Week 3

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Open House!  We were able to "sneak" in and out of all our In-Person classes on Thursday!  Great job with presentations and parent questions! 
• 45 Families coming to our Open House Principals Meeting! 
• Our garden getting CLEANED up (can something be too clean?)
• Eddie for making numerous phone calls to our families! (He is a campus supervisor, for those that haven't met him yet)

Nuts and Bolts: 

• We need representatives in the following areas:
• ELA/ELD Content Lead
• VAPA Contact 
• Science Fair Coordinator 
• Thank you to those that have already volunteered their time to ensure Hawthorne has the up to date informaiton we need.  The three content areas above are important to our teachers and students success and engagement.  For those of you that are not already a team leader or content lead, we ask that you volunteer a few hours of your time to help your students and colleagues.  Thank you! 
• Support for Math Resources can be found at:  support @greatminds.org
• Deadline for Elementary Music has been extended to 9/02/2020 find more information HERE
• RUSD Mega Virtual Choir:
• ALL RUSD students, staff, teachers, and principals are invited to join the RUSD Mega Virtual Choir. We are looking for 1,000+ participants to join us to sing "Stand By Me." We need your voice! No singing experience necessary! Submissions due Sept. 14. Visit bit.ly/rusdmegachoir for more info.
• Elementary Teacher Newsletter can be found HERE
• Elementary Teacher Shared Drives: 
• The Curriculum & Instruction Department has set up Shared Drives for all grade levels, RSP teachers, TOSAs, and others. This drive allows teachers to share their work with one another. If you would like to be added to any of the drives, please email Laura Ferreira.
• History and Social Studies
• Inquiry-Based History Instruction is encouraged in the Framework. RUSD elementary teachers have two opportunities to enhance their inquiry-based history instruction:
• History’s Mysteries is a new inquiry-based free curriculum developed in conjunction with the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium.
• DBQ Online is available to all teachers and students through Clever. Focused on helping students how to “read smart, think straight, and write clearly,” DBQs are a great way to integrate literacy and historical thinking skills. Teachers can sign up for a training:
• DBQ Online Tech Overview Webinars for those who know how to DBQ, but need help with the platform 
• Wednesday, September 2nd, 9:00 - 10:00 am
•  Wednesday, September 2nd, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
• Wednesday, September 9th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• Wednesday, September 9th, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• DBQ Online Remote Webinars for those who need to learn the pedagogy behind DBQs and get help with the platform.
• Saturday, September 19th, 9:00 am - 12 noon
• Saturday, September 26th, 9:00 am - 12 noon
• Need some help?  We have noon supervisors who are looking to help out.  Please click here to add your name to the document.
• Attendance - new codes went out today.  Paulina made packets for all of you.  Please ensure attendance is accurate.  Email or call Paulina if you have questions.  Let us know if you need us to make phone calls for you!

Focus: 

• There were some questions regarding authentic grading in distance learning.  I found this interesting article at Edutopia that addresses summative assessment, academic honesty and the importance of clarity.  https://www.edutopia.org/article/summative-assessment-distance-learning
• In the article they site an article on Formative Assessment that can be found here: https://www.edutopia.org/article/formative-assessment-distance-learning
• And a webinar regarding Online Assessment found here: https://www.iss.edu/professional-development/online-learning/assessment
• It becomes very difficult in the midst of the hard work that goes with great change, to notice what is going well.  Our brains are wired to hold on to the negative, the things that did not go as planned and we have to be intentional in "re-wiring" our brains to notice what is going well with our practice and our students.  THIS blog post has some easy to follow ideas to help get on the path of  recognizing your students and YOUR OWN growth.
• If you haven't created your Virtual Classroom Norms it is not too late!  

