Faculty F.Y.I.
July 31, 2019
Some of my fondest memories as a child are completing various and sundry household repairs and maintenance tasks with my dad. There is a unique satisfaction in seeing something go from broken to functional or dirty and grimy to spotless. Perhaps this is why I particularly enjoy the last few weeks of summer when facilities are being prepared for the upcoming year. In this spirit, a few facilities updates to share with you:
- An irrigation well has been donated and installed on the western side of the building, which will help maintain our landscaping in the front of the school.
- The boys and girls bathrooms on the east wing and the boys bathroom on the west wing of the building will be receiving fresh paint over the next two weeks.
- Various trim elements in the hallways and the accent wall to the right of the entryway will be painted FJVD red to better reflect school colors & spirit.
In addition, there's lots of cleaning, organizing, floor polishing, and minor repairs taking place in preparation for the opening of classrooms on August 12th. A special thank you to Mr. John Ludka, facilities manager, and our facilities crew over the summer - Mr. James Laboissonniere and Mr. J.J. Cicione (both FJVD Class of 2017).
A note regarding classrooms opening on August 12th - this is Victory Day, a public holiday in the state of Rhode Island. As such, the parish and school offices are closed, and maintenance crews will not be in the building. With that being said, you are still welcome to get into your classroom (I'll be here to open doors as needed!), should this day be most convenient for you. All offices will be open for regular hours on August 13th. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Below, please find a detailed schedule for the Back to School Night being held Monday, August 26th. Thank you to Mrs. Laboissonniere and Mrs. Jarvis for their advice and assistance in planning this evening. As you will see, it follows a similar schedule to previous years. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you a blessed remainder of the summer!
Sincerely,
Kevin Peloquin
Back to School Preparations - Important Dates, Times, and Schedules!
Monday, August 12, 2019
8:00am
- Classrooms open!
- This is Victory Day in Rhode Island, but you will still have access to your classroom as needed.
Friday, August 23, 2019
5:30pm-7:30pm
- Back to School BBQ
- All teachers & staff are invited. Attendance is not mandatory.
Monday, August 26, 2019
6:00-8:00pm
- Back to School Night
- See detailed schedule attached above!
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
9:00am-3:00pm
Faculty Retreat and In-Service
- Mass: 9:00am
- Retreat: 9:45am-11:45m
- Lunch (provided): 12:00pm-12:45pm
- Teacher/Staff Back to School Information Meeting: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
- Pre-K and K Orientation: 8am-11am
- Middle School Orientation: TBD
- Blood Borne Pathogens & CPR Re-Certification: 1:30pm
- All teachers & staff should plan to attend the afternoon session to obtain their CPR re-certification.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
- First Day of School!
Summer Spotlight Series
One way in which I'd like to accomplish this is through a "Summer Spotlight Series" on our Facebook page. Please note that this is entirely optional!
What does this entail?
If you're interested in taking part, simply fill out the Summer Spotlight Survey here (you'll need to be logged in to your school Google account):
I'll use the information in the survey to create a post that details your great work at FJVD and a little more about you! The post will be shared through our school Facebook page.
Spotlight Posts will be created as survey responses come in and will run approximately every week, as participation allows. Don't worry if your post does not make it over the summer, we will continue the posts as needed to make sure everyone has an opportunity!
I look forward to learning more about you and sharing some of your great work with our community!
Summer Email
I absolutely encourage and support using the summer months for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. With that being said, it would be helpful if you can briefly check your emails once every 1-2 weeks, simply to stay up to date with any announcements, change in dates, etc.
Thank you!
Podcast Recommendation: "My Bad" from the BAM! Radio Network
One of the benefits of a slightly longer commute is an ability to listen to a wide range of podcasts. Disclaimer: I understand that podcasts aren't for everyone, and some people find them dreadfully boring; however, whether you're a frequent podcast listener or have never explored their potential, I would encourage you to check out one upon which I recently stumbled.
"My Bad" is hosted by Jon Harper, a vice principal in Maryland. Each episode is only about 10-15 minutes long and focuses on the mistake a particular educator (who is the guest for that episode) made, and what he or she learned from that mistake. Episode titles include "I was Overzealous" and "I thought I knew What was Happening: I Was Clueless."
It's an interesting way to learn about new ideas and concepts in education, and certainly made me reflect on many of my past mistakes as an educator (we were all first year teachers once!). If you're interested, you can find My Bad through the Podcasts app, on iTunes, or wherever you find your Podcasts.