1-29-2021

 Excited that Melissa, April and Danielle were able to get theater club tryouts completed online and now have a stellar cast for The Wizard of Oz. Look forward to seeing the hard work of the kids and the sponsors a little later than usual this year.

Inviting participation with thumbs up responses.

Alex and Colleen were able to run a minecraft tournament Wednesday after school.  I heard from Alex and some of the students what a great time they had.  Nice to have a virtual activity for the students to participate in.

The Fastest route is not always a straight line.  

Thanks to everyone for doing a stellar job during the snow/remote day on Tuesday.  Despite staff having different circumstances at home our students received a good day of instruction.  I appreciate the extra effort whether you came in the building or taught from home.  

It was nice to see Judy Buchman back in the building this week and Laura P as a sub for MJ's room.  Also thanks to Angela who will be training a new sub tomorrow.  

Why teens should understand their own brain and why teachers should as well.

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51237/why-teens-should-understand-their-own-brains-and-why-their-teachers-should-too

Thanks to Ellen, Kim, Marcia, Megan S and Melissa for helping make calls to parents who forget to online certify their child.  Please remember to go online to self-certify yourself each day.

5 writing activities to use in all subjects and why it is important.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-students-should-write-all-subjects

As of right now the state is planning on moving forward with state testing (IAR, DLM, Access, ISA) Thanks to Kim and Greg, along with other staff who is working behind the scenes to make sure it is ready if we do have to test in March/April. 

5 simple ideas to increase connection.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-ways-take-some-distance-out-distance-learning

Thanks to Melissa who is also working behind the scenes trying to organize and plan our safety drills that we are still required to do for all students this year.  More information to come.

Band using Visuals and music to plan some snowball fun last Tuesday

Thanks to teams for continuing to reach out and communicate with families whose students are struggling remotely.  As frustrating as it is, your efforts do help. I will be jumping into teams on Friday to brainstorm specific students. 

Some spoken word poetry from Megan P's room on the importance of getting names right.

"The secret of success is an absolute ungovernable curiosity." -- Larry King

"You only go around once, but if you play your cards right, once is enough." -- Frank Sinatra.

"The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible." -- George Burns