Saturday, September 26, 2020

The Middle Update 9/26/20

We have 4 weeks with our students under our belts and have gotten the chance to establish relationships with students and parents, as well as build routine and structure into our 2020 learning environment.  I have been in awe of how hard everyone has worked to make the learning experiences engaging and successful for our students.  We have had to look at things through a different lens and be creative in many instances.  I can't tell you just how much I appreciate the extra efforts that have gone into establishing what we have started.  

In times of busyness and stress, it really helps to have your "why" established deep into your core.  Your "why" makes those efforts worth it, and in having the opportunity to see and discuss your "why", it's no surprise that the well-being of our kids is at the core of why we do what we do...it takes a special person to dedicate their career to being a positive force/impact in the lives of others...helping to move the trajectory for some kids in a more positive direction.  It truly impacts the future of our communities.  Thank you doesn't seem like enough sometimes.


Resource of the Week

As we grow more comfortable with the format of our instructional delivery model this year, we now look to creating even more impactful learning experiences for our students.  The article this week shares some research about the impact of having students use questioning to develop a deeper understanding.  The article also gives some examples of how to incorporate this practice into virtual instruction.

"Using Student-Generated Questions to Promote Deeper Thinking" - Youki Terada


Close Contacts and Positive Cases

The spread of the corona-virus in both our state and county continues to be something that is at the forefront of the news.  In the Middle School, we have had students who have been a close contact to a positive case, but as of this writing no positive cases.  In those situations, a close contact to a positive case is ordered by the county to quarantine for 14 days starting with the day of last contact.  A "close contact" of a "close contact" is not required to quarantine.  There are situations where a person can be a "presumptive positive" before actually testing positive...this is when a person has been a close contact and has symptoms...this "presumptive positive" is treated as a positive case.  If we learn that someone at school has been a "close contact" to a positive case, we will communicate that information as soon as possible to the affected individuals.

The communication about these situations can be tricky.  There are HIPAA guidelines that we must follow to protect people's health privacy.  We are still working to ensure that we follow the HIPAA guidelines, and at times that can be frustrating for some.  One thing is for sure, if you have been a close contact to a positive case, you will be contacted as soon as that information is known.

As part of our standard procedures in the office, we keep a spreadsheet of absences that are due to illness...we monitor symptoms, close contacts, and keep tabs on if there are any trends happening within certain groups.  Calls are made home and we are working to be as thorough as possible in ensuring we know if there is corona-virus activity that is close to home.


Virtual Schedules

Our 8th Grade team piloted a Virtual Learning Schedule (8th) that allowed each CORE teacher to meet with each cohort group last Wednesday.  We are working to establish a plan that involves more structure for students and allows for more consistent student/teacher interaction in a virtual learning situation.  The experience from Wednesday went well for the 8th grade team.  The 7th Grade team will also pilot a VL Schedule (7th) this Wednesday.  We'll continue to reflect on the experience, working to provide the best learning experience for our students.  More conversation and planning will continue to happen as we learn more...the 5th and 6th grade groups, along with our Applied Class teachers continue to think about, discuss and prepare as well.  I appreciate each of your efforts to help us be ready for any learning situation that we could encounter in the coming months.

  

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner.  The conferences are scheduled for October 14th (4:00-7:30) and October 15th (2:00-7:30).  At this time, I'm not prepared to share exactly what those will look like (I'll know more after a meeting on Monday), but we can plan for having each teacher plan to meet with the parents of the students in their cohort, with special meetings set up for teachers that teach elective classes.  More information to follow....and it's important to note that Friday, October 16th is a No School Day.


Fire Drills

We are required to perform a monthly fire drill, even in the face of a pandemic.  We can modify how we do a fire drill, however, and that is what we'll do.  We'll conduct our Fire Drills on Tuesday, September 29th starting at 10:00.  I'll be sharing more details soon, however, the drills will involve certain groups heading out of their fire exit doors and to their locations at certain times.  We'll utilize the same exits (for the most part) that students enter and exit from now for their specific classrooms.  Here is a quick summary of locations to head to for each exit.
Door #4 - Should cross Cleveland St. and stay away from other groups.
Door #5 - Should actually exit Door #6 (North side of building) and head to fence away from other groups.
Door #12 - Should head out to an area in the field away from other groups
Door #13 - Should head out to an area in the field away from other groups
Main Entrance - 6th Grade groups should head out and left up to the field away from other groups.  8th grade should head left and proceed to the grassy areas near the sidewalk on the way to the HS away from other groups.


