Thursday Thriller
May 28, 2020
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Congratulations to TOBI! She graduated with her Associates Degree from WWCC! She will now launch into completing her four year degree!! Again, don't worry. Tobi is still working with us. :D
2. Carina and I are wrapping up our eval meetings. We know next year will be better. :D We appreciate your patience and conversations. We do learn and reflect on the conversations we have with each of you so THANK YOU!!
3. Next week June 1-5 please call (or establish two way communication )all students in your 7th period.
4. Please take time to read Wade's communication that he sends out regarding next year. While the emails may be lengthy and you have to scroll :D it is good information while answering questions you may have.
5. Great discussion regarding 1:1 Technology today! Appreciate your input and questions.
6. There is a posting for a temporary science teacher for next year here at Garrison. We are not losing anyone. :D We have a large group of 6th graders coming to us, we needed to add additional sections. Thus the need to add a temporary teacher for next year.
7. It's been brought to my attention that each year staff votes on two 8th grade students for the Extra Mile Award and the Turn Around Award. Is there criteria for these awards? I don't want to mess with tradition. Does someone have a document or survey they used that I could send out? Let me know.
8. 8th Grade Recognition is a slideshow. There is no 'live' streaming of this event. I think people are confused. I will definitely re-communicate to families early next week. The goal is to 'launch' the slide show the evening of the 11th since that is when the recognition was going to be. Pioneer is doing the same thing we are.
Something to Ponder
As we near the last leg of this spring COVID journey and school year, I know we are ready to to be done but I want to capture your thoughts while they're fresh.
We know this fall, school will most likely open within one of these three silos: 100% online, partially online, partially in school or in school 100% . With that being said, what would START, STOP and/or REPEAT in regards to 'school' look like and mean? For example, I have thought about STARTING to do our monthly staff meetings via Zoom vs squishing into one classroom. By capturing your ideas now, we can look at them with fresh eyes in a few months through the lens of a growth mindset.
If you would like to add your ideas, in this table, please do so. Again, this is to grow, learn, repeat successes and eliminate and/or tweak the stretches.
START/STOP/REPEAT
HUMOR
This might be where a lot of us are at! Teaching from home might not be so bad! LOL
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Thursday Thriller May 21, 2020
Thursday Thriller
May 21, 2020
SHOUT OUT to ASHLEY! She was accepted to WSU to pursue her educational degree (don't worry she is still working here at Garrison)!!! She will be attending school in the evening and on weekends. Ashley is surrounded by her Garrison school family that will help support her on her journey. Way to go, Ashley!!!!
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Probably the most important item of all HAVE A WONDERFUL three day weekend! While you may not be traveling anywhere or seeing friends and family, please take some time to relax. :D
2. CALENDAR of EVENTS
3. 8th Grade Recognition slideshow Please take a few moments and add a comment or two. This slideshow is open to ALL staff to make comments. Students will really appreciate your words. :D
4. Multiple calls have been made to students who still have PE clothes left behind. We will do one more push before June 19th.
5. I will get with Brent to work out expectations and a timeline for the end of the school year clean up and check out.
6. With tech turn in on the 18th, I am suggesting that the last day to 'tun in' assignments be the 17th. Use this last week to do some fun virtual things with students. I think turning in tech for some students could be really difficult because the Chromebook has been the bridge and/or life line between school, teachers, paras and them.
7. Master schedule -we are working on a 'normal' schedule; one that we would use if we were to open school in the fall normally. We are also working on scenarios A, B and C in lei of how it will be determined how we open school. To be honest, we are not going to know how school will 'open' until July. Carina and I will be working within the guidance of OSPI suggestions as well as what we as a District decide. The platforms from OSPI won't even come out until June 19th.
8. Your continued efforts in reaching out to students is making a difference! I think some of you were pleasantly surprised with some efforts made by students who you have not heard from. Our concerted effort is still needed! Please, keep connecting!
