Silver Spring Elementary School

Runner's News

February 2021 Edition

Greetings Silver Spring Families!

This has been quite the year so far, and the second half of this school year will be starting soon! We will continue to have students engaging in in person and distance learning, while following safety guidelines and protocols. Thank you for helping to keep our school community safe.

We will also continue to stress the importance of attendance. We understand these are challenging times, but every effort must be made to ensure that our students are engaged in their learning.

This is also the time of year when we complete and submit Survey Works surveys. Our third, fourth, and fifth grade students will be completing the survey with their teachers. Staff and parents/guardians are asked to also complete and submit their survey.

Our kindergarten through grade five students will complete mid-year i-Ready assessments to measure progress, our multi-language learners are completing their ACCESS testing, our after school enrichment programs will begin soon, and we are looking forward to upcoming PTC events that help to engage our families and enrich our school.

Please continue to follow our Dojo and Facebook for upcoming events that enrich our school community. We want you to be a part of all of the wonderful things that are happening at Silver Spring School!

Thank you for helping to keep our students happy, healthy and safe by ensuring that our students get plenty of rest, eat healthy meals, have their emotional needs met, receive medical care when needed, engage in social distancing, wear face coverings, and exhibit kindness.

Also, please remember to regularly check your child’s Google Classroom to remain up to date with your child's assignments.

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.

Thank you for helping to keep our students happy, healthy and safe!

Student Drop Off/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. With the cold weather upon us, please ensure that your child dresses appropriately for New England weather.

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

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 39 students on the chronically absent list. While we are facing more obstacles this year, we can do better. Our students are growing academically and socially every day, and we want to help them build their confidence and resilience. Whether your child is learning in the classroom or in your home, please model a positive never-give-up attitude about school. If you have any health questions please reach out to Nurse Maria.

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

We are excited to announce our new Student Recognition Program, Silver Spring Stars, that recognizes students for improvement or excellence in attendance, achievement and participation.

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

We will also have videos that will be shared on a regular basis that will include announcements, birthday shoutouts, and more.

We will kick-off this new program Friday, February 5th, so get ready to shine!

FOR STUDENTS RECEIVING IN PERSON INSTRUCTION

Parents and Guardians will screen their child(ren) at home

and complete the Wellness Check in Skyward by 8:30 a.m. each day.

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

Breakfast & Lunch Menu

For February 8 - February 26, 2021

Meal Pick-Up Sites/School Bus

During District Wide Distance Learning

Breakfast and lunch may be picked up at the high school from 8:30-10:00 a.m.

There will be one (1) FREE breakfast and lunch meal per day.

If your child is going to have a school breakfast and/or lunch, please order your child's breakfast and/or lunch at least one (1) week in advance.

For Students Attending School In Person

Please let your child's teacher know by sending an email/Dojo with the day(s) that your child will have a school breakfast/lunch, and your child's name.

For students engaging in Distance Learning:

If your child is engaging in distance learning, and you have completed the document for your child to get a school breakfast and/or lunch, please pick up the meal at one of the locations/times each day.

Meal Pick-Up Times for Distance Learners:

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. @ Elementary Schools

8:30 - 8:50 a.m. @ MMS

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. @ RMS

8:00 - 8:45 a.m. @ High School

All children in the house 18 and under can receive a free lunch. Meals can be picked up at any site. Lunches will be free until December 2020. Parents should still fill out the free/reduced lunch form.

Thank you!

Free & Reduced Lunch Application

Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch Benefits Online

This year we are accepting online applications only. You can apply from the privacy of your home, or anywhere with an internet connection. If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the East Providence School Department at: 401-383-5382.

Click on this link to start the application process: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

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

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

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 during vacation week need to be tested prior to returning to the building. Please refer to the list of states that require testing:

TRAVEL State List

Please be aware that school based Binex testing can be accepted as a post travel test. Students that travel and don't have a COVID test performed prior to entrance into the school building, will be tested upon arrival (prior to reporting to their classroom). In order to expedite arrival, we recommend that if you traveled, you attend the evening Binax testing event that will take place Sunday, February 21st from 6 -7 p.m. at Martin Middle School.

Additional information regarding Binax testing is below.

