The Sachem Memo
Week of April 6 - 10, 2020
Remain StaffSTRONG
Hope all is well and it was finally starting to feel like spring this weekend. I hope this note finds you and your family safe and healthy. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the outstanding work you provided our students as we begin the Distance/Extended Learning Protocol this week. Your collaboration, commitment and perseverance through all of this is incredible and I am beyond grateful for your engagement.
We know that the upcoming week could provide some challenge and struggle. We are truly embarking on a new expectation for our students during this time of closure. However, I sincerely hope and believe that our students will rise to the occasion and engage, and more importantly...learn! Please know...we will take this remote learning one step and one day at a time. We will get there.
Here are a few items for the week ahead.
Hang in there, my friends.
Remain Strong!
Paul
Virtual Faculty & Staff Meeting - This Week
The TWO meeting opportunities will take place:
Meeting #1 - Wednesday, April 8, 2020 - 7:30pm
Meeting #2 - Thursday, April 9, 2020 - 9:00am
Please note...you do not need to attend both. The focus of both meetings will be the same.
Virtual Meetings - This Week
- MHS Leadership Team - TBD - Finalizing a standing day/time each week.
- MHS Guidance Department Meeting - Wednesday, April 8, 2020- 9:00am
- MHS Faculty & Staff Meeting and Connection - Wednesday, April 8, 2020 - 7:30pm
- MHS Faculty & Staff Meeting and Connection - Thursday, April 9, 2020 - 9:00am
Be on the lookout for Zoom Meeting Invitations. :)
Databases for Remote Learning
Welcome to Zoom
Link to Tutorial: http://somup.com/cYfncp1vbI
Nurse's Corner - A Note from Jen Garanito
DON"T BRING YOUR GERMS HOME FROM WORK!!
When you're done with your shift:
- Dispose of your gloves properly.
- Wash your hands and forearms well with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, paying close attention to underneath your fingernails and rings.
- Dry hands well with a clean paper towel which you can now use to grasp the door handle and open the door. Dispose of properly.
- Wipe your door handles and steering wheel often.
- If you can leave a spare pair of shoes in the car, change out of your work shoes there. If not, leave your work shoes by the door at home.
- Change out of your work clothes and put them right into the wash if you can. If not, designate a place to fold or hang them neatly out of the way.
- Wash your hands again.
- Take a nice warm shower, put on your most comfortable clothes and relax...
You guys are AWESOME!
Scheduling Committee - Faculty Engagement
The Elective Program Review Sub-Committee is hoping to gather information from you regarding the elective courses at the high school. This quick survey will help identify a collective definition, purpose and philosophy of the elective program. The Committee truly appreciates your engagement with this modest survey.
The link to the survey is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mb5VvpmnaJsEYl5gxO5DlAHcloFH1I52nMUzwRq4jPE/edit?ts=5e867799
Character Strong
Whole Child Summit - Mark Your Calendars
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.
For those who may want to listen to a podcast, Brene Brown is a national best selling author who has spent her career studying vulnerability and courage. She began a new podcast to help us cope amidst the pandemic. https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-ffts/
For those with children at home: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/27/816575527/comic-how-to-turn-your-home-into-a-school-without-losing-your-sanity
This chart was shared by Carolyn Lyons, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and is a helpful reminder of the perspective we are forced to shift toward right now.
Professional Development Opportunities - Project Based Learning
You can visit the website my clicking here: https://www.pblworks.org
National Assistant Principal Week - April 6 - 10, 2020
Beyond grateful they are both Sachems!