Good morning everyone,

 

I hope everyone is doing well and prepared for the upcoming school closing.  I want to extend our utmost thanks to Dr. McKinnon, the administration, teachers, staff, paras, custodians and everyone involved with the amazing coordination and communication we experienced this past week.  I cannot imagine the sheer magnitude of what they were able to accomplish to prepare our kids for an extended closure.

 

Regarding PTO happenings, here is what I know at the moment:

 

March 19th PTO Meeting – cancelled (we currently don’t have any funding requests to approve, which is good).

 

Next PTO meeting – April 30th at 6:30pm OCS Library (this meeting has been moved from the previous date of April 23).  This may be subject to change based on the re-scheduling of multiple other school events.

 

GOMS Dance cancelled on 3/13 – I will try to see if rescheduling might be possible once school resumes.  However, I suspect that the Spring will be extremely busy with the number of events needing to be moved. 

 

Babysitting/CPR Course on 4/4 at OHS – As of now this is still scheduled and the class is full (18 students).  I have not received word from OHS or administration that it’s been cancelled.  However, it is a definite possibility/probability that it will need to be cancelled.  Administration is taking events day by day and I’m not overwhelming them with questions about events at the moment.  They will advise and we will know in due course.  If we can reschedule it, we will.  If not, we will refund the fee to those who have signed up.

 

Book Fair – As of now this is still scheduled for 4/22-4/23 at QFS and OCS, as well as 4/28-4/29 for GOMS.  Again, we’re waiting to see what happens.  If outside visitors are not allowed in the schools, this will have to be rescheduled or cancelled.  We cannot run a book fair without parent volunteers.

 

Clothing/Shred Drive – Scheduled for weekend of 5/2.  Take this time off to clean out those closets and filing cabinets.

 

Teacher Appreciation Week 5/4 – 5/9: We need someone to coordinate this.  It was suggested last year that we use Sign Up Genius (or other comparable platform) to allow parents to donate items.  I think this a great idea, especially this year.  We can create an opportunity for the community to show our teachers/staff/admins a little bit of love and appreciation.  This is of course predicated by the situation of the virus and everyone’s overall health at that time.

 

Auction on 5/9 – As of now this is still on.  Again, it’s too early to tell what will happen.  The auction committee is working extremely hard at coordinating the event and soliciting donations/sponsors.  We’ve received some really great experiences from not only the schools , but town services as well.  Please consider helping them out, as well as seeking/providing donations.

 

School Closure: The district has done an amazing job at providing our kids a curriculum for the break.  I know the packet I received from kindergarten was astounding.  Kids will need to continue with some structure during this time of uncertainty, so please attempt to continue that as best you can.  They will also need to complete the assignments.  If you have any questions or issues with Chromebooks, please let the administrators know.  We need to give our district the best chance possible at obtaining state approval for distance e-learning.  And let’s face it, our kids will be bored out their minds and need something to do.  A two week break (at least) will create a serious “Summer Slide” situation and set the kids back.

 

I think this is all for the immediate future.  I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with the uncertainty at this time.  When I know more information, I will certainly pass it along.  I hope everyone stays healthy and well, we will all get through this.  This too shall pass.  Take care everyone.

 

Best,

Amanda Burlinson
Oxford PTO President