March 12, 2020 was the last day that we were full in-person school. On Friday, the 13th, teachers worked feverishly to put together two week worth of work packets for students. We had no idea that one year later, we would be teaching online with district-wide phased in reopening plans, and a new normal of mask fashion statements.
On that date a year ago, my daughter was bald, crawling, and saying vague approximations of words. She now has a head of hair and is running around, talking in toddler sentences, and potty training. I just purchased a number of masks for her to practice wearing them once she turns two. She hasn’t been in a store in over a year. And most of her loved ones she thinks lives behind a glass panel on our phones. Wild.
What a year can bring! I am excited to be finalizing our in-person learning plans (see below) and can’t wait to feel the energy of kids around the building and field. Looking forward to next school year, I can’t wait to see how the new perspectives we have been afforded this year will impact in-person instruction. We, as a community, are not going to return to 2019 when schools fully reopen. We will be looking ahead with a new set of tools and understandings.
Thanks for partnering in this work now and always.
Happy Week 27, everyone!
–Shyla.
******************************
Noteworthy Upcoming Dates:
|
March 17-19 |
School-wide Materials Pick-Up 10:00-2:00 Wednesday through Friday, Wednesday 5:30-7:00 and Thursday 5:00-7:00 |
|
March 17 |
Deadline to mail report cards |
|
March 19 |
Family Arts Night! |
|
March 19 |
Summer Camp Applications due: |
|
Saturday, March 27 – Monday, April 5 |
Spring Break! Classes resume on Tuesday, April 6 |
|
April 12 |
First Day of In-Person Learning at CNH |
******************************
This week we have Synchronous Electives (With the teachers)
******************************
Attention current K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade Families:
Summer Camp Applications due by March 19!
From July 5 through July 30, 2021, rising first, second, third and fourth graders are invited to expand their minds and bodies at the City Neighbors Children Summer Program designed just for them. City Neighbors focus on the development of the whole child and progressive approach to learning will have children ages 6-10 active and engaged throughout our air conditioned City Neighbors Hamilton classrooms, creative playspace, garden, and more. 2021 will be our seventh summer session.
Summer session will include traditional general day camp activities and dynamic challenges. Summer Camp Activities in the past have included: Reading & Writing, Singing, Bike Riding, Drama, Blueberry Picking, Gardening, Crafts, Hiking, Visiting Artists, Percussion, Puppetry, Watercolor Painting, Clay Sculpture, Weekly Field trips.
We currently are planning for an in-person camp, with new guidelines to keep campers and staff safe and curtail Covid transmission. Summer Program Director, Sharon Jackson, will lead a staff of caring and committed professional educators from both K-8 City Neighbors schools. Their exciting programming will challenge children to learn. We look forward to summer adventures with you!
Before and After Camp Care will be available on site for a reasonable fee from 8:00-9:00 am and 3:00-5:30 pm. Campers will have opportunities to play indoors and outside. Games, sports and crafts will be offered. Snacks and Lunch: Nutritious, fresh snacks and lunches will be provided daily to all campers. You may choose to bring your lunch if you prefer.
Join us on Wednesday, March 10, 5:30-6 PM for the Summer Program Virtual open house: https://bcps-k12-md-us.zoom.
Children and adults are welcome to attend the virtual Open House. Program Director, Sharon Jackson, and Assistant Director, Megan Doyle, will give an overview of the program, its goals, and activities. This is your opportunity to hear about the program and ask questions.
NUTS and BOLTS
Cost: $300 per week, financial aid scholarships available (please mark your interest on the application). Please apply regardless of financial status.
Dates and Times: July 5 – July 30, Monday through Friday, 9am- 3pm.
Before and After Camp Care: Available onsite for a separate fee from 8:00-9:00 am and 3:00-5:30 pm.
Snacks, Breakfast, and Lunch: Nutritious, fresh snacks and meals will be provided daily to all campers. You may choose to bring your lunch if you prefer or have allergy concerns.
There will be accepting 60 campers this year. Apply early!
IMPORTANT DATES
February 22: Applications available: 2021 City Neighbors Summer Camp Application
March 10: Summer Camp Virtual Open House: https://bcps-k12-md-us.zoom.
March 19: Application Deadline
April 5: Financial Aid Award Notification to Families
April 26: Registration and deposit due
May 13: Parent & Camper Orientation, Health Forms due (location TBD)
July 5: First day of camp
July 30: Final day of camp
Click here to access the digital 2021 City Neighbors Summer Camp Application
Direct all questions regarding Summer Camp to Summer Camp Director, Sharon Jackson, at sjackson@cityneighbors.org.
