Monday Memo
Week of May 4th, 2020
Welcome to May!
Leading with Lollipops
At this risk of being a little corny, I want to share with you the video below about "Leading with Lollipops". What, you ask, am I talking about? Well to fully understand, you'll need to watch the video below.
If I were to ask you if you are a leader, what would you say? I'm hoping you'd ALL say yes. In this crazy time of Covid-19, you are doing an amazing job - being leaders. I'm not sure if you have any idea of the impact you're having on other's lives....but you are. Thank you.
I promise watching the 5 minute video below is worth it. And when you're finished, know:
You have made my life better.
It's all about those lollipop moments - you're making them now....even if you don't realize it.
You are a leader, and you are making an impact.
I'm so very thankful to be a part of this amazing team. And an extra thank you for your kind words and beautiful plant you gave me.....Keep moving forward - one step in front of the other. We've got this!!!!
Jenn
A few photo reminders of why we are doing what we're doing.....
Eloise says, "Stay Strong".
Jaxon says, "We will see each other again soon".
Jack says, "Be safe".
Rhea practicing her math with a 10 frame and cheerios
Heidi and Delia enjoying a picnic
Hayden is into a good book
A few other bits of information......
Our First Virtual Spirit Day
Our first Virtual Spirit Day was a great success! Thank you for all you've done to support this - I'll work to create the short video with the photos received, so stay tuned.
Overview of Student Engagement
Please find below, the overview of student engagement that was shared at the division Check-ins this past week. Please continue to consider what ways you might increase engagement as we begin to lose students over time. This might be fewer assignments, more open ended tasks, or highly engaging material. We now have both a primary and a junior
"sharing" folder - so keep sharing away!
IEP's
Thank you for all the work you've been doing on IEP's this past week. We are really moving along, with many already having completed the process. Please continue to touch base with Heather or me if we can help in any way. Once the entire process is complete, we are obligated to provide an copy of the IEP to all families. Hopefully, most will give permission for this to be sent electronically. If they agree, please complete the following steps to save the IEP for your email:
- Go to “Print the IEP”
- Select “Save as a PDF”
- The computer will prompt you where to save it – chose what you like (I usually save it on my desk top and then “trash” it after I’ve sent); and I also name the file so that I can find it!
- That’s it!
- Then, open an email and go to “attach file”
- Look for the PDF where you saved it (on your desktop for example)
- Select – now you’re ready to compose the email and send.
Weekly Meetings
This is the week that we have a full Staff Meeting on Wednesday. I'll send you an invite, but please plan on meeting at 11am. Please do your best to be on time, and carve out this time to meet together - I know other things can come up, but continuing to connect virtually once a week is really important.
Please let me know if there is anything you'd like me to add to our agenda! I'm going to try something new.....When we have Superintendent meetings, Peter sends a Google doc and we add anything we'd like to discuss, questions, etc. Let's try it! Please feel free to add anything to this doc - throughout the weekend, next week, whenever. Consider it a place to do a "brain dump!" Here's the link (and I've also put it on our KH Hub so it can always be found easily): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1atHektjYjnY0-rKXbza22doaDrryC1rVf0NDhcoZWHo/edit?usp=sharing
Video Conferencing
I know that some of you are looking at beginning some form of video conferencing in the coming weeks. I'm heading there too - along with some of our support staff. A few important reminders of things you should have in place before starting:
1. Ensure that you have gained permission from the parents. I provided draft wording that makes sure families agree, will be in the vicinity and that they understand you may be recording the session.
2. In your first sessions, ensure you create norms. This may sound silly, but things as simple as making sure you are dressed (no PJs, topless boys, etc.), be in a main room (not the bedroom or bathroom) are really important to set you up for success.
3. Consider having a second adult in your session. There are lots of us would be willing to support!
4. Consider recording your session. If you use Google Meet it is saved automatically to your Google Drive. If you don't need it - delete it, but it's good back up if you do.
Any questions? Just holler!
