Howard Happenings
March 23, 2020
Monday Upate
I hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Campus Availability: Many people have reached about materials and/or technology needed from campus. The campus will be open on Monday, March 23 from 1 to 4. Please feel free to safely stop by to gather materials and/or to check out technology to work remotely during this time.
Required Keenan Online Training: All staff are required to completed the Pandemic Flu Keenan Online Training.
Virtual Staff Meeting. We will be having a virtual staff meeting Wednesday, March 25th at 1 pm. Please look for a google invite with login information.
Classroom Check-In Meetings: I will be sending invites for a Tuesday classroom check-in meeting by Monday end of day. If you have a specific time you would like to meet, please send me a google invite. I will be sending invites to everyone else Monday evening.
Remote Work Record: Thank you to everyone who has created and shared their remote work record. I will be reaching out to anyone who has not completed this important task as it is essential for time reporting and payroll.
Google Classroom: Almost 100% of classrooms are now set up on Google classroom. Please ensure you have shared the class code with your students via talking points.
Wellness Checks: Thank you for completing student wellness checks. I know students and families have been grateful to hear from you! Please continue to reach out to families.
Stay safe and take care of yourself,
Nikki
Friday Update
Remote Work Record: Just a reminder that a work record log is required for all staff working remotely to document your daily work activities. Please reach out if you are having difficulty creating this important document.
Thank you to everyone who has created and shared their work record: Monica, Erin, Marisa, Jen and Shayda
And Colleen, Freida, Marisa, Karissa, Brandi, Nicole, Francy, and Grace.
Wellness Checks: Teachers please ensure you are reaching out to families. I have shared a google sheet to capture notes and/or information. Please note you do not need to ask specific probing questions but rather should check-in with families around their access and needs. You do not need to reach out to families you have already been in contact with but please document your contact with the family in the appropriate tab. Please let me if you need any support with reaching out to families.
Google Classroom: Please see the below expectations and infomation about setting up google classroom.
Shout out to Erin, Shayda, 5th Grade (Younger and Brown) who have already created Google classrooms and added me as a member.
And Karissa, Monica, Glen, and Claudia/Virdell
Please reach out with any questions.
Thursday Update
It was great hearing everyone's voice during our zoom staff meeting. I am providing the expectations and information discussed during our meeting below:
Learning Plans: Learning plans are now posted on the OUSD website here, please ensure they are periodically updated with assignment information and include your google classroom link.
Newsletter: Howard Happenings will be sent out daily. Please ensure you review it for the most up to date information.
Remote Work Record. Everyone should have an individual work record on which they are recording their hours and activities for the day. Please note any sick or personal days on your work record. Shout out to Monica, Erin, Marisa, Jen and Shayda for creating and sharing their records.
Google Classroom: Every teacher is expected to set up a google classroom and add me and any support staff (Inclusion Team, Classroom Paras and ISSs) as members. Informative videos are provided below to support. Please be sure to let your families know you have set up a google classroom and that they should use it to access assignments, zoom or google hangout remote learning sessions and resources for students. Shout out to Erin, Shayda, 5th Grade (Younger and Brown) who have already created Google classrooms and added me as a member.
COST: COST will be meeting on Monday to develop support plans for students. Please email me the name of any student/family you are concerned about during this time.
Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Conferences: At this time report cards should be completed and virtual conferences scheduled with families. Shout out to Freida, Erin, Shayda and Virdell/Claudia who have emailed me to let me know that they have completed report cards. Report cards will be distributed to families when we return from spring break.
Photos: Please forward 19/20 photos to Mrs. Garcia. We are in the process of designing our website and completing the yearbook and would appreciate access to school and/or class photos.
Work Expectations:
- Everyone is expected to be available and work their contracted hours during this time
- Please ensure you are checking your email throughout the day
- Email any sick day and/or personal day requests to Mrs. Garcia and me.
- Take care of yourself.
Wednesday Update
As things are changing daily and to ensure you have the most recent information, Howard Happenings will be sent out daily with updated information at the top.
Report cards. Completed report cards are now past due. Please send me an email once you complete your report cards.
Remote Employee Record Log. Per district communication sent today. All employees working remotely should complete the linked Remote Employee Record Log. Please make a copy before you begin inputting information.
Virtual Staff Meeting. We will be having a virtual staff meeting Wednesday, March 18th at 1 pm. Come as you are as it will be an audio-only meeting. Please let me know if you did not receive the invite with the login information.
Reach out with any questions are concerns.
Take care,
Nikki
Important Information-ALL
As things are changing often based on direction from the county and state, please ensure you read all communication from the district.
Thank you for all your calm and hard work last week.
Based on recent county guidance, most staff is encouraged to shelter in place and are not expected to report to the site. Staff must be available during their normal working hours (unless using sick or personal leave) and check email at least once a day.
I am available via email and phone. Please reach out with any questions and/or concerns.
Important Information-Support Staff
Support Staff Remote Work Activities. Please see the below activities that can be completed during this time
- Complete Teacher and/or Admin assigned duties
- Plan for upcoming units
- Read and answer emails
- Attend team meetings remotely
- Complete the below modules and/or online training
- → AFIRM Modules: Appropriate for paras and ISSs who work with students with Autism and related communication/developmental disabilities.
- → IRIS Modules: Online professional learning across a variety of topics, including behavior, assistive technology, accommodations, IEP basics, and instructional strategies.
- → Keenan online training. Mandated Reporter (New Hires), Active Shooter, Conflict Management: Managing Angry Parents, Sexual Harassment Training, HIPAA Overview, Bullying: Recognition & Response, Cultural Competence and Racial Bias, De-Escalation Strategies, Disruptive Student Behavior, Making Schools and Safe & Inclusive for LGBTQ Students, Playground Supervision
Important Information-Teachers
Teacher Remote Work Activities. Please see the below activities that can be completed during this time.
- Finish report cards (Please email me once your report cards are complete)
- Conduct parent-teacher conferences via phone
- Complete online training, webinars, and/or modules
- Plan for upcoming units
- Support student learning via email or talking points
- Collaborate with colleagues via phone, zoom, facetime
- Communicate assignments and/or activities to families to support student learning
- Meet remotely with staff, coaches and/or admin
- Read and answer emails
Sped Teacher Remote Work Activities-Additional Options per SPED department
All Special Educators should use this time to draft any past-due and coming-due IEPs.
When all past-due IEPs are drafted, teachers should complete progress on goals notes for all students on their caseloads in accordance with IDEA. Teachers should work with site administrators to gain access to the building to access student data sheets or work samples if needed for this purpose.
Special Educators should work in concert with Instructional Coaches to clean their SEIS case files, including:
- Deleting old notes and notice of meeting forms
- Ensuring all IEPs held are affirmed/attested
- For specific Special Educators who have Data Identified Non-Compliant IEPS (DINCs), Instructional Coaches and Coordinators will reach out via email with specific tasks that are required to correct the area of noncompliance.
- IEPs may be held remotely via teleconference or video chat if acceptable to parents. Special Education is asking that all teachers offer this option to families for any IEPs coming due between now and 4/5/2020.
Parent-Teacher Conferences. Conferences can be held via phone. You should prioritize meeting with the parents of students you're most concerned about, students significantly below grade level and/or students you are recommending for retention.
Report Cards. Please email me once you complete your report cards.
- Here is the Report Card Comment Tool - 2nd Trimester (make a copy to use)
- Deadline to complete report cards is March 17th
- Parent-Teacher Conferences are March 18-20