Silver Spring Elementary School

Runner's News

April 2021 Edition

Greetings Silver Spring Families ~ Happy Spring!

First of all, thank you to our families and staff who attended and participated in our PTC monthly meeting, Pi-Day Family Math Night, PTC Family Paint Night, completed our Survey Works survey, and participated in the PTC’s restaurant night fundraiser. These family engagement events/activities provided a variety of opportunities to engage in our school community in a positive and fun way. We will continue to provide opportunities for our families to be engaged. For instance, we are having another PTC Kahoot Trivia Night this month. We are also planning activities for the end of the school year that will be held outdoors, and allow us to bring our school community together, weather permitting. Stay tuned for more information regarding these events in upcoming newsletters.

Believe it or not, the end of the third quarter is quickly approaching, as grades close on April 14th. With only one quarter left of this school year, there is much left to accomplish.

Student attendance is instrumental to our students' success, which is why we are so focused on improving it. Students who have excessive unexcused absences will receive a nudge using Rhode Island Department of Education’s tool, which is used by all East Providence schools. The goal is to improve attendance, so our students will have every opportunity to engage in his/her learning.

Spring vacation is the week of April 19th. This is a great time to recharge our batteries before returning to school to complete the school year. Our hope is that our school community members continue to follow safety protocols to ensure a safe return to school.

State testing begins Tuesday, April 13th. You may ask, “What is the RICAS? The Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) is a high-quality assessment that fulfills federal requirements for annual assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics for students in grades 3 - 8. Why is it important? The RICAS gives teachers, students, and families information about students progress, school performance and how to improve teacher and learning.

All third, fourth, and fifth grade students will engage in testing. Thank you to parents/guardians of our third, fourth, and fifth grade students who completed and submitted the test survey.

The schedule is below, on our school calendars, and will be shared with our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families. 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade distance learners who are eligible for transportation should contact Mrs. Duarte (435-7836 or kduarte@epschoolsri.com), so that transportation may be arranged for the testing days.

You may ask how you can help your child do his/her best on state assessments and any assessment. You can help by ensuring that your child has a good night sleep, eats breakfast, health needs are addressed, arrives at school on time and is not dismissed during testing. Also, please encourage your child to do his/her best on the tests.

We are confident that our third, fourth, and fifth grade students will show what they know on the assessments, which is what we ask them to do on all assessments.

Please remember to regularly check your child’s Google Classroom to stay current with your child's assignments and information, and reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.

Thank you for helping to keep our students happy, healthy and safe by engaging in social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing/sanitizing hands frequently, and by exhibiting our core values. We will get through the good and challenging times together!

If you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher(s), our Secretary, Social Worker, Psychologist, Dean or myself. We look forward to fostering a wonderful partnership.

New School Website

We are launching our new school website this month. The new website is in addition to this newsletter, and our current website, which includes posting from our Facebook page and our school calendar. The hope is that you will find information that you are looking for in any and/or all of these sources.

New website address:

https://sites.google.com/epschoolsri.com/silver-spring-elementary-sch/home

Grades 3 - 5 State Testing Schedule

Below is this year's RICAS and NGSA testing schedule for grades 3 - 5. Students in grades 3 - 5 will each have their own testing days. There will be two classrooms testing each day to ensure that students are social distancing.

School begins at 9:15 a.m. and testing will begin promptly at 9:35 a.m., therefore, students must arrive on time each day.

Transportation will be provided to students who are eligible for the bus. Parents/guardians whose child is eligible for transportation should call or email Mrs. Duarte at 435-7836 or kduarte@epschoolsri.com to inform the school that transportation is needed no later than April 5th, so transportation can be arranged.

All students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. Lunch will need to be ordered. Hence, please review the lunch menu and order lunch prior to the testing week.

Students should get a good night sleep each night, but especially each night before testing dates to ensure that they are well rested and ready for a day of testing.

Additional information will be provided to our third, fourth, and fifth grade students' families.

Thank you for helping our RICAS and NGSA assessments run smoothly.

