Galloping Gazette
A newsletter for the Faculty and Staff - Week of 4/20
Put Students First • Seek Growth • Be Open to Change . Do Great Work Together • Value Differences
Principal's Message
So you may have picked up by now, I often look for the silver lining in all situations. Recently, on my morning social media scrolls, I came across this post and thought it was the perfect send off to our spring break:
She writes: “What if???
“If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss 2.5 months of education. Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education…
“But what if…
“What if instead of falling “behind”, this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this?
Hear me out…
“What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing."
“What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet."
“What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?"
“What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?"
“What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?"
“What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home."
“What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?"
“What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?"
“What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?"
“What if they are AHEAD? ”
I will always think that academics are important and vital. However, what if in the midst of this pandemic, our students - also - pick up these important and vital notions as well.
What a beautiful way of looking at such a situation.
-Please log off on screen time and log on to family/friend time. Enjoy your Spring Break!
Robyn
Week Ahead
Monday, April 20nd
Spirit Day - “Crazy Camo” Day - Wear camouflage
9:00 - All Staff Meeting - Go to Google Meet - Type CFESStaffMeeting
9:30 - 11:00 - PD on Asynchronous Lesson Tools - more to come
1:00 - 3:00 - Grade Level Planning
1:00 TA and all other staff Meeting via Google Meet
Tuesday, April 21st
Spirit Day - “My military parent/caregiver is a Superhero” Day – Dress as a superhero
Continuity of Learning Day #19
School Open by Appointment Only from 8AM - 4PM
1:30 Instructional Coaches Collab via Google Meet -
Wednesday, April 22nd - Earth Day!
Spirit Day - “Purple Up” Day -Wear purple to represent all military services
Continuity of Learning Day #20
8:00 - Coffee Chat - Google Meet - CFESCoffee
9:30 - Ms. Backer's Read Aloud
School Open by Appointment Only from 8AM - 4PM
10:00 AM - 3rd Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES3collab
10:45 AM - 4th Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES4collab
11:30 AM - 1st Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES1collab
Thursday, April 23rd
Spirit Day - “ We Love our Earth” Day -Wear blue/green or Earth friendly sayings
Continuity of Learning Day #21
Specialist Grades Due by 5:00
10:00 AM - 2nd Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES2collab
10:45 AM - K Collaboration via Google Meet - CFESKcollab
11:30 AM - 5th Grade Collaboration via Google Meet - CFES5collab
Friday, April 24th
Spirit Day - “Proud to be American Day“ Wear stripes and stars or Red, White & Blue
Continuity of Learning Day #22
Teachers Grades Due by 5:00
10:00 AM - PAC meeting - via Google Meet - CFESPAC
News and Notes....
- The Office of Employee Relations has published FAQs for employees regarding work locations/hours, pay, leave, FMLA, as well as the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on the Intranet. Here is the direct link to this information: https://vbcps.sharepoint.com/sites/Intranet/Pages/COVID_19FAQs.aspx.
Morning Meeting Motivation
April Morning Meeting Resource 4 slides/week (not Spring Break) Week 1=Mindful Week 2=Inquisitive Week 3=Thoughtful
MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS DURING COVID-19
Although you may not be able to meet in person with young people, there are still ways for teachers and program staff to build valuable developmental relationships.
Download the free checklist, Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID-19 Crisis, for 19 ways to connect with young people during this time.
I make a difference....
Ms. Love makes a difference in the lives of those around her. Her bright smile and positive attitude can make everybody’s day. Ms. Love cares deeply about all of her students. She misses not being in the classroom but she is still managing to go out of her way to make every lesson fun and meaningful to her students. She is an amazing educator, co-worker and friend! Thank you for making a difference Ms. Love.
#SelfCare Recommendations
Podcase by Brene Brown
Take some time and let your mind listen to this amazing podcast by one of my favorites.
BOOK- Half Baked Harvest- Super Simple
In this cookbook, Tieghan Gerard, gives the most delicious recipes that have normal ingredients and easy to follow directions. The Orange Chicken and over night Cinnamon Rolls are a must! She, also, has an instagram account that is worth a follow.
Ready for a challenge?
Try out this no equipment needed workout - you are already a gladiator in the classroom - now become one outside the classroom
Game Changer Moment
Evaluation System Weighting Revisions 2020
In 2012, in response to federal reporting requirements pursuant to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), and to meet requirements of Virginia’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 Flexibility Plan, Virginia was required to ensure that student academic progress (Standard 7) accounted for 40% of the summative evaluation for teachers. Given this previous requirement, the Board of Education’s Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers called for the other six standards to be weighted equally at 10% each, and the seventh standard, student academic progress, to account for 40% of the summative evaluation. Since the federal reporting requirement has been eliminated, these percentages are no longer mandated.
As a result, on November 14, 2019, the Virginia Board of Education approved revisions to the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards for Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents to address the weighting of performance standards.
The Guidelines now state that the evaluation of student academic progress is met if Performance Standard 7 is not the least weighted of the performance standards or less than 10%; however, it may be weighted equally as one of the multiple lowest weighted standards.
As a result, effective July 1, 2020, each of the seven performance standards will be weighted equally at 1/7 (14.29% per standard).
Laying the Summer Foundations
The Department of Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce the return of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) Laying the Foundation Summer Training Conference. Delivered by expert educators, NMSI’s Laying the Foundation provides an opportunity for teachers in grades 3-12 to build and maintain subject matter expertise, enhance abilities to lead diverse classrooms, use new technologies and prepare students to be confident and creative problem solvers.
The event will take place Tuesday, Aug. 4 through Thursday, Aug. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Princess Anne High School. Participants must register using the NMSI link: https://www.nms.org/LTFSI/virginiabeach2020.aspx to receive a ticket. Using promo code LTF458721F provides all Virginia Beach City Public Schools teachers with free access to the training and lunch.
Please contact Monica Robinson, Ed.D., k-12 academic support programs coordinator atmonica.robinson@vbschools.com with any questions. Thank you.
Helpful List of Resources
VBCPS Mental Health Resources: You are taking care of our students. Here are some resources to help take care of yourself also.
Meals for families: These are the locations you can give to families in need of food. Kids must be with the family to receive food.
Chromebook Repair: Here are the sites families can exchange their broken Chromebook for a new one.
Dr. Spence's Deskside Chats: Closed- captioned videos shared every Tuesday and Thursday on YouTube, where Dr. Spence tackles a few questions and provide some updates.
NEW! Newly updated VBCPS 2019-2020 School Calendar
VBCPS General Updates: Most current updates on nearly everything here.
Continuity of Learning Shifts - Here are some good words to help parents understand the learning shifts.
NEW! PBIS Virtual Coaching Tips!
Technology Tips: These are tips onworking from home. You need to be logged in to your VBSchools account to access it. As always, the DoT Help Desk is available at (757) 263-1111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday should you need support as you work to ensure our students continue to learn.
CDC Guidelines: Tips to keep you and your family safe. We love you. Stay safe.