It's Almost Game Time!!

I want to thank you for your efforts in preparing for this school year.  In a time that has most everyone experiencing a wide range of emotions, we, as a team, are about as prepared as we can be to execute our return to learn plan.  I am experiencing a little "pre-game jitters", but I am scared to think of what I would feel if we didn't have such an amazing team.  I appreciate each one of you so much, and am so thankful for the "all hands on deck" mentality we had preparing this building to educate our kids.  I feel very fortunate to be your Principal...thank you.

The post this week has some important information for further preparation as tomorrow morning is less than 24 hours away as of this writing.  There will no doubt be things that come up that challenge us...but having a solid understanding of our guiding principles for a safe re-opening of schools will help guide each of us in the moment as we have to make decisions....for those situations that are "in-betweeners or gray", please err on the side of safety and it's ok to say, "I will check for sure, but for now we'll ___________".  

Resource of the Week

Many of us were discussing how to best utilize groups of students for collaboration and rotate through them to give them enough feedback during our Wednesday morning session.  The article this week provides some thoughts and strategies for doing this effectively in a socially distanced world.

"Station Rotation in an Era of Social Distancing" - Catlin Tucker

1st Day Logistics

Students will be arriving in the morning on campus.  Buses will line up and won't let students off until we ask them to do so. (I'll be out by the buses)  Teachers should be in their classrooms.  Everyone else should be at their assigned morning location.  Students that walk to school or were dropped off will be let inside at 7:19 am by the door supervisors.  Once all of those students enter the building through their assigned door, we'll release the first bus, when those students enter the building, we'll release the next, etc.

Students should report to their classrooms when they enter the building.  

     -Students may have brought something they needed to return from last spring (textbook/chromebook/hot spot, etc.).  Those materials will need to be returned to the office, but please don't send them down with these materials right away in the morning.  Please email Robin if you have a student or two that brought back materials that need to be returned, and she will help coordinate that return sometime throughout the day.

     -Some students may not be set up with an account yet.  These students still need to turn in an AUP form.  If a new student has an AUP or any other form that needs to come to the office, you may send them down right away in the morning.

     -The only other student that should be sent down to the office is a student that is not on anyone's list...if a students shows up that we are not expecting, we'll need to work that out in the office.

Announcements will begin at or close to 7:30

     -As students come in, go ahead and get them situated and in their locations, as you begin to learn more about them.  I'll get on the announcements for the Pledge and then I'll direct people to go ahead and join the live stream link - stream.meet.google.com/stream/82a2f99d-687e-440d-ab2e-1b90c167b57d - Once the live stream is complete, go ahead and continue with your plans.

Breakfast/Lunch Count Procedures (This is slightly different than what we discussed during our meeting)

     -Each teacher will have a laminated sheet of paper with a bar code for each student in their mailbox.  You should ask students who would like a school breakfast or a milk.  If a student wants a breakfast (white milk comes with), please circle their name.  If a student would like a milk only (white is only option), please write an M by their name.  Mrs. Jackson will come around and collect those sheets so the kitchen can prepare.  After you do this, you can go ahead and ask how many students plan to eat school lunch.  You can enter that information on the attendance page in Infinite Campus.  Breakfasts will be brought to the Homerooms each morning prior to the scheduled time for your grade.

Specials Drop Off and Pick-Up

     -Each Homeroom teacher should walk their group from their class to their first elective.  After the first elective is over, the elective teacher will walk with their group down the hall to their next area.  Either Mr. Schultz or Mrs. Graeve will be out in the downstairs hallway in between, and either Mrs. Serstad or Mr. Kartos - or Mrs. Cross or Mr. Digman will be out in the hallway near the lower ramp area.  The Homeroom teacher should then pick up their class from the at the end of the last Elective time.  We may have to iron out the "in-between" times so that we can sanitize high touch surfaces in between groups...

