**Please check the Meeting Schedules (in the sidebar) and the calendar at the bottom for information regarding this week's meetings and events. Laptops are not required unless requested. Thank you for leaving them in your classrooms.
***Please bookmark the Mindset link so you can access it easily.
March
29 - April 1- CIS/MSA Preparatory Visit
April
2- Good Friday (School Closed)
5- Easter Monday (School Closed)
12- ES ASA Session 3 scheduled to begin
19 - 23- Spring Break (School Closed)
~from the ES BBE
Heads up, teachers. This segment is a little longer than normal. Sorry! Our students were so thoughtful and reflective, we didn't want to cut any of the conversation. We have whittled it down from its original 20 minutes. If you are interested listening to the full recording, click here. Next week, our grade 1s and 2s share their thoughts.
How are you doing?
It has been great to hear back from you about your experiences during distance learning this year. Some common themes that are coming through include:
- I am learning to let go of things out of my control and accept the messiness.
- I am missing human proximity, yet I am thankful to avoid the commute and public exposure.
- I feel safe at home.
- My small bubble of friends keeps me sane.
- It is challenging to maintain the boundary between personal time and professional responsibilities.
- Distance learning is more manageable this time around for both my students and me.
- Some families are struggling, but most are managing.
- I am worried about ensuring a balance of on-screen and off-screen time for my students.
- I am trying to remain patient waiting for access to the vaccine, and in hopes of family time in the near future.
- I am grateful for the school support network.
Student Voice
We have been considering ways to ensure our students' continued opportunities to share their voices and contribute to the learning experience. We have now completed week 3 of Distance Learning and would like to hear how they are doing. We ask core teachers to help us out in one of their Morning Meetings next week. We ask that you take a poll that includes the following questions and choices. Please keep the wording identical, so the data is consistent. You may, of course, help students better understand the question during your ZOOM.
There are two options for taking the poll.
Option 1: You can do it visually (e.g., show with your fingers, write on your whiteboard) and have your ZOOM support adults document the responses, transfer them to Google Sheet and share them with Krista.
Option 2: Run a poll in ZOOM and send the Poll results to Krista. Nate will send out directions for how to run a poll and save the results by Monday.
We ask all students (MA 3 through Grade 5) to share their thoughts as all voices matter. Please give the survey on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday next week at the morning meeting ZOOM and send the results to Krista on or before Thursday, April 1st, 4:00 pm. Krista will combine the results and share out with you the following week.
Poll Questions and Multiple Choice Language
1. The amount of time I spend learning online is...
- Too little
- Okay
- Balanced
- A bit much
- Too much
- Too little
- Okay
- Balanced
- A bit much
- Too much
- I am in over my head and need help from my teacher and parents with all my assignments.
- I am struggling and often have to ask for additional help.
- Sometimes my parents or teacher need to give me extra help.
- I can complete my assignments independently on most days.
- I complete all of my assignments on my own every day.
- I am in over my head and need help from my teacher and parents with all my assignments.
- I am struggling and often have to ask for additional help.
- Sometimes my parents or teacher need to give me extra help.
- I can complete my assignments independently on most days.
- I complete all of my assignments on my own every day.
Why Wear Headphones?
This is a reminder students are expected to wear headphones during their ZOOM sessions. The purpose of the headphones is to help maintain their focus on the session, block out other unnecessary noises (dogs, crying babies, etc.), and to support GDPR. When students are not wearing their headphones, there is a possibility that other members of the family may be nearby and overhear conversations intended only for your ears. Thank you for reinforcing the headphone requirement.
ZOOM Walk Noticings
Diane, Leigh, and I were thrilled to join our designated grade ZOOMs this past week. Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to connect with you and the children. We also appreciate you making us co-hosts so we can interact with the students. These opportunities are the highlight of our days. They reconfirm the high-quality learning experiences that are happening across our school. Some of our noticings include:
- Extensive co-teaching examples with ATs and Encore actively contributing to the conversations and leading core content breakout sessions.
- High student attendance with absences under ten students across the entire elementary.
- Articulation of learning objectives and assignment expectations for the day and follow-up clarifications for the previous day's learning.
- Incorporation of movement, humor, and time to share.
- Modeling and sharing student work to ensure a concrete understanding of the learning objectives.
- Students interacting and engaging with minimal interruptions and demonstrating mutual respect (videos on, names correct, minimal back chatter taking the focus off the learning).
- Provision of multiple opportunities for individualized feedback and support
- Voice and choice in games, activities, and conversations.
Brett Plans to Take ZOOM Walks Next Week
I have been sharing with Brett the incredible learning experiences you are providing for our students. He is excited to pop into some of your ZOOM sessions beginning next week so he can see it in action. Please make him a co-host and put him to work if he joins your room. He misses interacting with the students and is looking forward to the opportunity.
~from the DTL
Next week, March 29-April 1, we will host Chris Maggio (CIS) and Priscilla Feir (MSA) as our Accreditation Visitors. Please see the Accreditation Visit schedule here for an overview of all meetings and observations that will occur during this week. Chris and Priscilla will be observing live lessons during our 8:30 - 9:00 Morning Meetings and 11:00 - 11:30 Small Group Sessions. They may also attend some EAL/LS/World Language/Social ZOOMS if possible. If you see "Accreditation 1 or 2" in your ZOOM waiting room, please let them in. You may introduce them to your students and they will likely remain muted for the session as they observe the interactions. Please do not plan anything special or worry if the session doesn't go as planned. The goal is for the visitors to gain a glimpse into daily learning and they understand that distance learning circumstances are not "normal."
If you are meeting with the Accreditation visitors, please familiarize yourself with the focus Domain report in advance - folder access here. If you are attending the Self Study Workshop on Thursday as a Domain Chair, please be in contact with your substitute to share plans for the day. During these meetings, Chris and Priscilla will likely ask you to share examples from your grade level or ask your opinion on certain areas of strength or need. Please be honest during these conversations. The purpose of Accreditation is for us to learn, reflect, and grow as a school. If you have any questions throughout the visit, please don't hesitate to reach out to Leigh for support.