March 28, 2021

 

Does anyone else think March went really fast? Imagine how quickly the rest of the year is going to fly by!! This is a super quick post. There is one thing that I need you to do. We are going to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week the first week in May. It may look different than those of the past, but it will still be pretty great. As part of it, I need you to fill out this form: 

If I Had $100... Please have it filled out by Wednesday, April 7. 

And because this made me smile, make it your motto over Spring Break:

March, Sunday 21

 

I hope you all had a restful weekend and were able to catch up on rest after the time change. There are only 5 days of school until Spring Break. Not only will these 5 days go very quickly, but the rest of the year is going to fly by! This year has flown by, it feels like we just started in November. (Funny, not funny) Take advantage of this time you have left with your students and make the most of every moment! 

Read a Thon: We are going to do a Read-A-Thon this year as our one big fundraiser. I will make a video for you to show in class so everyone gets the same information. The info will go home the Friday before Spring Break. There is a BINGO sheet for the kids to work on during Spring Break to earn raffle tickets. I am going to give you the bullet points and share the documents. I think everything will make sense after my video.

Dates: 4/6-4/16 (Book Fair is 4/12-4/16)

Goal: $75/child ~Total Goal=$30,000

Prizes: All prizes will be by raffle so all students have a chance to win. Big prize is taping me to a wall if we reach $30,000. Those who tape me to the wall will also be chosen by raffle. 

Read-A-Thon Documents

How to Spend Money: I would like your thoughts on how to spend the money from the Read A Thon. Something that comes to mind are books for the book room. What other things do you have in mind? Please share your thoughts with me. 

The Book Fair is coming: 4/12-4/16 It will be run just like it was last time. It also lines up with the second week of our Read-A-Thon. Stay tuned for more details. 

Pennies for Patients: It is going to be busy when we get back from Spring Break. We will also have Pennies for Patients. Cathy was kind enough to adjust the dates to accommodate the Read-A-Thon. More information to come The overlap of these two events was 100% my fault! Thank you for being flexible, Cathy!! 

Character Trait of the Week: This week we are looking for Empathy. 

Spirit Day: This Friday we will wear Stoneridge Gear.

Have a wonderful week! 

March 14, 2021

One year. It has been one year. I will never for get the Friday we had all kids eating lunch outside because we were trying to keep kids spaced out. In the middle of walking around and talking to the kids, I got an email that said 'Tell teachers to gather curriculum and send it home with the students." And that was all I got. Teachers were asking me what was happening and how long we would be out. I had no idea but I honestly thought we would be back after Spring Break. Ha! Little did we know our world would change forever.  I know I sound like a broken record, but think about all of the fears and unknowns you have overcome. How different did your virtual classroom feel this school year compared to Spring? So different. And the fear we all had surrounding coming back in person. We did it and it has been awesome. I think I am especially reflective because many schools are just dipping their toes into coming back. The teachers are pushing back and everyone is scared. And that is when I take a second and acknowledge how lucky we are. I truly appreciate all of you and your hard work to make this as smooth as possible. And now, it is time to start preparing and planning for next year! Phew. What a whirlwind!

Updates: 

RFS: For the Request For Support (RFS) process, if you have a student please fill out the form. We will schedule a meeting and talk about what you have done and brainstorm some other ideas. I know there has been what feels like push back for more information but we are all trying to A) Figure it out and B) Do what is asked by the district. We decided that we do not want you to avoid, or not fill out a form, so we after you put in a request, we will briefly meet no matter what and create a plan. We will then schedule a follow up to check on progress. I hope that make sense! If not, please ask. 

Chains on Gates: Starting next weekend, the chains will be back on the gates. We are having too many issues with people on campus and the chains will help deter them from entering. We will only lock them on Fridays. 

Surveys, surveys and more surveys! Please fill out the following surveys.

Mindfulness Survey: If you haven't already, please fill out this mindfulness survey. Whether you enjoyed it or not, the survey will provide helpful feedback. Mindfulness Survey

Staff Device Inventory: This was shared by the district. 

To ensure your device is included in future refresh cycles, we need your help completing the below form no later than April 9, 2021.

Staff Device Inventory

Grade Level Survey: Next year is going to bring a lot of changes and opportunities. Please fill out this survey with your top three grade levels. Grade Level Survey

Coming Up This Week:

Wednesday, 3/17 @ 3:30pm- PLC Leadership Meeting (Tentative)

Character Trait of the Week: Flexibility!

Spirit Day Friday: Opposite Day (Teachers dress like students and students like teachers) 

Have a great week!

Sunday, March 7

 

I don't know about you, but I think it is time to bust out the shades! Not only because the weather has been beautiful (never mind the rain in the forecast this week) but we will have all classes back on campus next week and vaccines are happening. Great things are coming. Each step takes us closer to the classroom we used to know and the social opportunities we used to have. It feels good! 

Next Year: I know all of you are anxious to know more about next year. I am too! Right now there is a ton up in the air which makes it nearly impossible to plan. I hope there is more info soon, but I would not expect much for awhile. I will be sending out a survey asking for your top 3 grade level preferences. Keep an eye out. 

Yearbooks: As you know, we will have a yearbook this year and it is going to be awesome! Luisa and Candi are taking it on and hitting it out out of the park. I keep telling Luisa she is going to regret making it so great! It truly is going to be a special yearbook. I shared the ordering info with parents, but I am also going to share it with you so you can pass it along in case they missed it. 

Link: ybpay.lifetouch.com

School ID#: 12183821yearbook

Staff Meeting this Week: We do have a staff meeting this week. We are going to start early and it will likely go until 3:30. It will be from 2:15-3:30. We start with some CAASPP info then,  we have a really cool opportunity to receive some mindfulness training. The district has partnered with a group to offer mindfulness trainings and we are going to be the first staff to get it. I am thrilled! 

Character Trait of the Week: Last week was Perseverance. This week we are recognizing Honesty. 

Spirit Day: This Friday, we will wear Stoneridge Gear. Next week, we will do something fun! 

I LOVE this image below and what it says. Please make a point to do #3!!!