Please stay safe and continue to follow all COVID safety precautions! By doing so, we are keeping ourselves and others healthy!

COVID-19 Binax Now Testing

East Providence schools will have testing sessions during the week of February 22nd.

Permission slips will need to be completed and returned to your child's classroom teacher by February 22nd in order for your child to be tested during the school day. A copy of the permission slip is below and it was emailed to families and also sent out via Dojo.

We can test students who have already submitted a permission slip. The student's parent/guardian will need to notify the school if he/she does not want his/her child tested.

There will also be an evening COVID-19 Binax Now testing event at Martin Middle School on Sunday, February 21st. from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the evening Binax testing event.

Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?

Childhood Sleep Guidelines

"The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) provides some helpful guidelines regarding just how much sleep children need at different stages in their development. Keep in mind that these numbers reflect total sleep hours in a 24-hour period. So if your son or daughter still naps, you’ll need to take that into account when you add up his or her typical sleep hours."

Click on the link below to learn more about the importance of your child getting a good night's sleep:

https://kidzworldpediatrics.com/2019/04/healthy-sleep-habits-how-many-hours-does-your-child-need/

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.

From Dr. Mabe & Ms. Swift

As we manage the many challenges and tasks of everyday living, it’s important to reflect on the current activities that contribute to our future success. As we know, education is important to our learning and our future opportunities and working hard to maintain school attendance will benefit a child’s future.

According to the Balfanz and Byrnes (2012), “chronic absence in kindergarten was associated with lower academic performance in first grade. The impact is twice as great for students from low-income families.” Additionally, students with chronic school absences are significantly more likely to be retained (Jimerson & Renshaw, 2012); students who are retained are 5-11 times more likely to drop out of high school (Jimerson, Woehr, & Kaufman, 2007).

The home environment is an important influence on school engagement and can be a significant protective factor to facilitate engagement, reduce absences, and reduce the likelihood of dropout. “Youth whose families are more involved with their schooling are more likely to achieve in school, engage in school activities, and have higher educational expectations” (McNeal, 1999).

There are some simple steps every parent can take that will significantly improve the likelihood of positive academic outcomes. Jimerson, Woehr, & Kaufman (2007) found that the most important parent supports in early childhood were making sure your child is rested and ready for school each day, gets plenty of sleep, eats a nutritious breakfast, comes to school on time, and receives appropriate medical care.

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 the 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!

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!

Quarter 2 Report Cards

Report Cards will be available to parents/guardians Wednesday, February 10th at 3:15 p.m.

Please contact Mrs. Duarte (kduarte@epschoolsri.com), if you need help accessing your child's Report Card.

Semester 2 Changes

Semester 2 changes begin Monday, February 8th.

Students whose parents/guardians have completed and submitted the distance learning form will engage in distance learning. Students who will be reporting to school in person will follow safety guidelines, which include wearing a face covering, social distancing (maining a distance of 6' from others), completing the wellness screening by 8:30 a.m. (prior to arriving at school).

Teachers will contact parents/guardians with changes to schedules, teacher assignments, and assigned number to line up each morning.

Please contact your child's teacher with questions.

We look forward to safe and happy second half of the school year!

Our PTC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 4th at 6:00 p.m.

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

SS PTC Family Trivia Night Flyer

Save the Date &

Purchase Supplies Needed for Family Paint Night!

Ms. Lardner will be leading our PTC Family Paint Night on March 25th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. In order to get ready to paint, you will need to purchase the following supplies. Michaels carries a lot of the supplies. Sometimes Job Lot carries acrylic paint, brushes and canvas panels, but not on a regular basis. Other stores (brick and mortar and online) may have these supplies. Please purchase these supplies from wherever is best for you and get ready for a night or artistic fun! Thank you Ms. Lardner for volunteering for Family Paint Night!

Paints: 2 oz. Craft Smart Acrylic or similar brand

White
Blue
Light brown
Dark Brown
Turquoise or light blue
Black (for spots, can choose another color, if you wish)

9 x 12 Canvas Panel

Paper Towels

Assorted sized brushes (small for details, medium and/or larger for bigger areas)

Paper plate (for pallette)

Cup of water

Apron (optional)

Small easel (optional)

After you complete the survey, enter our Silver Spring raffle: https://forms.gle/zeECbPt7Djc3cPU29

SurveyWorks 2021 is open until March 31st!

