Madison Middle School

Brace yourselves 🙂 I moved some things around and changed a bit of the formatting in the blog. Hopefully this makes things easier to find. The week’s schedule is first to avoid having to scroll all the way down to find out when meetings and events are this week. It’s now also in a table to take up less vertical space. I’ve also split the blog into three sections. The first is for Madison-specific information, with this week’s info first and future into after that. The second section is district-wide information. The third is for professional learning articles and videos and any other information that doesn’t fit in the first two sections. The last piece is the schedule for the following week. 

This Week’s Schedule:

MADISON INFORMATION

• Climate Team Update: In an effort to infuse a bit of energy into kids, and hopefully get some screens on, climate team has decided to organize a spirit week for the 9th-13th. Please see Kellen’s email for more details and watch for a possible teaser, from Tim’s theater kids, to share with classes.

• District Distribution Dates: If you have anything you wanted to hand out, please work with your team to prepare for distribution on Thursday, November 5.

• Student Global Announcements: We have learned how to make global announcements on Canvas.  If you want anything announced to the whole school, please let Gina or Peter know.
                         

DISTRICT INFORMATION   

• District Admin Update: At last week’s school board meeting, the board postponed their superintendent search for another year, so Cydney Vandercar will continue to serve as acting superintendent for the 2021-22 school year.
                       
• Talent Ed Goal Setting: Please have all your goals done by Monday.
       
• Receiving materials from families: Below is an email from Dawn Strong about the protocols for receiving items from students and families. As we are now approximately one month into the school year we are hearing that there are parents/guardians/students who are showing up at schools for a variety of reasons. It may be to exchange equipment, turn in necessary materials or documentation, or to pick something up for their student(s). While we don’t want to turn any parents/guardians/students away, and our preference is that meetings are pre-scheduled, we also know that there are times when they arrive unannounced. When this happens employees must follow the guidelines below:
  • The employee who interacts with the parent/guardian/student must be wearing a face covering.
  • If the parent/guardian/student is delivering an item to the school, the employee must also be wearing gloves.
  • Meet the parent/guardian/student outside the building. Do not bring them inside. 
  • Maintain at least 6 ft of distance from them at all times.
  • Never take something directly from the person who is dropping it off.
  • Preference – Have a table set up outside the front of your school and have the item(s) placed onto the table. Once the person steps back, the employee will pick up the item(s) using gloves and take it into the building where it will be placed in a designated location to sit untouched for 24 hours, or until it can be cleaned and sanitized (wiped down). 
  • The employee will remove the gloves and then go wash their hands.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND OTHER INFORMATION    

• Educator Appreciation (Papa John’s): The owner of the two Eugene Papa John’s locations is offering 40% off to all educators (certified, classified, and admin) has both of his locations. Use the code EUCTEACH when you order online or by phone. The code will be good through the end of the year.

What’s Coming Next Week: 

Wishing everyone a restful weekend.

Gina and Peter

October 19-23

• Week’s Thoughts: The load this year is more than it has ever been. The load at Madison has always been even heavier because of the students we love so much who experience so many things other kids don’t have to deal with. Adding distance learning, full of its own unique weight, to the burdens we carry, and it may feel like too much. We want to encourage you on the weekends, long weekends, and the coming breaks to use your “out of office” feature on email, try and step away, and make time for the things that bring you joy. You are all doing the impossible and even superheroes need time away to recharge. We all deserve clear boundaries between our work and private lives and education is very good at blurring those lines. 
     
• Attendance Update: Some information from this week’s admin meeting:
  • Autodialers will happen only on Mondays and will begin next Monday.
  • We aren’t doing truancy this year. Instead 4J staff that does truancy will be conducting wellness checks for students who haven’t been connected.
  • Please ask parents to use the absence line (4343) when reporting an absence, so it gets into Synergy. Despite being CDL, only parents can request an excused absence. 
  • Please be sure to document your attempts to reach students in the Synergy Student Contact Log.

• Updated Tech Use Policy: Linked here is the English version of the tech use policy. We are waiting on the Spanish version. We’ll include it in the next WAG for parents, but it’s a good idea to review it with students. If an iPad breaks, the district will replace the first one for free, but a 2nd replacement means the family pays 50% of the cost, and with every subsequent replacement, the family pays 100%. The iPads and cases with chargers run about $500.             

