July 30, 2020
For the record...when school starts I will post pictures of staff and students. Right now you get the Doepker grandchildren 😆
Persistence is a great quality to have because it will pay off in the end. Here are two videos of persistence; eye on the prize, going after exactly what you want and not stopping until you get it!
Nuts-n-Bolts
1. Here are
documents regarding August PD and Google Classroom workshops.
2. Summary of
questions asked yesterday during our optional Zoom Q & A:
a. We
still do not know which format we will be in when school begins in
September. That decision will come sooner rather than later.
b.
If we begin with Distance Learning 2.0, professional development will be around
making Google classroom better, working within departments about possibly what
those 'super hero' standards are (5 in 5 out. What are the 5
standards/skills a 6th grade math student must know to launch into 7th grade
math as an example), what does grading look like? Obviously not like the
spring. :D Standards and expectations will be high just as if students
were in front of us.
c. 6th grade elective wheel is gone. The
elective they get is Digital Learning/Character Strong unless they are in music
in which students will have the option to waive PE(don't know all the details
on how that would work). Dual students still get dual.
d. We don't know what band/orchestra/choir will look
like. We are still offering those classes. Roger is on the state
board and will keep us apprised of updates
e. Students in 7/8th their elective will be determined
for them. Students who want Spanish 1 or 2 and music will get
those. They, too, will have the opportunity to waive PE. Not sure
the details around waiving but will communicate as soon as known.
***PE IS
IMPORTANT. The reason we discussed (we being the MS admin with Wade,
Chris and Christy) the option to waive PE was that losing a year of music
and not being able to take the high school credit Spanish classes might have
more of a devastating impact on enrollment as well as more frustration on top
of COVID.
f. Our
platform for online learning is still Google Classroom
g. Our AM/PM schedule will be based on an 8:00 start
time for AM vs our 'normal' 8:50 start time.
Something to Ponder
As many of you know, I
enjoy listening to podcasts! I learn so much while being energized to do
better. Cult of Pedagogy is one of my favorite
podcast and blog. This podcast is focused on how online learning is
different from face-to-face learning AND Jennifer Gonzalez's guest gives ideas,
links and suggestions.
While we don't
know if we will be online or in person with an AM/PM schedule, the foundation
is this: our goal should be to thrive through this pandemic! If we
merely have a mindset of 'surviving', then that's exactly what we will do; coming
out on the other end no better than when we started. If we thrive, we
have a mindset to do better than last spring. Maya Angelo,
"Know better, do better." Whichever model we are
in, it will be messy, clunky, frustrating BUT if we work together around our
shared mission, vision and core values THEN when we come out on the other side
our shared goal will make us a stronger community.
Mission: Garrison Middle School ensures all students grow
academically and socially, achieving high levels of learning to be successful
in high school.
Vision: Collectively we guarantee all students access to
high levels of quality learning and opportunities for measurable growth both
academically, socially and emotionally.
Core Values:
- Focus on the four questions
- Engage in professional discourse
- Give and receive creative and constructive feedback
- Understand our work is never done
- Listen to understand
- Make being on time a priority
- Set clear and meaningful goals
- Develop and administer CFAs
- Come prepared with data
- Examine student work
- Create data-driven action plans
Goal: All teams will complete at least four CFA cycles
by May of 2021
Little Humor
I just laughed. I'm
practicing so when I see you person I know what to say. :D
