Week in Review Volume 20
January 22, 2021 | Boyertown Middle School-East
UPCOMING DATES
January 27 - Early Dismissal at 11:35am
January 27 - Virtual Conferences, 5:30-8:30pm
January 28 - BASH Virtual Parent Night for current 8th grade families, 7:00pm
VIRTUAL CONFERENCES
Our virtual Winter conferences are scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, January 27 from 5:30-8:30pm. If you would like to meet with any of your child's teachers to discuss their progress, please sign up in advance on Sign Up Genius using the link below.
Sign ups will close on January 25 at 3pm. The Zoom links will be sent out on the afternoon of January 27.
TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEXT YEAR!
Believe or not, it is time to starting scheduling for the 21-22 school year! Our first group to begin to plan for is our students who will be transitioning to high school. On Thursday, January 28, at 7pm, the high school will be offering a virtual information night for guardians of current 8th graders. Please click the Zoom link below on January 28 to attend the meeting.
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
Students who are signed up for in-person learning are expected to be in the school building on their scheduled days unless their guardian has notified the attendance office of a reason for their absence. It is critical that we have an accurate record of who is here in the event of an emergency.
We are mandated to track attendance for both in-person and virtual students. According to state guidelines, students will be marked as present if they are in attendance for class and complete their work for the class period.
WINTER SPORTS
STUDENT COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
MUSIC LEAGUE TRIVIA NIGHT
MUSIC LEAGUE CHICKEN DINNER
Free Student Meals Continue thru the End of the 2020-2021 School Year
As a reminder, the United States Department of Agriculture has further extended their meal benefits for all students to the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Therefore, the Boyertown Area School District will continue to provide meals free of charge to all enrolled students, whether for in-person or virtual learning, BOL students, and all children in the Boyertown community between the age of 2 and 18 years. Meals will be free for in-school service as well as through the Grab-n-Go meal program.
GET TO KNOW YOUR STAFF
CRAIG WAGNER
6TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
Mr. Wagner has been teaching sixth grade in Boyertown since 1998 of which the
last four years have been at East. He grew up near Dorney Park and played on the
golf team for Parkland High School. He received a BA from Cedar Crest College
and a Masters in Ed. from Wilkes University.
Mr. Wagner has two sons. His oldest has been living and working in Hong Kong
for the past two years but is planning on returning home in mid-April. His
youngest is an economics/business major at Temple. His wife is a high school
special education/ELA teacher in another district. He misses very much seeing his
boys play a variety of sports, especially baseball which went from t-ball through
high school and junior legion levels.
An avid runner, Mr. Wagner also enjoys biking on the numerous rail-trails
all over eastern PA with his wife. They plan to do many more across the state as
there over 270 trails for biking/hiking across the entire state. In addition, his
family has traveled extensively to more than 38 countries including Australia, New
Zealand, Ukraine, and most recently to Iceland where they drove the entire “Ring
Road” on a 14-day self-guided driving tour.
NUTRITION HABIT CHALLENGE
The BASD Wellness Committee would like to invite all BASD students and their families to participate in a FREE challenge. The Nutrition Habit Challenge is designed to help you improve your nutrition habits. The goal is to commit to one nutritional behavior you would like to change and stick with it for the month of February. Winners will receive prizes! Directions and the registration link are posted on our website at https://www.boyertownasd.org/Page/5628 (Registration Deadline – February 1st)
NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY
Audiobooks and eBooks are available!
At school or at home, East students have access to audiobooks and eBooks thanks to a grant from the Boyertown Foundation for Education. Here is a video to help students access the books. https://youtu.be/zibcfLyiz5c Students can also visit Mrs. Mento’s 10th-period Zoom with questions.
