Soledad Unified School District
Weekly Newsletter - May 8, 2020
Every Student...Every Day!
THE CAPSTONE CELEBRATION! - BY JULIA TURNER, NEW TEACHER SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Original poetry, 3-D models, Statements of Intellect, and analyses of thought and processes resonated in the hearts and minds of thirty-six first/second-year teachers, mentor-teachers, TOSAs, site administrators, and members of district leadership. We joined in a ZOOM Meeting for the Capstone Celebration of one cohort of our new teachers. The end-of-the-year Capstone Project called upon the teachers to indite original poetry or construct a 3-D model that embodies their professional growth this year. Both the poem and the model educe high levels of cognitive and metacognitive thinking that Bloom's Taxonomy and Webb's Depth of Knowledge advocate promotes learning; additionally, the thinking/creating process involves right and left brain interaction.
To complete the project, teachers dug deep into their souls to excavate their treasure of learning that they will carry with them throughout their careers and that will provide them self-inspiration. Thus, with passion, with conviction, with pride, the teachers expressed their treasures of professional growth.
Finally, I must recognize the mentors who attended the celebration. I do so by paraphrasing the comments of one of the teachers. She expressed that her mentor is more than just a teacher; she is a friend; she is like a second mom. This statement encapsulates the close relationship that the teacher and the mentor experience. The mentor is that first support for the teacher. They supported the teachers as they worked on their Capstone Project. On behalf of the teachers, John Ekelund and I share our appreciation to and for the mentors who in the day-to-day provide the on-time support to our novice teachers.
We ended the celebration with the mentors and administrators congratulating the teachers with echoing the strengths of the teachers' words and encouraging them to continue in their pursuits of teacher growth.
The Capstone Celebration . . . let's do it again!
Message to Staff from The Educational Services Department
In Due Time, Teacher Appreciation by Julia Turner
In Honor of Teachers' Appreciation Week - May 4-8, 2020
In Due Time
One cannot see the wind,
yet one knows its path.
One cannot see rain leaving drenched earth,
yet one breathes earth's re-freshened air.
One cannot see nature's greening,
yet one admires fields flourishing with vibrant color.
One day a novice commits "I do!"
imagining not all of the simple phrase embodies,
not the tremors of the heart,
not the knocking of knees,
not the panging doubt in the mind.
Yet, from the conviction of "I will" medaling the mind,
the novice -
courageous, stable, confident
that sighs cleared the paths,
that tears refreshed the soul,
that growth yielded its beauty - -
transforms into
Teacher
in due time!
Julia Turner ... May 9, 2018
Support the Book Fair at Frank Ledesma Elementary!
Student-Staff Personal Belongings - Pickup
On May 14-15, Principals will schedule a time and locations for students and parents to come to the schools to drop off school library books, turn in completed work/learning packets, and pick up personal belongings. Principals will establish protocols for drop-off and pick-up of items which include social distance measures and will have masks/gloves for staff assisting in the distribution of items.
COVID-19 Testing
Additional COVID-19 testing that is now available in Monterey County. Two testing sites opened in Monterey County this week. The County is reserving the first two weeks of community testing services at these testing sites for employees who meet the California Department of Public Health expanded eligibility for COVID-19 testing. Tier 1 prioritized sectors include symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers, first responders, and other social service employees; screening of asymptomatic employees of congregate living facilities including; and symptomatic and asymptomatic persons in essential occupations.
Testing is being conducted by a private company and not the County. Testing services are by appointment only. Appointments can be made by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting or calling 888-634-1123.
Individuals will need to provide their insurance card and valid identification at the time of check-in. A unique identification number will be provided for those that do not have a valid identification. For those without any insurance, the State will cover the full cost of testing. There is no out of pocket cost for anyone receiving service.
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers in your families and on we wish you all a Wonderful Sunday!
Timothy J. Vanoli, Superintendent
Email: ifirme@soledad.k12.ca.us
Website: www.soledadusd.org
Location: 1261 Metz Road, Soledad, CA, USA
Phone: (831) 678-3950
Facebook: facebook.com/SoledadUnifiedSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @SoledadSupt