Ebinport Elementary: Eagle Eye News
April 27, 2020
https://smwalden.wixsite.com/ebinportart
password: ebinport (all lowercase)
Dear Parents and Families,
We have just concluded our fifth week of E-Learning. There is no question that this process can be stressful. As I've listened to teachers and parents over the past few weeks, we are learning from each other so we can best teach our kids. Here's some guiding thoughts for all of us to help keep perspective.
1. Keep expectations high but realistic. As parents and teachers, we want our kids to learn as much as they possibly can during this time. (Yes, they really can learn lots right now.) But, we are also juggling the realities of financial stress, isolation, self-care, and appropriate health care (among 1000 other things.) We must all figure out what's the right balance between what's enough and what's too much for remote learning. Each family has unique situations and needs and challenges. What is too much instruction for some is not enough for others. We are all trying to balance that tension of doing what's doable.
2. Let us know how it's going. We are realizing as teachers that our roles have shifted from "direct to support." Two months ago, we were on the front lines and we needed your backup. Now, you are on the front lines and we are the backup. Just as we have always worked to tailor our instruction to the individual needs of kids, we want to extend that effort to you as our partner teacher. Whatever the problem is, we can work with you to help your child be successful. If you're unsure what's most important, let us know. If you don't know how to send in work, let us know. If your child just isn't "getting it," let us know. If you are hitting the wall and are stressed to the max, let us know. I've said it countless times that we can't respond to what we don't know. Our staff wants to know the issue or concern so we can provide the support you and your child need.
3. Focus on best effort not perfect work. Work turned in doesn't have to have everything spelled correctly in kindergarten. We don't expect dissertations for fifth grade. We simply want to see your child's best effort. Honestly, we know where they left off with us. If you're spending tons of time getting the work "just right" before we see it, we appreciate that effort but that may not be helpful to your child (or to you) or to us so we can know what we really need to support. Picking one or two teaching points for improvement are much better than making a 100 on the assignment. During this time, we have the luxury of focusing less on the grades and more on the learning. What is that next best step in your child's reading, writing and problem solving? If you don't know, just ask us. (Just like we expect best effort from your child, your best effort in teaching your child is good enough. No need for guilt trips.)
We want you to hear our cheers for you. You have always been (and always will be) your child's first and best teacher. Now, that role is a little different than it was a month ago. We appreciate all you do and know that we stand with you during this time. Hear our applause for your effort. More than ever, we are "One Team on One Mission for One Rock Hill."
Mrs. Kelsey
Principal
Need Help?
Resources from the School Counselor
Resources for Speech Therapy, OT, and PT
Speech Therapy
Articulation Activity Calendar
Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
Activities to Improve OT Skills
Improve Gross Motor Coordination
Storytime with Mrs. Sawczuk
Check out all of my read alouds here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR65JucQPEw1lZY2mSbM6Pg/videos
And please feel free to contact me through Dojo, Canvas, or at ssawczuk@rhmail.org.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sawczuk
Stay Connected
About Us
Email: ssawczuk@rhmail.org
Website: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/ebinport
Location: 2142 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-981-1550
Facebook: facebook.com/Ebinport
Twitter: @EbinportES