Our week in Zoom...

Tuesday 10:00am Topic: Digital Classroom Management Strategies in Zoom/Meet with Tony & Jacquie	Join through Google Meet* https://meet.google.com/rry-npoz-tyk
Tuesday 1:00pm Topic: Rubric Grading in Google Classroom with Jacquie & Jason	Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/133881313 Meeting ID: 133 881 313
Wednesday 10:00am Topic: BrainPop for Distance Learning with Jacquie & Jason	Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/640829019 Meeting ID: 640 829 019
Wednesday 1:00pm  Topic: Video Lessons with EdPuzzle and Screencastify with Tony & Jacquie	Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/790546555 Meeting ID: 790 546 555
Thursday 10:00am Topic: Flipgrid for Video Lessons and Feedback with Jason	Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/404312981
Thursday 1pm Topic: Jammin’ with Jamboard! with Jason & Tony	Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/999380267

Need-to-Know from week of 3/23/20

·         Many of you have shared your Google Classrooms with me, and some of you also attach me to your daily communication. I appreciate that greatly, however, it is important that this is streamlined so I can manage, so we have appropriate documentation for the state, and so we have consistency across the school/district. With that in mind, the Elementary Principals have developed an update form that you will need to fill out for me each Monday until we return. I do not need/want it this week, and each Monday I will send you a reminder to fill it out. In this form you will indicate the what you are teaching (content/standards), and in our level/department meetings we will work together to discuss the how (what are you using to teach and implement the standards?)! In addition, this is where you will also capture kids you have noticed are not participating. Check out the link that you will be filling out each Monday, starting next week:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM3bwOOCaKVMb9kJDIPNLoeN44yBLKH5kBz795wJyFEQfm4A/viewform?usp=sf_link ·         From Dr. Miller, suggested tips when working with students in Zoom (if you are using Zoom): ü  Please do not post your meeting ID  on social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc) ü  Consider setting a password for any and every Zoom meeting ü  When students join a meeting, have them use their first name and last initial only ü  Check Annotation Settings during a Zoom meeting ü  Students can always join by using the browser and not downloading the Zoom client ü  Learn about Host Controls here (do not allow students to be co-hosts) https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362603-Host-Controls-in-a-Meeting ·         Remember, our hours are 8:30-3:30. Please take care of your own health and adhere to these hours as best as possible. I am a phone call away after hours if you need me—don’t ever hesitate to reach out—but I, too, am trying to stick firm to my hours (8-4pm).

Student in Need?

In order to support the continued social/emotional needs of our kids, Val and I are providing a link for you to bring any concerns forward. If you submit a name, you can expect us to reach out to that family for a check-in. The link has also been placed at the top of the blog.

Click here to have Val/Derek do a call to check in with a family.



The link to the link is found on the top of the blog. See below.

Saturday Hours

QUEST WILL BE CLOSED THIS SATURDAY.

Contact Jason Cring

In the event that we are closed for a period of time, I wanted to provide you with my cell phone, should you need assistance with delivering online instruction.  I can be reached at 585-766-1343.  Please don't hesitate to call or text me during this stressful time.  

Have a relaxing weekend!

Placement

Team,

Placement is still a bit away, but in an abundance of caution and thinking ahead, we are providing you with this information now. 

At some point today, Dawn will be placing placement cards in your mailboxes.
The image above outlines the process as well as some general beliefs and expectations around placement—this was created two years ago through admin. team.

A few things to note:

ü  You are getting your placement cards today and can begin working on them. Last year each team decided what sticker colors mean and created criteria. See blow for that. What one person may view as a behavioral concern can be different than another, so it is important that we are calibrated for consistency purposes.

ü  Turn in placement cards for those who are staying in your room. Bring your placement cards for students moving up to placement. Please have them in by the start of May.

ü  Placement cards are not to be shared with parents. In addition, placement conversations or letting parents know where a child was placed before a letter goes home should never occur. I know I am stating something obvious, but some parents tend to want to be in the know regarding this. I’m sure we have parents who will inquire.

