April 9 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Team!

Just a friendly reminder that I see you.  I see all the energy, time, and passion you bring to this year of change.  Keep trying.... we've got this. 

Office Coverage Next Week:

Steph and Selena are out next week; below is the coverage of our Main Office:

Monday - Justin Kiel

Tuesday - Theresa Caswell

Wednesday - Cheryl Summer

Thursday - Taylor Ethen (& Michelle Krell)

Friday - Steph is back

Please know that we will not be able to support all requests during this week, as we will be short-staffed.  Please be flexible during this time.   Also, please email Justin Kiel with any office-related requests (Steph is in Arizona and I want her to RELAX!). 

Also, I am out at the U of MN on Thursday and Friday.  Thursday, we have Michelle Krell covering.  Friday, Steph will be back and will work with Justin Lang and Libby Zeman for coverage.  

Thanks for your flexibility! 

Upcoming Events:

April 9 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

April 12 - Reading MCAs - 3rd Grade (AM) and 5th Grade (PM)

April 13 - Reading MCAs - 3rd Grade (AM and 5th Grade (PM)

April 13 - Staff Meeting, 2:30pm

April 15 & 16 - Justin out at U of MN Principals' Academy 

April 15 - Reading MCAs - 4th Grade (AM) 

April 16 - Reading MCAs - 4th Grade (AM)

April 16 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

April 19 - PLCs, 2:30pm

Have a great, relaxing weekend!

-Justin

April 1 Update

Happy "Friday"! And, happy April!  

The "Depth" of Positive Relationships:

This is an area teachers are always proud of - we build relationships with students.  I think teachers are naturals at getting to know (and love) students.  

Linked is an article on building relationships and what brain science says.  I know, I lost you when I said "brain science".  This article is written in a very practitioner-friendly way - very easy to read. 

Here's my challenge for you - to read the article and truly reflect on the depth of relationship(s) and the ways you build these relationships.  The more I am reading around this area (and work at the U of MN), the more I am realizing the different levels of relationships.  We can do morning meetings and have smiles, high fives, and happiness in a classroom.  And, those things are great!  When you look at the "depth", is that a deep connection? Or, are students truly feeling safe (especially intellectually safe), valued, and feeling they can question/comment/provide feedback honestly?  That's a whole new level of relationship.  Take some time to read the below article and think on relationships in your classroom.....

Virtual Engagement Isn't Impossible:

Linked is an article on ways to increase engagement in a virtual setting - well worth a skim!  

Upcoming Events:

April 2- NO SCHOOL! 

April 5 - Lockdown Practice - 1:00pm (you do not need to participate)

April 5 - DL MCA Testing Discussion, 2:00pm (rescheduled)

April 5 - PLCs, 2:30pm

April 8 & 9 - Justin out at Principal's Academy

April 9 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

April 12 - Reading MCAs - 3rd Grade (AM) and 5th Grade (PM)

April 13 - Reading MCAs - 3rd Grade (AM and 5th Grade (PM)

April 13 - Staff Meeting, 2:30pm

April 15 - Reading MCAs - 4th Grade (AM) 

April 16 - Reading MCAs - 4th Grade (AM)

April 16 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

April 19 - PLCs, 2:30pm

Have a great weekend - it's going to be BEAUTIFUL out! 

-Justin

March 19 Update

Happy Spring Break! 

We've made it!  I hope you are all going to find some relaxation, rejuvenation, and time with those you love!  Turn everything off and enjoy your time away - you've earned it!  

Before You Leave:

Please make sure your room is cleaned up, fridges are unplugged and clean, and that all things are put away.  There will be some cleaning over break - so please have your room/office ready for this. 

International Day of Fun at Work 2021:

Thanks for a great day on Thursday!  The creativity, positive energy, and teamwork is always a highlight from this day.  We will announce winners when you come back from break! 

Transition Day - March 29:

Don't forget about our transition day when we return on March 29. A huge thank you to the team who planned this exciting day.  Don't forget, this is a day to regulate students, rebuild relationships, and re-establish routines.  It's a great day to revisit things and get student voice in the expectations and learning!  

Learning Loss:

For the past year, we've been experiencing COVID-19 and the changes to schooling - distance learning, social distancing, contact tracing, etc.  But, what about the positives from this experience - can you think of any?  Resilience, innovation, and true care for our scholars come to mind.  This last year has really changed the way I think about education.  

One thing I've been hearing lately is the term "learning loss".  Whether it's a curriculum resource, legislators, or social media, this term has become a widely used phrase.  I want to caution us on the use of this term.  When we use "learning loss", there are a few things that this is indicating.   First, it's indicating that no learning has occurred for the last year.  We know this is absolutely not true.  Learning may look differently, but it was happening.  In fact, I think students were learning new skills that we would have never taught if this had not happened.  Second, this term puts ownership and blame on the learner.  We are saying that the learner did something to "lose" what we taught him/her.  Again, absolutely not true. 

I caution you in using the term "learning loss" when it comes to this pandemic and experience.  We may not be in the same spot with curriculum - and learners may still have pre-requisites to learn.  However, we know that learning - possibly learning of NEW skills - has occurred!  

Upcoming Events:

March 29 - Transition Day/Welcome Back!  

March 30 - Happy Birthday, Dani Rypka!

April 1 - DL MCA Testing Discussion, 2:30pm

April 2- NO SCHOOL! 

April 5 - Lockdown Practice - 9am (you do not need to participate)

April 5 - PLCs, 2:30pm

April 8 & 9 - Justin out at Principal's Academy

April 9 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

April 13 - Staff Meeting, 2:30pm

I hope you find some time away to "recharge your batteries"!  We will come back, stronger than ever, and ready for 4th quarter!

