The Sachem Memo
Week of May 25 - 29, 2020
Remain StaffSTRONG
Hello Sachem Family,
I hope this note finds you well and coming off a great long weekend. It is hard to believe we are days away from closing out the month of May. This should be a time of many celebrations, performances and preparing for graduation. However, our world had different plans as we are working through a global pandemic. Who would have thought?
This week we will count the days to the final day of classes for the Class of 2020. This class has taught us so much about resiliency, patience, perseverance and focus. It will be wonderful to see them over the next two weeks as we try to the best of our abilities to celebrate this tremendous class.
Here are a few items for your planning this week. Have a great week!
Paul
Quarter 4 GRADING REMINDERS!
A few important items:
- We will be using Credit (CD) and No Credit (NCD) for all assignments for this Quarter. Please take note of the correspondence that came from Katie Goodine with a slight modification that we needed to make in Aspen.
- As noted in the letter, we will begin the engagement of new content in all subjects...where applicable.
- NO letter grades will be issued during this quarter
- Quarter 4 will end for Seniors on May 28, 2020
- Quarter 4 will end for Grades 9 - 11 on June 18, 2020.
- Assignments will be shared on Monday morning and will be due by Friday of each week.
Thank you for your collaboration and engagement with our students for the final push to close this school year.
Class of 2020 - Last Day - May 28
- Please know...it is not the expectation that our seniors must be engaged in assignments through May 28th. Please use your best judgement at this time. You may be completing some major assignments with them, which is fine. Even if we were in school...these final days are a challenge for us in regard to engagement with our seniors. Please do the best you can.
- Remember, we are not administering Final Exams for the Class of 2020.
- Please review your gradebook and UPDATE all Incomplete (I) Grades for your students by May 28, 2020
- Quarter 4 and Final Grades are due no later than 2:00pm on Thursday, May 28, 2020
- It is imperative that we are finalizing all transcripts on Friday, May 29, 2020.
Collection of Materials - Class of 2020
- A friendly request to please reach out to your seniors and remind them to be prepared to return any textbooks and/or materials from your respective classes. The school will be collecting materials beginning May 29 through June 4.
- I appreciate your help and assistance with these reminders to your students.
Thank you!!
Senior Events - Week of May 25 - 29
- Senior Last Day - May 28, 2020
- Senior Last Day Lap - May 28, 2020 - The seniors will take their final lap around the school to mark their official last day of high school. If you are interested in being around the perimeter of the school to cheer them on...please be at MHS for 10:00am. Please the email with more information.
- Senior Book and Material Collection Days Begin - May 29, 2020
Please be watching your email for more information.
Virtual Faculty & Staff Connection/Meeting - This Week
The meeting opportunity will take place:
Meeting #1 - Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 7:30pm
Meeting #2 - CANCELLED THIS WEEK
Virtual Meetings - This Week
- MHS Guidance Department Meeting - Wednesday, May 27, 2020- 9:00am
- MHS Faculty & Staff Meeting and Connection - Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 7:30pm
- MHS Faculty & Staff Meeting and Connection - CANCELLED THIS WEEK
- MHS CST - Friday, May 29, 2020 - 9:00am
- MHS Leadership Team Meeting - CANCELLED THIS WEEK
Be on the lookout for Zoom Meeting Invitations. :)
Summer Reading 2020 - Your Input is Requested
Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/gP7R7Nng4nsJx5fE7
Any questions....please reach out to Jaime MacLeod at jmacleod@middleboro.k12.ma.us or Donna Phillips at donnaphillips@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Thank you!!
Databases for Remote Learning
These are some resources that might be helpful for you as you continue to plan for your distance learning lessons. PBS Learning Media has tons of resources-lesson plans, videos, interactive activities and more- for every subject and grade level. They easily integrate with Google classroom.
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/emergency-closings-collection/
Free Remote Learning Activities and Resources:
- Thank you to Mr. Coutinho for sharing this great resource for the important work we are doing with our Distance Learning Protocols. A great resource, indeed.
- https://sites.google.com/view/freeremotelearningresources
Nurse's Corner - A Note from the Nurses of Middleborough Public Schools
Hello Middleborough Community,
As the nursing staff for the Middleborough Public Schools we are writing to let you all know that we are here to help during these very challenging times. Below we have included some tips and resources for staying safe and healthy during our extended closure. We have also included our contact information in case you might have a question about your child or if we can be of assistance in some way. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to text or call or email.