Virtual Office Hours
I've been continuing to offer daily virtual office hours, but I'm thinking that there isn't as much of a need for this anymore (I haven't had many join in this week). Please know I'm here for you whenever you need me - feel free to message, email, or call me (MS Teams video, cell phone). Instead of virtual office hours, I'm wondering about having a virtual "coffee break" a few times a week. You can certainly touch base during these times if you'd like - otherwise, grab a coffee or a tea, and come chat and connect for a few minutes! This week - let's try Tuesday and Thursday at 12pm. John, Sherry - feel free to join us. Truly just a casual gabfest :)
Story time with Mrs. Sampson
So I've been continuing to learn alongside you.....my new adventures this week have included Google Meet and YouTube Live. Beginning this week, I'll be offering "Story Time with Mrs. Sampson" - live on YouTube. I'll do this once a week, and then save the event so anyone who is subscribed to the channel can watch at another time. It's been an interesting adventure to get permission for a live reading. If anyone is interested in doing this in a more private way (such as Google Meet) with your class, I have some tips I've learned along the way and would be happy to share. Stay tuned for the date and time.... Fingers crossed I can make it all work!
Retrieval of Teaching Resources
Just a reminder that if you need to come in to get teaching resources to continue supporting distance learning, please let me know. I've set up the schedule for Monday, and like last time, you'll cycle through in 15 minute blocks. Please see below.
School Council
This Monday night would have been a School Council meeting. Our understanding is that right now these formal meetings are suspended. We have some great parents who would still like to connect - so I'm going to practice my Google Meet skills and host a "check in" for Council on Monday night. It will be interesting to see how everyone is doing, where the struggles are, and any ideas or suggestions they might have for us moving forward. I'll let you know how it goes. If things run smoothly - I may consider a few general parent "check ins"' over the next few weeks - just need to think about how I can manage it if there is a large group. Stay tuned!
Things to come.....
Just a little update on where we are at in the school bigger picture. Things continue to move ahead, even if we're at home! Over the past few weeks, Principals have been focusing on staffing, interviews and hiring. We have 2 more jobs posted (Kindergarten and a .54 planning position) that close today (Friday). Monday will be interviews and then hopefully all our teaching staff will be set for next year. Once that's complete I can begin working on your schedules. The transition to Crestwood Intermediate also continues - the transition committee (staff, students, parents) will be meeting this week, so we should have a bit of news to share after that. In addition, there are a few other things on the radar that we'll figure out in the coming month: class placements for students, transition meetings, CUPE staffing, schedules, report cards (still no further clarification), Kindergarten orientation, end of year celebrations....just to name a few. Please don't worry about any of it! We'll climb each new mountain together - inventing new and creative ways to do things :) Just wanted to keep you in the loop.
Support Staff
Our amazing support staff continue to meet each Friday to review the students we've been working with, and consider additional ways we can support moving forward. We continue to take on new students, as you let us know of needs. Please reach out if you have a student who would benefit from connecting with an additional adult. This week we're going to try a video chat or two with some kids we had in lunch bunch and/or recess club. I'll let you know if any of your students are involved.
Pedal for Hope
- Please consider joining our team, or donating to the "team gifts" or any of us individually. $5 or $10 makes a difference! One suggestion from P4H is if we ask 10 people for $10 each, we quickly raise $100. Please consider supporting if you can. All donations are accepted online only this year.
- Please help us to promote the events each week. I'll be blasting the morning announcements, Twitter and Instagram, but your help in getting your class/students going would be greatly appreciated.
- Consider participating in any of the events yourself - students LOVE seeing us from afar. Send me pics of yourself, so I can include them in the slideshows, etc.
- If you receive pictures directly for any of the events, and you're not thinking I got them, please ask if you can pass them along.
- Consider joining our little team for the "drive by" parade (week of June 1st) to celebrate our top fundraiser.
If you can think of any other ways that we can make this campaign special, please let any of us know.
Just one more thing....
Sometimes laughter is the best medicine. I don't normally send along a lot of videos, but I promise this one is worth it. If you have 3 minutes, take a look at "Making Anxiety Soup"!
Jennifer Sampson
Email: Jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: KawarthaHeights.kprdsb.ca
Location: 11 Kawartha Heights Blvd, Peterborough, ON, Canada
Phone: (705)742-7521
Twitter: @KawarthaHPS