In the Middle Newsletter
Ongoing/As Needed During School Closure
Principal Ponderings: P90X
I cannot imagine many professions where we can say on a Friday, "Hey, we have a thing going on and we are going to need to change the way you do your job and that is going to start on Monday," and have it go as smooth as the staff at Lakeshore Middle School was able to do it. You have all been doing a fantastic job. I have heard a number of positive comments about what LMS (and LPS in general) has been doing. Keep up the great work!
With that being said, I recognize that there is a range of capabilities when it comes to using an online learning platform. If you have ever attempted any of the P90X workouts, Tony Horton often uses the phrase, "do your best and forget the rest." During this time, do just that. Continue to engage students in content to the best of your ability. Nothing about this situation is easy or comfortable on any of us. A school superintendent stated that "it will be impossible to know if we overreacted and did too much, but it will be QUITE apparent if we underreacted or did too little."
Keep doing great things for our students. Stay positive and stay healthy.
P2 Contacts
I've heard from a few folks who have made phone calls/contacts with their P2 students. This is GREAT! I encourage you to make the commitment to contact all of your P2 students prior to Spring Break. Again, the contact can look different: phone call, Google Meet, e-mail, etc.
Allison and I will continue to reach out to you this week to see how you and your family are doing, how the learning opportunities are going for you and your students, and what questions you might have as move along.
PSAT/MSTEP Schedule*
There will be no state testing this year.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Kellie Meyer, March 27
Joy Lennartz, March 30
LEF Grants are Now Open!
LEF Grants are Now Open!
Two Staff-Related Grants - closes April 15th
Foundation Grant - the best ideas in education come from teachers, and LEF supports these ideas with our grants. Do you have a big idea (over $2500) for a quality educational experience that would benefit a large constituency of Lakeshore students, staff, and/or the community?
Professional Development Grant - for staff who seek to bring continual energy, talent and passion to their roles. Do you have a great opportunity to develop and strengthen your professional talents and skills by attending a conference, seminar, workshop, college course or other experience?
Grants — Bring Your Idea to Life – Lakeshore Excellence Foundation
Online Learning Resources Worth Sharing
Tips for Virtual Teaching
Transitioning to Online Learning: Pro Tips on What You Need to Know
Tweet of the Week
What I'm Reading: Dare to Lead, Brene Brown; Stealing Lincoln's Body, Thomas J. Craughwell
The Hub- frequently visited docs/sheets/links, in one place...
Noteworthy Items
April 3-April 10
- Woo hoo Spring Break 2020!
- No lessons to be posted during this time.
- Take a step back and unplug
- Start preparing for what April 13-April 27 will look like. While the official word has not come from Gov. Whitmer, some type of extension to our current closure would follow the trend with our neighbors and other states around the country.
- Have conversations with your course partners
- Google Meet directions if this is an avenue you want to explore to connect with staff and students
- Continue to be available for kids throughout the workday for questions via email or in Classroom
- Angie created this great website for online teaching and learning, Digucation
Any students MIA?
- If you have students who have not engaged in work whatsoever and have not responded to emails, please, let me know. Allison and I will attempt to make contact with them as well.
Administrative Items
- Lancer Leader of the Week: We will double up upon our return in order to get caught up.
- Late Start: TBD
- P2: Humor
- Allison and I will both be working remotely for the next two weeks. Our cell phones are on the School Closure Information and FAQ document if you need us immediately. Otherwise, email will be checked frequently throughout the day.