Library Books for Virtual Students & Students at School
Students may select books through the digital East Library Guidebook, (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQSqKQEQg9GvvERVtyGyA3cUwSrdk62tuU7s3Yrel-54EEkVXTOgFX9oqfI2gL2D9Di1c3gNnkJsT6t/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.g8cee744244_0_770) which can be found on the East Library page. Click on the page to turn it or use the tabs to go to a specific section. Log on to your school Google account and order books here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQtNPvKvm2iD3n4NtFmKfLGNxP15TdNCzKSEk2EjWja4A6ZQ/viewform?usp=sf_link )
Virtual students will receive their books through Grab and Go Library Pickup. Books for students in the building will be delivered to English classes. Books are quarantined for seven days once they are returned to the library.
Library on Instagram
The Boyertown East Library is on Instagram! Follow the library on Instagram @BoyertownEastLibrary https://www.instagram.com/boyertowneastlibrary/ to see new books, cool programs, featured readers, and more.
AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELP
After School Homework Help (ASHH) is back! For those not familiar with the program, ASHH is a time when students may work on schoolwork from 2:45 to 3:45 PM every Tuesday (A Group and 4/5-day students) and Thursday (B Group and 4/5-day students) under the supervision of East teachers. Students must have transportation home at 3:45pm and will be dismissed to the front loop entrance area. Students do not need to sign up ahead of time, however they MUST make sure they have a ride home.
- For virtual students, there will be an open ASHH Google Meet from 3:30pm to 4:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please Note: This virtual option may be expanded or reduced once we determine the number of students utilizing the sessions. Google Classroom Code: zikg65b
- If you have a question about ASHH please email Mr. Howard jhoward@boyertownasd.org
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION REGARDING ILLNESS AND TRIPS
As we are bringing students back to the building, we want to review recommended protocols for attendance, especially in light of the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our hope is that students are able to participate in their classes as they are scheduled whether it is in person or virtual. We recognize that there may be circumstances in which a child is unable to attend in person, but would be able to attend virtually. Please review the guidelines below as you make decisions regarding your child’s attendance in school in person and/or virtually. And, note the guidelines the building will follow for illness including Covid-19 symptoms or positive cases.
-Student cannot participate virtually or in person due to illness:
1. If your child is sick, not feeling well and unable to participate in classes whether it is in person or virtually, follow our typical attendance procedures by notifying the main office via the attendance email or completing the attendance form.
-Student is ill and cannot participate in person, but can participate in virtual instruction (e.g due to Covid-19 positive OR exhibits COVID-19 Symptoms for which quarantine is necessary):
1. If your child is ill or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms but feels he/she is able to participate in virtual instruction, please follow the steps below:
1. Email your child’s teacher and the attendance secretary stating that he or she will attend virtually for the day.
2. It is expected your child will participate virtually the entire day and in all classes to be marked present for the day.
-Student presents with Covid-19 symptoms at school:
1. If the school nurse sends your child home from school due to symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection, the parent/guardian will pick up the child from school. The parent/guardian will be advised to contact their medical provider to obtain a note to clear the child to return to school or follow the next steps of the medical provider which may include a Covid-19 test. If the parent/guardian chooses to not seek a medical provider’s guidance, then the child must participate virtually for 10 days. (See Options # 1 or #2 above)
-Exposure to “Close Contacts”:
1. Members of the same household are close contacts. If a member of a student’s household tests positive for Covid-19 or is symptomatic of Covid-19, please follow the steps outlined below.
2. A “close contact” can also be a non-household member. If the child has contact with a person within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more, and the non-household person tests positive for Covid-19, please follow the steps outlined below.
1. Contact your school’s nurse so they can advise you to follow the current protocols in testing and length of quarantine.
2. Email your child’s teacher and the attendance line stating that he or she will attend virtually for whatever time period is appropriate.
3. If your child is well and able to participate in their classes virtually, they should login and participate virtually for the entire day and length of quarantine.
-Educational Trips:
1. Educational trips are still being approved for students who are attending BASD Virtual or returning to the school buildings. The protocols remain the same.
2. If your family is traveling outside of Pennsylvania, your child must produce a negative result on a Covid test completed within 72 hours prior to their return to PA or participate virtually for 14 days upon returning to Pennsylvania. This information should be included in your trip form request.