• COVID Protocols and Updates: As there have been a few COVID cases in 4J schools, here are a few updates and reminders regarding Return to Work protocols.
  • Home Visit Approval Required – Home visits are allowed, but require prior approval from downtown, so let us know if you need to visit a family and we’ll seek approval for you. It sounds like they’re working on a system where possibly our truancy officer checks in on families as home visits are a routine part of their job and, since we aren’t doing truancy right now, having them shift to this role makes sense. At another school, there is a staff member in quarantine after a 20 minute contact with a parent during a home visit who later tested positive.
  • Deliveries to Families Not Allowed – Schools are no longer allowed to deliver supplies, devices, or food boxes to families. If this is a need, there is a ticket system for administrators to request a delivery. After each materials distribution, we’ll use this service to get materials to students. Let us know if you have a need.
  • Shared Equipment – One outbreak at an elementary school may have been the result of transmission by staff sharing equipment that had not been disinfected. Try not to share equipment, like a copier, paper cutter, refrigerator, or even typing on someone else’s computer, disinfect it after you’ve touched it.
  • Face Coverings – Face coverings are worn over your nose and mouth, are required upon entry to school, when completing the sign in/out, and when working and moving about in common areas. You are not required to wear a face covering when working privately in an office or classroom. However, when working with colleagues, a face covering must be worn in the 6′ (and preferably 10′) physical distancing requirement cannot be met. If another employee asks you to wear a face covering while interacting at a distance greater than 6 feet apart, you are encouraged to follow their reasonable request. Employees may choose to wear a face covering at all times if they so desire. Face shields may be an additional (optional) barrier of protection, but must be accompanied by a face covering when within 6′ of another person. Linked here is additional information on face coverings.
  • Sign-In Log – Please write your name legibly and also be sure to use your legal name, not a nickname. Also, the log has changed a bit and now has a column for your last name and another for your first. If we need to identify staff to quarantine, these logs will be essential.
  • Notify Gina of COVID Symptoms or Exposure – If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, are being tested for COVID, or have potentially been exposed to someone who possibly has COVID, please call, email, or text Gina. When that happens, the staff member will be asked to telework, we will notify the appropriate district staff, and those who were in close contact may also be asked to telework as a precaution.

• Talent Ed Goal Setting: We’ll work on building goals people can copy and paste, but the district has also provided a template for writing an SEL focused goal for this year. If you haven’t yet done your self-assessment, please do so as soon as you can.
       
• Repeat: Political Statements – Linked here are the updates from Kerry Delf on Political Activity and from Cydney Vandercar on Black Lives Matter. Additionally, Kerry shared this guide on elections for public officials.
                       
• Oct 23 Professional Development/Progress Report Day:
  See calendar below for schedule.
       
• 4J Student Services Newsletter: If you’re interested, linked here is a copy of the latest 4J Student Services Newsletter that was sent to SSD staff and principals.
       

Schedule of Upcoming Events: 

October 19 (M) – A Day
8:00 – TLC

October 20 (T) – B Day
8:00 – 6th Grade GLT
10:45 – 7th and 8th Grade GLT

October 21 (W) – A Day

October 22 (Th) – B Day

October 23 (F)
No School:
8:00 – 10:00 QPR training – Zoom
10:00 – 11:15 Canvas Module 6
11:15 – 11:45 OEA Survey
11:45 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 4:00 Progress Reports to be complete by Monday morning

October 26 (M) – A Day

October 27 (Tu) – B Day

October 28 (W) – Flex Day
8:00 – Climate and Equity
Parent Teacher Conferences from 4:30 to 8

October 29 (Th)
Parent Teacher Conferences 8 to noon
Building PD 1 – 4

October 30 (F)
Building PD 8 – 10-:30
Afternoon – Flex for Wednesday evening

Have a restful weekend!
Peter and Gina

We have a feeling we’ll never take a “regular” start to school for granted again. What you all accomplished these last two weeks is nothing short of incredible. We know you gave up entirely too much of your own time to make this happen. We hope you are able to rest this weekend and spend some time doing things you love. 

Reflection for the Week: This work is incredibly hard, the reinvention of how we provide an education has been darn near impossible, and the constant changes have been infuriating at times. We don’t want to offer meaningless platitudes. Just know we see how hard you all are working, what you’re sacrificing for this work, and how you’re doing the near impossible. We see you giving yourselves and each other grace. We see you trying really hard to laugh through the frustrating times and helping each other get through this first week. This village we’ve built is part of the reason we believe we’re all willing to show up each day. Continue to be there for one another, borrow strength and ideas from each other, and take each step forward together.

Applied Learning:  Students complete this work on their own schedule. While we cannot call it homework (it won’t count as minutes for ODE if we say it’s homework), it’s similar to what we might assign for homework. 

• Please remind students that they need to be interacting with Canvas or Zoom EVERY DAY for EVERY CLASS; Zoom for after noon classes, and Canvas in the morning for “yesterday’s” classes. 

Open House: For Tuesday evening (6:30-7:30), please put some though into what you’d like to present to families. Connect with your team to determine if you’d like to submit a couple of slides to your GL host (Peter -6, Gina-7, Anne-8) to be included in the slide deck. The host will take care of screen sharing, etc. Each teacher will have 5-6 to introduce yourself, share broad strokes of content and curriculum, and 

Supply & Materials Distribution: We will be distributing class materials on Friday 10/9, using the assistance of several EAs. Teams, please compile any and all materials that you want your student to have into a ziplock or paper grocery bag. Bags will need to be labeled with the student name and grade. If you would like the office to print labels for you, let Queenie know by Tuesday afternoon at the latest. 

