Thursday, March 11, 2021

March 12, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • 4K/5K students having a great time learning new games during Playworks session on Thursday with Coach Jena.
  • 4th graders organizing evidence for a literary essay by locating direct quotes to use for their evidence.
  • 5th graders explaining the transfer of energy in the food chain in our ecosystem.
  • 2nd graders explaining the difference between whole rests and half rests in Music. 

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Monday, March 15
    • PD Day, No School
  • Tuesday, March 16
  • Wednesday, March 17
    • Workout Wednesday
    • St. Patrick's Day
  • Thursday, March 18
  • Friday, March 19


Nitty-Gritty

  • PD Day on Monday
    • Click HERE for the agenda for Monday. There are a number of meetings scheduled throughout the day.  You may choose to work from home around those meetings if you would like.  I am sure that you all have very long to-do lists and you will choose the environment that works best for you to complete those tasks!
  • Change to BrainPOP
    • There has been a recent change in how to log into BrainPOP for staff and students. Good news...you no longer have to remember separate login credentials! BrainPOP (including Jr., Espanol, and Francais) is a platform that provides animated movies, engaging learning games, and great vocabulary activities on a variety of topics. They do a great job of explaining a complicated idea in an efficient and entertaining way with most videos less than 5 minutes!
    • Login process for staff and students will take place through Clever. Clever is a tool that connects outside services to our district login system. This means fewer usernames and passwords for you and your students to remember! It is an app on staff and student iPads and it is also located in staff self service bookmarks on laptops. Once you open Clever, log in with your Google credentials. Once logged in, you will see what looks a bit like an app "landing page" that shows all services you can access (BrainPOP, iReady, IXL, PLTW). From this Clever "landing page" you can login to any of these tools with one click!
    • You can find more information about BrainPOP on our staff resource site.
    • You will find great webinars to get you started with BrainPOP in the classroom HERE.
    • You can find information about setting up classes within BrainPOP in order to assign tasks to your students HERE.
  • Sharing with our Families
    • As the school year continues, please share pictures and a sentence or two about the things your students are learning and accomplishing in your classrooms.  Our families love to see these things on FaceBook and Class Dojo.  Email them to Josh Kjornes or myself.
  • Early Bird Students
    • There are some students that are early to school in the mornings.  The doors are on an automatic timer to be unlocked at 7:35 for students to enter for breakfast.  Please do not let students into the building when you enter in the mornings.  There are some students that are arriving in classrooms before teachers return from their morning tasks. The only exception to this is if it is raining or cold, and they are waiting in the vestibules until 7:35am.

Friday Funny




Thursday, March 4, 2021

March 5, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • A 2nd grade student stopped to help a 5K student who was struggling with a knot in her shoelace in the hall.  It was so sweet and kind!
  • 4th graders are so engaged in their book clubs right now.  I wish I could sit in with them every day!
  • Staff members willing to help out with students struggling to regulate emotions, even if it is not their student.  Thank you for the teamwork!
  • Staff members welcoming students that have been absent for a number of days in a row with enthusiasm to let them know they were missed!
  • 5th graders telling me the steps to calming down.  Stop, Name your feeling, calm down.


What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Monday, March 8
    • Black top only recess starts
  • Tuesday, March 9
  • Wednesday, March 10
    • Workout Wednesday
    • Elementary Staff meeting @ 3:00 @ 9203861003 
  • Thursday, March 11
    • Coach Jena from Playworks will be here from 8-12 working with 4K/5K students
  • Friday, March 12
  • Monday, March 15
    • PD day

