Highlights-Best Practices

Each week, the deans highlight great things that members of their teams are doing to generate ideas and best practices amongst colleagues. I know that all of you are doing amazing and creative things and I cannot wait to share them in the upcoming weeks.

Stacey

This week Kindergarten thought it would be fun to do an Egg Drop Challenge with their students!  Please see the video sent out for ideas.   

Robyn

Third grade has been communicating as one on their Weebly site and in weekly emails.  This week they have set up Google Classroom to streamline the communication.  This past week they encouraged participation in a Kahoot Challenge.  The teachers posted the leaders and will announce the winners tomorrow.  The students and teachers really enjoyed this!  

We have a fun Kahoot! Challenge for you and all 3rd grade students to participate in!
This Kahoot! Challenge is all about your memory.

Steps on how to participate:
1. Log into your Clever page and go onto the Kahoot! page
2. The challenge pin number is 0118973
3. Your Kahoot! nickname needs to be first name and last name initial. Example: Lindsay F
4. Play the Kahoot!

Jamie

5^th grade is rocking their Google Classroom! They are working together as a team to post assignments for each subject along with be able to stay connected to their students. The team is providing feedback once assignments are turned in. They have also created fun games for the students to do and Jill is reading stories for the students too!

Brian emailed out to families May Do activities with ideas to keep students moving throughout the day.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1js2Kgn5yeuhkiTtK_E_oepo19difYhnNZP7f--FCzPA/edit?usp=sharing

FAQ

I hope that you had an opportunity to read the FAQ email that I sent out yesterday evening. Although, I didn’t have the answers to all the questions, I wanted to address them so everyone can know where we stand with some of the most frequently asked questions. Below is additional information for staff.

Additional Information

• NWEA

o   NHA is reaching out to authorizers to get their guidance on spring NWEA testing and its impact on charter contracts and goals. NHA got confirmation from CMU and NMU that they are not requiring their schools to administer the spring NWEA test. NHA is still waiting to hear from Bay Mills, our authorizer. I will keep you posted once we get a response.

·      Possible Prolonged Closure

o   According to NHA, "…there are questions about what prolonged closure means to academic progress and even the school calendar. We are thinking through several possible outcomes by continuing to connect with local and state government authorities to develop solutions for potential scenarios."

·      NHA's Daily Meetings

o   NHA conducts a daily meeting at 1:00 p.m. between the Executive Team (CEO, CFO, etc.), DSQs, People Services, Communication, Accounting, Curriculum & Instruction, Facilities, Food Services, etc. to discuss the everchanging educational topics to develop solutions and provide answers that help us better serve our school communities. I will continue to share approved and relevant information with our team in my blog.

Please do not hesitate to speak with your dean during your grade level/PLC meeting this week if you still have lingering questions. They may not have the answers, but we do discuss your concerns as an admin team.

Staff Game Night

Does anyone want to play a game? Please join us on Friday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. for a Staff Game Night via Zoom. I won’t provide you with the name of the game, just yet, to avoid giving away an unfair advantaged. If you are interested, please sign up below so I can form teams. Once I know how many people will be playing, I will be sending out further communication to those individuals. Let’s get ready for some fun. 

Positivity Challenge

Thanks for all the responses to our Positivity Challenge. We had 52 people respond! Several people told me that they loved receiving the emails and want me to keep it that way instead of finding another platform that you will have to create an account for.

Be on the lookout for the next challenge tomorrow. Thank you for bringing positivity, joy, and support to each other.

Announcements

Spring Break:

·      This is a break! Please "unplug" and do not answer emails or send out any correspondences Monday, April 6-Friday, April 10, 2020.

·      Do not send home any remote learning assignment/task during that week. Please make sure you inform parents of this in an email this week.

Coronavirus:

·      If you think that you might have been exposed, please contact me or your dean privately to avoid causing panic. If someone connected to Keystone does test positive, we will let all stakeholders know while respecting everyone’s privacy.

Happy Belated Birthday

Sarah D-March 21

Megan -March 23

Kayla-March 24

Staff Highlights

Each week, the deans will highlight great things that members of their teams are doing to generate ideas and best practices amongst colleagues.

I know that all of you are doing amazing and creative things and I cannot wait to share them in the upcoming weeks.

Stacey

Kudos to the intervention team for sending a communication to all intervention students.  This communication included activities by grade level for reading and math that don’t need specific materials but will help students’ minds stay fresh.  In addition, they divided all the students up and created a schedule to reach out to each student at least once a week.  Nice work!

Robyn

All of second grade is using Google Classroom for their virtual learning.  The teachers have done a nice job including all content areas!  For Science they post pictures of the growth of plants that they planted prior to the school closure. They are integrating writing daily by providing various journal topics, including cross curricular content.  Moral Focus read alouds are posted with discussion questions to follow.  They have signed their classes up for various academic sites such as Quizizz, Epic, and Prodigy.  I love that they share Good News daily providing that personal connection! I am included in each classroom and can leave messages as well!  So many amazing things to share!

Tracy sends out a weekly newsletter with information about math lessons in Google classroom. She is creating math videos to teach the students how to do the problems. Tracy is also having her students do activities in Magnahigh, prodigy and Dreambox.

Emma created an Art Bingo card for each grade level wing K-2, 3-5 and Middle school. The Bingo card has art ideas the students can do outside or inside. Emma also created a classroom Instagram account were students can send pictures of the art projects they have created.

Staff Communication

Your dean will be reaching out to schedule weekly grade level/PLC meetings. Please make sure you are available because it is the expectation that staff is available during school hours. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to strive to communicate and support you effectively.

