May 8, 2020

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• This week I enjoyed showing you all how much I appreciate your hard work.  Hopefully you enjoyed The Game of Games as well.  There were so many submissions this week.  Some of them are on this doc for your enjoyment.  

• Book clubs have been going on virtually with 5th graders.  They were able to continue their discussions and their books.

• Parents sending messages all week to show appreciation to their children's teachers.  They are missing their school community too.

• First graders using play-do to complete math with ten frames.  What a creative way to provide math manipulatives for students to do their math work!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, May 11
• Student Pick-up from 8-4pm

• Tuesday, May 12
• Student pick-up from 11-6pm
• Virtual Recess for Grades 3-5 at 11:15 at https://bluejeans.com/411624574
• Talent Show Run through 3pm on https://bluejeans.com/901415692

• Wednesday, May 13
• Student pick-up from 8-4.
• Virtual staff meeting at 11am at https://bluejeans.com/901415692

• Thursday, May 14
• Self-Care Academy at 11am.  Sign up here.
• Student pick-up from 11-6pm.

• Friday, May 15
• Pupil Services meeting @ 8:30 at https://bluejeans.com/901415692

Nitty-Gritty

• Self-Care Academy
• Just a quick reminder of the Self-Care Academies online. 
• With such great interest in our first round of Self-Care Academy sessions, we're extending our offering to three differently themed Academy options.  For those who wanted to attend the first but were unable, we've added options.  Details are attached and you may use this form to sign up for Self-Care Academy sessions.

• And the WINNER IS...
• The race was extremely close.  In fact the top 6 points earners were only separated by 3 points.  There was a 3-way tie for first place.  At first I tried to figure out who had the most bonus points, or who entered theirs first, etc.  And then I realized, they were all so great, why can't I change it.  So I did.  I present to you the 3 Grand Prize WINNERS that tied for 1st. (Grand Prize will be mailed to you!)
• Kevin Klueger
• Susan O'Toole
• Stephanie Schuett
• Congratulations to you all!  It was super fun and thank you to everyone for participating. (Jahra, Rachael and Patrick - You were sooooo close!)

• Target Based Grading
• Our next step in this process is finalizing the citizenship rubric.  At Wednesday's staff meeting, we will discuss any changes that should be made to this document.  Click here to see the draft that was summarized from the first group discussions we had back in February.

• Volunteers for Material Pick-up
• We could still use 1-2 more people each day next week to help out with getting supplies to families as they arrive at the curb.  There will be a list of who is coming each time period.  They would love to see your happy smiling faces too!  Let me know if you want to join us!

PD Spotlight

This week the PD Spotlight is based off of an article that was shared with me about how students feel about virtual learning during this pandemic.  In fact, Mindy had the same suggestion and I plan to send a survey out to our 3-5th grade students so we get their feedback too.  (Thanks Mindy for the great idea!)

I love the graphs because I like data.  But even more, I find the responses that kids gave that they want their teachers to know fascinating.  It could easily be any of our students/families sharing the same ideas.  The other part that made me think was the reflective questions at the end of the article.  This process is new for all of us.  We are working very hard, but how can we make sure that we are feeling success too.  How do we continue to engage our students through this, and even more importantly, how do we make sure to cultivate strong relationships with them as well?

Friday Funny

That was probably me this week at the staff meeting.  Or maybe all staff meetings actually.