Do you all realize that Tuesday is December???? I'll say it again TUESDAY IS DECEMBER!!! I can't believe it. I spent my "break" these past couple days focusing on family and "non-work Tim". It was much needed and SOOO good for the soul. Those are two things that I have absolute control over and in a world where we all have been humbled into learning how little we actually have control of, it was like a super power recharge. I hope that all of you were also able to spend some time focusing on the "non work you", family, or just things that you can control. If you didn't, I highly recommend it!
Notes this work are fairly short, but contain a lot of important information. Make sure you take time to read through them AND all the hyperlinks included. As we spend more and more time apart and virtual it will be an absolute must that you read staff notes AND follow through with the things you are asked to do in them. Consider the tasks and things you are asked to do in notes as your "notice", Here are your STAFF NOTES for this week. I know there are many of you out there that are having some anxiety and nerves about tomorrow. I completely understand why this might be...we are embarking on something that none of us have ever done before. I want to really encourage you to think about a few things.
1. Tomorrow is going to have things that don't go right and that is JUST FINE! We will reflect, adjust, and do better next Monday. I can't emphasize it enough. Make your best effort and that is all anyone is asking. 2. You know more than you think you do! We spent time preparing for this exact scenario. It's scary because we haven't done it before not because you aren't capable. You are going to all be surprised at how much you all really do know! 3. You are not alone. EVERY teacher in our district is embarking on this adventure tomorrow. In addition, there are educators all over the state and country going to sleep tonight with the same worries and nerves. We are in this together. 4. Two Days...Lets get through the next two days and then we can adjust and reset! I kept staff notes short tonight. I did write a few things that I think would be most useful tomorrow (attendance and student materials). I'm sure we will all have more questions and adjustments we will want to make next week but its not worth overwhelming everyone tonight. Please read through the things I did write and make sure you read the Family Note from Friday. This will help you answer questions you might get from kids and families. Here are your STAFF NOTES for this week I'm sure many of you tuned into the press conference at 6:00 pm tonight. If you didn't, I would recommend that you find a taped version and watch. There was a lot of important information and things we all need to be aware of.
Those of you that did watch I'm sure the discussion around the closure of HS buildings across the state caught your ear. There is a lot to discuss and figure out at the distric level. At the conclusion of the press conference, I met with Allison and Lauren to discuss the orders. At the moment we have decided to follow the orders precisely and shift the HS to virtual beginning Wednesday. FMS will remain in the Hybrid model for the time being. I will also be transparent and let you know that there is a board meeting tomorrow night and I know that there will be discussion around the future of K-8. Know that any decisions moving forward will come from the Central Office. For now we will focus on moving forward in our current model and control the things we can control. I plan on finalizing our virtual learning model with Lauren and Allison tomorrow. As the final student/family expectations, teacher expectations, and answers to your questions become available I will share them with you. *These documents were done once and already have had to change due to information received tonight. Please plan on meeting in the auditorium Wednesday morning to go over all things virtual. I do recommend spending time this week exploring some possible virtual tools (peardeck, flip grid, etc..) with your students. These tools are best learned by trying and exploring with them. It might not come out perfect and THAT'S OK! (did any of you watch me fumble through PTCFAST?) Trying is how we learn! For this week, I appreciate your grace and flexibility. Here are your STAFF NOTES for this week! Tonight, I am not going to start off my post with an "inspirational" quote asking you to look at the positive side of things. Tonight, I'm going to be vulnerable and honest. Last week was a struggle for me. There were moments when I felt like the job and career I have chosen were not for me. There were moments when I felt completely defeated and beat. Moments when I felt like I had lost all control. I share this with you because I know you have all either been there, are there, or will be there at some point. I share this because I want you all to understand that it is perfectly fine to feel that way. It is times like these when we need to lean on each other and assume good will. Please communicate, reach out, talk to someone when these feelings overtake you. We are all in this fight, we are all facing challenges like we've never seen before. I believe in each and every one of you and I hope that you all believe in me to! TOGETHER is the only way we make it through this cruel, unpredictable time.
Here are you STAFF NOTES for this week! |
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