BES Weekly Update #2
April 1, 2020
A Note from Principal Paquette
Hello BES families! I want to start by commending each and every parent/caregiver and student for the tremendous job you have done in making this transition to digital teaching and learning. This is a difficult and stressful time and you have made your child’s education a priority and for that, I THANK YOU! I also want to thank each and every teacher and staff member at BES. The amount of love and effort you have put into this transition is second to none. The communication, videos, Live Meets and connections you are making with your students is what will get us through this difficult time together. THANK YOU!
We are starting Week 3 of our distance learning. Teachers are starting to hit their stride. Students are learning where to find their assignments and work for the day/week. We are all starting to understand many of the digital platforms and tools we have available to us in order to connect. With all that being said, I want to ask everyone to take a step back and breathe. Find time to really evaluate how you’re doing during this stressful time. Do you have time carved out of each day for YOU? Have you disconnected from the technology each day in order to bring a sense of calm to your life? We are in a time that we are not in control of. We don't have an end in sight and for most of us that's scary. So rather than wonder WHEN this will be done, step back and take each day in smaller chunks. Maybe that means looking only at the next hour, or even half hour. Find a way to break up your day into manageable chunks. Find time for PLAY. We are no longer in a time of brick and mortar, standardized schooling. You need to make decisions based upon the needs of you, your child and your family. You have been asked to take on a role that truly is not possible. You are already the parent, the full-time or part-time worker and now the teacher. These roles are all full-time jobs in and of themselves. Do the best you can! You have all been doing amazing!
I came across a post on Facebook from a site called Trauma Informed Parent with a post from Emily W. King, Ph.D. It states the following and I couldn't agree more!:
When you have to pick, because at some point you will, choose connection. Pick playing a game over arguing about an academic assignment. Pick teaching your child to do laundry rather than feeling frustrated that they aren't helping. Pick laughing, and snuggling, and reminding them that they are safe. If you are stressed, lower your expectations where you can and virtually reach out for social connection. We are all in this together to stay well. That means mentally well, too.
My biggest focus is connecting with the children. I love Google Live Meets because I can SEE them and it just makes my heart swell. I also see their stress and I hear their voices. I want all of your children to be able to look back at this time in our history and have a sense of comfort and love of learning. Not to look back and feel stress and a hate for school or technology. FIND THAT BALANCE! Reach out if you are struggling or in need of support. And ALWAYS choose connecting above all else!
Wishing you all peace, good health and happiness in this ever trying time.
With love, Ms. Paquette
Million Minute Reading Challenge Goes ONLINE!
Principal Paquette's Million Minute Reading Challenge goes online. Students can submit their reading totals here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejkkecEWzG6TMkEvt-DUw7qQSmtLoHin41sPbDSQKhj0n5Dg/viewform?usp=sf_link. We will send reading updates through Google Classroom. Happy Reading!
Reading Challenge Updates:
Each grade level has read the number of minutes below!
PK3 & 4 - 11,788
Kingergarten - 20,915
First Grade - 21,627
Second Grade - 18,605
Third Grade - 23,921
Fourth Grade - 17,111
Fifth Grade - 57,662
Multi Age - 5,395
A BIG BES SHOUT OUT to the students listed below!! They have read the most for their grade level with their total number of minutes read.
Emma St. Hilaire (PK) 1,080
Archer Rasco (K) 1,485
Carter Bierman (1) 1,420
Jerry Rasco (2) 2,035
Owen Poirier (3) 1,486
Karson Giddings (4) 940
Makenna Eagan (5) 5,660
Our students have read a total of 177,809 minutes (and counting) so far! Great job, BES!!! Keep reading!
Miss Woodward Reads
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCaDnnEkOMWzZN2yB4NHi60A
The One and Only Ivan!
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elizabeth+drasye
What is Prodigy ~ Ms. Donahue explains
Prodigy is my classroom's favorite math learning platform. The students beg for it on any given day! My children at home love it, too. On Prodigy, the ability to communicate to find each other makes the game much more fun. The students play as wizards and travel through various villages. They are able to battle one another on sets of math facts. The more points that you earn, the more powerful your wizard becomes.
