Superintendent's Message
April 20, 2020
Dear Families:
I offer a heartfelt thank you. Yesterday, when I took a driving visit to Concord, it was clear that the priority is social distancing. Thank you!
The recording of the Virtual Coffee from Friday is now posted: https://concordps.zoom.us/rec/share/tOFScZeo6zlIfZHT0VjwAZEmQKPjaaa81iRP-vAIzBvqa5–mhGgjgvVXqpWklrS?startTime=1587149732000
This week celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! There are many great resources out there. Here is one with lots of activities for kids: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-challenge/
Below this email is a reminder of the library’s special programs this week with local authors, Josh Funk and Gregory Maguire.
Thanks to those who signed up for the virtual talent show! Here is the information again.
We are hosting a virtual talent show for all interested students. It will be available online on Friday (time and method TBD). If you would like to enter a student talent, please use this form by Tuesday at 3 pm to indicate that you intend to enter: https://forms.gle/ZX8RRKphoJs4F9nH7
You should create a video recording of the talent for no longer than 3 minutes. Then, you can send the video to my email address (lhunter@concordps.org) so it can be shared with everyone on Friday. Please send all submissions by Thursday at noon. Thank you!
I do expect that we will soon have information about the Governor’s plans for school closures which looks to be at least extended past May 4. I will provide updates as soon as we have any information.
Best,
Laurie
#ConcordReads Author Talks with Josh Funk & Gregory Maguire
CONCORD, MA –
In an effort to engage our community and help reading bring us together in this time of social distancing, the Concord Free Public Library is hosting two interviews with local well-loved Concord authors, Josh Funk and Gregory Maguire.
We’ll host an author talk with Josh Funk on Tuesday, April 21 at 3 pm on Facebook Premier. Josh Funk is the author of many silly, well-loved children’s books, most notably the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, the How to Code with Pearl and Pascal series, the A Story of Patience & Fortitude series, Dear Dragon, Pirasaurs!, Albie Newton, and more.
We’ll host an author talk with Gregory Maguire on Thursday, April 23 at 3 pm on Facebook Premier. Gregory Maguire is a prolific author of several dozen crossover books for adults and children. Perhaps his most acclaimed work is Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which was later adapted as a Broadway musical and won 10 Tony awards. The Concord Free Public Library invites our community to participate in these conversations. What questions do you want to ask each author? Submit your questions to RNMcGrath@minlib.net and tune in to our Facebook page to see your questions answered on Facebook Premier.
Register for ConcordReads at: https://concordlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 Don’t forget to use #ConcordReads to share your reading progress and favorite books!
April 19, 2020
Dear Families:
I hope you enjoyed the beautiful day today!
We are hosting a virtual talent show for all interested students. It will be available online on Friday (time and method TBD). If you would like to enter a student talent, please use this form by Tuesday at 3 pm to indicate that you intend to enter: https://forms.gle/ZX8RRKphoJs4F9nH7
You should create a video recording of the talent for no longer than 3 minutes. Then, you can send the video to my email address (lhunter@concordps.org) so it can be shared with everyone on Friday. Please send all submissions by Thursday at noon. Thank you!
Tomorrow is Patriots’ Day! Here are some great resources to celebrate virtually! We are in Concord so it is not to be forgotten! https://www.bostonusa.com/events/special-events/patriots-day/
Over the last few days, the principals shared a calendar for the week with a wide range of activities and a tentative daily schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TSqM4EEaAaI8vG1AqUGgm4zx2F_4-2s_xW6WvJdpsx0/edit?ts=5e9703e7
Finally, please refer to the extensive list of educational resources online that we created in March for all grade levels: https://www.concordps.org/supplemental-educational-materials/
Best,
Laurie
April 18, 2020
Dear Families:
Tonight, as the snow melts and warm weather returns tomorrow, I share a reminder from the Town of Concord about use of conservation land (with additional information afterward):
As a reminder, please be responsible when visiting our conservation lands and trails. Help us keep our community healthy by following the guidelines below when visiting our shared open spaces.
Some other updates:
Some young friends made snow people with appropriate social distancing this morning! You can find them here: https://twitter.com/cps_cchs/status/1251560073450708993
A sixth grader wrote a poem for “Healthcare Angels”. It is posted here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C0HpBw4bMVqCv4mOSz2An9H3FfCxUpAH/view?usp=sharing
And finally, a special collection of picture books read aloud by 7th graders! Just in time for vacation if the younger kids want to listen! Go to the “Read Aloud Galleries” option in the left menu: https://libguides.concordps.org/CMS_DISTANCELEARNING
Enjoy the return of spring tomorrow.
Best,
Laurie
April 17. 2020
Dear Families:
Welcome to Patriot’s Day Weekend 2020! It looks like this weekend will bring a little bit of everything from the weather!
Over the course of the vacation week, we’ll continue to share ideas and activities to keep everyone engaged. This Virtual Climate Camp could keep you busy all week and includes activities for all ages! https://theclimatecollaborative.org/virtual-climate-camp It is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day so it is a great theme for the break.