MECC - Lori Johnson (774) 384-5440 lori_johnson@middleboro.k12.ma.us
MKG - Kelly Santos (774) 384-5435 kellysantos@middleboro.k12.ma.us
HBB - Laurie Perkins (774) 384-5434 lperkins@middleboro.k12.ma.us
NMS - Karen Betram (774) 384-5431 kbertram@middleboro.k12.ma.us
MHS - Jen Garanito (774) 384-5430 jgaranito@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Tips For Staying Healthy…..We ALL Need To Do Our Part!
We all want to be with our friends and family but if we all stick to these important guidelines, we will all be able to get back to "normal" sooner.
Stay home
Maintain social distance - keep at least 6ft away from other people
Wash hands. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Cover our cough/sneeze with a tissue and throw it in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cough/sneeze in your elbow.
Do not gather in crowds. we all want to be with our friends and family, but if we all stick to these important guidelines, we will all be able to get back to "normal" sooner.
If you have to go to work, keep your germs at work and be sure to cover up, wash your hands and change your clothes when you get home.
Think positive - enjoy the time with your family (we aren't stuck at home, we are SAFE at home)
Only refer to trusted resources for information such as http://www.mass.gov/covid19
Take care of your emotional health and help others do the same. Call 2-1-1 and choose the CALL2TALK option if needed and read below for more info on dealing with anxiety.
Tips For Managing Anxiety in Children
Watch for behavior changes in your child
Not all children respond to stress in the same way.
Some common changes to watch for include
Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
Excessive worry or sadness
Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
Difficulty with attention and concentration
Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
Unexplained headaches or body pain
Ways to support your child:
Keep routines in place
Even if you are home all day, setting and sticking to a regular schedule is important. To help reduce stress, kids should get up, eat and go to bed at normal times. Children, especially younger ones or those who are anxious, benefit from predictability.
Be creative about exercise and activities
Try new activities such as doing a puzzle or having family game time in the evening. Try rock painting with positive phrases or turning them into animals. Build in activities that help everyone get some exercise. Take a daily family walk or bike ride or do yoga — great ways to let kids burn off energy and make sure everyone is staying active. Many schools have remote learning at this time and being involved in your child’s learning can help reduce stress in the household.
Managing Anxiety
How we manage our anxiety has a big impact on our kids. For the moments when you feel anxiety, try to talk about it in a place that is not within earshot of the child. Try to take a break, whether that includes taking a shower, meditating or just having a step outside. If you have a partner at home, have an agreement that you’ll trade off when it comes to childcare. Be vocal about what you need and if you need a break. Trading off responsibilities ensures that way everyone gets a break and some breathing room.
Limit consumption of news
Although staying informed is important, it can lead to increased anxiety. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand. Talking to children in a clear, reasonable way about what’s going on is the best way to help them understand. Try a TV or social media break, or follow content that helps take your mind off the crisis, whether its about nature, baking or arts and crafts.
Stay in touch virtually
Socializing will help in regulating you and your child’s mood and help you stay grounded. Using FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or even phone calls and texting can help people feel less alone. You can try having family members video chat and read a bedtime story to your child or even have a videochat with multiple members at the same time.
Don’t be so hard on yourself
Remember that you are not alone. Be reasonable and kind to yourself. Routine is important but rigidity can be harmful. We can give ourselves license to relax and not try to model perfection. It may be better to let another episode of their favorite show play so you can catch up on bills or have a minute to decompress. Remind yourself and your children that this situation is unique and strict rules and boundaries can be reintroduced when things go back to normal.
Content Sources:
Jacobson, Rae, and Child Mind Institute. “Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis.” Child Mind Institute, 2020, childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/.
“Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Apr. 2020,www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html.
Happy Birthday - This Week
Here are the birthday celebrations this week!
Cassidy Machado - May 25
Greg Young - May 26
Emily Benoit - May 26
Aiden Croke - May 26
Brady Gill - May 26
Eva Gould - May 26
Isaac Sargent - May 26
Jake Jordan - May 27
Allison Crowley - May 27
Jackie Silveira - May 29
Evan Parker - May 30
Sam Rantz - May 30
Braden Borromeo - May 30
Gabe Evirs - May 31
Megan Kavaleski - May 31
Matt Mokeler - May 31
Allison Willie - May 31
If you can...take a moment and with these amazing students a very happy birthday!
Technology Tool Box - Virtual Professional Development and Training Modules
A HUGE note of thanks for Sean Siciliano and Melanie Gates for putting this wonderful resource together for you in regard to using numerous online resources to help with your remote learning experiences.
Welcome to the “Tech Toolbox”
Once you enter the Tech Toolbox...you will see the following to help you navigate this wonderful resource.
