SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT 58

NORTHUMBERLAND – STRATFORD – STARK

15 Preble Street, Groveton, NH  03582

Telephone (603) 636-1437

Fax (603) 636-6102

www.sau58.org

                Patricia J. Brown                     Dr. Ronna Cadarette             Michelle Mason

          Business Administrator         Superintendent of Schools            Student Services Administrator

April 1, 2020

Dear SAU 58 Community: 

As previously shared with you, Governor Sununu directed all non-essential businesses “to end in-person, in-public, interacting-operations by midnight, Friday, March 27th.” This order “instructs ‘Granite Staters’ to stay at home unless absolutely necessary [to leave].” This order is in effect until Monday, May 4, 2020. 

The New Hampshire School Superintendents have received guidance and recommendations this week from all the NH School Associations to include NEA-NH, NHSBA, NHASEA, NH-CTE, and NHSAA regarding remote instruction.  The Associations have discussed their shared values and crafted recommendations to assist the state as a whole - educators, parents, and mostly students - as we navigate remote learning and our OGL.

Our Administration has taken feedback, and we are listening to how the first week of OGL went.  Adjustments are being made accordingly. Please know that this is brand new for everyone, and different from anything teachers, students, and parents have ever had to do.  We will get through this together as partners.  We recognize that teachers, students, and families are engaging in OGL opportunities at different levels, in a variety of ways, and to varying degrees. We support the level that works to keep our students engaged, making progress, and healthy. 

TIMELINE GUIDANCE

Staff are working to find a balance in the developmental appropriateness for all grades.  This includes screen time, physical movement, outdoor activities, independent projects, and contact time with teachers and paraprofessionals.  In response to recommendations and your feedback, teachers will slow down our pacing and help students get caught up on the work from the week and to check in if they have not heard from students to be sure they are progressing, similar to models used during traditional instruction for reteaching.  Students should focus on Fridays to connect individually with teachers for additional instruction.

We are working to be responsive to your concerns and respect the new demands on families, staff, and the related worry and anxiety.  This shift will begin immediately.  In traditional classrooms, teachers practice flexibility in planning and instruction in response to student needs.  This shift is the same response to virtual instruction so that we can sustain the learning successfully.  

Given this, another recommendation we will adopt is adjusting the guidelines for maximum daily student time commitments for weekly assignments and projects.  Learning should be the constant and time should be the variable.  Here are the daily guidelines from the associations:

• Pre-K: 30 minutes
• Grades K-1: 45 minutes
• Grade 2-3: 90 minutes
• Grades 4-5: 90-120 minutes
• Grades 6-8: 30 minutes per content area
• Grades 9-12: Abbreviated schedule; students work and meet with teachers virtually (when possible and appropriate) to accommodate family demands.  Suggested times are 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM

• These guidelines are meant for any delivery model - OGL packets, online, hybrid, etc.

• We are encouraging teachers to define ‘office hours’ for families to reach out.  This is typically within a 2-3 hour span during the school day. Please reach out to the teachers.

• We realize that teachers are often parents, too, who need to find time to be parents.

GRADING AND ASSESSMENT

The Commissioner of Education announced that there will be no spring State-wide standardized assessments.  New Hampshire has submitted the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) waiver.  Our teachers continue to engage with students and monitor student learning in a growth model.  We are using a Pass/Fail designations for the final grading periods of the year. The exception is Running Start courses that are dual credit classes with the community colleges.  Students will receive a grade for those courses.  

APRIL VACATION

We will be following our regular school calendar for April Vacation except for the “early release” day on April 2.  This will NOT occur. That means there is no OGL on April 27, 28, 29, 30 and May 1.  We hope that we are all able to take a “Stay-Cation” and relax in the fresh spring air.  We will return to OGL on May 4 and be ready to finish well. Stay tuned for additional work distribution.  

If we are all able to achieve strong engagement and accomplish our learning days consistently, I hope to fulfill our 990 hours for high school and 945 hours for elementary school early for students.  That would give the teachers the time to support students in June who need extra opportunities to reach competencies and “Pass” their classwork IF we remain out of school through the end of the year. Staff would also be able to assess curriculum needs and plan for a productive and appropriate start to the 2020-2021 school year with needed adjustments due to OGL.  Every effort will be made to have a graduation celebration for The Class of 2020, even at a future time if needed.

