Linden Leopard Growl
Here at Linden we are ONE! --- April 8, 2020 Edition
Thank You To The Helpers
Distance Learning Update
As we find our way through this new world, please know that we all understand the challenges our families are facing. There is room for flexibility and understanding as we enter this new learning phase together as ONE. Please remember we are moving from "optional to mandatory" as new learning is now taking place. Again, know that we understand you are doing your very best as well, and we realize you have students sharing devices, you're working from home, etc. We are hopeful that this new plan will provide some structure and scheduling of new learning for all, as well as allow for virtual connections among our teachers and students to occur more frequently.
Below is a copy of the communication I sent on Monday. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Mike Testani
Distance Learning Update from Mr. Testani -- April 6, 2020
Dear Linden families,
As we begin the 4th week of quarantine and continue to socially distance ourselves for the greater good, health, and wellness of society, our lives have changed as we adjust to a prolonged absence of life as we knew it. There is no doubt that this has been challenging from many aspects. I hope we can continue to find the silver linings in our lives and others. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We can feel it and we are so grateful.
As you are aware, we have begun Phase 2 of our Distance Learning Plan for Central Bucks. This plan will provide opportunities for “new learning” to take place, and hence moves from optional to required. We know this will not be perfect, and may be challenging for some at first, but we are all going to support each other. We will continue to be flexible and understanding of family circumstances and challenges, while giving it our Linden best! Our teachers, once again, have gone above and beyond the call to create schedules and new learning lessons to provide our students with the necessary learning outcomes for each grade level.
Our teachers have shared their schedules and expectations for Phase 2 with families. Today, April 6th, each teacher kicked-off the first day of this phase with a class meeting to review the schedule, expectations, and answer any questions.
I would like to highlight this week's schedule, the elementary components of phase 2 (Check-ins, Direct Instruction, Office Hours, Student Work and Assessment) and share some resources for parents.
This Week's Schedule
April 6th - Kick off for elementary DLP Phase 2 - Teachers have set up class meetings to review expectations, new schedule, and answer questions about our next steps.
April 7th & 8th: Follow the Distance Learning Schedule Phase 2 for Tuesday & Wednesday
This week is a "short" week, as we enter Spring Break. As on the original school calendar, there is no school for students on April 9th, April 10th, and April 13th. Enjoy your Spring Break!
Specialists will begin to post their lessons during the week of April 13th using Seesaw.
Elementary Components of Phase 2
Teacher Check-ins:
Our teachers will provide class check-ins two times per week. Our teachers are using the following options for check-ins: class meeting via Teams, Flipgrid check-ins, Seesaw, etc.
Direct Instruction
Direct instruction of new learning in math, reading/language arts, science, social studies, and specials will be provided during phase 2. Teachers may choose to integrate science and social studies with reading and language arts. For elementary, these direct instruction lessons will be pre-recorded so the lessons are accessible to families to use when best for their schedule. Teachers will teach the concept, and students will have a follow-up activity. Your teacher will share specific details to access these lessons and submit the work upon completion.
- Monday -Thursday – Reading/Language Arts
- Monday-Friday – Specials
- Monday & Wednesday – Math
- Tuesday & Thursday – Science or Social Studies
- Friday – Specials, Social Emotional Wellness Lesson from the Counselor & “Catch Up” Day
Office Hours
Teachers will provide two 30-minute office hour blocks per day, Monday -Thursday. This is a time, when teachers will be available to students/parents in real time via email, Teams, etc. to answer questions, provide feedback, etc…
Student Work & Assessment
As we move into phase 2, teachers will be assessing student work and providing feedback to students with a focus on student learning, rather than grades. In addition, our support staff members who work closely with grade levels, may also be supporting student work with positive feedback on Seesaw, too. If an additional support staff member is working with your child’s class, your child's teacher will communicate with you.
Fridays
Fridays will consist of the Friday specialist lesson, SEW lessons from Dr. Graziosi-Hibbs, and an opportunity to finish assignments from the previous week. Teachers will not be available online, as this is a day designated for teachers to collaborate and plan for the next week.
Parent Resources
Teacher websites: Your child’s teacher’s website will continue to serve as your launching pad for all DL lessons. In addition, the teachers have shared and posted the following: Linden Distance Learning Page, with specialists’ links, and technology resources including Technology Etiquette and Teams Expectations.
Specialists will begin to post their lessons during the week of 4/13/2020 and will be using Seesaw, as well.
Lunch Distribution: As per Dr. Kopicki’s most recent email, lunch distribution is available to all families. Parents are welcome to pick up lunch at Central Bucks West HS on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 12:30.
- Three meals will be distributed on Monday, and two meals on Thursdays in the Doyle parking lot.
- Drive thru style -enter in the car rider lane; stay in your car, and meals will be handed to you through the passenger window.
Technology Resources
- K-12 Resources can be found at www.cbsd.org/homesupport.
- We are encouraging elementary families to use Office 365 My Apps and/or Clever to gain access to student tools.
- Review the Family Resources Infographic designed to share elementary resources with families.
We will continue to face these challenging times with great care, flexibility, understanding, and empathy during this time. Thank you for your continued support. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. If you are in need of any assistance, we are here to help. We will continue to support each other and take care of each other.
Sincerely,
Mike TestaniTech Support for Families
My name is Amy Logue, and I am your child’s QUEST teacher at Linden. I will continue to provide your child with STEM related projects and activities while we are all participating in Distance Learning. Besides being the QUEST teacher at Linden, I also serve as an educational technology coach. In this role, I offer support to both students and staff in their use of technology. I’d like to offer that support to families as we all navigate this new Distance Learning environment. Virtual teaching and learning are new to all of us. As questions or problems arise with the use of technology, please feel free to email me at alogue@cbsd.org or message me on Seesaw. I will try my best to find answers and offer support to you and your children.
