B & K Tiger Update
May 11, 2020
About the video... (A Disclaimer)
If you watch, which stereotype best fits you? What would a Quarantine Teacher Stereotype video look like?
Needed vs. Nice
If you're still struggling with setting boundaries for yourself, I saw a post from Daniel Bauer, a former school administrator who now runs a leadership development podcast and mastermind group. In the post, Daniel shared 2 great tips to help us all manage our time.
First - batching tasks: This means setting time and really focusing in on one specific thing during that time. Right now, I'm writing this, so that means I'm ignoring any emails that come in. Later, it will be email time, and I'll focus on reading/responding to the messages I receive. Some of us truly believe that we're good multi-taskers, but the truth is each time you get pulled away from your primary task, especially if it's creative work, the longer it takes to get back into that task and truly be focused on it.
Second - Needed vs. Nice: We all have to set priorities right now. Many times I go on Twitter and see amazing things that other administrators are doing. Sometimes I think to myself how could they possibly have time to do that. Then I think to myself that maybe I should do that too. I've had to prioritize. Two great questions to ask yourself: What do I need to do? These are tasks that you believe are necessary for your students to be successful. Then, if you have extra time, you can ask: What would be nice to do? These are things that you think might help, or be fun, but aren't necessary. I give each of you the permission to define your Needed vs. your Nice.
Quote we're contemplating this week:
~Daniel Pink (Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us; 2009, pg. 18)
Thank you from Katy
But that hasn't always been the way my life has evolved. As many of you have probably experienced, sometimes change comes your way whether you like it or not. In the trenches of some changes and hardships in my life, it has been hard to see the silver lining. There have been many times I have felt really down and have wondered how I'm going to ever rise above the change and uncertainty. This has happened to me numerous times both personally and professionally. What I've learned over time is that, well, it takes time- and, in the meantime, maintaining a positive attitude (something that you can control) helps you persevere through unexpected change. And somehow, life always seems work out!
It's hard to imagine not returning to FES next year. I didn't see that change coming! When I made the move to Assistant Principal, it was definitely a welcomed change, but I'm not gonna lie, I had a "fake it 'til you make it" mantra for a bit there. I did not feel I was worthy of the role and wondered when you all would discover me as a fraud. But nope, you all welcomed me in and helped me succeed. I have so much gratitude to you all for being patient and supportive, especially as it was my first venture into the world of administration. Serving all of you has brought me so much satisfaction, pride and peace, and I feel forever changed- for the better- learning and growing with you all.
I so appreciate all of the kind messages many of you have sent the past few days- they have given me many opportunities to reminisce, cry, and smile at what has been accomplished. From my view, YOU all have accomplished so much, and YOU should be credited for the positive change that has happened, and will continue to happen, at FES. There is great momentum at our little school, and I know you will keep it going! B2 and Trice are leading the charge, but you have all found ways to lead how we serve our students!
Even though I am going away, I am not gone. You all better still connect with me! I, for one, am going to keep challenging and encouraging all of you, even from afar. You all have always done an amazing job encouraging each other, and I see this change for FES as an opportunity to find creative ways to continue supporting each other in all of the wonderful ways you support children. This will all work out! I knew it soon after I arrived, FES is a special place, FES is a family! FES will ALWAYS be my family! Thank you for letting me be a part of it!
How can Allie help you?
As many of you are starting to plan and think about how you are going to finish up the school year with elearning, I would love to be able to support you in that endeavor!
Together we can.....
- Unpack a Unit of Study if you are ready to launch a new unit
- Examine a unit of your choice (TDS created units, Units of Study, Pandemic Journal/World Responsive Unit) and plan how to best implement that unit through elearning
- Collaborate ways to celebrate student work at the end of a unit
- Work to plan ways to incorporate essential skills within the suggested timeframe of the state and district
- Co-Teach
- Co-Plan
- Collect and/or try out resources together that you are interested in using
Let Allie know if there is anything she can do to support you and/or your team!
Which would you rather? A job that pays $48,000 or $25 per hour?
School Safety Update: Suicide Ideation, Abuse/Neglect Guidance
https://hsek12inus.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/FES/ESsSuUQSaNBBkD-zpC8OS_8BWDtY_M9gAD7o6xECgXzHhA?e=MaJcVq
Our legal obligation to report abuse is not lifted during remote learning. Please do not hesitate contacting DCS and contact Brian or Katy to share information about the situation.
Shout out to you... Thank you FES crew!
This year please share the good news and good deed of you and your team members. Please email me your celebrations, so I may share them here each update!
- Shout Out to Shannon for what she's doing for her speech students. I know she's conducting tons of group and individual Zoom calls to try to continue providing services for our kids.
- Shout out to Aimee Terlecky for joining Shannon for some of the students receiving OT services.
PGP Form Below
Fishers Elementary School
Website: https://fes.hseschools.org/
Location: 11442 Lantern Road, Fishers, IN, USA
Phone: (317) 594-4160
Twitter: @FESTigersHSE