Galloping Gazette
A newsletter for the Faculty and Staff - Week of 5/4
Put Students First • Seek Growth • Be Open to Change . Do Great Work Together • Value Differences
Principal's Message
When I envisioned this week many months ago, I never envisioned having to celebrate you from a distance. I never thought that our budget would be tightened or that I couldn't personally hug you and tell you what a difference you make. None of this could ever have been imagined. However, here we are. I would love more than anything to give you a week that we had planned full of daily treats and recognition that you SO deserve.
During this time, you are learning even more technology to keep your students engaged in virtual learning. You are seeing more than ever those students who have high ACEs scores and those whose scores have elevated even more since March 13th. You have seen a range of emotions from parents and students, and I know they need you now more than ever. You have taught, read, fed, provided security, cleaned, passed out Chromebooks, set up home offices, and completed clerical tasks, to name a few, all in a way in which you have never had to before.
And yet, despite all of the challenges the last seven weeks have brought your way, you have handled it like true professionals - caring, compassionate individuals who work hard for the benefit of our students. All of this while balancing your own family responsibilities and stressors this situation has brought your way. I know it hasn't been easy, and you have likely had a range of emotions yourselves. BUT, know that it has not gone unnoticed! I see you and all of your work! It has made you all even bigger educational superheroes. So, this week, wear your cape proudly. You deserve all the recognitions you can imagine this week and always! Know that even though all the tangible gifts and treats are not there, Ms. Porter and I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you! Happy Staff Appreciation Week!
-Robyn
Week Ahead
Monday, May 4th - Hats off to you - game time during staff meeting
9:00 - All Instructional Staff Meeting - Go to Google Meet - Type CFESStaffMtg
9:30 - 10:30 - PD on Chapters 6 -7
1:00 - 3:00 - Grade Level Planning
1:00 TA and all other staff Meeting via Google Meet- Type CFESStaffMTG
3:00 Emergency Learning Plans are due to Ms. Backer
Tuesday, May 5th - Compliment a Cowgirl or Cowboy
School Open by Appointment Only from 9:30 - 1:30
1:30 Instructional Coaches Collab via Google Meet -
Wednesday, May 6th - Wild about you!
9:30 - Ms. Backer's Read Aloud
School Open by Appointment Only from 9:30 - 1:30
10:00 AM - 3rd Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES3collab
10:45 AM - 4th Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES4collab
11:30 AM - 1st Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES1collab
Thursday, May 7th - Gratitude Stampede
8:00 - Coffee Chat - Google Meet - CFESCoffee
10:00 AM - 2nd Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES2collab
10:45 AM - K Collaboration via Google Meet - CFESKcollab
11:30 AM - 5th Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES5collab
Friday, May 8th - Wet your Whistle
10:00 -1:00 - If you feel comfortable, swing on by CFES to pick up a special treat from the PTA.
News and Notes....
- Do you need access to CFES? Don't forget to sign up prior to so that we can ensure that we stay within the CDC guidelines and remember to ONLY use the front door for entrance and exit. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AfP0-HAOI30_C10tEbUrmgpjubJLiLXiv2bVU5RdKYM/edit?usp=sharing
- Please be sure the office has an up to date address for you! Please email Wende with your new address if your address has changed since the beginning of the school year.
- Career Teacher deadline has not changed. If this is your year to rectify, please just take pictures of any documentation or use the scan feature on your cell phone to send to me. Let me know if you have any questions or need any assistance with this. If you have any specific questions you can contact John Ogden in HR
Welcome to the Farm!
In case you haven't heard, Mrs. Kemper will be leaving Christopher Farms to head on a new adventure! She is headed to Corporate Landing MS to teach 6th grade. We wish Alainya the best of luck on her new journey!
We are excited to welcome Parthena Savides to our 5th grade team! Parthena will be joining us from Trantwood ES, where she taught 4th grade. Here are a few fun facts about her -
- I am a first generation American because both my parents came from Greece
- I have a saying to help people remember or say my first and last name--Parthena like the Parthenon and Savides which rhymes with Wheaties like the cereal.
- I did an internship in the Foodways department at Colonial Williamsburg (which goes hand in hand with the fact that I love to bake)
- I have four adorable nieces and nephews all under the age of five.
I know you will join me in welcoming Ms. Savides to the farm family!
Staff news
- It is with bittersweet news, that we share that Stacey Witherow will be relocating with her husband back up to Maryland. Maryland is home for their families and are excited to be back close to them. We will miss you so much!
- Please keep in your thoughts and prayers Cindy Matney and her family. Last Friday, her high school age daughter experienced a seizure. She was brought to CHKD and was released late that night. They will continue to run tests to determine the cause.
Talent Ed Formative Focus and Goal
Instructional staff with end of year goals: Please close out your end of the year data review by simply stating "due to the unexpected closure of school there is no end of year data to report". For your PD portion of this reflection, you can use what you did for our book study. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for being flexible during this process!
All instructional staff are to submit their Goals/Formative Focus form by May 25th.
Classified- You will be evaluated over two years in Spring 2021; formative data from the 2019-2020 school year will be stored with admin. Feel free to work with your closest teacher if you would like any initial feedback.
***If you are Classified and hired after July 1, 2019, you will be evaluated before June 12, 2020***
Morning Meeting Motivation
For this week, check out the morning meeting motivators that are provided by PGI. I have also linked an SEL Choice Board as a resource!
If you aren't following @PGIVBCPS or @Sansone39 on Twitter, you are really missing out. Each week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, they are posting morning meeting ideas to add to your virtual morning meeting toolbox. I have linked the Google Doc of the running slides for you! Go give them a follow too!
#SelfCare Recommendations
It is Strawberry Picking Season!
Many farms in VB are open for business! This weekend would be the perfect to get outside and grab some strawberries!
Get your caffeine!
Your feet need taken care of as well!
This shoe brand is giving teachers a 50% off code right now! These shoes are beyond comfy, machine washable, and made from recycled water bottles!
Game Changer Moment
Professional Development Opportunities
Looking for professional development? You can register in Frontline for the IGNITE SEL Webinar Series. These webinars will be focused on supporting SEL during Phase 2 of Emergency Learning. You will have the opportunity to hear from other teachers and get amazing resources!
Helpful List of Resources
VBCPS 2019-2020 Emergency Learning Plans for Elementary Schools
Newly updated VBCPS 2019-2020 School Calendar
Emergency Learning Plan Webpage
VBCPS Mental Health Resources: You are taking care of our students. Here are some resources to help take care of yourself also.
Meals for families: These are the locations you can give to families in need of food. Kids must be with the family to receive food.
Chromebook Repair: Here are the sites families can exchange their broken Chromebook for a new one.
Dr. Spence's Deskside Chats: Closed- captioned videos shared every Tuesday and Thursday on YouTube, where Dr. Spence tackles a few questions and provide some updates.
VBCPS General Updates: Most current updates on nearly everything here.
Technology Tips: These are tips on working from home. You need to be logged in to your VBSchools account to access it. As always, the DoT Help Desk is available at (757) 263-1111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday should you need support as you work to ensure our students continue to learn.
CDC Guidelines: Tips to keep you and your family safe. We love you. Stay safe.
The Office of Employee Relations has published FAQs for employees regarding work locations/hours, pay, leave, FMLA, as well as the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on the Intranet. Here is the direct link to this information: https://vbcps.sharepoint.com/sites/Intranet/Pages/COVID_19FAQs.aspx