Distance Learning Continues
May 4, 2020
Educator Appreciation Week
As many of you know, I often provide a lunch during this week for staff. Because we are not together, I took the money that I usually spend and made a $350 donation dedicated from the Amazing Educators of Transition Plus to NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center in North Minneapolis. If you'd like to learn more about NorthPoint you can go here.
We will continue to plan for and prepare for engaging our students throughout the rest of this school year.
I continue to say to anyone I talk to. I feel fortunate and honored to be part of the Transition Plus Family. Thank you for being part of such a caring community - caring for each other and caring for our students and families.
Happy Mail Call!
Today (Monday, May 4th), addressed and stamped postcards are available for you to pick up at Tplus building. You may come in and grab a bunch to fill out with a personal message to the family and student to whom it is addressed. Then, drop it in the mail before the end of the week.
If you already have a scheduled building access appointment, please use that as your time to pick up postcards. If you would like to stop in and pick up postcards, please contact Jason B first to schedule a time so we can properly protect all staff and maintain social distancing expectations.
Please also make sure you are following the health and safety procedures outlined in the Building Access email.
- Pick up some pre-addressed and stamped postcards at Tplus
- Write a short personal note to families.
- Drop it in the mail by Friday, May 8th.
Talent Show
class code: rgqejtq
Tyler McCracken and Christina Brantner are hosting 1:1 appointments for students who want to practice their talent, need help with making a video, or want to create their own music on Soundtrap app (for phones or computers)!
Talent Show dates will be scheduled once we begin getting student submissions!
Virtual Spirit Week: May 25-29, 2020
Join us in showing your virtual school spirit week during Graduation week! Staff and students can show off their spirit during advisories, meet & greets, post a picture on the TPlus Facebook page, dance party or bingo!
Teachers, please ask your students this week what ideas they have for a theme day, then send those ideas to Christina (christina.brantner@mpls.k12.mn.us).
Stay tuned for the theme announcements in a future MMM!
Preferences for 2020-21
As we begin to plan for the fall I would like to take preferences into consideration when looking at staff placement.
Preference and choice is only one factor that goes into the placement of support staff in classrooms. When possible, we look at balancing a classroom based on many factors including preference, skills and student needs including language needs, changing needs and connection points for students with staff in different areas.
Classroom Teachers please fill out this form-
SEAs please fill out this form-
Thank you
Chat and Chill
One of the pieces missing for some students and ESPs is that more unstructured time to get together. I have had several ESPs ask if they could schedule a time to meet with students. I think that would be a great addition to the offerings we already have. If you are interested in what times we are currently meeting with students check out :Class and Office Hours
In addition there are certain meetings scheduled for staff between now and the end of the year. These can be found here. Meeting Schedule
Here are the parameters I would like around chat and chill sessions.
- At least 2 ESPs to be the host each of the sessions- e.g. Jason & Daphne's Chat and Chill
- The Chat and Chill Session should be the same day and time every week
- The Chat and Chill needs to use the Google Meet format - NOT Zoom
- When you have a day and time selected place it on the Meeting Schedule with the link so case managers can post it in their advisories.
- Send out an invite to the Tplus group email -1 time, send the details to Melissa for the MMM
- Remind students of appropriate school conversation so a session does not get flagged by Gaggle.
- Please create and set up sessions by the end of this week 5/8- This will provide 4 weeks until the end of the year.
Send your best shots to mary.bock@mpls.k12.mn.us or you can text them to 612-845-4849.
Very short video clips could work too. Also, I was planning to host online CBI to work on this, starting Friday 4/24. Interested students will work on invite and program design, music selection and editing, picture editing, and video editing for the slide show. I will keep with 11 am mtg. time, if that works. Open to feedback on time, etc.
-Mary Bock
Make Some Music
Let’s make some music! Come join us for Garage Band Live online and Student Talent Show video submissions! All are welcome. You do not have to be registered in the class to join us. You get to choose your learning:
1. how to create music from your computer or phone using “Soundtrap” app
2. Get individual support in creating and uploading your music video for a virtual student talent show!
Join us here by following the link, and enter in your class code!
https://classroom.google.com/c/NjgwMTk0ODQyOTla
class code: r2awuhr
Have questions or need help? Contact Christina Brantner (christina.brantner@mpls.k12.mn.us)
Christina Brantner
Tyler McCracken
This Week at Virtual TPlus
-------------------------- Building Access Day
Tuesday ----------- Team 1 Mtg------------------------8:35-9:35
Wednesday------ Java with Jay----------------------8:30-9:30
------------------------- Team 3 Mtg------------------------1:30-2:30
Thursday---------- Project Search Interviews-- All Day
------------------------- Team 2 Mtg------------------------ 1:00-2:00
Friday -------------- ILT ------------------------------------- 8:30-9:15
------------------------- Dance Party------------- 1:30
--------------------------ESP Meeting-------------2:00
------------------------- Bingo----------------------- 3:00
Consider Subscribing to this YouTube Channel as Mike has been an amazing Mentor to me and has been adding technology and innovation to his lessons for many years- He was selected as MN Teacher of the Year in 2007