I want to start this post by saying thank you again for the flexibility and positivity during this past week. Making an adjustment in lesson plans in the middle of the week and transitioning to teaching all of the students online is not an easy task. Through these uncertain times, your ability to adapt and persevere when things are uncertain and challenging has been a model for students. Our kids have had the opportunity to see up front how adults react to stressful situations, and I'm happy they are learning from true professionals. Thank you for your efforts and pulling off solid learning experiences for our students!
Resource of the Week
The article this week provides some insight from a fellow teacher about effective assessment strategies in a remote learning situation.
"4 Assessment Strategies for Distance and Hybrid Learning" - Kyleen Gray
Virtual Learner Expectations
In our staff meeting time a few weeks ago, we discussed the importance of setting up Virtual Learner Expectations with your groups of students. Mrs. Wagner shared the expectations that her class came up with. Simple, straight-forward, student driven are indicators of expectations that work well.
Keeping School Open During a Pandemic...
We have worked hard as a school district to understand what the leading health experts have recommended to open schools safely for students and staff, and have put in place those safety measures. Part of those recommendations require the close monitoring of student/staff health and symptoms, and keeping people that have symptoms out of school. Like we have seen this past week, we have acted cautiously when there has appeared to be an increase in the number of students/staff with multiple symptoms or in the event of a positive COVID case. We are one of the first groups contacted if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID, and in those instances contact tracing and quarantine precautions are implemented quickly.
Over the course of the first 12 weeks of school, the virus and its impact on schools has been studied extensively. We continue to review not only our local situation, but also what is happening in our neighboring school districts, as well as school districts across the country. Below are a couple of links to recent releases, research, or articles on the topic from non-biased sources. A couple of opinion articles published this week in the New York Post and Washington Times are also interesting reads on the topic.
State of Michigan Order (11/15/20)
Brown University Study (11/16/20)
NPR's analysis on Schools in Europe (11/13/20)
NPR on New York City's Latest Decision on Schools (11/18/20)
School Safety
Even during this unusual school year, we are still responsible for executing our safety drills. One of the next safety drills that we will conduct will be our lock-down drill. This year, we will not ask teachers to close the door, turn off the lights, and have students shelter in place. In its place, we'll ask teachers to conduct a cognitive drill with your students. We'll provide the talking points again, but the purpose would be to discuss what to do in a situation in which a dangerous person may enter the school. More details including a guide to this discussion & day/time will be provided soon.
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