April 6, 2020

By Allan  

 

Hello Everyone,

Well this week has been a rollercoaster! I included notes below from today’s Optional Staff Check-In Zoom Meeting.

Things continue to be very fluid and seem to change daily. In some ways I hesitate to send daily updates because things are so fluid and continue to change, but I also think a lack of communication is probably worse. Hopefully I’m not overwhelming people with information. Below are is the most recent plans and info.

Nine items of note for this week:

• Help for Tech Distribution Prep, Monday & Tuesday – Jyllian and I can use help Monday and Tuesday 8:00-12:00 pulling iPads from COWs and classrooms. Jyllian will actually be at River Road these days, but I’ll be here to help direct things and I can use help pulling devices, pulling chargers, putting names on iPads, and putting them in the STEAM Room alphabetical by last name. From there, Jyllian will inventory devices, wipe them down, add chargers, and bag & label them for pick-up. If you can help sign-up on the iPad Distribution Sign Up.

• Remote Learning: Time to Slow Down – Watch for a joint email from EEA and 4J Admin regarding slowing down the remote learning rollout. More information will be coming, but generally speaking, 4J had a far more intensive remote learning plan and after reviewing the ODE pivot, it’s a much smaller amount of “Teacher-Led” (reading, writing, math) time:

K-1: 45-minutes
2-3: 60 minutes
4-5: 90 minutes

And “Teacher-Led” does not mean Zoom meetings with students. It just means teacher planned activities. The state is also requiring “Supplemental Activities” and “Health & Wellness” learning, but those portions of remote learning will be led by students and families from a list of suggested activities they will be provided. Music & PE will likely go under Supplemental Activities and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) actives will likely go under “Heath & Wellness”

Still, this plane is most definitely being build while it’s flying, while school districts continue to get new guidance from the state, so stay tuned, but for now, enjoy a moment to catch your breath.

• Request for Teacher Leaders – Related to the above, the 4J Elementary ODE Team, made up of EEA Reps and building administrators (including myself), is working plan to meet ODE’s guidelines and expectations. Grade level team leaders (I’m leading the 3rd grade group) are looking for classroom teachers who might be interested in working in some capacity on this plan. The work can/may include: developing guidelines for their grade level in regards to minutes of teacher-led instruction, examples of supplemental learning opportunities, determining the essential standards the grade level should focus on for the remainder of the year, and sample lessons that follow the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) mandate from the state. Please note that right now this work is eligible for flex time per the union’s recommendation. There will not be extended contract for this work at this time. Let me know if you’d like me forward your name to be one one of the grade level teams.

• Student Packets – We now have packets for KG, 1st, 2nd, and 3-5 packets. The plan is they will be distributed at meal sites. However, this is a very fluid time, so that plan may change. Downtown is also looking for interested teacher leaders who are interested in developing future packets and if you have particular subject matter areas of expertise. See David Jacobsen’s emails (Email #1 and Email #2) for details.

• SSD Updates: Parent Communication & SPED Meetings – If you’re interested, Student Services Director Kat Lange sent a Parent Email and an SSD Teacher Email regarding steps being taken to be in compliance with SPED meetings and deadlines. More details about this will be coming as we wait on state guidance.

• Zoom Security – We are hearing many concerns about privacy and access with teachers using Zoom. Downtown asked principals to share the following link regarding best practice in using this platform with students. Following these precautions, Zoom will be instrumental in maintaining student connection to the school community. Here is another good link.

• Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meetings at 2:00 (MWF) – I’ll plan to hold an Optional Howard Check-In Meeting Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays at 2:00. I’ll cut back from daily meetings to three days a week. I’ll continue to follow-up with an email summary each meeting. See the email or the building calendar for the Zoom Meeting link and phone number.

• Online Version of Sluggo’s Home Run Reading Program – The Ems are launching an online version of Sluggo’s Home Run Reading Program. If you’re interested in your classroom participating, see the above link for details as well as the video below.

• Schedule of Upcoming Events – See the Google Calendar for future events, but here are the events of note for the next two weeks:

April 6 (M)
Begin Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous)
8:00-12:00, iPad Collection & Prep for Distribution
11:00-12:00, Free Meals & Meal Deliver for M-V Families
2:00, Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meeting

April 7 (T)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous)
8:00-12:00, iPad Collection & Prep for Distribution if needed
11:00-12:00, Free Meals

April 8 (W)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous)
11:00-12:00, Free Meals & Meal Deliver for M-V Families
2:00, Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meeting

April 9 (H)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous)
8:00-12:00, iPad Distribution – Last Names A-L
1:00-5:00, iPad Distribution – Last Names M-Z
11:00-12:00, Free Meals

April 10 (F)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous or maybe Synchronous)
8:00-12:00, iPad Distribution – Last Names A-L
1:00-5:00, iPad Distribution – Last Names M-Z
11:00-12:00, Free Meals & Meal Deliver for M-V Families
2:00, Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meeting

April 13 (M)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous & Synchronous)
11:00-12:00, Free Meals & Meal Deliver for M-V Families
2:00, Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meeting

April 14 (T)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous & Synchronous)
11:00-12:00, Free Meals

April 15 (W)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous & Synchronous)
11:00-12:00, Free Meals & Meal Deliver for M-V Families
2:00, Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meeting

April 16 (H)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous & Synchronous)
11:00-12:00, Free Meals

April 17 (F)
Continue Daily Remote Learning (Asynchronous & Synchronous)
11:00-12:00, Free Meals & Meal Deliver for M-V Families
2:00, Optional Howard Check-In Zoom Meeting

As always, please do not hesitate to call, text, or email me if you have questions or if there’s anything I can help you with.

Allan