The Center for Parents and Teachers invites interested parents/grandparents to join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a free parenting webinar on “Helping Children Cope with Strong Emotions” on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 10:30 AM. Please see the Zoom information below.
Scholastic and Yale released a children’s workbook for dealing with the emotions around school closure, social distancing and more: http://teacher.scholastic.com/education/pdfs/FirstAidForFeelings_Eng.pdf?ET_CID=20200417_SCB_YaleWorkbook_ADMIN_RET_28601&ET_RID=1236850949
The Willard teachers made a video to share with students: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gqA2vUNF5hquuByzCsDTdLPGJctyI7ll/view
We will continue to provide food for those in need every day next week from 8:30-11 am at CCHS including Monday.
Enjoy the spring snow!
Best,
Laurie
The Center for Parents and Teachers invites interested parents/grandparents to join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a free parenting webinar on “Helping Children Cope with Strong Emotions”
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/94604350408?pwd=Z2hKZ2pERHN2Q3RDVDFwRFNFUEZqdz09
Password: 550798
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13126266799,,94604350408#,,#,550798# or +19292056099,,94604350408#,,#,550798#
Past offerings, covering many different topics, are archived at Dr. Kramer’s website: www.drrachelkramer.com
Please be in touch with CPT to let us know ways we can help support you during this challenging time by contacting us through our website at
www.centerforparentsandteachers.org
April 16, 2020
Dear Families:
The school nurses of Concord, Carlisle, and CCHS created this special video for their students and families! Please watch it together! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oKEmDd-0y7PGOdx8McvOzbji3vHcTOuq/view?usp=sharing
A reminder that the Virtual Coffee is tomorrow at 3 p.m. See this morning’s email for Zoom information.
I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Concord Education Fund for their generous donation that funded Zoom education subscriptions at CCHS.
As CCHS families saw, Principal Mastrullo shared important information about our approach to some of this spring’s events. It is found here with a number of other reflective thoughts: http://cchsmm.blogspot.com/2020/04/fuel-fight-words-of-wisdom-q5-prom-and.html. While we await word from Governor Baker, we are in the process of reviewing the spring calendars as to the many events so we can share plans with you. For those most important milestones, like prom, we are committed to doing our very best to offer students an experience in the future.
In case you wondered what school might look like when we go back, California’s Governor Newsom gave us all a lot to think about: https://edsource.org/2020/when-california-schools-reopen-gov-newsom-envisages-major-changes-in-how-they-are-run/629084
NBC Nightly News created its first broadcast for kids with developmentally appropriate information about the virus and time management during remote learning. https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/nightly-news-kids-edition-april-15-2020-82092101665
And I shared more examples of students and their acts of appreciation and hope: https://twitter.com/cps_cchs
Best,
Laurie
April 16, 2020
Dear Families:
We will again host a Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent and District Leaders tomorrow at 3 p.m. You will find the Zoom login information below. Our apologies for last week’s disruption which we have prevented going forward. If you can’t join us, the session will be recorded and posted to the webpage.
We hope you can attend.
Best,
Laurie
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Apr 17, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Virtual Coffee
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/91689022297
Password: 807921
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +19292056099,,91689022297# or +13126266799,,91689022297#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 916 8902 2297
International numbers available: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/aerie0nF8q
April 15, 2020
Dear Families:
Earlier today, MIT’s Teaching Systems Lab released an overview of how states approached remote learning and rated them according to particular criteria. Massachusetts was rated 2nd in the country. Additional information is found here:
https://www.massupt.org/2020/04/15/massachusetts-ranks-second-in-nation-on-remote-learning-guidance-using-criteria-from-mits-teaching-systems-lab/
One of the Directors of the MIT lab also wrote an article published in a national education journal about effective remote learning. This too reflects the approach here in Massachusetts: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/summer20/vol77/num10/Keep-It-Simple,-Schools.aspx
The Joint School Committees meet tomorrow at 1 p.m. The public portion of the meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. The agenda and Zoom link are found here: https://www.concordps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Joint-Agenda-4.16.20-V2.pdf
We will again host a Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent and District Leaders at 3 p.m. on Friday. The Zoom login will come via another email before then.
We will provide suggested educational activities and a wide range of resources during the vacation next week so you can maintain structure, take a break or do anything in between.
I posted more words of appreciation to Twitter tonight from our students. They are found here: https://twitter.com/cps_cchs
Have a good night!
Best,
Laurie
April 14, 2020
Dear Families:
I first want to provide an update on the use of live video tools which teachers may select as an option during the virtual learning plan. Last week, we were grateful for the Concord Education Fund’s fiscal support of the paid educational Zoom subscriptions for all of CCHS. This week, the district budget is supporting the rollout of the same educational subscription for any of the middle and elementary school teachers who have chosen to use it. This allows for enhanced security and additional features. Attached to this email is a document describing the Terms of Use for both Zoom and Google Hangout. Parents are able to opt students out of the use of these tools if they choose to by completing the embedded electronic form. As a reminder, these tools are optional for teachers and not the sole source of instruction. Please reach out if you have questions about the terms outlined in the attachment.
