Friday Connection
K-3 Staff Weekly Newsletter - Week of 3/30/2020
Memo from Mary and Todd
Your Google Classrooms look fabulous! Thank you for all of your hard work into learning a new system and getting it ready for kids. You are awesome.
Remember, this is a marathon, not a race. We are going to learn some amazing things and we are going to fail. Remember to fail forward.
In the spirit of all vulnerability, I have to be very honest and share that this week on Thursday, I hit a wall. I sat at my desk and I cried. Not just tears, but a big fat ugly cry. My eyes hurt from staring at my screen, not knowing all the answers, but wanting to provide you with all the support you needed and I couldn't. I realized at that moment, we are going to have those times in this, when we feel like we can't do it, we can't do all of the hard things, but the reality is, we can. We can do all the hard things, because we are the Nighthawk Family. We are never alone in this. I share this, for the sole reason, that my guess, is that some of you may have felt this way this week. I want you to know that it is ok and we as a family will get through this together, not only get through this, but do it with the excellence that we do everything.
I beg you to take care of yourself as we launch into this next journey. Whatever it is that brings you joy, carve out time to do it. We cannot do this with the excellence that we all desire, if we are not healthy.
You are brave, you are strong, you are kind, you can do all the hard things, you are never alone, and you are very, very, very loved.
Coach Corner
Welcome to Mrs. Carpenter
Time Cards
Absences
Shout Outs
From Mary:
A huge shoutout to Rob and Alon and the entire team at Chartered Tech for all of the work they have put into supporting this roll out, from helping deploy chromebooks to supporting all of us as we launch Google classrooms and our home classrooms. We are so lucky to have all of them.
To the office staff who deployed chromebooks. They brought huge smiles to our community and it could not have been down without them. We are so blessed by them.
To Hannah and Aaron for all of their work in creating videos, tip sheets, tutorials, and being that never ending layer of support.
To Todd - I could not do my job without you. I am better because you are in my life and my partner. You are amazing.
To all of the teachers, ta's, staff you are all amazing. Your hearts, dedication, kindness, and grit are mind blowing. I am so lucky to serve beside you. You are very loved.
From Charlotte:
Thanks to an amazing kindergarten team for pulling together to get everything needed ready to send home with students on the last Friday of school before break. Working together the team got student materials gathered and sent home and set up up google classroom as well as an email out to parents. Amazing team work.
Thanks to Savannah B. For a very creative idea in suggesting The traders market to help connect students with social studies material. The kids had a great time preparing and trading their wares.
Thanks to Anita D. For sharing her “mini book copy mistake” that was just the inspiration I was looking for! Thanks , Anita! I love it so much!
From Jessica:
To the kinder team for the great communication, ideas, and hard work to prepare for virtual learning.
To Mary, Todd, and Tim for supporting their staff and showing such strength and encouragement during this time.
To Ashley for the kindness and love she constantly shows to staff and kids.
To Autumn for her bright idea to come together as a staff and make an encouraging video for kids.
From Kristi:
I would like to shout out to our fabulous principals, tech support, Hannah P, and Aaron H. and all of the work they are doing to give us the support we need.
I would also like to shout to Autumn Christmas on her wonderful idea for morning announcements and to integrate positive affirmations. I think that's a great idea.
From Jessi:
Thank you everyone for your love, condolences, support and meals this past week after the passing of my father-in-law. My family and I are very grateful!
From Kate:
Kendra- Thanks for connecting with your DC friends and finding out about Seesaw. I think it will be a great resource! Also, thanks for answering all my questions :)
Brandy- Thanks for adjusting the planbook so we are all on the same page and ready to rock this homeschool jam!
Ashley- Thanks for sharing the letter to students idea! I am doing that for sure :)
Stephanie - Thanks for your smiles and positive energy! I love how willing you are to take this on and support students!
1st grade team - Thanks for being so willing to share and help. We really are a strong team!
