Westwood Weekly
Staff Newsletter - Week of May 26-May 31
This Week:
This has been a school year for the record books, that's for sure! In many ways, it feels we have been in continuous transition since before Day 1 - and the changes keep coming! I am so inspired by the resilience and perseverance you have all demonstrated in making the best of the challenges laid before us, and putting your 'why' at the center of everything you're doing for kids! In the midst of it all, we have continued to find opportunities to express gratitude to lift us up. This week, we extend our thanks to:
- Jeanie, Melinda, and Cheryl for working together on the Volunteer Recognition project, and to everyone who contributed! We are eagerly awaiting the finished product!
- Cheryl for coordinating efforts to create a virtual 'Open House' - can't wait to see it all come together; and for taking the time every week during the closure to continue to care for plants and flowers throughout campus!
- All grade level teams for collaborating to plan EOY activities for our students, and helping to make it all extra special!
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude for the service the following individuals have given our Westwood and greater MDUSD community over the years, as they embark on new adventures ahead (in alpha order):
- Michaela Bradley (Retirement)
- Katie Evans (Retirement)
- Dawna Jackson (Retirement)
- Jill Kimack (Retirement)
- Kerry Little (Layoff)
- Taylor Mirner (Layoff)
- Kelly Starick (Transfer), and
- Kim Sutton (Retirement)
There are no words to sufficiently articulate the hole each of you will leave behind.You will all be dearly missed, and I hope you wrap up your time at Westwood knowing how much you are loved and appreciated! Someday, we will have the opportunity to properly celebrate you and your innumerable contributions! In the meantime, I'm sending you all a huge virtual hug!
Have a wonderful week!
This Week:
-Lunch served M, W, and F at EDMS (11-12:30)
-Soul Shoppe Workshops (daily, 1:30-2:15)
Monday, 5/25: Memorial Day Holiday - No School
Tuesday, 5/26:
-Mindfulness Lesson (10am)
-Kindergarten Beach Party (10am)
-Annual & Transition IEP Meeting for Nikko VB-Perio (2:00)
-Special Ed Zoom Office Hours
Wednesday, 5/27:
-Transition IEP Meeting for RDA-Driscoll (8:00)
-Mindfulness Lesson (10am)
-K/1 Materials Exchange (11:30-1:30)
-Staff Check-in - optional (ALL staff welcome!) - Zoom link
-Annual IEP Meeting for Jacob E-Driscoll (3:30)
Thursday, 5/28:
-Mindfulness Lesson (10am)
-2nd/3rd Grade Materials Exchange (11:30-1:30)
-DHH Transition IEP Meetings (12:00-3:00)
Friday, 5/29:
-District DHH Check-in with Amy (10:30)
-5th Grade Virtual Promotion (10:00)
-4th/5th Grade Materials Exchange (11:30-1:30)
Coming up:
-Virtual Staff Meetings/PD (1 hour/day, 6/1-3)
-5th Grade Drive-Thru Celebration (6/3, time TBD)
-Spirit Parade (6/3, following the 'drive-thru')
Returning to Work Protocols
As you may or may not know, many of our employees are authorized to return to "work" starting on 5/26. Although most of our staff is not needed on site at this time, we do anticipate more people may be on campus. For everyone's safety it is critical that you refer to the email that I sent to you on Thursday night, detailing required safety protocols. We ask that you please notify me or Jill if you plan to come to campus for any reason, as it is important that we monitor how many people are on site at any given time to insure proper distancing is possible for any given work area. Everyone who is on campus must check in at the front office to be screened prior to starting work every day. Please stay behind the counter. Thank you for your cooperation, and please do not hesitate to contact Nancy directly with any questions you may have.
PBIS - Celebrating our Students!
Student Awards - The 3rd Trimester awards for your students can be distributed electronically via the LifeTouch portal (teachers were sent instructions via email).
End-of-Year 'Parties' - Please let me know when and how you will be celebrating with your students by filling out the EOY Celebrations page. Thanks to those who have already recorded their events.
End of Year Procedures
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Schedule: Although we are still working out the specific details, you can share general information with our families using this flyer. If you are available and willing to help with this process, please email Nancy or Jill. A phone call and email reminder will be sent out the night prior to each grade level's exchange date, but whatever reminders teachers can share as well would be appreciated. Please note that Report Cards will NOT be placed in the bags with the students' belongings, as we need to insure that all Chromebooks and library books have been returned before we distribute them.
Reports of Student Progress (aka Report Cards)
- Any area where a standards-based rating cannot be given, students should received a NA-Not Assessed. It is expected that most students will be receiving mostly (if not all) NAs for the 3rd trimester on any standard they were not able to assess fully during the 1st or 2nd trimesters. (District administrators are currently working with the company to add 'NA' as a drop-down option for PE/ART, etc.).
- The following comment will be added to all elementary report cards. "Schools were closed for the 3rd trimester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Not Assessed (NA) mark was used by staff not as a reflection of student performance but of the inability to collect the student work necessary to assess accurately due to the unique distance learning situation." In order to document this time of COVID-19 and distance learning, teachers will need to select the comment from the comment bank under the category called “COVID-19” in order for the comment to appear on report cards.
- Teachers can complete their report cards early and distribute them along with the student items the last week of May (when personal items are distributed, and Chromebooks returned).
Spanish Tech Support Available
During our DELAC meeting, parents expressed their need for technical support in Spanish. Parents may contact our Spanish speaking Tech., Mr. Mario, who will be able to assist them in Spanish. Mr. Mario's number (925) 542-8073. Please include this information in your communication with families: “Durante nuestra reunión de DELAC, los padres de habla hispana expresaron la necesidad de apoyo técnico en español. Los padres pueden llamar directamente al Sr. Mario, nuestro técnico de habla hispana, que les podrá ayudar en español. Sr. Mario's number (925) 542-8073."