I carry on the tradition of Fun Friday in my classroom by making it a part of every Friday through distance learning. First, I assign my students individual sets of math skills that I need assessed. Then, I keep Google Meet open to allow the kids to communicate with one another and have them play Prodigy on another tab. This allows the students to "find" each other more easily. My kids at home can interact with my students at the same time. They have fun battling and finally have a chance to interact with each other!
(The picture shows my children Lula and Rainer at home playing Prodigy with my class.)
Virtual Dress Up Week at BES!
Students are encouraged to dress up and take a picture to show off their Eagle Pride! Pictures can be uploaded to our Beekmantown Elementary School Group and Beekmantown Elementary School PTO Facebook pages with the hashtag #BESEaglePride! Come on BES, show us what you've got!!
#BESEaglePride
Can't hide that Eagle Pride!
5th GRADE SHOUT OUT!!!!
SHOUT OUT to our 5th graders! They won the ISAB (I Stand Against Bullying) / YES Regional Video Contest Award for 2020!
A huge thank you to Mr. C for not only producing our short video, but for writing our story line, editing the video and submitting it on our behalf.
Check out their winning video below!
More Art with Mrs. Wooster
Students are watching and following along with my art drawing videos and drawing their own images. I have some very creative students who are drawing an animal into a letter and sending them to relatives as a way to bring cheer to their family members. So many wonderful pictures have been shared with me. I love the hard work and dedication. Keep the pictures coming! ~ Mrs. Wooster
Is it Spring, yet?
Mrs. Gelwicks' fourth grade class is studying about plants in Science. After their Google Meet today, students were sent outside to search for signs of Spring and to take a picture to share their evidence. Here are a couple of pictures of what they found.
Online Learning
Technology Tricks!
Owen LaPier continues to learn technology from his teacher, Mrs. Bassett and he's teaching his mom, Mrs. LaPier a thing or two!
Calendar Time with Miss O'Connor
Calendar is an important part of Miss O'Connor's class. A time where students get to join together as a group to share their feelings, practice counting and learning together as a group.
Online learning is so easy even PK3 can do it!
Breakfast and Online Learning in Bed!
Third Grade Google Meet
This is how we learn!
From our parents...
From a parent in Mr. Crucetti's class:
"Thank you for all of your hard work at this trying time. I know we did not expect to have lessons and teaching experiences like this and I want to commend you and the other teachers and staff for making this transition as easy as possible for both parents and students. Bless you all, stay safe."
From Paula & Dominic Marro:
"My husband and I are truly appreciative of the effort all of the teachers, speech therapists, OT's, and PT's have put in to help our children. They have been able to establish some normalcy and routine into our daily lives. My kids look forward not only to the Google Meets but to the schoolwork they are assigned."
From Crystal Bruyere:
"I just wanted to say thank you for making this transition from school to distance learning such an easy process for Evan and I. He has really enjoyed the last two weeks! You two are really doing a great job!"
The #518Rainbow Hunt Continues...
How Can You Reach Us?
Parents, we know this is an uncertain time and we want you to know we are here for you! If you have any questions feel free to email us or give us a call!
Office:
Sarah Paquette - paquette.sarah@bcsdk12.org
Candace Jock - jock.candace@bcsdk12.org
Danielle Thew - thew.danielle@bcsdk12.org
Counseling:
Sarah Titherington - titherington.sarah@bcsdk12.org
Michele Lamontagne - lamontagne.michele@bcsdk12.org
Kim Bean - bean.kim@bcsdk12.org
Follow us on Facebook or check out our school web page:
www.facebook.com/beekmantownelementaryschoolgroup
Email: jock.candace@bcsdk12.org
Website: www.bes.bcsdk12.org
Location: 37 Eagle Way, West Chazy, NY 12992
Phone: 518-563-8035
Facebook: facebook.com/beekmantownelementaryschoolgroup