The Middle Update 6/30/2020

Resource of the Week
When thinking about how we will exceed the learning needs of our students while following the safety guidelines and protocols, I believe we can learn from our the Spring Remote Learning experience, and take our successes and supplement them with the needs that we saw.  Components of the Flipped Classroom could be a big part of how we operate...taking the vital time that we can see students face to face and utilizing it for feedback, clarification, and discussion.  The resource this week provides a glimpse into some pioneers to this way of teaching and learning from 2012.

"The Flipped Classroom" -Bill Tucker

Construction Update
The workers continue to chip away at the project.  A couple of updated photos for you to enjoy...

The Middle Update 6/25/20

Resource of the Week
The topic that is on the mind of most people (at least among educators and parents) is what school will look like in the fall.  This week, the picture became a little bit clearer with the DPI's release of guidelines for the reopening of schools in the fall.  After review and discussion, it's clear that there is a lot of work to do to prepare for September!  One takeaway is that it's pretty clear we won't be operating in the same manner as we were in the Fall of 2019...and that we'll need to continue to use parts of our Remote Learning experience in whatever plan we utilize.

Our resource this week provides some lessons learned from the remote learning experience that we'll need to keep in mind as we plan for the Fall.

"6 Strategies for Successful Distance Learning" by Lindsay Mitchell

Reopening School in Fall 2020
Flexibility.  Positive Attitude.  Flexibility.  Positive Attitude.  Flexibility.  Positive Attitude.

Two mindsets that are going to be critical to the start of our next school year.  There are many, many things to work out and process through, and I'm not prepared to share a solid plan as of this writing.  However, I like to look at this situation as an opportunity to be special, even better than we were before.  We have the staff to deliver excellence for all students at this school.  I'll be sharing details in a timely manner as much as I can, and I'm happy to talk or discuss thoughts and questions with anyone...just let me know if you'd like to engage in some dialogue around this topic. 

Another Resource
I came across this article and this one, like many, was a realization of something I've done many times without realizing the potential negative impact on some students.  This is another illustration of how important our words and body language are to a student's perception.

"One Word to Drop From Your Teacher Vocabulary" by Holly Hagman

Single Start Time
At their last meeting, the School Board passed a motion to have all of our schools have a uniform start time.  It is looking like that will be 8:10 or close to it for our Middle and High School, and shortly after that for the Elementary School.  This will impact the Master Schedule that we know and have grown comfortable with in some ways...but I'm thinking our Master Schedule won't be utilized as we knew it anyway this fall...Please make note of the new start time. A small group of teachers gathered online to talk through the impacts of the start time on the overall schedule this week, and provided some good suggestions and input for the best way to do it if things were ever to return to how we executed school in the past.

Construction Update
The Middle School continues to undergo a face lift...the progress made is exciting and I'm very, very thankful that we will have more space for our kids this coming fall....that space is going to come in handy for us as we prepare to meet the guidelines necessary to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.  Enjoy the photos captured today, and see if you can figure out where I was standing when the picture was taken!

The Middle Update 6/19/2020

Resources of the Week
As protests continue to take place around the country, it's important for each of us to take some time to learn about the message intended to be sent by protestors, and reflecting on how our country can be a better place for all people.  The resource this week provides a link to a site (teaching tolerance) with many resources for educators providing tools for leading these discussions with students.  I also shared an article I thought was thought-provoking and relevant for the students in our school, and a tweet that I think sums up my train of thought in regards to racism in our country.  Also an article from the all-time best Wisconsin Badger offensive lineman on this topic.

Teaching Tolerance Article Links

"What White Children Need to Know About Race" by Ali Michael and Eleonora Bartoli

Joe Thomas

@joethomas73

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16h

Then, society isn’t able to identify the subtle and subconscious racism that can be the most destructive racism in our society (because it’s constant= racism death by 1 mil paper cuts) with which Black Americans deal with everyday. Can’t identify, can’t fix Then, society isn’t able to identify the subtle and subconscious racism that can be the most destructive racism in our society (because it’s constant= racism death by 1 mil paper cuts) with which Black Americans deal with everyday. Can’t identify, can’t fix

"Just Being "Not Racist" Is Not Good Enough" by Joe Thomas


Construction Update
The project is moving along...demolition is mainly done, and the build back has begun.  Enjoy a few photos of the progress.

