The Roundup
A gathering space for educators
May 2020
In the Instructional Services Department at Van Buren Intermediate School District, supporting teachers and administrators with instruction is the heart of our work. It is our hope that this monthly newsletter will help capture upcoming events and important information to support your work in your districts, schools, and classrooms.
Browse our upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities at the bottom of this email.
(Updated Frequently)
Silver Linings amidst a Pandemic
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." -Dr. Wayne Dyer
Lawrence High School Connects with Students through a Fun Picture Update
~Gretchen Gendron, Lawrence Public Schools
Redwood's Art Teacher Draws Pictures on Sack Lunches going home to families
Team work to support student needs is going strong
~A. Wotring, VBISD
Hidden talents are being used to engage students
Students Succeed at The Van Buren Middle College Program
Joshua Alburtus
Kirsten Kneller
Cayla Stout
Dayleah Smith
Lawton High School - completed Associate of Arts Degree / General Studies (KVCC)
Heather Hageman
Olivia Semrau
Mattawan High School - completed Associate of Science Degree (KVCC)
Emily Mead
Tyler Urbain
Mattawan High School - completed Associate of Arts Degree / General Studies (KVCC)
Hailey Jarman
Sydney Baugh
Katelyn Stuut
Emma Jones
Nina Walsh
Liana Mancillas
Hazen Switzer
Arran Tate
Astrid Horton
Videos are being used to recognize teachers and students publicly
Teachers are finding unique and fun ways to continue to connect with students
Bloomingdale found a fun way to show teacher appreciation
Bangor Teachers connect with students through a #flatteacher Project
Entire towns come together to celebrate the Class of 2020
School lunch heroes are celebrated county-wide
Teams are coming together to support one another in new ways
Lawton goes all out to make books available to kids despite the library being closed
Resources are being created and shared in a collaborative effort to help educators with distance learning
being proactive about mental health and wellness is becoming a priority
and the list goes on...
- The school closure has granted educators the opportunity to rethink education, content delivery, and learning. ~T. Saylor, Gobles
- A greater sense of community is developing within the school communities with the "we are all in this together" mentality. ~T. Saylor, Gobles
- Parents and community members have become much more appreciative of educators, administrators and school employees and what they do for children on a daily basis. ~T. Saylor, Gobles
- Many staff members, especially those more veteran instructors who normally resist computerization, have become more familiar and proficient with digital media. ~T. Saylor, Gobles
- I felt way more in control of items when I had to call some students/parents. They know I am not going to tell them negative things..that I just need to touch base about some learning. Because of this, some learning has been 40 minute phone calls. The students ask great questions. ~M. Pratt, Bloomingdale
- I always knew the Special Education Department at the VBISD was amazing, but it wasn't until they had one week to contact parents, collaborate with other providers, write Individual Contingency Learning Plans, AND start remote learning, did I really appreciate their superpowers. ~K. Holverstott, VBISD
- During packet pick up South Walnut gave out books to students to keep them excited about reading.
VBISD Instructional Services Department
Location: 490 South Paw Paw Street, Lawrence, MI, USA
Phone: 269-674-8091
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VBISDinstruction/
Twitter: @VBISDIS