Weekly Update #7

 Inspirational Quote:

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” – Tony Robbins

This Week's Schedule

COVID Survey - every morning before 8:00

Monday, October 12, 2020                                Columbus / Indigenous People's Day - No School
Tuesday, October 13, 2020                                Weekly Staff PD 2:30-3:30
Wednesday, October 14, 2020                            CIT and Math Teacher Meetings, Schedules Change
Thursday, October 15, 2020                              Glenda - Supt Meeting    
Friday, October 16, 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....

• Wednesday Schedule Change - Please review the schedule structure for Wednesdays. The schedules have been updated according to this structure, for classroom teachers. If you are a support staff, you may notice that some changes have already been made to your schedule, and we will continue to adjust support staff schedules.

                                        

• DO NOT change the order of your scheduled content. We are essentially shifting our schedule for Wednesday up, and eliminating the Opening and Closing circle. We have also decreased the mask break to 15 minutes for Wednesday's Schedule.  Therefore, if you regularly have Math Small Group first, that is the way that your schedule will appear.  The example above is specifinally to share the areas in the schedule that are going to be cut in order to maintain a full whole group and small group schedule.
• You will find updated schedule on Connery Share.
• If you are not in a scheduled PreK and K classroom from 12:15-1:15, you are making targeted phone calls. Remember, this time is not an extra prep, it is for parent communication.
• Asynchronous Time - Please keep in mind, Imagine Learning will not begin next week, so students may use RazKids if you have begun to use it and ST Math.
• Tardies .
• From Admin - "We have pushed back the time of putting in attendance to 9 a.m. for the elementary schools. All students should be marked present if they are on screen by 9:00 a.m.  Obviously, we are giving grace to students arriving for the learning who in a traditional situation would be tardy.  The call to homes for students who are recorded as absent will still go out at 9:15 a.m."
• The goal is to have all students on by 8:30, but giving grace to families that drop off at programs whose doors don't open right away.
• Please continue to post by 8:30.  If a student arrives before 9:00, you can mark them present.  If a students arrives after 9:00, please note the time and let LeeAnn know so that she can mark them Tardy.
• If a student does not return during the day, please put a note on the cloud in e-school and report that to the office.  A contact should be made that day by the teacher inquiring about the student's whereabouts.
• Please pick up a book that will be placed in your mailbox and then complete the following form: Book Inventory for Professional Development
• Gentle Reminder about PLTs - If you are a support staff, you are attending the PLT for one or more of the grades thta you serve.
• 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.
• Great Tip - In addition to their personal zoom, some classroom teachers have had their document camera or phone logged into zoom with a picture of the objective for that lesson. This is a great idea for you as the lesson facilitator to refer to, and for the students to see throughout the lesson.

• Goals and Self Assessments -  due October 15th.  These are final goals, however, we ask that you not sign them until we reveiw.  Also, action plans have been created and released.  Do not forget to add weekly, targeted phone calls to families during teacher outreach block for student learning goal. We will be and sign by Nov 1st.
• Spelling Inventory - The reading team has created a fabulous plan for this for grades 3-5.  They will share more information about this during PLTs.
• Reminder from Rania - ESL curiculum is required by law, so please make sure that that instruction does not get interrupted.
• Rania would like 30 minutes of ESL for all groups.  I will be meeting with the ESL team about doing this creatively outside of the 20 minute small group times.  For example, making use of the Opening Circle / ESL Lessons or Closing Circle Time.  
• Much appreciation of your continued flexibility.
• 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..
• RazKids Accounts -  Logins have been sent, please remember to share these with support staff that service students in your classrooms.
• 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

• Special Ed - all learning plans must be updated to reflect the schedule changes.
• iPads for K are ready!
• DESE Update - MCAS will proceed in the spring.
• Report Cards / Progress Reports - TBD
• 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.) 
• 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.
• Parent Outreach - Please call families during designated times.
• 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 12th - Holiday
• October 13th - Staff PD
• October 20th - Staff PD
• October 21st - SST (Student Support Team)
• November 3rd - Teacher in-Service Day (PD - No School for Students)
• November 4th - ILT