Captain's Log 6.4.2020
Newsletter for the Lansing Elementary School Staff
Every Person-Every Day
June 4, 2020
I hope each and every one of you are having a relaxing and rejuvenating summer! You certainly deserve it! Summer is special in so many ways-I love the long, warm days and I even love it when it gets hot, hot, hot! Summer reminds me of many fond memories on Aunt Honey and Uncle Happy’s farm-from fishing to bailing hay to riding horses with a culminating trip to the 4-H horse-show; definitely a special season. If you stop by my office you can see a picture of my childhood horse, Coco.
We have endured a difficult spring and are left wondering what our fall will be like when August comes. And, again our country is reminded about the dark and difficult history of systemic racism and the Civil Rights movement. I am proud that our school-community is a safe place for all people. We celebrate diversity and strive to extinguish injustice everywhere. We have an enormous responsibility to teach our children about social justice, acceptance, love, and inclusion. I am hoping that our country can find a way to create real-positive change and live by the spirit of the declaration of independence that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. Lansing Elementary will be a safe and welcoming place for all.
July 11, 2020 is the date we are told that KSDE will release information about what school will be like in Kansas this fall. We all want “regular” school and I know that we will get back to it-eventually. However, we need to be prepared for whatever comes and I am confident in our staff that we will do an exceptional job of educating our kids and supporting their families through any scenario that comes our way. Together-we will get through these challenging times.
We are doing some updates in the office and can’t wait to share them with you! Regardless, 2020-2021 will be a year to remember and I’m so glad I get to take on this wonderful challenge with all of you. Enjoy every day of summer!
Dr. Mindy Wells
Proud Principal @ Lansing Elementary SchoolBuilding is closed June 1, 2020-Do not access after June 1, 2020.
Ideas from Jon Gordon's Website
Budget Information 2020-2021
Budget Information: “Every person-Every Day” to be fiscally responsible.
Please consider the following when thinking about needs vs. nice to haves for the classroom:
· Due to COVID-19, there are anticipated Kansas State budget short-falls. This will most likely have an effect on education.
· All copy paper, construction paper, and colored roll paper will be provided. You do not have to stock in your classrooms or pull from your discrenary allotment. We cleaned and stocked the teacher work rooms. Take what you need-please don’t hoard supplies or use supplies for personal use.
· We have an abundance of supplies in our stock room. Take what you and your students need. See Anna or Carrie. Check here first, before ordering more of what we have.
· PTA gives all certified staff who are members of PTA a $100 stipend.
· All certified general education classroom teachers will have up to $200 discretionary spending. Please consider need vs. nice to have when considering a purchase. You don’t have to spend it all now-you can save it as things come up during the school-year.
· Classroom furniture may be considered on a need basis.
· New teachers and teachers moving grade levels can make individual requests that will be considered by Mindy and Jennifer-extra money for these circumstances is not automatically guaranteed.
· Special education staff will contact Mary Alice for purchases for their classroom needs.
· Specialists will work with Mindy and Jennifer individually based on need. You will be contacted when you order has been approved and you can begin the order process. Do not order until approved by Mindy or Jennifer.
Based upon these guidelines, you can use the attached forms to start placing your orders. The approval process will come through Skyward. Questions see Mindy or Jennifer.
Once approved you can order once the accounting is rolled over the fiscal year 2020-2021 (this is typically on or around July 1, 2020). I'll send out a message once it is rolled over.
Building Leadership Team 2020-2021
Our goal is to offer shared leadership opportunities. As a result, your BLT will evolve every few years to allow shared leadership opportunities across the building.
2020-2021 BLT Representatives:
Dr. Mindy Wells-Principal
Dr. Jennifer Kolb-Assistant Principal
Debbie Beall-Kindergarten
Phylicia Knapp-1st Grade
Barb Robinson-2nd Grade
Jessica Kowalewski-3rd Grade
Holly Kane-Interventionist
Jenny Nickelson-Instructional Coach
Mary Yandura-Counselor
Christine Bachtel-Counselor
Barb Dayal-School Psychologist
Lori Geise-Special Education
Chrissy Robinson-Specialists
Amy Scruggs-ESL
Moving & Cleaning
As you are moving and cleaning rooms please be aware of the following:
1. Bring all extra reams of copy paper to the office. You do not need to store copy paper in your classroom. You will have what you need to do your job.
2. Bring all extra construction paper to the office. You do not need to store it in your classrooms. You will have what you need.
3. Bring all extra supplies (kleenes, clorex, school supplies) to office. You will have what you need.
4. There has to be 2 full bricks of space between items stored on top of cabinets and ceiling-in every room. This is a fire code requirement.
5. If you brought furniture into the school to use in your classroom. You must submit a picture of a tag that states it is fire-proof and fill out a form. See Anna for details. This is a fire code requirement. This includes light-covers.
If you are moving rooms:
1. Furniture purchased by school will generally stay with rooms. There have been exceptions on individual situations, but generally furniture stays put as teacher moves. Of course, all items you purchase go with you.
2. Generally speaking student desks will not move rooms. If you have this request, Mindy must approve.
Personal Items:
We worked hard to clean and organize the storage rooms for curriculum materials. After all is completed, we have room in the K-1 storage in the room behind the curriculum materials for personal items. This is for the entire building.
Please do not spill over into curricular storage areas. Please be mindful to share the space with others. Please do not store personal items in intervention rooms.
Committee List
Data, Data, Data
Info-Graphic of 2019-2020 Data Year-End Review USD 469
PRIDE
LES Calendar of Events
July 10-KSDE release Fall plan for KS schools
July 16-BLT Summer Retreat
August 10 & 11-New Teachers' Orientation
August 12-17-All Teachers Report
August 18-School Begins K-6 and New MS & HS Students
August 19-School Begins for Returning Students
Send Anna Your Calendar Dates for Building Calendar
Field Trips, Musicals, Events where parents visit, PRIDE assembilies etc...
Please send Anna any dates you have for our Building Master Calendar.
Self-Care Tips for Teachers from KNEA
Self-Care Tips for Educators ~ another collection for our members to enjoy.
The Coping Skills Toolbox
It is a collection of your various favorite and healthy items that you can use when you are feeling anxious, panicky, or distressed.
https://www.bcbe.org/cms/lib/AL01901374/Centricity/Domain/1760/Coping%20Skills%20Toolkit.pdf
Social-Emotional Learning Should Be Priority During COVID-19 Crisis
Experts say teaching and learning during closures is unrealistic if SEL for students and educators is left out of the conversation.
COVID-19 is Tough, But We’re Tougher
We’re here to help, with advice for engaging students online, strategies for maintaining support for the most vulnerable, words of encouragement, ways to alleviate stress and avoid burnout, and more.
https://educatingthroughcrisis.org/
Healthy Reminders During COVID-19 and School Closures
Teachers, How Can We Care for Our Mental Health Right Now?
https://www.weareteachers.com/mental-health-during-covid/
Mental Health and Well Being Survival Guide Webinar
This webinar was created for healthcare workers, but it has practical advice that can be applied to anyone as we cope with the pandemic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2s&v=Endyyx84w98&app=desktop