HOW TO WEAR MASKS AT SCHOOL
HOW TO SNEEZE IN A MASK
WHICH FABRIC IS BEST FOR A MASK
GRAB-N-GO MEAL DISTRIBUTION
VIRTUAL EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS
VIRTUAL EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS
MSE IN-PERSON FAQ'S
MSE VIRTUAL FAQ'S
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Please be sure to visit our Community Bulletin Board at https://www.boyertownasd.org/domain/1321. During the pandemic, we are restricting the number of community flyers we are sending home. Instead, we are posting this information on this bulletin board. There you will find scouting information, PTO information, community information, and more. Be sure to visit the site frequently for updates.
ATTENDANCE PROTOCOLS
A few suggestions as to how East teachers will accomplish gathering this Completion evidence in a simple/useful manner (this is not an exhaustive list):
- response to a Question of the Day
- exit ticket
- participation in a discussion via ‘chat’ feature
- participation in a poll
- assignment completion after the lesson (posted in Google classroom/Seesaw)
- Regarding Access- teachers shall change a students’ attendance from “Absent” to present should a student provide the Completion of artifacts within 5 days of the class that was not accessed. Teachers would need to notify Carol Sue Bullick to make these changes when appropriate.
- Should a student regularly not show up to class (more than three times), please contact Mr. Buck or Mr. Marsch to assist you in following up with the student and parent who chronically does not access class.
- The chart below may help you better understand the different scenarios:
The attendance expectation is the same for classes that are double periods. If students are not engaged (present) and completing work for the second half of the double period, they will be marked absent for the second half of the period. Additionally, it’s important to be reminded that absence forms must come from parents and not students.
Please be advised that absence forms must come from a parent or guardian and not students.
PERSONAL LAPTOPS/TABLETS NOT ALLOWED
PARENT DROP OFF/PICK UP GUIDELINES DURING HYBRID A/B MODEL
This communication is intended for parents who will be dropping off their children at Middle School East during the morning hours, along with those parents who will be picking up children in the afternoon beginning on Monday, October 12th.
Thank you for your cooperation with our staggered, grade level, arrival/dismissal procedures. We recognize that during these times, it is likely that we will have an increase in commuting families thus guidelines were put in place to ensure the safety of all our stakeholders.
We will continue with these same procedures in the morning, however, due to your tremendous cooperation at dismissal we can move up the 7th and 8th-grade parent pick up by 5 minutes. Please review the times below to see the slight change.
SAFETY ALERT:
ALL CARS MUST EXIT RIGHT ONTO 73 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:15AM - 7:35AM and 2:30PM - 2:55PM.
Please be sure to follow this as it is designed to prevent potentially dangerous situations. Please see the map below for a visualization of the traffic pattern.
Morning Drop-off Guidelines:
Please make every effort to drop your child off during the times indicated below. Your efforts help us manage traffic and keep the students safe. (If you have children in multiple grade levels choose the time that works best for you.) All students should be dropped off between 7:15am -7:30 am.
6th Grade: 7:15am-7:20am
7th Grade: 7:20am-7:25am
8th Grade: 7:25am-7:30am
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF BY 7:30AM
Afternoon Pick up Guidelines:
Please make every effort to pick up your child from school during the times indicated below. Your efforts help us manage traffic and keep the students safe. Please note that students are dismissed by grade level, thus if you arrive early and are in line, you may be asked to loop around to keep traffic moving. (If you are picking up children who are in multiple grade levels, please arrive during the time slotted for your child in the lowest grade level). All students should be picked up between 2:30pm - 2:50pm.
