https://blogs.4j.lane.edu/madisonstaff/2020/05/17/may-18-2020/
We’re in the home stretch – although I doubt it feels like that right about now. You’re doing amazing things, my friends. Only educators could take what we’ve been given and make it work. Please know that we see how hard you are working to connect with kids and keep the learning engaging and manageable. Thank you!
- Job Expo Updates – All of our open positions remain open. They will either be filled through the Early Hire Pool or will move to external hiring.
- Repeat: Summer Clean Out – Downtown is having schools begin “Phase II” of closing out for the school year and packing up so custodial staff can begin summer cleaning. The request is to have your room ready by May 22, but please contact Peter if that date isn’t feasible for you. Please add the date and time you’ll be in to prep your room to this sheet and email Peter and Jim when you are coming into the building. While in the building, please follow the required social distancing guidelines including entering through the office, signing in, and maintaining distance from others. Gloves and masks are not required and you may bring help, but continue following social distancing requirements. This clean out is work time, so regardless of when you do it, please be sure to compensate by assigning less, using your office hours time, etc. Please know the intention isn’t to do all your usual work AND clean out your classroom. I know the timing isn’t ideal as you usually do this work the day after kids leave. The district’s intention is to get buildings closed down early to save money given next year’s budget shortfalls, but that doesn’t make it any less challenging for you. Thank you for being flexible! Also, if you’ll need to use your classroom after May 22 for wifi or other reasons, please let Peter know. We will definitely be able to accommodate you.
Here is the Staff Check Out 2020 document with more information about preparing your classroom for summer, checking out your technology, and other info.
- 8th Grade Promotion – A middle school team is developing a menu of activities that we can choose from. The two goals are to a) do less than what high school is doing and b) have similar offerings so one building isn’t outdoing another with their ceremonies and activities. It sounds like our current plan of a drive-thru type event where kids would drive through a clapping, socially distanced staff celebration and receive a certificate will be allowed. Additionally, most schools are buying shirts for their kids, so that may also be part of our plan. It has been determined that middle and elementary schools cannot do yard signs as those will be for high schoolers. Once we have the guidance, we’ll get to planning!
- Technology Check Out – Linked here is the 4J Technology Check Out Form for any staff wanting to take technology home over the summer.
- Transitions – 8th graders will hear from North this week and we’ll be zooming with 5th graders this week about transitions to middle school. We are also working on Google forms for all students to indicate their elective preferences.
- Lottery – The district is in the final stages of determining how many students will be able to “lottery in” to other schools. We have been asked to provide our current projections and staffing (class sizes). With the likely upcoming budget crisis, additional staffing isn’t likely, so we want to err on the side of caution and not take more kids than we can reasonably accommodate.
- Retention Process – Should this come up, the state is not allowing any student to be retained, either by parent or teacher request, as a result of the current shutdown. However, if concerns existed prior to the shutdown, the district’s retention policy and guidelines should be followed. Please let us know if any families have made any requests for retention.
- Repeat: Technology Support for Families – The Tech Dept is asking teachers to share the following information with families:
Technology Support for Families
Website with documentation and quicksheets
https://technologysupport.4j.lane.edu
Support Request Form
https://technologysupport.4j.lane.edu/student-support/
Families should feel free to continue emailing or leaving a voicemail with 4J Tech Support, but the above link will get the fastest response. The most common support solutions will be in PDF form and linkable from the above website.
- Schedule of Upcoming Events:
May 18 (M)
9:30am, Focus Class meeting
10:30-1:15, Madison Team does lunches at Awbrey Park
11-12:00, Student Lunch
1-2:45pm, Office Hours on Zoom with periods 1-3
May 19 (T)
10:30-1:15, Madison Team does lunches at Awbrey Park
11-12:00, Student Lunch
1-2:45pm, Office Hours on Zoom with periods 4-6
May 20 (W)
9:30, Focus Class Meeting
10:30-1:15, Madison Team does lunches at Awbrey Park
11-12:00, Student Lunch
May 21 (H)
10:30-1:15, Madison Team does lunches at Awbrey Park
11-12:00, Student Lunch
May 22 (F)
10:00am, Staff Meeting
10:30-1:15, Madison Team does lunches at Awbrey Park
11-12:00, Student Lunch
4pm, Attendance Due
May 25 (M)
Memorial Day – No School
May 26 (T)
9:30, Focus Class Meeting
11-12:00, Student Lunch
1-2:45pm, Office Hours on Zoom with periods 1-3
May 27 (W)
9:30, Focus Class Meeting
11-12:00, Student Lunch
1-2:45pm, Office Hours on Zoom with periods 4-6
May 28 (H)
11-12:00, Student Lunch
May 29 (F)
9:30, Focus Class Meeting
10:00am, Optional Staff Check In
11-12:00, Student Lunch
4pm, Attendance due
Hope you have a great week!