Nitty-Gritty

  • Bridges Training Update
    • I had an opportunity to talk with a member of the Math center at Cesa #6 this week named Kristine.  She has been working with me on helping me to prepare us for the Bridges implementation.  After sharing with her the PD training that is provided from The Math Learning Center - Bridges, we started talking about the self-study pieces of the training.  Kristine is also a trainer for the Bridges curriculum.  I couldn't resist having another expert, who would be in person, close by during the school year and extremely knowledgeable to help us with our training and learning as well.  What does this mean for the training?  It is the same days, but instead of self study for some parts, there will be a real live person to walk us through it and answer questions.  Below is the schedule again, but added in are the times with Kristine from Cesa 6.
      • 5K-2nd grade: 
        • Monday, June 7, 8:30-11am (Self-study, Sue/Jenny will be at school)
        • Monday, June 7, 12:30-3:00pm (Zoom Session)
        • Tuesday, June 8, 8:30-11am (Zoom Session)
        • Tuesday, June 8, 12:30-3:00pm (Session with Kristine)
      • 3rd-5th grade: 
        • Tuesday, June 8, 8:30-11am (Session with Kristine)
        • Tuesday, June 8, 12:30-3:00pm (Zoom Session)
        • Wednesday, June 9, 8:30-11am (Zoom Session)
        • Tuesday, June 9, 12:30-3:00pm (Session with Kristine)
      • 4K grade:
        • Thursday, June 10, 8am-10pm (Zoom session with Hartford teachers)
    • Finally, there are other schools implementing Bridges this next school year.  I did tell Bridges that we enjoy collaborating and would welcome others to join us during the training as well.  There are a couple of teachers that will be joining the Zoom sessions on June 7-8 from Illinois that I know about.  Just keeping you in the loop.

  • Important BlueJeans Update
    • In order to maintain a safe virtual environment, including prohibiting random people from logging into BlueJeans, there are some changes that will be put into place on all elementary staff's BlueJeans accounts.  These changes will also affect parent and IEP meetings, in addition to students' blended learning environments.
      • Moderators will have a default setting where only the moderator can screen share.  If you need to change this, there is a drop down menu next to the screen share button, uncheck the button.  It is safer to leave the default setting on for most lessons though.
      • All participants to a meeting will need a passcode in order to log in to the meeting.  Click HERE for an updated video from Christina to describe this added security for the BlueJeans meetings.  Click HERE for a pdf of directions.
      • Watch for an email from Brad/Josh next week with a confidential document that lists the passcodes for meeting ID's.  You will want to share this number with students that are logging in to BlueJeans for instruction.
  • Recess Information
    • This past week, we have enjoyed some really great weather for recess.  However, many of our students think that they no longer need to wear coats, boots, etc.  The snow is melting fast and it is getting muddy, wet and kind of messy!  Students should continue to wear boots outside until the snow is completely melted.
    • To help students know how to dress for recess, a general rule of thumb is:  
      • If the temperature is below 40 degrees, winter coats should be worn and a hat/gloves will keep them warm if under 32 degrees.
      • If the outside temperature is above 40 Degrees, students need a jacket, but it does not need to be a winter coat.  
      • If the temperature is above 50, students can go outside with a hoodie/sweatshirt, light jacket, etc.
    • Starting the week of March 8, recess will be blacktop only until there is no melting snow and mud left.
  • Dismissal Updates
    • The buses will move by 2:35 to the MS/HS side each day.  There are some students that are not getting outside early enough to catch the bus before it moves, and have to walk all the way to the other side.  Today I found two fifth graders standing in the commons looking at their cell phone and they barely made it to the buses before they left.  Please have your bus students ready to walk out the door at 2:30, but also that they should go straight there as quickly as they can.
    • Parent Pick-up/Walking students can be dismissed around 2:37pm. Please don't send them earlier than that, as I don't want them to be in the way of the beginning of the parent pick up line procedures.
    • Lastly, please show this short video to students about expectations during dismissal in front of the building.
  • Talent Show
    • Last spring, we were able to hold our annual talent show virtually.  This year, we still can not hold the talent show in person, but a couple of people have asked about it. Is there anyone that would be willing to work on a team to put together another virtual talent show.  Perhaps this year we can record students performing their talent at school, or continue to take submissions, or a combination.  However, we will need support in order to make this happen.  Please click HERE to take a survey regarding your interest.
  • Forward Testing
    • Soon Forward testing planning will begin.  However, there are some changes in the testing that affects the suggested test times.  Click HERE to see a pdf of the changes that were made to these test times.  As soon as more details are finalized, they will be shared.


PD Spotlight

Lately I have spent a lot of time with children that have been struggling to calm down or control their emotions.  I came across this short video that describes for students why they lose control of their emotions.  I find it so fascinating how our brains work, but even more, I find this video gives me the language to help kids understand why this happens and what to do about it.  There is nothing that was totally new to me in the video, but the repetition was such a good reminder of what I know to help me with the kids that I get to see weekly.  They need our help to figure out how to take control of their emotions.  It is a constant battle for all people, not just kids, and they need to know that learning these strategies will help them for a very long time. 