9. Student Planners -we are working on re creating the student planners. I have asked Kara, Terri, Sherri, Armida, and Lynette to research some ideas as based on suggestions. We will put the planner together and then throw it out to you for suggestions. We are working off of a 'real' planner like the kind you buy. :D Ours will be sent to the print shop. Suggestions so far:
A. Content area vs. 1st period, 2nd period, etc
B. Larger space to write
C. Planners by quarter and/or semester vs year long
D. A couple of different designs that 7th/8th could choose from (a perk of being an upper class men. 6th grade 'get what you get and you don't throw a fit)
E. Combining the student handbook and planner all in one; the larger student handbook can be online with a few that are printed. Handbook musts: rules, grades, attendance, tardies, HIB
F. Hall pass -a place for students to sign and teacher to initial. Student leaves planner on their desk when going to the bathroom.
G. Students like to use their own planner but they would still need to use the 'school issued' planner for hall pass purposes
H. A 'To Do' place for students to write down tasks they need to complete
I. 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 into the evening so students can list concerts, games, etc
If you have suggestions, please email. We will try to make these SO COOL students will NEVER leave home without them. :D
10. This is the newsletter that will go out to parents tomorrow evening. I don't think I have shared it before. Oops! I will do so from now on. Whether you read it or not, I just want to keep you in the loop of what I am communicating to our parents. It is translated so all parents have access.
Something to Ponder
I don't think any of us can get away from thinking about this coming fall. How will school open? How will we do school? What about those students that did better online than in 'actual' school? How will what I learned through being forced to use technology to communicate with my students change what I do day to day. Here is insight from an 8th grader. It's one perspective but one to consider. What does this student's point-of-view cause you to reflect on?
Here is the full article
HUMOR
May 21, 2020
SHOUT OUT to ASHLEY! She was accepted to WSU to pursue her educational degree (don't worry she is still working here at Garrison)!!! She will be attending school in the evening and on weekends. Ashley is surrounded by her Garrison school family that will help support her on her journey. Way to go, Ashley!!!!
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Probably the most important item of all HAVE A WONDERFUL three day weekend! While you may not be traveling anywhere or seeing friends and family, please take some time to relax. :D
2. CALENDAR of EVENTS
Monday, May 25 No School/No Distance Learning in observance of Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 26th
Wednesday, May 27th Registrations due for 6th and 7th graders for next school year
Thursday, May 28th Spirit Day Wear Your Favorite Color
Friday, May 29th WEBS Applications DUE today!
ZOOM Time with 6th Grade at 1:30
ZOOM Time with 7th Grade at 2:00
ZOOM Time with 8th Grade at 2:30
June 1st-10th Library books, textbooks and artwork return between 11-1 Monday through Friday
Monday, June 1st 8th Grade NJHS Students your service logs are due to Jami
June 18th 7:30AM-6:30PM Tech return time at building site3. 8th Grade Recognition slideshow Please take a few moments and add a comment or two. This slideshow is open to ALL staff to make comments. Students will really appreciate your words. :D
4. Multiple calls have been made to students who still have PE clothes left behind. We will do one more push before June 19th.
5. I will get with Brent to work out expectations and a timeline for the end of the school year clean up and check out.
6. With tech turn in on the 18th, I am suggesting that the last day to 'tun in' assignments be the 17th. Use this last week to do some fun virtual things with students. I think turning in tech for some students could be really difficult because the Chromebook has been the bridge and/or life line between school, teachers, paras and them.
7. Master schedule -we are working on a 'normal' schedule; one that we would use if we were to open school in the fall normally. We are also working on scenarios A, B and C in lei of how it will be determined how we open school. To be honest, we are not going to know how school will 'open' until July. Carina and I will be working within the guidance of OSPI suggestions as well as what we as a District decide. The platforms from OSPI won't even come out until June 19th.
8. Your continued efforts in reaching out to students is making a difference! I think some of you were pleasantly surprised with some efforts made by students who you have not heard from. Our concerted effort is still needed! Please, keep connecting!
9. Student Planners -we are working on re creating the student planners. I have asked Kara, Terri, Sherri, Armida, and Lynette to research some ideas as based on suggestions. We will put the planner together and then throw it out to you for suggestions. We are working off of a 'real' planner like the kind you buy. :D Ours will be sent to the print shop. Suggestions so far:
A. Content area vs. 1st period, 2nd period, etc
B. Larger space to write
C. Planners by quarter and/or semester vs year long
D. A couple of different designs that 7th/8th could choose from (a perk of being an upper class men. 6th grade 'get what you get and you don't throw a fit)
E. Combining the student handbook and planner all in one; the larger student handbook can be online with a few that are printed. Handbook musts: rules, grades, attendance, tardies, HIB
F. Hall pass -a place for students to sign and teacher to initial. Student leaves planner on their desk when going to the bathroom.
