Teaching in December...

 

Below are some reminders to help you manage December in our classrooms. Each of our students have different home experiences that determine how this time of year will feel for them. A variety of backgrounds, beliefs, demographics and family situations can impact how our students will react during these next few weeks. Consistency will assist these students with success.  Keeping our schedules and learning expectations consistent will help students feel grounded, even if their lives outside of school are not.  I know each of you see your students practically like your own, and will support your students, however they need it, through these next few weeks. As always, let me or Sarah know if you have a student or family you are concerned with during this holiday season.

REMINDERS

The holiday season can be tricky when acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during this time of year, while also balancing the need for sustained quality teaching and learning. The following guidelines can help:

• Public schools must never appear to endorse religion over non-religion or one particular religious faith over another.
• Public schools must be careful not to cross the line between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and celebrating religious holidays (which is not ).
• Religious music, literature, art or other religious activities should not dominate school activities. School events, assemblies, concerts, and programs must be designed to further a secular and objective program of education, and must not focus on anyone religion or religions observance
• Religious symbols are not appropriate seasonal decorations in public schools. At the same time, students should not be restricted from choosing to express their religious views in course assignments (e.g. artwork, personal narrative).
• High quality standards-based instruction and student learning is the expectation in December, as it is throughout the year. Holiday activities, parties and showing of videos should be a minimal part of the school day. Based on district policy, the showing of videos is limited to those shown with direct alignment to current curriculum and require prior approval. Note: the Parent Group's movie license expired November 30th.
• The goal for our schools is that we provide an inclusive learning environment for all students. Every student should feel welcome and represented at a public school and should be able to participate in every activity we provide.

May the upcoming weeks allow you time to enjoy the spirit of the holidays,

both at school and at home!

Better Together!

 

Especially in challenging times, 

we are BETTER TOGETHER!

Lockdown Drill

 

Lockdown

Locks, Lights, Out of Sight!

This week we will be reviewing and practicing a lockdown drill during the staff meeting on Wednesday., November 5th.  Then sometime before the end of the week, all staff that have an instructional space need to review the process with all of their students (i.e. classroom, sped, specialists, interventionists).  Please see the reminders below

Lockdown Reminders:

• Lunch: if students are in the cafeteria, they will go to Alex's office and the staff lounge. Sped rooms would be back up, as needed.
• Recess: students would go straight to the evacuation site; noon duty has rosters; staff should bring their own rosters
• Resources: Let Vanessa know if you need a magnet or a color copy of the Crisis Response Process sheet; make sure you have a copy of your class list wherever your "hiding spot" is
• Space: Identify a space that is out of site (use a colleague to help) before you practice with your students
• Outside: Anyone outside should have a walkie as the office will do a walkie call after the overhead message; if outside, head straight to our evacuation site.  Make sure you have access to a class list when you are outside; call the district office as soon as you are relocated (715-377-3702).
• Notification: A reminder that anyone can make the announcement from any classroom phone (this is why you need the protocol sheet handy)
• Window Coverings: you can have something in place that can be released to cover a door window in the event of an emergency.  This covering is to remain up during normal classroom instruction.
• Questions: Let Sue know if you have any questions.
• Sign off:  Please complete the drill by Friday, Nov. 7th and sign off on this document. This is for all teachers that have an instructional space.