Anchor Weekly
Week of July 27, 2020
Upcoming Events
- Monday, July 27: Teachers may start working in classrooms
- Wednesday July 29: Reopening Planning Session at 4 pm via ZOOM
- Friday, August 14,-18: New Teacher Launch at Alta Vista at 8 am
- Wednesday, August 19: All staff report back at Alta Vista at 8 am
Captain's Log
It's been a busy week for the Helton family! We moved into our new house on Sunday, and we've been working like crazy to get everything unpacked! Some might call me crazy to move in these uncertain times. It's a lot of change to tackled on top of planning for a very different school year. But as Mrs. Logan (and Jon Gordon) reminded me recently, you have the power of choice and the actions you take matter. I hope you will watch the short video below-it's an inspirational message about thriving during times of change.
I am excited to share that the school board recently approved a pay raise for staff!
- Staff paid on the teacher pay schedule will receive an average $550 salary increase (an average increase of 1% of the midpoint).
- Staff paid in the professional/administrator, paraprofessional, and auxiliary pay groups will receive an increase of 1% of the midpoint of their pay grade.
Next week I will be on "leadership retreat" with Ms. Orchard. Even though we will be on campus, please respect our time to work and plan together. We are looking forward to this time for brainstorming and collaboration. If you have a need, please see Ms. Bonnie or send me an email.
To-Do List
- Complete preference for teaching in-person or virtually HERE
- Complete Reading Academy Training (Select Teachers Only)
- Complete Google and SeeSaw training modules in Canvas
- Complete SafeSchools Training (New Course Added!)
- Complete lesson plan template for 1st two weeks using this template and dropping into your grade level PLC folder
UPDATE School Reopening Planning Team
In case you haven't heard, we will be delaying the start of school until September 8 to prepare for online and in-person learning. This will change your start date, the instructional calendar, and our PD schedule. See links for more details.
- Proposed REVISED Instructional School Calendar
- Proposed REVISED Start/End Dates
- Additional HR Resources
We will continue our weekly planning session as a campus each Wednesday at 4:00 pm. Starting this week, we will diver deeper into the "dirty details" of reopening while keeping everyone safe. Here is the meeting link: ZOOM
Grade Level Summer Planning
Grade level planning may be done off site or virtually next week. Make sure you clock in using the right code. Two of the days will have a different code. Call Bonnie if you aren't sure.
For grade level planning, please complete the following:
- Review and finalize 6-week assessments, report card assessments (Kinder), and writing rubrics
- Work on the virtual lesson plan template for the first two weeks of school. Please drop your grade level plans into the PLC Folder and share them with Helton/Boggess/Alvarado.
Remember that your virtual lesson plan template serves 2 purposes. One-it is a plan for how to introduce content and tools if you have to start the school year teaching virtually. Two-if you are teaching face-to-face, it's a plan for you to support students as they learn how navigate the online tools with your support.
**Even though content is important, you need to consider how you will build classroom connections and support SEL needs during the first 1-2 weeks of school. Consider how you might do this while using online tools (IE: Create a video about your favorite things; upload a picture of something you're proud of; record yourself describing a goal you have for the school year).
If you have questions, reach out to Helton/Boggess/Alvarado/Orchard. We are all here to support you as you navigate new learning!
Screen & Go ~ NEW COVID Screening Process for WISD Employees
As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues, and its ongoing impact remains uncertain, the safety of our employees and your families continues to be our top priority. To minimize the risk of exposure to coronavirus and instill confidence in your day-to-day work environment, WISD will go live with Screen & Go on July 27 as our new screening tool. Temperature checks will continue to be administered at each site. All employees will complete screening before arriving at work each day. Please go to Screen & Go Guidance for more information: Screen & Go Guidelines.
Screen & Go is a simple, easy-to-use application that screens for potential COVID-19 symptoms, and can be accessed from your mobile phone so it can be used from anywhere — at home or on the go. Learn how to use the app by referring to the Screen & Go Step by Step.
Each day you will access the application by using the link or QR code provided to you: QR Poster & Code. After answering a few questions about how you’re feeling, you will get your results. If you are free of symptoms, show your confirmation screen and have your temperature checked in the office. If you’re displaying symptoms, be sure to contact your supervisor and your primary healthcare provider. If you have questions about using this screening tool, please contact Tammy Boyett in Human Resources.
NEW Required Training being Added to Safeschools
Texas Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Program Training has been added to SafeSchools. It is required under House Bill 3834 for all state and local employees. Please make sure you complete it!
Google & SeeSaw Training
All Elementary faculty (PreK -5) will be enrolled into the following modules thru Canvas by Waco ISD. You will receive an email link to enroll in a Canvas course.
Google Level I
Google Level II
Seesaw
NEW Waco ISD Online Teaching (Lisa Monthie)-this will teach you how to integrate the two platforms
Teachers will receive $500 for completing all modules by August 5.
If you already have your Google 1 or 2 Certification or if you are a SeeSaw Ambassador, it's still recommended you complete all of the courses. You will be able to go thru them very quickly and support other teachers that are still building their tech capacity. You can take the Google Certification test on your own, but it's not required.
It's very important that all teachers complete these training modules. Even if you are using Google Classroom, students will still have to login through SeeSaw. This is required so that WISD can provide evidence of attendance to TEA in a systematic way.
Tech Videos
- Creating assignments with movable objects in SeeSaw
- Add a Video as a Multimedia Example
- Home Learning Activities
- Managing Skills and Tagging Skills in SeeSaw
- SeeSaw Pioneer and Ambassador Programs
In talking with people from WISD, it sounds like all students in all grades will need to login through SeeSaw. Teachers in grades 3-5 (or younger) can push out Google Classroom assignments through SeeSaw. This will allow the district to show TEA that students are actively engaged in a learning management system each day to receive credit for attendance. In having every student on SeeSaw this year, we will be able to really push all parents to get connected on SeeSaw and streamline our communication process. All messages to them can be pushed out via SeeSaw (instead of receiving multiple messages in multiple places).
Resource Spotlight
SEL Resources
- TBRI In the Classroom (Free thru August 31)
- FREE Second Step Next SEL Lessons by Grade
- No Place for Hate
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we prioritize SEL and connections during the upcoming school year!