G. Students like to use their own planner but they would still need to use the 'school issued' planner for hall pass purposes
H. A 'To Do' place for students to write down tasks they need to complete
I. 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 into the evening so students can list concerts, games, etc
If you have suggestions, please email. We will try to make these SO COOL students will NEVER leave home without them. :D
10. This is the newsletter that will go out to parents tomorrow evening. I don't think I have shared it before. Oops! I will do so from now on. Whether you read it or not, I just want to keep you in the loop of what I am communicating to our parents. It is translated so all parents have access.
Something to Ponder
I don't think any of us can get away from thinking about this coming fall. How will school open? How will we do school? What about those students that did better online than in 'actual' school? How will what I learned through being forced to use technology to communicate with my students change what I do day to day. Here is insight from an 8th grader. It's one perspective but one to consider. What does this student's point-of-view cause you to reflect on?
Here is the full article
HUMOR
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Thursday Thriller May 14, 2020
Thursday Thriller
May 14, 2020
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Here is the final grading document that middle schools will be using as guidance. This document might help guide questions around when to assign 'incompletes.' We will discuss any questions you have during our staff meeting on the 21st.
3. A change for master schedule that you may or may not hear about is that GU will be two periods vs three beginning next year. We are sending a letter to Conor's current 7th graders that explains the 'why.'
4. Please put the word out to friends and families that will have incoming kinder students that registration is now open. It's amazing how kinder registration is something that some families don't think about. We usually have a 'Kindergarten Round Up" at the fair grounds where we capture families. Without this, the work is harder and we need to get our littles registered. :D
5. Many of you have added comments to the 8th Recognition slide show. They are fun to read! Last day to make comments is the 22nd. YOU CAN COMMENT EVEN IF YOU DON'T TEACH 8th GRADE. THIS IS FOR ANY STAFF MEMBER WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT.
6. This is information from the Health Center that we shared with students via Zoom.
May 14, 2020
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Here is the final grading document that middle schools will be using as guidance. This document might help guide questions around when to assign 'incompletes.' We will discuss any questions you have during our staff meeting on the 21st.
2. Shout out to our paras!!! They are making connections and working with students on their work or just 'hanging out' via Google. They are adding another layer to the work teachers are doing.
3. A change for master schedule that you may or may not hear about is that GU will be two periods vs three beginning next year. We are sending a letter to Conor's current 7th graders that explains the 'why.'
4. Please put the word out to friends and families that will have incoming kinder students that registration is now open. It's amazing how kinder registration is something that some families don't think about. We usually have a 'Kindergarten Round Up" at the fair grounds where we capture families. Without this, the work is harder and we need to get our littles registered. :D
5. Many of you have added comments to the 8th Recognition slide show. They are fun to read! Last day to make comments is the 22nd. YOU CAN COMMENT EVEN IF YOU DON'T TEACH 8th GRADE. THIS IS FOR ANY STAFF MEMBER WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT.
6. This is information from the Health Center that we shared with students via Zoom.
The Health Center is still providing mental health service! Mental health counseling for Garrison MS students will be available through June 12, 2020. The Health Center is available for mental health check-ins and care coordination. Please contact The Health Center at (509)-525-0704 and your specific needs can be determined. You can also reach a Care Coordinator at help@thehealthcenterww.org. The Health Center is available to help!
7. We have hired two new staff members. Gonzalo Fernandez Pinillos for World Language and Sam Mirkovich for art. They will be reaching out to some of you to connect.
8. Angie, Steve, Agnes, Carina and I participated in a Character Strong training today. While Character Strong is a curriculum, it is truly a way in which we will teach students to be role models and begin to create a strong foundation for ALL students in which we are building a culture of kindness and acceptance. Charlie will be using this curriculum with all 6th graders as part of his exploratory course next year. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to have a leadership class made up of 7/8 graders that Agnes will teach. She will be able to use the Leadership portion of Character Strong.