Livestream on Monday Morning

After the announcements, please join a Live Stream for a special Monday event.  

stream.meet.google.com/stream/d991963a-31b2-4057-b059-035e2961a916

Images from the Week





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The Middle Update 9/26/20

We have 4 weeks with our students under our belts and have gotten the chance to establish relationships with students and parents, as well as build routine and structure into our 2020 learning environment.  I have been in awe of how hard everyone has worked to make the learning experiences engaging and successful for our students.  We have had to look at things through a different lens and be creative in many instances.  I can't tell you just how much I appreciate the extra efforts that have gone into establishing what we have started.  

In times of busyness and stress, it really helps to have your "why" established deep into your core.  Your "why" makes those efforts worth it, and in having the opportunity to see and discuss your "why", it's no surprise that the well-being of our kids is at the core of why we do what we do...it takes a special person to dedicate their career to being a positive force/impact in the lives of others...helping to move the trajectory for some kids in a more positive direction.  It truly impacts the future of our communities.  Thank you doesn't seem like enough sometimes.


Resource of the Week

As we grow more comfortable with the format of our instructional delivery model this year, we now look to creating even more impactful learning experiences for our students.  The article this week shares some research about the impact of having students use questioning to develop a deeper understanding.  The article also gives some examples of how to incorporate this practice into virtual instruction.

"Using Student-Generated Questions to Promote Deeper Thinking" - Youki Terada


Close Contacts and Positive Cases

The spread of the corona-virus in both our state and county continues to be something that is at the forefront of the news.  In the Middle School, we have had students who have been a close contact to a positive case, but as of this writing no positive cases.  In those situations, a close contact to a positive case is ordered by the county to quarantine for 14 days starting with the day of last contact.  A "close contact" of a "close contact" is not required to quarantine.  There are situations where a person can be a "presumptive positive" before actually testing positive...this is when a person has been a close contact and has symptoms...this "presumptive positive" is treated as a positive case.  If we learn that someone at school has been a "close contact" to a positive case, we will communicate that information as soon as possible to the affected individuals.

The communication about these situations can be tricky.  There are HIPAA guidelines that we must follow to protect people's health privacy.  We are still working to ensure that we follow the HIPAA guidelines, and at times that can be frustrating for some.  One thing is for sure, if you have been a close contact to a positive case, you will be contacted as soon as that information is known.

As part of our standard procedures in the office, we keep a spreadsheet of absences that are due to illness...we monitor symptoms, close contacts, and keep tabs on if there are any trends happening within certain groups.  Calls are made home and we are working to be as thorough as possible in ensuring we know if there is corona-virus activity that is close to home.


Virtual Schedules

Our 8th Grade team piloted a Virtual Learning Schedule (8th) that allowed each CORE teacher to meet with each cohort group last Wednesday.  We are working to establish a plan that involves more structure for students and allows for more consistent student/teacher interaction in a virtual learning situation.  The experience from Wednesday went well for the 8th grade team.  The 7th Grade team will also pilot a VL Schedule (7th) this Wednesday.  We'll continue to reflect on the experience, working to provide the best learning experience for our students.  More conversation and planning will continue to happen as we learn more...the 5th and 6th grade groups, along with our Applied Class teachers continue to think about, discuss and prepare as well.  I appreciate each of your efforts to help us be ready for any learning situation that we could encounter in the coming months.

  

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner.  The conferences are scheduled for October 14th (4:00-7:30) and October 15th (2:00-7:30).  At this time, I'm not prepared to share exactly what those will look like (I'll know more after a meeting on Monday), but we can plan for having each teacher plan to meet with the parents of the students in their cohort, with special meetings set up for teachers that teach elective classes.  More information to follow....and it's important to note that Friday, October 16th is a No School Day.


Fire Drills

We are required to perform a monthly fire drill, even in the face of a pandemic.  We can modify how we do a fire drill, however, and that is what we'll do.  We'll conduct our Fire Drills on Tuesday, September 29th starting at 10:00.  I'll be sharing more details soon, however, the drills will involve certain groups heading out of their fire exit doors and to their locations at certain times.  We'll utilize the same exits (for the most part) that students enter and exit from now for their specific classrooms.  Here is a quick summary of locations to head to for each exit.
Door #4 - Should cross Cleveland St. and stay away from other groups.
Door #5 - Should actually exit Door #6 (North side of building) and head to fence away from other groups.
Door #12 - Should head out to an area in the field away from other groups
Door #13 - Should head out to an area in the field away from other groups
Main Entrance - 6th Grade groups should head out and left up to the field away from other groups.  8th grade should head left and proceed to the grassy areas near the sidewalk on the way to the HS away from other groups.


Livestream on Monday Morning

After the announcements, please join a Live Stream for a special Monday event.  

stream.meet.google.com/stream/d991963a-31b2-4057-b059-035e2961a916

Images from the Week