GREATER NEW BEDFORD REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
1121 Ashley Boulevard • New Bedford, MA • 02745-2496
Tel. 508-998-3321 • Fax 508-995-7268 • www.gnbvt.edu
Preparation • Passion • Perseverance
November 16, 2020
Good afternoon GNBVT families,
We hope that this newsletter finds you all well. The district continues to work hard at ensuring effective, two way communication with all families. Please know that all Faculty/Staff will respond to parent/guardian concerns within twenty-four (24) hours during the school week.
Students on Campus THIS Week (November 16 – November 20)
Cycle 7 ends Monday, November 16. Cycle 8 begins Tuesday, November 17.
- All Division 2 Freshmen students report for their CVTE exploratory program on Monday.
- All Division 1 Freshmen students report for their CVTE exploratory program Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. (November 17th – November 20th.).
- All Division 2 Sophomore, Juniors, and Seniors: GOLD Cohort students report for their in-person CVTE instruction on Monday while GREEN Cohort students complete their remote CVTE assignments. This concludes cycle 6.
- All Division 1 Sophomore and Juniors: Students will continue to follow the GREEN and GOLD Cohort model for their CVTE learning.
- All Division 1 Seniors: All seniors will report to school for the in-person CVTE instruction.
- All academics will continue to be conducted remotely for all students/grade levels.
SENIOR students returning for full in-person CVTE Learning:
Cycle 8
Beginning, Tuesday November 17, 2020 (Cycle 8 Day 1) SENIOR students in both the GREEN and GOLD Cohorts will report to their CVTE programs consistent with our Phase 1B plan released through the Principals letters in the past few weeks. All social distancing protocols that have been established and in place this school year will be strictly adhered to. If additional changes are made, families will be notified.
School Schedule for Wednesday, November 25 (1/2 Day Before Thanksgiving)
Next Wednesday, November 25th, is the day before Thanksgiving. It will be cycle 9, Day 1. This day is a half-day of school with dismissal at 10:50am. There will be no lunch served.
Students scheduled for in-person CVTE learning will report as scheduled and be dismissed at 10:50am. Students scheduled for remote CVTE learning will follow the same schedule.
Students in Academics will have a slightly altered schedule to accommodate the half-day. Classes will run as follows:
- 7:40am – 8:40am, Block 1
- 8:45am – 9:45am, Block 2
- 9:50am – 10:50am, Block 3
There will be NO support sessions offered on this day in the afternoon.
Open House 2020
As we mentioned last week, the Open House at GNBVT will be postponed from Sunday, November 22nd to a later date this year pending the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
We did want our families to know that the faculty/staff at GNBVT will be available that day from 11:00am -3:00pm to answer emails and have phone conversations with any parents/guardians who have concerns regarding their student(s) Trimester 1 progress. Reach out directly to the teacher(s) to plan for those conversations as you wish.
MCAS for the Class of 2022 (Grade 11)
MCAS assessments in ELA and Math will be administered to all juniors (Class of 2022) during the testing window established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations (January 14-February 5). GNBVT is currently planning for these assessments to be administered in a socially distant, safe manner. Achieving a passing score (meeting the competency determination established by DESE) on the MCAS assessments is a statewide graduation requirement.
Academic support preparation sessions will be offered to students beginning in November to prepare for the ELA and Math MCAS tests planned January 14th – February 5th. These sessions will begin on Monday, November 9th.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to have their students participate in these sessions to ensure they meet the DESE competency determination.
Important Reminders from Previous Newsletters
Breakfast/Lunch
Starting November 2nd, all students are eligible to participate in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) USDA meals program that is available until June 30th or until the funding is not available. This means all students will receive (at no cost) 1 full component breakfast and 1 full component lunch each day. Students in the building will continue to have their lunch shifts as normal. Remote students will now have the opportunity to order meals for the days they are learning remotely with 2 different pick up days (Tuesdays and Thursdays both 9:00 a.m. -10: 00 a.m.) Links for the remote ordering are on the school’s website homepage.
If at any time the district has to switch back to a paid program, families that feel they are eligible for either free or reduced breakfast and lunch pricing can visit http://www.myschoolapps.com to complete an application. If you already have been notified of your status from direct certification, an application does not need to be completed. For cash free transactions, families can establish an account with your student’s ID number to put money on their account to scan their ID at checkout by using www.myschoolbucks.com.
Remote Learning and Student Expectations
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Students are reminded that their camera and microphone must be on during remote sessions, complete all assignments, check emails from teachers for attendance requirements during support sessions, and request any support they need to meet with success in all of their classes. Students are expected to be present for the entire class periods. We know this is challenging for all and we are here to help. During the asynchronous (independent learning time), students should be completing all assignments in preparation for the next scheduled, synchronous (live) class time. It is important that all students are prepared for class periods and by completing these assignments it will provide teachers with the information they need to ensure positive student learning outcomes.
We must remind students given circumstances that have already appeared in other districts, that we will strictly prohibit screenshots, pictures and/or any audio or video recording of any teachers and/or classmates. It is illegal in Massachusetts to record another person through any medium without their consent. Recordings, as well as any other form of online bullying or harassment will be handled as a discipline matter and may result in suspension, expulsion and could include police involvement.
Students are reminded of the District Expectations SY 2020-2021, and are thanked for their efforts during the first days of school.
Health and Safety
Stop the Spread!
The Commonwealth is launching a strategic testing program across Massachusetts for asymptomatic individuals in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Commonwealth urges residents in New Bedford and other high risk communities to get tested. Testing is FREE and available at the following New Bedford locations (more information can be found online at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread:
- Greater New Bedford Community Health Center: 508-742-3807
- Seven Hills Behavioral Health Van will be testing at various locations across the city (see website above for specific days/times.)
- Sister Rose’s House: 508-996-0546
Please stay home if you are sick!
We are asking our students to stay home if they are ill. This will help to minimize the incident rates of the common cold, flu and COVID-19. If your student is experiencing any of the following, please keep them home and inform the GNBVT Nurses Office at Ext. 204 or 205:
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If your child is exhibiting any of the above symptoms please keep your child home and call your physician. You will be required to provide medical documentation upon the return to school.
Your student may return to school when the following are true:
- Your medical provider has determined a different illness then COVID-19 and cleared student to return (medical note must be provided to school), OR
- Your student has negative test results for COVID-19, no symptoms AND a note from their medical provider
PLEASE NOTE: If you should be notified that you are COVID positive or have been a close contact of a COVID positive individual, please contact your physician and notify the school nurse promptly. Our School Nurses will work with you to determine dates if it is appropriate for a student to return to school.
Student Travel to High Risk States: All students and families are reminded that travel outside of Massachusetts to states deemed “High Risk” by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires a 14-day quarantine or negative COVID-19 test that was administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival to Massachusetts. Proof of COVID-19 test results must be provided to the school’s Attendance Office.
Bus Routes
The capacity of students riding the bus to school has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The bus routes are posted to the school website.
We thank you for your continued support and focus on supporting all Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech students during this challenging time!
Sincerely,
Michael Watson, Academic Principal and Robert Watt, CVTE Principal
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all students. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, homelessness, immigration status or veteran status in its education programs and activities, including admission to or employment in such programs or activities.
James L. O’Brien, Superintendent-Director
Michael P. Watson, Academic Principal • Robert J. Watt, Vocational Technical Principal
Proudly Serving the Towns of Dartmouth and Fairhaven and the City of New Bedford
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