T Thursday Thriller
August 20, 2020
How about that dang power outage this morning? GAH! Talking about losing my shiz! I pulled it together and had a perspective check.
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Building Directed days are as follows:
Tuesday, September 1st
8:00-3:00. The goal is to do PD in
the AM and then let you practice with technology in the PM. The feedback from the survey was to hone in
on Zoom and Google Classroom PD
Wednesday, September 2nd
8:00-3:00 –same format; PD and practice
Thursday, September 3rd 8:00-3:00 (This is the 181st contract day that is ½ principal directed and half teacher directed.) The morning will be logging in and Zooming with 1st period class, come together as a staff to talk about what tweaks we can make for a smooth go on Tuesday the 8th and then staff is free to work
Monday, August 31st and Tuesday, September 1st from 10:00-6:00 will be technology pick up. Kim Cassetto has taken the lead with librarians to make this happen! Jami, Kara, Armida and I will meet tomorrow to finalize plans.
a.
Inside the Tech Tote will be the following:
i. Chromebook
and charger (families will be asked if they have internet. If families do not, we will then issue a Hot
Spot or Kajeet. Families need to know it
is one per household, content protected and only runs 6:00AM-11:00PM.
ii. Earbuds
upon request
iii. Student’s
schedule
iv. One
page directions on how to log on in both English and Spanish
v. Welcome
back letter from Cesar and me
vi. A
Garrison ‘swag’ sticker…hopefully if they arrive in time.
vii. If you would like to do a letter for your students, then we ask that you put them in the totes. The totes will be lined up by grade level and in alpha order much like we did last spring
b. Textbooks, consumables,etc will be picked up the following week. Week one really focus on relationships, norms and how to use the technology.
3. We need to wear our masks when you enter the building and especially if you are collaborating with colleagues. This is a non-negotiable because we can be held liable and even deemed ‘negligent’ if we don’t follow safety guidelines. Masks on until you get to your space, by yourself. Anytime you step out of your space, classroom, office, custodial office masks must be worn.
4. Communication is going out to parents via ‘snail mail’ this week regarding the upcoming tech pick up, when students get their schedules and to reassure parents that our online learning is much better than last spring’s crisis teaching for lack of better words. In addition, Cesar and I will be creating a quick video with Will’s help, to explain to parents what synchronous/asynchronous learning means, ATTENDANCE DOES count, grading is NOT like last spring and students will be engaged with their teachers and peers. This will go out Friday of next week with a robo call, text and email. Please let me know if there is something I am missing and need to include in the video. Thank you. :D
5. Encourage all of you to check out the web page that Wade and Mark Higgins update daily.
6. As we think about the start of the school year with students, making connections is critical(I realize I am preaching to the choir). This is a short podcast with some tips. Dave Stuart, Jr. is the same author of the book These 6 Things that the ELA department is reading. Moments of Genuine Connection MCG’s. :D
7. Master schedule, numbers and sections-we are still working on. It is like a moving target with enrollment. Our goal is to obviously keep students at Garrison but if they choose to go to WW Online then we still have the count and the money that follows the students. So far we are pretty dang lucky here at Garrison. My elementary principal colleagues are having to collapse sections and reassign teachers with school starting in only two weeks; tough, tough stuff. With that being said, there still may be changes that have to be made. You may end up picking up a new and different prep. Our goals of common planning, less than 3 preps have kinda gone out the window. 7 periods to 6 and then teaching only 5 reduces what we can and cannot do. Our numbers are different which means our counterparts at Pioneer may be offering different things because of their staffing and numbers. I’m ‘soap boxing’ because we are the voice that must tell the story when people ask us. We are doing the best we can trying to offer as many things as possible but recognizing that we can’t. We are prepared to offer a robust and great curriculum/teaching experience via tech. We are not merely surviving we are need to thrive! Soap box done. I know you are on board, there will be difficult times but we can do this!
Something to Ponder
This podcast made me think a lot! I listened to it twice. The first 21 mins are powerful! It's about adjusting, being agile and pivoting. When I think of pivoting, I think of a good, two foot jump stop. You have to have that first, in most cases, in order to pivot.
Our two foot jump stop is the work you are doing now. Planning, learning about Zoom, diving into new curriculum, talking to your colleagues; you are giving yourself options to pivot left or right because of your preparation.
T Two quotes in this podcast resonated. "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." -Bob Marley
"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." -Margaret Thatcher
Hope you find a few gold nuggets. :D
