Virtual Donovan Digest
April 8th
Happy Spring Break
When we say to be present and appreciate the moment because we are never guaranteed anything more than this second...our lives could change in any moment...THIS is what it means. This is how it feels. Fortunately, we have so many blessings to be grateful for still. Though we are living in the unknown, we have our health, our faith, our family and we still have each other. Many of those impacted by the events of late, have experienced loss. Loss of a loved one. Loss of control. Loss of "feeling safe" or being free. Health of a loved one or friend. In some way we are all impacted personally by this crisis.
But for today, for this moment, let's be grateful. Let's use the next week and a half off to recharge in a new way. Put down the devices and try something new that strengthens your bonds, grows your mind and heart, or gives back to someone struggling. You cannot help but notice how through this terrible time, humanity brings light to the dark. Mr. Rogers would talk about how his mother would say, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ Though trying to avoid the news at all costs, I am drawn to the stories that pop out about people doing amazing things to give back to the community and those who are fighting for us right now. Our modern day soldiers. When I see this, it makes me want to be a better person, to do more, and give in a way that will leave an imprint.
Each and every day you are leaving an imprint on the hearts and lives of your students. You are the connection that they are craving each day to create a new world of normal for them. Thank you for not only providing instruction that is creative, rigorous, personalized, and engaging, but thank you for simply connecting. You have set up snacks, lunches, birthday celebrations, performances, morning meetings, and one on one support. YOU are the helper. YOU are the good. Now it is time to be good to yourself and fill those voids with nourishment for your own soul. Do something that brings you joy this week... you deserve it.
Though we have not heard anything definitive about if our return date of April 20th remains, it might be proactive to plan for an extension..."just in case".
Have an amazing break everyone!
Check out the talents of our LDS Students and Staff!
Lifting Spirits
Bring us your joyful ideas for a "schoolwide..100% participation" project to bring smiles to the faces of our students!! Wheels are turning. We would love to hear your ideas as well!
Joy: We are in the beginning brainstorming stage for a whole school motivational video to connect to our community. Though I inquired about a "parade" through town in our cars passed students homes, due to the Governor's recommendation for essential road travel only, it was turned down. The common thread through so much of the family feedback says that the students feel relief when they see and hear their teachers. Let's plan for something to bring out the joy like only Donovan can. Do you have a creative idea? Please share.
Spirit Days: Please try and join in our scheduled Spirit Days and post your pics. Everyone loves to see you joining in the fun!
Keep your chins up Donovan....It is spring break!
VACATION RESPONDER
Feeling stuck? Don't worry! Call, text, or email Jenn or Danielle!
SHOUT OUTS....
Show the love....
You make me want to...SHOUT!
Alice: A huge thank you to Alice for going above and beyond, spending countless hours to make sure all students and parents understood how to log in and be a part of Zoom meetings and Google Classrooms. Elisa
Maria and Carmen: Thank you for all your help! Carmen, thank you for all your help in connecting with the students. Maria, thank you for all your tech support! I am lucky to have both of you on my team! Elisa
Danielle: Thank you is not a big enough word to say for your endless amount of support and encouragement. You are truly a source of inspiration in all that you do for everyone in our building and the kind hearted person you are! No matter the time of day or night or the number of times we spoke on the same day, you're always enthusiastic, patient, encouraging, and positive. Thank you for being a beacon of light you are truly our sunshine! Mary
Jodi: You are a rock star teacher be it in or out of school! Thank you for your continuous dedication to our students in finding creative ways to keep them (and all learners) engaged and moving forward. We are so lucky to have your guidance and support not only for our students but for us as well. As you say...Rock On with Your Bad Self! Mary
1st Grade Team: I cannot thank my teammates enough for the support you all have provided in helping me learn all of these new and challenging digital platforms. It really proves together we can do anything! The dedication and time being put forth by everyone to create meaningful and engaging lessons in each area is incredible. I could never navigate this without all of you!!! Thank you for being amazing teammates and friends Mary
Shout out to the Kindergarten Team! You ladies are always ready to take on any challenge and make it as fun as possible for your lucky kiddos!
Shout out to the 1st grade team! You work endlessly to make sure you are providing your lucky kiddos with top notch learning experiences!
Shout out to the 2nd grade team! You took on google classroom and you are killing it! Your students are so lucky to have you to connect with!
Shout out to the 3rd grade team! You are zooming all day and creating such engaging work. A little distance learning can't stop 3rd grade book clubs!
Shout out to the 4th grade team! The schedule and structure in place can't be beat. Your students are submitting amazing work thanks to you!
Shout out to the 5th grade team and CBAD warriors! Your instruction has not missed a beat and your kiddos can feel your love through the computer!
Shout out to the special area teachers. Your choice board is keeping the students going and providing so many creative outlets for them to learn and grow at home!
Shout out to Jess, your daily Flip Grids provides us with the connections we need to keep us mentally sound!
Shout out to the intervention team, special ed teachers and ESL team! You have been coming up with countless new and innovative ways to reach our striving learners! Thank you!
Shout out to the teacher assistants! Your support is keeping us moving in the right direction!
Shout out to Jenn and Cathleen. Thank you for leading us through this crazy time and offering us support and grace as we try our best at distance learning & living!
Shout out to the LDS Family! Thank you everyone for making the good times so good and these uncertain times so manageable. I know I am never alone because I can always call any of you day or night! Thank you!
Thank You
FREEHOLD STRONG
Giving Back
For Students:
Perhaps you can include as an optional assignment for the students this week.