From Charlotte:
Thank You to Tona for being a supportive and strong, discerning leader for the kindergarten team. Thank you for keeping us knit together and working together in the same direction toward the same goals. Thank you to Savannah, Jessica, Ella and Heather for being so amazing to work with and for sharing the wonderful ideas you do. Thank you for your support,confidence and help as we muddle through this time together on our way to an amazing outcome. we will do this and do it well because of all of you and your connected team spirit. I love you all.
From Hannah:
To the admin team for working tirelessly to get a plan in place for elearning for all stakeholders.
To our TA's for constantly asking how they can help or where they can support.
To Rob and Alon for absolutely killing the tech side of this with very little notice, you guys are magicians.
To Aaron for making videos and helping with tutorials, thank you.
To teachers who have shared Google Classrooms with me, they look beyond amazing. I love the pictures of your kids as your backgrounds and the way you have incorporated classroom community and positive messages, you're doing great already.
It was so nice to see everyone on the staff meeting Google Meet.
From Sara:
Hannah for supporting staff in sharing ideas.
Admin team for preparing us early and staying on top of all of this.
The entire NVCS family. We care about each other and will get through this together. We are a team, so if you need help individually, know you can reach out and any of us will do whatever we can to support you. That has always been the NVCS way and I’m proud to be a Nighthawk.
From Gina:
I would like to thank my 2nd team and teacher assistants for helping me last week when I was gone! I felt so loved and knew they could help out! :)
From Becky:
Kate Williamson for having a passion for wellness and giving the wellness committee the extra push for our Fitness Night.
Kendra Pal- for manning the bike at fitness night, it was probably the most popular station, but you ran it like a pro.
Carly Galluzzo and Will Lagory- for taking charge of the mental health craft at fitness night. It was a hit!
Lindsey McElroy-for running errands for fitness night and myself even though you couldn't be there.
Sami Auster- For making the passport for fitness night.
Aubree Dietrich-for running the parachute station, even though she had never done it before.
Jessica Hargadine and Ella Rice- for always being willing to jump in on the wellness committee when needed. Thanks for helping out with stations and passport stamps.
Mary Baker and Todd Bissell- for coming and supporting fitness night!
The entire wellness committee- thanks for being willing to help out in all different ways to make the Fitness Night a success! Now we have seen it and can continue to make it bigger and better each year.
From Todd:
Savanna B-Keeping book at a basketball game
Clifford-taking a break from his busy schedule to come visit NVCS, the students were so excited to see him
Lisa E. Kelly C. Jordyn G. Scott M.-Supervising and supporting students at the Eagles game for the National Anthem and Chuck a Puck!
From Nikki:
To Mary- To entertaining the kids as Clifford and braving morning recess without a handler! Sorry your tail got pulled! And for all the wonderful vines you made for the Book Fair!
To Jessi- You have such an amazing spirit. Thank you for organizing so many generous projects for my family.
To Christian- Book Fair would not have happened without you. Thank you for your mentorship and taking charge!
To the entire Nighthawk Family- I am humbled and honored to be a part of this team. Your love and support has carried me through this whirlwind. I'll see you in a month! Don't get too used to me not being around!
From Melissa:
To Aubrey - for being awesome
To Debbie, Nicole, and Denise for always helping me out!! They always go above and beyond!!
From Denise:
Shout out to Aaron Hollingshead!
He put on an amazing dance for our little girls and their Daddies. What a great way for the Dad's to celebrate their girls.
I hope this continues on for years to come.
From Hannah:
To Ashley for being willing to learn and ask questions outside of her area of expertise.
To the second grade team for digging into data and looking at groups.
To our fabulous TA's who would do absolutely anything that is needed to help any student (and teacher/adult) and are a ray of sunshine and laughter always.
To the third grade team for working so hard to prepare their students and building writing stamina.
Nikki the book fair looks wonderful, amazing job.
Jessica H. thank you for being willing to go out and observe and strengthen your practice through working with and learning from others, I'm proud of you.
Kendra ROCKING IT Pal, congratulations on your nomination for Thompson School District Educator of the Year.
Happy Birthday
Sammi Auster
Charlotte Lesko