August 16, 2021
Dear Northwood Families,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year at Northwood School! Students’ first day of school is Monday, August 30. Students may arrive to school between 8:05 and 8:30. Dismissal will begin at 2:50.
We have had some staff changes over the summer. We heard from Ashlyn Martineau, Kathleen Scholand, and Kerri Quigley that they are moving on to new adventures so we are bidding a fond farewell to them.
Our team will be joined by several new staff members this year. Please welcome Jessica Cormier (grade 8 math), Lori Jerram (grade 7 ELA), Jeff Long (grade 8 ELA), Mikayla Tewskbury (grade 3), Kama English (paraprofessional), Jacob Castano (part-time custodian), Briana Kennedy (NECC tutor), Mike Ling (curriculum director), Will Micali (PE/Health), and Tracy Flinders (grade 2). Megan Seymour will be taking on a new role this year as a paraprofessional and Sam Langdon will be taking on an additional role by serving as our Athletic Director.
Families of students in K-5, we hope you’ll be able to join us for an informal “Meet the Teacher” event on Wednesday, August 25 from 5:00 - 6:00. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, see the classroom, drop off school supplies, and help your child get rid of some of the first day jitters! All participants will be required to wear masks and we ask that you keep your visit brief to minimize congestion in classrooms.
Northwood School will be opening in Phase 4 (see the school’s opening plan here). All students and staff will be required to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. In instances where at least six feet of distance can be maintained, masks may be removed indoors while seated. Six feet of distance will be provided during breakfast, snack, and lunch. Students and staff may be unmasked outside unless participating in a close contact activity (e.g., playing basketball). Other mitigation strategies, including hand hygiene, regular cleaning, and physical distancing to the extent possible, will also be implemented. The School Board, superintendent, and administration will work together to monitor local conditions and state and federal guidance to determine if a transition to a more or less restrictive phase is warranted.
The bus routes for the 21-22 school year are included with this letter. If you have any questions about the routes or don’t see your bus stop listed, please email Ms. Tritto (atritto@northwoodschoolnh.org) and she will work with the bus company to get an answer to your question.
To calculate your child(ren)’s estimated drop off time in the afternoon, you can look at the morning route times. For example, if it takes ten minutes for your child to get from his/her bus stop to school, it will take approximately ten minutes to get from school to that bus stop in the afternoon. All bus riders continue to be required to wear masks for the duration of the bus ride.
For students riding a bus to and/or from school: Please note that there will continue to be two bus runs due to a shortage of bus drivers. Students who arrive to school on an early bus (arriving between 7:45 and 8:05) will report to a designated location in the school until the day officially begins at 8:05, at which time they’ll go to morning recess or breakfast. Students who ride a late bus (departing between 3:05 and 3:30) in the afternoon will wait in a designated location until their bus is dismissed. Students riding early and/or late buses should bring a book or electronic device to keep them occupied while they’re waiting. (Please note that during the official school day, 8:05 - 2:50, use of electronic devices is restricted to educational use with adult permission per School Board policy JICJ).
Students being driven to school may arrive between 8:05 and 8:30. Dismissal will begin at 2:50. We will continue to use the courtyard for drop off and pick up this year. I will send home more detailed information next week regarding arrival and dismissal procedures for students who are driven to/from school.
We are excited to further develop strong partnerships with our families as we work together to prepare our students for the future. Thank you for sharing your kid with us everyday and supporting Northwood School. We are looking forward to a wonderful year! Enjoy your last weeks of summer!
Respectfully,
Jocelyn Young