In the event that kids are looking for something to do, please consider allowing them to write letters and draw pictures to all of the Healthcare heroes. They certainly can use the boost during this battle. We are looking to support our local hospital and workers.
Notes can be sent to
Centra State Staff C/O Laurie Jaffe
310 Fordham Lane
Freehold NJ 07728
For Adults:
CentraState Medical Center is also in need of baby monitors at the hospital to help nurses, therapists and staff watch patients remotely. Do you have any baby monitors at home that you are no longer using? If so, the O’Shea Family is collecting them to drop off. There will be a box on the front steps for a collection point. It is important that the monitors have all working pieces and batteries if necessary.
The address for drop off is
25 Buckingham Way Freehold
Please note: the baby monitors will not be returned to the community.
If any families wish to include their notes of encouragement for the hospital staff, they also can be left with the O'Shea family as well!
Carbs make it all better...
Sharing information for a local Freehold Family that is delivering bread to your door. They supply Rosarios with their bread and now it is available locally. They accept Venmo.
If you are interested...
Could also be great to split an order with a friend!
A&B Artisan Breads
ATTN: FREEHOLD, MANALAPAN, HOWELL AREA!
After many requests... We will now be doing home deliveries of our PAR-Baked line of Artisan Breads... Choose from 3 packages delivered to your door! Just pop the bread in your home oven for 7-10 mins and you have fresh baked bread in the comfort and safety of your home!
PACKAGE 1 : $35
12 Kaiser Rolls
3- 9 inch New York Heros
3- 7 inch Semolina Heros
1- Rustic Ciabatta Bread
1- Twist Bread
1- Italian Bread
1- Brick Oven Bread
1- Semolina Bread
1- Chocolate Bread
1- Sliced Round Bread (1.5lb)
1- Brick Oven Panella Bread
PACKAGE 2 : $40
12- Kaiser Rolls
3- 9 inch New York Heros
3- 7 inch Semolina Heros
1- Rustic Ciabatta Bread
1- Twist Bread
1- Asiago Cheese Batard
1- Kalamata Olive Batard
1- Cranberry Walnut Batard
1- Chocolate Bread
1- Sliced Round Bread (1.5lb)
1- Brick Oven Panella Bread
PACKAGE 3 : $55
12 Kaiser Rolls
3- 9 inch New York Heros
3- 7 inch Semolina Heros
1- Rustic Ciabatta Bread
1- Twist Bread
1- Italian Bread
1- Brick Oven Bread
1- Semolina Bread
1- Chocolate Bread
1- Asiago Cheese Batard
1- Kalamata Olive Batard
1- Cranberry Walnut Batard
1- Sliced Round Bread (1.5lb)
1- Brick Oven Panella Bread
Please Message me for details/orders, or call (732)-241-5750
Thanks and Be Safe and Healthy
Anthony
A&B Bread
Happy Birthday!
APRIL
23 Jill Armstrong
28 Lizzy Kradjel
MAY
03 Marisa Marino
11 Michele Coogan
19 Jodi Cocchiola
25 Cathleen Rosen
29 Donna Rusterholz
Tools to Try...
Check in with Danielle if you want any support with any of these tools!
Student Videos on Screencastify Submit!
Please email Danielle directly with any YouTube videos that need to be @FTSK8 approved!
Remember to check out the Continuous Home Learning Folder on the ABCs of LDS!
Thank you!
Record Keeping "Assignments in Google Classroom"
Monmouth County Historical Association
Please consider involving your students and families!
The Monmouth County Historical Association began a historic project called Remembering COVID-19 at the start of this crisis to document the effect this event is having on our community. We have been collecting responses, images and videos from adults, and responses/original artwork from children. We have already received many wonderful submissions from school children around the county! As the largest history-focused non-profit organization in NJ, we are fully compliant with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) , and do not collect what is classified as "personal information"; we only ask for first name, age and town for children under 13.
We would like to ask that you encourage Donovan teachers and parents to fill out the forms with their kids at monmouthhistory.org/covid-19. We would love to receive pictures of colorful and uplifting chalk drawings on the bottoms of Freehold driveways for people to enjoy as they pass by! We can all use a smile:) It's an especially great activity for art teachers, but history teachers can stress the importance of documenting history, and music teachers can encourage kids to incorporate inspirational song lyrics! Parents (or children 13 and up) can send the family driveway chalk images through either the Adult or Kids' form, along with whatever other responses, images or artwork submissions they choose from the project. This collection will eventually be made available for posterity in MCHA's digital archives. As a Freehold parent myself, I'd really love to see a big showing from our Freehold families:) We hope you will consider supporting this worthwhile project, and encourage Laura Donovan to make its mark on history. Thanks so much for your time, and stay safe!
ZOOM PRIVACY
1. Revisit Ray Nesci's email and Danielle's tutorial video about the most important privacy settings to put in place prior to hosting your ZOOM.
Zoom has enabled some additional security features for all user accounts over the past few days. Specifically, waiting rooms is now set to on for all meetings. The use of waiting rooms was covered in a previous email. While the original intent was to control access when hosting a public meeting, it is a beneficial feature and is now recommended, even with private meetings. This feature can still be controlled by each user. Zoom also is now requiring passwords for all meetings. This change will affect only future meetings, so any previously scheduled meeting will not require a password. This feature cannot be turned off by users, and is required moving forward. Please see the article below for details on these changes. Thank you.
2. FERPA- if you are Tweeting/Posting pics of your Zooms- make sure your students' full names are blacked out.