Incoming Kindergarteners' Registration

Procedures for Dropping Off and Picking Up Car Riders

Please use caution when dropping off and picking your child to ensure the safety of all children and adults before and after school.

If you are not doing so already, please park your vehicle and walk to drop off and pick up your child to/from school.
Drive slowly on Progress Street, Silver Spring Avenue, and Dodge Street, especially between 9:00 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. and between 2:45 and 3:05 p.m.
Be aware of children and adults crossing the street at all times.
Escort your child across the street to avoid your child from running across traffic to get into your parked car.
Be respectful to one another and to staff.
Help to ensure the safety of all children and adults.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Arrival/Pick Up

Due to safety protocols and staff coverage in the morning, students will be welcomed into the building at 9:15 a.m. in all weather. For this reason, please make sure to drop your child off as close to 9:15 as possible, and ensure that your child dresses appropriately for New England weather.

Thank you for your continued support.

Distance Learning/ Attendance

Who has busy days? We all do. We see our Silver Spring Families trying to adhere to the distance learning schedule and we Thank You. It is crucial that students join their meets on time and participate for the entire time. The meet is where the teachers connect with students. The meets are full of new content, collaboration, and the important conversations among students. Students will struggle completing their assignments if they are not learning the material on the meet.

Distance Learning Expectations

Please visit our FB page to see Silver Spring students modeling their best distance learning setups. If your student would like to show us their distant learning setup , please dojo or email a photo to DFrancescon@epschoolsri.com. Photos will be shared on social media.

Student Attendance Update

Silver Spring currently has 24 students who are chronically absent, which is 10% of our student body.

Please ensure your child is rested and ready for school each day. Preparing the night before school is sure to help students get off to a strong start.

Claire Fagin stated that, “Knowledge will bring you the opportunity to make a difference.” Through conversations we are learning some students aren’t connecting the importance of working hard in school and future success. Many classrooms have set goals for the year to connect their learning to outcomes.

Student Recognition Program

Our new Student Recognition Program, Silver Spring Stars, that recognizes students for improvement or excellence in attendance, achievement and participation is well underway.

Students are being awarded stars and prizes, and are being entered in monthly raffles in which they have an opportunity to win additional prizes, along with their teacher and parents/guardians.

Please watch our weekly videos that are shared with you in the Bitmoji Classroom. The videos include announcements, Silver Spring Stars, Roadrunners of the Month, birthday shoutouts, PTC news, special guests, and much more.

The videos and Bitmoji Classroom can be found in Mrs. Avila's Corner Google Classroom Class Code: yqexsfo

FOR STUDENTS RECEIVING IN PERSON INSTRUCTION

It is essential that the daily wellness screening is completed in Skyward by 8:30 a.m. each day, to ensure that our arrival procedures run smoothly.

This will include taking students' temperatures and completing a secure form in Skyward.

Breakfast & Lunch Menu

For March 29 - April 30, 2021

Feinstein Jr. Scholars Doing Good Deeds

We know our Silver Spring students love doing good deeds. Can you show us, please? Send your photos to Mrs. Francescon at dfrancescon@epschoolsri.com or Class Dojo. Thank You Kindly #silverspringfamily

Health & Wellness

Stay Hydrated!

Students, please remember to bring a water bottle to school (or even two water bottles) to ensure you stay hydrated during the school day. Your brain needs it!

From Our School Nurse

Please be aware that there are several isolation and quarantine guidelines approved by the RIDOH.

The EPSD continues to follow the 10 day isolation for a COVID positive individual; and a 14 day quarantine for close contacts.

“Close Contact” criteria: less than 6 feet distance for more than 15 minutes (cumulative) over 24 hours during the COVID positive person’s infectious period.

“Infectious Period” criteria: 2 days prior to symptoms in symptomatic person; or 2 days from test date for asymptomatic person.

Remember that I am always here to answer your questions regarding common childhood diseases, as well as COVID related illnesses. Please reach out to me via phone, email or dojo with any questions or concerns.

