What's Happening??!!
~ Hawley School Newsletter: April 5, 2020 ~
From the Desk of Mr. Moretti.....
Dear Hawley Parents/Guardians, Teachers, and Staff,
I hope that all of you and your families are healthy, safe, and well. Week 2 in the books, ready to roll out Week 3 of Distance Learning.
THANK YOU to all of you for your dedication, caring, cooperation, patience and support. What we are doing right now is a testament to the core of what defines the Hawley School Community.
As we work out bumps and explore new resources, we will be starting to make some shifts. I, and the teachers, will explain them thoroughly. We will also give time to adjust and figure things out. We remain in this together and will continue to support and assist as needed.
As we continue to move through this unprecedented situation, everyone will be faced with their own "reality." If your situation changes or problems arise, please reach out to me with any question or need that you have.
Buckle up, keep your hands and feet in the car at all times, and stay seated as you read on to find out What's Happening at Hawley .......
~ Story Time With Mr. Moretti ~
During this new normal, what I miss the most is seeing the kids. I want to stay connected. I have a book series that I used to read to my boys when they were little. There are 45 stories in the series. I will read them, record them, and send you the links.
Feel free to play one each day (you can binge but I reference days of the week ;0). This helps me connect to the kids, they get to see me (AND you get an 8 minute or so break ;0) Continue to send messages or pictures of the kids enjoying the stories, they brighten my day!
Monday: Story 11
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DtHI7awM20bZBj5AFcDF16GWr9pkAcnL/view
Tuesday: Story 12
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OHA-74DuNS64Yzfa-ihYtHrChxNGM47q/view
Wednesday: Story 13
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OT9SZwPvTwYm5_e1FQAhrFTFju7y42CD/view
Thursday: Story 14
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IWmGHMAySR0epc2Gk2rhUe7Ep-RSyfbD/view
Friday: Story 15 (A BONUS, since we are technically off today ;0)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v-3X09DXC7LJLvr9zGX7fanZ6h4Hi2xc/view
Student Work
**VERY IMPORTANT**
Google Classroom & the SeeSaw App are going to be the 2 platforms used to deliver lessons and, most importantly, for students to RETURN WORK. K-1 will be using the SeeSaw App with Grades 2-4 utilizing Google Classroom.
Special Area Teachers (Art, Library, Music, PE, Spanish), our Counselor, and Special Education Providers (Resource Teachers, Speech & Language, Psychologist, Occupational and Physical Therapies) are also going to begin using these platforms as well. Although it sounds overwhelming, it is actually more organized with fewer emails ;0)
For example: a student in K-1 will receive all their information from all instructors through the SeeSaw App along with teacher outlines and directions. A student in grades 2-4 will go to their Google Classroom and see all their classrooms there: 1 for the class, 1 for art, 1 for PE, 1 for special education (if they receive services), etc. Each staff member is divided up and separated on the platform.
All classroom teachers will be up and running this week (some have been already). Most of the others I mentioned above, will begin after April Vacation. We have tutorials to help on our Website in the new Digital Resources Link (https://sites.google.com/newtown.k12.ct.us/npsdigitalresources/home)
Video Messages, Virtual Meetings, Small Group and/or Support Instructional Sessions are all underdevelopment and will be rolled out when appropriate. We do not want to overwhelm with too many changes at one time.
** With it looking like we may be out of school for quite a prolonged period of time, it is vital that you set up and become familiar with Google Classroom and/or the SeeSaw App. Turning in student work and chosen assignments is going to be something that will occur. We will guide and assist in every way that we can, but I repeat, certain work assignments are going to be collected and needed to be turned in through these platforms.
~ Questions / Suggestions ~
this information has been updated, worth a re-look
Teachers implementing systems to answer questions that you or your child(ren) may have. It is going to be systematic and organized. It will require cooperation and understanding. There will be questions that need an immediate response while certainly there are questions that can wait. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
If you have any difficulty reaching a staff member, or are not hearing back from a staff member, I ask that you reach out to me or Mrs. Connors. Teachers are to do the same if you are not hearing from parents and/or students.
SUGGESTIONS:
- Set up work areas and schedules (build in breaks)
- Remember nothing about the work is urgent. No work, at our level, must be completed the day it is assigned. If you have a question or if your student is struggling with an assignment, take a break. Wait for input from the teacher or the answer and revisit.
- Ask your question directly to the staff member responsible for your question (classroom teacher, special area teacher, intervention support, special education, related services, mental health, etc). This will significantly increase the response time.
- Collect a few important questions and ask your teacher for a scheduled phone call to address all at one time
- Include simple questions on the Student Work Log
- Improvise: you can re-create an assignment if you can't print, use different materials as available, use your own strategies (that WE were taught as kids ;0)
- Step a way, unplug and just have fun!
Devices
We will continue to work with families to provide devices as needed. Most families that have reached out to their teacher for a device either received it or has an appointment to pick one up at Hawley. Stay in touch with your classroom teacher regarding need.
Students in Grades K-1 will receive an ipad with students in grades 2-4 receiving chromebooks.
Important Reminders / General Info
- If your child wants to send me an email (through your email address), I would love it ;0) and will reply.
- April Vacation will remain with no work being sent home or expected to be completed.
- There is a terrific resource on our school website, it is entitled DISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCES. It includes tutorials and links to web-based materials (books and videos). It will continuously be updated as resources become available.
It goes without saying that no videos or audio recordings of staff should end up on social media or shared with other people. Discussions of other students or sharing of their work is not appropriate. Let's be role-models.
Reach out to me with any question or need.
Breathe: we are in this together
Dates to Remember
- April 8 (beginning at sundown): Passover
- April 10: NO SCHOOL: Good Friday
- April 13-April 17: Spring Recess
- Tues, June 16: Tentative Last Day of School (?)
Funny Bones .....
I started making masks for my family,
I think I got a little carried away.......
(at least now you know where all the toilet paper went ;0)
Follow Us On Twitter
*For us to use your child's likeness, we need your permission. Permission must be granted annually via the ParentPortal.
Twitter: @hawley_school
The Hawley School Website
Chris Moretti
Email: morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us
Website: http://newtown.hawley.schooldesk.net/
Location: 29 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT, United States
Phone: (203) 426-7666
Twitter: @cmoretti66