We also extend great thanks to Gaining Ground who reached out to us so they could donate fresh produce to the families receiving food from the CCHS daily distribution. What an exceptional offer! Photos are found on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cps_cchs/status/1250195546792497154
Below are reminders of the parent workshops offered tomorrow through the Center for Parents and Teachers. In addition, we would encourage you to review additional opportunities provided by William James College with whom we often partner: https://www.williamjames.edu/community/resource-hub/public-events-calendar.cfm
Enjoy the night.
Best,
Laurie
“Supporting Positive Sibling Relationships” Wed, April 15, 2020 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Please join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a live webinar. In this hour Dr. Kramer will give an overview of the topic as well as answer questions you can pose in the Q&A. Can’t attend? Check her website afterward for a recording at www.drrachelkramer.com
To join in, please click the link below:
https://zoom.us/j/887532583?pwd=VkxpSEJjanFtclhCN2gzdTJiRTQ5Zz09
Password: 592603
“Designing a Family Media Plan” Wed, April 15, 7:30 to 9 PM
Offered in collaboration with Turning Life On, learn how to design a Family Media Plan that will work for your family. The first piece of advice given parents is to have a concise, flexible and working Family Media Plan.
This presentation will include practical strategies you can use today to engage your family in designing and implementing a family media plan. Downloads will be offered that you can use to uncover your family’s values and a template you can use to create a family media plan based on those values.
The seminar is free but space is limited. To pre-register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-a-family-media-plan-tickets-101421753194
The folks at Turning Life On will send you the event link to the zoom platform beforehand.
File attachments:
Video Technology Opt Out.docx
April 13, 2020
Dear Families:
The rain and wind made it a bit easier to be at home today. Hopefully, everyone is well and the power stays on.
The World Health Organization released an electronic picture book for children and young people to help explain and cope with COVID-19. You can download it here: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-04-2020-children-s-story-book-released-to-help-children-and-young-people-cope-with-covid-19
Questions Wanted for Two Local Author Sessions!
In an effort to engage our community and help reading bring us together in this time of social distancing, the Concord Free Public Library is hosting two interviews with local well-loved Concord authors, Josh Funk and Gregory Maguire.
We’ll host an author talk with Josh Funk on Tuesday, April 21 at 3 pm on Facebook Premier. Josh Funk is the author of many silly, well-loved children’s books, most notably the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, the How to Code with Pearl and Pascal series, the A Story of Patience & Fortitude series, Dear Dragon, Pirasaurs!, Albie Newton, and more.
We’ll host an author talk with Gregory Maguire on Thursday, April 23 at 3 pm on Facebook Premier. Gregory Maguire is a prolific author of several dozen crossover books for adults and children. Perhaps his most acclaimed work is Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which was later adapted as a Broadway musical and won 10 Tony awards. The Concord Free Public Library invites our community to participate in these conversations. What questions do you want to ask each author? Submit your questions to RNMcGrath@minlib.net and tune in to our Facebook page to see your questions answered on Facebook Premier.
Register for ConcordReads at: https://concordlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 Don’t forget to use #ConcordReads to share your reading progress and favorite books!
The Joint School Committees will meet on Thursday, April 16 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The agenda and Zoom information is found here: https://www.concordps.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Joint-Agenda-4.16.20-1.pdf
Finally, students continue to show acts of kindness in the community. They are posted on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/cps_cchs
Best,
Laurie
April 12, 2020
Dear Families:
What a beautiful day! I hope if you were celebrating a holiday or celebrating nature that you were able to enjoy it.
The community continues to demonstrate extraordinary acts of generosity. Below are a number of examples.
A board expressing the community’s thanks was built at the entrance to Emerson hospital. It is very appreciated by the hospital personnel: https://www.facebook.com/EmersonHospital/photos/rpp.161511976162/10158149577831163/?type=3&theater
Fuel the Fight – Concord reached its goal of $40,000 with many, many CCHS and younger Concord kids and families donating everything from $5 to $1,000. Eighteen local restaurants signed on, and 75 meals are being delivered every day to all Emerson Hospital departments thanks to the effort, which will continue throughout the spring.
The community has generously helped us to provide food to 30-50 families daily through the distribution at CCHS distributed by volunteer members of the school staff. Food continues to be available every weekday morning from 8:30-11 am. If you would like to fiscally donate, the link is found here: https://www.concordps.org/food-and-nutrition-services/
I just posted more amazing student work to express thanks to the hospital staff: https://twitter.com/cps_cchs
Later this week, the Joint School Committees will meet. We will share more details as we have them.
Finally, the parent in me related to a lighter but realistic view of distance learning shared by Jim Gaffigan on CBS Sunday Morning: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jim-gaffigan-lessons-of-distance-learning/
Best,
Laurie
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