November 19th, 2020

I know that the sudden change in our learning model this week was hard on our families but I want to thank everyone for your patience and flexibility.  I am so hopeful that we will be on track to return to in person learning on December 1st.  In the meantime, if you have any issues or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.  

In order for us to continue to make informed decisions, we are asking that even during remote learning that you please continue to let our school nurse, Mrs. Brundage, know if your children become symptomaic, get tested, or get results.  

Also, we know that everything that is going on can have negative effects on the mental health of our students.  It is important that all students continue to be supported but it is sometimes difficult for us to help if we don't know what is going on.  If your child is struggling with school, or with anything else, the teachers, Mrs. Blessing, Mr. Aronian, and myself are here to help.  Send an email or give us a call and we will do everything we can to support them.  

Please take a minute to see the important updates below.  I will not be sending an update next week because of the holiday so I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

SNOWFLAKE DRIVE

Due to the transition to a remote platform and the amount of need, we are extending the deadline for the Snowflake Drive. This is a drive that has been done for many years in Douglas. Just last year the Elementary School alone was able to support 11 families with a combined total of 29 children during last holiday season. Please see this Snowflake Drive Flyer for details. Gift cards can still be dropped off at the school. Please email Mrs. Blessing (jblessing@douglasps.net) with any questions. 

BOOK FAIR

The elementary school will be holding a virtual book fair from November 23rd through December 4th.  Any items ordered will be shipped to the school and will arrive in time for the holidays.  The school receives a percentage of the money as credit to buy books for the library.  Please see the Book Fair Website for more information.  Please email Mr. Tringali (stringali@douglasps.net) with any questions.  

PTO INFORMATION

Get your Douglas 2020 shirt today and support the PTO! Orders need to be in by 11/22 so don’t delay! You can choose direct ship to home (for a small fee) or ship to school. Once the orders are in to school we will arrange pick ups. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. (They assure that they’ll be in by Christmas)

https://douglaspto.itemorder.com/sale

November 17th, 2020 #2

With the announcement that students will be learning remotely from now until December 1st, we realize that students in Cohort A do not have their Chromebooks and other materials needed for learning from home.  We will be opening the school from 7:30-4:00 tomorrow, November 18th, for students to pick up any materials that they might need.  In order to be able to do this quickly, we are not doing a sign up but we will be limiting the number of families allowed in the building at a time to 5.  If we are already at our max, we will ask you to please wait in your car until someone leaves.  We would like to reserve 7:30-8:30 for families that are not able to come another time or do not have an alternate device.  

When you arrive, please ring the bell at the front entrance and we will let you in.  You will need to go up to your child's classroom and get any materials that you might need including Chromebooks.  Teachers have not had a chance to gather the materials so your child will have to help with locating the necessary items.  

If these times do not work for you or you have other questions, please don't hesitate to contact the office.  A huge thank you for your flexibility and patience.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

November 17th, 2020

 Hello Everyone,

As you were made aware last night, the district will be closed today.  At the elementary school, we will follow the same plan that we used when we went remote for the two weeks in October.  All students should report to their homeroom teachers morning meeting to get further directions on the rest of the day.  Today is still a half day for students with conferences this afternoon.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the office.  There will still be staff will be there to answer questions and point you in the right direction.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

November 13th, 2020

Don't forget that we have half days on Monday and Tuesday this week for conferences.  Dismissal will begin at 11:45 both days for in person learning and for remote students, the scheduled blocks will be shorter and also end at 11:45.  If you have not already, please make sure that you have signed up for a time.  These will be a great chance to have a one on one check in with your child's homeroom teacher to see how they are progressing this year.  If you would like to meet with any of the other teachers that your child works with, please contact them directly to set up a time.  

Please see the important updates below and as always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

FLU VACCINES

Please see this Flu Vaccine Letter from Dr. Vieira about the new state requirements along with another document about a Vaccine Clinic that you can participate in if you would like.  A paper copy was also sent home with students.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

PTO INFORMATION

Butter Braid Pastry and Joyful Traditions Cake Rolls Pick Up Time!!

If you ordered pastries and cake rolls....they will be available for pick up on:

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18th from 3:30-5:30pm in the Elementary School Lobby. Please wear your masks when entering!

IMPORTANT: ALL ORDERS MUST BE PICKED UP DURING THAT TIME FRAME GIVEN THAT THE ITEMS ARE PERISHABLE (and we have no way to store them).

Thank you!!!

OUT OF STATE TRAVEL

Dr. Vieira shared this information in his newsletter a few weeks ago about the guidelines regarding traveling out of state. As we near what is typically a busy travel season, we are asking our families to please let us know if you are traveling out of state and to follow the state guidelines. Our goal is to keep in person learning happening but in order to do so, we need your continued support.

November 6th, 2020

Veteran's Day is on Wednesday, November 11th so there will not be school that day.  Like I mentioned last week, we are creating a Veteran's Day Wall of Honor to recognize those that have served our country.  If your child would like to participate, have them complete this form and return to school.  These were sent home and we also have additional paper copies available in the office.  

For the first time this year, it feels like we are in a nice routine.  Teachers are really starting to move through the curriculum and students are working hard to master grade level concepts.  It certainly takes everyone for this to work and we are so appreciative of all of the support we have received from our families.  This is year is definitely different, but it's still going to be great!  

