Daily Admin Update
Day 16
I miss and love you all!
Bet you never thought you would miss the pick up zone. Are we there yet?
Community is so important during times like these and we started a Co-Op 18 years ago with the idea that it is an essential part of education. The Coronavirus is putting our theory to a test and it is clear that we are stronger when we stand together. I am here to support you, we are working hard to distribute aide to those in need. Please let me know how our school can support you during these difficult times.
On a lighter note!
Don't Forget About Virtual Hogwarts Acting Academy with Professor Remington!
Every Wednesday at 6 PM join me and Coco, the magical bullfrog-dog, for an enchanting evening of storytelling, featuring the illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This night of reader’s theater will be open to all K-8 Coop students and families (witches, wizards, and muggles alike!)
“Working hard is important. But there is something that matters even more, believing in yourself.” - Harry Potter
I believe in you all. I am missing our music and drama classes. Let’s celebrate the magic of reading and theater together every Wednesday 6 - 7:30 PM.
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/524660401
Meeting ID: 524-660-401
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley
Monitoring School Closures Closely
Affirming a prediction that Gov. Gavin Newsom made exactly two weeks ago, California’s schools chief Tony Thurmond is recommending that the state’s public schools plan to provide distance learning to students through the end of their school year.
“Due to the current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing, it appears that our students will not be able to return to school campuses before the end of the school year,” Thurmond wrote in a letter sent to the state’s 58 county superintendents of schools on Tuesday morning.
No decisions have been made at the county level, I continue to monitor it closely and will let you know when I hear confirmation.
- We are monitoring all the guidance carefully.
- In San Diego County, there is no definitive date for when schools will reopen.
- All decisions about reopening will be made in conjunction with state and local public health officials.
- While we are uncertain how long this closure will last, we are putting plans in place that will provide students with resources they need.
Another Great Video From Camie! This one is important for homeschooling and productive struggle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLlpeeJzjfU
How many times a day do your children call you for help? If only we had a dollar for every time we hear, “Mom… Dad...”
Since that's not going to happen any time soon, this 2-minute video is a great starting place to pump up SELF-RELIANCE & PERSEVERANCE in our kids.
SELF-RELIANCE is reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others.
PERSEVERANCE is persistence in doing something despite difficulty
Wise parents celebrate when their children face every day, normal life struggles such as opening a package of string cheese or a toy, untangling a knot, cleaning up a mess, or finding lost shoes.
Our habits as parents, either:
1. Create an environment that fosters perseverance where our kids work to solve their own problems or
2. Can move them closer to learned helpless. (and drive us batty)
Learned helplessness is a belief that they are unable to control or change the situation, so they do not try.
What to do:
- Wait - just wait silently and smiled nod positively to encourage their effort.
- Coach - Small suggestions or questions that can lead to their success.
Tell your children ahead of time, in a relaxed and calm moment:
- Perseverance is a muscle we can build by trying, doing, and thinking, even if it’s hard.
- In our family, we try ourselves first, then ask for help
When they ask for help, instead of doing for them, try coaching with words and let them do it. Don’t take pencils from their hand, the computer off their lap, or crack the egg. Teach them. It’s ok to model first and then try it together and then they try it on their own. Use the model: I do, we do, you do.
Avoid redoing their work. Less than perfect can be ok sometimes. When it does need to be a certain way, coach and let them have the victory of getting it right. Sit next to them while THEY correct their own work, not the parent correcting work.
Mantras to say again and again and again, forever.
- Work on for 3 minutes, then I’ll help you. (or 10 minutes or 30 minutes)
- Practice make progress. (Focus on improvement and effort, not just end result)
- It’s ok to try and fail and try again, it’s not so great to try and fail, and fail to try again.
- You can solve this problem.
- You can make that decision.
- Solutions exits.
- Focus on the solution, not the problem.
- How can you solve this, handle this, etcetera?
- It’s up to you.
If you would like more free, useful resources for parents and families, here is a sign up link:
Live Well San Diego
https://www.livewellsd.org/content/livewell/home/live-well-every-day/LiveWellatHome.html