ü  We have a late consult day this year (June), so placement will need to be done at two level meetings in May. If you find your team needs more time, we can talk and find a way to add time.

Thank you in advance for your efforts and thoughtful work around placement. I’m looking forward to working with you all through this process. As we go through this process, please continue to support one another and let’s do all we can to ensure balanced classrooms.

Please reach out with any questions. J

Derek

Placement Sticker Thresholds
Level	Red Stickers	Green Stickers	Yellow Stickers	Blue Stickers
K	Students who have an individual behavior plan or unique modifications in place to help improve behavior. Ex. special seating, tactile coping mechanism, etc.	Students who receive any pull out support from the reading center or have not/may not meet end of the year benchmarks.	Students who exhibit behaviors that disrupt their own learning or the learning of their peers. They may demonstrate and inability to focus during whole group instruction, need many reminders to stay focused, are unable to work independently, or have any unique modification to help aide in their success in the classroom.	Students who consistently follow the directions, do the right thing, and get along with all of their peers.
Primary	Students who have an individual behavior plan or individual supports/modifications to improve behavior.	Students who receive(d) support, or are being monitored by Reading Center. Students who have not/may not meet end of year Math or Reading Benchmarks.	Students who: are unable to focus during instruction, need frequent focus reminders to complete independent work, or need individual focus/attending accomodations.	Students who consistently follow the directions, do the right thing, and get along with all of their peers.
Elementary	Studnets who have gone to Mr. Warren's office on multiple occasions or kids who have behvior management plan in place. Such as a sticker system or a check in or check out.	Students who receive math center and reading center services	Students who have modifications to support attending or are unable to complete daily activities due to attending. Not behavior kids but kids that cannot be independent.	Students who go above and beyond what is expected of them. They follow directions well and get along with all classmates.
Intermediate	Behavior plan, or behaviors disrupts the learning of the classroom or other individuals	recieves AIS services or are monitor students	lack of organization, or executive functioning skills requires modification to attend,	Actively helps others, shows integrity, motivated, leader, work independently, not necessarily academic

Handwashing 101

I know we are all likely schooled on the protocol that should be used to wash hands, however, the link below is from the CDC and provides explicit instruction. Use at your discretion, but it is a good time to teach kids what hand washing looks like.


HAND WASHING

Last Friday--Tech. Free Day

Team,

Friday felt good…almost too good! Minimizing tech. increased 1:1 interaction, fostered social skills, and seemed to slow us all down a bit. It was refreshing to open my email at the end of the day to so few emails, and I hope you felt the same.

Did you know that Silicon Valley has a growing trend where many of the elite are now limiting/banning technology for their children, and some are even sending their own children to tech. free schools? The articles below highlight some of that.

Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-parents-raising-their-kids-tech-free-red-flag-2018-2

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html

As a school, we have an aspirational value of being progressive and one of being mindful. As we continue to strive for these values, below are some questions to consider:

• ·         Does tech. make us progressive? Or, does limiting tech. make us more progressive?
• ·         What role does tech. play in our school?
• ·         How do we ensure that our students are being given the competitive advantage that comes from the teaching of social and soft skills?
• ·         How do we critically use tech. with our students to ensure it is enhancing learning?
• ·         In what ways do WE, the adults, model with tech? Is tech. a distraction during the day? Do we model person-to-person engagement with our kids?
• ·         How does tech. hurt or hinder student SEL?

Tech. does not need to be viewed as good or bad, but it is our responsibility to always consume it critically.

Thanks to our health committee for pushing us to go a day without technology. I look forward to doing this again!

Win the day,

Derek

Derek Warren

Principal

QUEST Elementary School

Hilton Central School District

392-1000 ext. 6101

From Andrea -

GUESS WHAT?

We received our report back from our IB Evaluation back in October. The report is thorough, and mostly what we expected. The evaluators were able to capture a beautiful picture of our school. Thanks for your hard work and professionalism in showing what the Best School in America looks like in action. Derek and I will be presenting their findings at the CIA meeting on April 28th. (Reporting on the report...) Get excited!