TECHNOLOGY

If you are having technology problems, please put in a technology ticket at techsupport@sau58.org, or reach out to your child’s principal immediately.  This includes internet connectivity or device issues. IT is ready to help you under the excellent guidance of Shane Cloutier. 

SCHOOL MEALS

Business Administrator Patty Brown has been a leader in the North Country to provide almost 700 meals per day, one week before OGL even began!  With the assistance of our paraprofessionals and Abbey Group we have been very successful to now feed all children from ages 0-18 through the new federal funding with reimbursement.  If you need to be added to our list, please email p_brown@sau58.org to begin to receive meals ASAP.  

In addition we have received a donation of 500 pounds of potatoes that will be delivered to families over the next two weeks.  An anonymous donor has also helped alleviate the pressure on families at GHS by clearing lunch account balances. If you are able to help with any of our other three schools, please contact us immediately at the SAU 603-636-1437.  Children should not have to worry about food, and we are fortunate to be able to supplement families during these difficult times through federal funding for ALL children.

While OGL is important, we must need to be attentive to the social-emotional needs and learning components being used in our schools.  I have heard the word perfect used often.  I want to remind all of us that we can’t let the need to be perfect, get in the way of progress. We should strive continuously for improvement and growth for our students.  None of us is perfect. Please encourage healthy habits and use the guidance activities in your packets.

• Time away from learning and wellness breaks are encouraged
• Emphasize positive relationships in this new learning environment
• Less is sometimes MORE
• Be flexible and ready to adapt when needs arise
• Have patience with and grace for one another

RETURNING STUDENT WORK

Groveton High School 

• Grades 6-12 work is on-line. If possible take pictures and send work electronically to avoid contaminants
• IF there is work to be returned, please notify the teacher
• Properly label student work and drop off for Weeks 1 & 2, April 6 - 10, between 6:15 AM and 2:00 PM
• Look for the signs and labeled bins just inside the front entrance doors
• The work will be stored for one week for “disinfecting”

Groveton Elementary School 

• If possible take pictures and send work electronically to avoid contaminants
• Drop off completed packets with student names labeled for Weeks 1 & 2, April 6 - 10, between 6:15 AM and 2:00 PM 
• Look for the signs and labeled bins on the steps of the entrance behind the GES portable classroom
• The work will be stored for one week for “disinfecting” 

Stark Village School 

• If possible take pictures and send work electronically to avoid contaminants
• Drop off completed packets with student names labeled for Weeks 1 & 2, April 6 - 10, between 6:15 AM and 2:00 PM 
• Look for the signs and labeled bins on the picnic table by the main entrance to SVS
• The work will be stored for one week for “disinfecting”

Stratford Public School

• If possible take pictures and send work electronically to avoid contaminants
• Drop off completed packets with student names labeled for Weeks 1 & 2, April 6 - 10, between 6:15 AM and 2:00 PM 
• Look for the signs and labeled bins inside the back entrance door of SPS (where you enter for athletic events)
• The work will be stored for one week for “disinfecting” 

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Buildings have been staffed on a limited basis by administrative assistants, custodial and maintenance crews, food service personnel (paraprofessionals for delivery), information technology (IT) staff, and building/district administrators.  Custodial and maintenance crews sanitize buildings and tend to the operational needs of our facilities as well as continual disinfection. This is a constant demand. Therefore, staff must now elevate presence in the building to another level of precaution.  PLEASE, staff should NOT access the buildings unless it is vital to their work.  We continue to encourage work from home as the primary means to ensure coordination of systemic processes, support all stakeholders, and maintain timely and responsive communications. When any staff are in the buildings they MUST practice strict social distancing and be only in designated work areas (classroom/office).  Staff should NOT congregate in common areas. Access to buildings should be coordinated with the Administration. 