Please see the important updates below and as always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

CONFERENCES

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Monday 11/16 and Tuesday 11/17.  Communication, especially during this unique learning model, is extremely important and these are a great opportunity to have a one on one discussion with your child's teacher about how they are doing.  Classroom teachers have sent out the information to sign up and we hope that everyone will schedule a time.  Special education, related arts, and Title One teachers will also be available by appointment so please reach out directly to them if you would like to set up a time.  

SNOWFLAKE DRIVE

We will be having our annual Snowflake Drive again this year but will be doing things a little differently from the past.  Please see the attached Snowflake Drive Flyer for more information.  

PTO INFORMATION

During December the Holiday Shop is always an event that students look forward to! Given COVID, the PTO will not be able to "set up shop" as we had hoped. However we wanted to give the kids (and families) an opportunity to still purchase low priced gifts for their family members! From now until December 4th, the PTO is partnering with Frosty's Fair to provide an online Holiday Shop!!

Please see the letter attached for more information. Be sure to enter SHIPTOSCHOOL for free shipping (or items can be shipped to your home for a fee).

Also, please see this Holiday Wreath Flyer.

Thank you and Happy Holidays :)

October 30th, 2020

It was another great week at Douglas Elementary.  Please see the important updates below and as always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I hope that everyone has a fun and safe Halloween weekend.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up!  They will take place on Monday 11/16 from 5:00-7:30 and Tuesday 11/17 from 12:30-3:00.  Because of this, both days will be half days for students with dismissal taking place at 11:45.  Teachers will be sending information about signing up for a time on Monday.  

CLOSEGAP PROGRAM
Last week I shared this document regarding a new social emotional daily check-in tool, CloseGap, that we will start using on November 9th.  If you would like a little more information about how it works, you can watch this short video.  Mrs. Blessing will be visiting with each class to introduce the program over the next week or so.  If you would like to opt out of having your child participate in the program, please return the signed form to the school office.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Blessing at jblessing@douglasps.net.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL PARENT SURVEY

We realize that 2020 has been a challenging year for our students and families and want to make sure we are providing social emotional support where needed.  Please consider filling out this survey to help our district counseling department best serve our students and community as we transition back into school.  

VETERAN'S DAY WALL OF HONOR
For Veteran's Day the past few years, we have created a Wall of Honor, recognizing the people in our families and community that have served our country.  Teachers will be sending home a paper copy of the recognition form we will be using and I am also attaching a digital copy.  If your child is interested in participating, please have them either attach or draw a picture of the veteran they want to honor, complete the rest of the information, and then return to the school by Monday, November 9th.  

INDOOR RECESS

We have been lucky so far that we have been able to have outdoor recess almost every day.  Now that the weather is cooling down and winter is fast approaching, I am anticipating having more days that will require indoor recess.  Because of the social distancing guidelines, we have limited things for students to do during this time.  Students will be able to draw, read, play games on their Chromebook, or if available use the gym.  You are also welcome to send in something small and non-electronic for your child to do independently during these indoor recess days if you feel that it would be helpful.  

October 23rd, 2020

It was great to have students back in the building again this week.  Thank you again for your patience and we are so happy that we only ended up having the one isolated positive case.  

I hope that everyone found Open House on Thursday beneficial.  Just like everything else this school year, we would rather have been able to have everyone come in to the building and physically meet their teachers but hopefully this format still allowed you to get some valuable information.  Thank you to everyone that attended!  

Please see the important updates below and as always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  

Mr. Bell

jbell@douglasps.net
508-476-4200

CLOSEGAP PROGRAM

Please see the attached information about a new digital emotional wellness tool we will be using called Closegap.  Mrs. Blessing is working with the school staff to use this tool with our students to ensure that they are emotionally well during this challenging period of time.  If you would like to opt out of having your child participate, please return the form to the school office signed by Friday, October 30th.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Blessing at jblessing@douglasps.net.

TECHNOLOGY SURVEY
We have heard from many families asking for a parent technology training.  We are looking at putting something together but wanted to gauge the interest and see what topics parent felt might be beneficial.  By Friday, October 30th, please take a minute to fill out this survey which will help guide what we do.  

PTO INFORMATION
ATTENTION...The Braided Pastries and Cake Rolls deadline has been extended to Monday October 26th!!  The final ordering deadline will be 6:00 pm on Monday October 26th as I need to submit the order to the company :)

PRIMARY SCHOOL FAMILIES: Send your orders into school this by Monday or create a profile and place orders online using the link below by 6:00 pm Monday October 26th.

ELEMENTARY FAMILIES: Cohort B families can send their orders into school on Thursday, their first day back!  Cohort A families can send orders in on Monday October 26th.  Unfortunately no late orders will be excepted.  Orders also can be placed online by creating a profile and using the link below by 6:00 pm October 26th

FULL REMOTE FAMILIES: Orders can be placed online by creating a profile and using the link below.  All orders must be submitted by 6:00 pm October 26th!!

https://your.mcmfundraising.com/signup/37XT

Thank you so much for your continued support!!

PICTURE DAY
We will be having a picture day for each cohort.  Cohort A will be on Tuesday, October 27th and Cohort B will be on Thursday, October 29th.  Cohort A will get their forms on Monday the 26th so please make sure to check the backpacks that night.  Cohort B forms were sent home earlier this week.  Douglas Learning Academy students that would like to have their picture taken can come either of those two day between 8:15 and 9:30 and can get their form when arrive.