Mrs. Rand's Principal Update

The next few weeks will very busy at ILMS! This week, students will be taking the Panorama Well Being Survey during their Social Studies class. This survey gives the school important information about how we can improve the school experience for all students.

It is almost time for 4th Quarter Progress Reports! We will be mailing out progress reports for 4th Quarter on April 20. Please encourage your child to complete any assignments and make up any assessments prior to that date so we can provide you the most up-to-date grading information.

I would like to highly encourage families to participate in the MNPS Promising Scholars Program for middle school students. Isaac Litton is a site for the summer experience and several of our teachers have signed up to teach this summer. This will be a great experience for students that are need enrichment and/or remediation as a result of virtual learning this school year. Families can sign up for the program by going to the following website: summer.mnps.org.

In addition, I would like to encourage families to take advantage of the FREE COVID-19 Testing sponsored in partnership between MNPS and Meharry Medical College. Please take a moment and review the information provided below for details.

Next week, we will be communicating about TN Ready Testing schedules to ensure all families have adequate time to plan for all students to return to the building for testing.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rand

Promising Scholars is the largest summer program in Metro Nashville Public Schools history! No-cost summer learning is available for MNPS students who will be entering grades K-12 in August. Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided. Registration is now open to all families through May 5. Visit summer.mnps.org for registration information. Daily program hours are 9:00-4:00.

Meharry Medical College Ventures is partnering with Metro Schools to further enhance Metro Schools’ COVID-19 protocols, which contribute to establishing and maintaining the option for in-person learning.

One key strategy to sustain the safe return to in-person learning is an opt-in COVID-19 testing system that is being implemented across all Metro Schools. All families can decide whether they would like to participate in this voluntary program, but the more students who are able to participate, the more we will know about how to protect the health and safety of our schools. Students are not required to participate in this new testing protocol to be able to attend school in person, but participation is greatly encouraged.

Please download, sign, and return the consent form to the school. See the flyer for details.

Testing season is fast approaching! School districts across the state of Tennessee, including MNPS have been challenged with ensuring that all students take the TN Ready State Assessment. MNPS has scheduled the TN Ready Assessment Window for April 21-May 14. All students, regardless of learning mode, virtual or in person, are expected to test in person at their school at specific times. Currently ILMS is working on the Assessment Schedule that balances student needs, social distancing, and safety protocols. We will publish the school TN Ready Testing schedule next week. In addition we will hold a Rand's Roundtable to discuss the schedule and procedures for testing.

The state of TN does not allow students to opt out of testing and school districts are not authorized to adopt policies that allow these actions. Scores are not generated for students who do not take the test.

MAP Assessment will also be required this year. The MAP Assessment Window will overlap with the TN Ready Assessment. MAP Assessment Window is May 3-14. ILMS is working on an assessment schedule that best fits the needs of students for both assessments. We will publish the schedule next week.

The next phase of P-EBT (Round 3) is different from how it was carried out in 2020 and includes many improvements.

Round 3 of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) provides financial assistance to replace school meals that were missed beginning in October 2020 due to school closures, virtual learning, or hybrid school schedules. For this round, children that qualify will be mailed a P-EBT card that can be used to buy food for your children at retailers that accept EBT Cards, or online with Amazon, Walmart , Aldi (via Instacart) and Food Lion (via Instacart). Unlike past rounds of P-EBT, these cards will be reloaded with P-EBT benefits each month as long as the USDA continues the program

To be eligible for P-EBT Round 3, students must:

• Receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (or) Attend a Community Eligibility Provision school
• Have missed in school meals because the school was closed or operated at reduced attendance for at least 5 consecutive days in the 2020-2021 school year.

The amount each student receives will vary based on their learning schedule.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services works with the Tennessee Department of Education and your local school district to determine eligibility.

There is no need to apply for P-EBT benefits

Starting in March 2021, new P-EBT Cards will be mailed directly to students that qualify. Your school will send DHS information about eligible students.

An easy online portal has been created for you to access now to make sure we have the right address. Please check/update your address to ensure you receive your P-EBT card(s). Parents can also make changes, see how much your child will be receiving, or decline to participate if you don’t feel your family needs assistance.

Student information for Round 3 of the P_EBT Cards was sent to DHS by the MNPS Central Office, not ILMS. If you have tried to verify you address and the system does not allow you to do so, either you do not qualify, or your child's information was not received by DHS. Please email mealbenefits@mnps.org for assistance.

It is imperative that every family fill out the FRL form whether you think you qualify or not. This has an impact on the amount of federal funds that our school receives. In addition, you could qualify for future disbursement of P-EBT Benefits.