9. Staff meeting next Thursday, May 21st at 1:30. This will be both classified and certificated.
10. Working to create a student planner. I was looking to buy them already created...this would be upwards to $2000 plus dollars. Plan B...what is the content we want in students' everyday planner? If you have ideas please send them to me by next week, Thursday the 21st.
SOMETHING to PONDER
Have you wondered why you are so exhausted at the end of the day? "I was not this exhausted when students were in front of me?" "Why is it that I am fatigued when I have been sitting and/or standing most of the day in front of a screen?"
We need to quit beating ourselves up over being exhausted. Maybe you aren't beating yourself up. Maybe you are wondering more about why you are so tired at the end of each day. This is TOUGH, exhausting work! Besides the sheer realm of Distance Learning, not having the face-to-face with students, here are other reasons you are tired.(this is the full article) Here is the summary of the article
8. Angie, Steve, Agnes, Carina and I participated in a Character Strong training today. While Character Strong is a curriculum, it is truly a way in which we will teach students to be role models and begin to create a strong foundation for ALL students in which we are building a culture of kindness and acceptance. Charlie will be using this curriculum with all 6th graders as part of his exploratory course next year. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to have a leadership class made up of 7/8 graders that Agnes will teach. She will be able to use the Leadership portion of Character Strong.
9. Staff meeting next Thursday, May 21st at 1:30. This will be both classified and certificated.
10. Working to create a student planner. I was looking to buy them already created...this would be upwards to $2000 plus dollars. Plan B...what is the content we want in students' everyday planner? If you have ideas please send them to me by next week, Thursday the 21st.
SOMETHING to PONDER
Have you wondered why you are so exhausted at the end of the day? "I was not this exhausted when students were in front of me?" "Why is it that I am fatigued when I have been sitting and/or standing most of the day in front of a screen?"
We need to quit beating ourselves up over being exhausted. Maybe you aren't beating yourself up. Maybe you are wondering more about why you are so tired at the end of each day. This is TOUGH, exhausting work! Besides the sheer realm of Distance Learning, not having the face-to-face with students, here are other reasons you are tired.(this is the full article) Here is the summary of the article
A LITTLE HUMOR
I have had fun with these cards during my grade level Zoom meetings.
I use them as an ice breaker with kids. Also, who sits and thinks of these? LOL
Would you rather be able to type/text very fast or be able to read really quickly?
Would you rather randomly turn into a frog for a day once a month or randomly turn into a bird for a day once every week?
Would you rather have the chance to design a new toy or create a new TV show?
Would you rather be really good at math or really good at sports?
Would you rather speak for only a minute each day OR stand for only a minute each day?
Would you rather be tied securely to the bow of a moving ship (head above water of course) OR be tied securely to the front of a fling helicopter?
Would you rather be in the middle of the ocean in a raft during a typhoon OR tied to a post in the middle of a cornfield when a twister touches down?
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Thursday Thriller May 7, 2020
Thursday Thriller
May 7, 2020
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Carina and I have something for teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. We will hand them out next week. Sorry for the delay.
2. Three successful Zoom meetings with students. 8th graders had the most students participate which shocked me! Those of you who are able to participate it's always fun to see you. :D
3. Classified staff will be reaching out to teachers so they can have access to Google Classroom. Some students have risen to the level of non engagement in multiple classes. The plan is to assign a classified staff member to the student so they can meet virtually with them once or twice a week, help them with assignments and just to connect. It is another level of support we can offer students.
4. We are nearing the time when final evaluations are due. Certificated staff, Carina and I already have established 1:1 times with you. We will use these already established times to conduct your summative evaluation. For example, I met with some teachers this week 1:1 so the next time we meet will be your end of year/summative. We will email you to help remind you.
The Department meetings that we are having fall under D4 . 4d "Participating in a Professional Community" 4e "Growing and Developing Professionally." If you are unable to make a meeting, please communicate with me.
The great thing for Certificated staff is you don't need to upload anything because of the conversations we have had, the collaboration you took part in and the growth you made this school year. The questions Carina and I will ask in our end-of-year meetings with you will be around the following:
What went well this year?
What contributions did you make to your PLC team that helped you grow and your PLC team grow professionally?
What opportunities did you seek out for professional development to enhance your content knowledge and instructional skill?
Share evidence of one CFA cycle in which your team and students grew the most.