NURSE MARIA 383-0908 mfazioli@epschoolsri.com

COVID TESTING for K-12 STUDENTS: 1-844-857-1814

Watch Nurse Maria's video to learn how to schedule a COVID test!

https://youtu.be/AwpixmT8QW8

PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME if he or she is not feeling well, call your pediatrician and notify the school nurse of symptoms of illness. THANK YOU!

What do to if you are sick live link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Student test (PCR) results can be sent to Nurse Maria at mfazioli@epschoolsri.com

The following document is to be completed prior to a student returning to school:

After Illness (English): https://epschoolsri.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/After-Illness-Return-Attestation.pdf

After Illness (Portuguese): https://epschoolsri.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/COV-083_PORTUGUESE_Return-After-Illness-Attestation_9.17.20_fv.pdf

After Illness (Spanish): https://epschoolsri.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/COV-083_SPANISH_Return-After-Illness-Attestation_9.17.20_FV.pdf

Out of State Travel

Students traveling out of state need to be tested prior to returning to the building. Please refer to the list of states that require testing:

TRAVEL State List

COVID-19 BinaxNOW Testing

Watch Nurse Maria's video to learn how to schedule a COVID test!

https://youtu.be/AwpixmT8QW8

East Providence schools will have COVID-19 BinaxNOW testing each month.

Students who have permission slips on file, at their respective school, will be tested unless the student's parent/guardian informs the school that the student is not to be tested.

Our next BinaxNOW COVID-19 school-based testing day will be

Friday, April 30, 2021.

Face Covering is Required

Faculty, staff and students are required to wear face coverings when at school (which includes the bus). The purpose of wearing face coverings is to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SEND AN EXTRA FACE COVERING WITH YOUR CHILD (IN A PLASTIC BAG) TO SCHOOL EACH DAY, IN CASE YOUR CHILD'S FACE COVERING GETS SOILED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe!

New CDC Guidelines

The CDC recently released guidance that allows for 3’ spacing between student desks in classrooms. In the event that additional students enter the classroom, spacing in classrooms may be reduced from the original 6’ to accommodate students. All other safety protocols will continue to be followed until the end of this school year.

Infection Prevention

Although we all have hope to put this pandemic behind us, please realize that we currently have many COVID cases in Rhode Island.

Therefore, it is very important that we CONTINUE STRICT adherence to all our safety protocols at school and in the community.

Please be aware that a mask MUST be worn when entering school grounds.

Prior to school and at dismissal time, please comply with all safety measures. For safety and contact tracing purposes, if your child is a 'walker", please have your child stand on their designated spot each morning.

Stay Safe, Stay Happy, Stay Healthy!

COVID vs SEASONAL ALLERGIES

Safety & Flip Flops

Although flip flops can be comfortable, they are unsafe in a school environment in which students engage in outdoor activities.

Therefore, students who wear flip flops will not be able to run around during recess and physical education to avoid tripping/falling, which may result in injuries.

To be safe, students should refrain from wearing flip flops to school.

Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

From Dr. Mabe & Ms. Swift

The end of the school year is fast approaching and with that often comes stress. Stress may be related to testing or upcoming transitions related to friendships, family, or school. Practicing regular meditation is one way to combat stress and build resilience.

The Mayo Clinic provides information about meditation. “Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process may result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being.

When you meditate, you may clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.

The emotional benefits of meditation can include:

Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
Building skills to manage your stress
Increasing self-awareness
Focusing on the present
Reducing negative emotions
Increasing imagination and creativity
Increasing patience and tolerance”

Some beginning meditation practices for kids can be found with this link:

https://www.moms.com/meditation-techniques-kids-easy/

Fostering Resilience in Children: The Role of the Family

Join Child Psychologist, Dr. Kevin Plummer in a FREE webinar about your role as a parent/guardian in fostering resilience in youth.

