Thursday Thriller April 30, 2020

Thursday Thriller
April 30, 2020

WHOA! Did you just do a double take on both these pictures?  For the record, that is a root beer Mr. Longmire is holding.  Maybe we need to 'pass the hat' so we could buy Brian a bigger bike? 

 Just saying! :D

1.
1.  Pam is working closely with ESD 105 on changes within Skyward to address last week's guidance provided by OSPI.  Specifically the "Incomplete" grades and the  "COVID-19" indicator that need to appear for any course completed while schools are closed.  

ESD 105 is asking districts/schools to hold off on creating the "I" (incomplete) so that logic that needs to be added can be correctly applied.  

2. Here is the link for the 8th grade slide show.  The goal is 2-3 comments per student.

3.  BY FRIDAY, fill in the google sheet of students who have NOT participated AT ALL in your class(this excludes the special ed students who are completing packets).

4.  Zoom meetings with grade levels was fun!  I will continue to invite you.  Definitely optional.  6th grade will be May 5th at 3:00.  7th grade May 7th at 12:30 and 8th at 1:30.  Going to try and find a couple of games to play.  If you have any ideas, please share.

5.  Going to include some 'office hour' times so if you have questions, concerns or just need to talk please call me, invite me to a google meet or Zoom or come by and see me.  Just want to make myself available to you.  AS ALWAYS, if my door is open come in!  I know sometimes you need to talk and I'm busy this is why I'm blocking specific time for you.

Next Week specific Office Hour times are:

Wednesday the 6th 8:00-8:55 and 1:00-1:55

Friday the 8th 8:00-8:50 1:00-1:50

6.  STAFF ACHIEVEMENT-let's nominate some of our colleagues for this prestigious award!  I can't think of anything more rewarding than to have your peers nominate you for the work you do.  These need to be completed by MAY 10th which is a Sunday.  Carina and I are more than willing to help.  Let us know.

7.  Here are the results from the survey that was sent out to families.  These results are specific to Garrison. Look, reflect and maybe think how your communication to families contributed to the results. 51.02% would like more frequent contact from teachers.  What could that look like? 

8.  Cards are in mailboxes.  PLEASE make sure those get sent out to your 7th period students. They do have postage on them already.

9.  Additional resources for family, students and loved ones:

10.  Winners of the Staff USA Spirit contest:  Amy K, Amber, Carina, Jami and Michelle!!  Whoop!! Whoop!!

SOMETHING to PONDER

I try to find educational, inspiring articles to read and pass along.  This one was more interesting as we think about what it will look like when we reopen school.  Would we go to these measures?  What will it look like? What does this look like in K-12?

HUMOR
Since 'Zoom' is the new way to meet.  I better up my 'camera ready' appearance. 😆

SOMETHING to MAKE YOU SMILE

 I found this video clip inspiring.  I don't think you have to be a baseball fan to enjoy it but if you are it's icing on the cake. :)  During this COVID time, finding things that make you smile, inspire you and gives you a good feeling need to be shared. :D

Thursday Thriller April 23, 2020

Thursday Thriller
April 23, 2020

Fun pics from Google Classroom as well as Zoom meetings:

1.  This is one of Superintendent Chris Reykdal's weekly updates.  I found them very useful!  He also does a funny "Would you rather..." at the end of each update.  Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BNCTiEWZm4&feature=youtu.be

2.  Let's talk grading 😬  What has come out from OSPI was sent to WWPS certificated staff from Wade in a lengthy email yesterday.  Bottom line:  A-D and/or 'In-completes' no F's for final grades.  Elective classes and TAs will remain Pass/Fail.  This is for middle school only because this was our system prior to Distance Learning.   8th grade students who earn 'incomplete' may need to do summer school and their high school schedule could be impacted with the classes they take.    For 6th and 7th grade students who earn incomplete, we need to think about what that would look like in the fall for their schedule.  Incomplete indicates that the student did nothing for various reasons amidst calling, texting, home visit, etc.  I hope this clears up some of the grading confusion.  Appreciate your flexibility.

3.  The Zoom meeting with 6th graders yesterday was interesting :0  It was actually fun!  They miss school and seeing people and friends.  We will begin the next Zoom with a slide on "How to interact in a large Zoom group."  7th/8th is next week.  I'll send out the link if you wanted to jump in you are more than welcome to!