• I follow George Couros and frequently read his BLOG.  His most recent post was focused on 8 ideas to consider during Distance Learning.  The focus of his blog post is on the importance of student relationships, as shown in the info-graphics below:

Upcoming Events: 

9/1 - Lunch Distribution - 11:15-12:45

9/1 - RUSD School Board Meeting - 5:30

9/2 - Principal Q&A - 8:15 - Carrie and Longi

9/3 - Lunch Distribution - 11:15 - 12:45

9/3 - Elementary Principal Meeting - 8:30 - Carrie and Longi

9/3 - Leadership Meeting - 3:30 - Carrie and Longi 

Find the RUSD Wellness Calendar here: http://riversideunified.org/staff/Wellness 

Birthdays: 

9/2 - Jennifer Jimenez - School Psychologist

9/4 - Kristi Forsythe - 3rd Grade Teacher 

Week 2

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Digital Citizenship in multiple classes!
• High expectations for student behavior!
• Kahoot in Ms. Esquivel's class! 
• Pear Deck in Ms. Sumerford's and Ms. Broza's class!
• Google Meet expectations in Mr. Carrasco's class! 
• Read aloud with questioning in Ms. Wilbur's and Ms. Underwood's classes! 
• Community circle in Ms. Gallegos's class! 
• Lisa getting organized and making sure we had all of our textbooks.
• Noon Supervisors working hard bagging up textbooks, getting supplies together, and making phone calls!

Nuts and Bolts: 

• Longi and I will begin "walk-throughs" in the next week.  If you do not have your Google meet link on THIS FORM add it as soon as possible. 
• A message regarding Elementary Band went out last night to families.  You should be getting some information from Brian regarding scheduling ASAP. 
• Natalie Brower's long-term sub is Antanise Richson - please respond to any email you may be getting from her in a timely manner.  She will be starting groups with the week and due to the MANY different schedules and teachers our students are with she may need to pull during your live teaching blocks.  Please be flexible as we figure all of this out.  
• Send us any "No Shows" you have - we need to cross reference our list and will be making a spread sheet (for us) to track contacts with these students.  You can send us the names in and email, do this by MONDAY AFTERNOON.  
• BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: 
• Feel free to copy and use the poster below for your parent outreach:
  
  

• Please send out THIS Zoom Link for the Parent Meeting to your families:  https://bit.ly/2QtUTch 
• If you are a Virtual Teacher, we would love to join your session and say "HI" - Send us the time and date (not mandatory, just and option) 

FOCUS: 

Wellness and self care are topics we talk about frequently with you because taking care of your self is important.  We cannot be 100% if we are running on fumes, and we are not at our best when we over work.  

I read an article this week about out "Surge Capacity" and I found it to be so interesting!  We have a natural "surge capacity" that we rely on during very stressful situations.  The article uses the expample of a natural disaster as a reason why we might tap into our surge capacity, to help us deal with a short term, highly stressful event.  

The thing about our current Pandemic is that we have a long term, highly stressful event and our surge capacity may have run out.  You might find yourself struggling to process the simple things in life, and especially struggling to process the more difficult.

Here are some ways we can cope: 

1.  Accept that life is different right now.

2.  Expect less from yourself (VERY HARD for our Achievers)

3.  Recognize the different aspects for grief (We have all suffered different levels of loss)

4.  Practice "Both-and" ways of thinking (This is terrible, I miss having students, AND I have an opportunity to become more connected with their families). 

5. Look for activities new and old that fulfill you.

6. Focus on maintaining and strengthening relationships.

7.  Begin slowly building your resilience bank account.

You can find the entire article HERE - It's well worth the read! 

You can also find the RUSD Virtual Wellness Center HERE (It is an AWESOME page!)

Upcoming Events: 

8/24 - Principal Meeting 8:15-9:00 (Carrie and Longi)

8/24 - Working Group Meeting 12-1 (Carrie)

8/24 - Optional Q&A and Check-In for Staff

8/25 - Elementary Virtual Teacher Meeting 8:00 (Carrie)

8/25 - Lunch Distribution 11:15-12:45

8/25 - RUSD Employee Check-In (Wellness Program)

8/26 - Principal Meeting 8:15-9:00 (Carrie and Longi)

8/26 - 10:00-1:00 IEP Meeting Time

8/26 - Elementary Virtual Teacher Meeting 3:00

8/26 - Back to School Night Parent Meeting 6:00-6:30

8/27 - Lunch Distribution 11:15-12:45

8/27 - Back To School Night 6:00-7:00

8/28 - Principal Meeting 8:15-9:00 (Carrie and Longi)

8/28 - Elementary Principal Meeting - 10:00 (Carrie and Longi)

Birthdays: 

8/24 - James Hara - K-3 MS Teacher

8/25 - Nina Vasquez - Preschool Aide

8/26 - Ron Sheffield - 1st Grade Teacher

8/26 - Steve Carrasco - 6th Grade Teacher 

8/29 - Carol Ortege-Koelling - 1-2 MM Teacher

8/29 - Karla Ramirez - Noon Duty Supervisor 

 

Week 1

 

Great Things We Noticed: 

• YOU!!  Doing your best for our students and our families!  WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! 

