LISD TECH Center Student Times
The week of Monday, April 20, 2020
Change is an opportunity to do something AMAZING!
LISD TECH Center students and families,
The staff at the LISD TECH Center hope this letter finds your family healthy and well. We want you to know that we miss seeing our students. With the new Executive Order in place, we will do our part to fulfill our goal to encourage and support the achievement and success of all learners.
The following beliefs and assumptions are guiding our response to this crisis:
· We, as educators, have a responsibility to support the social, emotional, educational, and physical need of our students.
· Relationships are extremely important to learning and we will continue to build and strengthen relationships with students and families.
· Staff will need to customize the support they provide as they determine the needs and capacity of students and families.
· Every instructor and administrator at the LISD TECH Center is committed to a plan that will allow our students to continue learning, while not overwhelming them or their families.
· No student will be penalized if they are unable to participate in our plan for continued learning.
Instructional staff will be reaching out to students and families this week to determine student interests and resources available for the student at home. Students who wish to continue on their path to pursue certifications and credentials may still be able to work toward these goals possibly into the summer. We are asking parents to help provide support in these pursuits, but recognize it may be a challenge.
Students and families will need to make a decision about their marking period/semester TECH Center grade. Below are the four options that we ask you take some time to consider:
· accept grade earned as of March 11,
· Complete work to improve their grade,
· accept the grade of “P” (pass), or
· accept the grade of “F” (fail).
Instructional staff will be communicating with families about these options next week and ask that you complete a form to document the choice for your student.
Timeline of Events:
· Week of April 20 – Instructional staff will be reaching out to check-in with students and families to share grading options as well as to determine communication methods and modes of instruction.
· Week of April 27 through the End of school year – Program specific learning plans begin, weekly check-ins with students.
As we strive to reach the goal of success and achievement for each student, please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have, whether you are a student or a parent. The LISD buildings are closed, however, staff are monitoring their email on a regular basis.
If you have any questions, please email Jenny Heath (jenny.heath@lisd.us)
Counselor Corner - Sue Ritchey
“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible”- Walt Disney
If you told me two months ago I would be working from home for the remainder of the school year, I would have said, impossible! However, I have found fun ways to make that a possibility, and have been enjoying it. I miss seeing my students, and of course, our normal way of counseling/advising, but meeting with you virtually, has been great too! I have learned several new online tools, and have found so many new resources to work from home. I am learning new things every day. My dog is my new co-worker, and he loves our new home office where he has his own special napping spot! I am choosing to stay optimistic and find joy in simple things.
Most of us are coping with some very big changes to our daily life. This may be causing some emotional stress. Coping strategies are the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions you use to adjust to these changes. Here are some examples:
· Humor. Pointing out the amusing aspects of the problem at hand, or "positive reframing," is thought to help deal with small failures.
· Seeking support. Asking for help, or finding emotional support from family members or friends, can be an effective way of maintaining emotional health during a stressful period.
· Problem-solving. As described above, problem solving is an instrumental coping mechanism that aims to locate the source of the problem and determine solutions. This coping mechanism is often helpful in work situations.
· Relaxation. Engaging in relaxing activities, or practicing calming techniques, can help to manage stress and improve overall coping.
· Physical recreation. Regular exercise, such as running, or team sports, is a good way to handle the stress of given situation. This may involve yoga, meditating, progressive muscle relaxation, among other techniques of relaxation.
· Adjusting expectations. Anticipating various outcomes to scenarios in life may assist in preparing for the stress associated with any given change or event.
· Denial. Avoidance of the issue altogether may lead to denying that a problem even exists. Denial is usually maintained by distractions, such as excessive alcohol consumption, overworking, or sleeping more than usual.
· Self-blame. Internalizing the issue, and blaming oneself (beyond just taking responsibility for one's actions), leads to low self-esteem and sometimes depression.
· Venting. An externalizing coping technique, venting is the outward expression of emotions, usually in the company of friends or family. In moderation, it can be healthy; however, ruminating on the negative can lead to strained relationships over time.
How Do You Cope? Retrieved April 16, 2020, from Semele Institute, UCLA: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/How_Do_You_Cope
Do you want to learn more about careers in agriculture? Check out the link below!
Watch live video streams from around Michigan using the link below!
Due to the health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus, MDOT will be suspending the Summer Youth Jobs and TRAC Internship.
The TECH Center Carp Tank Competition
Submit a 3 min. or less video or 2 pg. max business plan of an innovative idea / invention that relates to your CTE course (ie Nursing student creates a new way to measure a patient's breathing efficiency). The winner will be chosen by the TECH Center Leadership Team - entries submitted via email by April 30 to Jenny Heath (jenny.heath@lisd.us).
ShamTECHwow - Infomercial Competition
Student that creates the BEST 30 second infomercial on how great the TECH center is will win a $25 gift card to Spotted Cow. All entries submitted to Jenny Heath (jenny.heath@lisd.us) by April 30 will be judged by the TECH Center Leadership Team.
LISD Artwork for the Main Entrance Competition
The individual who designs a 6 foot by 6 foot max. work of art, that would be weatherproof and appropriate for the brick wall coming into the TECH Center and can be displayed next to the existing art, will win a $25 Spotted Cow card. IF the design is chosen and noted as worthy for the wall, the design may be funded and designed as part of a TECH Center course. The design must represent some aspect of CTE (ie a mash up of random artistic car parts pressed into concrete). Designs may be submitted in paper/pencil drawing form or electronically. The winner may be recognized only as best, yet IF feasible, it will be produced and mounted on the wall with the designer name displayed for all to see. All entries submitted to Jenny Heath (jenny.heath@lisd.us) by April 30 will be judged by the TECH Center Leadership Team.
Are you interested in cars? Check out the links below!
LIST OF LUNCH/FOOD Resources Available in Lenawee County
Check out last week's edition by clicking on the link below!
LISD TECH Center
Email: Jenny.Heath@lisd.us
Website: https://www.lisd.us/lisd-tech-center/
Location: 1372 North Main Street, Adrian, MI, USA
Phone: 517-263-2108
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LISDTECHCenter/
Twitter: @LISDTECHCenter