4. 8th grade Recognition:  we have started planning a virtual recognition.  The goal is to recognize, remember but not out do/out shine what the high school plans to do.

      A.  You will be receiving or invited to a Google Slide document.  Each 8th grade student will have one slide.  The goal is to have three positive statements from staff members about this student.

       B.  Students have the opportunity to send a picture to us to drop into the slide or we use their school picture.

      C. I will be asking the group as a whole to nominate one teacher that has been inspirational to say a few words.  This would be 30-60 secs, Will would record it.

     D.  The 21st Century crew is working on a drone shot from Garrison flying away towards Wa Hi with a "good luck on your next leg of your educational journey" message or something to that nature.

Stay tuned!

5.   Please see Carina's email regarding students who are still not engaging.

6.  Great parent turn out for the Zoom meeting.  They are very appreciative of the work everyone is doing!  Carina and I navigated a lot of their questions which revolved around grading, the Google Classroom Platform and Skyward. Several parents will request 'guardian/parent joining' rights to Google Classroom.  We explained that Google Classroom is students' virtual classroom and students have to navigate their work, share with parents what they are doing but parents don't have to be 'in the know' with every little nitty-gritty detail because parents don't shadow or come to school with their child when we are in the actual 'bricks-n-mortar' school; there still needs to be some autonomy for students.

7.  garrison_asb_2019 on Instagram if you have an account is fun. Stacey and Agnes are posting pics from Spirit Days which are every Thursday.  Here is the list of upcoming Spirit Days.  It would be awesome if you took a picture, sent it to Stacey or Agnes OR uploaded it into Garrison Staff in Google Classroom.  Show the kids we can have a little fun during Distance Learning.

SOMETHING to PONDER
I was scrolling, trolling, searching to find something to inspire, motivate and be life changing.  Well, I found it!  Just Kidding or maybe it could it. :D  Now that we are working remotely from home maybe doing 5 Things could help you out each day.

Little Humor
From students, not our students of course.  Wonder what our students do?  Or even staff during Zoom meetings?😂

Thursday Thriller April 16, 2020

Thursday, April 16, 2020

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.   Here are links that were mentioned in today's staff meeting:

OSPI Document
Divide and Conquer List 
Forrest's Email

2.  If you have an Instagram account, follow garrison_asb_2019 

3.  Roof Replacement project will begin on Monday the 20th.  Parking lot by the tennis courts will be closed off as well as the back portion of the south parking lot.   Please leave the area in front of the school open for parent pick up of lunches between 11-1.  The construction company will use the art room as their 'staging' area.  The door to the outside is re-keyed so they do not need a master key to go in and out.

4. The gym floor will be re surfaced the week of May 4th

5.  Kim R will move up to room 206.  Michelle P will move to Kim's room #134.  The OT/PT and Speech which is currently in room #135 will move to Michelle's room #168.  The RISE program will then have access to both #134 and #135.

6.  Post cards went out to students regarding how they can purchase year books.  It does have to be online.  Ashley sent out steps for families to follow if they do wish to purchase a year book.

7.  Carina and I continue to work on the master schedule.  During department meetings we will share with you thoughts on who is teaching what.

8.   Note cards to be mailed out to your 7th period class will be in your mailbox.  Send 3-4 a week. The following teachers will get their cards now.  The rest of you will receive yours when they are delivered next week.  I will email you to let you know they are in your mailbox.

Jose, Shannon, Mike Braddock, Nate C, Angie, Jami, Beth, Mike Bertram

9.  The guidance from OSPI is that middle school students have 2.5 hours a day total of school work.  It's okay to scale back.  We know this is the asterisk year and there will be holes. Give yourself grace as well as your students. :D  Also, talk with your PLC group about grading.

10.  Skyward is our way of recording student's participation and 'attendance' so to speak.  Also, this is how parents are staying connected.  There should be 1-2 assignments a week in the grade book.  Again, this is ebb and flow.  We have heard from families that they don't necessarily get into their child's Google classroom.   However, they do check Skyward; that is their temp read. 

