Best Practice Bulletin
Our Doors May be Closed, But Our Hearts Are Still Open!
SHOUT OUT Edition!
With so much collaboration and support happening in our schools during our remote learning practices, this edition recognizes those that have extended a hand in a time of need, taken a calculated risk to try something new and/or have found a way to shine in these trying times.
A HUGE SHOUT OUT to the following Riverside professionals:
Riverside Elementary School
Mrs. AVILES: Melissa Aviles has been providing daily music sessions that support students creativity and keep people smiling. She is distributing "lessons" via her webpage, dance-off videos and a closed Facebook Group for Riverside families. You can even join her 4th/5th grade chorus on Aviles Flipgrid.
Mrs. BIVINS: I would like to send a shout-out to Cristina Bivins! She has gone above and beyond helping teachers communicate with parents, ensuring our ELL's understand the requirements of at-home learning, and offering assistance around the clock! She has been my greatest resource! Thank you for everything!
Mrs. BUFFETTA: Jenna Buffetta made this amazing video tutorial that was extremely helpful for me and I'm sure other teachers will find it just as valuable. She sent this link to all of her parents in her room and they have found it to be very helpful, too. It helps families/students with FAQs about online assignments: https://youtu.be/7lj6Pilnjyc
Mrs. BURRY and Mrs. MCGILL: Catherine Burry and Michelle McGill have been sending daily emails to their class to start the day. Before explaining the daily assignments, they provide students with praise and recognize students that met their learning goals the previous day. What a great way to keep students motivated and recognize their daily efforts.
Mrs. BUTLER: Clare Butler has been providing daily art sessions that support students' creativity and emotional well-being. She is distributing "lessons" via her webpage, celebrity videos and a closed Facebook Group for Riverside families. You can see her daily Creative Prompts Here!
Ms. NOTOS: I wanted to give a shout out to Leenie Notos who continues to be a fantastic technology resource!! She makes herself available and answers any questions!! Thanks Leenie!!
Ms. NOTOS: April shout out to Leenie Notos. She was instrumental in getting our first grade team up and running on Zoom. She is our Zoom help desk day and night!
Ms. NOTOS: (for the trifecta) Leenie Notos has been Zooming with her families nightly to provide 7 pm, Bedtime Stories with Ms. Notos. What an amazing way to pull learning and families together!
Mrs. RIZZI: I wanted to give a shout out to Colleen Rizzi. We are collaborating all day long and her help during this time has been tremendous. She works hard for all of the kids!! Thanks Colleen!!
Mrs. SIMENSEN: Michelle Simensen has been very helpful in helping second grade get set up on Zoom. She even shared her instructions for our parents with Scott for all the teachers to use. She is our go to tech person. Stay healthy.
Mrs. TETE: Colleen Tete has been providing physical education activities that are getting kids up and moving. Her lessons frequently integrate other learning, as well a physical tasks.
Riverside Middle School
Mrs. JACKAMONIS: Amanda Jackamonis took an idea and perfected in, called the Positive Procession. Through communications with community stakeholders, staff and families she mapped out manageable routes for the teachers to parade in vehicles past different residences to promote a caring, uplifting message to the community from all of our schools. Her patience and persistence paid off!
Riverside High School
Mrs. HUNTER: Jennifer Hunter has kept the RHS spirit alive through the Student Council. They have conducted a school spirit week, an Autism Speaks event and have regularly posted birthday shout outs. Thank you for your hard work for keeping RHS connected.
Ms. LEONE: Jackie Leone has been instrumental (pun intended) in trouble shooting, and showing ingenuity in how she will orchestrate (pun intended) her choir lessons. She has developed a YouTube channel for students to know tone and pitch of their sections. These live sessions allow students to ask questions about their parts. She has delved into using a new edtech tool in her instruction, and has developed a FlipGrid for RHS Choir. If you want to hear our wonderful choir check our their grids here: https://flipgrid.com/rhschoir
Mr. OGDEN: Greg Ogden has been engaging his students during daily instruction through some timely methods. He dares to act goofy in front of his students, and gives his students a peek into his life and family. Mr. Ogden has been uploading instructional videos to accompany his assignments, and daily teasers of his life. Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht1q2HyWjI4
Mrs. WASCO: Coach Crystal Wasco put together a tribute video showcasing her softball team. Although many are disappointed with the turn of events for the season, the team was honored in a touching video found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZhNAy_xGCU&t=29s
Ms. WILLIAMSON: Eileen Williamson has created directions for various tasks in Google Classroom to share with the staff and has shared many other support materials for remote learning best practices. She always puts forth 100% and shares out those efforts to benefit the entire district.