Pleasant Hill Weekly Update
February 26, 2021
Message from Mrs. Steele
"We're all in this together,
and it shows,
when we stand,
hand in hand,
make our dreams come true..."
Funny story, our family uses that chorus (and sometimes I even sing it out loud to my kids) when we're going through something tough. FYI-teenagers don't like it when their mom sings or dances but I digress... I'm sure everyone has a theme song that pops up without even thinking about it.
Throughout the many challenges of a global pandemic, that chorus sometimes plays along in the background of my mind. As we approach the one year anniversary of Covid-19, I can't help but notice the emotions in our staff, kids and parents that look and feel like we are all riding the waves of collective grief. How do we continue to rally together as a united community when we're exhausted and just want this to be over?
When I have personally been down and out, a Principal Facebook group has helped me keep a little perspective. Leaders from around the country seek support and ideas from each other and recently, there have been a lot of questions about what it's really like for kids to be in the building because their school has been remote all year. I feel proud to be part of a community that reopened in the fall and so grateful we get to see kids in person every day. I am also really privileged to be working in a district that provided every tool imaginable to teachers and kids to be able to do our best in a remote environment. Sometimes people post asking how to support their staff after they've lost a beloved member of their school community to Covid-19. I've never had to do that and can't even imagine... A lot of posts ask for ideas on keeping teacher morale strong. I reflect on how amazing our parent community has been with messages, little treats, flexibility... Just yesterday we received bouquets of beautiful spring tulips for every single person! Talk about lifting spirits!
As we feel like we're "hitting the wall," the worst thing that could happen is that we stop believing that we're all in this together. In my email inbox this morning, there was a link to an article about Covid-19 Loss and Grief that really speaks to what we're all going through right now. I hope you'll take a moment to read it and share with someone you care about who might also be feeling the same way.
Finally, there's a phrase my Grandpa from Texas used to say when he was encouraging me to not give up. He'd put his arm around me and say, "Jesse- don't let your horse lose it's giddy-up." I am thinking about him now and if we could put our arms around all of our parents I'd say the same thing to you. Let's not give up on ourselves or each other. Please reach out if there is anything you want to share with us. We're listening and we are still in this together.
-Jesseca Steele
Instructional Coaches Corner- From Ann Marie Henderson, Literacy IC
Writing. Is. Hard. Even as grown-ups, when we sit down and write an email, a card, or a more formal letter, we often take at least several minutes to do so. Sometimes we agonize over the wording, tone, or length. There is a lot involved in writing - gathering an idea, planning it out, considering how to make the letters, how to spell words, using spaces, and more. As adults, we have learned to do many of these things fluidly and simultaneously. Kids are not there - yet! Our job is to help them practice something in writing each day. When supporting your student, begin by observing your student and/or their work. Observing first may help you to choose a starting point for supporting them.
Do they draw a picture with no words?
Do they write some words?
Are the sentences difficult to read?
Do they have just a few sentences or many?
Below are some brief videos that can help you to support your young writer in these various stages. Some days will be easier than others. Try your best to make it joyful! If it becomes a battle, set it aside and try again another time. More tips to come soon, but until then, thank YOU for all you are doing to help your child feel like a reader/writer at home!
Video #1: My Child Has Pictures and I Want to Help Them Add Words
Video #2: My Child is Writing Words/Sentences, But They are Difficult to Read
Kindergarten Registration 2021-2022
We are eager to welcome our newest Kindergarten students to Scarborough Public Schools! We are currently planning for Fall 2021 and will be able to release more information about what school will look like later this spring. If you have a child who turns 5 on or before Oct. 15, 2021 and you are considering sending them to school in the fall, please complete this form. Formal registration packets will be available on our website at a later date.
The information you provide is important for us to accurately plan for the number of classrooms, teachers and materials we will need in the fall. Please complete the form so we can contact you through email with updates and news about the 2021-2022 school year as the situation evolves and decisions are made. We will hold registration appointments at each school later in the Spring.
Primary PTA Message
Student Directory:
Last call for our 2020-2021 school year student directory. This is a great resource to plan safe summer play dates. Maybe you can even encourage your child to write by sending letters or cards to classmates over the summer. If no changes need to be made then you do not need to submit again.
Pleasant Hill: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgoXX5MJ-Ite9UYqo0HM1cnFjmQ1gL75ZUYosQluxe0wSWwQ/viewform
Next Meeting: Monday, Monday 8, 2021 (virtually) at 7PM. The link will be sent to our email list and posted on Facebook.
Upcoming Dates
Monday March 8th: Virtual PTA meeting
Friday March 19th: End of Second Trimester
School Nutrition
Please check out the February Breakfast and Lunch menus. Starting this month, there are new menu items and expanded options for both.
Please remember you must order the night before. Here is the link to menus: http://www.scarboroughschools.org/central-office/nutrition-program/menus