I continue to stress during the pandemic that our collective behaviors have a significant influence on the spread and transmission of COVID-19. Please join us in practicing all the appropriate health and safety measures (as outlined by the CDC and DHHS). Social distancing is not easy. Remote learning and OGL is not easy.  Have grace and patience. If we can all commit to this, we will have an impact on related timeframes and protocols. Above all, please take care of yourselves and your families. We sure do miss our students every day! #roarandsoar #nhlearnsremotely

Respectfully,

Dr. Ronna Cadarette

Superintendent of Schools - SAU #58

r_cadarette@sau58.org

             SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT 58

NORTHUMBERLAND – STRATFORD – STARK

15 Preble Street, Groveton, NH  03582

Telephone (603) 636-1437

Fax (603) 636-6102

www.sau58.org

                Patricia J. Brown                     Dr. Ronna Cadarette             Michelle Mason

          Business Administrator         Superintendent of Schools            Student Services Administrator

Dear Families,

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Governor Sununu mandated that all NH schools move into a remote learning environment.  The order provided one week of preparation with full implementation starting on Monday, March 23, 2020. We are most fortunate at SAU 58, and were planning professional development days in preparation.  Our staff has collaborated for excellent results, and we were able to distribute one-to-one devices to ALL families on Thursday, March 19th, return all student medications and personal belongings, and to provide On-the-go Learning packets for all students.  In addition, faculty have been trained in Google classroom and Edgenuity on-line services to provide the best possible opportunities for students. This all happened well in advance of the Monday, March 23 expected launch. Our staff has gone above and beyond to provide the best sense of normalcy for our students and families.  We began our lunch delivery almost one week in advance of other districts due to the foresight and planning of incredible administrators. I am witnessing firsthand the Rotary mantra of “service above self” in its purest form.  Thank you for the dedication and commitment to our students and families.  We are truly demonstrating #roarandsoar excellence.  

We encourage you to share what you are doing at home and use our hashtag to help us all stay connected virtually as much as possible.  A few reminders in this new virtual world: please do NOT record any sessions between teachers and students. We have to be sure not to break any FERPA or HIPPA laws. #roarandsoar  #nhlearnsremotely

The NHDOE and NHSAA have provided state-wide guidance to NH Superintendents through conference calls, daily updates, and online resources.  The SAU 58 Leadership Team members have worked together to provide teachers and support staff with resources and guidance to be prepared for remote learning. 

The North Country Emergency Response Team facilitated by Benjamin Gaetjens-Oleson, Emergency Management Director, has partnered with SAU 58 and local medical and emergency organizations to provide resources and disseminate information.  We have regularly scheduled meetings to ensure resource availability in the North Country. We are proud to have donated all of our gowns, gloves, and masks for local use.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we began meal delivery to all of our students. Business Administrator Patty Brown applied for a special waiver (seamless summer program) so that all students can have free meals (breakfast and lunch) regardless of family income.  We have established delivery times and meeting places daily (Monday - Friday) in all of our towns with 320 individuals receiving two meals last Friday. All children in our communities ages 0-18 are eligible for these meals and we will receive reimbursement revenue.  Please contact the SAU for more information regarding meals if you are not currently participating (636-1437) or email p_brown@sau58.org.   

On Saturday, March 21, 2020, President Trump announced the waiver of all ESSA-mandated K-12 assessments this spring.  This also means that the SAT is postponed until further notice for high school students. The Commissioner of Education, Frank Edelblut will proceed with the necessary paperwork as he deems appropriate.

This is all new ground, and we are feeling growing pains along with you as families.  Please be patient, and we will work through this together. Below are some guidelines for teachers and families.

It is important to remember that we must function in an asynchronous environment.  Meaning, not all families will be able to have students on-line at the same time in multiple classes.  There will be wifi and Internet glitches. Google and Edgenuity will not always behave consistently. We understand this and will work with families.  Teachers can provide their instruction for later use or multiple viewings. Please visit the SAU or school websites to view our RESOURCES page if you are struggling.  There you will find links for Tech Support, Curriculum Support, and other helpful guidelines.  We will all practice patience with one another and get through this in a supportive and positive manner.  

