Standing Bear (Closure Updates)
3/19/20
Updates...
Staff,
I was just on a conference call and the information has changed a bit. I also ask you to be flexible as things may change. I will continue to communicate any changes to you. Please remember the district has not been down this road before. They are doing the best they can getting information out to us and clarifying questions we have right now. Just slow down a bit on communication as they sort through these questions.
They are still working on getting clarification regarding Read Alouds. I have been told that if you were using a program prior to the closure, you may continue to use it!! So, they are now saying that SeeSaw, Dojo, etc. can continue for check in with your families or to answer questions. Please do not assign any lessons or tasks to students, this is a check in only.
We definitely want families to know we are thinking about them and we care! *** If you were using a specific line of communication prior to the closure, you may keep using it. Just don't start something new because of the closure. If you have student/family groups that you are corresponding with please add me to those.
I will be sending out information regarding TEAMS meetings. Please note that all staff should be available during normal business hours and will be required to check email daily, respond to requests, and complete any required or time sensitive work from home. Additionally, any staff member may be called to report to their site for a specific activity at the request of their supervisor or a District Leadership Team Member.
Teachers- if you were in charge of setting up a field trip, please cancel those this week.
- TEAMS: We started the year using TEAMS a little, but then didn't really continue with that as our main approach to communication. Please plan on using TEAMS a lot during this time. That will be our main communication platform and we will hold virtual staff meetings using that app. More to come as we make that shift.
- Learning Packets: You can provide feedback based on the learning packets, but those will not be graded. You are not teaching to those, but can answer questions should a parent need clarification or feedback.
- Additional Support: We can NOT send out video read alouds for students or any video lessons.
- Students are receiving the packets and the resource links approved by the district. We are seeking greater clarity on whether or not reading aloud via a public platform like Facebook live presents copyright challenges. We will update as we hear more. One alternative for the time being is simply recorded videos saying hello to your school community, that you're thinking of them, that they should stay engaged with the resources we're providing and read. You can plug Scholastic's resource since if they are seeing you on social media, they have some type of device at home.
- We did receive questions about staff adding students on social media to create classroom/school groups for instruction and check-ins. That is not approved. IMS can advise on the technology systems already in the Omaha Public Schools portfolio to facilitate student engagement. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A GROUP THAT YOU WERE USING PRIOR THAT IS FINE, PLEASE ADD ME TO THE GROUP.
- Online Links: You can NOT send out additional links to families. NOTHING NEW, IF YOU WERE USING IT PRIOR OKAY. If there is a link or program that you feel is valuable, you need to send that information to Donna Dobson for approval. Again, we can only use the district approved ones. I know this is very hard for us to do, as we want to provide our kids with all we can to best support them. We have to keep on track with what the district is offering at this point.
- Parent Communication: USE THE COMMUNICATION TOOL YOU WERE USING PRIOR OR EMAILS.
- Building Access: The building is now fully closed off. Staff can NOT enter the building for any reason. You will not be allowed to come up to get anything from the classroom. If it wasn't picked up by now, you will not have access to it until this ban is lifted.
- Field Trips: All field trips will be cancelled for the year. ): PLEASE CANCEL THESE IF YOU WERE THE ONE WHO SET IT UP.
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Standing Bear Calendar
Looking Ahead...
I will keep this post for now and update as things are finalized.
March:
* 26th Scholastic Class Pictures
* 27th- 3rd Grade field trip to Rose Theater
* 30th- Blood Drive (2:30pm-7:30pm)-CANCELLED
April:
* 3rd- Family Fun Day (Early Childhood Room 1) @ 3:00pm
* 10th- No School for student (Professional Development Day for staff)
* 14th- PTO Meeting @ 6:30pm
* 21st- KDG (Livers/Maguire) Fontenelle Forest
* 22nd- KDG (Tolacko/Long/Madsen) Fontenelle Forest* 28th- Parent Pay PK field trip to Rose Theater
*28th- 4th grade choir day performance @ Standing Bear (10:00am)
- Choir night performance @ Standing Bear (7:00pm)
* 30th- Kid's Heart Challenge celebration
May:
* 1st- Standing Bear School Carnival
* 6th- 3rd Grade Durham Museum
* 7th- Fun Field Day/Family BBQ
* 12th PTO Meeting @ 6:30pm
* 14th- Spring Choir Celebration @ 4:15pm
* 21st- 4th Grade Farewell @ 2:00pm
* 22nd- Last Student Day
4th Grade Clap Out @ 3:55pm