Connections

 

The quote to the left was a post by Laurie Desautel on Facebook.   It really hit me hard as this past week was a bit tough.  I often reflect on our students and their needs; so many students who are enduring or have endured situations and experiences that they have not asked for.  Missing dads, foster homes, children of the system, abuse, poverty, etc.  I will never understand how it really feels. It is overwhelming at times.  We are supposed to teach these kids math and English and they are trying to figure out how to survive day to day.    

I have had many kids sit in the big chair in my office in pain.  Some crying, some cussing, some pleading and others just trying to survive. They are not always reasonable or nice, but I know their dysregulation is not a choice but a result of all they have endured.  

Even though the daily grind is a lot for our students, I do have hope.  Brain research shows that with enough connection and love we can start the long process of rewiring their brains.  Sometimes this approach doesn't feel like we are teaching students any lessons but in reality we are!  We are helping them build trust and find ways to stay regulated, keeping them in their pre-frontal cortex.  Helping students strengthen those positive neurons that help them stay regulated will not only help them be ready to learn but also be able to keep a job and raise a family of their own.  I can't think of any better life skill than that.    

I have always connected with Laurie Desautel's words  "Connection Over Compliance".  Coregulation, relational touchpoints, preventative, relational discipline. . . All of this work is a shift but I can't think of a time where it is more needed.  Our students and our families are hurting/struggling.  This is when they need us the most.  We are making a difference each day.  The work you are doing is hard, but you are saving lives.      

Important Information: 

Second Semester Changes - Below is a link to a document that lists second semester changes for students moving in and out of on-line.  The document includes elementary students as well as students in our building.  For students moving back to face-to-face we will be adding their schedules into Skyward.  We will not remove them from your on-line grade book unless you ask us to for grading purposes.  At the end of the semester we will need to work together to ensure their semester grades are accurate.   For students moving on-line, you will want to take some time this week to talk to students about your on-line classes and help them make the transition.  We will continue to update this document.  Please let us know if you have any questions/concerns.  

                     Second Semester Changes Document

Remediation List - Please remember to fill out the google form below for students you feel would benefit from coming to school on virtual days for extra help.  We are asking to have this information by the end of the day on Monday.  Thanks to all of you who have filled it out so far.  Virtual Google Form

Virtual Day Schedule - Just a reminder that this coming Friday is one of our extra Virtual Days.  We know you still have a lot of work to do, so most of the time is yours to provide time for collaboration, working with on-line students and feedback.  October 9th is also the end of the 9 weeks.  Making a plan for students who were on-line transitioning back into the classroom and vise versa will be important.  

    Also, for virtual days, we hope to continue to provide time to work on our guaranteed and viable curriculum and reading across the curriculum work along with preparing for state testing.  Please see the virtual day agenda below: 

8:00 - 8:30 - Preparation for the day/ Assistants may come to you and ask for help getting virtual day students caught up

8:30 - 9:30 - PLC Team Meetings - Please plan to meet in your groups at your own desired locations.  Agenda Items will include:   * Update and Reflect on Scope and Sequence (we want this to be a living document)      * Re-read/Discuss selected portion of Mike Schmoker Book (we will provide this to teach team)   * Goal Setting

9:45 - 10:30 -  State Testing Update for High School Math and Science Teachers - High School Library

Lunch will be provided.   A more detailed morning agenda will be provided Friday morning.  

Important Dates: 

October 6th - On-Site Readable English visit/ On-Site Early College Visit

October 13th - Faculty Meetings during lunch  (Lunch will be provided)

October 14th - PSAT Exam for all 10th grade students, along with a few 9th and 11th graders.  Dana will be providing information shortly.

Have a great week!