Guidelines for Remote Learning at SAU #58

COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC

Please continue to monitor our social media, email, text messaging, and One Call for important information daily.  Let us know if you have questions or concerns so that we can respond and help you in a timely manner. We are here to serve you and our students.    

ATTENDANCE - Students and teachers MUST  be in school every day, just virtually. Teachers have the option of working remotely or in their buildings with social distancing.

Elementary:

• Homeroom teachers will check in with students for daily attendance. This will be done by email, phone, or Google Classroom. Teachers will report attendance to the school secretary (elementary) or record attendance in MMS the following day.
• If a teacher has not had a student active in Google Classroom, classroom chats, Edgenuity, etc in a couple of days the teacher will make a referral to Guidance, Guidance will follow up with the student/family.
• Some questions the homeroom teacher might ask: How are you doing with your class materials? Is there anything you need support with?  How would you like to get that additional support? Have you touched base with your teacher? Do you have a daily routine for completing your assignments?

Middle/High School: 

• Advisors will check in with students for daily attendance. This will be done by email, phone, or Google Classroom.  Advisors will report attendance in MMS the following day.
• If a teacher has not had a student active in Google Classroom, classroom chats, Edgenuity, etc in a couple of days the teacher will make a referral to Guidance, Guidance will follow up with the student/family.
• Some questions the advisors might ask: How are you doing with your class materials? Is there anything you need support with?  How would you like to get that additional support? Have you touched base with your teacher? Do you have a daily routine for completing your assignments?

If a teacher has not made contact with a student in three days,

 they will inform the building administrator, and we will contact the

 local Police Department or Sheriff’s Department to 

make a well child check.

STAFF ATTENDANCE

Please use Frontline to document any sick or personal time, or to request unpaid leave.  Also, notify your building administrator and administrative assistant the day you are going to be absent.  All grade level teachers should add your building administrator(s) and SAU #58 grade level teachers as a “co-teacher” in your Google Classrooms so you can collaborate for each other should one of you be absent, etc.  Administration will be checking in this way just as if they were “walking through the building.”

TEACHER WORK DAY: (examples of activities)

8:00 - 11:00 Planning and Preparation  - Report cards, CBE, OGL, PD, etc.

11:00 -11:30 Lunch

11:30 - 3:00 Contact time with Students - Instruction, Questions, Phone , Google Meet, etc.

If parents have questions, they can contact teachers via email after hours and will receive an answer within 24 hours, or a way to make additional contact with teachers.  

School telephone numbers:  

Groveton Elementary School  603-636-1806

Groveton High School 603-636-1619

Stark Village School 603-636-1092

Stratford Public School 603-922-3387

Student Services 603-636-2492

Superintendent’s Office 603-636-1437

PARAPROFESSIONAL WORK DAY: 6.5 hours

Food Service and Delivery

Student Services (as assigned by Michelle Mason)

Professional Development

Supporting Students Virtually

WHAT WILL SUPPORT STAFF BE DOING?

Support staff is being used for an ‘all hands on deck’ model.  They are being utilized for food delivery services (for the first few hours of the day: individual schedules will be provided by Patty Brown) followed by student/family contact, teacher contact, and remote learning opportunities.  If food services conclude, support staff will continue to support their student(s), families, and teacher, as well as, continued education opportunities. Support staff are being paired with assigned students’ teacher(s) to help prepare and deploy lessons for Special Education and Regular Education. In the event a teacher is sick, a paraprofessional is prepared to step in so that the remote learning is not interrupted.  We are relying on support staff to make daily logs, reach out to families when necessary, and work with special education. We are offering the support staff with professional development opportunities that we aren’t able to provide during the regular school instruction model. 

STAFF MEETINGS:

Watch your email for Zoom meeting invitations from your Administration and/or the SAU.  All schools are holding their staff meetings through Zoom or Google Meet. In addition, grade level, department, curriculum, competency based education, guidance, and counselors should meet regularly through a video format such as ZOOM or Google Meet. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

All PD sessions are held via Zoom or Google Meet or other on-line services.  You should use these to collaborate on CBE Curriculum work due May 1. Teachers should coordinate this work among themselves.  All other professional development should be coordinated in Frontline.  Reminder to follow through if you are due to renew credentials this year.  Principals will notify the Superintendent when staff is ready to be recommended for renewal.