The Middle Update 6/12/2020

Resource of the Week
Over the past few weeks, as I watch, read, listen, and try to learn as much as I can about our country's history and connection to today's world.  In our current reality, it can be hard to decipher what is reality and accurate from what is glorified or inaccurate.  It seems easy to find articles and data to back up whatever point of view you'd prefer to take on an issue.  After all is said and done, having respect, care, empathy, and appreciation for everyone is the backbone for peace and what is right.  How can we, in our school, prepare students to be able to sift through the information...be able to understand others, and be a model for what is good in our world...not an easy question to answer, but not impossible either.  The article this week is a collection of resources for us as we continue on our journey to learn more and spread goodness.

"A Guide to Equity and Antiracism for Educators" by Hedreich Nichols

The Puma Way Work...
A big shoutout to Anne, Bonnie, Heather, Jen, and Krista for volunteering to continue to conversation about "The Puma Way".  We have discussed a preliminary plan for how we will utilize this focal point for our culture in our day to day operations...A great group with solid contribuations.  I'm excited to unveil our plan and get to work!

Single Start Time...
The School Board will be discussing the possibility of having a uniform start time for the schools in our district.  The community was surveyed and the results indicate between 75% and 80% of families in our district would prefer a common start time.  There are definitely positives and a few drawbacks to a change in start time for the Middle School, but easing some daycare issues for families and giving our Middle and High School students some more time to sleep are definitely positives.  There certainly are many more details to work out after the board meeting, but the school day would start sometime around 8:10.

Construction Update
Demolition is almost complete in the building and the build back is almost ready to get underway.  Some classrooms have already gotten some paint and most of the ceilings in the building are removed.  It's safe to say our building is going to look and feel quite different the next time once school is ready to gear up again the fall.

The Middle Update 6/5/2020

I think it goes without saying that this has been a week in our country's history that will be highlighted and written about when people learn about what happened in the year 2020 in the United States.  The events that have followed George Floyd's death in Minneapolis have caused me to reflect on my own beliefs, biases, and way of thinking.  After listening to the message of protestors and from people of color, I have decided that I need to seek to understand and learn more to broaden my perspective and increase my understanding and empathy.  That inner reflection led me to purchase the audiobook "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo.  The resource of the week sheds more light on this topic for educators.

Resource of the Week
Race relations and racism are sometimes uncomfortable topics to think and talk about for many people.  The article this week provides a summary of the book "White Fragility" from an educator's perspective.  The article uncovers some valuable reasons for all of us to learn more about our role in making our country a better place for all people.  I have purchased the audiobook...if you are interested and have the Apple Books app...I think I can share it...just reach out to me, and we'll give it a shot.  Growing our understanding of this topic is perhaps even more critical for us, as we lead students in a rural, primarily white population of students.

Robin DiAngelo on Educators' "White Fragility" - Sarah McKibben in Ed. Leadership

"The PUMA Way"
Great steps were taken in our last couple of staff meetings laying some groundwork for identifying and reinforcing the culture we want at Poynette Middle School.  I would love to have some interested people work on this a bit more over the summer months.  If you are interested in this work, and wouldn't mind committing to a Google Meeting once every couple of weeks or so, let me know and we'll put a group together to continue the momentum we have started and plan for a solid, effective implementation.  I really am excited about the possibilities that many of us have discussed with this work.

Construction Update
The demolition work is nearing completion this week, and the rebuild part will be starting soon.  I took some pictures to share...things are starting to look a bit different.

Cafeteria Space

New Band Space

Hallway Outside of Mrs. Mrnak's room

IMC

New Elementary School
I was able to visit and tour the new Elementary School this past week, and it's really awesome.  It really is amazing the steps our district has come in the past couple of years.  As I walk by Mr. Hausser's empty office this week, I feel the type of sadness you feel when a neighbor moves away.  I believe the presence of this building in our district will help guide us on our path to be the best district there ever was and ever will be...lots of work to do yet!!