6th Grade : 2:30-2:40pm
7th Grade 2:40-2:45pm
8th Grade: 2:45-2:50pm
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE PICKED UP BY 2:50PM
DAILY STUDENT ATTENDANCE
As we are bringing students back to the building, we want to review recommended protocols for attendance, especially in light of the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our hope is that students are able to participate in their classes as they are scheduled whether it is in person or virtual. We recognize that there may be circumstances in which a child is unable to attend in person, but would be able to attend virtually. Please review the guidelines below as you make decisions regarding your child’s attendance in school in person and/or virtually. And, note the guidelines the building will follow for illness including Covid-19 symptoms or positive cases.
1. Students cannot participate virtually or in person due to illness.
- If your child is sick, not feeling well and unable to participate in classes whether it is in person or virtually, follow our typical attendance procedures by notifying the main office via the attendance email or completing the attendance form.
2. Student is ill and cannot participate in person, but can participate in virtual instruction (e.g. due to Covid-19 positive OR exhibits COVID-19 Symptoms for which quarantine is necessary
- If your child is ill or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms but feels he/she is able to participate in virtual instruction, please follow the steps below:
- It is expected your child will participate virtually the entire day and in all classes to be marked present for the day.
3. Student presents with Covid-19 symptoms at school:
- If the school nurse sends your child home from school due to symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection, the parent/guardian will pick up the child from school. The parent/guardian will be advised to contact their medical provider to obtain a note to clear the child to return to school or follow the next steps of the medical provider which may include a Covid-19 test. If the parent/guardian chooses to not seek a medical provider’s guidance, then the child must participate virtually for 10 days. (See Options # 1 or #2 above)
4. Exposure to “Close Contacts”.
- Members of the same household are close contacts. If a member of a student’s household tests positive for Covid-19 or is symptomatic of Covid-19, please follow the steps outlined below:
- Contact your school’s nurse so they can advise you to follow the current protocols in testing and length of quarantine.
- Email your child’s teacher and the attendance line stating that he or she will attend virtually for whatever time period is appropriate.
- If your child is well and able to participate in their classes virtually, they should log in and participate virtually for the entire day and length of quarantine
5. Educational Trips
- Educational trips are still being approved for students who are attending BASD Virtual or returning to the school buildings. The protocols remain the same.
- If your family is traveling to a quarantine state on a vacation, your child must participate virtually for 14 days upon returning to Pennsylvania. This information should be included in your trip form request.
- To find the most current list go to https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx&sa=D&ust=1600434762458000&usg=AFQjCNF_VMgVgVp8KJREXQxuGFimND9uMA
NOTES FROM TECHNOLOGY
Chromebooks:
- Please remember that students are responsible for maintaining their Chromebooks (no physical damage, no loose or missing parts) and chargers. -
- Students should not be writing on or placing stickers on their Chromebooks.
- District supplied protection cases MUST always be kept installed on the Chromebook. If damage occurs to the Chromebook and the cases are not installed, students are subject to additional repair costs due to removal.
- Chromebooks should be charged daily. They should not be allowed to drain the battery completely as this will shorten battery life and cause damage to the Chromebook. Never use the Chromebook to charge phones as this too causes damage to the battery and life of the Chromebook.
- Please ensure you Shut Down your Chromebook at the end of use – not just close the lid. This will help with the performance of your Chromebook.
If you have an issue with your Chromebook:
Face to face: please stop in to see Mrs. Marshall in the Tech Office located in the East Library
Virtual or issues during a virtual day: please call 610-473-3972
Please visit us online for more technical advice and assistance: https://www.boyertownasd.org/Page/5970
Here you will find links to sign up for an appointment as well as technical tips.
Please Note: *** The Acceptable Use Policy for technology is in effect. Students are expected to use their devices and technology resources in accordance with the policy. This includes refraining from engaging in "Zoom bombing". Violations of this policy will be addressed in accordance with the discipline code up to and including the involvement of law enforcement.
https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/boyr/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AF4GGF433A3CSTUDENT COUNCIL VIRTUAL EVENTS
Student Council is planning some virtual events and activities for you to participate in this year! In order to have all the information and details about each event, you will need to join your grade level “East Activities” Google Classroom using the codes below:
6th Graders: lk3ko7w
7th Graders: ysplaok
8th Graders: ujon6km
If you have any questions, please contact Miss Young at jyoung@boyertownasd.org.
