Weekly Update #6

  Inspirational Quote:

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” 

                                                                                                                        – Bob Kerrey

This Week's Schedule

COVID Survey - every morning before 8:00

Monday, October 5, 2020                                Clinical Meeting 10:30-11:30
Tuesday, October 6, 2020                                Weekly Staff PD 2:30-3:30
Wednesday, October 7, 2020                            CIT and Math Teacher Meetings
Thursday, October 8, 2020                              Glenda - Supt Meeting, SST Mentor Meeting    
Friday, October 9, 2020

Things to Consider

Please note that there has been an issue with our picture on this blog and it's seems to be stuck on "Welcome Back".  So, I welcome you back to school each week for now!

In the spirt of humor, which we all need....

• Observation and Coaching Updates - Liz and I will begin to join zooms regularly throughout the day.  Please do not stop what you are doing or worry about introducing us during your lessons.  We will be observers and do not want to distract you from your regular schedule.
• Please note that our first goal when we begin observations this year is to ensure that everyone states an objective at the start of the lesson, refer back to it throughout the lesson, and circle back to the objective at the end.
• Spelling Inventory - There has been lots of buzz around the Spelling Inventory.  As last year, we ask that you please wait to hear from our Reading Team.  We are going to collaborate and create a calibrated way to complete this assessment that will focus on maintaining validity amongst all grade levels.  Please do not administer until this communication is made. 
• Specialist Schedule - These have been created with a special focus on math interventions. Please note that if  your class does not receive this support during the first half of the year, you will receive the support during the second half of the year.
• Specialist will begin to join your class on Monday 
• Sub Folder Update - Please remember to add your LPS login credentials to your Sub-Folder
• Reminder from Rania - ESL curiculum is required by law, so please make sure that that instruction does not get interrupted.
• Day Program Reminder - If you have a student in a program during the day, please keep in mind that there lunch schedule may not coincide with ours
• You may want to connect with the student (s) and ask them to turn off their cameras during this time.
• Reminder - Academics ends at 1:00 and Closing Circle must be done.  This is an important part of the schedule.  Please make sure that this gets done.
• Homework - This is going to be calibrated across all elementary schools.  It will include ST Math for the expected time per day/grade and Imagine Learning for 15-20 minutes per day.
• ST Math - There was an error in the recent roster; however, it will be available for Monday.
• RazKids Accounts -  Please look out for a welcome email and login information.
• Also, remember to share these with support staff that service students in your classrooms.
• Reminder Next Tuesdays PD - Zoom / Schoology PD
• TikTok Video of a K teacher gone virral - saw this TikTok video on the news and thought I'd share. This teacher has some fun student engagement ideas for remote learning.
• LCHC - Students who are SB-LCHC patients who have medical needs, physicals, immunizations, etc. can be seen at the 269 Union Street site from 8:00-4:30 with evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday. The dedicated phone number for that service is 781-598-8128
• Zoom Logins - Make sure they are up to date.
• Current Login Information - 
• Zoom Logins - Connery Share Drive
• Final Schoology Reminder - Please make sure that Liz, Glenda, Katie L, Cyndi, and Amanda are invited to your courses.
• Also, please make sure that you upload your picture to your course, so that we are aware of who the course belongs to.
• Computer Logged in Incorrectly - Please see resetting directions in former blog.
• Parent Resource Troubleshooting for Schoology - Click Here - with translations
• No Contact List - Like last year, we ask that you add no contact or no attendance students to the following form: 
• Limited Contact List
• Please keep this updated
• Once a student is contacted and regularly on lessons, you may gray them out
• Our Wellness Team will be meeting regularly to go over student cases.
• Here is a helpful resource about attendance: Attendance FAQs

• Q & A about filing - click here
• Nurse Update - Each year all staff are required to receive Emergency Preparedness Training. Below is a link to the staff training which I have pre-recorded in zoom.  I ask that you please try to complete this as soon as possible - with a deadline of 10/13 (next Wednesday).
• Some topics include food allergies, CPR, Life saving medication administration, MERP, Bleeding Kits and AED.
• Here is the training video: https://lynnschools-org.zoom.us/rec/share/4C1EUPD638HjpK4I8RLNB38damrzweioNKVIvQFQhmoSZxInKB03-sfQrsT9Ibpe.afrrLN4x7vBNaCVD?startTime=1601564408000
• After you watch the 13 minute video, you will need to complete the following tasks in order for your training to be completed:
  1. Watch this food allergy video: https://www.allergyhome.org/schools/food-allergy-school-staff-training-full-length-module/   (if you watched this video last year, you may be able to skip ahead to the quiz)
  2. Complete short quiz and print/save certificate
  3. Present certificate of completion to the school nurse
  4. Watch the EpiPen administration video (5 minutes) here: https://www.epipen4schools.com/Members/Training/
     
