PIRATE PRESS
Fill yer sails with the amazing work of ye mateys at NP3!
April 13, 2020
Tech Stretch: Try Something New with Zoom
So, what have you tried beyond setting up and scheduling a meeting? How did it go? What are some of the ways that strategy will benefit our kids? In the spirit of keeping the Zoom momentum going, I attached two videos to further our exploration and learning about this tool. The first video provides information on tips and tricks that may be helpful in how you choose to use Zoom. The second video shares a few different ways you can increase privacy options for your Zoom experience. While you watch both videos, considering the following:
- What tips intrigue you and are ones you'll likely try out?
- Which Zoom privacy option have you already tried? Or would you like to try?
Tips that I will likely try out are:
1. Mute without the sidebar open
2. Hiding the share bar
5. Zoom add-on feature
Privacy options I have already tried are the waiting room, password required and the settings option for disabling participant use of the whiteboard. I've used these because they were the easiest to find and navigate when giving Zoom a first try. They're also effective in their purpose.
Looking forward to your learning and reflection Pirates! Arrrgh!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
STAFF ONLY:
Tech and Computers: Yea tech distribution team! 100 of the 119 students (who requested one) received chromebooks Tue April 7. Please take a look at the list to see if you have one of the kiddos who didn't pick up a chromebook but requested one. We're not sure of the progress on these students. Please check to see if they've been responsive to online distance learning or not - it's possible they need a friendly nudge and a call home to check in re: if they still need a device. Please communicate any needs to McGuire.
Alternative Distance Learning Week 3: Please continue to prep these by each Friday for the following week. Last week we only had 3 packets requested. Taniia will send out names of who the kids were. NEW this week is if parents want a packet, they will have to request one from their Advisor. If you have a parent request one, please pass the word to Edwards and Anzelc and we will set up pick up. We are still working on what the turning in of this work looks like, please stay tuned.
Enrichment: Week 2 of enrich is on the front end of the slides. Please attach to your advisory classroom!
FlipGrid Treasured Pirates: Teachers! Please add your video to the schoolwide Flip Treasured Pirates. This week the link is direct to the new topic: "Let's talk WEATHER". P
Advisor Post to Google Classroom: Advisors! Please continue to post "Treasured Pirates" in Advisory announcements or as a separate assignment. This week the link is direct to the new topic: "Let's talk WEATHER". Please add your own video and encourage the kiddos to add one as well. The following message can be copy/pasted to your post in Advisory: Pirates! Ms. Anzelc and Mrs. Edwards are keeping the "treasured pirates" grid going with a new topic this week: "let's talk WEATHER!" WE MISS YOU and want to keep connected. See you on the grid. Happy sharing!
Advisor Post to Google Classroom: A friendly reminder to post the weekly announcements found in the "Parents and Families" section in your advisory google classroom. Links will need to be transferred over as well.
Staff Well-being: Team Pirates we care about you. We would like to host an optional team meet about all things change and what that means for how we are doing through this process and our well-being. The focus is on YOU. T and J will will host a chat on Tuesday the 14th at 11:00 am. We will touch on change, our brains in a crisis situation, staying in the present and more. We will send a zoom invite at the beginning of the week. This is optional so accept if you would like to join, ignore it or decline if you choose not to join.
PD: Please continue to visit the Google Classroom PD for links and info pertaining to each week's PD focus.
PARENTS & FAMILIES:
- Counseling Team: During our extended time away from campus, the health and well being of our students and families is our primary concern. The NP3 staff is here for you and are available if you need support. Please reach out to our counseling team if you need support, We want to share additional suicide prevention resources with you in the event that you or a family member needs support. You can also reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 or the California Youth Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255. Other Sacramento Area Resources and Crisis Services can be found on our website.
- Grading & Attendance: Please view the attached letter for updated information on grading and attendance for distance learning at NP3 Middle.
- Incoming 9th Dance Auditions: 8th graders, are you interested in joining the High School dance and drill team? Please click here for instructions on how to audition and here to watch an informational video. All are welcome and no experience is necessary.
- Incoming 9th Course Selection: It's time to get ready for high school! 8th graders will select their classes for NP3 HS in advisory this week. Here is a link to the freshman electives video and click here to see the course catalog for NP3 HS. All students must select their courses by Fri April 24. Please email your student's advisory teacher with any questions.
- 504 Information: If your student has a 504 plan, please see our parent letter regarding distance learning and supports.
- Action Teams & Clubs: We miss you! Do you still want to virtually participate in your action team or club? We have so many ideas and this could be fun! Please email your club/action team teacher if you want to participate.
- School-wide Flipgrid: Thank you for sharing your videos with us on the "Treasured Pirates" grid. Ms. Anzelc and Mrs. Edwards have a NEW topic for this week. Share a thought! Come join! WE MISS YOU! Watch the intro video first to see what directions and examples they give for next steps and then share your response! Access the new grid topic here. See you on the grid!
- Alternative Learning Packet Pick Up: If your child needs an alternative to online distance learning opportunities, we have that available for pick up. *NEW* for this week: please communicate with your child's Advisor if you'd like to request a packet pick up for week 3 of distance learning. Pick up times will be scheduled on an individual basis.
- Yearbook: 2019-20 yearbooks are on sale now for $25! Order yours online here and search Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle. There are a limited number of yearbooks available so order yours now!