In the Middle Newsletter
April 27-May 1
Principal Ponderings: Joy
Yesterday, I started the department meetings with the phrase, "show up each day with joy in your heart" that was used by John Krasinski during one of his Some Good News episodes. It doesn't take much digging to find all the negative that is shared on a daily basis and since the news cycle is 24/7 and social media is always at the tips of fingers it's hard to escape.
There is also a great deal of joy in the world as well. I suppose it's what we choose to focus on. I was inspired and motivated by many of you sharing that our students are popping into office hours just to say hey. Granted, a few reminders need to go out to students about how office hours function, but the fact that they want to say hey and see you brings joy. Some "something goods" that were shared were not just professional. While no educator signed up for this, it has provided some time at home with those we love and they likely enjoy having you home.
What are you finding joy in?
Student Check Ins
Attendance/Contact Recordings
PowerSchool
Once per week on Fridays
VC - Virtual Contact opportunities
Assignment turned in
Email returned
Joined Zoom/Google Hangout
Phone call
US Mail
Other Student-initiated contact
NC - No Contact
Nothing turned in
No other contact
Your reporting attendance in PowerSchool is your reporting to your building administrator. There is no additional communication needed beyond Friday attendance.
Gradebooks
Updates regarding grading:
- Please, have grades for quarter 3 completed by Wednesday, April 29 at 3:00pm. No late work beyond April 24.
- Q3 grades will be stored shortly after 3:00 on 4/29
- Q4/S2 grades should be stored by June 12th. This will allow time to make any necessary grade changes before I report the TSDL and close out the school year.
- Quick lookup in PS to now excludes the viewing of the S2 grade, Exam and Dawn is working on blocking the GPA. Students and parents can only see Q3 and Q4, they cannot see the combination of the 2.
- Teachers have access to giving a letter grade, CR, P and I for a final grade--I know each building is a little different, please let them know which grading codes they should use.
What is "good faith"?
With that being said, you know your students better than anyone. If one of your highly capable students turns in work that is far below their level of performance that they have displayed throughout the year, feel free to provide them feedback and have them redo it.
On the flip side, if a student who struggles academically turns in work that has been consistent with their work during the year, but may be below grade-level expectations, that is a "good faith" effort.
If a student completes the assignment, the work is done at grade level, but maybe didn't meet the directives of how you wanted it done. Note it in PowerSchool, give the student feedback in terms of what they need to do, and allow them to redo the assignment.
IEPs
Upcoming Dates and Events
April 29
- IEP, 2:30 (GU, Carlisle)
Casey King, April 25
Heidi Southard, April 29
Online Learning Resources Worth Sharing
- This is a very informative link that discuss how to limit access to the meeting until you join and end the meeting when you leave.
- You "allow" people when you are ready.
- Briefly touches on the whiteboard feature
Using the Waiting Room feature in Zoom (article)
LEF Grants are Extended!
LEF Grants are extended through May 15th
Two Staff-Related Grants - closes May 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
Tweet of the Week
What I'm (Still) Reading: 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.