Progress not Perfection

Remember to notice the progress you made this week in connecting with your students, building relationships with your families and establishing routines for learning.  Last year at this time you may have had the "perfect" systems in place.  Systems that you were familiar with, the "tried and true" procedures that served you year after year.  I hope that you are able to use some of those systems in the digital world, but I am guessing you have had to retool your teaching practice to meet the needs of your students in the virtual world.  It has been an exhausting, taxing, stressful few weeks... BUT YOU HAVE MADE PROGRESS!  Notice the progress you have made, and remember that perfectly imperfect is OK, this year and every year.  

On a side note, we know how it feels to hear "thank you for your grace", "thank you for your professionalism" and just "thank you for being you", again and again and again.  So we are not going to thank you for doing your jobs and doing them to the best of your ability.  We are going to say that we are proud to be apart of this professional learning community, one that works tirelessly and keeps students and families at the forefront of all we do.  We are proud of your high level of pedagogy, your dedication to your practice and your desire to do well.  We are proud to have you as our staff this year and every year.  

 Nuts and Bolts: 

• Textbook and supply distribution list can be found HERE.  Please send out to all Hawthorne students (In-Person, Virtual and Home Based).  
• Child Care for Essential Workers Flyer can be found HERE and see info below: 

• Essential workers include teachers as well as educational support and administrative staff
• Program is available for those physically reporting to their worksite only (not available for remote workers)
• Child care must be provided outside of the home
• Child care provider is selected by the family – Enrollment is processed faster if the provider is determined prior to enrollment
• Payments are made directly to the provider
• Program currently offered through Sept. 30 (RCOE is working on an extension to go through December – if granted, extension will automatically apply to those previously enrolled. RCOE will know if the extension is granted by the end of the month)
• Prior to the end of the essential worker program families may apply to transition to other state-subsidized programs.  If eligible, this will allow for continuity of services.  

• Please share this FLYER with your families - "Helping Young Children Adjust to the New School Year"
  
• Back to School ART START lessons and Information from RCOE- FLYER
• Longi and I want to come in a see your classes!  Please add a time and date to this schedule. 
• Great blog post about using DIGITAL STICKERS
• Another one on organizing your Google Classroom 
• Ed Elements has some great resources regarding student centered learning - Find HERE
• Here is a blog post on Building Student Relationships While Remote Teaching

FOCUS:

Assessment: 

We have had a few questions regarding assessment practices for the 20/21 school year.  Here are some general information points from the RAE department: 

• Take time to focus on the students' physical and emotional well-being and to strengthen relationships as foundational to learning. 
• Formative Assessment will be an essential component to begin the school year.  Refer to the "Assessment & Remote Learning" course in Rise for information and suggested online tools for gathering evidence of student learning for the formative assessment process.  This module contains many formative tools and strategies you can use with your students. 
• Use your publisher assessment tools and resources to meet the assessment needs.  We can schedule our ISS Team to review these tools during a staff meeting.
• District assessments have been made operable or in the process of being modified for use in a remote setting.  These assessments will rolled out in September with administration taking place in Mid September.  

While more formal district assessments are being pushed back, you are assessing your students all the time.  Continue to use your formative assessment skills and collect preliminary data on your students.  Trust your professional expertise and formative assessment data when forming your small groups for intervention.  

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Textbook Distribution

5th and 6th Grade

August 18 - Tuesday: 3:00-6:00

3rd and 4th

August 19 - Wednesday: 3:00-6:00

1st and 2nd

August 20 - Thursday:  3:00-6:00

Preschool, TK and Kindergarten

August 21 - Friday: 3:00-6:00

ALL Grades

August 22 - Saturday 9:00-1:00 

ANY GRADE 

Tuesday and Thursday during Meal Distribution: 11:15-12:45

or August 22 - Saturday:  9:00-1:00

• EVERY Tuesday and Thursday 11:15-12:45 - Lunch Distribution
• 8/18 3:00-4:00 Leadership Team Meeting - PENDING - Discussion of Back to School Night

Birthdays:

• 8/21 Tina Sumerford - 6th Grade Virtual