The Grass Valley WAG
Week at a Glance: 8/3 - 8/7
A note from Casey...
Welcome Back AMAZING Grass Valley Staff!
Even though this year will be filled with challenges and changes, I am thrilled to begin it with the most AMAZING staff imaginable!
Summer thank yous...
- Julie, Coach, Tahira and Kathy for the amazing job cleaning/organizing the office, supply room, copy room and student wellness room!
- Sundra for the incredible whole school make over we got this summer!
- Rasheedah & Olivia for their work on the Staff Lounge and Staff Restrooms!
- Julie, Rasheedah, Olivia, Paula, Dee, Chris and Alexa for their work planning for Distance Learning, the Grass Valley Way and Toolbox!
As we shift into this year, I know that many of us are holding lots of different emotions. Many of us are excited to begin the new year, while others may be dealing with difficulties of their own. For some, this summer has been one of relaxation and rejuvenation, while for others, it may have been much less fulfilling.
Knowing this, as your principal, I promise...
- honesty & transparency in sharing all information with you as quickly as I can
- flexibility in being understanding about where each of you are during this crisis and how this impacts your work
- support in finding the balance that best supports you AND our students
- a continued focus on equity as a school so we can serve ALL of our students to the best of our abilities
- a continued focus on team as we all lean in in new and different ways to support our greater community this year
Thank you for all you do for our students and please reach out with any questions or needs!
Respectfully,
Casey
Week at a Glance
Monday
- 8a-3p School Open for GV Staff
Tuesday
- 8a-3p School Open for GV Staff
Wednesday
- 8a-3p School Open for GV Staff
- 9a-11a Grass Valley Instructional PD (Teachers only)
- 12p SPED Check-in (OPTIONAL)
- 10a-3p Student (in person) Registration
Thursday
- 8a-3p School Open for GV Staff
- 9a K-3 Check-in (OPTIONAL)
- 12p 4/5 Check-in (OPTIONAL)
- 10a-5p Student (in person) Registration
Friday
- 8a-3p School Open for GV Staff
- 8:30a-2:45p Grass Valley School Opening PD (ALL Staff)
- 10a-3p Student (in person) Registration
Grass Valley School Opening PD
Date: August 7, 2020
Time: 8:30-2:45
Who: ALL Staff
Zoom Link: https://ousd.zoom.us/j/81525890435
We have worked diligently with our Site Leadership Team and Faculty Council to hold space for professional development for ALL Staff on Friday, August 7. Normally, we would not have the opportunity to learn in community like this, but because one of our large rocks for the year is a focus on strong relationships and building stronger, clearer communication across the whole school, we have made the space to do this and are so excited to see everyone together on August 7!
Upcoming Dates
- 8/10: School Year Kick-Off (Day 1)
- 8/11: School Year Kick-Off (Day 2)
- 8/14: Coffee with the Principal
- 8/19: Back To School Night
- 8/21: Coffee with the Principal
- 8/21: BOY Picnic @1p
- 8/28 Student of the Month @2:30p
- 8/28: Coffee with the Principal
Being on Campus!
- optional: at present, coming to campus is completely optional, and no one should come who cannot or does not want to
- wear a mask: put it on before you enter the building and leave it on while you are not in your own room
- socially distance: at least 6 ft, no gathering in groups of any kind
- review the Grass Valley Site Safety plan for COVID-19
- review/answer "no" to the COVID-19 Health Check Questions
- complete/have completed the Keenan Online Pandenic Flu Training: https://ousd-keenan.safeschools.com/
Staff Communication Expectations
This year will be one that is dramatically different in a number of ways, especially in regards to communication. In order to best support our students and our greater community, ALL staff are expected to:
- Email - check OUSD email at the beginning and ending of each day; all emails should be responded to within 24 hours
- WAG - review the "Grass Valley WAG', which is sent out weekly by Casey by Monday morning; complete any required action within stated time frame
- Class Dojo - use Class Dojo for tracking positive student behavior and communicating with families; register for your account at classdojo.com
- Zoom - use Zoom to participate in staff and student functions
- Whole School Community Meeting - participate daily in whole school community meeting with our students from 2:30-2:45p
- Crew - lead a small group (4-12) of students daily in learning about Toolbox and the Grass Valley Way from 2-2:30p
- Class Meeting (Teachers & Classroom Support Staff) - participate in a daily class meeting with your students at the beginning of each day
It will be critical that we communicate clearly across all staff, students and families this year, and these pieces will be an important part of that. Please reach out with any questions!
Distance Learning Framework @ Grass Valley
Vision: At Grass Valley, our vision for distance learning is to virtually provide equitable access to grade level content to all students so that they may learn and thrive. Our distance learning program will be a bridge to build social emotional skills as well as ensure all students and families have a daily connection to the school community.
Important Shifts from 19/20 include:
- regular daily schedule for classes to assure equity across students' experiences in different classrooms
- schedule rocks (ie. class meeting, crew time, PE with coach, whole school community meeting) that will hold the structure of our regular school day
- week by week roll out schedule to slowly shift the heavy lifting to students
Important Reminders:
- our DL framework fits within the district's guidance
- our mindset during DL will be one of inquiry, where we are always asking ourselves "is our current framework meeting the needs of our most IN NEED students?" and following that up with action responses to improve our work
Appreciations!
Welcome to 2020-2021!
- Welcome back to all of our returning staff members! We look forward to "seeing" you all soon!
- Welcome to Ms. Shelby Lawton, who will join us as our music teacher at Grass Valley this year!
Throw Backs from 19/20
- Ms. Orozco for finding all kinds of creative ways to engage her students online, including "class video game night"
- Mrs. Pierson for the wonderful read alouds, the kids love them!
- Kristen for the gorgeous art! wow, our kids are lucky!
- Rasheedah for the fun happy hours and staff bonding!
- Ms. Tahira Hodge for being there even if she was so busy she couldn’t think!
- All the teachers for doing what was needed for our kids and pulling together as Grass Valley Family! thank you for that!
- Ms.Casey Beckner our Principal for holding us up as our leader thank you for your concern in this time!
- I appreciate Chris and Olivia for supporting me and advocating for me! You make a huge difference in my day and my job!
- I appreciate Cindy for being a great storyteller and collaborator. Books and art have really helped me keep my foot in the door and head in the game:)
- I appreciate Julie for helping out, even when it does not directly effect her. You are a wonderful person and an amazing giver<3
- Thanks to all staff of making my first year at Grass Valley a great one!
- I appreciate ALL GV staff members for always caring for one another and being such a solid team!
- Shout out to Ms. Peirson for your help with CICO. Couldn't have done it without you!
- Thanks to all the GV teachers for allowing the Lincoln team to come into your classrooms all year, and for your opneness to working with us!!
- Kudos to Ms. Beckner, Ms. Hodge, Ms. Jones, and Coach for always brining positive energy and making us all laugh!
- Teachers for stepping UP during Distance learning!!! Not only do we teach ourselves a whole new world, we supported students and families and kept connections alive! Way to go!
- Mrs. Beckner for her constant support this year. We are so lucky to have her!
- Support staff, IA’s, Paras, Sundra, Shamon, coach, ms. Jamila, Ms.. Mitchell, Mrs. Vetterlein, Ms. Pierson, Ms. Jones, Ms. Hodge! Everyone who keeps our school afloat!
- EVERYONE- Thanks for making me feel welcome to the Grass Valley Staff team!
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Useful Links
Grass Valley Info
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