Thursday Thriller
March 26, 2020

This lovely lady turns the big 40 on Sunday!  We had a great time driving the yellow van yesterday delivering the rest of the packets.  Happy early Birthday, Carina!!  Enjoy!!! So glad you are at Garrison!!!!

 These pictures are from Stacey's math challenge.  Students had to post themselves doing math.  Love it!!!!

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How many times can I be hacked in one year?  Some of you got the email that asked, "Are you available?"  Others of you got this one:

On Wed, Mar 25, 2020 at 5:49 PM Kim Doepker <kdoepker.wwps.org@gmail.com> wrote:

Can you help me get Walmart  gift card from the store right now? I will surely REIMBURSE you back today once I'm done with the meeting.

It sounds convincing because of the 'meeting' part.   I talked to Forrest last night and he was laughing which made me feel better because I'll be honest I was freaking out a bit. Shane blocked this email.  Forrest said, "There is a lot of creative energy out there right now."  Hopefully, this won't happen to any of you but if it does report it to Forrest and Shane Jacobson immediately. 

NUTS-n-BOLTS
1.  HUGE shout out to Armida, Terri,  Sherry, Maria, Ashley, and Lynette!! They WERE the backbone behind the success of our packet/technology pick up! The organization behind this set up was AMAZING! They were outside off and on for 12 hours on Monday and 12 hours on Tuesday!  In addition, we had teachers volunteer to help, as well. THANK YOU!!! Our students are fortunate!

2.  Updates:

         1.  Secretarial and para staff will be working both in the office, in daycare and remotely.  The goal is to limit the number of people in the building. We have almost 100% of staff with their Google Voice entered into the spreadsheet.  If you need anyone, give them a call.  Their office phones are forwarded to their Google number.

       2.  Lunches/breakfasts will still be handed out during spring break.  Yesterday we handed out 254!  Berney handed out 300.  Not only are students receiving food but they are seeing staff from school which is as important.

       3.  Terri and Maria will be working throughout the building 'beautifying' it.  If you have a bulletin board that you would like redone, please email them.  We are going to cover bulletin boards with material.  Material is prettier :D than paper and it lasts longer.  Plus, it doesn't fade like butcher paper.  If there is a place in the school that you think could be beautified that doesn't require painting or major construction, please email Maria, Terri and me and we will see what we can do!

3.  Carina and I are going to reach out to both PLC teams and departments to set up virtual team meetings.  We will send invites so please look for those in your email. 

4.  5th-6th and 8th-9th transitions are being worked on.  I know we sent out information with the 8th grade packets regarding 9th grade registration.  We will have information that we will push out to families soon.  The same with 5th-6th.  Working with Rob and Kris as to when we mail out registration info to families.

5.  Will has set me up so I can record GNN in my office. I am continuing to do this daily.  He then uploads it.  We have had 177 students view GNN so far. Again, if you have information, a video, etc that you would like to put on GNN please push that out to both Will and me.

6. Receiving lots of good feedback from you on students logging into Google Classroom.  If you have students who are not, please give a call to the student.  If no luck, let Alex, Steve, Angie, Terri, Carina and me know.  

7.  THANK YOU, Certificated Staff~for jumping into the world of Google!!!  For some of you, it's 'old hat.' Others...this is fairly new.  Some of you have engaged in IEPs via Google, setting up times when your students can call in, Tik Tok videos;  you are embracing technology and YOUR EFFORTS are greatly APPRECIATED!!!

SOMETHING to PONDER

Please take time for yourself and family.  Understand that it's okay if you are worried, anxious, stir crazy; all are normal.  This was a good read sent to me from Barb Casey.  In addition, if you ever need anything at all Carina and I are here for you!

LITTLE HUMOR

I will survive.

Thursday Thriller
March 19, 2020 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHAD H!!!!!!

These pictures our how GMS has come together to help one another!  From childcare to handing out sack lunches to organizing materials for students to pick up, this staff is AMAZING!!!!  If you notice the help charts for Google Classroom, you see people being vulnerable and signing up saying, "Yes, I need help!" That takes courage!  For those that are/were willing to help, you reached out in person, went to classrooms and said, "I'm here to help you. "  SO PROUD to be a part of this school!!!!

NUTS-n-BOLTS
1.  Please review the letter I sent regarding the technology and packet pick up next week.  Thank you to Stacy Just and Roger for letting us use the art and band rooms to house the packets.  Many of you have offered to help gather materials, be 'runners' during Monday and Tuesday.  Very much appreciated!

2.  If you have not filled in the Google Voice spreadsheet, please do so by end of the day tomorrow.  Remember, all you have to put is "Requested a number" if you have not received your Google number from IT or your personal cell number.

