Monday Memo - 8/17/2020

A question to ponder
Something that has really been on my mind throughout the weekend is the idea of students being required to have their cameras on during virtual classes. While there are valid arguments on both sides, I certainly understand the need to have this requirement in place. However, if we require this of our students, then we should hold ourselves to the same standard. Let's consider and commit to the following norms when we meet as a whole staff:

• Cameras on when in meetings (ie: professional development, committee meetings)
• Mics muted unless speaking
• Cameras off when you need to step away for a moment (ie: use the restroom, get something to drink etc)

Thank you so much for everything you've done to get virtual learning up and running. You truly have been flexible and patient throughout all of this change and uncertainty. I'm looking forward to a great year!

Snapshot of the week

• Monday, August 17, 2020
• Canvas Training, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• teacher directed time after Canvas training
• Tuesday, August 18, 2020
• Canvas Training, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• teacher directed time after Canvas training
• Actively Learn PD (ELA, Science, Social Studies only), 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 19, 2020 
• Virtual Open House goes live at approximately 8:00 AM
• Student materials pick up
• Full teacher work day
• Thursday, August 20, 2020
• non-work day for teachers 
• Student Materials pick up make up day (for those who couldn't attend on 8/20)
• Friday, August 21, 2020
• non-work day for teachers
• Monday, August 24, 2020 
• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

Work location plans
Click the Google Forms below to communicate your work location plans. The forms for the upcoming weeks will appear in each Monday Memo until we no longer need them. The form that's due will always be one week ahead so that I know your plans before the week actually starts. If you already know your plans for each week, then you are welcome to complete them all if you want. If you think your plans might fluctuate each week, then just complete the form when it is due on Mondays. If you need to change your plans after you've already submitted your response, email Sarah Magruder so she can update your information. Work location plans for the week of 8/24 to 8/28 are due today by 3:00 PM. Please make sure you complete this task on time.

Work Location Plans - 8/24 to 8/28
Work Location Plans - 8/31 to 9/4
Work Location Plans - 9/8 to 9/11
Work Location Plans - 9/14 to 9/18
Work Location Plans - 9/21 to 9/25
Work Location Plans - 9/28 to 10/2
Work Location Plans - 10/5 to 10/9
Work Location Plans - 10/12 to 10/16
Work Location Plans - 10/19 to 10/23

Virtual Open House Videos - DUE TODAY!
Virtual Open House videos are looking good so far! Please remember that your Virtual Open House videos are due TODAY by 5:00 pm. You can find the instructions and requirements for the video HERE. Videos should be submitted in the Google form that's included in the directions. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Schedules
Student schedules go live today. We anticipate changes will need to be made throughout the week. Administrators and counselors will be working to make any necessary changes as quickly as possible. With that said, you may see changes on your rosters. Schedules will be issued at Materials Pick Up Day, which is this Wednesday, August 19. This means we will be printing more than 700 schedules early this week. Please avoid using the copier in the front office until Wednesday at 2:00 pm.

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON AND EQUITY

Anti bias Session 1 with the Anti Defamation League
I truly hope you enjoyed our very first anti bias professional development session with the ADL this past Friday. They will be back with us on Tuesday, November 3 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. At the end of our session on Friday, they posed three very important questions to us. 

1. What would happen if one person acted on their next step idea?
2. What do you think would happen if everyone followed through on their next step idea?
3. How can you support each other in making the commitment to take the next step?

I encourage you to continue to reflect on these questions and allow them to inspire you to get on the journey towards becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist educator (ABAR). 

What am I reading/watching/listening to these days?

Getting on and staying on the journey towards becoming an ABAR educator takes persistence, practice, and accountability. It is important for us to help each other by engaging in courageous conversations and sharing resources that push our thinking. Therefore, I will start sharing resources each week related to equity/social justice/ABAR. Here is a brief list of ABAR resources that have inspired me and/or challenged my thinking recently.  

Nice White Parents - A new, five part podcast series about building a better school system and what gets in the way. 

Abolitionist Teaching Network presents Teaching to Thrive (Dr. Bettina Love & Chelsey Culley-Love) - a podcast committed to sharing ideas that strengthen the everyday lives of Black and Brown students within our schools and communities. Episode 2, Building Trust with Students Online, is very powerful and directly related to what we're all doing RIGHT NOW!

School leaders face pressure to address racial disparities as they try to reopen schools - Webster Groves SD is mentioned in this article.

If you ever have a resource that you'd like me to share in my Monday Memo, please let me know!