January 29 Update

Happy Friday!

I hope you've had a great week of learning and relationships with our students!  

First-Person Language: 

Karen Thurnau shared a video that her daughter made to share about person-first language (thanks Karen and Annie!).  We talked yesterday about how when we put the person first in our language, we can see their identity as a person and not a label.  Specifically, yesterday we talked about services received.  For example, you would say a student who receives EL services.  This is also true when we talk about where a student is at in their learning.  Instead of saying, this is a "low student," try saying, this is a "student that is working on ____". When we talk about kids as kids first, that is going to affect our belief in them, which will affect our expectations for them, which affects what they will achieve.  Let's continue to hold each other accountable for shaping this language.  

Upcoming Events:

February 1 - Black History Month begins!

February 1- PLCs, 2:30pm

February 3-  Staff COVID testing available

February 5 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

February 9 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

February 12 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

January 22 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Team!

The above quote is so true.  I would add staff to this, too.  Think about the past year. We've learned, grown, cried, and been pushed to do different things.  We continue to show up, even with these challenges.  That is true hope.  Keep being that hope dealer!  

February Conferences:

February conferences are approaching.  These are virtual and a great time for a formal conversation with a family about a student's progress.  Report cards are complete - and a great reference for families regarding a student's progress.  I'm asking you to think through what conferences will your format will look like.  What information will you share?  Will the student do any self-reflection and sharing?  

I know this could be a time to go over report cards.  I think this is important information, don't get me wrong!  I would like us to think about how else we can share learning.   I always think of things in an analogy manner - if you were to go to the doctor, they would share your results but also talk to you about your overall progress and your course of action.  I think we need to spend time on strengths, but also be brutally honest with families about where their child is at with the learning and what needs to happen next.   You have strong relationships with families - this can be done in a caring, compassionate way.  

Start doing some brainstorming - how will you format your conferences to highlight strengths, as well as areas of opportunity?  

Creating an Inviting Virtual Math Classroom:

Are you looking for ways to deepen your math block - including ways to develop student thinking, routines, and collaboration?  Check out this article!   Click here to read! 

Lighting Issues:

If you are experiencing any lighting control issues in your rooms, please email Orrie Anthony (district electrician) with a description of the problem(s) ASAP so I can address them individually.  

Upcoming Events:

January 26 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

January 28 - Concerns Meeting - K, 1, and 2nd Grade

January 29 - Concerns Meeting - 3, 4, and 5th Grade

January 29 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

February 1 - Black History Month begins!

February 1- PLCs, 2:30pm

February 3-  Staff COVID testing available

February 5 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!  I hear there's snow on the way!

Justin

Jan 15 Update

Happy Snow Day Distance Learning Day!

Flexibility is really the name of this game - isn't it?   I hope you bundled in and ready for an exciting day!

Just a reminder - Monday is our MLK/Professional Learning Day.  Please make sure you know your schedule for the day. 

I thought you'd appreciate the humor below...

February Conferences:

February conferences are virtual.  Steph and Selena are working to set this up - we will let you know when PTCFast goes live.  More to come! 

Reading - The Pandemic Has Revealed What Really Matters in Education:

Below is a link to an article - it's a great read about the positive things that this pandemic has helped remind us about education.  Take some time to read through it - we will be doing some follow-up work around this in the near future!   https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-01-06-the-pandemic-has-revealed-what-really-matters-in-education-spoiler-it-s-not-tests

Staff Absences:

Please remember the following regarding staff absences:

Unexpected emergency or sick overnight (and you can't teach) - Please put the absence into AESOP (with no sub required) and email Justin.  We will check to see if our interns are available; if they are not, we will look for coverage.  

Planned Absence - we are recording lessons and posting work into Google Classroom.  Put your absence into AESOP with no sub required.

As always, feel free to reach out if you plan to be gone - I can walk you through what needs to happen.  

Upcoming Events:

January 15 - End of 2nd Quarter

January 17 - Happy Birthday Julie Bauer! 

January 18 - NO SCHOOL (PD Day); Martin Luther King, Jr Day

January 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

January 20 - Happy Birthday, Kim Lauwers!

