LVMS Staff Newsletter
Edition V
Next Week...
There's a lot of information coming up, but I also wanted to share a story from this week...one of our teachers was contacted by a parent, and they were drowning. They had just moved here before school started, and the student was on their own the entire day because mom works all day. We looked into it and the student had a 0, 9, 49, 50, 50 and 50. We went and picked her up from her house and brought her to school, just so she could ask questions and it was honestly pretty heartbreaking. She has never had trouble at school, but she just wasn't connected. We worked with her, but we ran into tech problems that made our progress way slower then we anticipated.
There are no easy answers. I know that we are bending over backwards to handle all that is being thrown at us. But one thing that makes Lago Vista Middle School special is our personal attention and effort into making relationships with every child.
I am extremely grateful for the teacher who worked with the parent to get her student help. However, that was the first teacher that had contacted them, and that's worrisome. I will defend our teachers with everything I can, but that's a tough one.
I know we are short on time and our to do list is crushing, but being here for all of our students is paramount. We are also here to help - if you're worried about someone but can't take time to call, let Kerri, April or I know about it and we'll call. We are also trying to come up with ways to help struggling students, but as just about everything else, it's a challenging job that just keeps getting harder. Currently, we have 19 online students who are failing four or more classes.
This was just a tough situation today, and I know there are probably a lot more students like them who we just don't know about yet.
I know that we are taxed and I don't think we can work any harder than we can. I'm even considering knocking down my afternoon nap to 45 minutes. But just know that you always have our permission to make student success your number 1 priority.
Afterschool Tutorials
Also, you will need to be available to your online students starting at 3:45 to 4:05 for tutorials. These will be by appointment only - you do not need to get on a Google Meet and wait for kids to show up, but you need to be available if anyone needs you.
Remember, your contract time ends at 4:05...unless you have cleared it with me, please do not leave early. We are all working extremely hard - I don't want to see anyone drive away while others are still on duty. We are taking duty off of your hands as much as possible to give you the ability to work with students.
New Duty Stations - Before School
New Duty Stations After School
C Days
A few things to make it better - please make an announcement on each of your Google classrooms of what the expectations are for the day. I'm fine with even, "Hi everyone...your job today is to make sure you are caught up with all of your assignments." Make sure that is posted by 7:30 AM on Wednesday.
Speaking of...make sure your online lessons are posted by 7:30 AM during the week.
Homecoming Week!
Monday - Marvel Monday
Tuesday - tWIN Tuesday
Wednesday- Sock it to the Leopards (Crazy sock day)
Thursday - Touchdown Tuesday (wear your favorite jersey)
Friday - Viking Spirit (Blue and Gold)
Grades Check!
Are You Registered To Vote?
Lago Vista Middle School
Email: eric_holt@lagovista.txed.net
Website: http://www.lagovistaisd.net/
Phone: 512-267-8300 2500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lago-Vista-Middle-School-1266891766714816