Minute with Matthews
September 13, 2020
In the Groove
Friday night Julie Bloss and I were on mask patrol at the front gates for the DelCo Bowl. Before it got busy we were talking about the year and I made the comment that there were some days that almost feel normal. She laughed and said she hadn't had any of those yet! While the year absolutely looks different and feels different, there ARE times I find that feel normal. Masked or not, kids are still kids and for the most part, they are SO happy to be in school! I think that is what feels normal to me, the interactions with the students.
For us, however, we know that this year is anything but "normal". Google Classroom, most kids in person, some kids in distance learning, balancing teaching both, the physical toll of teaching in a mask all day and trying to keep up with everything. For some of us, the fear of bringing the virus to a loved one or even getting it ourselves. It. Is. A. Lot. So, take the time to take care of you. As Ms. Howerton always tells me, you have to fill up yourself before you can pour into others. What brings you rest? Crafting? Napping? Spending time with family? Do that this week. One night, after school, after running your own kids around, after grading, rest. You deserve it. You need it. I love and appreciate YOU.
Charla
GUE Focus of the Week
Pour into yourself so you can pour into others. Take time to do something that fills your cup this week. We are all in need of some of our favorite things. What fills your cup? Go grab a pedicure. Order in dinner. Call an old friend. Take an after school nap. Take a soak in a warm bath. Pray. Whatever it is, find a way to take the time for you this week.
Fundraiser
Students will be receiving a brochure on Monday to sell for our last big school-wide fundraiser for the semester. We will have treats for teachers on Tuesday so you can try out the meats and cheeses. It is really good! I plan on buying some for Christmas gifts! We have big plans for our playground and this fundraiser will help us meet those goals!
Distance Learning
I just wanted to clarify some points on distance learning. Our main goal is for this option to be for families who are sick or students who are needing to quarantine. The new guidance is if someone in your family tests positive, anyone who doesn't test positive has to quarantine for 24 days. This means some of our students will be out three and a half weeks. I KNOW this is an extra hardship, but it is what keeps us in school. This will be used for other illnesses as well. Other students may qualify to do distance learning, but those instances must be approved by me. Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
Discipline
- If it is a repetitive classroom behavior, please make sure you call home FIRST. This helps Aaron and I so much when we contact parents.
- Do not put other student's names on the discipline slip. A great way to handle this is to put a sticky note on it with the other student's names or witness's names.
Staff Luncheon
This Friday we will have our first staff luncheon. We will try to do these each month, with a theme. This week's theme will be Mexican. I will put a sign up sheet on the workroom fridge. Please sign up to bring something yummy to eat! I will kindly ask with all of the food in the workroom you mind your distance and eat in a classroom instead of the workroom that day.