Thursday Thriller
Thursday, October 15, 2020
SHOUT OUT to Armida, Ashley, Maria and Rigo! They were running from room to room translating up until 7:45 last night! You guys are the BEST!!!
Some photos from last Friday. It was fun and energizing to visit with teams about the work going on. I wish we could see the work of our colleagues outside of our PLC's. Your socks would be knocked off!! :D
Michelle Paine's students studied how to make butter and then made some in class! The students loved it!
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Steve and Angie have been working on conducting a virtual Unity Day. Unity day will be on Wednesday, Oct 21st. The PE teachers have graciously accepted to teach the lessons during PE. Now, not all students will get the slides/lessons but I thought teaching the lessons through PE would be best since other content areas have had iReady, new curriculum, etc. I think we may encourage students and staff to wear orange next Wednesday.
2. SPIRIT DAY next FRIDAY the 23rd (I got this idea from Barb Casey at PPT) MULLET FRIDAY! Business on top, party on the bottom😄
Instead of individual let's go by SECTIONS of the BUILDING
Upstairs: Charlie, Marie, Kim R, Nate F, Jen, Donnetta, Amy K, Chad P, Tobi, Nathan D, Adam, Steve and Gonzalo
"7th Grade Hallway" : Mike Bertram, Nick, Stephanie, Michelle P, Reggie, Babett, Cynthia, Rachelle, Brian C, Brent, Doug, Mark Stimmel, Rob and Will
Extensions to the Hallways: the Cooks, Sean, Mike Braddock, Amber, Chad H, Sam, Roger, Karen, Kara, Angie
"8th Grade Hallway: Caleb, Beth, Agnes, Zoe, Heather, Nate C, Mary, Maria, Rigo, Conor, Shannon, Sue, Diane, Amy S, Jose, Jami and Stacey
Which team will win?
Armida, Ashley, Alicia, Sara, Katie and Alex will be our judges. There will be prizes!!! Let's have some fun!!!!
3. The school Board will be voting Tuesday evening on whether PK-2 students come back to school on the 26th. OF COURSE the Covid levels are being monitored and we are guided by both the CDC, our Health Department and our WWVEA. This is both exciting and raises anxiety for all involved. The communication, flow charts, what ifs are all outlined on our
web site. If all goes well with PK-2 then we will be preparing for the upper grades to return. Again, all of this outlined and will continue to be vetted as we draw nearer to Oct. 26th (all paras Pk-12th will be restored their hours if we go back on the 26th. :D). On the morning of the 26th I will be helping at one of the elementary sites for "all-hands-on-deck." We have to think of some of these little guys who have never been to school and how we can create a safe, welcoming environment while following strict guidelines. This will also give me first hand experience for when we open back up in our half day/hybrid model.
4. Several of you have asked about home visits. Can you make a home visit? The answer is yes. If you want to make a home visit during school hours you need to have a second person with you. Please ask Alex, Katie, Steve, Angie or me. Safety is number one! Also, masks and gloves while standing 6 feet away from the student and family. NEVER go into the house. AND it's best to always call before showing up out of respect for the family.
5. All sack lunch and breakfast meals are FREE to ALL students!! Also, when there is a long weekend we are giving students/families food. For example, yesterday students received three lunches and three breakfasts to get them through. Our Food Service employees are amazing! They not only pack up the lunches but they are so kind and happy with families when they come up to get their food; some by first name.
6. Monday I attended a Risk Management training. This training is for both Admin AND Staff. Attached are the Risk Management papers that go over Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying for both both staff and students. PLEASE take time to read over. Critical points: It is the responsibility of the staff to report if there is wrong doing. Reporting can be done several different ways or options. The building principal or other admin, call, text, email. HR at the District Office or even the Safe Schools Tip line to report any wrong doing if the staff member is the victim.
*This really resonated with me : Never tell a child/student that they have to tell the bully to stop. Rephrase wording to: "HAVE you asked them to stop. You have a right to tell them to stop." NOT YOU HAVE tell them or YOU NEED to tell them.
The papers are important to read. I am documenting the date that I notified and informed staff of these handouts. October 15, 2020
4 Ways to Report Wrong Doing
Listening to podcasts, reading books and articles outside of education is valuable. Seeing how businesses, groups, companies function and run can be applicable to schools. I
n this podcast, The Learning Leader with Ryan Hawk, he interviews Arthur Blank the co-founder of The Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons. Time stamps that resonated with me were 15:55 where Mr. Blank talks about culture and 35:00 where he discusses the long game/long term. Definitely some gold nuggets. Enjoy! :D
Something to make you Smile
Roger's wife, Maria, sent me this song,
The Weight, the other morning. It just put a huge smile on my face and made me feel happy! May you dance, let loose and enjoy this long weekend.
