Monday Memo
Week of May 25th, 2020
Last week of May.....
Can you believe it's already the last week of May?! Given all that we've gone through I'm amazed at how the time is flying. Only 5 weeks until school will be over for the year.
Well this past week brought many mixed emotions as the announcement we were all waiting for finally came. Relief - as in my heart I know that the decision is the best one to keep us all safe. Sadness and overwhelmedness with knowing we won't see everyone again, and how much there is to reimagine in a virtual way. They say that when times are tough, the true character of a person shines through. We have a very unique opportunity here - so let's show the whole Kawartha Heights community what we already know - WE CAN SHINE!!! When you feel like giving up, take a walk, have a snack, watch a movie....and then start again. Five weeks is not that long - let's finish up this year with a super positive BANG!
Take time to enjoy the sun and warmth this weekend - it's going to be beautiful. And what has now become my catch phrase for Covid-19, remember.......We've got this!!!!
Jenn
A few photo reminders of why we are doing what we're doing.....
Breanna spreading Smiles of Support
Cheyenne spreading more Smiles of Support
Courtney spreading even more Smiles of Support
Matthew and his brother engaged in OUTSIDE distance learning
Keira and Harvey enjoying the nice weather
Delia helping with the gardening!
A few other bits of information......
Class Placement Meetings
This week we will be having class placement meetings in lieu of division check-ins. Please remember to come prepared with your class list and all the pertinent information we need to make balanced, equitable and fair classes. I look forward to trying this process electronically with you!
Retrieving Student Personal Items
On Tuesday at 10am, Principals will be meeting with the Director and Superintendents to review the protocols for preparing and distributing student's personal items. I will need to share this information with you as we expect to begin the preparation process as early as Thursday morning. Please join me for a short meeting on Wednesday at 1:30pm (listed in our Edsby calendar and the link will be sent to you as well).
Continuing to connect with and be there for families
As we discussed at the staff meeting, continuing to connect with families over the month of June is going to be really important. This was also discussed today during our Family of Schools meeting with Peter. You may find families are starting to shift away from the learning tasks - and that is their right. From your end, please continue to connect with each family personally and individually - through email, or if no response, through a phone call. Unless they tell you not to call back - it's important that we continue to be visible, present, empathetic and supportive, right up until the end of June. If you have any questions about what this looks like, please let me know.
Calendar of Events
As things get busier and busier, I think it will be helpful for you to have an idea of all the things going on - like we used to in our Monday Memos. I know some of you have wondered what I’m up to and when it’s a good time to touch base.....so moving forward I’ll put meetings in our Edsby Staff Room. That way you don’t have to scroll back to Monday Memos to find out what’s going on...I hope this helps keep us on track over the next several busy weeks!
Report Cards
Having just heard from Superintendent Tompkins, the board continues to await word from the Ministry on final direction with regards to report cards. The June 5th PA day WILL be used for assessment. We expect that Web Achievement will be opened for all schools in KPR on June 1st. Teaching and Learning will provide support as soon as the Ministry direction is clarified. In the meantime, in Kindergarten, look back on what you wrote for the February Communication of Learning and consider what growth or changes might have happened since then. Remember parents never saw these comments so they can form the foundation of what you right this time.Draft comments in Word, and then you can just cut and paste them in to Web Achievement when it opens. For Grades 1 - 6, consider what letter grades you will be giving for subjects and learning skills and some basic comments in a Word document. That way when the program opens you can begin to just cut and paste and enter - with much of the thinking done! As soon as I have more information I promise to share.
Story time with Mrs. Sampson
This Wednesday at 3pm we'll be having another Story Time with Mrs. Sampson on YouTube Live! This week we'll be enjoying the book The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein. Please encourage your students to join us! The link to join in on the fun can be found on Edsby - either in the header, or listed on the Read Aloud page in each primary class homeroom (on the left hand side of the page).
Families Moving Over the Summer
We have had some families indicate to us that they'll be moving over the summer. If you hear of anyone changing schools, please let Sherry and I know as soon as possible. Our enrollment is right on the cusp for keeping that new homeroom class, so up to date numbers will be critical.
Pedal for Hope
- Several staff have asked for the link to use if you want to donate to our team. We can be found at www.cancer.ca/pedalforhope. You don't have to be an "official" team member to support (although you're more than welcome). If you're able to support the team by donating even $5 or $10, it would be greatly appreciated. Please help us to move our cougar closer to Vancouver!
- There are 2 special things happening this week - and the committee would so appreciate if you could help promote this with your students.
1. Continue to promote 30 second promo videos for Pedal for Hope. A new one will be selected to be shown on the announcements next Friday.
2. This is the week we'll encourage students to cut their hair or shave their heads. Watch for pictures this week!
Our Parade Day to celebrate the top fundraisers has been set - Friday, June 5th (time still TBD). Please let me know if you'd like to join in this fun, safe, final celebration of Pedal for Hope. So far we only have our little committee who has indicated they are joining in - so let me know if you'll be there too!
If you can think of any other ways that we can make this campaign special, please let any of us know.
Just one more thing....
Yes - Covid-19 has given us LOTS of challenges, but folks, life is what you make it! No matter what the obstacle, it's our mindset and attitude that determine how we move forward. Check out....The Present.
Jennifer Sampson
Email: Jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: KawarthaHeights.kprdsb.ca
Location: 11 Kawartha Heights Blvd, Peterborough, ON, Canada
Phone: (705)742-7521
Twitter: @KawarthaHPS