Friday Funny

This week my daughter had to do an assignment where she shared a funny story about herself.  Ella and I had a nice stroll through memory lane trying to come up with a good story for this assignment.  Then, we came across this picture (I have her permission to share), and this picture made us both laugh.  Isn't that the brightest smile ever?!  She has no idea why her dad and I thought it was so hilarious, she just knew she was a pageant queen.  Now that she's 17, she understands the irony of our choice in sash for her Halloween costume!  :-)




Thursday, February 25, 2021

February 26, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • A group of 4K students were reading a short story on the pocket chart practicing 1:1 correspondence and reading visuals.  Their excitement was inspiring and infectious!
  • 5K students were using wholes and parts to determine a missing part.  It's so awesome to see them so engaged.
  • 4th grade students were using the questions to start their answers in complete sentences.  They were getting really good at it!
  • 2nd graders are working in Scratch Jr. to code characters.  They catch on so fast!


What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Monday, March 1
    • Pajama Day (I am Not getting Up Today)
  • Tuesday, March 2
    • Silly Socks Day (Fox in Socks)
  • Wednesday, March 3
    • Tie Dye or favorite color day (My Many Colored Days)
    • Workout Wednesday
  • Thursday, March 4
    • Vacation T-Shirt (Oh, the Places you Will Go)
    • Recess Academy for grades 4K/5K (Times to be determined)
  • Friday, March 5
    • Hat Day (Cat in the Hat)
    • Seals on Wheels starts

Nitty Gritty

  • Guidance with Ganser next week
    • Guidance with Ganser will be canceled the week of March 1 to provide consistency for a group of students this next week.  On Monday morning,  Mindy will send out an email to teachers with links and ideas of things that you can do during your GG time period this next week. 
  • Last Call: Engagement Survey
    • The window closes on Friday, 2/26 for the staff and student engagement survey.  The student engagement survey is for grades 3-5. (See email for the link/QR code for your students.)
    • Dr. Thompson sent the link in an email for the staff engagement survey.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide feedback.  it is so very valuable to us. Click here for survey.
  • Seals on Wheels
    • Starting Friday, March 5, the next round of free dental services is coming to Dodgeland for the students that signed up during registration before school starts.  Because our office area is getting full, this service will be relocated to the distance learning lab near the former tech offices.
    • They will continue into Mon-Wed, 3/1-3/3 until they are able to see every student 4K-12 that has signed up.
  • Heads Up
    • I want everyone to be aware that plans have been developed (that hopefully will never need to be used) to respond to a student's medical needs in our elementary wing.  If this would occur, the elementary would be on an administrative hold and a classroom of students may need to relocate temporarily to the bench in the commons area until they can be moved to a different classroom.  

Friday Funny

I love this!  It just makes me smile!





Thursday, February 18, 2021

February 19, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • A 4K student tried to help a friend to calm down by singing a "Calm Down" song to him.  It didn't work, but it was so kind of him to try.
  • Kindness week has had so many wonderful examples of how kind our students/staff can be with one another.  It would be wonderful if it spills to every week of the year!
  • A 5K student let me listen in while he was reading in the hallway.  He was sounding out CVC words, used the pictures and read the star words automatically.  His pride in his reading was heartwarming!
  • 1st graders were making numbers in more than one way on their marker boards.  When I stopped in, a student in the back row showed me her board and said, "I got this!"  :-)
  • There were so many great conversations around the building this week about the CESA 6 Spring into Success summit.  There were some of you that incorporated your new learning into your rooms already.  I love to hear about this learning and how it is helping you in your classrooms.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Monday, Feb 22
    • Articles for newsletter due (4th gr, 3rd gr, counselor, anyone else?)
    • School board meeting @ 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, Feb 23
  • Wednesday, Feb 24
    • Staff meeting Cancelled
    • Workout Wednesday
  • Thursday, Feb 25
    • Jenny out from 7:30-9am
  • Friday, Feb 26
    • Playworks visit - Coach Jena visits 
    • Engagement survey closes