  5. Stop by to see the school nurse. The school nurse will review and practice epinephrine administration using a trainer device
  6. The school nurse will keep a Competency Skills Checklist on file detailing this training that includes dates of reviews with the nurse two times during each school year
  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

  Danielle

District Updates

• Assessments - Dibels will only be administered K-2.  For 3-5, district assessments will be uploaded to a system called iReady within Schoology.
• Imagine Learning was purchased for all students as an afterschool asynchronous resource.  We will be receiving PD on this during one of our PLT days.  It looks like we may be scheduled on October 27th.  If this is the case, all PLTs will be on Tuesday for the week.  If you still want to plan with your CIT or Math Teacher this week, make sure to let them know.  Here is a Resource about Imagine Learning for your preview.
• Zoom Etiquette for Parents and Students - Coming Soon!
• Laptops for K are ready! - an invitation is going to go out soon for K students.  These are all brand new laptops and are all set for instruction.
• DESE Update - MCAS will proceed in the spring.
• Report Cards / Progress Reports - TBD
• Extra-curricular funds will be available.  Each school will receive the same funds as last year.  So, start thinking of programs that you can do virtually!
• Basketball is also available.
• Science Resources - National Geographic Exploring Science  
  • Digital resources, including ebook, are available to teachers and students in Grades 1-5 through the myNGconnect platform (same as Reach for Reading). The four attached files provide some additional information to help teachers/students navigate the online edition of Exploring Science.  
  • I understand that the LPS Data Center will be rostering students & teachers for this program, but I do not know where they are at in this process.  

   

  Other – The following are a couple of free/open digital resources from the Massachusetts STEM @ Home List that your teachers may find helpful: 

  • PBS Learning Media: Science – videos, interactives, media galleries, etc. to explore phenomena and the natural world 
  • Museum of Science @ Home – STEM resources that bring the museum to you (virtual exhibits, live streams, etc.) 

Math Assessments - End of Unit District Assessments in Mathematics have been added to the Resource folder in the LPS Math District Resources K-12 in Schoology. Using the “Copy To” feature in Schoology, assessments can be added to another resource folder or directly to a course.  

• As we continue to get acclimated to our new way of teaching and learning, we are asking that when you administer the first End of Unit assessment online you keep your own student records. Additionally, please continue to use best-practice planning protocols both prior to and post instruction. Reviewing assessments collaboratively pre-instruction with grade-level planning teams allows us to see where our students are going and to plan for instruction, while analyzing assessment data post-instruction with grade-levels PLTs or PLCs ensures that we are providing data-driven instruction.    
• Just to be clear, we are not using TestWiz for the Unit 1 Assessments in Mathematics, but the assessments still need to be given. We are in the process of determining the best route/platform for administering all other district math assessments. In the meantime, please reach out to me if you have questions or need assistance with anything.    
• LPS Math District Resources K-12 Schoology Access Code: QJRQ-5QJ7-4Q3MV  

• Resource - Electronic Office Referral
• Please email Glenda and Liz when one is completed.
• Updated Class Assignments - Click Here
• Connery School Calendar - Mentor dates are updated.
• Outreach - During the first three weeks and beginning on September 23, please have teachers plan for 1x weekly  outreah to each student/family.  Communication logs are not an expectation. 
• DESE Attendance Guidelines - Click Here
• Superintendent Goals - 1. All students connected to technology- Device, Internet, and Schoology by the third week of school. 2. Attendance will be at 95% by the third week into school.

• Zoom Link for Weekly Staff PD on Tuesdays:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87339845817?pwd=ZVp5Um5sWFlGOUFjdEFiSlFOcFRYZz09

Meeting ID: 873 3984 5817

Passcode: fNjge0

Looking Ahead

• October 5trh - School Site Council Voting 
• October 6th - Staff PD
• October 7th - ILT (Relaunch - all invited) - please reach out if you are interested
• October 12th - Holiday
• October 13th - Staff PD
• October 15th - School Support Team (Mentor Meeting)