Madison Middle School

By barsotti_p 　https://blogs.4j.lane.edu/madisonstaff/2021/04/02/april-2-2021/

Hi Madison Staff,

I hope you were able to relax and recharge over Spring Break. I had an awesome time in Moab playing at two National Parks, mountain biking plus taking my Jeep on some great trails.

It’s amazing to think that it’s been a full year since we last had in person classes and we are only a week away from welcoming them back. I, for one, cannot wait!

Here’s what’s happening this week:

This Week’s Schedule:

Quick Links: Please make sure you’re signed into your 4J Google Account to access many of these links.

• SPED/Gen Ed Collaboration Log – Complete the full log at the beginning of each unit. Complete the last 2 questions weekly for students on IEPs who are not engaging or are not on track.
• COVID Protocol Suggestion Box – Please add any suggestions or concerns here.
     

MADISON INFORMATION               

• Focus Slides
  • There only two days of Focus this week.  Both days are focused around teaching behavior expectations when students return to school.
  • Please make sure to go over and post these slides and watch the video.
  • Our guess is that there will be a lot of questions, please allow time for it
• Hybrid Planning Updates:
  • Updated 3 Foot Guidance: ODE has adopted the three-foot social distancing guidance for students. The guidance still says adults and children should remain 6′ apart as much as possible. This is recommended guidance and we haven’t heard yet if 4J will also adopt it and if there will be any significant changes.
  • 4 Day weeks–  In the three 4 day weeks we will run a ABAB schedule for the week.  Those weeks are May 3rd, May 31st, and June 14th
  • As you know, next Wednesday (April 7th) is a day for you to be prepping for hybrid.  If at all possible, I would like you to have your classroom furniture ready for students by the end of Wednesday.  The reason for this is it allows Jim enough time to help solve any problems before Monday.  Once your furniture is all set, I recommend practicing cleaning your desk and chairs a couple of times to see how long it will take you.  If you do not think your classroom furniture will be ready, please reach out to me and I will try to get you some help.
  • In Person Health Screening: As students enter and sit down, teachers need to ask each student the following two questions.
    • Are you feeling okay?
    • Have you felt anything that’s different for you in the last few days?

If students answer yes to either question, and follow up questioning indicates they may be ill, they are escorted by an adult to room 504. Call the office if you need assistance.          

• • District Provided Masks: A bag of masks was left in your staff box. These are the masks the district provided and each staff member should receive 2 of them. If you happened to grab your two, no worries! If you grabbed more than two, please let me know as I’ll need to replace them. The bag is now in my office if you’d like to stop by and pick up your masks. They are optional so please feel free to continue wearing and bringing your own.
       
  • CHANGE: Food Box Deliveries: Food boxes will be available by delivery only. There will no longer be walk up meal sites for students. Please connect families with Anne T if they’d like to sign up for food box deliveries.
          
  • Evacuation Drills: We are required to have a fire drill within the first 10 days of students returning. We’ll also need to do them twice so each cohort has a chance to practice. I’ll share out more information at a later date.
          
  • Hand Sanitizer: There will be hand sanitizer dispensers in each wing. Downtown is only providing classroom sanitizer bottles for rooms without sinks. Best practice is for kids to wash their hands for 20 seconds, however if you would like a bottle of sanitizer, I will provide one.

• Weekly Check In: Don’t forget that the weekly check in includes a space to celebrate each other.  I’d like to know how you’re doing and be able to offer support for those who need it. Here are the shout-outs from last week: 
  • Appreciating all the open, struggle in working through the tough stuff is see in our staff.
  • Thank you Kellen for always answering my tech questions (or trying to:)

DISTRICT INFORMATION

• Start Date for 2021-22 School Year: Karen Hardin sent an email on March 18 notifying all staff of the district’s intention to call certified staff back to work on Monday, August 30. This is two days earlier than normal. We will have two additional days of professional development and staff will be compensated at their per diem rate for those two days. I don’t have exact information, but my hunch is we will be kicking off our literacy training, which I am very excited about. If you already have plans made, please let me know, otherwise please mark this in your calendar as your return to work date. If you’re interested, linked here is the proposed calendar for next year. The first day of school would be Friday, September 10th with the day before being a proposed transition day for students.
           
• Repeat: ACE Award Nominations: In a year like no other, consider recognizing a colleague for an ACE award. Nominations can be made in three categories: teachers and licensed specialists, administrators and supervisors, and classified staff. Nominations are due by April 15th. Linked here is the ACE Awards email and the ACE Awards Nomination webpage.    

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND OTHER INFORMATION

• Washington Ethnic Studies Now, in collaboration with the University of Oregon, with funding provided by the Educator Advancement Council, is offering a professional development series on critical race theory, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and ethnic studies during three class sessions to be offered virtually via Zoom scheduled from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 22, 23, and 24, 2021. Teachers will be provided with professional development units and a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the course, and $200 in books and materials for the classroom. The course will be engaging and interactive. The goal across the three days will be to actively involve participants in the exploration of race and critical consciousness and to incorporate these new concepts into professional practice. 
  Registration link:
  https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6L1N2EgiPq6BpwG
• When Young Children Return to the Classroom: This Edutopia Article takes a look at how one first grade teacher created routines and fostered a safe, nurturing environment for her students. Below is the short version of the strategies she found helpful:
  • Make safety protocols fund
  • Offer flexible seating
  • Provide individual storage tubs
  • Use a long rope for moving as a group
  • Create a peaceful learning environment
  • Focus on social and emotional connection
  • Lower your expectations (It’s a big shift – things won’t be “normal)
  • Get outdoors 
• What’s Coming Next Week: 1st Week of Hybrid

Please let me know if you need anything or have any questions or concerns.

Peter and Gina