*****************************
Family Arts Night — March 19, 6:00-7:00
That A-Team (Arts and Athletics) classes have been working hard for Family Arts Night for Trimester 2. We heard your feedback in the survey after the event 1st Trimester and are going to have the event in the main room without break-out sessions following. It’s going to be fun, engaging, and quite a celebration of learning from Trimester 2!
Keep an eye out for emails from your child’s teachers and in the next two What’s Goods for more information. So excited!
******************************
Materials Pick-Up This Wednesday-Friday
K-8 Material Pick Up is THIS Week.
Please be sure to pick up new materials for your classes during the following times:
Wednesday 3/17 – 10am-2pm and 5:30-7:00pm
Thursday 3/18 – 10am-2pm and 5:00-7:00pm
Friday 3/19 – 8am-2pm
K – Art Kit, Writing journal, High-frequency Word List and Packets
1st – *No Materials This Week*
2nd – No new materials, please pick up remaining materials from the last pick up
3rd – Art Kit & 3rd Grade Material Bag
4th – Watercolor Kit & Math Packet
5th – Watercolor Kit & Math Packet
6th – Art Kit & Science Kit
7th – Science Kit
8th – Science Kit
******************************
Updates for Proposed In-Person Learning at CNH
I met with the manager of charter schools at the district. They loved our plan! There is one detail about COVID testing that needs to be resolved before I can send the finalized Google Form for the screen-free and hands-on outdoor program lottery and the invitations to the targeted in-person learning program the other days of the week. Once that detail is finalized we will resume our outreach regarding the two models. Thanks for your patience!
******************************
Lobby Library Open and Available
Ms. LaShawn has collected over 500 donated books, identified their reading levels (up to about Level Q), and organized them in the lobby for the school. Our lobby library is a one-way library — You may come and pick up books for your student to read, and you don’t have to return it! It’s our way of helping you build your child’s library as they progress through reading levels.
Come by any day between 10:00-2:00 to select books from our Lobby Library!
******************************
Show your School Pride with CNH Swag!
Who else loves seeing all the CNH bumper stickers driving around the city? Have you noticed your kid’s CNH and Known, Loved, Inspired shirts are all getting too small? Now they can get a fresh version for the coming warmer weather. We even have masks, mugs, hoodies, phone cases and more. Show off your school pride AND help support our school with your purchase – everyone wins. Click here to check out the CNH school store.(Be sure to use the left hand navigation to see all the CNH Gear)
******************************
Care Center Site
Families can access the Care Center Site by accessing the CNH Family Site and clicking on the Family Resources tab. You can also click here to access the site. Students, teachers, and families can find different ways to support social-emotional learning on this site. You can also use this site to get in touch with Ms. Lauren & Mr. Jerred.
Care Center Week Ahead…
-
Mindful Monday
-
Wellness Wednesday
-
Find a Friend Friday
******************************
Donations to the School
If you would like to donate money to the school (for any reason), the easiest way is through our PayPal account. If you want your donation to go to a specific fund or activity (general educational expenses, technology, arts, etc), please note it with your donation.
PayPal Donate Button on Website: http://cityneighborshamilton.
If you aren’t able to donate funds to the school right now, we always appreciate your donation of time supporting the general programming needs at our school (all virtual, of course). If you would like to volunteer for the school, please email our Family Participation Board Director Elisabeth Hyleck at ehyleck@cityneighborshamilton.
******************************
Helpful Links
-
The CNH Academic Calendar — This gives all important dates for this year (end of each trimester, Progress Report Conferences dates, etc.)
-
CNH Family Site — This is one-stop shopping for families (links to Google Classrooms, Family Resources, the Care Center, Tutorial Videos, etc.)
-
School Schedule Spreadsheet — This document has each grade’s schedule with links to Zoom meetings in one mega spreadsheet. (NOTE: Student schedules are also posted in every Google Classroom with links to Zoom meetings)
-
Family Participation Hours Log — Any time you participate in a meeting with a staff member, attend a school event, participate in progress report conferences, or attend Committee Night, complete this form so that we can keep track of your participation! Every family needs to log 40 hours of participation each year.
-
CNH Main Website — Here is the main website with information about the school and resources.
-
CNH Care Center Site — Find resources for supporting your child’s (and your own) social-emotional learning needs as well as see the videos posted for our morning meetings each week.
-
COVID Testing Sites — If you are experiencing symptoms, click this link to find a testing site near you.
-
Meal Sites — This site provides information for meal sites as well as other resources for accessing food.
-
Shyla Rao’s appointment calendar — Feel free to make an appointment if you have questions, comments, or concerns. Shyla looks forward to meeting with you!