MNPS has now approved for schools to begin physical conditioning for all sports. All sports conditioning will begin Monday March 22, 2021. This will be conditioning only, NOT competition between school teams. COVID protocols will always be in place and followed. Masks must always be worn, and social distancing must be maintained. This opportunity is open to in person and virtual students. Conditioning may be done virtually or in person, this will be the Coach’s discretion. Students may participate in conditioning for more than one sport. For example, if your child plays soccer and basketball, he or she can attend both conditioning days. Students' 5th – 8th grades may participate. In Person conditioning will begin at 4:15. Please be on time to pick your child up from in person after school conditioning at 5:30. Virtual conditioning times will be 4:45-5:30.

For students to participate, the following forms must be returned by both virtual and in person students participating in after school conditioning for ILMS:

• Physical Form Signed by Physician

• Concussion Form

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form

All virtual and in person physical form must be turned into Ms. Donaldson, the ILMS Athletic Director before a student must participate. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Donaldson Lois.Donaldson@mnps.org.

Beginning this week, we will begin incorporating skill work. All conditioning will end at 5:30.

As a reminder, for the remainder of the 2020-2021, ILMS has relaxed the dress code. We expect that each in person student adhere to the dress code that has been set.

ILMS Dress Code Policy

• Bottoms: Jeans (No Rips, Holes, or Exposed Skin) , Black, Khaki, Navy Blue, or Gray
• Shirts: Any solid color Polo style shirt, Litton Pridewear shirt anytime
• Hoodies: ILMS Hoodies anytime

Cell Phone/Technology Policy:

• Cell Phones must be turned off and stored in a secure location during school hours
• Smart Watches must be switched to the off position during school hours

Rising 7th and 8th Graders have the opportunity to apply for ILMS Day of Discovery STEM program for the 2021-2022 School Year. Please review the application and apply.

Due to COVID Protocols, ILMS had to revise our arrival and dismissal car rider procedures to ensure that social distance is maintained. We also need to ensure that traffic flow is safe and orderly.

Arrival

Before the 8:40 bell, parents can pull into the center lane and wait to release their child until the school doors are open. After 8:40, parents should pull all the way down the center lane so that we can move several cares for drop off at the same time. We are asking parents not to park on the public street and wait for school doors to open. You can now pull into the center lane and wait there. In addition, we have received complaints from our neighbors about this practice. ILMS wants to be a good neighbor in the community.

Dismissal

At dismissal, the first lane is used for buses only, until a school official opens the lane for cars. When directed by a school official, cars can begin filling up the lane on the soccer side and the middle lane. Once all buses have left, the school side lanes will be filled. Please have your school placard visible with the student(s) name and number. As lanes are filled, we are calling student names inside so that they can be ready to be dismissed once all cars are stopped in the lanes. Students will stand on the sidewalk close to their car and wait for the whistle to sound before being released to their car. Once all students have been loaded into their car, the lanes will be released.

GREAT NEWS! All ILMS students can eat breakfast and lunch for free! It is important that all of our families take advantage of this. In order for breakfast and lunch to remain free, the majority of our students have to eat. Breakfast begins at 8:40 every morning! When students enter the building, they can go straight to the cafeteria to eat.

Any 5th or 6th grade student has the opportunity to attend the GREAT Summer Camp sponsored by the Metro Nashville Police Department. Please review the application and documents below.

All 5th and 6th graders interested in going to camp will need to have all pages filled out and signed by parent/guardian and returned to SRO Ramsey. Please contact the main office for a paper copy of the application. For questions about GREAT Camp email Officer Ramsey at Michieal.Ramsey@nashville.gov.

Any family that is in need of a new device can make an appointment to exchange your device using the link below. This laptop exchange is only for those students who HAVE NOT received a new student computer. If your computer still has the Global Protect feature installed on it, you need a new device and should book an appointment. Laptop Exchange Appointment Link

It is an expectation that students log into their synchronous classes, on Monday, Wednesday,

and Friday and their PLT Classes every day! As a reminder 5th and 6th grade PLT classes are

from 12:00-12:50 daily and 7th and 8th grade PLT classes are from 11:05-12:00. Please email any excuse notes to LittonMSAttendence@mnps.org or contact Lisa.French@mnps.org.

The mission of Isaac Litton Middle School is to be the first choice STEM community school by providing opportunities for every student to obtain knowledge, skills, and character to excel and compete effectively in an ever-changing world.

Isaac Litton Shared Vision: All children, unique in their own needs, can learn to be good productive citizens and successful individuals. Educator and support personnel will demonstrate professionalism while implementing instructional strategies and practices. Parents and community, as active participants in the school, will serve as vital contributors in the educational process of all children.

Our Commitment: Being Prepared, Reflective, Innovative, Data-driven, and Engaged in ensuring SUCCESS for all students!

Email: Chara.Rand@mnps.org
Website: https://schools.mnps.org/isaac-litton-middle-prep
Location: Isaac Litton Middle School, Hedgewood Drive, Nashville, TN, USA
Phone: (615) 262-6700
Facebook: facebook.com/IsaacLittonPTSO
Twitter: @RandChara