Social Emotional Learning Activities For Townie Families

From Tabitha Watjen

Hello Townie Families! We know that this school year is different on so many levels. As the year progresses and the Covid related restrictions remain, we want to provide you with some activities that are fun, engaging, family focued and safe while also attending to thwww.smore.com/209gp-taking-care-of-you?ref=email e social-emotional needs of our children (and adults too!). Each month, different activities will be added to this site and will remain here for you to access at your convenience. While they are merely suggested activities, we do hope you enjoy them and that they help you and your family through the coming months!

A Conversation About Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Click on the image below or on http://bit.ly/YSP415 to access the registration page.

Our PTC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 8th at 6:00 p.m.

The meeting code for our PTC meeting is: Silver Spring PTC Meeting

You are Invited to Kahoot Trivia Night!

Thursday, April 1:

Talent Show and Arts & Crafts Programs from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Friday, April 2:

Good Friday - No School

Sunday, April 4:

Happy Easter!

Monday, April 5:

Cat Community Project from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, April 6:

Portuguese & STEM Programs from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, April 7:

Faculty Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 8:

Picture Retake Day!

Arts & Crafts and Talent Show Programs from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

PTC Meeting ~ Meeting Code: Silver Spring PTC Meeting

Friday, April 9:

Happy Friday!

Spirit Day ~ Twin Day!

Monday, April 12:

Staff PD Day ~ Distance Learning Day

Tuesday, April 13:

Grade 5 RICAS TESTING

Wednesday, April 14:

Grade 5 RICAS TESTING

Quarter 3 Grades Close (Report Cards on Skyward May 3rd)

Thursday, April 15:

Grade 4 RICAS TESTING

Friday, April 16:

Grade 4 RICAS TESTING

Monday, April 19 to Friday, April 23:

Spring Recess ~ No School

Wednesday, April 21:

Administrative Assistant Day - Thank you Mrs. Duarte for all that you do!!

Monday, April 26:

Hearing Screenings: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 Students

Cat Community Project from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, April 27:

Grade 3 RICAS TESTING

Portuguese & STEM Programs from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, April 28:

Grade 3 RICAS TESTING

School Improvement Team Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 29:

Grade 5 NGSA TESTING

Arts & Crafts and Talent Show Programs from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Family Kahoot Trivia Night from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 30:

Arbor Day!

Grades 3 - 5 State Testing Make-Up Day

COVID-19 BinaxNOW Testing during the school day

You Tube Videos that help you learn how to check your child's progress and how students complete assignments on Google Classroom. Knowing how to check your child's progress and completed assignments will help to ensure that your student is on completing assignments.

Google Classroom

Our teachers have posted material and resources that keep our lessons organized and you informed. All students (in person and distance learning) use Google Classroom everyday to access these materials and resources.

Please check your child's class Google Classroom to stay current with what your child is learning and if he/she is current with assignments. Reach out to your child's teacher, if you have any questions regarding his/her Google Classroom.

Mrs. Avila and Mrs. Francescon also have Google Classrooms that include school wide information. Their class codes are listed below:

Mrs. Avila ~ Class code: yqexsfo

Mrs. Francescon ~ Class code: lb3bsy3

Thank you for joining all of our Google Classrooms!

Google Meets

It is so important for all of our students to consistently particpate in Google Meets, as they focus on core instruction.

Students who continuously miss a morning and/or afternoon Google Meet is missing core instruction in ELA and/or math, which will lead to learning loss. Please make every effort to ensure that your child follows his/her teacher's schedule and attends all Google Meets with their camera on and microphone off.

Google Meet Expectations

The following are guidelines for students participating in Google Meets with teachers:

Be prepared, ready to learn. Have your materials ready and sit up straight in a work position.
Be prompt to Google Meet lessons.
Common areas in your home are the best place to work.
Dress appropriately.
Turn your camera on.
Mute yourself when you arrive at the Meet and unmute when your teacher asks you to.
Be respectful at all times.
Exit when the meet is over.
Family Members who are on camera should use appropriate language and be appropriately dressed when in the background. Remember that everyone in the Google Meet can hear and see you.

