Friday Connection
K-3 Staff Weekly Newsletter - Week of 4/6/2020
Memo from Mary and Todd
Something to consider that will be discussed at Monday's meeting is making Friday a "makeup day". We would not post any new videos, work, etc. Think about it over the weekend and we will discuss on Monday.
Take care of yourself this weekend. You deserve this time to rest.
Coach Corner
Welcome to our newest Nighthawk - Kinslee Neville
Time Cards
Absences
Shout Outs
From Lauren:
Jessi has been an incredible non-stop worker. I have been using her expertise like crazy. Plus, she has two little ones at home. She is so unselfish.
Cheers to her.
From Tona:
The k-3 team for being willing to help my friend, who is a TSD teacher, with a video/presentation issue. You have shown me how willing you are to help anyone who needs help, not just fellow nvcs teachers. You are truly super heroes!
Alon for helping me with a ridiculous computer issue. You are magical!!
From Savannah:
I am just so impressed by how hard our staff has worked to get our virtual classrooms up and running. It amazes me how supportive, creative, and caring our staff is. Thanks to everyone for making NVCS shine!
From Nikki:
Shout out to Jessi! She stopped by yesterday on her afternoon walk to engage in a little conversation and human interaction. We kept our distance and gave air hugs in case you were wondering! Shout out to Brandy for her AMAZING homemade vegetarian lasagna. Did you know she was Italian? If you tasted her food, you would! Mangia!
From Hannah:
Sara V thank you for working between Clever, Ronda and helping point me towards resources and logins.
All of our TA's who are working tirelessly to connect with kids and support teachers. Your read alouds are awesome and your positive messages are appreciated by both kids and adults alike.
Both Mary and Todd, thank you for the positive message of affirmation or even recognition when you get an email, even if it's just a hey thanks I received it. I can't imagine how many emails you are getting on a daily basis right now.
K-3 teachers and staff, your heart for kids during this time is amazing.
Shelbey, I love your minion video with your voice filter, your classroom wouldn't be you without minions I'm so glad they are in your virtual classroom.
Third grade, thank you so much for supporting Lauren, you guys are awesome.
Gina, thank you for always having a sense of humor, a huge heart of kids and families and reaching out. Although we're far apart, we'll still be shared classroom roomies at heart.
Ali, thank you for being a sounding board for how to best support staff and students and for sharing resources with me.
Kindergarten team, the way you are working together to share the work and support your kids is awesome.
On a personal note, I have a five year old who is trying desperately to sound by sound blend with Jessica, writing with Ferdinand the bull and Savannah, taking care of the Earth with Snoopy and Heather, listening to read alouds with Charlotte, counting the days of the week and months of the year with Ella, telling "Mrs. Gweco" what she had for breakfast and actually believing that she can hear her and believing that NVCS is the magical place that it truly is.
To all NVCS teachers, your reach on a virtual platform goes further than you know. You guys are doing fabulously.
From Robin:
Thank you so much for stepping up and making sure that 2nd grade is working as a team and our classrooms are rocking!!
From Erin:
Mary ~ remembering and reminding us that personal/family time is very important right now and encouraging us to make time to fill our bucket.
Aaron ~ you have been AMAZING in supporting every question that has come up in a timely and creative manner. But even more importantly, you have also made a group of 5th graders feel so important and loved during a time that could have otherwise left them feeling lonely and unsure.
Autumn ~ the affirmations video still brings me to tears every morning (and afternoon and evening) when I watch it. It is so powerful, not only for our students to hear, but also our staff and our families.
Kendra ~ your willingness to help guide us through SeeSaw and share your talents is greatly appreciated.
Lauren ~ welcome to the team! You have come in and owned this as if you have been doing it for years! We are so lucky to have you right now!
Robin, Megan and Gina ~ you are the best team I could have asked for during this craziness. The support and love is immeasurable. I am so proud to be part of this team that has come together and worked together to lessen the load on everyone.
Stephanie, Jessi, Melissa, Charlotte, and Nicole~ The love you are pouring into our kids right now is astonishing. I have watched this week as each of you have put our NVCS kids before your own at times. You have cried with them, given them virtual hugs, reassured them and provided them with everything they need to be successful in the coming weeks. Our team has come together to share ideas and support and I am so grateful to be part of this.
Debbie, Denise, Nicole, Fran ~ I am not entirely sure how you are filling your days right now in these early phases while our teachers are launching this thing called digital learning, but that must mean you are doing it just right. Everything seems to be going smoothly and we aren't hearing any negativity so you are certainly keeping our cogs turning and our machine running. I miss seeing you each so, so much.
Becky, Nikki, Rachel, Sami, and Summer ~ you guys are killing it! Creating lessons that the kiddos can do in between all the crazy has added a little normalcy to our lives. The kids have always loved their specials time and the work you have put in to make it come to life at home is so valuable.
K-3 Team ~ I knew that I worked with the best group of people before all of this but it has been confirmed and reiterated so many times each day that I have lost count. I absolutely love seeing everyone in the mornings and afternoons. Seeing each of your faces is often a reminder of the goals we share and provides the same reassurance for me in these times as you are providing for our kids. I miss you all lots and love you more!
From Charlotte:
Thanks to Savannah for helping me figure out a few of the “hard things” and get me back on track.
From Jessi:
To: Charlotte
Thank you for your constant reassurance and comfort. Even though you're juggling a multitude of tasks and challenges, you always think of others first by reaching out to see how we are doing not only with work, but in our personal lives as well.
You are such a blessing to not only me, but so many others.