Captain's Log 4.25.2020
Newsletter for the Lansing Elementary school staff
April 25, 2020
I don't know about you-but March-April 2020 is one I would just rather forget. If you read my parent communication, I talked with parents about even though this experience has been very challenging and nothing we would all want, there are some silver linings.
I challenge you to be intentional about the silver linings you notice both inside your home and with our work family. I think there have been many positives that have resulted from this crisis. I love all of the creative and fun ways you have chosen to engage your students with surprise & delights! I know it took extra time, but there is nothing more important then the care, love, and support we can offer each other and our families at this time.
Whatever comes in the coming weeks and months-we'll get through this---TOGETHER! I'm so proud of each of you and our teams. I am blessed to be on your team! Have a wonderful week. Let's pray that curve keeps flattening and we can inch our way back to some normalcy! Keep up the amazing work!
Dr. Mindy Wells
Assistant Principal @ Lansing Elementary School
Action Item: Please Update your Zoom Codes for LES
Welcome-Dr. Jennifer Kolb
Dr. Jennifer Kolb-Assistant Principal 2020-2021
A note from Dr. Kolb
Hello! I’m Jennifer Kolb. Some of you may know me from Lansing Middle School as the 6th grade Eagles Team science teacher (and the Cat Pack science teacher before that). Working in Lansing over the last 15 years has provided me amazing opportunities; some of which include traveling to China and Japan and working in a leadership capacity at both the building and district levels.
Joining the Elementary School and Intermediate School teams is exciting! A little about me: I grew up in a military family in Berlin, Germany and attended college in Washington state. My Master’s in Human Relations was completed through the University of Oklahoma and most recently I earned my Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
I’m a proud military spouse and we have two daughters who are 3 and 7. In my free time I enjoy hiking, bike riding, and camping. I can’t wait to start working with all the wonderful staff, students, and families at both the Elementary and Intermediate schools. There are so many initiatives that I am excited to be a part of including MTSS and PLC’s. I am hoping to see you all soon!
Stay safe- Jennifer
Staff-K Roundup
A big thank you to our Kindergarten roundup team: Jennah Flynn, Debbie Beall, Christine Bachtel, Mary Yandura, Carrie Portenier.
Please tell everyone you know that has an in-coming Kindergarten student to either come to round-up OR contact Carrie and carrie.portenier@usd469.net to get registered for Kindergarten round-up. We need to round-em up early!
Send Anna your 2020-2021 Dates
Anna and Carrie have been working hard on making a Google Calendar for our LES Building Master Calendar as well as calendars for staff birthdays and conference room sign-ups.
Please send all 2020-21 known events to Anna by May 1, 2020. This means nailing down dates and times for things you know will go on the calendar. (Field trips, musical programs, class event days with parents etc) Thank you!
LES Calendar of Events
May 21: Last day of School
Technology Requests
Technology Request
Action Item-Please take time to submit a video for ROAR-by Katy Perry
Hey everyone!
Today is supposed to be the deadline for the Lip Sync video, but I’m extending it out to NEXT WEEKEND because we are nowhere close to enough videos uploaded. I want this video to be great! It has so much potential to reach every student and give them something to smile about!
The videos so far have been amazing! HUGE shoutout to Nick and Jennah Flynn for grabbing the Lansing Lion mascot and uploading those dance moves!! Things like that are what’s going to make this special for the kids!
Here is the link for the google drive!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-9C_ShC8AYgxb37U7epeHidakB6k2LjL
Remember, it’s broken up 6 ways, record a chunk, upload it back to the correct file, and DONE! If you don’t want to go through the trouble of uploading to the drive, just email me your video. I’d rather have it than not have it!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
Lisa
A Note from Lisa @ Lil Roar
Please take the time to participate in making a video for the Lil Roar-our students want to see you! This is for all staff!
I’m so grateful to everyone who has already sent videos, but I’m asking for a favor! I will need a constant supply of new footage from you (all elementary staff) to plug in and make every week feel fresh! We need a new cycle of videos and more teachers to appear! You can send me ANYTHING, even if you’ve already sent one! Below are some ideas, and remember, the kiddos will want to see you! So be creative and fun, let them get to know you! Videos must be short! No more than around a minute!
- Make an easy How To video
- Take us on a virtual tour of something cool that you have at home
- Send me a weather update!!! (Highly recommended, I will use sunny weather most, I HOPE!)
- Show off a skill or talent
- Challenge the kids to do something for the day
- Sing a song or lip sync
- Lip sync a birthday song! (Again, I do birthdays daily!)
- Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
If you have any questions, or need more ideas, please reach out or get inspiration from watching others who have been featured! I appreciate the help to keep this rolling! I also wanted to let you know that I made a Lil Roar TikTok account, so if you’re familiar with TikTok, I can give you the login info so you can record on that instead of using your own personal one. That way the kids will have access to everything in one place!
Remember, videos should be short, no more than around one minute! Send your videos to lilroar469@gmail.com! Or just attach it back to this email! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You’re all doing FANTASTIC with the new normal. Be watching for the next special segment! The MISS YOU montage was so awesome!!
You’re amazing! Have a great weekend! Record some cool videos!
Show your SPED team some LOVE
Thank you Mental Health Team
LES Guiding Principles
- Less is More
- Quality over Quantity
- Relationships over Rigor
- Grace before Grades
- Patience before Programs
- Love before Lessons
- Do the Right Thing before Doing Things Right
- Empathy is Everything
- Integrity is Integral
- GRIT-You can do hard things!