Family members should refrain interrupting the lesson and should reach out to the teacher after the Meet, if there are any questions/concerns.

i-Ready Reading & Math

Would you like to check on your student's reading and math progress at your convenience? i-Ready is a program that is tailored to your child's needs. Check out this tutorial to see how well they are doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83gVAmD-JH4

Celebrate!

Roadrunner of the Month

Congratulations to our Roadrunners of the Month for the Month of March

Kindergarten: Jayden Paulo & William Correia

Grade 1: Jielany Garedo & Jaasritha Guttapalem

Grade 2: Ryleigh Sousa & Havish Kavuluri

Grade 3: Andy Luna & Jahvon Hazard

Grade 4: Mohammed Mubarakali & Sophia Rivera

Grade 5: Gabriella Loffredo & Isabella Raposo

Ms. Jaffa's Class: Jaelah Dugan

Ms. Moore's Class: Jacob Bower

Happy Birthday to Our Amazing School Community Members!

April Birthdays

Na'riah Branch (4/2)

Arianna Senna (4/6)

Daniel Landry (4/7)

Heman Gowtham Thumma (4/9)

Julia Sullivan (4/11)

Keeghan Blinn (4/12)

Sophia Lima (4/12)

Samyukta Kumaran Karthikeyan (4/15)

Arsha Askie (4/19)

Lucas St. Onge (4/20)

Katherine Gregory (4/21)

Shane Engles (4/22)

Jahvon Hazard (4/24)

Adewale Pierre (4/25)

Skylah Peno (4/27)

Mridula Puli (4/28)

Kinley Blinn (4/30)

Abbey Iacavone (4/30)

Ms. Swift (4/9)

Ms. Anderson (4/10)

Mrs. Daly (4/14)

Mrs. Fitterling (4/16)

Mrs. Thibault (4/26)

Show Your School Spirit

Friday, April 16th

Twin Day!

Distance Learners should email a photo of him/herself with someone dressed as a twin to Mrs. Francescon at dfrancescon@epschoolsri.com.

Photos shared with Mrs. Francescon will be posted on our social media, such as Facebook.

Scrip Gift Cards App

Order gift cards throughout the year with the new RaiseRight mobile app.

Learn how to join the program below.

Silver Spring School-Scrip RaiseRight App Invite 102520-1.pdf

Help raise money for our school by purchasing gift cards using the RaiseRight app. Sign up by entering the enrollment code: 468E2EBC1L482 and you are ready to start shopping for your gift cards!

Get the app at: https://www.raiseright.com/

Feinstein Jr. Scholar Golden Ticket

How the Golden Ticket Works

Random drawings every Monday!
Winning numbers are posted on our Feinstein Virtual Club and Facebook page ~ https://www.facebook.com/feinsteinfoundation.org.
Winning numbers are replaced each Monday (*Important to check often — once winning numbers are gone, they're gone)!
Students with a winning ticket number should inform their teacher/school immediately and show them their winning ticket (photo or in-person acceptable).
Their school should contact us as soon as possible with the winning ticket claim! (Winning tickets must be claimed within 7 days of its posting.)

Prizes!

Every winner's school receives a $5,000 grant!
Every winning student receives a $500 grant, which they can give to their school or a non-profit of their choice.
Every winning student also receives a surprise gift from us at The Feinstein Foundation!
The $5,000 school grant will DOUBLE the following drawing for any $5,000 ticket numbers not claimed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where will the winning numbers be posted? Winning numbers will be posted on our Feinstein Virtual Club and Facebook page!
When will winning numbers be posted? Each Monday new winning numbers will be selected and posted.
How long does a student have to claim a winning raffle number?Winning numbers are up for one week and once they're gone, they're gone! Winners have one week to notify us of a winning ticket.
How should we notify The Feinstein Foundation of a winner? Contact us by phone (401) 467-5155 or by email immediately!

East Providence Public Library

In Closing....

Thank you again for your kindness, patience, and partnership. Take care of yourself and stay safe!

Principal Fatima Avila

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