April 10, 2020

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well 4 weeks into our virtual learning. Next week kicks off a new phase of our virtual learning. As we move towards creating lessons that focus on new content, please remember to consult with the Sped and/or Ell teachers. We want to make sure we have lessons appropriate for those students as well. 

Our biggest debate now in Cabinet is how do we get materials for those who do not have internet at home. The elementary buildings have this a little bit easier, as those teachers see 25-28 kids. Some of you see over 175 students in a day. If you have not had a chance to fill out the google spreadsheet on internet access for your advisory please do so. This document will help Cabinet come up with a plan for those kids without internet. If you do not remember or were not there that day, please contact your  advisory students to see what they have access to. I would start off with an email, and if they don't reply by the time you set, you will want to call home. Again, this information will be extremely important to help us make decisions on what to do for our students. 

Please make sure you have your 2-3 lessons posted by Monday at noon. Dr. Webner did send an email letter to all the district parents informing them of our new direction. We will find out on April 16 what will happen for the rest of the year. The governor stated she would give schools 2 weeks notice so we can have time to plan and prepare. Your guess is as good as anyone on what will happen. 

I am also asking that you make contact with our students to let them know we do miss them. I know the students I have talked with when I have been to Fareway or Hy Vee really want to be back in school. Even some of our students that don't put forth the effort want to be back with us. Many of them are starting to miss the interactions with you and their friends. This could go a long way in helping the social-emotional well being.

Enjoy your 4 day weekend, we would be starting our spring break today.
Mark

Assistant Principal's Happenings

Thank you, everyone, for keeping a positive attitude in these times as we work together to provide students with virtual/distance learning opportunities.  One thing we didn't talk about in the meetings but I thought of was to remember not every kid will/can do the materials as quickly as we expect.  Some may want to but might not get to it until the summer.  Please don't feel too frustrated if you are not getting the numbers of kids you are hoping to reach right away.

I've had some questions about Driver's Education.  If you get students asking over the next couple of weeks please let them know our guidance from the DOT is that we can still hold classes even if they have to be virtual.  Some programs are still driving as well and we have our cars lined up.  As long as the State gives the okay, we will plan on holding it in June and July.

Please continue to support the school communities safely as well.  Many people are currently struggling and many others will be due to the shutdown.  I have heard the stimulus checks will be coming soon.  For your Tiger King fans, I recommend using your stimulus better than this person...