Principal Walder's Monday Memo
For the week of March 30
What is OUR WHY right now?
What can an educator do right now to support our community?
What we can provide... what you are already providing... is what we know. We teach. And, by teaching, we provide an attempt at NORMALCY for our kids. Now, when I say normalcy, it is so much more than our physical building of a school.
The relationships you have formed with students is normalcy. We want them to know that you will still continue to care, love, and teach them no matter what is happening outside in the world.
Just like every day when we are in the classroom-- what you do matters-- what we present for students matters-- how we show we care for our families-- it all matters.
So, I rested my head last night knowing that I am doing everything I can by supporting you because YOU are directly supporting our students through an unprecedented time in our world's history. School is normalcy. "Quarantine" and "Shelter-in-place" are not vocabulary words kids should have to focus on each day and become scared. Instead, let's continue to fill them with phonics and math facts. Let's continue to fill their minds with rich literature and Mystery Doug. Let's continue to do what we always do. We teach our kids.
What's our WHY?
The same as it has always been. Our Students.
A few notes for planning this week...
During PLC this week, we will review the Teacher Feedback Survey and the Parent Time Commitment Survey that I am sending out today. This will help us to discuss what students and families need this week.
Based on the questions I have fielded, here are some important parent/ family concerns for you to consider as you work this week and plan for the week of April 6.
- Allow students the weekend and evenings to complete work. It may not be possible for families to complete work during the day and we need to be understanding.
- We start over each week by SUNDAY night at 7:00 pm. (The last time teachers could send the following week's work.) Remember what it was like at the beginning of your first-year teaching trying to figure out how to keep track of missed work? We are not going to do that now in this setting or put that on parents. If they want to go back, that is okay. It is not required, though.
- If parents reach out to us, please do your best to make accommodations for each child's work. I have already worked with some teachers to help support families that are struggling and do not have time for all their work right now.
- The students that are doing well now, may not be the same students that need support in upcoming weeks. Please keep asking questions to understand what students need. It is going to continue to change a lot from week to week.
Checklist for the Week:
- Dr. Walder will send regular Staff Monday memo (this document) and Parent Memo before 2:00 pm
- Send the parent email with the attached learning board or unit plan between 2:00- 7:00 pm and include Dr. Walder on the email.
- Share your Learning Board/ Unit Plan for the upcoming week with Dr. Walder by Noon for Feedback.
- Regular, expected communication should be present in the form of a daily message to students. It may be a morning meeting video or message on Seesaw or Google Classroom. Be creative!
Complete Engagement Spreadsheet by 4:00 pm.
As a professional reminder, our contract days involve an 8:00- 4:00 pm time frame. We are not asking you to sit quietly at a desk with your computer/ email open. We just want you aware in the event families or school personnel are trying to communicate with you.
Friday:
- Send a Friday Wrap Up to all parents (JK-5) to all parents between 8:00- Noon. Include me on this email.
- Place your final, approved copy of your Learning Board/ Unit Plan for the upcoming week in our At-Home Plans folder by the end of the "day."
Taking Attendance via an Engagement Document
Here is the link to the Engagement Document for 3.30.20. It is also linked on the Legacy Staff Resource Hub and in our At-Home Unit Folders.
The Weekly Engagement Document is completed each day by 4:00 pm.
If you have not had contact with a child or parent for two full days, reach out to check to see if everything is okay via your regular communication means. If you do do this and do not hear back, please let me know. We are trying to keep "attendance" and also make sure everyone is also understanding expectations, is safe, and well.
Dr. Walder's Schedule
During this time, all meetings will be held virtually using Google Meet. I will in my office every day from 8:00- 4:00 unless something changes. Besides my office, the rest of the building is off-limits. Thank you for understanding.
Monday:
- 8:30- 10:00 Instructional Leaders Meeting
- 10:00 Meeting with Heather
- 10:30 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 11:30 Counselor Meeting
- 2:00 1st Grade Interventions Meeting
- 3:30 IEP for HS
Tuesday:
- 9:00 5th PLC
- 10:00 4th PLC
- 11:00 Specials PLC
- 1:00 JK-2 Google Meet Questions - Optional
- 2:00 3rd PLC
Wednesday:
- Noon All Teachers' Draft Learning Boards/ Unit Plans shared via Google Drive for Feedback
- 2:00 Elementary Admin Meeting
Thursday:
- 9:00 2nd PLC
- 10:00 1st PLC
- 12:30 Intervention PLC
- 2:00 JK/ K PLC
Friday:
- 9:00 Regular Staff Meeting
- 10:30 SPED/ TLR PLC
- Reminder to have Learning Boards/ Unit Plans in the Google Drive Folder.
**Please click the link above for submitting topics for our PLCs.
Contact Dr. Walder
Email: Samantha.Walder@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.teaschools.k12.sd.us/
Location: Tea, SD, USA
Phone: 6058817381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaAreaLegacy/
Twitter: @swalder7