Week of August 10-14
Acton Staff Weekly Updates
Things to Know
Please include the following information in your newsletter to parents.
As we strive to do our best to keep all Acton Tigers safe, the district has made the following change to the Related Arts Schedule. Instead of having art, music, library and PE each week; the students will go to the same related arts class every day for an entire nine weeks. This allows us to do a better job of keeping the contact between students at a minimum. All students will have all 4 related arts classes by the end of the year.
Chromebooks are being redistributed today by Jen Stevens. We will have two per grade level and one extra that can be borrowed. As soon as the new Chromebooks come in we will distribute those as quickly as possible.
Reading Logs: Krissy will be putting copies of reading logs in your mailboxes. We will start sending these home next week. If you want to copy your own and not have her do it for you, just email her. Please encourage all families to fill out reading logs nightly. Reading for 20 minutes each day is the best way to promote literacy! Jen will start an incentive for students to read. The logs will be 2 on front and 2 on back so we will collect it from you monthly.
Supply Order information will be coming out next week. Please see Sarah if you have any questions. Orders will be due to Sarah no later than Friday, August 28th.
Textbook Update: We are expecting additional copies of textbooks and will distribute as soon as we receive them. Thank you for being patient!!
Tuesday PD is on your own or as a team.
Wednesday PD will be team meetings to discuss CFA Pre-Assessment Data
Are you done with your Safe Schools Videos? If not, please get those done quickly. The deadline is the end of the month.
Counselors Corner
There are two powerful statements from Dr. Becky Bailey in regards to Positive Intent:
1-“Children cannot act differently until they are seen differently.”2- And the powerful words we say to children: “You wanted…”
Brain Smart Start
Brain Smart Start should be implemented each and every day. It should be quick, lasting only 3-5 minutes, so that instruction can begin promptly. If you need help getting started on time, invite me in to help, model, or give feedback! We want to build strong connections with our kids and help capture the most instructional time possible too!
Keeping our School Safe
Masks- A few of you have asked how to support students who have a hard time keeping their masks on. 1. Contact parents so they are aware and can also encourage their child. 2. Set up positive incentive for that student or for your class. Maybe for every 10 minutes he/she keeps the mask on he/ she gets a mask break for 1 minute. I'm sure you all have even better ideas than I do.
I believe you've done a great job with the bathroom schedules and sanitizing hands. Below is a line from the re-entry plan that we want to ensure everyone is aware of. Thanks for your assistance with this!
Each teacher will encourage frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing at the minimum: upon arrival at school, before and after recess, before and after eating, and after using the restroom.
Each set of fountains now has a water bottle filler installed on one of the fountains. Students can take turns using this to refill water bottles or the cups that I am handing out. I highly recommend that they get a little bit of water, but they probably don't need to fill up to the very tip top.
Please remember to check the Daily Transportation Sheet at the end of the day. Also, it's so important to add the normal transportation information on the tabbed pages so Krissy can use that as a reference during dismissal. Thanks for your cooperation with this!
This year we will be working together to keep our school clean. This will take EVERYONE! Your initiative and willingness to wipe down items and pick up a spray bottle go a long way. We will do anything to keep our school a safe place to learn!
Our custodians will clean the high-contact areas each day (doorknobs, staff dining areas, main office where parents may enter, etc.) and will continue to clean rooms each night. We do not have the manpower to fully clean each and every room every evening, but each classroom will be given a spray bottle and towels to disinfect each day. Desks will be wiped down every evening. Please remember to not have chairs or items on top of desks.
PPE
Masks or face shields are required for our staff to wear each day. If you do not have one, please see me so I can provide one for you. Face shields are also provided for each teacher. This will be handy to have at our Guided Reading tables. Window partitions have also been provided.
Staff must be wearing face masks or shields at all times inside the building, unless there are no students in your room.