Time to Be Amazing

 The last weekend of the summer vacay is upon us.  Make sure you find some time this weekend to relax or accomplish those last things you wanted to do before school starts.  We get back after it next week and I am excited to finally get back in session.  Although it is e-learning for 8 days I am being optimistic that it is just the first step to getting our students into the new Lincoln Junior High.  As we look to next week and the start of school like we have never started before be confident that together we will be Amazing and have each others back.  We were able to end the school year like never before an I am confident we will be able to start in Amazing fashion.  We will take what we have learned from the spring and build upon it.  Having a growth mindset and stepping up to the challenge ahead is what we will do to be Amazing and make 20-21 an awesome first year at our new home.  

Start of School items: 

Back to School Night- Facebook Live- 6:00 on Monday August 10th- Teachers should be in at their room doors as we come around to film live.  Teachers can just say a quick hello/welcome/we missed you/etc. and introduce yourself to the camera then we will get a glimpse of your room and be on our way.  Once we have gone by your room and have accounted for everyone we will want everyone to meet in the collaboration hub and we can have a joint welcome for the students.  We will need to socially distance but I think we can do it.  

iPad Distribution- 8:00-4:00 Monday August 10th for New students to Lincoln

E-Learning 1st 8 days-  With all students learning this way to start the school year we have set high expectations for students so that should we have to extend or revert to this type of option at another time they are more prepared for a better quality of learning experience than last spring.  We learned, right?  Teachers please do not fret we will work together and have each others back, we all need to check on one another, lift each other up and be there for each other because we are going to need it as we progress through this new normal.  We can do it.  

As we get underway, here are some e-learning tips for Lincoln.  

• Students will be asked to attend each class throughout the day and attendance should be taken each period.  
• Teachers are not expected to teach the entire 45 min period online.  It could be set up much like in person instruction, example
• Do Now- take attendance 
• Direct instruction
• Practice - Guided and or independent 
• Meta-Cognition/Closing
• with checks for understanding along the way when possible and feasible.  
• In such lessons students might see the teachers via the google meet however teachers are not physically teaching during each of these components.  
• Provide links to assignments on Canvas pages for such components as the Do Now, Practice, Closing.  These assignments could be to read and answer questions, watch a video, do problems, participate in an online discussion, fill out a google form, etc.  
• The direct instruction could be either live or a recorded video/screencast that is up to the teacher.  
• The main thing we want to do is build routine for students- they have not had this in quite some time thus the expectation for them to log on for each class and attendance. 
• The google meet is essentially for students to be present, accountable, and ask question in the chat as needed.   
• The first 3 days should be spent connecting with students, building rapport as best as possible with students virtually, taking the time to go through Canvas pages and class expectations, conducting online class discussions, meeting their social and emotional needs as we get back to school for the first time in a while.  

Canvas Teachers still needing help with Canvas can enter their names here on this form so that we can connect with teachers on Monday and early next week.  Canvas Help

Opening Teacher Meeting- 8:00-9:30 Tuesday August 11th.  remember all meetings are virtual.   

• Agenda for Tuesday: All meeting Virtuals
• 8:00-9:30 Team Lincoln Staff Meeting (Virtual) 
• 9:30-11:30 Room Work (Keys distributed) 
• 11:30-12:30 Lunch 
• 12:30-3:15 - Work in room (Canvas virtual help/sharing sessions)
• 1:00- Canvas Help Sessions- (Mr. Singleton, Mrs. Caine, Ms. Bronicki) Topics TBD
• Department Meetings if needed

New Teacher Induction- 1:00 Monday August 10th

Parking for all staff-  Please park in the following locations as you come to the new school

• Teachers- East parking lot
• Aides, Nurses ,and custodians- Christos parking lot 
• Admin and Office Staff- Circle drive

Keys and Fobs- Keys will be distributed on Tuesday starting at 9:30.  Dave Schoof will come to rooms and give you your assigned keys.  He will also do a quick punch list of you room and needs.  

Support Staff- All support staff will need to report to Lincoln on Wednesday August 12th.  We will meet with all support staff in the cafeteria at 8:30 on the 12th.  

Okay, that is all for now.  I am sure I have forgotten some things so stay tuned.  I will send emails if needed when I remember the other things.  I leave you on this last Friday with this bit of motivation and inspiration.  As we embark on this new year remember your purpose and why you chose teacher as your career, teaching is more important than ever in this ever changing world, we have learned that nothing can replace teachers over the first half of 2020.  As students return to us let us inspire students not require students, let us motivate students not alienate students, let us teach our students about perseverance, about believing in the world, about believing in themselves, about believing in each other.  We will have impact and we will be Amazing.  You are Amazing and I am excited to lead you into the new school year together.  Have a great weekend!