Please take a few moments to complete the online SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is accessible at the following link: bit.ly/ridefamily

Monday, February 1:

MOY i-Ready Testing Begins

ACCESS Testing Continues

Survey Works Continues

Thursday, February 4:

3rd Quarter Begins

Picture Day! Please see the schedule below.

PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

PTC Trivia Night from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 5:

Distance Learning Day

Spirit Day ~ Wear Anything With Stars

Monday, February 8:

Second Semester Changes Begin

Wednesday, February 10:

Report Cards on Skyward at 3:15 p.m.

Faculty Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

Friday, February 12:

Chinese New Year!

Sunday, February 14:

Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 15:

President's Day

Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19:

Winter Recess - No School

Monday, February 22:

100th Day of School!

Wednesday, February 24:

SIT Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

Picture Day Flyer - 2-4-21

*ASPCA Community Service Project Flier

Valentine's Day

Out of an abundance of caution and effort to maintain our health and safety protocols, we will NOT be allowing students to bring in Valentines to exchange with classmates this year.

Thank you for helping to keep our students safe.

100th Day of School

Monday, February 22nd we will be celebrating the 100th Day of School.

Stay tuned for more information!

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 January

Kindergarten: Daelin Shields & Sai Parpalli

Grade 1: Lilac-Sky Smith & Arianna Senna

Grade 2: Derek Bielecki & Elisa Regmi

Grade 3: Juliet Nolan & Aubree Vieira

Grade 4: Wyatt Andrews & Penelope Flynn

Grade 5: Samantha Rodriguez & Angie Quiroa

Ms. Jaffa's Class: Preston Nicholas

Ms. Moore's Class: Robert Calheta

Happy Birthday to Our Amazing School Community Members!

February Birthdays

Mya Almeida (2/1)

Ryleigh Sousa (2/1)

Adilson Rosario Brito (2/4)

Brayden Grilo (2/7)

Ella Teare-Silvia (2/8)

Leia Campbell (2/9)

Jackson Loranger (2/12)

Joseph Gonsalves (2/14)

Havish Kavuluri (2/14)

Aiden Raposo (2/14)

Siena Raposo (2/14)

A'Mia Spano (2/14)

Lianah Lopes (2/14)

Kayla Costa (2/17)

Aidan Resende (2/19)

Samuel Felix MacKinnon (2/22)

Noah Furtado (2/23)

Gennaveve Bentley (2/24)

Anna Chang (2/24)

Purandhar Sakthi Prabhu (2/25)

Scarlette Raine Garcia (2/27)

Virtual Enrichment Programs' Schedule

We are looking forward to the start of these programs and thank our teachers for taking time to prepare for and facilitate the programs, and our students for registering.

Students who are registered to participate in these programs will be contacted by the teachers teaching the programs with Google Meet information.

Please email Mrs. Duarte if you have any questions your child's registration.

Show Your School Spirit

Silver Spring Star Day!

Friday, February 5th

Wear Anything with a Star!

Distance Learners should email a photo of him/herself wearing anything with a star to Mrs. Francescon at dfrancescon@epschoolsri.com.

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

Silver Spring PTC Fundraiser

Order Spirit Wear throughout the year and help raise money for our school.

You can place your order until June 2021 using this link

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

Scrip Gift Cards App

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/

Lasagna Love

A mom started this movement earlier in the year to help families who are struggling due to Covid job loss or just to help families in need. The family can request a lasagna and volunteers make and deliver the lasagna to the family.

People can also visit this website to volunteer to make lasagnas.

This is another way that our school community members can help one another.

Thank you Erica Myers for sharing this information!

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.

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Julia Vieira who had a winning Golden Ticket! We are so excited!!

The Hope & Faith Drive will be receiving the $500 grant donation! Thank you Julia!

Good luck to our Feinstein Jr. Scholars! We hope we have more winners!!

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!

In Closing....

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

Principal Fatima Avila

Cox Connect2Compete Flyer ENG.pdf

Cox Connect2Compete Flyer SPN.pdf

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