MODE OF DELIVERY

We have a combination of on-line with Google Classroom for K-12 and Edgenuity for Grades 6-12 and paper On-the-Go Learning (OGL) packets.  

GRADING

Teachers will continue to virtually collect and grade classwork, assessments, projects  etc. and provide timely feedback to their students. Paper materials will be collected Mondays 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, and 4/20 (should we still be doing OGL).   

Options:

1. Students take pictures of their work and email to teachers. 
2. Submit materials online via Google classroom or Edgenuity.
3. Families could plan to drop work off during Food Service Pick-up on Mondays.  
4. Families can mail work to the school via the USPS at their own expense to the teacher’s attention. 
5. Parents and students must maintain communication with teachers if any of these options do not work.  

Paper submissions of work will be stored in rubber bins for disinfecting prior to assessing. 

As we are assessing and grading students we realize that this virtual model is new to all of us.  Many students rely on direct, consistent contact with teachers to be successful. We realize that students may struggle more than usual and the quality of work may not be the same as if they were in the classroom.  We will continue to provide rigorous instruction and maintain high expectations while having flexibility when assessing students.  

In order to relieve some of the anxiety and pressure during these unusual times, the last quarter/trimester of the year will be graded as Pass/Fail for all schools.  

HOW WILL PARENTS KNOW WHAT KIDS ARE LEARNING?

Teachers will be engaged with students daily.  In a remote learning environment, parents will have more access to teachers than in a traditional model.  Please reach out to faculty and staff with any questions. High school families can access grades in the usual manner.

STUDENT SERVICES/SPECIAL EDUCATION

All Special Education teachers are collaborating with classroom teachers and support staff to provide delivery.  Materials have been sent home.  The Director of Student Services met with all Special Education staff to ensure IEP compliance. No student will be in the school for any services at this time. Monitoring progress is still under study. There is ongoing support and conferences to provide support for Special Education services.  We will keep you posted. Some direct services are delivered through video conferencing, Google Meet/Classroom, phone services, etc.  

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

The launch of 1:1 devices has been AMAZING!!!!  Our Director of Technology, Shane Cloutier has been overseeing with a thoughtful and forward thinking approach.  Matt Heinmuller and Josh Smith are also providing technology support. We are fortunate to have a dedicated, tireless, talented IT department! They have been providing resources about available sites and tools.  The IT crew have been fielding questions and troubleshooting 24/7.  We are processing information to the best of our ability to ensure that sites are compliant with data security.    

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING EFFORTS

Buildings are cleaned daily and a deep “misting” machine will be used at each school to completely sanitize.  In addition, all areas are being scrubbed and deep cleaned daily. Projects that would normally be done in the summer or over vacations will be conducted during the absence of students.

SAU 58 and SCHOOL OFFICES

We are in the process of establishing the ability for all individuals except custodians to work from home and anticipate full capacity by the end of the week should we escalate in our Levels of Social Distancing.  The Business Administrator, Director of Technology, Director of Student Services, Principals, and Superintendent have the most ability to work remotely, but will be in buildings as needed until further notice.  This is a busy period for identifying staffing patterns and renewing contracts.  

The SAU will be observing swing shifts due to the confined space. HR/payroll and Finance will be onsite periodically to do essential work yet maintain social distancing.  Teachers can work remotely, but have access to the buildings in following social distancing guidelines for groups less than 10.

CONCLUSION

We are a blessed community with so many genuine and caring individuals.  We are holding steady and supporting one another in all efforts. If you need something, say something.  There are volunteers everywhere who will do what they can to support you. Our children are the greatest gifts we have and the promise of our future.  We will guide them and encourage them with daily interactions to help them feel safe, adjust to our new normal, and to feed their social and emotional needs.  Thank you for trusting and partnering with us in the best interest of kids! Send us your pictures and tag them #roarandsoar #nhlearnsremotely

Sincerely,

Dr. Ronna Cadarette

Superintendent of School