1) Webinars & Resources
Here you will find resources and webinars created to support the many programs that we are currently using. Below you will see a list of the sessions that have already been recorded and are available on-demand for you. We plan to always be adding to this list as new programs are released or we have a need for a deeper exploration of our existing programs.
List the webinars we have
- Advanced Google Classroom Management
- Basic Google Classroom Management
- Creating Graphic Organizers using Google Drawings
- Google Calendar and Appointment Slots
- Google Classroom for Teachers
- Google Hangout/Meet the Basics
- Google Sites Basics
- Google Slides for Student Created Storybooks
- Making Editable PDFs for Google Classroom assignments with Kami
- My Google Drive is a Mess - Tips for Organizing
- Using Interactive Whiteboard (JamBoard) during Google Meet
- Using the Grid View Extension in Google Meet
- Creating Interactive Videos Using EdPuzzle
- Free EBooks and Audiobooks
- How to get Started with Seesaw
- Recording Lessons with Screencastify
- Screencastomatic
- Sending Emails through Aspen
- The Basics of Quizizz
- Zoom Video Conferencing & Privacy Settings
A complete list can be found here.
2) Help Desk
This is where you can submit a ticket to get assistance in a program or web platform that you may have a question with or want more understanding of.
We hope that this page will help promote your growth as a digital teacher and provide you with the information and guidance that you need to help support online teaching and learning.
Please reach out to Sean or Melanie with any questions.
Character Strong
Mindfulness and Meditation - By Matthew Osgood
Please see this note from Mr. Osgood:
Hi MHS Friends,
As we live together through this unprecedented time together, self-care is a critical part of one's daily schedule, and I would like the opportunity to assist you with that. Simply stated, I have one simple mission: Mind. Body. Spirit. If I motivate and inspire just one person to be their best self while living in the moment through all of this together, I will consider my efforts a success. It is my goal to assist members of the teaching community, like yourself, and beyond, with increased present moment awareness, without judgement of one's feelings, thoughts, perceptions and emotions, as we manage our new responsibilities and stressors during this "new reality" pandemic together. Additionally, meditation gives us the capacity to understand ourselves more fully and enables us to care more deeply for others and ourselves. Meditation helps to deepen our focus, mindfulness and compassion. The reality of meditation is that anyone can learn to do it and gain benefits from practice, even if it's just a few minutes each day, no matter your culture or spiritual beliefs. As a certified Meditation For Everyone instructor under the teachings of Andy Kelley a.k.a. The Boston Buddha (Instructor for the Chopra Center and graduate of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program), I truly believe that meditation is for everyone and that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it. We could all benefit from a little "self-time" each day. Thank you in advance for considering adding this opportunity to your self care routine.
Best -
Matt O.
Please view this link from Mr. Osgood:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC70CLv3B2RO07vSSDZlXy3g
A look into the Boston Buddha, Andy Kelley - Meditation
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.necn.com/entertainment/meet-the-boston-buddha/2254238/%3Famp
Please email Matt at mosgood@middleboro.k12.ma.us with any questions.
Thank you, Matt for sharing this with our faculty and staff!
QuarantineSTRONG - Self- Care and Wellness
Please reach out to any of our school adjustment counselors:
Joelle Maczko, jmaczko@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mary Tumavicus, mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Jason Carroll, jcarroll@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Office Hours: Office Hours are being held virtually for 1:1 counseling sessions or general check in’s for our students. If you know of any students who need this support, please let us know and encourage your student to connect. If you or someone in your family is struggling, we are also happy to assist in helping you find resources. If you or someone you know are experiencing an emergency crisis, please call 911. It is important to our mental health to remain connected to others, to use coping skills to manage the stress and angst we are all experiencing, and to seek support when needed. Please also continue to utilize our Employee Assistance Programming (www.TheEAP.com) via 1-800-535-4841 or through the app.
Perhaps for yourselves or to pass along:
https://events.mindingyourmind.org/teens-tweens-quarantines/
This article may have some helpful information to guide some of the conversations you have with your students. Maintaining rapport and connection with our students is a wonderful gift we can give them right now and the results may make all the difference for them.
Here is a quick read discussing the feelings of irritation many are experiencing.
https://forge.medium.com/why-youre-so-irritated-by-everything-ae8ead4ad63e
New Resources for this week - May 25 - 29, 2020
Anyone experiencing some burnout? https://www.edutopia.org/article/curbing-teacher-burnout-during-pandemic
Parent support ground support: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rqruaBx1EwdBXfFA7nRypwbkhUf36PLZGk2lQ4bvYBI/edit
Would you like to learn more about meditations?