IN VISION
#NCCVTWORKS
8/7/2020
NCCVT MISSION
To provide superior Career and Technical Education enabling all students to achieve their aspirations.
CTE PRIME
Weekly Brief
Governor Carney recommended this week that schools should consider a hybrid learning environment for our students this fall. As you know, the challenge lies with what many perceive as safe. If we open with our hybrid model, we believe we can abide by the "musts" (see below) outlined in the DOE reopening guidance. Simultaneously, DSEA has also made it clear that they believe reopening is too risky and has also made formal statements and encouraged members to reach out to board members, which some of our teachers have already done.
We will do our best to understand all sides and move forward with what is best for our students and our school community. I've indicated all along that our two primary drivers are, 1. Creating an opportunity for our students to receive the hands-on instruction that makes our schools unique and is essential for our students' learning, 2. Accounting for the social and emotional well-being of our students. We must take into account the emotional and mental health of our students, even though the "diagnosis" of an individual struggling and suffering is not identifiable like a positive COVID test. That is and always will be the challenge with mental health challenges.
This week we will dissect the survey data and I will reach out to many of you to get your input regarding our re-opening.
“Must” Requirements Listed for Reopening Schools
- All staff and students must wear cloth face coverings in the school building.
- Students and staff must have access to hand washing facilities and supplies and hand sanitizer, and be allowed time to wash hands in between activities.
- Students and staff must maintain a minimum of 3 feet apart with face coverings.
- Desks must be arranged so they are facing the same direction.
- Off-site field trips must be discontinued.
- Attendees at large-scale gatherings must be able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times from non-household members.
- Students and staff must stay home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been confirmed to have COVID-19 or if required by the Division of Public Health to isolate or quarantine.
- Schools must identify an area or room separated from others where a student or staff member who becomes ill at school can wait until they can be picked up.
- Schools must ensure enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces (stair railings, doorknobs, bathrooms, etc.), cleaning between every 15 minutes to 2 hours using EPA-approved cleaning and disinfecting solutions.
- Capacity must be limited by the number of students that can be seated between 3 or more feet apart on the school bus with face coverings.
- High-touch surfaces on buses must be cleaned between every bus run with an EPA-approved solution.
DOE RBT
DOE hosted the Research for Better Teachers (RBT) Webinar. If you are interested in learning more about the 3-day training that will be available for teachers. A recording of the presentation can be found here: https://vimeo.com/443129280/a584cb63bdUp Ahead: Push to the Start
1. DIAA has postponed the start of all fall sports. The shortened schedule will be released soon. One primary reason for the decision was to try and not eliminate some sports such as football.
2. Preliminary student and staff survey results are in and attached to this email.
3. New Teacher Orientation was shortened to two full days considering we extended the opening PD for staff.
4. As you know, we've extended PL for staff in the beginning of the year till the September 3rd. Most of our efforts will be focused on our teaching core and supporting personnel. That being said, please create PL for other staff members particularly your secretaries. Mover than ever, we need to be responsive to our families. Remember, the power of the Red Phone and the Magic Castle that I presented at an administrative council meeting last fall.
5. Timeline:
- 8/17 solidify school opening proposal to present to the board.
- 8/19 - 20 NTO
- 8/24 - 9/3 Professional Learning: Equipped (open to ideas for our opening title, my mind races to Covid unfortunately)
- 9/8 - 9/11 School begins remotely. This week is to fully prepare students for what learning will look like whether fully remote or one grade a day in-person. This time should be dedicated to the following:
- All assemblies would take place from code of conduct to co-op.
- Expectations for online learning.
- What a day in the life of a student looks like. For example, if we are in once a day, we would "walk" students through behavior at the bus stop, the bus ride, departing the bus, grabbing breakfast, reporting to class, attending class, bathroom procedures, eating lunch, transferring to the afternoon session, getting on the bus, etc. From social distancing to mask wearing. The more we are explicit the better.
- Teachers hold their respective classroom meetings to go over what a week would like. How the classroom is set up, expectations throughout the week, how the teacher will support the student, primary tools the teacher will use to teach, use of Microsoft teams, use of office hours, etc. Every detail needs to be explicit and the more formulaic and similar each day is, the better. Remember, humans desire variety but routines are more effective.
There are still a lot of particulars we need to finalize like New Student Orientation.
Take the Time to Climb: Principle -- Communication
Going Beyond...
#NCCVTWorks for Equity in Action.
We've decided to participate in the The 21-day Racial Equity Challenge hosted by the United Way of Delaware. This is a personal commitment to devote 5-30 minutes a day to learn about the history and impact of racism in Delaware AND the ways that bias, prejudice, privilege, and oppression show up in our everyday lives. The challenge begins on August 17th.
How does it work?
Every morning of the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, registered participants will receive an email featuring links to readings, videos, and/or podcasts that are 5-30 minutes long. Participants pick one or more of the “challenges” and begin their journey of discovery.
Please look for more information from Kathy and Michele. Michele will register each of us. If for some reason you don't think you will be able to participate, please let Michele know.
What One School is Doing to Give Students a Voice
Asking students for feedback but not taking any action is worse than not asking them at all, says Principal Arria Coburn, of the Springfield Renaissance School.
“When student voice is shared but not used, it makes students feel disempowered,” says Coburn, whose school for grades six to 12 is part of Springfield Public Schools in Massachusetts. “I try to make sure that what they share, we are able to put in place.”
The Springfield Renaissance School has a high school student voice group that works on race and equity. It has tackled issues like Latinx representation in the curriculum and the use of racial slurs by opposing teams in sporting events.