Recess Locations and Door Use

     -The Logistics document has been updated with Door #'s  to use for outside break time and social time over lunch break.  The map with locations and exit door #'s is below.

Homeroom Modification for Virtual Students

Last Thursday, we made a modification to our Homeroom grouping plan.  For our Homeroom lessons and meetings, our virtual students will meet via Google Meet together instead of joining a Homeroom group lesson that is taking place as an in-person group.  Mr. Schultz will lead the 8th grade virtual students, Mrs. Graeve the 7th grade, Mrs. Morton the 6th, and Mrs. Snyder the 5th.  The students will remain in the original assigned Homeroom groups for classes.  Homeroom teachers are "go-to" persons for our virtual students.

Student Restroom Use

Students should use the assigned restroom for their Homeroom class.  Restroom breaks are built into the schedule, however, a student may be released to use the restroom in the event a student really has to go.

IMC Tour and Book Check-Out

Each Homeroom group will have the opportunity to tour the new IMC and check out a book starting on Thursday, Sept. 3.  A group will not have their PE class on one of these days and instead will report to the IMC based on the rotation found in this document in the "IMC Rotations" tab.  Ebony will be leading the tours and check-out.  Students will remain in the IMC for the whole class period.  Rotations are also below:

8th Grade	Thursday (9/3)	Friday (9/4)	Tuesday (9/8)
7:45 - 8:28	Andringa	Odden	Moe
8:28 - 9:10	Mrnak	Frehner
7th Grade	Thursday (9/3)	Friday (9/4)	Tuesday (9/8)
9:10 - 9:55	Hecht	Williams	Walther
9:55 - 10:40	Johnson	Hendrickson
6th Grade	Thursday (9/3)	Friday (9/4)
11:50 - 12:30	Crawford	Kallungi
12:30 - 1:10	Weckerly	Rogness
5th Grade	Thursday (9/3)	Friday (9/4)	Tuesday (9/8)
1:15 - 1:52	Stangler	Wheeler	Wagner
1:52 - 2:30	Milewski	Larson

Couple of Manager Items that we Didn't Cover in our Meeting

Air Filtration Circulation Units - Please turn these off before you leave at the end of the day and on in the morning.  The units are efficient at the "Normal" setting.

Staff Lounge - Teachers may use the refrigerators and visit to purchase a soda during the school day, however, this area is not open for staff congregation during lunch times or after school to help prevent any staff to staff spread.

Hot Spots - Hot spots can be available for any student that does not have internet connection at home.  If a student has a question, they should contact the office.

Staff Meetings - We will meet virtually as a staff on Wednesday (9/2) afternoon starting at 2:30.  I'll send directions and an invitation soon.

Employee Handbook - Typically I do an Employee Handbook reminder slide in at least one of our Back to School presentations.  Please take a review of the Employee Handbook and see me with any questions.  I have the same interpretations of our policies as always.

The Middle Update 8/22/2020

 

Resource of the Week

I've enjoyed the conversations this week with teams about the logistics and practicality of carrying out online lessons, taking advantage of face to face time, while also working to involve our students who are working from home.  The resource this week provides some guidance on many strategies that educators have used to reach involve and reach all students.  The strategies appear to be very practical for the model we will be utilizing.

"Active Learning in Hybrid and Physically Distanced Classrooms" - Derek Bruff, Vanderbilt University

All District In-Service

The In-Service Schedule has been shared.  Please keep taking a look at the online version, as a couple of things have been adjusted in the last week, and may be adjusted as the day draws nearer.

Re-Opening Logistics

I have enjoyed the many meetings, conversations and planning sessions that have taken place over the summer, especially during the last week.  Make no mistake, what lies ahead will be challenging, and filled with setbacks and triumphs.  One thing I enjoy seeing the most, is the optimism and success that comes after facing and working through a challenge that seems insurmountable at first.  Thoughtful, critical, and collaborative discussion by talented people make that happen.  It's the "Perseverance" part in action of what we are going to be stressing with our students as part of "The Puma Way".