COVID Reminders: Some of our 4J buildings are beginning to see positive COVID cases and cases in our area are increasing. Please remember a few key things to help keep yourself and others safe:

• Entrance: Only use the front office entrance, OR the back custodial hallway entrance, and sign in/out every day you’re in the building. 
• Visitors: We haven’t had an issue, but please remember we cannot have visitors or volunteers in the building. 
• Safety Protocols: Wear your mask in your work space when you cannot maintain 6′ (and preferable 10′) of space between colleagues, when walking around the room, and when out of your work space. Wipe down your workspace regularly and any shared spaces you use. 
• Report Illness: Please let us know if you are being tested for COVID or if you have symptoms that are concerning. Your privacy is incredibly important, and we also have to ensure everyone’s safety. Staff can transition to telework while waiting the results of COVID tests.

Building Usage: Beginning in a week or so, one or both of the gyms will be used by child care programs for elementary aged kids. They will be using a separate entrance and will be entirely confined to the gym and gym restrooms. Additionally, 4J is working to create internet hubs for students who cannot get/maintain a consistent wi-fi connection or for our McKinney-Vento students who need a quiet workspace. These hubs are only allowed to operate for two hours per day at a site.  Madison is not designated as an internet hub, but if you have a student who might benefit from an internet hub, please let Peter know. The hubs will be limited to 5-10 students and 1-2 EAs to supervise. 

Ready to Learn Infographics: These graphics can be shared with families or with students during instruction. Spanish versions are on their way. 5 Tips for Creating A Home Workspace 7 Tips for Creating Good Home Study Habits Ready To Zoom It’s a good idea to include a message that says something to the effect of “If these work for your family.” We’ve heard from some families who are having a hard time providing quiet, separate work spaces for students. Reminding families that having students sit with their backs to the walls prevents others from unintentionally ending up on screen and leaving the room for phone calls means we won’t all be listening in 🙂

Meal Deliveries Start October 12: Families that indicated they need help with food can sign up to have meals delivered if they aren’t able to access our daily lunch pick up. Priority will be given to current 4J families and food will not be delivered outside of the 4J boundaries. Families can visit this link for more information about the program and complete the form here to sign up for deliveries. The district wants to target families who are not close to food distribution sites or who cannot get to distribution sites due between 10:45 and 2pm for lunch pick up.

Master Resource List: Here is a link to a master list of all our community resources. There is a ton of information here for staff as well as some pieces that could be helpful for families. While we are not sharing this link with families, you can pull particular links to forward to families if they need them. The district has hired a social worker, Maria Covernali, who will help coordinate our district wrap around supports.

SPED Referrals during CDL: Here is a quick reference sheet from SSD about considerations we should think about if talk of a SPED evaluation arises for a student. Please loop Peter and Gina in on any conversations families might be having with you around requesting a SPED evaluation.

New Process for 504 Requests – 4J is seeing an uptick in the amount of parents requesting 504 evaluations. In response to this, all requests for NEW 504 evaluations will be routed through the District 504 Coordinator. If you receive a call from a parent for a NEW 504 evaluation, explain to the parent we are centralizing the referral process and ask them to call SSD (541-790-7800). If you receive the request in an email, forward it to thomas_de@4j.lane.edu and indicate “New 504 Request” in the subject line. Please also let Anne know so she can follow up if needed. SSD staff have been trained on the procedures to complete child-find obligations and will work with the District 504 coordinator to that end. In addition, district-initiated referrals are also being routed through the District 504 coordinator. The linked Centralizing New 504 Request Process Document articulates the process for both parent-initiated and district-initiated 504 requests.

Talent Ed – We put this way down here because we know no one wants to think about this right now. We’ll work to carve out some PLC or staff meeting time to work on goal setting, but in all your free time (note the sarcasm), if you could complete your self-assessments in TalentEd,(if you have not already done it) that would help get things started. All certified staff will be evaluated this year using the new Instructional Framework tool. Also, rather than use the very confusing Year 1/Year 2 designation, they’ve switched to Formative (informal evaluations only) and Summative (informal and formal evaluations) to describe how certified staff will be evaluated. You shift from one to the other on a rotation each year. We’ll send out more information and begin scheduling meetings as soon as we’ve wrapped our head around how this will all go down this year.

Distance Learning Activities for Zoom –  This quick blog post from Lindsay, The Not So Wimpy Teacher, shares some quick and easy games to play with kids. These are great for short breaks during online learning time as well. 

P.S. Zoom put out an update that allows you to upload a slide deck as the background of your video. Linked here is a video tutorial of how to drop the pages of your read aloud into a slide deck, upload it to Zoom, and then present it. It’ll pop up in the corner of your screen and you’re inside the book! You can do the same with the slide deck you’re using to teach if you want. 

Schedule of Upcoming Events: 

October 2 (F)
Custodian Appreciation Day! We treated Jim and Curtis to a small sweet treat, to let them know how much we all appreciate them.

October 5 (M)
A Day

October 6 (T)
B Day
Open House Zoom 6:30-7:30

October 7 (W)
A Day
7:00, School Board Meeting

October 8 (Th)
B Day

October 9 (F)
No School, State In-Service Day (non-contract day)

We hope everyone has a restful weekend.

Peter and Gina