Covid-19 and Student Remote Learning Information
Dear Parents/Guardians; February 12, 2021
Your children continue to exhibit remarkable resilience and continue to inspire us with their light hearted approach to all the changes and uncertainties. We thank them and we thank you for the continued guidance and support of our shared charges.
Elementary students will be attending five days a week beginning February 22nd. The school board recently decided on this change with parental input and discussion. Mondays will be similar to other days of the week. Although, students may notice less in-class instruction time and more Specialists on Mondays. The early afternoon release will continue for the foreseeable future.
We polled MS/HS parents and found we can offer family choice in regards to three different attendance options. We are planning to move ahead with the polling information and assign students accordingly. If for some reason you were unclear about the poll and would like to revisit the options, please reach out to us. If you chose four days in person as an option and have decided to enroll your children in a cohort, the change is easily taken care of. However, if students wish to change to four days a week from another option, we will have to consider whether or not the schedule will support the change while keeping proper safety protocols in place. This change begins March 1st. Mondays will remain remote for all MS/HS students. The late morning start will continue for the foreseeable future.
Students have until Friday, March 5 to hand in assignments or take tests for classes that they have been assigned an “incomplete” grade in. An incomplete is noted on the report card as an “I”. If you have any questions about the specifics of these grades, please contact your child’s teacher directly.
On behalf of the entire ICS family, we wish you and yours, a restful and rejuvenating February break.
Be thoughtful, be kind, be caring
Chuck Hamm
Head of School
Dear ICS Community, 5/7/2020
Islesboro Central School will hold it’s last formal day of remote learning on May 27th, with May 28th reserved for final celebrations in lieu of our traditional field day. Our School Board, as well as ICS’ Teacher Association, voted in favor of ending our classes early in order to focus on several initiatives through the middle of June. The majority of staff and families polled support the decision. Meals will continue to be prepped and delivered to island students until June 10th.
Students who need additional assistance in meeting standards or remediation of grades will continue working with teachers until June 10th. Students and families who request an extension of structure and support will have the option of continuing their contact with classroom teachers. Parents should contact their children’s individual teachers if they would like continued guidance or scheduling. Laptops will be collected prior to summer vacation.
Graduation will be held on June 7th, as previously announced. Plans are underway and will reflect past traditions as closely as possible following guidelines set forth by Maine’s CDC and DOE.
The remaining weeks of the school calendar will give teachers and staff the time necessary to continue support of students and firm up plans to reopen in the fall. Given these extraordinary times, we will prepare for several contingencies, including a continuation of remote learning. Schools across the state have much to analyze, reflect upon, and plan. Families will also need time to rest, heal, and prepare their own contingency plans.
With great pride, I report ICS has served our students and honored our commitment to public education to the very best of our abilities throughout this pandemic. Parents and guardians have worked diligently in partnership with ICS staff on multiple levels. Our deepest gratitude is extended to the teacher/parents at home as we recognize all educators throughout Teacher Appreciation Week.
Be kind and remain Islesboro strong
Chuck Hamm
chamm@icspathways.org