Thursday Thriller

September 23, 2021

Fun during lunch recess with Corn Hole and Jenga. Different groups of students coming together that may not have otherwise.

We don't often get a chance to see other hallways throughout the building. Here are a few of the bulletin boards and learning from the 8th grade hallway (I would love to rename our hallways just saying.)

Nuts-n-Bolts

1. We are going through an inordinate amount of paper. PLEASE use the print shop for orders. You can email what you needed copied and receive them back within a couple of days. Thanks for your help. printshop@wwps.org

2. I stand corrected. It will be $240 dollars not $225 in certificated pay checks at the end of the month for classroom supplies, PD, etc.

3. Conferences will be Zoom, phone call and limited in person on Tuesday, October 12 from 3:45-7:30 and Thursday, October 14 from 8:15-3:45 (with a blocked out lunch). The set up for how parents will request conferences is similar to last year with a few improvements. Here is the timeline:

9/22 - Carrie LaRoy sent directions on how to setup appointment slots in Google and how to share the link; on 9/24 Mark will include in the Week in Review conference schedule format
9/27-10/1 NEXT WEEK - Webpage updated with appointment links. Teachers will pre-schedule their Top 5 "must have" conferences--See below. Carrie will also send "How to Videos" to staff that provide directions on Zoom settings and accepting parents requests next week.
10/4 - Webpage live for parents to request a conference. The site will have a help video for parents
Week of 10/11 - Conferences start

Pre-scheduled Conferences: We really want to make sure we have the opportunity to meet with some of those parents we really "need" to see. Thus, we would like you to identify your "Top 5 Need-to-sees," and then reach out to those parents to reserve a spot for them. Because the links are not publically available next week, you will need to schedule the parent for the slot that works best. If you need help reaching a parent who does not answer or have a voicemail, please reach out to Alex and/or Yaneth.

4. Please make sure you are in the hallway in between passing times. Staff presence is important and a great way to see students. I understand there may be times that you are unable to be in the hallway but the expectation is we are in the hallways, greeting students by name and welcoming them into the classroom.

5. Monday, September 27th from 3:30-5:00 in our Garrison library anyone has the opportunity to be fitted for a N95 mask. This is the email from Wade with information:

Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce an incredible opportunity and partnership between WWPS, the City of Walla Walla and the Walla Walla Fire Department. Additionally, a special thank you to Keith Swanson and WWVEA for helping spark this concept.

The school district is offering, free of charge, the opportunity for any employee (district staff, esd employee, or any other adult housed on any one of our campuses), the opportunity to receive a fit-tested N95 mask. The masks (you will receive two actually) are being provided by the district, and the custom fit test (being provided by Lt. Berg from the WW Fire Department), provides exceptionally better protection than traditional two-layer cloth masks or simply wearing an off-the-shelf N95. In about 5-10 minutes, through the use of testing reagents and Lt. Berg's expertise, staff will be custom fitted with an N95 mask that offers over 20 times the protection of a traditional face covering.

Who is this recommended for?

This is available to any employee/staff working within our schools. It is recommended for any employee concerned about their health/safety, and highly recommended for employees who may have underlying health conditions and/or are considered higher-risk.

How do I sign up for this opportunity?

There is no need to sign up. Simply show up to any one of our locations (see below). The locations/dates have been assigned based on Lt. Berg's availability and site accessibility. Feel free to show up to any location. The fit test should take about 5-10 minutes.

How many masks will I receive?

The district is providing two masks. One will be used to fit test and the additional one will be used to replace your original as the mask ages/wears over time.

What if I am an employee who is in a medium to higher risk setting (e.g. school nurse, closer contact with students, life skills staff, etc), or I am an employee who has a medical condition that doesn't allow me to receive the vaccine?

We are offering, free of charge, for select staff like those outlined above, the opportunity to receive a quantitative, instrument-rated fit-tested masking experience. This takes about 20-30 minutes and utilizes a highly-sensitive instrument to fit-test your mask, providing an even greater level of protection (rated at 2000 times better than standard cloth masks). This is available, by appointment, and takes place at the Walla Walla Fire Department Station where the equipment is located. Staff interested in this opportunity are asked to reach out directly to Lt. Javin Berg to arrange an appointment at: jberg@wallawallawa.gov. Again, the masks and Lt. Berg's time are being covered by the district.

If you are interested in a mask but there is a conflict with this date, here are other opportunities:

Tuesday, September 28: Transportation Coop (3:30 - 5:30)

Wednesday, September 29: District Office Boardroom (3:00 - 5:00)

Thursday, September 30: Berney Elementary Library (3:00 - 5:00)

Monday, October 4: Edison Elementary Library (3:00 - 5:00)

Wednesday, October 6: Prospect Point Elementary Library (3:00 - 5:00)

6. If you have papers for me to sign, please give them to Armida. She has a daily folder of items for me to sign and look at it. I just don't want your papers to get lost in my 'organized' HA HA office.

7. Thank you! The door decorating is looking awesome! I know it's an extra thing BUT wow!! I hope you have had fun with it as well as your students. This is another reason Garrison is a great place-we are all in it for kids even when tired and our plates are full. Terri, THANK YOU for organizing the week's events!!! Nice Job!!

8. Remember to sign your time sheet with Armida when you have been absent.

Something to Ponder

A good welcoming activity is also a proactive classroom management strategy—it builds community in the classroom, establishes a sense of shared values, and makes everyone feel included.

Welcoming students by name into your classroom sets the tone for the class period. Are you able to call each student by name; challenging with masks on yes, but doable. While some of the links below are elementary and we know secondary is different; the simple truth remains: welcoming students by name builds relationships, can be a proactive classroom management technique and helps our students know they belong in your class.

Gonzalo welcomes students with a question in Spanish. I like this picture because Gonzalo is smiling with his eyes. :D This is one example of the many I have seen. It is hectic between classes. I'm willing to bet a deep breath and smile for students will also be a return on investment for YOU. :D