Impact

To say that we are living in tumultuous times would be a huge understatement. Even COVID has shed light on disparities. When I am confronted with the images of peaceful protests turning violent or injustices or marginalized populations, I find my greatest solace in the impact that we as educators have on the future.
Long before our students choose a political party or have job interests, or decide their passions, we can be here to develop their humanity.  We can teach them to be critical thinkers, and to have integrity and to listen to and empathize with others. That is arguably the most important thing we do as educators. There are not many professions that can say that on a daily basis they are impacting the world as directly as we do. Even when EOGs or grades return, please hold on to that purpose above all else. Thank you for all you do every day.

And please, as always take care of yourselves and your families. Remember that as school employees you have access to the Employee Assistance Program.
https://wakeconnect.wcpss.net/sites/employee-relations/SitePage/6710/employee-assistance-program

Now for some good news!

IA's surprise Jeanette!

Once again proving that we have the best IAs in the biz!

TWC (Teacher Working Conditions Survey):

  https://2020results.asqnc.com/

Teacher working Conditions Survey results are out! I know there are always areas in which to grow, but I am proud of the improvements in this. Please take time to review the results for yourself to see if your voice is represented, and to see where we can go from here this year. 

SIP During a Global Pandemic

Thank you all for the tremendous work you are doing during COVID 19. You are doing a tremendous job. I am so proud of the work we have done to engage in School Improvement this year, focusing on family engagement and alignment of curriculum. What does that work look like now that we are all home?
I would argue that we have done some of our best work in both of these areas since we have been engaged in remote learning. Grade levels are more aligned than they have ever been and are communicating needs to IAs for Friday's targeted intervention opportunities.

Our parade was a huge success and brought our community even closer together. Between the remote learning site, and daily class meetings, we are bringing parents into "the classroom" more consistently than we ever have.

The targeted timely feedback you are providing to students and families are more authentic than perhaps any feedback we have ever been able to give. Not only does this lead to more effective family engagement, but also contributes to the alignment of the written, taught, and assessed curriculum.

I would encourage you to think about how you are implementing these things because when we are called upon to update our plan, there will be a gold mine in the documentation of your work during this time.

Thank yous for staff

Thank you to Ms. Gehrett, Mrs. Harr, and Ms. Wilson for facilitating a PD session this week!  Thank you Ms. Wood for all of your PD facilitation and support. Thank you to Mrs. Ireland for facilitating the book study Total Instructional Alignment and for your support of our Tier 3 kiddos. Thank you to Ms. Tew and fifth grade teachers for facilitating 5th grade transition to middle school.

Parent Feedback to celebrate:

"Dear Mrs. Walker,

I hope this note finds you and your family well. I am writing primarily to let you know how pleased and grateful we are for our experience at Green Hope Elementary this year as a new family. My girls in kindergarten and 2nd grade love school and their teachers and were always happy to go to school each day.  Even in the unprecedented situation we are all experiencing these days, they truly look forward to their daily meetings with their teachers and are eager to see what their work is each day. This a direct reflection of their wonderful teachers, the administration, and the comforting, safe, and supportive atmosphere of GHE. As a mom and a teacher, having my children enjoy school is gratifying; and I appreciate all that the teachers, staff, and families at GHE do to ensure a wonderful experience for all the students! Thank you."

(Not trying to toot my own horn but since you were mentioned too) ↓

"Dear Mrs. Walker,

We would like to thank you for being such a fantastic principal of our wonderful GHE. It has been so heart warming seeing you cheering the kids up  during the Parade last week and on countless occasions during the school year and now during pandemic via your YouTube channel. You are really going above and beyond and are a wonderful manager and all the teachers are doing such a wonderful job. Thank you very much!"

Thank you!

Thank you Ms. McMahon and Mrs. Hoffman for stopping by to visit Parth and Dhruv! They were so happy to see you. Your visit just proves how truly amazing you both are!

Thanks again,

One of my favorite things is getting to see your adorable children!

Check out this adorable dog in the driver's seat of a red pick up at Harris Teeter. Note: Windows were open. 😁

Effective Feedback

As we have talked about we have been given an opportunity in light of COVID 19 to be able to provide feedback in a format that perhaps even more useful for students. Below is an interesting article about effective feedback and student engagement. Forgive the dated video game references, but the point is still a good one.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept12/vol70/num01/Good-Feedback-Is-Targeted,-Specific,-Timely.aspx

The guidance shared yesterday related to grading in grades K-5.
"Elementary (K-5):  Students will receive no final grade in K-5.  Instead of a final grade, teachers will provide year-end feedback for students regarding learning from the school year."

