Monday Memo
Week of March 23rd, 2020
A bit of a different Monday Memo!
The past 10 days or so have definitely been surreal. I’m sure in your family, like in mine, there has been a mix of close connection and anxiety, laughs and tears, new routines and stress. That’s completely understandable as we try to navigate this new unknown world together. While there is so much we don’t know, it's important that we keep connected and informed as our world changes daily (sometimes even hourly!).
Beginning Monday morning, I'll be involved in regular Web Conferences with Superintendents, the Director and my Principal colleagues. As soon as I have any new information, I'll post it in our Staff Room on Edsby. Please ensure that you continue to check your email and Edsby a few times daily, as updates can change and be communicated throughout the day.
I'm thrilled to hear that among all the uncertainty, there is news of a tentative agreement with ETFO. I'm hoping that brings a bit of relief to our amazing teaching staff who have been under so much additional stress and pressure since work-to-rule began in November.
Please see some information below that you may find helpful. It's also worth checking out the Parent Peek at the Week, as there is a different format for communicating with the community right now as well. If there is anything you need or anything I can do to support remotely, just let me know.
Take care of yourself and each other,
Jenn
What's keeping you busy?
Home Office
And then there's walking....
Keeping up to date from KPR....
This document will be updated as required and the board is recommending that you check it on a regular basis. If you have an additional question that is not answered in the document, there is a link at the bottom of the page where you can submit a question.
Some great online learning opportunities....
1. Conscious Discipline (yes, my very favourite learning folks right now) is offering a three-part FREE webinar, called Understanding Trauma. Over the course of three video sessions, Dr. Becky Bailey examines how to disrupt the cycle of trauma by bringing new awareness to our current trauma epidemic. Sessions include self-regulation, connection and resilience interventions that build healthy, healing relationships with the power to help trauma-impacted individuals and communities. It also includes 120 minutes of teaching, downloadable session guides and digital extras. You can find more information at the following link: https://consciousdiscipline.com/webinar-series-understanding-trauma/. Conscious Discipline is also offering a free Premium Membership (normally $79 US) to anyone who wants access.
2. The Mehrit Centre also has some excellent resources. Right now they are offering their Self-reg 30 Day Challenge for free. This Self-Reg Challenge aims to provide some Self-Reg basics to infuse throughout your day. Each day of the Challenge has 3 parts focusing on head (science), heart (reflection) and hands (action) knowledge, with the aim to help you experience a little bit of Self-Reg every day and help reduce stress.This challenge was originally geared to educators as a 30 Day Back to School Challenge, but the content is relevant to all who are interested in learning a bit more about Self-Reg for their family, friends, community, as well as for themself personally. If you'd like more information, here's the link: https://shop.self-reg.ca/collections/online-courses/products/self-reg-30-day-challenge
Ministry of Education "Learn at Home" Program
On Friday, Premier Doug Ford joined Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education to launch the first phase of Learn at Home and Apprendre à la maison, a new online portal that will provide resources for families so students can continue their education while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
"As a father myself, I know parents always want the best for their children, and I also know from speaking to parents that many are concerned that their child is going to fall behind while schools are closed during this difficult period," said Premier Ford. "To support families and students, our government has developed a one-stop spot for at-home learning. It doesn't replace school, but offers a great alternative as we approach the end of March Break."
Learn at Home offers all students high-quality, made-in-Ontario math and literacy resources, created by Ontario-certified educators, in both English and French. Elementary resources are designed to help young students learn at home with interactive activities that encourage participation through entertaining and stimulating digital content. High school content was designed with a focus on STEM courses and ensure core competencies and skills are reinforced. The government is also providing access to course content for students who take the initiative to refresh and extend their learning.
"The Learn at Home initiative will help mitigate 'learning loss' during this period of uncertainty," said Minister Lecce. "Our plan will provide interactive teacher-led math supports to keep students learning and empower all students to learn key skills with an emphasis on STEM education, while also arming parents with resources to support them as their kids learn at home."
"By offering new at-home educational resources, the province is further supporting Ontario's families as they help contain the spread of COVID-19," said Christine Elliott, Minister of Health. "Each and every Ontarian has a role to play in flattening the curve. Our government is providing families with the support they need so that they can continue to contribute to our shared goal of protecting the health and wellbeing of all Ontarians, including our young students."
"TVO is proud to be part of this important initiative by the Ministry of Education." said Jennifer Hinshelwood, TVO's Acting Chief Operating Officer. "TVO's suite of digital learning products are designed to engage young minds in learning - a mission that seems doubly important at times like this when many of our traditional learning environments are not accessible."
The at-home activities offered by Learn at Home provide quick and easy access to some of Ontario's best online kindergarten to grade 12 learning resources produced by Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Educators. As part of the government's commitment to planning for every scenario, the province is working closely with education stakeholders to develop a plan for scaling and building additional online learning programs.
"In these uncertain times, we are proud as a public agency to join the Ministry of Education's efforts in supporting families and students," said Eric Minoli, TFO's Chief Operating Officer. "Our online Apprendre à la maison program will help ensure continuity in education for Francophone and Francophile parents. TFO will be offering daily activities which will be accessible at all times on our IDELLO.ORG platform, BOUKILI.CA and our TV channel. TFO will remain a proud partner of all families through a tailored program of fun, high-quality educational activities and content, all of which will be aligned with the curriculum of Ontario."
Just one more thing....
Jennifer Sampson
Email: Jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: KawarthaHeights.kprdsb.ca
Location: 11 Kawartha Heights Blvd, Peterborough, ON, Canada
Phone: (705)742-7521
Twitter: @KawarthaHPS