Nitty-Gritty

  • Engagement Surveys
    • Dr. Thompson sent out an email earlier this week with the link for the employee engagement survey.  Please complete this survey (should take about 10 min.) before Friday, Feb 26 to provide feedback for us on ways to continue to make Dodgeland a great place to be.  
    • If you teach grades 3-5, I sent an email out this week with a link/QR code for students to provide feedback as well.  If you need these links again, please let me know.
    • Finally, thank you for taking the time to do this.  Your feedback and information is not only helpful, it is much appreciated and valued.
  • It's that Time of Year!
    • It seems like every year there is a stretch of time where kids are cooped up inside a lot, they have spent a lot of time together and students struggle to remain regulated more often than a couple of months ago.  This year is unique in that there are limited opportunities for students to see/work/learn/play with students from other classrooms.  Because of this, other unique COVID situations and the time of year, students may seem more emotional or need more breaks or support.  Please continue to practice, teach and help students apply their SEL skills when they are struggling.  I will continue to support you and your students and will reinforce the same messages that you are sending to your students as well.  If you want to brainstorm or talk through any situations, please let me know.
  • Where's Waldo?
    • Or really, maybe it should be "Where's Jenny?" Many of you have expressed to me that you don't know how to find me anymore.  I am diligent about having the radio with me and Marie or Paula can always radio for me.  My phone is connected in the District Office conference room, and I will rarely be by it when it rings.  However, if you leave a voicemail it will come to my email and I can listen to it without being near the phone.  I have used a table in the records room more and more to have a spot to keep limited supplies handy.  Otherwise I am mostly in other classrooms throughout the building.  If you need to see me, the best way to make sure I am in the office and available is to put your name on my calendar.  Click Here for the link.

PD Spotlight

There were so many awesome sessions that I participated in last Monday.  I almost couldn't decide what to talk about this week.  However, the one session that really stood out was the session that I participated in with Sarah Ward regarding executive functioning skills.  It was full of practical ideas to incorporate but also her descriptions felt like she had been in our classrooms at Dodgeland too!  Her website is HERE that has more information.  One of the things that I took away from this was that 9-% of the time task planning takes place in a different space than where the task plan is executed.  How does this translate to students in the classroom?  They need to make a plan (and a visual of themselves doing it) in their heads in a space different from where they actually participate in the task.  I find myself using this a lot when I speak to students in the office.  When they struggle to verbalize what they plan to do next, I know that the transition back to class will not go well.  This provides me information to review provide more support before they return to your classrooms.  I know there were many people that participated in one or both of her sessions on Monday.  If you had other take aways, I'd love to hear them and be sure to share with your colleagues as well!


Friday Funny

I don't know why, but I feel like this is exactly the kind of mistake I would make.





Thursday, February 11, 2021

February 12, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • There are some really fantastic nonfiction writing pieces in the 3rd grade hallway.  Way to go everyone!
  • 5K made the 100th day of school full of lots of fun and engaging activities that had students excitedly describing them (in detail) to me this week!  
  • Teachers reached out to colleagues and me looking for help and to problem-solve.  (See today's PD spotlight to learn more about how awesome this!)
  • Students in art making their own designs and "screen printing" them to paper.  They looked so COOL!
  • A 1st grader explained how to add 7 and 8 when he doesn't have enough fingers and used the strategy of making 10.  SO AWESOME to hear!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Monday, Feb 15
    • PD day  - Spring into Success Summit
  • Tuesday, Feb 16
    • Milwaukee Bucks attire day
  • Wednesday, Feb 17
    • Workout Wednesday
  • Thursday, Feb 18
  • Friday, Feb 19
    • Summer School teaching form due

Nitty-Gritty

  • Bridges Delivery
    • Did you see Kari and Steve bringing that huge pallet to Mrs. O'Toole's room today?  So exciting!  Please let Sue or myself know if you want to help on a committee to organize materials.
  • Monday's Spring into Success virtual summit
    • Kay sent out an email on 2/10 regarding downloading and accessing zoom for Monday's virtual summit.  Click Here for her handout. You should have received an email today (2/11) with directions on how to access the summit.  Please let me know if you didn't get one.
    • Reminder that you can participate in the summit from home.  If you need reliable internet, you can work in the building.  Please be aware though; there will be about 40 people in the building from different companies inspecting the areas of the building that will be renovated, so if you're here there may be distractions depending on where you are at.
  • Diffusers
    • I am aware of some of the research that has been done on the sense of smell and it's connection to memories, feelings of a calm environment, and emotional well-being.  In fact, I have a diffuser in my home and have used it often for some of those specific reasons.  However, at school it is impossible to contain the fragrance from a diffuser to a single classroom, and it has the potential to spread throughout many rooms of the building.  This can potentially cause significant issues with students and adults in our system. (allergies, sinus issues, asthma/breathing/lung issues, etc.). For this reason, please do not use a diffuser at school.  Thank you for your understanding and if you have any questions, please let me know.

