Scarlet News and Notes
May 26, 2020
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
7 Days?
This pandemic reminds me of what my grandma used to tell me when our kids were all very little, "the days are long, but the years are short." At times, it seems like distance learning is taking forever, and now we only have 7 days left. Hang in there!
Graduation
The graduation ceremony will be on public access television KTV (Consolidated Communications channel 8; Spectrum/Charter channel 180 at 8:00pm on June 4; played on KTOE (102.7 FM and 1420 AM); and streamed on http://www.accessktv.org/watch/.
Parade
On June 4th, beginning about 1:30, all staff members who want to participate will stand on the sidewalk (with masks, at least 6 feet apart) around the front lot and seniors will drive through the lot to see staff members one more time. Details will be coming, and we will be following MDE's guidelines for parking lot parades. Stay tuned!
End of the Year
The end of the year is coming fast, and here is a general idea (details will be coming) of what to expect:
Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4 - Students will be invited to campus to pick up any remaining personal items left at school and to turn in textbooks and media books. Students in grades 9-11 will keep their chromebooks over the summer.
Thursday, June 4 - Parking Lot Parade, Graduation Ceremony
Friday, June 5 - Grading window closes at 3:00pm. We need this time to make sure that students who need summer credit recovery are able to get enrolled in summer school and that transcripts are updated for seniors.
June 8-12 - Seniors will turn in chromebooks, textbooks, cap/gowns, etc. and pick up diplomas
Tuesday, June 9 - All classrooms, department storage rooms have to be cleaned out. (see Staff Check Out, below)
Grading
Grading Reminders:
If a student is earning 50% or more, they will pass the semester.
If a student was passing during 3rd quarter (at 50% or more), but is struggling during 4th quarter, we will hold them harmless, and they will pass the semester.
If the student wasn't passing during 3rd quarter, but has demonstrated growth during our distance learning time, they will pass.
Students will receive a “P” for pass or an “NC” for no credit.
If you are working with a student and you believe they can complete work for your course and earn a “P” you may give them an “Incomplete” for up to two weeks. If you choose to do this, please let Jodi know when to change the grade from "I" to "P".
When making determinations that are not as clear, especially with our seniors, this is the lens I would look through, "Will it be more harmful to move the student on to the next level if they have not achieved 50%, or will it be more harmful to hold the student back and have them repeat a semester? " In other words, are the skills and content the student may have missed so important that if we pass them along, we are setting them up for failure in the future.
If a student is going to receive an NC, the student's name and course must be reported on the Student Progress Tracking form our PST has sent out. If there are questions, please connect with Mike and/or Andy.
Staff Check Out
Custodial staff will need to be able to begin cleaning buildings on June 10, so all classrooms need to be ready for this no later than the end of the day June 9. June 5 has been designated as the day for teachers to clean out their rooms, but teachers have the flexibility to use other times as it fits best with their family and health needs. You do not need to notify the office that you are coming to your room, but do use door #19, sign in, disinfect any surfaces you touch, and sign out.
Teachers' Classrooms/storage rooms
Remove all personal items
Carpets Squares
Area rugs
Staff owned furniture - bean bags, couches, plush chairs
Lamps
Appliances
Pillows, Futons
Plush/stuffed animals
Reduce materials to a minimum
Clean out old files
Eliminated materials that will be difficult to sanitize
Instructions to Staff Reporting to Buildings
If you have any of the following symptoms you will need to stay home and monitor your symptoms for COVID-19:
New onset or worsening cough
Shortness of breath
At Least Two of the following symptoms:
Fever 100 F or higher
Chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
If you have been exposed to someone who has a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case
We highly recommend you bring and wear your own cloth face mask.
Make sure your nose and mouth are covered.
Do not touch your mask while you are wearing it.
Do not touch your nose, eyes, or mouth.
Wash your hands after removing your mask.
Wash your mask each day.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Practice social distancing while visiting with other staff.
Message from Scott Hogan
1) As the school year draws to an end we will be extending access time for facilities so teachers can get into their rooms and start removing items and preparing their rooms for summer. Staff will still be limited to one entrance and required to log-in and out at that entrance. Some locations have it set up that staff contact the custodian so they can disinfect the spaces visited by that staff member while others have staff disinfecting their high touch surfaces. Whichever is fine, so long as we keep the facility disinfected and safe for all staff. New hour will be Monday-Friday 7am to 7 pm and Saturdays 8am to 4pm.
2) Material Handling: MDH and CDC last week updated material handling, please review the attached information as staff may have questions as materials are returned from students atr the end of the school year.
3) Staff and Visit Screening: Even though the governor has opened up the state and allowing more activity, the district needs to continue to have staff and visitors/vendors/contractors go through the screening questions. The screening questions were also updated this past week.
News to Share
Our West YES! team picked up the second place award in the region for their work. They earn an additional $300 to use for projects with this award.
Staff changes:
Kim Hermer is extending her leave through next year, and Olivia Weisbecker (Class of 2015) will be joining us in the English Department.
Taylor Wasvick has accepted a position at Stillwater High School, and with Michael Johnson going full time to be our CIC/Mentor, we have hired two new social studies teachers. Jessica Kuch from Albert Lea and Sara Tostenson from Belle Plaine will be joining us as well.
Rachel Palmer, who was recently published in Referee Magazine, is retiring this year. Congratulations on being a published writer and thank you for your years of dedication to the health and education of our Scarlets. Danny Heath will be transferring from DMMS to join our PE/Health department.
The Last Two Weeks at a Glance
June 3 & 4
Student's return textbooks/library books
June 4
Last Day of School
Parking Lot Parade 1:30pm
Graduation 8:00pm
June 5
Teacher Work Day
Grades due 3:00pm
Birthdays this Week
Happy Belated Birthday to...
Ashley Iverson - May 20
Don Krusemark - May 22
Happy Birthday to...
Amanda Whiteas - May 28