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Message from the Principal
Dear MCS Families,
In sticking with my hobby of farm comparison to our current situation, I will begin with a scene in my backyard this week. The weather was rainy and a little chilly. The chickens were nestled into their coop looking longingly out at their grassy yard, but not wishing to get wet. The goats had a similar reaction and enjoyed looking out from their house. However, the ducks were in duck heaven. The heavier the rain, the happier they were to frolic in the yard finding worms and making mud. Ducks are designed for water and rain. As I speak with more of you, this is the case for students engaging in remote learning. There is a population of students who are thriving in this new environment. They are enjoying the opportunity to work independently and in some cases have fewer distractions. They like to splash around in this remote learning puddle! Others are struggling to learn in this new environment and are longing for the day when we return to school. Just like our goat Moonbeam who likes to spend rainy days looking out from her dry house.
 
This week we received word from the Vermont Secretary of Education that remote learning at MCS will end for students on June 5th. This will allow school staff to have two weeks at the end of the school year to make a plan for the start of the next school year. At this point we will create Plans A, B, and C, a normal start, a hybrid start, or a remote start. Either way, we will need to determine how to best meet the needs of all MCS students. Next week you will receive another survey asking for your input about what has worked well and what will work better in the event that we have to start the next school year remotely. The preference is to begin school with “business as usual” next school year. If that is not possible, then we will all feel better knowing that plans A and B are ready to go.
As the days get warmer, the grass greener, and the sun bright and sunny, I would like to remind each of you of the importance of taking breaks. The tardiness of this newsletter is an example of taking a break. My screen time, like everyone else's, has increased dramatically. Zoom meetings and email seem to consume my days, with little hope to stay caught up. Today when the sun was out, birds were singing, bees were buzzing, and my eyes were tired; I decided to take a break and enjoy the outdoors. A couple hours spent with my family on our deck, in the yard, and walking through the village of Newbury provided a much needed break from my computer screen. Upon my return, I felt refreshed and ready to go back to work. Please remember to be kind to yourself and allow your family to take breaks. I am a strong supporter of a quality education, but also realistic in knowing that learning occurs best when we take care for ourselves.
Parent Nights
As the weeks progress and we are distanced from one another, we thought that it might be valuable to have check-in time. Katie, Nurse Pam, Mr. Bagnato, and Mr. Gonyaw will be hosting bi-weekly check-in times. The forum will be through a zoom meeting. The four of us will be available to hear any questions, concerns, or celebration that you would like to bring. On Thursday we hosted 4-6 grade family members. This Thursday we will host 4-6 grade families who wish to join. Below are the links to join the meetings. The same links will work for future gatherings on the same days at the same times.
Topic: 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Parent Check-in
Time: May 21, 2020 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sau70.zoom.us/j/99250394755?pwd=SVluRG55bm83MnM3Rm80Y3pFOTM1QT09
Meeting ID: 992 5039 4755
Password: 394550
Topic: K-3rd Grade Parent Check-In
Time: May 27, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sau70.zoom.us/j/91886647425?pwd=M0w3ZFc3cTVCc1RmcCtDNGpmMW9yQT09
Meeting ID: 918 8664 7425
Password: 485858
Wishing you well,
Shawn
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