PD Spotlight

This last week I listened to the latest episode from Ted Neitzke on his Smart Thinking podcast.  The topic was about asking for help.  He mentioned a brain study that was done regarding this and how the part of the brain that is triggered when you ask for help is the same sensory area of the brain that is activated when you feel pain.  So asking for help really is painful for some, which is why so many avoid it! On the flip side, offering to help and the person accepting your help activates a part of our brain that relates to pleasure and reward. There are ways to address this and that is what I am hoping we are building here as a team at Dodgeland. The more often we can ask and give help to others, the more we build healthy relationships with those around us and build a consistent climate of working together.  I know that I am not super good at this yet, but I will continue to reflect and work on this. How can this model help our students as well?  I am reminded of a quote that I heard last week while watching a rerun of Criminal Minds: 

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. ~ James Baldwin

Hmmm, makes you think huh?  (If the Criminal Minds reference seems weird, they end almost every episode with some reflective or inspiring quote.  Ella is a mega fan of this show, and she got me hooked on it too!)

Friday Funny

This week my Friday Funny is a quick story from working with one of our 4K students.  I am learning so much about this age group since starting this job!

Today I was working with a student and I figured out something that I didn't understand or could do very well before. (I don't want to publicly share what it is, but if you ask me I will tell you.  It's just a TAD embarrassing!) Anyway, I told this student that I finally figured out how this works!  I looked at him and said, "I'm learning something new today. Can you see my brain growing?"

He looks at me really seriously and with wide eyes, says, "Yep!  It is growing!"  Then he gives me a smile and says, "Can I learn it too?"



Thursday, February 4, 2021

February 5, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • 5K students are so proud of their writing pieces and sharing it with their families!
  • Staff helping out others throughout the week.  When we work together everyone feels good and our students benefit greatly!
  • 3rd graders were using fraction bars to prove statements about fractions.  They noticed that the bigger the denominator the smaller the fraction bar was. Their math language was so strong!
  • 1st graders were playing a fun game in intervention to practice reading high frequency words.  They were so engaged in their learning.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Saturday, Feb 6
    • Wrestling Sectional held at Dodgeland 
      • (Please do not plan to come in to the building on Saturday.  Due to the sectional meet and the COVID protocols, there are no spectators allowed and a limited number of people will be allowed entry into the building to maintain a safe environment for all.)
  • Monday, Feb. 8
    • Coloring Contest begins (see below)
  • Tuesday, Feb 9
  • Wednesday, Feb 10
    • WorkOut Wednesday
    • Elementary Staff meeting at 3pm @ BlueJeans 9203861003
  • Thursday, Feb 11
  • Friday, Feb 12

Nitty-Gritty

  • Dismissal Next Week
    • Next week the weather forecast is calling for very cold temperatures.  This is probably going to increase the number of parents coming to school to pick-up students.  In order to avoid the back up on Hwy 26 that we have had 2-3 times this week, we are going to dismiss bus riders at 2:25pm so that the buses can move to the MS/HS side earlier than normal to avoid back up on Hwy 26. Please help your students remember to take everything with them and to get to the bus quickly and carefully.  
      • We will not give notice for parent pick-ups as earlier though because they do not need to arrive earlier.  That would not help us solve this issue.
  • Coloring Contest
    • Dodgeland High School's Skills USA president contacted me about a coloring contest that they are sponsoring the week of Feb 8.  The sheets will be handed out on Monday and are due on Friday, Feb 12.  This might be an option during any potential indoor recesses this week! :-)
  • Read Across America
    • This week we will celebrate Read Across America, although in a different way than in past years the week of March 1.  Cathy has a special menu planned for March 2 in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday.  If you would have any ideas for dress up days that week, please let me know.  
  • Blended Learning Expectations
    • At the elementary level, a letter has gone out in the mail and in the last newsletter regarding blended learning.  It seems like there may be some confusion for elementary parents. I will share another update with all families that explains that blended learning is for students quarantined, ill with communication for participating in blended learning or unique situations where students have been approved to be online.  Elementary teachers do not have to be logged on to BlueJeans for class unless they have students learning online because of one of these reasons.  The blended learning has been utilized for other reasons in the past semester and it has been problematic for student engagement and habits of school attendance that is not due to being ill or COVID symptoms.
  • Bridges Math Training update
    • The training dates for Bridges has been set for this summer.  
      • 5K-2nd grade is Mon/Tues, June 7-8 from 8am-3pm, 
      • 3rd-5th grade is Tues/Wed, June 8-9 from 8-3pm
      • 4K teachers are Thursday, June 10 from 8-10am.
    • There is a part of each day that is self study and parts that are live on Zoom.  A document will be shared with teachers this involves with specific details, but wanted you to have the dates for you to schedule now.


