Student Services Newsletter
August 3, 2020
Dear Assistant Principals,
It goes without saying that this upcoming year will be full of challenges we have never seen before. It is hard to prepare for an unknown future, so it is important to control what you can. Re-entry plans and ongoing emotional support for students, staff, and families will be essential.
Our staff, students, and families will need so much when we return. Many are working through fear, anxiety, trauma, and uncertainty. The first couple of weeks, months....possibly the entire year will not be the same. People will need each other and your leadership more than ever.
As you work on systems, strategies, and ideas to take care of people, we wanted to direct you to a simple but very powerful social and emotional learning practice. This practice will enhance relationships, provide equitable and belonging experiences, and build community with all students, staff, and leadership teams. The practice is called the SEL 3 Signature Practices from CASEL. Simply, there are three steps to every school day, lesson, professional development session, staff meeting, zoom session, and PLC. They include welcoming activities, engaging instructional practices, and optimistic closures.
Take a look at this short video from CASEL on the SEL 3 Signature Practices.
There are many resources available and our fabulous SEL team is creating strategies and tools to teach and implement the 3 Signature Practices throughout the school year. We are highlighting how to create inclusion and belonging strategies for adult learning this week. Choose what fits your style or come up with additional ideas for each section. (see chart below) The solution to isolation, fear, and anxiety is to connect and build trust through intentional efforts. We hope you can grab a few ideas to implement as we embark on a very challenging school year. You got this!!!
Please let us know if you have any questions or need any help!
Thanks!
Your Student Services Team
Assistant Principal Updates and Information
- August 3, 2020 - Monday night's board meeting - start time 5:00
- BOY Checklist for AP's
- CoVId 19 Response Resources - check this at least weekly so that you are informed and can answer questions.
- Updates in the Student Code of Conduct to address new mask requirements coming soon!
- August 3rd - 7th: New Teacher Week
- August 10th - 18th: Staff PD and Work Days
- September 2nd and 3rd: AP Meetings
Aeries and Blackboard Migration
We have confirmed that Technology has now migrated Aeries data into the Blackboard mass notification platform. Contacts in Blackboard should now properly reflect information for the 2020-21 school year. Anyone who has enrolled since July 13 may not be in the system yet, but those individuals should begin to populate as their enrollment data is imported into Aeries.
If you have new users on your campus that are not familiar with using Blackboard, please be sure to send us their names so we can add them to the Blackboard Google Shared Drive and extend invitations to them for upcoming training opportunities.
KU 2!!!
Note: If you are looking for some leadership training and guidance during this uncertain time, please join Abbie Harriman (new SEL Coordinator) and Laura Lockhart in a session called "Leadership During Uncertainty."
Contact Us
Joe Baker - Area Director of Student Services X1083
Stephanie Cantu - Student Services Assistant X 1115
Laura Lockhart - Area Director of Student Services X 1105
Email: stephanie.cantu@kellerisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/kellerisd.net/student-services
Phone: 817-744-1115