New Covid Testing Program - As shared previously and posted on the NPS website here, the Newton Public Schools is shifting its testing strategy away from pooled testing (PCR) and toward at-home weekly rapid antigen tests. This new weekly at-home rapid antigen test is for ALL students PreK-12+ (vaccinated and unvaccinated.) Staff & students who've had covid within 90 days can opt-in for the take-home tests, but should NOT test for 90 days from their symptom onset or diagnosis.
We expect the new testing program to be implemented the week of February 7, 2022. Below is specific information you will need in order for your student to participate in the new at-home testing program:
Only positive results need to be reported to the school. You will complete this form (link) to report a positive result. Nurses will provide follow up information to families, including the date for return to school, following a positive test.
In addition to the weekly at-home rapid antigen testing program, we will continue in-school symptomatic testing for students and staff that develop symptoms during the school day. We will discontinue the Test and Stay testing program and contact tracing. Please be vigilant in checking your student for symptoms, conducting the daily health assessment (link), and staying home when sick.
All testing information can be found on our website here: NPS COVID Testing Webpage. This includes a Frequent Asked Questions document.
Hour of Code - We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.But only a fraction of us are learning how technology works. Only 51% of all high schools offer computer science.
That’s why our school participates annually in The Hour of Code. More than 100 million students worldwide are part of this effort, which is designed to to teach these foundational 21st-century skills. During this time, classes sign up with Lauren Dietz, our IT integration specialist, to learn about and participate in a variety of coding activities. See http://hourofcode.com/us/en for details and activities you can also try at home..
Lunar New Year - Lunar New Year is a holiday that originated in a number of Asian countries thousands of years ago. The story around Lunar New Year i tells the story of Nian who was an ugly beast that feasted on human flesh on New Year’s Day. Legend has it that Nian was afraid of the color red, loud noise, fire and red paper decorations. Lunar New Year is celebrated on the first full moon of the lunar calendar and continues for fifteen days. It is also known as the “Spring Festival.” This year Lunar New Year will start on February 1st, 2022. Ten days prior to the start of Lunar New Year those who celebrate take part in the tradition called “sweeping of the grounds." Which consists of cleaning out their houses to remove any bad luck that may be lingering. Family celebrations start on Lunar New Year’s Eve and Lunar New Year’s Day which include religious ceremonies to honor their ancestors and family members give out red envelopes with money. Many celebrations take place that include dancing and fireworks up until the last day when the “Lantern Festival” takes place. Each Lunar New Year an animal is chosen, and this year is the Year of the Water Tiger.
Click the following link for further information on Lunar New Year Traditions:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/a38883958/lunar-new-year-traditions/.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27th was International Holocaust Remembrance day. This year the United Nations theme is Memory, Dignity, and Justice. On this day we honor the genocide of six million Jewish victims and the millions of other victims who died at the hands of Nazism. In addition we remember those who died in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Click the following link for International Holocaust Remembrance Day Resources.
Black History Month - The DEI Department, with the Department of Teaching and Learning, is excited to share resources to celebrate and honor Black History Month across the district and all disciplines. Classroom teachers will have access to these resources, not only during the month of February, but throughout the school year, to integrate stories of Black Americans into the curriculum, advisories, extracurricular groups, and overall school culture in recognition of the diversity of contributions to our country and our American culture.
Click here for some resources for at home learning
Math Bulletin Board - Inspired by the math coach at Burr school, we have created a bulletin board near the front lobby to celebrate math and to provide opportunities for students to engage in fun and challenging activities. Here is a short (2 min) video describing the idea:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1svGDEqC3q81cGYHFlC59VcpDrUv9gk2C/view?usp=sharing
Please encourage your child to participate!!
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