Below are a couple of key, critical documents that contain the nuts and bolts part of our re-opening plan.  Please take time to review prior to our time together on Tuesday.  

For the In-service, we will have one Middle School Staff Meeting per day that will take place in the PMS Cafeteria space.  For our first meeting, we will meet socially distanced and face to face.  For the next two meetings, staff will have the choice to join either in person (distanced) or virtually.  There will be a great deal of time for planning.  Grade level teams will need to meet, along with department aligned teams.  Great teamwork will be needed now more than ever to carry out our plan successfully.  I will be sharing a sign-up sheet for those times for anyone wanting to meet with me during these times....team or individual.

2020-2021 Back to School Inservice Schedule

2020-2021 Schedule - includes Specials rotation plan - We will need to utilize A, B, C, D, and E days for grades 5, 7, and 8...and A, B, C, D days for grade 6

2020-2021 Logistics - includes entry/exit information, recess times/locations, restroom assignments, etc. 

Letter to Parents about Logistics - We emailed home this letter on Saturday morning, and we plan to mail it at the beginning of the week along with other specific information about entry/exit assignments, COVID-19 symptom information, etc.)

All Back to School Communications that we have sent home

I can't wait to see all of you!  Enjoy your weekend!!

The Middle Update 8/15/2020

We are almost ready to officially embark on the interesting, unique, exciting, unprecedented journey of kicking of the 2020-2021 school year.  We continue to receive and review up-to-date guidance from the DPI, DHS, and CDC as we plan for the coming school year.  One thing is for sure, we will utilize Google Classroom as the hub for our instructional materials and lessons for all students, so that we can be flexible with how we move our students forward in their skills.  Thank you for the continued conversations about our plan...your perspective and input is critical to executing our plan.

 

Resource of the Week

Google Classroom and Meet have become critical parts of the way we educate students virtually.  Google plans to implement some enhancements to both platforms that will help educators be even more effective with these tools.  Take a look at what is to come.

"More Details on what's coming to Meet and Classroom" - Google blog

 

Instructional Model

When the reopening of schools guidance came out earlier this summer, the ability to be flexible was emphasized strongly.  This guidance was a strong, key factor in us choosing to move forward in the manner that we are planning.  As of this writing, we are scheduled to begin seeing students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with Wednesdays being a Virtual Learning Day.  

The board approved this plan, but also the ability to move into different models depending on recommendations from health experts.  Districts are still expecting DHS to provide some more specific parameters as to how schools should open based on the health data specific to each school's location.  Moving forward, we should be expecting to be flexible and move to any of the following models as we move throughout the 20-21 school year:

Fully In-Person (5 days per week)

Hybrid (In-person 4 days per week)

Hybrid (In-person at 50% capacity, Half meets MT, W virtual, other half meets RF)

Fully Virtual 

I believe by using Google Classroom as the main hub for posting our instruction, and utilizing Google Meet to confer with students virtually (even while in the same building), we will be set up to move in and out of models as seamlessly as possible.  We will refine our practices and get better every day.  Our intent is to be able to provide feedback, assess, hold students accountable, just as we would under "normal" school conditions...ultimately seeing the same type of growth in student learning as we would normally expect.

Logistics for Staff to Plan Around

The routines that we work to establish will definitely need more discussion and refinement as we learn from the experience of executing a different type of plan than we are accustomed.  As a staff, we all must be strong models and have high expectations for our students in following the health protocols put in place to protect the health of everyone.  To be effective, we must all be strong and consistent in this area.  I will continue to work on the communication with families for what our expectations for students and families will be (I sent out two videos so far, and plan to, at least weekly, leading up to the start of school)...emphasizing staying home if feeling sick at all, proper face-covering etiquette, and important hygiene practices and expectations.  In our "Open House" meetings, this will need to be emphasized by each teacher in the conversation with the family.

