Monday Memo, 8/24/2020

WELCOME TO THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR!

We can't wait to see all the amazing work you will do with students this year! We know they are in good hands, and we are confident that you will teach them in meaningful and engaging ways. If you see us pop into your virtual classroom today, we are simply there as a check in to see your classes in action. It is not evaluative. We haven't seen kids since March either, so we are eager to see them in classes today!

A question to ponder

I sometimes scroll through social media when I need a brain break from everything that's been going on, particularly with virtual learning. Over the weekend, I came across a post that asks, "While teaching virtual is not ideal, what are some positives?" As we launch virtual learning today, try to keep this question in the back of your mind, even when you get frustrated and things seem to be overwhelming. 

Important upcoming dates

August 31 - Department meetings

September 4 - Early Release Day/Professional Development Day

Welcome new staff
Recently, we have had a few new folks join the Hixson family. Please join me in welcoming... 

• Randy Taylor, Math - replacing Wilma Slaughter
• Calvinette Cleveland, SSD - subbing for Rebecca McDaniel
• Ginger Kreuger - building substitute

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 8/31 to 9/4 are due today by 3:00 PM. Please make sure you complete this task on time.

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

Substitute teacher procedures
The district has provided building principals with procedures for teachers to follow when they need to arrange for a sub. Please read the information carefully and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I anticipate some of you having concerns given the feedback that I've already received about providing log in information to substitute teachers. If you have concerns, please share them with me so I can share them with district admin. If you know another way that substitutes can get access to your classes while you are away,please let me know and I will share your ideas with district admin as well. 

WGSD Expectation for Substitutes

·       Substitutes will be required to attend a Canvas Training and Safety Training.

·       All substitutes will need to fill out an AUP and get a wgcloud.org email if they plan on subbing.

·       Substitute will be required to have reliable internet and a device with a webcam. If the sub does not have either/both, each building will have a designated area for the substitute to access a device and complete the substitute assignment.

·       Each morning the substitute will need to log in to Aesop to retrieve the Classroom Teachers credentials to Canvas and also to Zoom.

·       Substitutes will need to follow the additional information left from the classroom teacher in Aesop.

·       Student information should not be shared due to confidentially and FERPA.

WGSD Expectation for Classroom Teachers who need a Substitute

·       Provide thorough sub plans via AESOP, so the substitute can easily access them.

·       Classroom teachers should include all directions, log in information, and passwords for Canvas, Zoom, and additional learning technology supports students might need in the sub plans. Also, include any other information that would be necessary for a substitute to be successful with your class/course.

The classroom teacher can pre-record the lessons to ensure content delivery, but the substitute will still facilitate the learning via the recorded videos and Zoom.

Self-care calendar
"Back to school" season can often feel frantic and overwhelming. When a global pandemic and virtual learning is added on top of that, the challenges that we face can feel insurmountable. Remember, we can do hard things, and we can do them well. Afterall, we are Hixson Middle School! In the midst of all this hard work, it is important for us to take care of ourselves. Our awesome counseling staff took time to create a Self-Care Calendar to share with staff. Click on the link below to access it, and if you're feeling up to it, find time to engage in the daily activities. 

Self Care Calendar

Hixson staff check in
In an effort to proactively support you, we have created a new way for you to communicate your questions, needs, concerns, joys, successes, cool moments, tech tips, and staff shout outs! We are getting so many emails right now, so we feel it is necessary to make sure your communication with us doesn't get lost in the shuffle. With that said, if you would like to tell us how you are feeling, provide feedback, or communicate a need, please click on the link below. We will follow up as needed. At the end of the day, we just want to make sure that YOU are taken care of and we are celebrating the positive things that are happening at Hixson!

Please note: This does not mean that you cannot email us. If that's what you prefer to do, then there is no reason to stop. 

HIXSON STAFF CHECK IN

Posting videos to Canvas and break out rooms
We have received clarity on posting videos in Canvas. Because many you teach the same classes throughout the day, it is not necessary for you to post the video that matches the class to Canvas. If your video is going to be the same for your classes, you can use one video and post it for each of your classes. For example, if your 5th hour video is the best one, then use that one for all your classes.

Teachers are not required to use break out rooms in Zoom. If you are concerned about break out room supervision, do not feel obligated to use them. It is just a cool tool that's available to you in Zoom. It is your choice to use it or not. 

Building subs
We have two building subs who are available to support teachers when they are not covering classrooms for teachers who are out. Their names are Ginger Krueger and Kasondra McDaniels. If you need them to support you with anything during virtual learning, please let me know and I will communicate with them. They could even help you supervise Zoom break out rooms! 

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON AND EQUITY

I would like to share a few of my favorite equity resources. One is a video of Dr. Bettina love explaining the concept of shifting from allies to co-conspirators. Dr. Love is the author of We Want to do More than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom. I have read the book twice and seen her speak online and in person.I've met her as well! I literally have watched this video over and over again. Dr. Love's work is so powerful! You can follow her on Twitter at @BLoveSoulPower.

Co-conspirators

The second is an article called Avoiding Racial Equity Detours by Dr. Paul Gorski. I attended two webinars led by Dr. Gorski this summer, and prior to that, I read this article back in January. Dr. Gorski holds educators accountable for ensuring equity in schools and warns us to watch out for certain things that get in the way when it comes to doing equity work. You can follow Dr. Gorski on Twitter at @pgorski. 

Avoiding Racial Equity Detours

Here are a few graphics that I found over the weekend that help teachers approach virtual learning with equity in mind. You may have seen these already, but they might be helpful to you in your work with students.

I am always willing to discuss any of these resources that I share. If you run across something that you'd like me to add to the Monday Memo, just let me know!

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY EVERYONE!