Guidelines for Student Technology Use

Posted April 1, 2020

Just a reminder, Blueberry Hill students in grades 2-5 signed the BHS Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Technology. Students in grades 3 and higher can send and receive emails from other Longmeadow teachers and students for school use only. Students cannot receive or send any email communications from outside our district. Emailing and messaging other students for personal reasons is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. Second graders do not have access to email. Please encourage your child to practice safe and acceptable technology use in compliance with this policy.

Support Resources for Parents and Educators

Posted March 18, 2020

We have gathered resources for supporting students and parents around our current state of affairs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially our school closings. It is broken up into categories (resources for parents and teachers, resources for elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, and general mental health supports). This document reflects the collective care and commitment of our social workers and school adjustment counselors throughout our district. My sincerest appreciation to our own Mrs. Malikin and her colleagues for this work, as we know this will benefit our entire teaching and learning community. Support Resources for Families and Educators is also available on the "Parent" page.

Elementary Learning Opportunities

Posted March 18, 2020

Dear Blueberry Hill, Center, and Wolf Swamp Families,

K-5 Learning Opportunities are now live. To find your child’s Learning Opportunities, click on the Student tab. You will see an icon for Learning Opportunities. Each grade level will be found as well as other resources from specialists and special teachers.

We begin by expressing that in this sobering moment, we are spending considerable time thinking of our students and our families and wishing you strength and resiliency. We trust that you will strive to achieve a semblance of regular routines with optimism, as we live through the uncertainty that is our world in the days ahead. Predictability and schedules will be reassuring to our young friends.

Our driving goal for the Elementary Learning Opportunities is to help you achieve a home routine for your child that fosters choice learning experiences that will reinforce and extend content your child has been presented in the classroom.

The opportunities provide online and paper-based choices; and each grade level determined how many tasks your child should choose in each curriculum area each day. That said, if on any day you or your child experience challenges with online resources, please do not let this create angst for your family. You may choose to print some of the attached resources, but you may also create a similar “template” for your child to work with to complete daily written tasks if printing is not an option.

We’ll travel this novel path together with calmness, flexibility, and creativity, remembering the prioritized goal is for children to engage in ways that will sustain learning.

If your child is on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), his/her teacher will reach out to you with additional information or you may reach out to her.

Lastly, for now, we are reminded of Fred Rogers’ words: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

Our students can become “helpers” too. Your child might create a beautiful picture and message to mail to an area nursing home because nothing warms the heart like a child’s artwork. Send a thank-you letter to a local supermarket or pharmacy whose workers are recently burdened with the onslaught of shoppers. Perhaps a message of gratitude to a health care worker. Teaching children to appreciate and empathize with others is a way for them to be helpers. This teaching is the heart of our work together. Please consider sharing your family’s ideas with us and with your neighbors. It will take a village.

Our collective wishes to you for family ingenuity, good health, humor, and hopeful spirits when it matters most. Please reach out with any questions, insights, or concerns. Know we will be in touch with updates.

With partnership,

Principals Amy Stec, Donna Hutton, Beth Nelson

April's Theme is Friendship

Posted April 3, 2020

April’s monthly theme is Friendship. Mrs. Malakin's lessons will focus on friendly behaviors during play, such as including others, good sportsmanship, and resolving conflict.

More information on our SEL monthly themes

Blueberry Hill School Improvement Plan

Posted December 20, 2019

At Blueberry Hill Elementary School, we believe that every child can and will succeed. Through our District vision of “Eyes on the child, learning”, we strive to create an environment that values the individual needs of each student. By creating a caring, creative, and safe learning environment, we promote confidence in our students to reach their highest academic, social and emotional potential.

To read the 2019-20 BHS School Improvement Plan, click here.

To see a listing of School Council Committee members, click here.