Parsons ES Partyline
March 20, 2020
Don't worry about our safety...Office Wynn and Officer Yi have the ammo-VENDICATOR!
MESSAGE FROM YOUR PROUD PRINCIPAL
"How are the children?"
Thank you for the work you are doing with our kiddos. I have heard of folks reaching out to individual students. I have seen video sessions with classes. I've seen morning messages. Most importantly, I have seen solid lessons that are not overwhelming but also allow children to learn and work.
As announced on Wednesday, we will move into our second week of Digital Learning Days next week. So, the earliest we will return is after Spring Break. Get used to using Google Meet, Zoom, or another medium. It is great to see kids' faces. Continue to collaborate on instruction and how to record or perform live mini-lessons to teach new material. While we could be back after Spring Break, it could be even longer before we return.
The school will be closed next week. Parents may call to schedule an appointment. I will open the school for teachers to pick up supplies, but please text or call me (I've been going to Jackson to assist with lunches). Teachers are not to work from the school, however, here are a few items:
- The county has uploaded lessons in the eCOMM. Each subject at each grade level has 5 ready-made lessons on Q4 AKS. Take a look at the video link below.
- Google Meet & Zoom. Start practicing with these mediums. Google Meet is decentralized and the person who starts the meeting has the same control as the others in the meeting (see Stacey's email for support). Zoom is more oriented toward a facilitator controlling aspects like muting all members.
- If we return after Spring Break we will more than likely postpone creating class lists for one week to give you time to work on pink and blue cards. working on class lists.
- The scheduling committee was suppose to meet this Wednesday. The admin team will reach out to Kelley Hodge and Michaela Austin (the schedule gurus) to see if there is a way for us to hold the Scheduling Committee session via Google Meet. There will be more to come.
- For Certified staff, contracts were released this week! The deadline to sign contracts is Friday, March 27.
- The question of how students can turn in work came up a few times. Students can turn in work:
- Electronically (discussion post, etc)
- By uploading a paper copy (i.e. take pictures of work and upload it to the teacher)
- Save the work in a file folder and bring it to the teacher after DLDs are complete
Because of you, "All the children are well." Thank you for taking care of our children today. Now it is time for you to take care of yourself. Enjoy your weekend!
.DLD Sample Lessons and Overview Video
Here is the link to the DLD Sample Lessons and Overview Video. If you have not seen it yet, I’m thinking it would be super useful. I realize a lot of information is coming at you, so hopefully it is timely when I share meaningful resources I find. This is located in ECOMM on the left side of the home page.
https://safari.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/?g=ae5da1c0-69ff-11ea-a319-ecf4bbd89ac8
Extra, Extra...Read all about it!
GTES Observations have been suspended.
Get out of the way of a Teacher!
We gave educators almost no notice. We asked them to completely redesign what school looks like and in about 24 hours local administrators and teachers "Apollo 13'ed" the problem and fixed it. Kids learning, children being fed, needs being met in the midst of a global crisis.
No state agency did this, no so-called national experts on curriculum. The local educators fixed it in hours. HOURS.
In fact, existing state and federal policies actually created multiple roadblocks. Local schools figured out how to do it around those too. No complaining and no handwringing - just solutions and amazingly clever plans.
Remember that the next time someone tries to convince you that schools are better run by mandates from non-educators. Remember that the next time someone tells you that teachers have it easy or try to persuade you that educators are not among the smartest, most ingenious people in society. And please never say to me again, "Those who can't do anything else just go into teaching."
Get out of the way of a teacher and watch with amazement at what really happens.
SLP Collaborative Planning-They are amazing!
Passing out lunches at the Jackson cafe drive thru-good for the heart!
Parsons' Virtual Media Center created by our dynamic media team.
Notice she was on a Google Meet session and trouble shooting with a teacher on the phone. We love you Stacey!
Jennifer Lee meeting with a small group of students.
Tyler invited all her students to a Google Meet. The smile on her face let's you know how special it was.
3/5 ~ Mary Wren
3/5 ~ Nicole Nowell
3/7 ~ Priya Shah
3/11 ~ Emily Smith
3/16 ~ Eun Gi Joung
3/20 ~ Kathy Medved
3/20 ~ Denae Wiley
3/20 ~ Vera Zulfic
3/26 ~ Latanya Hurst
3/28 ~ Deliluz Roubert
3/29 ~ Yolanda Harris
Kalí douleiá (Great Job in Greek)
I know you know that Kelly Hodge is amazing. During the school year, she is so helpful to both to my students and myself. But, on these DLD she has gone above and beyond, and she deserves a huge shout out from me. First of all, she joined my Google Meet yesterday just to check in on us and her friends. Then, I am teaching new content to my EIP/co-lab math class. (Yikes!) Kelly has been so kind to prove my co-lab friends with Google Meet sessions when my instruction and reteaching opportunities aren't sufficient. What an awesome opportunity! Additional, I have an RTI student who needs additional instructional support. Kelly quickly added this student to her Google Classroom and is helping to support her learning during these DLD. Thank you so much Kelly for all you do! You are making a difference!
Mrs. Tyler Perkerson