Roadrunner Nation News
October 30
Message from the Principal & AP
Thank you to families for your participation in conferences this week. Your continued engagement and support provides us with the knowledge needed to better meet the individual needs of students. We recognize that there have been many hiccups and glitches to the remote learning platform, which has put additional stress and struggles on families, but we are extremely impressed with the resiliency and dedication students have shown in working in this new educational environment. If we can provide support in any way please reach out to us.
We have several clubs and book groups running. All are welcome to join us at any time. Here is the link if you or your child have any questions. LINK
Here is the week for clubs at a glance.
-Monday-Crazy Cat Club 2:50-3:30
-Monday-Anime 2:50-3:30
-Tuesday-Talent Club 2:50-3:30
-Tuesday-Tech/STEAM club meetings during lunch (12:20- 12:50)
-Wednesday-Risk Board Game Club 2:50-3:30
-Thursday Interview Club 2:50-3:30
-Thursday-Tech Club 2:50-3:50
-Friday-Club Club 2:50-3:30
Schedule Update
- As we work on accommodating small groups on campus for in person learning, the middle school schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday has been adjusted in the following manner
- The block of time in the afternoon allocated for Lunch and Teacher Directed Independent Learning will be shortened by 15 minutes and will now end at 1:30.
- The last period of the day, 4th period on Monday and Thursday, 7th period on Tuesday and Friday, will begin 15 minutes earlier at 1:40 and will end at 2:45. This is different than the district guidebook because of the way we label our Flex class as 1st period).
- We ask that you review these changes with your child to ensure that he or she is on time for the last period of the day
Zoom Classes
As I observe remote classes, I am saddened that often I am unable to see the faces of students. What makes my heart soar and I believe I am safe in saying the same for teaches is seeing students' faces. I understand that there may be numerous reasons for students not wanting to have their screens on, but if I could ask one favor from students, it would be to at least turn your screen on at least once during a Zoom, so your teacher can see your bright smiling face! Our hearts warm when being able to see and chat with you.
From Our VPO
Hello Goodman families,
Missing Menchies? I have a super amazing announcement for you then!
Menchie’s is partnering with the GMS-VPO for a weekly “Takeover-Thursday” fundraiser. That's right, every Thursday Menchie's will donate 20% of all sales associated to the Goodman VPO.
Here's how it works: You simply go to Menchie's on Thursdays and order some delicious Froyo. When paying don't forget to let them know you are here supporting the Goodman VPO and 20% of your purchase will go to the VPO.
Menchie's "Takeover - Thursday" starts next Thursday, Oct 29th and run weekly until further notice. Store hours are 12-9pm.
This is a great and yummy way to support our VPO programs & great community partner, Menchie's!
Securly Support For Parents
Is your student struggling to remain on task during learning hours on their Chromebook? Are they visiting sites to play games, watch Youtube or chat with friends while they should be in classes? We aren’t surprised. It is really difficult to control those impulses at their age. They might need your help. Let me introduce SECURLY.
WHAT IS SECURLY?
Securly is the district's content filter for all technology devices owned by PSD or personal devices that utilize our internet connections to keep our students safe from inappropriate content. Securly not only provides an internet filter, but also student online activity monitoring for bullying and self-harm, teacher device monitoring, and a parent portal for filtering at home.
The Securly parent portal and the Securly Home mobile app both allow you to review an activity feed of all sites visited by your child. There is also a flagged section which you can review posts made in online activity that have been flagged by Securly as potentially related to self-harm or bullying. Designated school officials can also access dashboards and pull reports on user activity. During school hours, they also receive automated alerts on self-harm and bullying. Finally, Securly also offers a settings/rules section that will allow you to control content accessed by your student when the student is outside of the PSD network.
Securly Set Up
How to Set up your Securly Parent Login
Parents can use these resources to support their student on a device at home.
Parents can set up an account at https://www.securly.com/parent-login
Your Registered Email: The parent will enter whatever parent email is on file with PowerSchool.
Password: If they're not sure they can click the 'Forgot Password?' link.
Parent help: https://homesupport.securly.com/hc/en-us
Click on Home for more info at https://securly.com/
Counselor's Corner
Parenting During Remote Learning
First, we’d like to acknowledge the difficulties of parenting students during remote learning. We know that, for both parents and students, keeping track of all that is going on at school while feeling the daily uncertainty of COVID is extremely difficult. We thank all of you for continuing to try and for working through challenges.
Tips and Suggestions:
It’s a really good time to check your student’s grades. A lot of students have missing work or grades on assignments that could be redone for a better grade. We suggest sitting down with your student to go over each class. You can use your Schoology or PowerSchool access or theirs. Need help with this?
Contact your school counselor Darrel Lantz A-L lantzd@psd401.net or Erika Nemecek M-Z at nemeceke@psd401.net
Check to see if your student has been reaching out to friends, joining school clubs or getting social time in other ways. We have added after school clubs and Wednesday Enrichment clubs. Check out options in the Schoology “Class Of” Courses!
If your student is struggling with staying organized during Remote Learning now is a good time to help them create a schedule to stay on top of assignments, class times, and tests. They can also receive this support by contacting their counselor Darrel Lantz A-L lantzd@psd401.net or Erika Nemecek M-Z at nemeceke@psd401.net
Check out these cool apps!
Remember the Milk (iOS and Android) This is the ultimate to-do list app. You can create lists of things you need to accomplish on a specific day and organize these lists according to different parts of your life (school, work, personal, etc.). Price: Basic: Free, Upgrade: $39.99 per year
myHomework (iOS and Android) This app is geared directly to students of any level and focuses specifically on homework/assignment planning. Users can set up times, due dates, and calendars for homework assignments. You can also input your course schedule, along with reminders for classes. Price: Free
Studious (iOS and Android) Students can input their class schedules with Studious, and the app will actually silence your phone during these times. You can also set the app to remind you when homework assignments are due and when your tests are scheduled. Price: Free
Self Control (Mac) Self Control blocks your access to the internet or to apps of your choosing for a certain period of time to allow you to get things done without distractions. Price: Free
AppDetox (Android) This is basically the Android version of Self Control for Mac. AppDetox will block certain apps that you specify for a certain amount of time to keep them from distracting you while you work. Price: Free
From our District Nurse
Attached you will find information regarding meningococcal disease and HPV that we are required to send home annually. If you have questions regarding the content please contact:
Miriam Atchison,
MSN, RN
Lead School NursePeninsula School District
Mr Haver our Incredible Library Tech
If you are experiencing technical difficulties please contact Mr. Haver at (253) 530-1622 in the library.
- Business hours 7:45-2:45
- Any borrowed technology or books from last year can be dropped off at the school during business hours.
ENABLE TEXT MESSAGES FROM SCHOOL:
If you are interested in receiving text messages from school, you can sign up by texting “Y” or “Yes” to our school code number 67587, or download the SchoolMessenger app.
Contact Information
Email: robuckt@psd401.net
Website: https://psd401.net/gms/
Location: 3701 38th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 530-1600