Tiger Times
Week 30: March 30-April 3
A Shift
Something changed this week. I've watched the news for weeks...months really...tracking this virus, thinking through the implications, wondering what it may mean for my family eventually. 2 weeks ago today, we met with Dr. Gainey and came back to the school with a plan for keeping staff, students and community safe while still holding school. We never implemented that plan-24 hours later, schools were closed, ostensibly, for 2 weeks. Spirits were high, efficacy was great-everyone was ready to tackle this thing head on. And tackle you did. EVERYONE jumped in: lesson plans were written, copies were made, supplies were gathered, parents were called. You supported each other, encouraged each other, cheered for each other. Some directives were issued, guidance was provided, and ya'll...we rolled with it. Last week was one of the most uplifting weeks I have seen in a school for a long time. We went home for the weekend.
This week, the difference is palpable. I'm worried about you. I'm worried about your families. I'm worried about my family. I don't say this to imply anything negative. I have seen the same level of hard work, care, and conscientiousness from each of you this week that I have observed every single day since January. But please, hear me loud and clear, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Now is the time to take care of yourself, spend time with your family, grant yourself grace.
I cannot begin to tell you how honored and grateful I am to walk amongst this staff. Please know that I see you. I see what you are doing everyday. I see the love and care you have for each other and for your students. And I also see your fear and worry. Don't neglect that. Don't let it eat at you, but make sure you acknowledge it and are actively caring for it. Self care is vital.
Instruction
- The 2nd packet pick-up will be April 7th. This distribution will include 3 weeks worth of work, as well as the 3rd quarter report card.
- All students should continue to receive paper/pencil resources with the packets
- There are a few take home books left from the first distribution. These can be sent home in the next round of packets and we do not expect them to be returned.
- You may also choose to send take home books from your classroom library or the bookroom. If you send these or any other non-consumable that we expect to come back (math manipulatives, calculators, non-consumable text books, etc), please get the RES stamp from Tracey to stamp the books and create a list on this shared Google doc. We must maintain a list that we can use to inventory once all resources are returned. Items not returned may be reimbursable from disaster relief funds, but we won't be able to claim them if we haven't inventoried them. The doc is tabbed by grade level, but it is not necessary to sort by teacher.
- Please make sure you send home any consumable HMH workbooks during this distribution.
- Focus will continue to be on Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science.
- Instruction and materials provided should be a balance of review/maintenance as well as new material.
- Continue to use pacing guides for planning instruction, but also consider talking with the teachers in the grade level above you regarding how they might prioritize the instruction for students, since this is likely all they will get before moving on to that grade level.
- Please continue to reference the RCSS Remote Learning Guide found at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IP7NB8EzKoJpR6TmIUnZrJJxp3r3M4Vq/view?pli=1
Grading
- When packets are returned, please keep in mind that we will not be accessing them immediately. Your conversations and check-ins with parents will become valuable in terms of determining student ability.
- Remember per RCSS guidelines, no student should receive a failing grade for the 3rd quarter.
- I expect we will receive additional guidance for 4th quarter grading, but at this time our best practice is going to be to maintain a focus on "standards mastery" rather than letter grades and numerical averages. This is a more natural place for K-2 since report cards in these grades already reflect this type of information. Think: What CAN they do? What do they need to advance to the next concept?
PowerSchool
- With the change in 3rd to 4th quarter dates, please be aware that any assignment in your gradebook after March 13th will post in the 4th quarter. To fix this, you will need to go into the assignment and edit the due date to March 13th or earlier.
- Comment Verification is due Wednesday, April 1st to Lorrie.
Communication
- Please continue communicating with parents a minimum of one time per week and document this communication.
- We are in uncertain times and everyone, parents especially, are struggling with finding their balance. Please keep your conversations positive and supportive.
- Focus on the "cans" and the "next steps."
- Please hold off on instigating retention conversations at this time. If a parent brings it up to you, you may talk through some things you are seeing, but there are too many unknowns about the remainder of this year.
- Please see Lynn Routh's 3/26/20 email regarding read aloud permissions. The link referenced is here: https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=publishers-adapt-policies-to-help-educators-coronavirus-covid19