Lighthouse School, Inc.
June 1, 2020
“Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience something and someone new. Seize the opportunity. Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world.” – Rodney Williams
2020 - 2021 School Year Calendar
We are happy to share that the calendar for School Year 2020-2021 has been finalized and you can view the calendar by using the link below. There is also a copy of this calendar on our website, www.lighthouseschool.org and in addition, copies will be sent out via email and/or mail within the coming week. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We very much look forward to sharing another successful school year with you.
Dear Parents & Guardians,
We hope this Update finds you well. As we are approaching the end of the school year, we wanted to take a quick review of some of the information, news and tips that we have shared with you in these Weekly Updates.
If you haven’t already, please participate in our Google Classroom Survey, which can be found at the end of this Weekly Update. This is our opportunity to gather valuable information from all families to improve our use of the Google platform. Also, we hope that the sections on Tech Tips and Google Classroom Help have been valuable in helping everyone navigate this new way of learning.
Although Google Classroom is our primary method of remote instruction, please be reminded that we have also provided online links to supplemental platforms to assist your child including iXL, Lexia Core5 and Prodigy.
Health and Wellness is an important focus at this time, and we have offered wonderful de-stressing techniques utilizing meditation as well as healthy and delicious recipes we hope you are enjoying at home. Individual student coping strategy menus, which include the Regulation of Activity and Experience (R.A.E) were created and can be located in your child’s Google Classroom under "Important Resources".
Also, please note that the Consent Form Process is beginning this month. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (D.E.S.E.) requires that these forms are updated every year. We appreciate your attention and assistance in completing, signing and returning the forms by July 1, 2020 using the postage-paid return envelope. Your Family Therapist will be available to assist you in this process.
Warm Regards,
Peter Lang, M.Ed., Principal
June Bioeducational Theme of the Month: Opportunity
Today is the first day of a new month and our bioeducational theme for June is Opportunity. Opportunity can be defined as a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Often, opportunities arise out of obstacles or problems and present a chance to learn something new or change a pattern of behavior that is no longer useful for us.
Opportunity inspires hope, as well as something we can wish for to make our lives better. If we can view challenges as a chance to make positive change, we can turn an obstacle into an opportunity. We've certainly all experienced some new challenges over the past few months and our focus for June will be helping our students and families find and seize the opportunities within these challenges.
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
"A goal properly set is halfway reached." -Abraham Lincoln
"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tech Tips:
Top Five Google Classroom Tips for Students
Streamline your Google Classroom experience to be more effective and productive!
For details on these tips, see the adjacent video!
Ignore the Stream!
Focus on Classwork - the Stream is too messy!Use the browser back arrow.
Otherwise you’ll end up back at the Stream.Always Turn in or Mark as Done.
You want all your icons gray!Check in with View Your Work.
This is where you see a summary of all your assignments.Bookmark the Classwork page!
It’s the quickest way to get straight to Classwork.
Remote Learning
Engaging Your Child in Google Classroom
It continues to be very important to have all students access Google Classroom through the end of the school year. We only have a short time left to engage in this remote experience. Families are encouraged to work with any of the staff who are calling daily to determine how to best support your child in accessing remote learning services.
If you feel that some additional motivation may be helpful for your child, our staff can work with you to determine a plan to increase participation. Often, families have discovered motivating activities that are already available, that students can earn at home for participating in lessons. It could be that earning time with a favorite staff member would motivate a student to participate, too. Whatever challenges Lighthouse and our families face together, we will continue our commitment to providing the resources you need to help our students succeed.
In addition, tech support is always available and dedicated to supporting families and students experiencing technology issues of any kind.
For additional tips and guidance on how you can help your child successfully engage in online learning, we've included this Family Guide to At-Home Learning. By clicking the white box above, you will find some practical strategies that can be useful for children of all ages as they navigate remote learning, as well as additional resources if you would like more information. We hope you find this guide to be a helpful tool for you and your child!
To our LEA's
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to support our students and their families. We are here for you and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Dorothy Pepin, Director of Program Administration Pepind@lighthouseschool.org
Jennifer Kamin, Associate Director of Program Administration Kaminj@lighthouseschool.org
Amy Bassett, Supervisor for Team Meetings
Bassetta@lighthouseschool.org
Sandra Muldowney, Supervisor for Enrollment Services
MuldowneyS@lighthouseschool.org
To our Families
Our therapists are available to offer clinical support to families and students 24 hours a day.
If you are in need of assistance, please call our support line, starting with Line 1.
Line #1: (978) 821-1351
If you are not able to connect with a therapist or do not get a response within 10 minutes, please try Line 2.
Line #2: (978) 821-0316
Family Resource Toolbox
Resources
Assistance for students and families, including meals, is available throughout the week and varies by school district. Please visit your public school district's website for the most current information.
Please refer to the websites below for up-to-date information:
Massachusetts:
www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-guidance-and-directives
New Hampshire:
www.nh.gov/covid19MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
Click the icon above for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 from the Mass General Hospital website
Google Classroom Survey
Results So Far
Thanks to all who have participated so far in our Google Classroom Survey! We know this is a new learning environment for students and the parents who are trying to help them get acclimated!
Hopefully, things are going more smoothly each day, in terms of your online learning efforts. Either way, here is a snapshot of what your fellow remote learners are going through!
