Great Things I Noticed this Week:
- I heard many great class discussions on Monday to welcome kids back, re-establish connections and ease them back in.
- Students practicing Spanish in a Gimkit version of the Game Imposter (that's the latest game they're all addicted to right now!)
- Teacher reviewing student surveys with the class to get feedback on how class is going -what's working well and what's not working. It was a very productive class dialogue about what would make the class better and some students even volunteered responses that they could do differently for class to be better. I think students opened up after hearing the teacher say they could change something for class to be better for them. Powerful!
- I cannot even count how many middle school students told me that they like school better in person and don't want to be stuck at home for virtual!
- Teachers championing for kids - I've seen some parent communications that led to some follow-up from home to help change behaviors. I'm also aware of several of you reaching out to individual students to pull them back in and support them to work on catching up. Thank you for all that each of you are doing to show students we have high expectations and we support them!
- Multiple colleagues problem solving on how to best support/hold a student accountable. The alignment in expectations is important for students who need our structure!
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday - Workout Wednesday
-HS Faculty Meeting
*No one hour delay schedule in December for Advisory (December is short enough!)
"Nuts & Bolts" Notes:
*I have been trying to send a parent newsletter out each week. If you ever have anything to add to it, please send it my way. This could simply be a picture of something students are doing in your class, special project information, club info, etc. Anything to highlight the great work that is happening in our school!!
*As we near winter break, please keep in mind that the more you deviate from your normal classroom routine, the more students will with their behaviors. This time of the year can also become very stressful in some homes, which students are very aware of and can display in their attitudes/behaviors. Please continue to be the great model that you are for our students with empathy, expectations and support. And reach out to Pupil Services/Admin if you notice a new student concern that we can help support.
*If you missed in a previous update, the Dodgeland website is updated weekly with the information that we have regarding COVID-19 data. Click
HERE to see the page. The beginning of the page explains the difference between common pandemic words like isolation and quarantine. Additionally, if you saw the CDC news about a change in recommendations on additional options for quarantine, we are in wait mode. The county health department is obligated by law to follow the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) protocols and guidance in place for isolation/quarantine. An update will be likely coming soon.
*Friendly reminder: If you haven't updated your iPad, please do so this weekend. The latest version is iPadOS 14.2. See Brad's email from Dec 1 for more information.
Blogs, Quotes & Tweets:
