Agawam Public Schools

Still room for TONIGHT's free live virtual event! The Power of Community Event offered through the Agawam Public Schools Family Resource Center: How To Talk to Your Kids and Survive! Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and one of the toughest. In large part, that is because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us every day. Our kids are part of the iGen generation. The generation born with smartphones and tablets. Let’s talk about how we can talk to our kids and Survive. Join us on Monday, January 31st from 6:30 to 7:30 for a free live virtual event with Monica Generoso, from Effective School Solutions, who will discuss How To Talk to Your Kids and Survive! Open to all parents/caregivers. Limited to 20 participants- so sign up soon! Registrar with this link: https://forms.gle/fAHGPk4AiwipUZkw5

New COVID Testing Options-Parent Fact Sheet https://5il.co/14x5q

Updated COVID Testing in Our Schools https://5il.co/14saa

The Power of Community: How To Talk to Your Kids and Survive! Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and one of the toughest. In large part, that is because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us every day. Our kids are part of the iGen generation. The generation born with smartphones and tablets. Let’s talk about how we can talk to our kids and Survive. Join us on Monday, January 31st from 6:30 to 7:30 for a free live virtual event with Monica Generoso, from Effective School Solutions, who will discuss How To Talk to Your Kids and Survive! Open to all parents/caregivers. Limited to 20 participants- so sign up soon! Registrar with link below: https://forms.gle/fAHGPk4AiwipUZkw5

It's Kindergarten Enrollment Time! If you are interested in enrolling your child into kindergarten for fall 2022 please find details and important information at www.agawamed.org/page/enrollment

Updated DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios - SY 2021-22 https://5il.co/13m9s

Dear APS families and staff, With the upcoming break, we encourage you to relax, unwind, and settle into an enjoyable week with your family. While schools are closed, we want to remind you of resources available to you if you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use. For emergency mental health support: Behavioral Health Network: emergency services available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You may contact them if you have concerns, need advice, or are unsure if you should be concerned. BHN provides stabilization services for anyone of any age experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Their number is (413) 733-6661. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day hotline if you want to speak with someone about your concerns. Their number is 1-800-273-8255. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also provides individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services using a web chat. That website is https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ For non-emergency mental health support: Care Solace: Agawam Public Schools partnered with Care Solace to offer complimentary and confidential care coordination services that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider: Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language or Visit www.caresolace.com/agawamps

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, December 23rd is a 1/2 day for students. Dismissal times are: High School - 10:50 am Junior High School - 11:20 am Doering School - 11:50 am Granger School - 11:50 am Phelps School - 12:20 pm Clark School - 12:20 pm Robinson School - 12:20 pm ECC - No pm session

Dear Families, The Agawam Public Schools has become aware of a troubling post that has been shared widely this week on the social media platform TikTok. The post refers to a threat to school safety “for every school in the USA, even elementary,” on Friday, December 17. The post appears to be part of a national TikTok trend and did not originate in our school district. We have heard reports from other districts that the same post is circulating in their schools. While we do not believe the threat to be credible, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously. Additionally, the district has been in contact with the Agawam Police Department regarding the post. We may have an increased police presence in our buildings on Friday as an added precaution. This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats. Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. We ask our families to monitor their children’s social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online. If you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify a school staff member. We take all threats seriously and will work with the Agawam Police Department to investigate. As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for our students. Sincerely, Sheila Hoffman Superintendent of Schools

Register for a FREE Adult ESL Course hosted by Agawam Public Schools!

Reminder!! Agawam Rotary Club will host a Story Walk and Story Time event during the 6th Annual Holiday Used Toy Exchange on Saturday, December 11, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St. Our story walk will feature a picture book called ‘ All Are Welcome’ by Alexandra Penfold-a book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. This is a fun educational activity that allows families to read and discuss the pages of the book together. Storytime will feature stories read in English, Spanish, Turkish, and Russian. In addition, families will receive a selection of new multicultural and bilingual books to enjoy together at home. The event will be held indoors and open to children of all ages!

Agawam Devlet Okulları, öğrencilerimizin, çalışanlarımızın ve ailelerinin sağlığına, güvenliğine ve esenliğine kendini adamıştır. Devam eden baglantimizi desteklemek için CareSolace ile ortaklığımızı sürdürmekten gurur duyuyoruz. Siz veya ailenizin bir üyesi akıl/ruh sağlığı veya madde kullanımı konusunda yardım arıyorsanız, Care Solace sizi ihtiyaçlarınıza uygun kurumlar ile hızlı bir şekilde baglantiya geçmenizi sağlayacaktır. 888-515-0595'i istediğiniz zaman arayın veya www.caresolace.com/agawamps. adresinden kendiniz ulasabilirsiniz.

Agawam Public Schools está comprometido con la salud, la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias. Estamos orgullosos de continuar nuestra asociación con Care Solace para apoyar nuestro compromiso continuo.. Si usted o un miembro de su familia está buscando ayuda con la salud mental o el uso de sustancias, Care Solace lo conectará rápidamente con proveedores comunitarios que se adapten a sus necesidades. Llame al 888-515-0595 en cualquier momento o busque por su cuenta en www.caresolace.com/agawamps.

Agawam Public Schools is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families. We are proud to continue our partnership with CareSolace to support our ongoing commitment. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace will quickly connect you to community providers matched to your needs. Call 888-515-0595 at any time or search on your own at www.caresolace.com/agawamps.

Agawam Rotary Club will host a Story Walk and Story Time event during the 6th Annual Holiday Used Toy Exchange on Saturday, December 11, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St. Our story walk will feature a picture book called ‘ All Are Welcome’ by Alexandra Penfold-a book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. This is a fun educational activity that allows families to read and discuss the pages of the book together. Storytime will feature stories read in English, Spanish, Turkish, and Russian. In addition, each family will receive a selection of new multicultural and bilingual books to enjoy together at home. The event will be held indoors and open to children of all ages!

Vaccination Survey Results We received 795 responses with the following results: Yes: 29.8% I would take my child to a school site to get vaccinated. No: 51.3% I would not take my child to a school site to get vaccinated. Maybe: 18.9% I would maybe take my child to a school site to get vaccinated.

Looking for School Nurse Substitutes......

Agawam Food Services has transitioned to it's new platform for online lunch payments and meal applications. Families will no longer have access to the "myschoolspending' accounts. All balances, positive and negative, have moved to the TITAN FAMILY PORTAL. Please use the link below to register your student. https://family.titank12.com/XRBWSD

Please click on the link below to take a survey on having a vaccination site for students grades K-7 in the district. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZfSJYip9qXbkYCQcBe6Wms4M-x-Z-bxbu_XzI8XoKAl8sdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Agawam Parent Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting on November 10, 2021 at 6pm. Some agenda items: A new PAC president will be elected; representatives from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be present to discuss the upcoming Tiered Focused Monitoring that occurs every six-years across all Districts in the Commonwealth. Click here for more information on TFM. You can join the meeting via Zoom with the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81351632370 Meeting ID: 813 5163 2370​ If you have any interest, please email Wendy Rua at wrua@agawamed.org. See here for complete details about the Agawam Parent Advisory Council.