11.  Kris Duncan, Rob Ahrens, Carina and I have started working on a virtual plan to celebrate and recognize our 8th graders.  We are thinking a slide show that is live streamed as well as 'burned' on a CD  so families have a copy.  I will reach out to Will to see how we can pull this off.  Please let me know if you have ideas or would like to help plan this. 

12.  Be looking for a Zoom meeting invite from either Carina and/or I.  We will meet 1:1 every other week for 10-15mins.  Again, if you prefer in person, please indicate this once you receive the invite.  In addition, Carina and I will be scheduling department meetings. 

13.  This is the email Christy sent out regarding PD during the summer months.

14.  We will meet as a certificated staff every other week since Carina and I will be checking in with Departments.  Our next staff meeting for CERTIFICATED staff will be THURSDAY, APRIL 30th at 9:30.  CLASSIFIED STAFF will be THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd. 

I apologize for the glitches with today's meeting.  The energy level seemed low added with the Zoom glitches didn't make for the best staff meeting so I'm sorry.  I am open to feedback.  I'm learning the balance between communicating information while making sure we are staying connected. :D  Again, I am open to feedback.  Thank you.

15.  Email notifications in Google classroom:  You need to do what you need to do to run your classroom successfully understanding that students may not check their email. The 'average' student is not checking email so again, communicate to your class(es) what the expectations are.  If you want them to check their email, and they haven't responded you may need to give a gentle nudge with a phone call or text.  There are several scenarios going on with email thus please do what is best for your own classes.

16.  Note cards to be mailed out to your 7th period class will be in your mailbox.  Send 3-4 a week. The following teachers will get their cards now.  The rest of you will receive yours when they are delivered next week.  I will email you to let you know they are in your mailbox.

Jose, Shannon, Mike Braddock, Nate C, Angie, Jami, Beth, Mike Bertram

SOMETHING to PONDER

Sue sent me this link to listen to.  You know I am a B. Brown fan. :D  It resonated because it could be helpful in many different scenarios.  As a teacher, as parent who is home schooling, leader and/or just this whole pandemic situation.  If you use it with students, might need to change the first work to TOUGH First Times.  This podcast is 'FFT' F...g First Times

37:53 that brought clarity and calmness to me.

8:24

  NAME it. When we name and own hard things, it does not give them power it gives us power.  Name and own hard things so we can affect change

Normalize it

Put it into perspective

Reality check

Hopefully if you listen you will find a gold nugget to use, to share or to reflect upon. 

Little Humor

Thursday Thriller
April 2, 2020

Pretty good looking group of educators!!😉 It was so good to see and hear you this morning! Please take care of yourself and family next week.  You deserve it!

*Next ZOOM staff meeting will be Thursday, April 16th at 9:30AM
NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Carina sent a follow up email with notes from our meeting.  The biggest take away is grade with grace, give families grace and GIVE YOURSELF GRACE!

2. We will hand out the $15 gift cards from Stone Soup to support staff who are here each day handing out food, answering phones, beautifying the school and taking care of students.  You are awesome and we appreciate your service!
                                            Armida, Sherry, Lynette, Ashley, Terri, Maria
                                            Sara, Alex, Delsyie (kitchen), Suzanne (kitchen), Tobi, Babett, Rachelle,
                                            Quiara, Karen, Rigo, Brent and Mark!!

3.  Forrest and the tech department are still moving forward with the computer upgrades.  This will NOT happen during spring break.  I don't want you to think you have to rush into school tomorrow and clean your desk top up.  Hopefully, you have already started doing this.  Forrest will communicate with staff before this happens.  I WOULD recommend coming in sometime, after spring break and start or finish cleaning up your desk top.

4. Childcare has moved to rooms 116-117.  The library is the 'staging' area for the tech department for when they begin the upgrades.

5.  Nate and Nate will be communicating with teachers regarding some of their case load students who will be moving to 'packets.'

SOMETHING to PONDER
Found this article helpful in thinking about working through emotions, feelings, anxiety, etc.

Little Humor
Nate, Nate and Carina were discussing Tiger King.  I have yet to watch this so I am thinking spring break might be the time.  Don't know if I will be able to get through all 7 episodes.  This is a little funny meme humor