Biodiversity At GBSGreat Brook School students collect data on biodiversity in the green spaces around the school.
Morning Temperature CheckThe daily arrival routine at ConVal Regional High School includes a check-in procedure which involves asking students COVID-19 related questions and a touchless temperature check before they can enter the building.
GES Snack Break Under The TentAt Greenfield Elementary School, Miss Heard's 3rd graders enjoy a morning snack break under the tent.
HES Third Graders Explore ScienceThird graders at Hancock Elementary School learn how to think and explore like a scientist.
Outdoor Classroom At AESInstruction and learning are taking place in an outdoor classroom at Antrim Elementary school.
First Day Of SchoolThe great weather on the first day of school at Temple Elementary School allowed for classes to be conducted outside. Students observed physical distancing guidelines and learned about the new procedures to provide a safe learning environment.
When the ConVal School Reopening Plan was published in early August, a key feature was the use of outdoor spaces and outdoor classrooms.
The rationale behind this planning decision was the opportunity to increase student and staff safety because outdoor classrooms have been shown to help reduce the viral load in the air. Fewer students spending time indoors touching shared surfaces throughout the school day also reduce the chances for the virus to spread.
An additional, though not entirely unexpected, benefit has been that schools may use outdoor spaces the tents for exploratory outdoor learning, independent reading, lunches, specials, classroom instruction, related services, special education instruction, small group instruction, etc.
As these pictures show, the spaces lend themselves to everything from storytime to the completion of independent work, to connecting with students during informal lunches.
ConVal District Schools celebrated their first day of school on September 8. After months of preparation, students could meet their teachers and classmates again in person.
Whether in indoor classrooms or outdoor instructional spaces, students learned about the guidelines to keep everyone safe and healthy. Morning meetings were held in a properly distanced manner. Tents were ready for students to begin their daily schedule. Storytime took on a special meaning when conducted in the outdoor open spaces.
It was an amazing first day and everyone was glad to see each other back in school!
In order to allow for appropriate physical distancing and to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the ConVal School District’s Reopening Plan envisioned the installation of tents to create outdoor learning spaces.
On August 4, the ConVal School Board unanimously voted to approve the Reopening Plan as presented and authorized the SAU to contract with Monadnock Tent to have the required tents installed at all elementary, middle, and high school locations in time for the students’ first day of school. The process of installing tents on multiple sites is taking the vendor longer than anticipated.
The district has been working closely with Monadnock Tent and local officials to work through the inspection and issuance of permits to ensure that the outdoor classrooms are ready for student and staff use. The district has also contracted with SFC Engineering to further assure that the outdoor classrooms are ready for use.
While we are working to have the outdoor classroom spaces ready as soon as possible, not all the tents will be ready by the scheduled reopening date. Therefore, starting on September 8, students in grades PreK-6 who have opted for in-person instruction will be able to return for in-person instruction and in-school services.
Most students in grades 7-12 will start the school year remotely. Priority students in grades 7-12 who have been identified based on factors such as internet access and needed services will be invited to return for in-person instruction and in-school services.
We will be updating you regularly as more tents become available for use, and we are able to welcome all students PreK-12 who have opted for in-person instruction back to our school campuses.
Lance Levesque who teaches digital media at ConVal’s Region 14 Applied Technology Center has just been recognized by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) as an “Educator of Distinction.”
Educators of Distinction are outstanding role models and exemplary practitioners who have made a lasting difference in a student’s life by encouraging them to strive for excellence, not just in their academic pursuits, but in all their endeavors.
NSHSS provides its high school members the opportunity to acknowledge high school teachers, counselors or administrators who have made the most significant contribution to their academic career by nominating them as an Educator of Distinction.
Almost 50,000 educators have been recognized worldwide by NSHSS since 2007 when the awards were first announced.
When the ConVal School Reopening Plan was published in early August, a key feature was the use of outdoor spaces and outdoor classrooms.
The rationale behind this planning decision was the opportunity to increase student and staff safety because outdoor classrooms have been shown to help reduce the viral load in the air. Fewer students spending time indoors touching shared surfaces throughout the school day also reduce the chances for the virus to spread.
An additional, though not entirely unexpected, benefit has been that schools may use outdoor spaces the tents for exploratory outdoor learning, independent reading, lunches, specials, classroom instruction, related services, special education instruction, small group instruction, etc.
As these pictures show, the spaces lend themselves to everything from storytime to the completion of independent work, to connecting with students during informal lunches.
Ms. Ambrosini’s 2nd grade art enrichment project. Students created self portraits with and without their masks. They then wrote three words to describe themselves!
To fully enjoy the opportunity of outside learning in the new tents at SMS, as a reminder students should be sure to have weather appropriate clothing. Can’t go wrong with cold weather gear!
ConVal Regional High School will offer the PSAT on Saturday, October 17, this year.
The PSAT is an optional test for 11th grade students to help them prepare for the SAT, and it also serves as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship. 10th grade students may also take the exam, but will not be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship consideration.
Biodiversity At GBS Great Brook School students collect data on biodiversity in the green spaces around the school.
Morning Temperature Check The daily arrival routine at ConVal Regional High School includes a check-in procedure which involves asking students COVID-19 related questions and a touchless temperature check before they can enter the building.
GES Snack Break Under The Tent At Greenfield Elementary School, Miss Heard's 3rd graders enjoy a morning snack break under the tent.
HES Third Graders Explore Science Third graders at Hancock Elementary School learn how to think and explore like a scientist.
Outdoor Classroom At AES Instruction and learning are taking place in an outdoor classroom at Antrim Elementary school.
First Day Of School The great weather on the first day of school at Temple Elementary School allowed for classes to be conducted outside. Students observed physical distancing guidelines and learned about the new procedures to provide a safe learning environment.