January 20 - Grading Window closes at 8am

January 21 - Report cards will be mailed home (we may need help with this)

January 22 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend! 

-Justin

January 8 Update

Happy Friday! 

Welcome Back!  I hope you have a productive transition day today!

Upgrade - AESOP:

We’ve upgraded our Absence Management system to Frontline Education’s Insights Platform.  If you haven’t already logged into your account, you will receive a prompt to create a Frontline ID and Password the next time you login.

Tips for creating your new Frontline ID:

• Log into Absence Management (AESOP) using your old login credentials.  Once you click "login" you will be asked to create your new account.  
• Your new username must contain 1 alphabet character and at least 4 total characters. The password must have 1 alphabet character, 8 total characters, and 1 number or special character.   
• Once you create your new Frontline ID, an email will be sent to your school email to verify the new account that you created. Please check your email to verify your account.
• If you receive an error message that says "link has expired" when verifying your account, close down your internet browser and try logging in again at a later time.  The system takes some time to get your accounts linked. 

Creating your new Frontline ID will allow you to login to all Frontline programs.  You should see the different programs/apps in the upper left hand corner when you click the dropdown under Absence Management.

Now Accepting 761 Foundation Grant Applications
Deadline: January 15

Every spring, the 761 Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in mini-grants to Owatonna Public Schools teachers and principals. Grants are awarded based on the following criteria:

1. Benefits a large number of students.

2. Meets an important need, which is not likely to be funded in other ways.

3. Maximizes good cost to benefit ratio.

4. Shows creativity and innovation.

5. Needed funds to continue a past approved project.

Click here for the grant application

Application deadline: January 15

• Please itemize and prioritize requests that include multiple items/expenses.

• Applicants must discuss the feasibility and implementation of the proposal with the appropriate building administrator. Comments and a signature from the building administrator must be included on the application.

• Projects that include the purchase of technology also require a technology request form, which can be found at the end of the grant application.

• No incomplete or late applications will be accepted.

Note: this is an electronic application and approval process. After clicking the submit button on the application form, your administrator/supervisor will receive an email to review, comment on, and sign your grant application.

Questions about the grant application process can be directed to Sarah Hoffman, ext. 8610.

Upcoming Events:

January 12  - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

January 13 - Resource Pick Up Day (please be at main door during your time)

January 14 & 15 - Justin at U of MN (virtual; here in building but in class)

January 15 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

January 15 - End of 2nd Quarter

January 18 - NO SCHOOL (PD Day); Martin Luther King, Jr Day

January 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

January 20 - Happy Birthday, Kim Lauwers!

January 20 - Grading Window closes at 8am

January 21 - Report cards will be mailed home (we may need help with this)

January 22 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!  

-Justin

December 18 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Staff!

The blog is short this week! Also, there is no blog next week.   

Return to Work - January 11:
We will all be returning to work on January 11.  Please plan on being back and ready to teach at McKinley on Monday, January 11.  

Upcoming Events:

December 21- Optional PD with Kenneth

December 21 - PLCs, 2:40pm

December 22 - DL Collaboration, 12:00pm

December 24 - January 3- Winter Break (get away from your computer!)

January 4 - Welcome Back/Transition Day!

January 4- PLCs, 2:40pm

January 8 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

January 12 - Staff Meeting, 2:40pm

January 15 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

January 15 - End of 2nd Quarter

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Justin

December 11 Update

 Happy Friday, McKinley!

I hope you've had another great week of learning and relationships! 

A huge thank you to Steph and Selena for doing the material pick up on Wednesday.  We handed out materials for both McKinley and Distance Learners - over 600 items.  A huge thank you for doing this!  

Child Collaboration Team (CCT):

Just a reminder - if there is a student you are struggling with to support, please refer them to the CCT team.  This team is available for ideas, strategies, and support.  This IS NOT THE GATEKEEPER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.  You do not need to come with any data - you come with your concerns and we will offer support.  This is for any reasons - social emotional, academics, lack of growth, lack of engagement, etc.  Please complete the form and Libby Zeman will schedule a time with you and the team! 

Reporting COVID Symptoms:

If you have COVID or are a close contact, please continue to report this to Judy.  This is for both a positive test as well as if you are a close contact.  Please, please, please remember to report this - even as you are teaching virtually.  