-Justin

March 12 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Team!

Just a reminder - next Thursday is our rescheduled International Fun Day at Work!  I hope you are planning your outfit(s) and gearing up for a great day of fun!  

Upcoming Dates:
March 15 - Happy Birthday, Annette Warner!

March 15 - PLCs, 2:35pm

March 17 - Staff COVID testing

March 18 - International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled) - start thinking of your outfit(s)! 

March 18 - End of 3rd Quarter

March 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

March 22- 26 NO SCHOOL/Spring Break! 

March 29 - Transition Day!

March 29 - Happy Birthday, Angela Armstrong!

March 30 - Happy Birthday, Dani Rypka! 

April 2- NO SCHOOL! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

-Justin

March 5 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Team!

I saw this on Twitter this week - what a great reminder of the way we talk about students.  I think this is an area we can continue to self-reflect and grow around; lately, I've heard some of our old phrases coming back into existence.  When we refer to students as "low group", or other deficit terms, we change our mindset and indirectly lower our expectations.  Continue to challenge yourself - and your team - to the way we are talking about our scholars.  

K-5 Distance Learning Teacher Posting:

As you know, we are planning to offer a K-5 Distance Learning School (pending MDE approval).  The position has been posted (internally) - if you are interested, please apply!   Click here to see the posting!

Upcoming Events:

March 9 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

March 10 - Happy Birthday, Steph Stolp!

March 12 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

March 15 - Happy Birthday, Annette Warner!

March 15 - PLCs, 2:35pm

March 17 - Staff COVID testing

March 18 - International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled) - start thinking of your outfit(s)! 

March 18 - End of 3rd Quarter

March 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

March 22- 26 NO SCHOOL/Spring Break! 

Have a great weekend and take some time for YOU!

-Justin

February 26 Update

Happy Friday! 

Exhausted Educator:

Let's face it, we know February is a hard time for educators.  And, people in general.  And, this year, we top February off with a pandemic.  I can feel the vibe - people, including myself, are exhausted.  

Please remember - it's alright to acknowledge you are exhausted.  It's also alright to take some time for you.  Go on a walk, do something you enjoy, call a friend who makes you laugh.  Heck, you might even do this mid-day!   

Also, read the quote below.  You are making a difference.  Our students feel a connection, care, and love.  And, that connection, care, and love can be for your colleagues, too.  We can find ourselves lost in the "to do list" and forget that we are making a difference - EVERY SINGLE DAY.  

They're Too Young to Talk About Race:

A huge thank you to Danielle Nystrom (Special Ed Teacher at McKinley) for sharing the image below...

As educators, we find ourselves in the trap of "They are too young to talk about race..." or "It's elementary, we teach love and don't see skin color."  This silence actually perpetuates racism.  We continue to send the message that race/skin color is something that should be silent and is not discussed.  I challenge you to monitor this over the next week - how many times could a conversation lead into race that you avoid (for whatever reason).   When this happens, do some self-reflection - why did you not facilitate the conversation?  

International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled): 
We are excited to announce our rescheduled 2021 International Fun Day at Work!  Below are some documents regarding this fun day.  Start brainstorming your dress and team!  :)
International Fun Day at Work Document
Order Form (Evan's Eatery Food Truck)

Upcoming Events:

March 1 - Professional Learning Community, 2:35pm

March 3- Staff COVID Testing

March 4 - MCA Test Monitor Training (3-5th Grade), 2-2:45pm (VIRTUAL)

March 5 - Child Collaboration Team Meeting, 7:25am

March 5 - 5th Grade Concerns Meeting, 12:10pm (rescheduled)

March 9 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

March 10 - Happy Birthday, Steph Stolp!

March 12 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

March 15 - Happy Birthday, Annette Warner!

March 15 - PLCs, 2:35pm

March 17 - Staff COVID testing

March 18 - International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled) - start thinking of your outfit(s)! 

March 18 - End of 3rd Quarter

March 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

March 22- 26 NO SCHOOL/Spring Break! 

February 19 Update

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week of learning and conferences!  I know this can be a long week, but it's a great way to connect with families and celebrate all the learning that has happened this year!  

Remember Your Why!  

If you find yourself having one of those "yuck" or "what am I doing? days, take some time and think back to your why - this will guide you!  

MCA Testing - Online:

We do have to offer MCA testing for our distance learners - in person (there is no virtual option).  We will be sending a letter to families in the next week to explain this.  Students will have an assigned day and time to report to the Melanie Nelson Learning Zone (Vine Street) to do their testing.  The teacher(s) will be there to help monitor this testing.  We will be offering busing and lunch to students on this date/time.  Again, more information to come.  We are meeting on March 4 (2-2:45pm) with 3-5th grade teachers to discuss testing.  

International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled): 
We are excited to announce our rescheduled 2021 International Fun Day at Work!  Below are some documents regarding this fun day.  Start brainstorming your dress and team!  :)
International Fun Day at Work Document
Order Form (Evan's Eatery Food Truck)

Upcoming Events:

February 22 - Distance Learning All School Assembly, 1:30pm

February 23 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm 

February 24 - Lockdown Practice (1:00pm) - you do not need to participate

February 25 - Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade Concerns Meeting with Ann (Justin at U of MN)

February 26 - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Concerns Agenda with Ann (Justin at U of MN)

February 26 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

March 1 - Professional Learning Community, 2:35pm

March 4 - MCA Test Monitor Training (3-5th Grade), 2-2:45pm

March 5 - Child Collaboration Team Meeting, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!

-Justin