I hope that you and your family are doing well and staying healthy! I miss seeing the children and can’t wait to see them all soon!
Home Support, Etiquette & Device Issues
- Our teachers may be recording their check-ins and Teams calls for their own reference in order to build on their instruction or for notes. Please make note of the Teams call etiquette on our website and review behavioral expectations with your children.
- Technology Resources for Families: To access resources for at-home use of technology, please visit cbsd.org/homesupport. Here you will find:
- Information on how to receive remote tech support
- Resources on how to access and use student tools from home
- An Elementary Resources Infographic that links to tutorials for grade K-6
Student Placement for 2020-2021
Even though our school building is closed, we are still working hard to get ready for next year.
Over the next few months, we will begin the process of assigning students to an appropriate class for next year. In putting together the classes, we will take into consideration many factors. Our goal is to ensure that each child is in a class that has an appropriate balance of students, teaching style, and to ensure for a smooth and successful transition to next school year. We assess each child's individual needs based upon input from the present classroom teacher, student support counselor, reading specialist, principal and other pertinent staff.
Class placement is made after reviewing a considerable amount of data. If you feel confident your child’s needs are understood by his or her current teacher, and you expect the teacher will keep the placement team informed of his/her needs as appropriate, you do not need to submit your feedback. If you feel the school placement team would benefit from additional information, you are welcome to submit your feedback electronically here by Monday, April 27th. You should not name a specific teacher.
We want what is best for your child and that involves them having a wide variety of educational experiences. Parent feedback submitted after April 27th will not be considered.
Thank you for beginning this important process with us.
Mike Testani
Don't Underestimate the Power of Mindful Breathing!
Dear Community,
During these unprecedented times, it is important for us to make a concerted effort to practice Mindful Breathing. Practicing Mindful Breathing, from a wellness perspective, positively impacts both our physical and emotional condition.
Some benefits include:
- Reduce stress levels in your body
- Lower your heart rate
- Lower your blood pressure
- Improve diabetic symptoms
- Reduce depression
- Better manage chronic pain
- Better regulate your body’s reaction to stress and fatigue
- Reduce the possibility of burnout for caregiver
Please click on Mindful Breathing Techniques to view a video with 30 different breathing activities. Parents, we invite you to participate with your children!
Stay healthy, happy, and safe.
Dr. McIntyre and Dr. Graz
NURSE'S CORNER
I hope everyone is staying healthy, practicing social distancing and washing hands frequently.
I know that these are unusual times and I want to make certain that you are aware of the supports and resources that are available if you find yourself in financial need.
Please click on this link to access my website and view the community resources tab for helpful information.
I will continue to update this page as I am made aware of any new resources.
Please contact me via email at sbredin@cbsd.org if you have any question or would like to talk privately about your needs and how I can best support you and your family.
Say well!
Mrs. Bredin
YEARBOOK ORDER DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL 4/14!
Order online at:
The cost is $18/yearbook.
Orders are due April 14th!
Linden Leopard PAW Winners
LINDEN WORKOUT WITH MRS. WILLIAMS
Staying Well with Mrs. Williams
LINDEN Workout! Perform each exercise for 1 minute and repeat for 5 rounds. Enjoy!
Lunge
Inchworm
Narrow squat
Down dog push ups
Elbow plank
Nothing 1 minute breath
Helping Community in This Time of Need
The FEAST Program
The FEAST Program will be distributing meals for Easter as planned
WHEN: Saturday, April 11, 1-6 PM
WHERE: St. Robert Bellarmine Church
856 Euclid Ave
Warrington, PA 18976
To request a meal, please click on this link:
http://feastcharitable.org/meals/
267-225-8589
FEAST estara proporcionando comidas caseras para Pascua
Las Fechas de distribucion son:
Sabado, 4/11, 1-6 PM
La Iglesia de St Robert Bellarmine
856 Euclid Ave
Warrington, PA 18976
Para solicitor comidas:
http://feastcharitable.org/meals/
267-225-8589
Useful Translations
Please click on the preferred language to link to a specific flyer:
Sharing our Strength
Introducing "Sharing Our Strength," an e-newsletter that celebrates the collective strength, resilience, and GRIT of our teachers and students during these challenging days. Take a look at https://www.cbsd.org/strength
Please share any feedback with Angela Linch, director of communications, at alinch@cbsd.org.
2020-2021 School Year Registration is Open
Dear Central Bucks School District family,
If you will have a new student (kindergarten, first grade) attending Central Bucks in the fall of 2020, NOW is the time to register.
Tell friends and neighbors who will have new Central Bucks students! Enrollment for ALL new students (grades kindergarten through 12) is now ongoing.
Registering students now ensures that buildings plan for appropriate staff and resources for the coming year. Visit here to complete the process online.
Distance Learning Happenings
Numbers and Letters
CB Cares Boomerang Assets
The Boomerang Youth Recognition Award is a district-wide monthly program which recognizes and honors youth in our community for exemplifying one of the chosen Developmental Assets for the school year.
Asset #25: Reading for Pleasure
Young person reads for pleasure most days of the week, either alone, with family members or with friends.
Nomination forms can be found online.
Please email your Boomerang nominations to sgraziosihibbs@cbsd.org by Friday, April 10th.
Who Wants to go on a Teddy Bear Hunt?
Summer Programs
CBSD Summer Camp
Summer Music Camps in CB
Celebrating the Life of Musician Bill Withers
Linden Elementary School
Email: mtestani@cbsd.org
Website: https://www.cbsd.org/linden
Location: 480 Linden Avenue, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-4400
Twitter: @CBLindenES