A couple of staff expectations will be different as well.  Teachers will need to be ready and in our classrooms by 7:15.  We will direct students to go to their classrooms when they arrive, going through an assigned door that will have staff present.  Bus drop-off will be staggered and done one at a time (off of Cleveland St.), starting around 7:20.  This adjustment will move the typical staff working day to 7:15-3:15.  A schedule was shared earlier this week for how we will move throughout our day.

For Virtual Wednesdays, staff will be able to work from home.  The school building will be deep cleaned, however, the building will still be open for any staff that would like to work from school.  Staff should come in to school if there are concerns with home internet connection or to use your school phone for parent/student communication.  For Virtual Wednesdays, we'll start by having asynchronous lessons/activities planned and posted for students.  We'll spend some time on this as a staff during our time together prior to the start of school, but as of right now, I'm thinking Virtual Wednesday's schedule will look something like this:

8:00 - Each teacher Google Meets with Homebase groups for a Homeroom lesson/discussion and preview of the day's work

8:15 - 12:00 - Students work on asynchronous lessons.  Teacher/Student Meetings - meet with individual or small groups of students.  These meetings should be scheduled (using Google Calendar) with students and spent conferring with them and providing clarifying or growth-oriented feedback on their performance in class.

12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch

12:30 - 3:30 - Teacher Prep for Lessons/Assessing Student Work - Team or Department Meetings - Continued meetings with students - Students continue to work on activities.

Open House Plan

We will not host our typical 4:00 - 7:00 Open House on Thursday (8/27).  This time is typically a critical time for students to come in, find their bearings, and meet their teachers.  In its place we will work to create a virtual experience for our students and families.  Building strong, trusting relationships with students and their families is going to be even more critical than ever this school year.  We will plan to start building those relationships during the weeks before school starts.

Our plan will involve having each teacher schedule a Google Meeting with each student and his/her family that is assigned to their Homebase group.  Teachers that do not have a homebase group should work with the grade levels they will be working with, to join in some of these meetings for our students that we know are in need of strong school connections (see me if unsure).  These meetings can begin as early as this coming week, but a connection (google meet or phone conversation) MUST be made by the end of day on Friday, 8/28. (Please share your meeting log with me at some point prior to end of day 8/28)

We will provide a script for teachers to use for these meetings.  We must take time to get to know and learn as much as we can about each student and his/her family.  The goal is to establish a relationship with the family so communication throughout the year is comfortable and trusting.  I will communicate with families this week about what to expect, and share a sample script in the first part of this week.

Orientation Meetings

I plan to host virtual orientation meetings in the week leading up to school.  I plan to live-stream the meeting for families and posting the recording for anyone to access that couldn't make the live-stream time.  If anyone has any unique or exciting ideas that could enhance these meetings, I am always open to incorporating entertaining parts that will make this experience more enjoyable for families.

Before the start of school, each grade level team, with our all teachers included in some way, should send home some type of communication aimed at helping students/families know more about our staff.  This can be done utilizing any type of communication technique (video, blog post, letter, etc).  If a great idea came to your head while reading this, please send me your thoughts. :)

Homebase Groups

I shared Homebase group assignments on Friday afternoon.  We are finalizing and confirming the students/families that will be choosing the all-virtual option.  Students in green have had their choice confirmed by the survey.  There was a great deal of time spent reviewing/planning for these groups to be set up for success.  We plan to share student class assignments in the middle of this week by making them viewable for parents in Infinite Campus.

The conversations around the students in our groups is an indicator of the type of culture we have in our school.  We have discussed how our expectations for students, the words we use, our body language impact the ultimate success a student will have for us.  Our reaction and conversation around the students assigned to us makes a difference.  When reviewing the students, thinking..."I am going to be the difference for these kids"...or "I am going to help this kid have the best school year he/she has ever had" will help set the stage for successful outcomes.  Our mindset and approach is the difference...both in action and behind the scenes.  Some need our help/guidance more than others, and some sometimes show their needs in ways that are undesirable to us...but being the type of school we all want to be a part of requires a positive mindset from each of us about each student we will encounter.

