Warren Weekly Staff Update
April 6-10
From Tia
Warren Staff,
Thank you for all your hard work and positivity these past few weeks. You all are top notch humans and your love for your students and their families has been astounding. I so appreciate how hard you have worked to learn and navigate new things. I recognize that this has been no small feat as you have also been adjusting to being at home. The feedback I have received the most from families has been, “My child’s teacher/ teachers really care(s) about them.” Folks, if that’s what our families come out of this experience knowing, that is enough.
Keep updating myself and Colette on families you are worried about. I am always more than happy to reach out to families. Unfortunately, it isn’t looking like we will be returning to school soon. Therefore, we must continue to work to stay connected to our students. We need to be empathetic to the challenging realities of some of our students and their families. We also need to continue to learn and grow, adjusting to the reality of long -term remote learning.
During this time, we need to support one another. If you are having a hard time—reach out. You can call/ text me anytime. I want to know how you are doing. Support your teaching partners, share the work, and know that we are all in this together. Thank you all for doing your part and staying home.
I look forward to “seeing you tomorrow.” Perhaps a few more of you will turn on your camera. Mr. Bonjangles informed me that I have the very annoying habit of saying, “Does that make sense?” multiple times during a Teams meeting. Nothing like working from home with your spouse to keep you nice and humble.
In all transparency, I am behind in e-mails. I will work to get caught up within the next few days. If you sent me an email and you have questions, please call/ text. It’s not a bother!
Cheers-
Tia
Elle and Oryn
Heading Home
Working from home
Weekly Schedule:
Daily building office hours: 9:30-10:30
Monday- ELA and Music
· Weekly lesson plans e-mailed to families and Tia by 8:30 am
o Use lesson plan framework (This framework, along with the pacing guides can be found under the remote learning tab in the Warren's Team notebook)
· Teacher + Para Meeting: 9:00
· Teachers need to notify Tia via email the names of students who did not turn-in or complete the previous week’s assignments. Please note in your email the level of communication you had with the student(s) that week. This needs to be turned into Tia by 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday- Math and P.E.
Wednesday Reading and Music
· Teacher + Para meeting 9:00
Thursday- Math and P.E.
Friday- Enrichment activities + Planning
· Faculty Meeting- 9:00
· PLC Meetings – 2:30
o Invite Tia to PLC meetings, it’s okay if you decide on a time besides 2:30
*Library, music, P.E., counseling, resource, title, and speech lesson plans need to be emailed to teachers by the end of the day- 4:00
PIR
PIR INFORMATION
Professional Development (PIR / Renewal / Learning Academies) Guidance
Greetings:
In these new and unusual times we have modified and hopefully clarified professional development / PIR expectations during this closure.
Below are guidelines which hopefully answer your questions.
1. PIR needs to take place outside the regular instructional day. Remember PIR days are contractual, paid days beyond the regular instructional day. Generally, PIR should occur between 3:30 and 8:00 p.m. if possible.
2. Limitations on online courses have been waived during this closure.
3. ALL professional development activities need to be entered into MyLearningPlan prior to the event NOT after. Entering activities in MLP ensures you receive credit, the activity is recorded on your portfolio and OPI renewal certificates can be generated. Proposals will continue to go out for review every Friday morning.
4. All OPI Learning Hub courses have received approval but again each event needs to be entered into MyLearningPlan so you can receive credit.
5. When you complete a course or an activity you need to send the certificate or documentation confirming completion to Allison Balboni at abalboni@helenaschools.org You can scan the document and email it to Allison or you can take a photo of the certificate and email it to Allison.
6. Renewal certificates will continue to be awarded as well as PIR credit. Certificates won’t be distributed until we are able to return to buildings.
7. If you started an activity but weren’t able to finish it you will be awarded credit for hours completed. If you were in a Learning Academy you will get further direction specific to your academy.
8. HS educators enrolled in Zero Period PLC for PIR need to continue to attend their PLCs. Make sure the facilitator (or secretary) records your attendance.
9. The Educational Technology Department will begin offering one-hour tech sessions that focus on the tools people are using as they teach remotely. The hour will include time for Q and A. The first session will be take place on April 7, 2020, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Topic: Assessments in TEAMS. Register on MyLearningPlan and you will receive an invitation to the session. As always you will need to attend at least two one-hour sessions to received credit.
10. Thanks for all you are doing to support students!!
Grab and Go Lunch/ Breakfast Schedule
The distribution of school lunch / breakfast Grab and Go bags will resume on Monday the April 6, 2020.
Deliveries will take place 3 days per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Monday will include Monday and Tuesday’s breakfast and lunch meals.
- Wednesday will include Wednesday and Thursday’s breakfast and lunch meals.
- Friday will include Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s breakfast and lunch meals.
Below are the locations and times when meals may be picked up.
- Bryant Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:45 - 1:00
- Broadwater Monday, Wednesday and Friday from10:00 - 11:15
- Central Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:15 - 2:00
- 4 Georgians Monday, Wednesday and Friday from10:00 - 11:15
- Warren Monday, Wednesday and Friday from11:45 - 1:00
- Dollar Tree Parking Lot Monday, Wednesday and Friday from10:00-11:15
- CVS (603 N Montana) Monday, Wednesday and Friday from11:45-1:00
Parents do not need to have their children with them to receive these meals.
These sites are still free to any child 1-18 years of age no matter where they are from or if they are school age.
Notes from May Butler
Grades & Report Cards
We will send report cards in PDF format on April 14, 2020. Teachers are to cc: Building principal and secretary. IEP reports will be ready and sent with report cards on April 14th.
Chromebooks
Chromebook distribution will remain the same. Wednesday at 5pm is the deadline to request a Chromebook. Requests received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday will be distributed Friday. If there is a large request on Monday, Pat will consider an early distribution, so students do not have to wait a week.
Technology
Looking into getting more hotspots. Please remind families to check options with their own providers first. Most wireless providers are providing more GB for hotspot usage. Charter & Montana Internet are providing more connections.
Professional Development
Updated reports will be sent to admin by the end of the week. Please notify your staff immediately regarding where they stand with PIR totals. Gary’s technology sessions start on April 7. More dates will be added. Reminder: All professional development provided on the OPI Teacher Learning Hub are approved for PIR. However, teachers must enter any session they are attending on the Learning Hub to MLP if they want to receive PIR credit.
Buildings and Playgrounds Off Limits
Please remind staff that buildings are off limits to everyone but maintenance and the principal.
Additionally, all playgrounds are closed. We don’t have the resources to clean playground equipment, which may carry the virus for some time after use by anyone who may be infected.