Transition Day - Jan 4:

We are working on some activities for a January 4 Virtual Transition Day.  More information will come out on this.  Just a reminder - these days are to help get us back into the routines and relationships of school!  

Upcoming Events:

December 14 - Optional PD with Kenneth

December 15 - SeeSaw Question and Answer with Kacie Clauson, 2:30pm

December 18 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

December 21- Optional PD with Kenneth

December 21 - PLCs, 2:40pm

December 22 - DL Collaboration, 12:00pm

December 24 - January 3- Winter Break (get away from your computer!)

January 4 - Welcome Back/Transition Day!

January 4- PLCs, 2:40pm

Have a great weekend, everyone!

-Justin

December 4 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Staff!
I hope you've had a great week of learning!  Please remind your families that the distance learning survey closes today - if they haven't done it, they should!  

How to be an Anti-Racist:

Below is a link to an article on "How to be an Anti-Racist" (Educational Leadership).  Our job, as educators, is to move to the level of an "anti-racist".  Ibram X Kendi says, "The opposite of racist isn't no racist.  It is anti-racist".   This article gives us some concrete ways we can move to stopping racism -  please take some time to read.  

Article - http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/oct19/vol61/num10/How-to-Be-an-Antiracist-Educator.aspx

Learning Material Pick-Up: 

We are offering a learning material pick-up on Wednesday, December 9.  Please remind families this is a curbside pick up (they should call the office and we will bring it out) between 7:15-4:30pm.  Also, if you have materials to distribute, please have them individually bagged up with the student's name.  We will be offering another one in early January.  I've had a grade level ask about your Volume 2 Math Journal.  Please talk to your team and decide - should the math journal go home now or wait until early January?  Please let Ann or I know if you need assistance.  

Absences & COVID:

We are starting to see more staff out with COVID.  I wanted to remind you of the plan for this type of absence.  First, if you are positive or a close contact, please let Judy and Steph know.  We need to track this information.

If you are able to teach, you can do so.  If you are not able to teach, we have a few options - 

• Pre-record your lesson(s) and post in Google Classroom. Please let students know you are out.  
• Have your co-teacher teach.  
• Have students attend a teammmate's Google Meet.

If those options are all exhausted, we can try and find a sub for you.  Bringing a sub in for distance learning is hard, as they need to be added to your classroom, kids won't know them, and you need to write sub plans.  It's not impossible, just way harder.  

Feel free to reach out to me if you run into a situation and just need to brainstorm your options.  I'm here to support.  Also, you may want to run this by your team for a proactive plan - what would you do if one of you goes out sick?  

SeeSaw- from Mike Halverson:

Great news, if you are already using the free version of Seesaw account, we've converted it to the premium paid version of Seesaw for Schools over the weekend.  With the Seesaw for School paid version, there are many features available to you such as unlimited activities and the ability to schedule activities (click here for a full comparison of versions and features).

I know many of you are already familiar with Seesaw, but for those that would like a refresher or are new to Seesaw, please watch this quick video.  There is also additional "beyond the basics" PD located here that will help you master your Seesaw skillset to support students & families.

From a personal, parent perspective, I wish we would've been using Seesaw long ago as I know more about what is happening with my son's education than I ever have before thanks to Mr. Langlois and Seesaw. Many parents I've had the opportunity to talk with over the last couple of months are saying the same things so keep up the awesome work all of you are doing.

If you have any questions or concerns, please submit a technology ticket and someone will assist as soon as they are able.

Distance Learning - Manipulatives:

Here is a site I have come across with some free manipulatives - http://toytheater.com/category/teacher-tools/virtual-manipulatives/

Upcoming Events:

December 7 - Engagement Meetings for K, 1, and 2nd Grade

December 7 - PLCs, 2:40pm

December 8 - Engagement Meetings for 3, 4, and 5th Grade

December 9 - Material Pick-Up, 7:15-4:30pm

December 11 - CCT (Child Collaboration Team), 7:25am

December 15 - DL Staff Meeting, 2:30pm

December 18 - CCT (Child Collaboration Team), 7:25am

Have a great weekend, everyone!

-Justin