Feedback for Carina and I so that we can do our jobs better.
5. Classified staff, please get with Armida to set up a time for us to go over your evaluation. Between MAY 19-MAY 28th. Questions for you:
What went well this year?
What opportunities did you seek out for professional development to enhance your content knowledge and instructional skill?
What two goals do you have that will launch you into next year?
Feedback so that I can do my job better.
6. Stacey K, Agnes, Terri and Armida thank you for posting Teacher Appreciation, ASB Spirit Days and fun stuff on FB, Twitter, and Instagram! It's fun to see our students engaging with the challenges.
7. Next week, May 11-15th please reach out to your 5th period students.
8. Love the comments in the 8th grade recognition slide show! The students are truly going to appreciate them.
SOMETHING to PONDER
Remember the Veteran's Day assembly where we heard Admiral William McRaven give his University of Texas Commencement address "If you want to change the World, Start Off by Making Your Bed." In the Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk, he interviews Admiral McRaven. It is lengthy BUT so many gold nuggets! Working hard, determination, the ill effects of 'winging it,' being very clear with your message. While the focus is leadership, apply these same skills to your job. Whether you are the head secretary, Head Cook, teacher, para with a small group you are leading people; leading students.
Hope you, too, find some gold nuggets. :D
Sunday is Mother's Day. Enjoy and reflect on the mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and/or teacher you are to children. You don't have to 'biologically' have children to be called mom. Thank you for all you do!
May 7, 2020
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Carina and I have something for teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. We will hand them out next week. Sorry for the delay.
2. Three successful Zoom meetings with students. 8th graders had the most students participate which shocked me! Those of you who are able to participate it's always fun to see you. :D
3. Classified staff will be reaching out to teachers so they can have access to Google Classroom. Some students have risen to the level of non engagement in multiple classes. The plan is to assign a classified staff member to the student so they can meet virtually with them once or twice a week, help them with assignments and just to connect. It is another level of support we can offer students.
4. We are nearing the time when final evaluations are due. Certificated staff, Carina and I already have established 1:1 times with you. We will use these already established times to conduct your summative evaluation. For example, I met with some teachers this week 1:1 so the next time we meet will be your end of year/summative. We will email you to help remind you.
The Department meetings that we are having fall under D4 . 4d "Participating in a Professional Community" 4e "Growing and Developing Professionally." If you are unable to make a meeting, please communicate with me.
The great thing for Certificated staff is you don't need to upload anything because of the conversations we have had, the collaboration you took part in and the growth you made this school year. The questions Carina and I will ask in our end-of-year meetings with you will be around the following:
What went well this year?
What contributions did you make to your PLC team that helped you grow and your PLC team grow professionally?
What opportunities did you seek out for professional development to enhance your content knowledge and instructional skill?
Share evidence of one CFA cycle in which your team and students grew the most.
Feedback for Carina and I so that we can do our jobs better.
5. Classified staff, please get with Armida to set up a time for us to go over your evaluation. Between MAY 19-MAY 28th. Questions for you:
What went well this year?
What opportunities did you seek out for professional development to enhance your content knowledge and instructional skill?
What two goals do you have that will launch you into next year?
Feedback so that I can do my job better.
6. Stacey K, Agnes, Terri and Armida thank you for posting Teacher Appreciation, ASB Spirit Days and fun stuff on FB, Twitter, and Instagram! It's fun to see our students engaging with the challenges.
7. Next week, May 11-15th please reach out to your 5th period students.
8. Love the comments in the 8th grade recognition slide show! The students are truly going to appreciate them.
SOMETHING to PONDER
Remember the Veteran's Day assembly where we heard Admiral William McRaven give his University of Texas Commencement address "If you want to change the World, Start Off by Making Your Bed." In the Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk, he interviews Admiral McRaven. It is lengthy BUT so many gold nuggets! Working hard, determination, the ill effects of 'winging it,' being very clear with your message. While the focus is leadership, apply these same skills to your job. Whether you are the head secretary, Head Cook, teacher, para with a small group you are leading people; leading students.
Hope you, too, find some gold nuggets. :D
Sunday is Mother's Day. Enjoy and reflect on the mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and/or teacher you are to children. You don't have to 'biologically' have children to be called mom. Thank you for all you do!
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