Parent Communication

In order to streamline our communication and avoid overwhelming our families, we are asking each grade level to work together to send out ONE ACADEMIC communication per grade level, per week. This should be in the form of a grade level newsletter. Please note that each teacher can make as many personal connections as they want. This one communication per week pertains to academics.

If parents are trying to connect with you, it’s important that we are responding to them in a timely manner. I think establishing ‘office hours’ is super important, so you don’t feel that you are always “on”. Please encourage families to reach out to you with academic questions. Some families are hesitant to do the remote learning because they don’t know how to support their child. I would hate for our students to go a whole month without any academic exposure. Your dean will discuss this further with you during your grade level meeting this week. 

Google Hangout/Meet

NHA has provided you with another way to connect to your students using Google Hangouts/ Meet. Please remember that you ARE doing enough and we do not expect you to implement all these resources, but I think that it’s great that NHA is providing you with options.

What Does this Mean?

·    You can use Google Hangout/Meet to create videos that you can put into your Google Classroom (if applicable) for student access. The livestreaming feature is not accessible, so you cannot livestream content to students, only record videos to share.  Also, students cannot create hangouts or livestream with each other. 

Training/Resources: Below you will find a resource on how to Create a Recording using Google Meet.

Create a Recording Using Google Meet by embryjd on Scribd

Live Streaming

I have absolutely LOVED seeing all the creative ways that everyone has been connecting with their students. It was great to see all the smiling faces of our students on screenshots of classroom Zooms. I know that went a long way with our students and families.

I did want to let you know that at this time, NHA has made the decision to NOT turn on live streaming on Google Hangout/Meet. They also requested that we don't live stream on another platform (Zoom, etc.). One of the main reasons is the student usage of NHA devices and programs fall under our Technology Use Agreement and behavioral expectations. They are concerned if a student did something inappropriate while live streaming, how would we respond (inappropriate use/behavior or cyber bullying)? They are not yet prepared to monitor and uphold student behavior on these platforms. This may be only temporary because NHA is currently working to determine appropriate device and usage expectations with these new platforms.

If you have it already set up, scheduled, and have communicated a live stream with families for this week, please go ahead and do it. This will be moving forward from next week and on. I will keep you updated when I hear more. As always, thank you for your understanding and flexibility during these unprecedented times.

Remote Learning Help

If you need help with technology (Google Classroom, Meet, etc.) or connectivity while working remotely, you should contact NHA Tech Support at 1-877-675-4960.

Stay Connected

In this time of social/physical distancing, PLEASE try your very best to...

with each other! It matters.

I will be sending out something tomorrow on ways that we can stay connected as a team! 😊

Staff Meeting

As a continuous effort to assist our staff with work-life balance, we will be cancelling our staff meeting on Tuesday. Please use that time to prepare for conferences and/or spend time with family since you will have a late night on Thursday. 

First grade, we would still love you to provide snacks. You can put them in the staff room for us to enjoy throughout the day on Tuesday. :)

Interim 3

We have just four weeks left before Spring Break and state testing. While you’ve worked tirelessly all year to help our students master standards in math, ELA, science, and social studies, now is the time to ensure that they are ready to “show what they know.” This year, like last, we will not be giving Interim 3 (Mock State Test) in its entirety. Rather, you’ll be breaking it up as a teaching/reviewing tool. Suggestions include using test items as Do Nows, small group lessons, Exit Tickets, independent practice, etc. Every teacher in grades 3-8 should take Interim 3 themselves and discuss the test as grade level teams in order to develop a plan for addressing those standards needing re-teaching and additional practice. Use the assessment data located in Gradebook to assist you with developing a plan for each student. 

Let's make sure our students don't feel like Mr. Bean...

Intent to Return

I have placed an Intent to Return form in your mailbox for the 2020-21 school year. I love our team so much that I hope you all decide to stay, but I understand that various circumstances may prevent that. We are asking that you complete the form by Monday, March 16. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Staff Food

Please be mindful that food in the staff room is for staff only, not children. This will ensure that all staff members get to participate in Pay Day Breakfast, Staff Meeting Snacks, Potlucks, Conference Dinners, Afterschool Event Dinners, etc. Thank you for looking out for your colleagues.  

Shout Outs

Robyn for proactive communication pertaining to ½ day special schedules.

Stefanie for attending a Kinder Resource Fair on Saturday to increase our enrollment.

Stacey for making sure that everyone was prepared to conduct an interview.

Stacey for making sure I keep all my dates correct. You are a lifesaver.

Stephanie and Ashley for purchasing me lunch for my birthday.

Christina for always helping with dismissal.

Tully for providing our students with an interactive learning opportunity with the Black History Wax Museum.

Michelle for continuously trying to find new data reports to assist her with understanding her students’ needs.

Jen for your support to everyone. You never hesitate to jump in and assist when needed. You are invaluable to Keystone!

Tabitha for being so handy and willing to help me.

Gary for always having a smile on your face. I love when I see you because it’s contagious and brightens my day.

This Week

Sunday, March 8:

   ·    Jorvonna’s Birthday

Wednesday, March 11:

   ·    Dress as your Favorite Character from a Musical for $1

·    Nancy Kouba, DSQ, Visit 8-10 AM

Thursday, March 12:

   ·    Redeem School Store Rewards

   ·    Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8 PM

Friday, March 13:

   ·    ½ Day of School-Dismissal at 11:20 AM 

   ·    Y5s-2 AND 3-5 SOM Assembly

   ·    Parent-Teacher Conferences 12-4 PM
  ·    Jorvonna Out of the Building-Regional Principal Meeting at Grand River