3.  When our on-line learning launches on Tuesday, there will be many glitches.😖  There is the IT tip line, Carina and I (well, let's be real.  I'm not such a big help in this area but a girl can try :D) are on stand by to assist. Main thing is to assure your students there is help.

4.  If for some reason you receive any inappropriate emails, phone calls, etc. from students, report those to Carina and me immediately.   If it's email, forward to us so we have the 'evidence.'  Unfortunately, there will be some abuse, which has already occurred, to the system.   We want to catch it early.  I do believe it will be a small percentage.

5.  I will still be doing GNN live each morning.  Will is going to deploy it to students.  Please let us know what we could be announcing and doing as 'material' for GNN will be on the slim side :0

6.  We are three days in with school closure and have approximately 5 more weeks to go.  Something Carina and I are wondering and pondering..online book club!!  We would buy the book and offer clock hours.  We could do book club meetings via Google hangout which if at home you could have a beverage!!! :D  PURELY OPTIONAL to participate if interested. More information coming next week.

7.  In addition, as a way to model AND to check in with you, please click here to complete this short survey.

8. This is some of your creativity coming through! Keep sharing!!!! Go Stacey!!!

SOMETHING to PONDER
On-line learning as the instructor is fairly new for most of us.  For our students, online learning is going to be VERY NEW.  Therefore, we can not assume students will know how to interact and problem solve appropriately.   Therefore, please consider some of these on-line teaching and learning tips.   This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to begin teaching our students how to appropriately and effectively interact, respond and be digital citizens and learners.

http://teach.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NetiquetteGuideforOnlineCourses.pdf

https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/netiquette-guidelines-every-online-student-needs-to-know/

https://thejournal.com/articles/2020/03/16/resources-tips-for-remote-education-during-school-closures.aspx


Little Humor
Trying to normalize the phone calls home.  LOL

AND.....

Thursday Thriller
March 12, 2020

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.   AGAIN, THANK YOU to our CLASSIFIED STAFF!!!  What you do day in and day out is AMAZING!  You are truly appreciated.  Sometimes it's a thankless job.  Just know that your work is important and you make a difference each day! 

2.  Please make sure that you read Superintendent Smith's emails regarding COVID-19 updates.

3.  COGAT testing begins on Monday the 16th.  There are between 6-9 students who will be assessed.

4.  Shout out to Kim Ramsey and Steve for working to get the ELPA 21 completed!!

5.  GNN  has been 'glitchy' this week.  Will has ordered new equipment.  We will be up and running 'live' again on Monday.  Until then, please choose when during 1st period it is best for you to watch with your students.

6.  While being out and about, I've noticed multiple students in the hallways using the restroom.  For example, two-three students from one class going to the restroom.  Do the same students ask everyday to use the restroom?  Do they ask about the same time each day?  I know this is hard to manage because students figure out ways to 'meet up' in the restroom.  However, please monitor your sign in and out sheet for restroom use.

7.  Some of you have given me names for the Dutch Bros card.  Keep them coming!  It's super easy to admire the discipline problems.  Let's start admiring the positives!  I am trying to positively word 'rules' on GNN.  If you have suggestions on how to better do this, I am open to suggestions.  For example, how to word following the rules positively instead of no hoodies, no air pods,etc.

8.  Are there things on GNN you would like me to announce?  Focus on?  Let me know

9.  Don't forget over spring break our computers are going to be upgraded.  You need to clear your desk top so you don't lose valuable documents.

10.  4 weeks left in the 3rd quarter.

11.  This summer Garrison is getting a new roof.  Whoop!!  Whoop!! The funding for this project is coming from maintenance and reserve funds not the from the bond.  I do not yet know the specifics.  There have been contractor bids.  This is the official form if you wanted to read it.  As soon I get more details, I'll keep you updated.

12.  We are one of the only schools that is not undergoing major change during the summer months.  From WA HI to Pioneer's remodels to BR consolidation, making room at PPT and GP for additional students there is A LOT going on around the District.  With this being said, any maintenance projects, major classroom movements will be put on hold due to the other needs around the District.  You should see the spreadsheet for WA HI just for moving classrooms during construction!  WOW!!

Something to Ponder
As we get closer to spring, I'm guessing that some behaviors in our pre-teen and teenagers ramps up (if they haven't already).  This is a summary of the article "Decoding the Teenage Brain (in 3 Charts) by Stephen Merrill in Edutopia, January 31, 2019.   This is not to excuse the unfavorable behaviors. Rather it is to understand where the student is coming from, not to take their poor behavior personally and also so that I don't lose my ever-living-shiz! 😆  I hope you find a gold nugget or two of understanding or have an 'aha' moment.  We have heard this research before.  Sometimes it takes more than once to learn something. :D  I say this from experience.

