Bulldog Bark
April 13-17, 2020
We are most united through adversity. This clip, from 7 Mindsets, emulates the need for us to come together as communities, countries and the world. We've got this... together!!
Ride the Waves of Change
Thank you for your continued efforts through this unprecedented time. Wow. I continue to be amazed and awed by your efforts and willingness to give of yourselves for our students and families. Perhaps, though, at times you've found yourself wondering How can I get through this? In Onward, Aguilar notes that our focus on survival alone narrows our focus and provides limited options for action. When we, instead, focus on the question How might I emerge from this stronger than before? we are "far more likely to uncover a wider range of options for action." The following four principles help us manage unwanted change and possibly thrive in its aftermath:
1. Slow Down. Some of us hide in the face of change. Others attack. Slow down to think clearly. Acknowledge your feelings. Notice, name and accept them.
2. Evaluate and Analyze the Situation. Think about what else you need to know and who can help you with those answers. Determine the story you want to tell. How might this change affect kids and our community? What is within your influence? What do I want? Look at the change first close-up and then in the long-term. How might this look in six months? Two years?
3. Use Your Energy Where it Counts. Accept the fact that there is only so much time in the day and only so much energy to expend. A wise man recently asked me what my non-negotiables are. What are yours? What really matters? Be careful of that big gray zone between what feels personal and what is personal. Focus your energies on what matters to you, who you really are.
4. Be Open to Outcomes. You've slowed down, evaluated and analyzed recent changes. You've decided to expend your energy where it matters most within your sphere of influence. Be mindful in finding a way to be open to the various outcomes, be open and unattached to what you're envisioning. Keep talking and listening to everyone and anyone.
Use these four steps to find your purpose in the graphic below. Who do you want to be during and after COVID 19? Remember, self reflection is key to growth and personal well-being. We've got this- we are not alone on an island but are, instead, all in this together. Reach out to your friends and colleagues (think Tara and Bella from the video clip above) to ride these waves of change. After all, it's the Bulldog Way!!
#youdeservetheredcarpet #kidsdeserveit #bulldogproud #bulldogfamily
Congratulations to Kylie and Kim, our Bulldog School Spirit Day Amazon Giftcard Winners!
From the Office
- Tomorrow is EXTREME SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY! Please show off you and your students' Bulldog enthusiasm in the shared folder or with Miss Katie. Go Bulldogs! :)
- Congrats to Miss Abby for receiving a Donor's Choose Grant for an early literacy project and Becky for a classroom seating project through Your Cause! #BulldogProud
- Please take note of Google Meet, YouTube and other video recordings. These require 3x as much data to stream as an auditory platform such as https://gosynth.com/. The question to ask yourself: Do the students need to see my face for this lesson, or is will my voice alone reach the needs of my learners? Making this change will assist in our families' lack of data as we near the end of the month. Thank you!
- If you are in need of auditory recordings for Distance Learning, we have a staff member trained in Audacity who is ready and willing to assist! She will share an easily uploaded link with you when tasks are completed! Please let me know! Thank you!
- Please share pics of distance learning in THIS FILE. I plan to use them in the very near future. Please keep adding! :)
- Please continue to link our One Stop Mental Health Shop in each of your family newsletters throughout the duration of Distance Learning. Thank you!
- Absences: Please record in Frontline. Teaching staff, if you are absent and unable to deliver instruction, please notify your students and families and if needed provide appropriate alternative communication. Paraprofessional staff, if you are absent and unable to complete your assigned duties, please contact your supervisor.
- Attendance: Please complete by 3:45 on Fridays. Our first day to record attendance is Thursday, April 9 due to no school Friday, April 10. You need only mark Thursday's attendance as a reflection of the week next week and on Fridays moving forward; the office will take it from there!
- If you receive any classroom placement form requests, please forward to Katie. They are due in the office April 24.
- Meetings will continue as planned. Please see the schedule below; links will be shared to join Google Meetings.
PBIS Update
- Wouldn't it be awesome to share virtual Bark Outs? Be thinking of keeping our Big Three as part of your expectations. Check out the matrix below for Bulldog Big Three: Distance Learning style below!
- Thoughts for Bark Outs at home: virtual lunch bunch, breakfast via Skype, free pass on work, special activity, earn a chance to share their real pet with you via Google Meet, etc.
- Looking for more supports in your Distance Learning classroom? See this link from Catlin Tucker: https://catlintucker.com/ or tap the image below.
- Thank you for your support and efforts of PBIS!!
BARNES & NOBLE IS OFFERING 25% OFF YOUR PURCHASES DURING OUR APRIL EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEKENDS!
While our doors are closed to the public during this difficult time and to show our appreciation for all that you do Barnes & Noble has announced the return of Educator Appreciation Weekends starting this Saturday April 4-5. All pre-K-12 public, private and homeschool educators and administrators with an Educator Discount Card will receive 25% off your purchases every Saturday and Sunday in the month of April. You will also receive free direct shipping to your home or wherever is most convenient for you. When you call the store to make your Educator Discount Card purchases please press “0” (zero) to bypass the voicemail message indicating we are closed and your call will be directed to one of our Booksellers. St Cloud Barnes & Noble Store (320) 251-4537
Upcoming Events
April 10: No School - Spring Break
April 13: No School - Spring Break
May 27: Field Day 3rd: 8:30-10:15; 4th 10:30-12:15; 5th 12:45-2:30
May 28: Field Day 1st 8:30-10:15; K 10:30-12:15; 2nd 12:45-2:30
May 29: Color Run Afternoon
June 2: Kindergarten Farmyard Fieldtrip 10:00 to 2:00ish
Field Days May 27-28, 2020
The 27th
3rd 8:30 - 10:15
4th 10:30 - 12:15
5th 12:45 - 2:30
The 28th
1st 8:30 - 10:15
K 10:30 - 12:15
2nd 12:45 - 2:30
Meeting Schedule
****NEW!! MEDIA CENTER COMMITTEE!! Please join us Thursday, April 16 at 9:00 at this Google Meeting! to prepare for 2020-2021!
Preschool: Tuesday at 11:00 April 14
K: Monday at 10:00 April 20
1: Wednesday at 11:00 April 22
2: Monday at 2:00 April 20
3: Tuesday at 8:00 April 21
4: Tuesday at 11:00 April 21
5: Wednesday at 12:00 April 22
District SD: 2nd Wednesday 3:30 May 13
Elementary Faculty Meeting: 3:00 April 15
Building SAT: 1st and 3rd Mondays 3:00 April 20
Building Technology: 3rd Monday 7:30 April 20
Building ELA: Friday, April 17 7:30
Building Child Study: 4th Wednesday and 2nd Wednesdays 3:00 April 22
Building Leadership: 1st Wednesday May 6 3:00
PBIS: 1st Friday May 8 7:15
Paraprofessional Meeting: Thursday, April 23 1:00
Site-Based:Tuesday, April 14 @ 3:00
FastBridge PD: TBD
District Technology: Monday, April 20 8:00
PawPacks: As Needed