Monday Memo
Week of April 6th, 2020
Welcome to our new world....week 3!
Isn't it amazing to think how much we've learned and grown over just one week? I'm sure you all feel like I do - excited, overwhelmed, interested in new learning, tired, grateful to be safe, overwhelmed..... did I mention overwhelmed?! It's incredible to think that we are moving from a bricks and mortar school - to an online school, in just a few short weeks. I know this isn't how any of us envisioned teaching or learning, but I'm so thankful that we can still continue to do our jobs, support our students and families and connect with each other regularly. It's so important to look for the small blessings with all that is going on around us.
I have included some important information for the start of our "virtual school" below. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I'll continue to have "office hours" each day, so pop in and say HI....and let me know how you're doing. I'll also post these office hours on our staff calendar so you don't have to go searching.
I'm so in awe of all you are doing to take this in stride - from reaching out to parents, to hours of professional learning, to meetings with me, to connecting through video conferencing, emails, texts and phone calls....WOW! Your hard work, support, time and energy are not going unnoticed. Remember to be kind to yourself - and remember GO SLOW. How we start teaching this week will grow and change as we learn more, as we connect with our families and as they begin to connect with us. It's so important that this be a two-way street. Distance learning is not about us doing all the communicating and work - it's about engaging our students and families in authentic tasks and giving feedback. We've got this - there is no stronger, kinder, resilient team that I know!
For those of you that are CUPE - I want to recognize that while teachers begin to move ahead, you are still left wondering. We are here for you! As soon as there is any further information I'll be sure to pass it along. Homeroom teachers - if you have one of our support staff team that has been working with your class, consider adding them to your homeroom in Edsby so they can keep in touch with what's happening.
I think that‘s it for now....please take care of yourself and each other,
Jenn
Today I had the pleasure of handing out SEA Technology to many of our families....here is a little message from Mason:
Some Important KEY messages as we begin this new journey.....
TOP TEN LIST FOR WEEK 1 OF DISTANCE LEARNING:
10. GO SLOW - I want to just keep repeating this as our mantra right now, but I really mean it.
9. Focus first on connecting with your students and each family.
8. Think about BIG IDEAS or essential learnings that you need to be your focus moving forward into the month of April. You won't be able to teach EVERYTHING.
7. Distance learning is NOT school learning. You're going to have to let some things go, and adjust others.
6. Focus on the resources the board is sending first. Look at other resources (such as Facebook groups) sparingly....it can be overwhelming.
5. Use our MS Teams to connect. As we each go on our own journeys, we'll be able to be our own best PD. Not to mention a virtual shoulder to cry on.
4. Set your boundaries - yes, we're being paid to work at home, so the expectation is that we do put in the hours. That being said, take breaks, move around, eat a treat, go for a walk...and when it's time, TURN IT OFF! Once it's off - leave it off!
3. Remember that your mental health is super important. You can't support your students, families and colleagues when you're struggling. Take care of you, and reach out when you need to.
2. When you're ready - add to what you've started, but take baby steps. This doesn't all have to be figured out overnight.
1. BE KIND TO YOURSELF!
Planning....
A few other bits of information (that are not as important, but still important!).....
Picture collage for Happy Easter
I'd really like to do something together to connect with our families. I'm not meaning to put any extra stress on you, so I've been thinking about what would be the simplest for everyone. I'd like to ask that each of you write a little Easter message (kind of small poster style) and get a family member to take a picture of you WITH your message. Then send along the photo to me and I'll compile them in one "Happy Easter" video for our community. If you could please send along the photo by Wednesday at the latest, so I have a chance to put it together. For those of you who are isolating on your own - let's chat about how to get your picture!
Staff Needs Survey
I'm trying to expand my different ways of connecting with you and thinking about how I can best support. One way is to use a survey.....I'm hoping you don't mind taking a few minutes to fill this in so that I can continue to refine, change, adapt, so I'm doing everything possible to be the "virtual principal" I need to be. Thank you in advance for filling this in! FYI - If you're interested in learning how to create a Google Form and think it's something you might want to try with your class, I'd be happy to support.
Here's the link to our survey: https://forms.gle/GvvATcXt86MR9KQv6
Super Hero Day
Given all that we've got going on right now, I'm going to wait on doing a school "virtual spirit day". I think if we focus on getting up and running first, and on Easter, then we can look at adding this in over the next few weeks. Maybe it might even tie into a language assignment (tell me about your favourite super hero!).....
Communicating with Families
I know there is concern about privacy when communicating with our families. Obviously email is safe and easy to access, but not all our families will be able to do this. When you do place a phone call, I would highly recommend blocking your number. I would also highly recommend that you consider keeping a little log of these calls for your reference. When you have email, it's an automatic record. I personally keep a log of all the calls I make, just in case....
Staffing
I don't know what much to add here - but wanted you to know our first round of postings is up (perhaps you have a great teacher friend that you'd like to encourage to join our team!). Interviews will all be happening over the phone (board wide). Any positions left open after the movement from the first round will be posted April 20th.
EA/CYW Allocations
Heather and I had the chance to make our "pitch" to Michael Kerr, Joanne Grasswell and Lloyd Shoenmaker even jumped in. I honestly don't see how we could have a stronger case. Our support staff team is truly the most amazing I've ever had the pleasure to work with - and their (and your!) data collection, planning, IEP's, Safety Plans, Positive Behaviour Plans, etc. are what made it easy for Heather and I to brag, and brag and beg, and beg. We won't know our allocations until around May 24th, but my fingers are crossed and my heart is hopeful.
Mental Health Supports
As you begin connecting with families, you may find that you become aware of concerns around mental health. It's so hard to be at a distance, but we can help. Please first remind your students (where age appropriate) of the Kid's Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. Their website is also: https://kidshelpphone.ca/ (maybe a learning task here for some....). We can still also access Joe Hadzi, our School Board Counsellor, so if you think he can support a family, please let me know and I'll discuss the referral with him.
Your mental health is really important to take care of as well! Below are some additional supports, shared by Dr. Deanna Swift, that you might find helpful in guiding conversations with others, and tips for yourself.
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