Once again, I cannot thank you enough for your incredible work during this time! Remember to "sign off" each day and take care of yourselves and your families.

Ideas for self- care

• Read a good book. I love a good true crime mystery!

• Go for a walk. Don't put any pressure on yourself to walk at a certain pace. Just enjoy the outdoors and the fresh air. 
• Bake!

• Binge watch a good tv show. See Steve's recommendation Crip Camp on Netflix.
• Puzzles- crossword, jigsaw, 
• When life gives you lemons- or Amazon Prime Now or whoever does..Make lemonade! I have been using this recipe to make lemonade and it is really great. Plus squeezing those lemons is a lot of exercise.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/32385/best-lemonade-ever/

Feel free to add any things that you have done to the comments section.

Today's throwback photos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeN-y_rHuuc
This is a link to the video that I sent to parents. Some of you that have students at our school have seen it. It is about 6 minutes long and I am not suggesting that you have to view it, but I want to make sure that I am keeping you in the loop of what I am saying to parents.

Let's play what pics popped up on Kristin's Alexa Show this week!

The Alexa Show in my kitchen rotates through all of my pictures and since many many of the pictures I take are at school, it makes me happy to walk by and see pictures of your smiling faces and remember good times.

Thank you for all that you are doing. I know that it is challenging to weed through all of the communication from the county and things are constantly changing. Thank you so much for your incredible commitment and flexibility!

You guys really are rock stars!

Document for last minute questions! Thanks to Mr. Lombardo for creating this!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JK7DfTAwIeWdSPvvOUQT993IcbqqYES5

***Remember to access using your Wake school account.

Click here for a video message from me. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYZNnEOgIVuLZ6jfHxEXuJvNaiMaP351/view?usp=sharing

Sharing the love.

Ms. McMahon's student is sooo happy to see her. Imagine this times 700 and this is the impact that you have during what can be a very scary time for kids!

Kudos from a parent...

Opportunity amidst the Unknown

Thank you all for your participation in today's meeting. As I mentioned this morning in our virtual meeting. Sometimes the most uncomfortable thing can be flexibility, but please know that that is what your are being afforded right now. If there are things that you have wanted to research about teaching strategies or things that work with different types of kids, now is your time to do that.  This is a great time to journal, take walks, read books. This can truly be a time where you focus on you. I say that knowing many of you have small children at home, and they always come first, but please try to take some time for yourself.
I am not doing a lot of communicating with families- just a general weekly message and some light-hearted visoes for the kiddos because I do not want to be communicating over, or interfering with district wide communications.

Resources for those with small children at home or to pass on to families

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/ Really entertaining doodle sessions with Mo geared toward younger kids. 

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours These museums around the world offer virtual tours.

https://www.discoveryeducation.com/community/virtual-field-trips/ virtual field trips

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/cooking-with-kids ideas for recipes kids can make

We all know the importance of play and getting outside while the weather is nice is really important. 

Thank you all as always, for your patience and your grace in all you do.

Some of you have already seen this if you have a child at our school, but here is me trying to keep it light for the kiddos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5-sYDgT4P8&t=7s

EPIC books is also offer free at home access to all kids on any device. I will forward you the email from them. 

The beauty of Normalcy

In these uncertain times, the best thing we can do is be boring for our kiddos😃 I am sort of kidding, of course. But recognize that our students are most definitely picking up some nervous vibes due to media reports and adults around them talking about the Coronavirus. Please do your best to keep things as normal as possible. I am monitoring my communication from the district very closely and they are in close contact with local health officials. So if we hear anything, I will let you know right away.

Upcoming Events

Monday: March 16th
Tuesday: March 17th- No Meeting ☘
Wednesday: March 18th- Wacky Wednesday: 7:55 Media Center; Kindergarten Community Helpers
Thursday: March 19th
Friday:March 20th

So proud of our          First in Fitness Team!

More of our Marvelous Instructional Assistants!

Love this 

Thank you so much for my birthday wishes this week. You all mean so much to me!