Quote to consider:
‘Connection doesn’t happen on its own. You have to design your gatherings for the kinds of connections you want to create.’ ~ Priya Parker
To Dos:
GRADING UPDATE: Click here for a letter from MS director Jim Boen regarding an update the district is making to grading for middle and high schools. Here are helpful hints and instructions on how to do this.
Given the extra time it will take time to make these gradebook adjustments, we will cancel meeting as content teams over the next two weeks in order to support staff having this extra time to make these adjustments.
STAFF GIFT OF GRATITUDE: Wendy and Nole have a small gift of gratitude for each of our staff members. Please use this link to share with us how you’d like us to get your gift to you.
CANVAS EXPECTATION: Please make sure you have your WebEx link or Button on your Canvas home page.
Bits and Bobs:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: We are having an all staff meeting in Wendy’s WebEx Room on 12.18.20 at 3:00pm. We’re looking forward to coming together virtually as a school to connect before the break.
Reminders:
WEDNESDAY ATTENDANCE: The Wednesday attendance link will be available to students via a global announcement in Canvas at 12:01pm on Wednesdays. The survey will be open for students to complete from then until Thursday at 8:00am.
Advisors, continue to remind students of the Wednesday attendance process. Also, please continue to reminder students to login to WebEx with their student credentials given the district’s new security measures.
WEDNESDAY INTERPRETER: We’ve heard great things about how well our weekly interpreter system is working and how grateful our Spanish speaking families are for these connections. Please continue to utilize our system of having a Spanish interpreter on Wednesdays from 1:30-4:00pm. Use the link on the sidebar of the blog to sign up by Tuesdays at 9:00am. This resource can be utilized in a variety of ways including: pre-planned parent conferences, cold calls to celebrate success, and/or cold calls to discuss attendance or grades. Even leaving a message for a family/student is a nice way to build bridges and make connections.
NURSE REMINDER: If you are coming into the building, please remember to always maintain a minimum of six feet distance from others whenever possible and continue to wear a face covering. If you have any cold or flu like symptoms (even if just the “sniffles”), please do not come into the building. Please click here to read a letter for staff from the district nursing team. Please email our nurse, Megan Barrett, if you have specific questions.
BOND TECHNOLOGY CLASSROOM UPDATE: Review the details of this topic in the Bits and Bobs section of the 11.18.20 blog post; sign up (by Dec. 9th) on this document if you’d like to utilize either of the additional technology options.
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM: Continue to follow this student support flowchart when support students and families. Our Student Support Referral Form is live and available for use.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR TRADITION: updated link Staff who have been at HDMS a while will remember the annual HDMS holiday bazaar that Marcy Monte hosted. The tradition continues this year virtually!