Bobcat Bulletin
May 4, 2020
This Week's Events
Monday 5/4
- Spirit Week Begins - See Flyer Below
Thursday 5/7
- ABC Countdown Begins - See Flyer Below
Thursday 5/7
- Future Kindergarten Virtual Parent Meeting, 6:30 pm
Next Week's Events
Thursday, May 13
- LIM Surveys Due
Thursday, May 13
- Virtual PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Looking Ahead
May 25
- Memorial Day - No School
June 4
- ALPS Virtual Orientation, 6:30pm
June 11
- Last Day
If no one has told you are are Amazing today - know that I think you are
I didn’t want the week to get away from me without thanking all of you. I do not have the right words to describe how much I appreciate each and every one of you on a daily basis. Every person that works here at Amerman, no matter how small your job, plays a large role in our success. I would not be able to do my job on a daily basis without you. Thank you for “weathering the storm.” Thank you for all the work you are doing behind the scenes to be there for your students and their families. Thank you for going an extra trillion miles. My job is easier because of the hardworking, dependable and dedicated staff here Amerman. I am so very grateful for you.
Additionally, It's been so great to see all of you in our weekly meetings. Even if I don't have a lot to say, it's just nice to see your faces. You seem to be hitting your stride. You're trying new things and feeling more comfortable with your routine. I couldn't be prouder of the work you are doing. You are pushing yourselves every day, and it's paying off exponentially. I know the toll these past several weeks have taken on you. I cannot promise to make your load lighter, but I can promise to help you carry it. I am here to support you in whatever way I can.
Also, in honor of Teacher/Staff Appreciation week, I am excited to announce the PTA is giving us $900 to spend on the lounge. We are going to get two new microwaves and replace the wooden shelf that is about to fall apart. Any leftover money will be used for plates/cups/silverware etc.
Introducing the Amerman Cafe'
In this time of isolation, many of us would like to have the opportunity to virtually connect with each other throughout the day...kind of like we used to do in the Staff Lounge. Enter, Amerman Cafe! If you go into our building calendar, you'll notice that, beginning on Monday, the "Amerman Cafe" is open every day from 11:30-1:30. Click the Meet/Hangout link and you can virtually meet with each other over lunch, coffee, or just to chat! You never know who else might be there, too! (Full credit for this idea goes to Denise Bryan at Moraine.)
Staff Leader in Me Survey
Sending Off Fifth Grade
We are obviously making some changes to our traditional fifth grade send-off traditions and we need your help! There's two main things we need you to do:
- Record your class "clapping" during a Zoom Meeting so we can make a Clap-Out Video for our fifth graders. You can record yourself clapping along with your class or you can record yourself separately.
- Record a farewell/good luck message during a Zoom Meeting. You might remember that at last year's final ROAR Assembly, we had a Fifth Grade Farewell video. A copy of the video is attached if you need a quick reminder of what type of message you made last year.
Once you've recorded your video, please add it to the "Fifth Grade Send Off" folder or you can e-mail it/share it with Katie. If you need someone to stop in during a Zoom Meeting to help you record, please let Katie or Elizabeth know. We are happy to help.
Thanks so much for helping to create a special send-off for our fifth graders!
Math Games from Bridges
https://sites.google.com/mathlearningcenter.org/math-at-home/family-games
Zoom "How-To"
There was a question raised about how to use the chat feature in zoom more effectively in a classroom situation. Aaron's wife was gracious enough to create a quick screencast video on the chat feature.
NPS Zoom Chat Short Tutorial Video
I know taking attendance can be time consuming - here is a quick video made by Jennifer Lawson at Hillside on how you can use one of the features in Zoom to take attendance.
Guided Reading Lesson Example
LCs across the District are working together to illustrate how guided reading lessons can be done virtually. Bre shared an awesome example of one of her lessons this week. Sometimes watching a video can give us that "Ah Ha!" moment we're looking for when planning virtual lessons. Take a look at this video from Kandy, the LC at Winchester. It's another great example of a virtual guided reading lesson! Thank you to Elizabeth, and all of our fabulous LCs across the District!
Parent/Guardian Input - Student Profile Form
Due to our current circumstances, the traditional parent input form is not a practical way to get information. I have developed a digital version of that form. From what I understand, past practice is parents only get one if they request it during Parent/Teacher Conferences. Since PTCs are not 2-3 days this year, but spread out over multiple weeks, I have put the deadline for parents May 22.
If a parent K-4 requests this form, please feel free to email them the following link:
LC Corner - Curriculum, Literacy & Learning...oh my!
RESOURCES FOR YOUR FAMILIES ABOUT READING
These tips were shared in a recent Bobcat Broadcast for families and many of you are holding conferences over the next few weeks, so I thought they might be useful for you to share too.
These tips are best suited for our earliest readers, KDG-2nd grade. One of the greatest gifts we can give children in the habit of being a life-long reader. It may take years to build this habit and that’s ok. Many of our families already have daily routines for reading together or setting aside time to read to self. When reading with your child and listening to your child, there are best practices for how to grow and empower a young reader’s skills and confidence.
Take a few moments to view this video to help you better understand these tips and help your child grow as a reader. (The video is about 5 minutes long.)
Be Present
Don’t Tell the Word
Move Beyond Sound it Out (remind your child about our Reading Strategies Bookmark)
Reread for Fluency - smooth it out
Don’t Correct Every Mistake
It’s ok to Reread a Book Multiple Times.
Cults of Pedagogy: Nightly Reading Homework-Best Practices
Remember that we all learn best when we feel safe and secure, these daily reading routines should be a time not just for your child to grow as a reader, but also to connect with you, the story or the content and to build memories.
Next Time: Resources for helping with reading comprehension and a few more SEL resources.
PTA Stipend Reimbursement - Extended to May 15
As a reminder all teachers are able to get a $225 classroom stipend reimbursement ($175 for part time). Currently about 2/3 of the teachers haven't yet submitted their request for reimbursement. The PTA has extended their deadline for turning in receipts to May 15th. Being a PTA member is a requirement in order to receive the stipend.However, that cost is small (I think it's $15) in comparison to the reimbursement. You can email receipts to amermantreasurer@gmail.com.
Random Useless Facts
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13.
- The human is the only species that makes plans.
- Approximately 4.16% of your body weight is skin.
- Some lions mate over 50 times a day.
- A catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.
- Shakespeare invented to word ‘assassination’ and ‘bump’.
- Scientists have found chocolate has a chemical that helps counteract depression.
- Michael Jordan has more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.
- Dodos became extinct in 1681.