Friday Funny

Is anyone else a fan of the old cartoon, Dexter's Laboratory?  My oldest daughter, Lexi, LOVED this show when she was a kid and it was one of the few that I could sit through with her.  When I saw this meme, it made me giggle.  If you don't know this show, you should really check it out!  :-)




Thursday, January 28, 2021

January 29, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

  • 1st graders all engaged in reading when I stopped by this week.  It's so awesome to watch students enjoying their books.
  • A visitor shared about how patient and empathetic our staff was working with a student that is struggling by maintaining high expectations, even though it would be much easier to just lower the expectations.
  • 4K students showed me a fantastic creation they built in the block area.  I just love seeing and hearing their pride in their work!
  • 2nd graders shared ideas with one another about how to write their introduction for their informational writing piece.
  • So many students are showing tremendous growth on their i-Ready assessments.  Way to go everyone!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

  • Monday, February 1
    • "Souper" Bowl begins
    • The EL PLTW room is closed; The Tech team will begin moving into the room
  • Tuesday, February 2
  • Wednesday, February 3
    • Workout Wednesday
  • Thursday, February 4
    • Jenny is at a virtual Conference 8am-12pm
  • Friday, February 5
    • National Wear Red Day
    • Jenny is at a virtual Conference 8am-12pm


Nitty-Gritty

  • End of the Day Reminders
    • The number of cars that are waiting to get into the school circle drive is increasing every week. It is very important that the buses are able to move to the MS/HS side as soon as they can because cars are backing up to Hwy 26.  This is causing traffic issues and has the potential for causing an accident.  Please help make sure that your bus students are getting out to the bus as quickly as they can.  They should be ready to leave the building at 2:30, so that everyone is outside by 2:35pm and the buses can move.  This will allow our elementary parents to get into the circle drive sooner and avoid cars backed up on the highway.  If you have any questions, please let me know.
  • "Souper" Bowl Begins
    • Our annual "Souper" Bowl will begin next week.  The flyer is here.  Thank you to Sue O'Toole for organizing this for us.  If you can, please share with your families.
  • February P/T Conferences
    • Just a reminder, Parent Teacher conferences are canceled this month. However, it is important that you keep families informed on how your students are doing in school.  Please share their progress in writing (digitally or paper) by March 1.  This also may be their most recent i-Ready scores.  Please email when you have sent this to families.
  • April Hygiene Lessons for Primary grades
    • Later this semester, there will be student nurses from Maranatha at Dodgeland working with Lynnae.  They will be doing hygiene lessons with some of our grades at the elementary on April 15 and April 22.  Lynnae will be in contact with teachers as the dates get closer.
  • Summer School Reminder
    • Summer school is planned for June 14-July 22, Monday-Thursday from 8-11:55.  If you would like to teach this summer, please fill out this google form.  If you are unsure or have any questions, please let me know.
  • Fridays
    • It has come to my attention that there might be some misunderstandings about the time staff can leave on Friday afternoons.  Earlier this year (9-11-20) I had sent an email about this, but it has been awhile and thought I would give everyone a friendly reminder.  The time remains at 3pm for staff to leave.  (Although, if you have a goose pass or you use flex time, this may be different for some of you on specific days.)


PD Spotlight

This week's PD Spotlight is a little different than previous weeks.  In the past week or so, I have had many conversations with others, (including this teenage girl that looks and acts like me!) that have reminded of the Brene Brown videos that I have watched over the past few months.  (You can even find her on netflix now!). But as much as I try to model vulnerability and respectful discourse in my professional life, my personal life allowed me to see it in person.  I watched my daughter tell me something that I know was hard for her to say to me, she worried about hurting my feelings, but it was her truth and I needed to hear it.  I have never been more proud of her in my life.  While I have some reflecting to do and most definitely some changes to make, I have to say, she has taught me a lot about vulnerability and courage this week.  Here is a 5 min. video that just made me think and thought I would share it with you.


Friday Funny

This is me every. single. day.