I am most proud of our staff for taking kids that have struggled in other places, and helping facilitate a positive experience for them in Poynette.  A school setting can truly change the trajectory for a student.

Renovation Project

Sorry no pictures this week...We are getting close.  We hope to have all things moved back to their locations and ready to unpack towards the end of this week.  Please continue to communicate with me about building access this week.  The building looks so different...very exciting.

What lies ahead...

One things remains at the core of what we do, no matter what it looks like this school year...we get the opportunity to impact kids.  I am so looking forward to seeing kids again, talking with them, and helping them in this critical time in their lives.  Our kids need us.

Mrs. Crawford sent a quote that I thought was worthy of sharing (even though it's from a member of the Chicago Cubs)...I am excited to be on this journey with you and this team.

The Middle Update 8/7/2020

For me, this week has brought with it the pace that I'm accustomed to working while school is in session.  While preparation certainly has been happening each day throughout the summer, the calendar turning to August somehow has a way to shed a little bit of urgency to the planning process.  With that being said, thank you for all you have done to help in our 20-21 school year preparations.  Lots to share this week!

20-21 School Preparation Communications

We all understand that this coming school year will be different than we are accustomed.  With that being said, communicating the things that will be different with all stakeholders becomes so crucial.  This week we continued the communication with our families and students.  Communications are linked below.  This is just the beginning, as we will be sending weekly communication home throughout August...topics will include: hygiene, proper face-covering use procedures, typical school day, building renovations, etc.  If you are interested in creating or sharing any other resources (videos, handouts, etc), on any other topic you feel is important, just let me know.

Family Communication 8/4/2020 (video link embedded in letter)

Staff Communication 8/5/2020

Resources of the Week

The first resource is a Google Classroom tutorial.  This is a video shared by a teacher that shows how to set up and utilize Google Classroom effectively and efficiently.  Even though I feel pretty comfortable using Google Classroom, I learned some helpful tips from this video.

"How to Use Google Classroom for Remote Teaching" - New EdTech Classroom

Many questions from, well, basically everyone, center around protocols we'll use to determine whether someone needs to stay home, for how long, etc. if they have been around someone that is/was sick or experiencing symptoms.  We will be working closely with our health department with these issues, and the WI Department of Health Services has provided guidance linked below.  We certainly will be spending time in the coming weeks on these topics so everyone is on the same page.  Below is one resource that I thought explained the recommendations to follow.

https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/Returning_to_School_After_COVID-19.pdf

DPI and DHS has shared that more guidance for schools to use around topics like, "how do schools determine if a school should close?" will be sent out for us next week sometime.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Many of you have taken classes or studied UDL.  Basically the philosophy of UDL centers around being clear with Learning Targets/Objectives for students, and being flexible with how students access the learning and ultimately with the way they share their learning/understanding.  With the online environment that we will be working in this coming school year, the principles of UDL become more important to consider in planning our lessons.  Click on the link below to learn more...

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/treatments-approaches/educational-strategies/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works

A short video (2.5 minutes)...aimed at college educators, but key principles are key for all educators

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGQ_7K35ysA

Floating Inservice Days

Please communicate with me what you are planning for your 3 floating in-service days.  I may be able to facilitate a time for you to get into your classroom space sooner than August 24th.  We'll just have to work to arrange it.  Also, I'll be looking to schedule some time to meet with each teacher for a bit to plan for the coming school year, set goals, and talk through the plan.

Construction Update

The work continues to move along.  The big project around campus this week was the resurfacing of the parking lot.  A lot of progress was made, but we still anticipate the parking lot being closed for over a week or so yet.  If you visit either the MS or HS building, you'll have to park on the street.  Things are starting to take shape a little more each day.