Minute with Matthews
August 23, 2020
Great Job with Distance Learning!
Nothing like baptism by fire! You guys did a great job as we had to dive into 2 days of distance learning. This is exactly why Google Classroom in every class, every day is our expectation. I know not all of us are there right now, and that is okay. We will get there. We have had a lot thrown at us in our first 7 days. This week I encourage you to take the time to focus on building those relationships with your students. Maybe do some of those first of school activities you typically would do but didn't because we were focusing on making sure they knew what to do online. To have a successful year, whether face to face or online, we must have the trust and relationship with our students and their families. Make sure during this time of uncertainty you are over-communicating with your parents. Send home text messages, create a class Facebook account, paper notes, whatever is your strength- do it! Our families need to know we are their PARTNER on this crazy rollercoaster. This week, our site focus is on
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
GUE Focus for the Week
One of my goals is to help you focus on one area each week in your classroom. I will share this here, work on it myself, and also be looking for how you are incorporating our focus into your classroom. Our focus this week is BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
PLC
Each grade level needs to hold a PLC meeting once a week to discuss student progress and learning and collaborate lesson plans, testing, etc. These are to be held during your common plan. We will start next week. I am open to allowing each grade level to pick their day, so let me know by the end of this week what day your grade level will meet. Each grade level also needs to submit an agenda each week. An assignment is sent through our staff Google Classroom. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
STAR Test
All students should be set up for STAR Reading and Math. Sherry Spicer will print off usernames and passwords for you. Please plan to have our beginning of the year (BOY) STAR assessment complete by Tuesday, September 1st. If you need assistance you may reach out to someone on your team or Barbara Couch, who is our Reading Specialist.
Safety Drills
We will be having a fire drill at some point on Wednesday. Please be prepared. Encourage your students to stay 6 feet apart as you depart the building and space out from the classes around you once you get to your safe location. We will signal you through announcements and whistles when it is clear to return to the building. Other safety drills will be coming, so stay tuned and know your safe places!
Reminders
*With reoccurring undesired classroom behaviors, please make sure you speak with the student, then converse with the parents BEFORE sending a discipline referral. Mr. Clemons and I are both available to come by for a little student encouragement before parent contact, but please make a call or email before referring for official discipline. Also, please note the actions you have taken in the classroom on the discipline referral so we know what hasn't worked so far.
*Please make a Google Sheet for yourself with your student's names and Chromebook asset tag or serial number. You don't need to share this with us at this time, just keep for your records.