 Insights on Teenage Behavior

            In this Edutopiaarticle, Stephen Merrill says that recent research has given us important new information on the adolescent brain. 

            • The limbic system (the seat of primal instincts like fear, hunger, lust, and pleasure) is hyperactive during adolescence, while the prefrontal cortex (the seat of self-control, planning, and self-awareness) is still developing. “It’s not youthful irrationality or a flair for the dramatic at work,” says Merrill; “teenagers actually experience things like music, drugs, and the thrill of speed more powerfully than adults do.” 

            • The brain’s neuroplasticity at this stage of life makes kids sponges for learning. “The same emerging circuitry that makes teenagers vulnerable to risky behavior and mood swings also confers significant advantages on adolescent learners,” says Merrill. 

            • Being with peers increases risk-taking, most dangerously with automobiles and alcohol consumption. “It’s never been a question of feeling invulnerable,” says Merrill; “for teenagers, there’s just something about the presence of peers that is transfiguring. They understand the risks, and take them anyway.” 

            • Kids at this age respond well to direct explanations. “Talking to teenagers frankly about their brain development can provide useful context for their emotional worlds,” says Merrill, “and reset their expectations about their potential for continued intellectual growth.” This includes explaining the limbic system, the malleability of their brains, and the peer effect. 

            • Similarly, teens are receptive to learning about self-regulation, managing stress, and considering the feelings of others. Instruction in these areas is more effective than trying to scare kids about risky behaviors. 

            • Peer culture and teens’ keen sense of fairness and justice can be powerful levers. Preaching about smoking’s health consequences is usually ineffective, but talking about bad breath, peer disapproval, impact on younger children, and the way the tobacco industry hooks and exploits people can change teens’ attitudes and behavior. 

“Decoding the Teenage Brain (in 3 Charts)” by Stephen Merrill in Edutopia, January 31, 2019, 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/decoding-teenage-brain-3-charts

Little Humor
Just saying...I watched this a couple of times because I needed the laugh :D  1:43 secs

Meet the Funniest Teacher Alive!

Thursday Thriller
March 5, 2020


**I apologize! I had some great pics of Mix it Up that I will share.  New phone and it's not uploading,😖
NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  As you know, several staff members will be gone tomorrow.  Some students who have had a pattern of non-compliance with guest teachers will be pulled and placed in SSR.  We will keep you posted on who and which period.

2.  Thank you for your work yesterday during collaboration.  Lively discussion around grades.  Here is how the vote turned out for what to focus on next:

3.  Certificated Staff, please read Beth's email.  Thank you, Beth, for your organization on this event!

4.  I've seen several posting of 'office hours' from staff.  Thank you!

5.  We are gearing up for the 5th to 6th grade transition process.  Letters will be going out to families next week.  There have been a couple of changes. The first change is both Pioneer and Garrison are going to host family nights in May.  The goal is to bring families in, let them tour the building, hear from admin, counselors, etc.  We will provide dinner and each incoming 6th grader will receive a Garrison t-shirt.  Really wanting to get new families in, welcome them and let them see early how great this school is! :D  In addition, we will not be doing the traditional 'Step Up' day in June.  With the construction going on at Pioneer, it was decided that if we do these family evening events plus our WEBs day with 6th graders in August that we could eliminate Step Up day.   Finally, those of you who are advisers for clubs (Latino, Drama, TSA, etc) I am going to be asking for a blurb about your club.  This information will be shared with families.  Stay tuned.

6.  Discipline -if students are grossly defiant, non-compliant, dropping F bombs this is way more than a lunch detention.  Please write a referral, send the student and even call the office for assistance.   We are seeing some of the classroom exclusions that should be referrals-no fault of anyone's.  If you are unsure if it is a referral or not, please ask.  If you have feedback on the system, let me know.

7.  Visibility in the hallways is critical AND you have been doing a great job!  I can walk down any hallway during most passing times and see staff waiting at their doors or in the hallways.  I know giving 'high 5's' right now is not the best option.  However, talking with kids and welcoming them into your classroom is as good!

8.  Don't forget orchestra students leave for WA HI around 8:25 tomorrow morning.

SOMETHING to PONDER
Please take time to read the article that was handed out to you at the end of the staff meeting yesterday, reflect on last week's article and then examine the 0-50%.  What should our next steps be in regards to assigning a 0 or 50% to missing assignments?