Honey-Do List
March 19: Read the Hive. Remind your friends to read the Hive.
March 24: Meet with Jodi during regular CLT Time
March 24 and 31: Asynchronous Wednesdays
April 2: Report Cards and Progress Reports finished
April 2: Good Friday
April 12?: Return to in-person learning
Report Cards and Progress Reports
- It is that time again. This one snuck up on me. The report card window is now open in Aspen.
- The district report card window is from 3/15-3/28.
- I will extend that for Lee Academy since we lost a week because of my inattention all grades must be entered by 4/2.
- All grades K0-3 will be using Aspen to enter grades.
- Here are the directions to complete a variety of grading tasks in Aspen.
- How to Enter and Post Elementary Grades in Aspen
- Elementary Comment Codes Handout
- How to verify that your grades are posted
- As a reminder whenever we do report cards w are also legally required to do IEP Progress Reports. Therefore both report cards and progress reports must be completed by 4/2.
Concurrent Teaching
Concurrent Teaching
Lee Academy Resident Expert:
- A shout out to Meghan for her technology set up in her classroom that allows her to do concurrent teaching and bring her friends together.
- Meghan has offered to host an office hour on Wednesday to show you her setup and discuss ideas for tips and tricks!
- Concurrent Lesson Structures - created by Instructional Transformation Coaches - you can adapt any of these to work with the concurrent set up at your school, and we will be adding lesson templates to this document that include space for teachers to plan for their in-person and online students
- Concurrent Tech Norms and Setup - created by the Digital Learning Team and Instructional Transformation Coaches - for this one, you could start by thinking about which tech you have access to, and if you have access to multiple devices, you can think about what you hope to make possible for your students in-person and online.
- Concurrent Teaching Choice Board - created by Belzie Mont-Louis and Meghan Harrington
- Concurrent Teaching Wakelet - created by the Instructional Transformation Coach Cohort 2021, Karen White, Sharon Abraham, and Christine Cronin
More District Resources:
- The District heard our call for more resources and models of best practice to address the challenges of hybrid learning and simultaneous teaching.
- OIIT, Academics, and Transformation have collaborated to create this one-stop splash page with links to resources, ideas, professional learning opportunities, and other supports.
- In addition, The Telescope Network invites all BPS educators to join us for three upcoming teacher-led professional learning sessions. Come learn from and with your BPS colleagues and leave with new ideas and resources to bring back to your own classroom.
- 03.25.21 Connect & Share Panel Discussions: Join us Thursday 3/25 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for a panel discussion on the topic of “Meeting Diverse Needs & Hybrid Instruction.” Hear from your BPS colleagues about what’s working in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with peers from across BPS, get new ideas, and earn PD hours as well. (RSVP | More info | Flyer)
- 03.31.21 Simultaneous Teaching Virtual Edcamp: Bring your questions and your ideas about simultaneous teaching to this virtual “unconference” on Wednesday 3/31 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Register in advance to be entered in a prize raffle (must be present to win). (RSVP | More info | Flyer)
- 04.07.21 Connect & Share Math Spotlight: Join us Wednesday 4/7 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for panel discussions on how to bring joy and deep understanding to hybrid math instruction in the hybrid learning classroom. Hear from your colleagues about what’s working in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with peers from across BPS, get new ideas, and earn PD hours as well. (RSVP | More info)
- AND BY THE WAY, they’re always on the lookout for “bright spot” teachers and educators who might be interested in presenting as part of these panels. If you have any teachers that you’d recommend as a “bright spot,” please let us know and we’re happy to reach out to them with details. There’s a small stipend for presenters. Upcoming sessions include “Effective Hybrid Practices” (4/29). (Email us at telescope@bostonpublicschools.org or use this form).
Reopening #5-April 
A colleague used this image in her newsletter and I found it very appropriate!
Waiver
- It is looking more and more like the district will apply for a waiver to delay the return of all students until April 12, 2021
- This will not result in additional days being added at the end of the year (at this time)
Parent Survey
- Thank you so much for making the outreach efforts that you have made because of you we know the preferences of 68% of Lee Academy Families
- Please continue to reach out to those families who have not yet responded.
- We would like to be at a 100% response rate when we discuss teaching and learning models on Wednesday.
- You do not have to make 20 individual sets of materials.
- 2-3 students may share the same set of manipulatives etc.
- The new guidance from CDC is as follows:
- Removes recommendations for plastic shields or other barriers between desks. “We don't have a lot of evidence of their effectiveness” in preventing transmission, Massetti said.
- Advises at least 3 feet of space between desks in elementary schools, even in towns and cities where community spread is high, so long as students and teachers wear masks and take other precautions.
- Says spacing can also be 3 feet in middle and high schools, so long as there's not a high level of spread in the community. If there is, spacing should be at least 6 feet.
- The CDC said 6 feet of distance should still be maintained in common areas, such as school lobbies, and when masks can't be worn, such as when eating.
- Also, students should continue to be spaced 6 feet apart in situations where there are a lot of people talking, cheering or singing, all of which can spread droplets containing the coronavirus. That includes chorus practice, assemblies and sports events.
- The CDC said teachers and other adults should stay 6 feet from one another and from students.
- The World Health Organization suggested 1 meter — a little over 3 feet — was sufficient in schools.
Devices
- You may ask students to transport their devices OR to bring them and leave them in the school once we have returned to 5-day in school learning
- I have asked the district for charging stations
Specials
- The amazing Ms. Purple is redoing our special schedule again
- Our goal is to increase "live" specials once students return.
- We are balancing this goal with the desire to limit exposure for our specialists
- I will be working with our specialist team to determine their comfort levels
- Specials will either be live-streamed into your classroom or held in person
- We will be opening the second cafeteria once we find the furniture to do so
- Both tents should be erected over the weekend as well
- We are revamping the lunch schedule to accommodate for the number of students
- Breakfast will be eaten outside under the tents starting April 5th
Family Literacy
- Lee Academy will be hosting another set of Family Literacy Nights focused on supporting students as a writer.
- Families will be taking a look at grade-level writing standards, sharing tips with each other, and getting ideas for how to support writing at home. T
- The sessions will be organized by grade level and facilitated by Sarah and Govi.
- Classroom teachers - if you could send a reminder the Monday or Tuesday of the week of your session, that would be super helpful!
- Sarah will also post the link on Seesaw or Google classroom the morning of the session if she has access (or you can give me access and I'll post). She'll also send reminders out to you the week of. Also - and totally optional - but please let me know if there's anything specific you'd like Sarah to cover.
The sessions are on the following dates:
- Grades K2/1st Grade: Thursday, March 11th, 5:30pm
- Grades 2 and 3: Thursday, March 18th, 5:30pm
- Grades K0/K1: Thursday, March 25th, 5:30pm
Zoom link for all sessions:
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