Dear JSMS Families,

I hope you are all feeling well and adjusting to our new daily routines. Since the time that our closure was extended from the initial 2 weeks , the teachers and many other school staff have been working to develop distance learning opportunities for all students. For the first two weeks of the closure, participation of students in on-line and other learning from home has been optional. Starting on Monday, March 30th, we are asking all students to engage in learning as directed by their teachers each weekday. The RSU 14 schools will be taking attendance daily based on students engaging in assignments in Google Classroom. The school staff is currently planning ways to support students and families in such a way that learning can still proceed without placing an unrealistic expectation on students or their families. We are also mindful that screen time for both school and recreation needs to be balanced with physical activity and play!

Please email me directly (rcrockett@rsu14.org) if your child does not have their school issued laptop currently at home and you would like to pick it up. Indicate what time within the following “windows” you can arrive to have the device brought out to your car. The options are Thursday 3:00-5:00 PM or Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. If neither of these time frames work for your schedule, then I will try to provide another option for pick up or delivery for the following week. If you know of a student household that does not have internet access, please encourage them to call the JSMS office (655-4743) and leave a message in the general mailbox requesting printed materials. I will respond to them via phone to arrange pick up or delivery.

We will be having a drive up book distribution this Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Materials will be set out on tables in front of the school in the bus drop off driveway. I ask that only a few students or parents access the tables at a time and that folks wait patiently in their vehicles to go to the tables. Students or parents picking up the materials should access the sanitizer provided before collecting materials. Coming to school to pick up books this Friday is 100% OPTIONAL.  We may also be able to provide delivery of these materials and laptops early next week if you are more comfortable with that method of access.

Parents: Please share the guidelines and information below with your JSMS student directly.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Randy Crockett

Tips for students learning at home:

Make a schedule for yourself  with your parents for when you will do school work Mon – Fri. Include break times in the schedule you create.

Have a distraction free place where you can go to do your assignments.

Collaborate with other students and your teachers if you need help understanding directions or “get stuck” with a certain task.

Health, safety and overall wellness always comes before school work. Do what you can to help your family!