Weekly Update #28

Inspirational Quote:

"Don't worry 'bout a thing, cause every little thing's gonna be alright." – Bob Marley

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, March 30, 2020                                                           Working From Home         

Tuesday, Mach 31, 2020                                                            Working From Home                                                                                      

Wednesday, April 1, 2020                                                          Working From Home                                   
Thursday, April 2, 2020                                                             Working From Home                                       
Friday, April 3, 2020                                                                  Working From Home                   

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• Superintendent Email - Pat will be sending out an email about our plans and expectations in response to the most recent school closure extension.  It could be possible that the window extends again, and he wants to make sure that we all have a solid plan moving forward on our work.  Please make sure to keep an eye on this.
• School Leaders will be in buildings on Wednesday Morning - If you need to pick up resources, please let Glenda and Liz know, and remember that we will continue to practice safe social distance while in the building.  
• Feel free to arrive with gloves and/or masks - let's stay healthy!
• Corona Updates in Lynn - The last number reported was 38 confirmed cases.  This number is only going to continue going up, so a call center is being set up at Marshall Middle School.  Our wonderful nurse Danielle will be volunteering there.  Thank you!
• Call Downs - These will now be done virtually.  Watch out for more information in your emails.
• Congratulations to those within our building who have moved into a new role or have decided to take on a new position in another school.  You are always a part of the Connery Family and we congratulate you on your next steps and journey. 
• Connery Facebook Page - If you haven't already checked it out, please check out the Connery Elementary Facebook page.  
• I am happy to post any and all posts and resources that you think would be valuable for our families.
• I'd like to have representation from every grade and content area in our school.
• Special Ed Student Communication - Phylitia had recently sent out a communication to the special ed team about completing a form about communication with students. The attached log has to be done by EACH educator (general and special ed) that services special ed students. Recently, we we asked for the completion of an additional log for our Special Ed and Support Staff Team.  However, this log serves a different purpose.  The log that was recently shared helps us see anything that other clinical members of our school support staff might need to be informed of. While this log is intended to ensure that we are being compliant with our communication to Special Education students and families.
• Please make sure that you download this form and keep track of your own communication.  Please do not edit or change the original form in our SharePoint.
• Next Steps on Communication - As a next step for communication, elementary schools are joining School Dojo.  It is the same company as Class Dojo, but will be structure by Glenda and Liz first.  Then shared with staff.  Once it is structure, all homeroom teachers can invite secondary teachers and support staff to join classrooms.
• Glenda and Liz will upload contact information from e-schools.
• Middle and Secondary schools will use a platform called Jupiter that is more of an online platform for their learning.
• The focus is to reach all families.
• Evaluations - If we return to school, the admin team will meet with the union to come up with an alternate timeline of expectations for this. The current due dates for artifacts will need to be revised, and are on hold.
• Next Steps for Curriculum - Since the extension of school closure, the admin team has begun to gather groups of educators to come up with next steps for home curriculum.  The current ideas is to develop a capstone project for each grade level that is universal to all LPS students and can be completed at an appropriate pace and time for parents.  This will be shared with us in the near future.
• Talent Show - Perhaps some kids wouldn't mind sending a video of their solo talent to us for our Connery Page.  If they do, please send along. Maybe I can find a fun way to have a Virtual Talent Show.
• Connect Ed Messages - There is a lot of information going out via connect ed.  If you are not receiving calls, please follow these steps:  
• Email the data center dp@lynnschools.org, so they may add or check your information.  They will need:
  1. phone #
  2. building
  3. type of phone (home or cell)
  4. if you want voice, text, or both
• Homeless Families - all shelter applications are being accepted over the phone.  If you know of any families in need of support have them call 1-866-584-0653.
• Report Cards - The distribution of report cards is unknown at this time, and will be communicated by the admin team in the near future.
• Lynn Community Healthy Clinic - please be aware that each therapists direct line has been rerouted to their main campus and/or cellphone.  Therefore, all therapists plan to continue to see students via telephone communication.  If a family members reaches out to you, please let them know of this opportunity.
• District FAQ Sheet - Here is a link to the district FAQ sheet.  This is also locate on the district website.
• Cool Resource shared by Pam - Here is an example of how a teacher used Sway to support at home learning.  Check it out if you are interested in learning how to use it.  I have seen this app in our Microsoft platform.  Check it out: Sway Example
• MCAS - This is currently postponed, but we are waiting to hear if legislature has given the okay to postpone the accountability measures for this year.  If this is agreed (and the state believes it will be approved), MCAS will be officially postponed.  For now, it is still TBD.
• Retention - retention are currently on hold due to school closings.
• School Report Cards found on reportcards.doe.ma.edu.
• Science LPS Strategic Plan - Here!
• MCAS Data - All Quartiles Found Here
• Guided Reading Documents - Here!
• Interpreting and Translation Services - New Form
• Dance for MCAS - TBD
• Calling out Sick - Call Glenda (781-686-6354) or Liz directly, leave a message if we do not answer.
• Recess - recess resource (Please use this resource, so that your students can have a successful and fun time at recess!) This is a great opportunity to build community with your students. 
• Please ensure that you are in a location where you can see your whole class.  
• Connery School Year Calendar
• Food Pantry Flyer
• LPS CORE VALUES - Inclusiveness, Shared Responsibility, High Expectations, and Inspiring Life Long Learning.

Thank you to everyone that could be a part of our Connery Social Hour.  It was so nice to see everyone's faces.  If you missed it, here is a small glimpse:

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

May 4 - Possible return to school.