FROM THE NURSE'S DESK
We are pleased to be back either in-person or in a virtual learning classroom. This year has certainly been a challenge for everyone. The purpose of this note is to summarize the health room procedures and related resources.
Covid-19 information
As per the BASD Health and Safety Plan, please complete a symptom and temperature check PRIOR to your child boarding the bus or arriving at school. For more information, click here for an overview of health room changes, and here for general school reopening updates.
If your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms of Covid-19, you will be notified to come and pick them up. It is our expectation that you will be at school in a relatively short period of time. Please understand that the symptoms of Covid-19 are like other illnesses, such as allergies/colds/flu/asthma. Therefore, children will be sent home for suspected symptoms.
*CDC resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
Medication Information
Click here for medication guidelines.
Medication Dropoff: The medication authorization form and or action plans are available on the district website and must be completed by your primary health care provider before medications can be accepted. Once the documentation is complete, call, or email the school nurse to schedule an appointment for medication drop-off. The medication must be in a labeled container. Parents will not be permitted into the building to drop off medication.
Immunizations
Click here for immunization requirements.
Mandated Health Services
Click here for mandated health service requirements.
All current state mandates are still in effect and will be required to be submitted.
Returning Paperwork: Please return immunization records, private dental or physical forms either by fax, photograph, or email to the nurse at the building your child attends. Your school nurse can be found by going to the BASD website, choosing the school your child attends, clicking on resources then choosing Nurse.
Thank you for your cooperation,
The BASD Nurses
TECHNOLOGY REMINDERS
1. If you are having technical issues, please notify your teacher and attempt to reconnect. If there is an issue with your device, please reach out to the IT department at https://www.boyertownasd.org/Page/5970 .
2. The Acceptable Use Policy for technology is in effect. Students are expected to use their devices and technology resources in accordance with the policy. This includes refraining from engaging in "Zoom bombing". Violations of this policy will be addressed in accordance with the discipline code up to and including the involvement of law enforcement. http://go.boarddocs.com/pa/boyr/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AF4GGF433A3C
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
- The school counseling office is up and running virtually for you and your child(ren)! Need to talk to a school counselor in a virtual setting? Please have your student visit the Virtual Counseling Office to video conference during school hours.
We understand that families are experiencing financial and emotional stress right now. Below are some local resources that may be helpful for you and your family during this difficult time:
- Salvation Army | 409 S Reading Ave Boyertown, PA 19512 | (610) 367-4089
- Boyertown Area Multi-Service | 301 Spring St Boyertown, PA 19512 | (610) 367-6957
- Angela Bellino | Grade 6 School Counselor
Phone #: 610-473-3990
- Charlee Malfaro | Grade 7 School Counselor
Phone #: 610-473-3987
- Stephenie Williams | Grade 8 School Counselor
Phone #: 610-473-3991
WEBSITE QUICK LINKS
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION
Please be reminded to complete the free and reduced lunch application. You will need to apply in order to avoid disruption in benefits. This will not roll over from previous years, so new applications will need to be completed.
Click here to read full details:
https://www.boyertownasd.org/cms/lib/PA01916192/Centricity/Domain/40/2020-2021LettertoHousehold.pdf
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For technical support during remote learning, please call the IT Help Desk
610-473-3500, Option 1.
If you are experiencing issues with Infinite Campus Parent Portal, Student Portal, or Messenger, please contact
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO
Middle School East Main Office: 610-754-9550
MSE Attendance Office: 610-473-3904
Nurse’s Office: 610-473-3970
*Voicemail is available to leave a message at any time of the day or evening.
Boyertown Middle School East
Email: rbuck@boyertownasd.org
Website: http://www.boyertownasd.org/Domain/9
Location: 2020 Big Rd, Gilbertsville, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 754-9550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyertownEast