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Dear BWRSD families,
Week 2 of distance learning has come to a close. BWRSD is grateful for the collective efforts of our community in making distance learning a success. I hope that you and your children will spend Friday resting, recharging your batteries, and getting ready to return to distance learning on Monday.
Today’s update has information about the following topics:
- Distance learning calendar
- Grab and Go Distribution and Free and Reduced meal application
- School based virtual parent meetings
- Kids Links for students in need of support
- Additional Resources for families
- Tech support for students
No Distance Learning for Students - Friday, April 3, 2020
BWRSD will be adopting a modified school calendar following the request of Governor Raimondo to have consistency throughout the state. Friday, April 3, 2020, and Friday, April 17, 2020, will be strategic pause days for staff. There will be no distance learning instruction on those days. Staff will use those days to work with colleagues. Additionally, Thursday, April 9, 2020, and Friday, April 10, 2020, BWRSD will be “closed” to provide all members of the BWRSD community a break for an extended weekend. These days are considered part of the 180 day school calendar and do not need to be made up.
Updates to Grab and Go Distribution
Grab and Go Meals will be available for students tomorrow, Friday, April 3, 2020, from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. even though there will be no distance learning for students. This is a work day for all staff and meals will be available for pick-up at all three locations.
Students will be able to pick up meals for both Thursday, April 9, 2020 AND Friday, April 10, 2020 on Thursday April 9, 2020. Please follow this link to go to our website to complete a Free and Reduced Price meals form. It is electronic and takes a few minutes to complete. This will ensure your student has access for the remainder of the school year to this resource while we are implementing distance learning.
School Based Virtual Community Meetings
Individual principals will be sending out a notice to ask if anyone is interested in joining an upcoming school based virtual community meeting during our distance learning. Please look out for this communication from your principal.
Kids Link Support for Families
Kids Link is a hotline that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Parents can call 1-855-543-5465 when their child is feeling excessive anger or sadness; lashing out at siblings, friends and adults; having severe worries; or hurting him or herself or others.
Additional Resources for Families
Below is an additional resource shared with us in regards to helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19.
BWRSD Online Tech Support for Families
Please continue to email BWRSDTech@BWRSD.org for support during this time of Distance Learning. The email account is accessible 24 hours per day, and you can expect a response within 1 school day. The most common issue for not being able to access apps such as STEMscopes is that they may not be going in through CLEVER or that families need to have students login to the Chrome browser with their BWRSD credentials. Here are directions.
Sincerely,
Jonathan T. Brice, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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March 26, 2020
Dear BWRSD Community,
On March 25, 2020, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) passed a budget for the Bristol Warren Regional School District (BWRSD). The budget provides for all requested funding of the district except for approximately Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) that will be saved due to health care and dental costs not increasing as high as initially projected by our provider. The JFC should be commended for its willingness to listen to the students, teachers, community members, and staff who expressed the importance of funding this budget for the future of BWRSD students.
What does this mean for us? The JFC decision highlights their faith in the ability of BWRSD staff, students, parents, and community members to create a high performing school district. This approval comes in the midst of the single biggest challenge facing public schools, the sudden implementation of distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As I reflect on how the first several days of distance learning have progressed, I am in awe of what I have seen - students enthusiastically attending class and working on assignments, teachers creating academically challenging and interactive lessons, the district’s full suite of technology tools being utilized, and parents and community members rallying to support our efforts. Our distance learning efforts highlighted what we already knew, but were reminded of by this crisis, that BWRSD has great students, staff that are knowledgeable about their craft and compassionate toward students, and parents and community members that truly make education a priority.
It is important for all BWRSD students, parents, staff, and community members to realize this exceptional opportunity that we were provided last evening; a fully funded budget request minus savings from lower than expected health care and dental care increases. The task is now ours, to work each day to teach, learn, and utilize the resources afforded us, to build a Top 5 in 5 Years academically performing school district in Rhode Island. I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that await us, and know that by continuing to work together, we will create a school system that unleashes the full potential of our students.
Again, thank you to the members of the Joint Finance Committee for their confidence in our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Jonathan T. Brice, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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Please click here to view the agenda for the 3/25/20 Joint Finance Meeting.
This meeting will be livestreamed; Click on the following link to watch the virtual meeting: Live stream of JFC Meeting
Questions can be sent to JFC chairperson Steven Calenda at scalenda@townofwarren-ri.gov no later than 6:00 pm March 25, 2020.
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BWRSD Community Update 3.20.20
Dear BWRSD families,
Thank you for your patience this week as we developed a distance learning program for your children. Please make sure that students are logged in beginning this Monday, March 23, 2020, at 9 am.
Student success will only occur because we are all working together.
Sincerely,
Jonathan T. Brice, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
BWRSD Community Update 3/20/20
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BWRSD Community Update 3/18/2020 - English Version
BWRSD Community Update 3/18/20 - Spanish Version
BWRSD Community Update 3/18/20 - Portuguese Version
Frequently Asked Questions Updated 3/18/2020
New Information
Distance Learning Monday March 23, 2020- April 3, 2020
Today, Governor Raimondo issued a directive that all public schools in Rhode Island would implement distance learning beginning Monday, March 23, 2020. BWRSD staff have been working to develop the structure of a distance learning program, individual teachers have worked to create lessons, and our administrators and support staff have worked to distribute chromebooks to elementary students.
Beginning Monday March 23, 2020 all students should start their school day at 9 a.m. Teachers will take attendance each day between 8:30am-10:00am and identify those students who have not signed on to SeeSaw or Google Classroom. If children are unable to sign in at this time but will be participating in learning that day, families can contact the school secretary. These daily online lessons are intended to maintain our core instructional program and we believe will engage our students in new and interesting ways.
To ensure that all students and families have consistent communication with BWRSD staff, we have developed a three pronged communication process for students and families. All students will work daily with teachers in an interactive manner. Many of our teachers are experienced users of instructional technology and will provide engaging interactive lessons. Additionally, teacher assistants will contact students at least once per week, via district gmail accounts. Lastly, certified specialists including special educators, school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and speech language pathologists will connect with students who are on their caseload, via email. This three step process, coupled with daily attendance, will provide BWRSD with clear information on students and families who are not consistently engaging in distance learning so that we can increase outreach to them.
Chromebooks and Free Wifi:
All students in grades 6-12 have been assigned chromebooks to take home and use daily, starting March 23, 2020. Elementary students will also access lessons through technology, either through a device from home or one that is borrowed from their school. Elementary schools have a limited number of chromebooks that can be borrowed, if needed. We are holding a second distribution time for those who do not have an internet accessible device to use or for those who could not make it to the schools earlier this week to borrow one from BWRSD. Second session hours of distribution for loaner chromebooks: Thursday 3/19/2020 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. After this session, please speak with your student’s principal about use of a loaner chromebook if you have no other internet accessible device; phone, video game system, ipad, desktop, or laptop in your home.
Chromebooks need access to your home purchased internet service or access to free wifi services. Below is a map of free wifi in the community: https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/cox-hotspots.html
Additionally, students that have video game systems such as Playstation and Xbox1 can utilize the web browser on many popular gaming systems to access their school work on the Chrome web browser.
********************Previously Provided Information**************
From the BWRSD Community Update 3.17.20
Distance Learning for Students:
BWRSD teachers and administrators have worked to develop distance learning opportunities for students, if necessary, starting March 23, 2020. Distance learning will operate from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Each school principal will provide specific information about the daily schedule and activities for teaching and learning and post the schedule on their school website.
Primary methods of teaching and learning during distance learning will be utilizing online resources. If parents do not have access to online resources please request a chromebook from your child’s school. K-2 students and teachers will use SeeSaw while grade 3-12 students and teachers will utilize google classroom. Distance Learning may support increased student engagement and personalized learning.
Teachers are asked to post their lessons each day by 9 a.m.
School counselors, psychologists, social workers, and speech language pathologists are asked to reach out to students on their caseload, each week, to maintain support and services. This outreach will typically occur based on the student schedule with every intent to not distract from teaching and learning.
Online Tech support for students and families:
As we transition to Distance Learning, we need to ensure that basic questions and concerns about accessibility are answered. To that end we have established an email account for such questions and concerns: BWRSDtech@bwrsd.org. The email account is accessible 24 hours per day, and you can expect a response within 1 school day.
Grab and Go Meals:
Grab and Go meals will be offered Monday through Friday, beginning March 17, 2020, for any child age eighteen (18) or younger. All meals will be free of charge.
Pick Up Times:
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Locations:
- Colt Andrews School, 570 Hope Street, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
- Kickemuit Middle School, 525 Child Street, Warren, Rhode Island 02885
- Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren, Rhode Island 02885
If you have food allergies or concerns regarding access to meals, please call (401) 253-1452.
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March 13, 2020
Dear BWRSD Community,
Based on the communication today from the Governor, the RI Department of Education, and the RI Department of Health, all Rhode Island schools are moving their previously scheduled April spring vacation to next week, March 16 through March 20, 2020. Next week, BWRSD will thoroughly clean schools and offices, and work with teachers and administrators in preparation for distance learning. Additionally, we will work with our food service vendor to prepare for the availability of grab and go breakfast/lunch for students that want to avail themselves of the school nutrition program.
All extra-curricular activities including athletics are suspended for next week. Additionally, all facilities will be closed to outside groups starting today and have been suspended until further notice.
BWRSD 12 month staff will spend the week of March 16 through March 20 performing deep cleaning of school buildings, working to build students' schedules for the next school year and preparing for distance learning opportunities for the following week if necessary.
In the event that districts are required to close the following week, March 23 -27, schools in Rhode Island will begin distance learning. We are asking BWRSD certified staff to work remotely, if necessary, to prepare distance learning opportunities for students by collaborating with teachers of the same grade/course virtually.
We will notify families via phone, text, email and the RI Broadcasters Association website about future school closings. This will include the COZ childcare program and all after-school activities. Please stay tuned to BWRSD’s website, social media and notification systems for any updates on this matter regarding school closings.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and schools.
Jonathan T. Brice, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Bristol Warren Regional School District
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Student Registration - Due to recent events the Bristol Warren Regional School District has temporarily suspended in person registrations. . CLICK HERE for more information.
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Please click here to see the JFC FY 21 Budget Request & Supporting Documents
View Updated Documents for JFC FY 21 Budget Request & Supporting Documents Below:
BWRSD Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Budget Summary (Revised.3.2.2020)
Local Aid Projections for BWRSD FY 2021 Proposed Budget (Revised.3.2.2020)
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2020-2021 Kindergarten Registration
The Bristol Warren Regional School District will begin registering age-eligible children for kindergarten. According to Rhode Island State law, all children must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2020 to be eligible to register for kindergarten. All kindergartens are full day programs.
Now Open Click Here
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Bristol Warren Regional School District Students, Families, and Community,
Happy Fall season. I would like to share my observations of the first few weeks of school, provide some thoughts about future career opportunities for our students, and invite you to join the district in an upcoming conversation called “Learning about the Future of Education in the Bristol Warren Regional School District.” Understanding what our students are doing now, what they need to do in the future, and how we can collaborate to support them is critical to their individual success, the success of each of our families, and the towns of Bristol and Warren.
As we finish the 6th week of the 2019-2020 school year, I am excited by the quality of work our students, teachers, and administrators are doing. During my school visits, I have observed students reading, providing feedback to classmates about their writing, listened to music students have created in music lab, watched students race around the gym to popular music as a warm-up activity, measured the height of bouncing tennis balls as part of an experiment, watched a presentation by our 2019 Samsung “Solve for Tomorrow” state champion team, and countless other lessons. The common denominator in these examples is the level of preparation and knowledge of our teachers, the purposeful design and implementation of ways to engage and help students to become active learners, and administrators working to lead and maintain great school culture.
We are all focused on ensuring that our students learn as much as possible so they are positioned for a great future. For too long, in our country, schools and parents have thought that the only path to a great career and great earnings was through a four-year college degree. It is still accurate that a four-year degree increases your chances of having a great career, but it is not the only way. The Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce, located at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., has research that shows many high wage jobs of the present and future will require some training after high school such as a certificate, certifications, licenses, college coursework, up to an Associates’ degree, but less than a four-year degree. Regardless of the direction a student and their parents choose, all BWRSD students must meet or exceed our graduation requirements to provide them with the greatest opportunity for success.
Here is a link to a report that explains the three pathways students can take to achieve a great career with great earnings https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/3pathways/.
A discussion about how to better prepare our students for their future will be held on November 5th at MHHS and November 6th at KMS. Both presentations will be the same and held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. RSVP by clicking on one of the dates: November 5th at MHHS or November 6th at KMS.
Sincerely,
Jonathan T. Brice, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Bristol Warren Regional School District -
A Message From the Superintendent:
Bristol Warren Regional School District Students, Families, and Community,
Welcome to the start of the 2019-2020 school year. During the last month I have met with and listened to students, parents, community organizations, and elected officials who shared their hopes and concerns about our schools. I have also visited with students at the Bristol Summer Camp, Warren Summer Camp, and read to students at the Child Opportunity Zone. Our young people are amazing and full of limitless potential. We must harness their curiosity, intellect, passion, and dreams to prepare them for the future.
Based on my initial listening and learning conversations I want the district to establish the goal of becoming a Top 5 academic ranked school district in Rhode Island within five years (Top 5 in 5). Our mission of engaging families and community partners in creating vibrant and adaptive learning environments that support all students in realizing their full potential as productive and successful members of society should also include becoming a Top 5 in 5 academic school district in Rhode Island.
President Kennedy said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”
John F. Kennedy Moon Speech - Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas September 12, 1962
Working to become a Top 5 in 5 academically ranked school district in Rhode Island will help us to organize, measure our energies and skills, and achieve our goal by 1.) creating and maintaining a positive school culture and climate for all students and staff, 2.) reflecting upon and improving teaching and learning in each classroom for each student daily, 3.) all staff engaging in a growth mindset about professional learning, 4.) creating systematic procedures to be used throughout the school district, 5.) enhancing customer service, transparency, and communication with parents, staff, and the community we serve.
Over the next week all schools have scheduled activities for incoming students and our school and district teams are busy with final preparations for a successful start of the school year. We look forward to welcoming your student to school on September 3, 2019, and we look forward to a productive and positive school year.
Jonathan Brice, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Bristol Warren Regional School District
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To the Bristol Warren Regional School District Community,
I am pleased to introduce Dr. Jonathan Brice as our interim superintendent. Dr. Brice is a preK-12 leader with 26+ years of experience as a teacher, school administrator and executive in five large school districts in Maryland, Florida, and Delaware. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and was a founding director of a non-profit organization. His areas of responsibilities have included: alternative education, public information, research and assessment, special education, student services, supporting and evaluating school principals, and technology. Additionally, Dr. Brice has been an education consultant for organizations and school districts such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, and various school districts, and in February 2018 the New Rochelle Board of Education selected Dr. Brice as Chair of the Task-Force on Reducing Violence in the Lives of Children and Youth in New Rochelle, New York.Dr. Brice is excited to meet the BWRSD community and has shared his initial thoughts about his appointment. “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and community of the Bristol Warren Regional School District. My initial focus will be on listening and learning about BWRSD, and collaborating and identifying measurable outcomes for the 2019-2020 school year. Thank you to the school committee for your confidence and I look forward to meeting with the Bristol Warren Regional School Community on July 22, 2019.”
We invite you to join us and our new interim superintendent for a Meet n’ Greet the evening of July 22nd, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled school committee meeting. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome!
Sincerely,
Erin Schofield,
Chairperson
Bristol Warren Regional School District -
Non-Public Textbook Loan
Please contact the EBEC website www.ebecri.org for information regarding important dates and textbook ordering or email Ms. Carmen Delgado at carmen.delgado@ebecri.org
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