment that mirrors the four walls of a school building as much as possible.
Take some time with your student to think about things that they do every day at school that impact their well-being as a student: scheduled and as-needed breaks (this includes breaks from all technology), household chores and regular exercise, quiet time, and a time and appropriate method to check in with friends. You may also want to consider helping your student connect with their regular supports from the building (classroom teachers, specialists, integrated arts teachers, counselor, nurse or principal).
Taking on the task of organizing your child’s day can be overwhelming. We suggest that you empower your student to chunk out their time in manageable increments and set daily goals. This will help in making your household schedule flow.
If you or your child needs support, etc. from our Guidance Counselor, Marty Reese, please contact her at 471-1082 x25205 or reesem@sau25.net
RBS Counselor’s Corner
If you need any behavioral guidance/suggestions, please reach out to our Behavior Specialist, Kelly Kent-Kiburis, at kiburisk@sau25.net and/or BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), Brianna Fedolfi at fedolfib@sau25.net
School Nurse:
- Our school nurse, Michele Ouellette, will be available during the school day as a resource to parents and staff. Parents should report any influenza-like-illness (ILI) or positive test results for any type of flu including influenza A, B or COVID-19 to the health office. Contact information: 471-1082 x25201 or ouellettem@sau25.net
Special Services:
In general, these services will be provided following these guidelines:
- Special Education: Special education staff will continue to offer services based on the individual needs of students. Service delivery may include remote learning, instructional work packets, instructional telephone calls with students, consults to caregivers, and other curriculum-based instructional activities and resources. If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s needs, please communicate directly with your child’s case manager or the special education facilitator.
- Section 504 Plans: Classroom teachers will continue to follow student Section 504 plans as they typically would in the physical classroom. However, it is important for all students and teachers to be flexible in their approach and methods during this period of time
- Pick up for the grab and go breakfasts and lunches will now be at the BHS gym door entrance (instead of front entrance). Those doors are nearer the kitchen and make the logistics of delivery easier. If you’ve never been to that entrance, it’s at the back of the building. A sign will be along the sidewalk as it has been this week.
- Please continue to fill out the Food Service Meal Order Form (HERE).
- Deadline for pre-ordering is 2pm the previous day. Please know that pre-ordering is a must in order to ensure you have meals.
- Contact Emily Murphy at murphye@bedfordnhk12.net for any questions or concerns.
- For additional meal and food support, the Bedford Community Food Pantry has extended their hours from 9am-12pm. Click HERE for more information.
- All school and district events scheduled to take place between now and April vacation are cancelled. That includes Family Fun Night and the 4th Grade Play.
- Although Grandparents’ Day was scheduled to take place after April Vacation, it is cancelled as well.
- Yearbook orders are now on hold. More information to come.
During this time, students may not be present in the physical classroom, but it is vital to maintain academic honesty and integrity in the educational environment. It is important that all student work is a true reflection of a student’s ability and progress toward competency and we would encourage students to work independently or collaboratively as appropriate for a particular subject or assignment.
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
- Quarter 3 closes on March 27th.
- Teachers will be in touch about how parents want to handle Parent/Teacher Conferences (i.e. phone or email).
Please click HERE for RBS Good News Notes 3/20/2020