Monday Memo - 10/12/20

Hixson Connections Day dashboard
Thank you for your support of Hixson Connections Day. The dashboard is complete and ready for your review. I have included the link and password to the dashboard below. Please show the dashboard to students today during Statesman Time as you are talking to them about Hixson Connections Day. However, do not give them the link because we will give it to them Tuesday morning. If you notice an error in the dashboard, please let me know so I can fix it.

Hixson Connections Day dashboard: https://view.genial.ly/5f7fc4836cca8d0d90470f79 
Password: Hixson2020 (case sensitive)

Staff Shout Outs
From Gail Tumminello to Jenny Hannel - I just wanted to say, thank you to Jenny for making the easy to follow videos on how to mass email parents in SIS and how to keep your columns locked into place. They are both really helpful videos!

Click HERE to submit a Staff Shout Out or Tech Tip.

iDEA representative needed
Hixson has two representatives for the district iDEA committee. This is the group that provides input/helps plan professional development for the district. We are in need of one more rep to join Leslie Creath in this important work. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in being our second representative. 

Important dates
October 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm* and Hixson Connections Day
October 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm*
October 15 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 9am to 4pm*, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
October 16 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
November 3 - Professional Development (AM - district ABAR PD, PM - Hixson PD w/Alive & Well)
November 9 & 10 - Teacher work days
November 11 - first day back to school for students in Responsive Learning Plan

Since November 9 is now a work day for teachers to prepare for the first day back to in person school on November 11, the November 9 Faculty Meeting will be rescheduled for a different day/time. I will let you know when that meeting will take place.

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

Got questions about our return to school?
If you, your team, and/or department has specific questions or concerns that you're wondering about regarding our return to in-person school, please submit them HERE. These questions are very helpful as we plan for our return to school.

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 10/19 to 10/23 are due today by 3:30 PM. Please make sure you complete this task on time.

Work Location Plans - 10/19 to 10/23
Work Location Plans - 10/26 to 10/30
Work Location Plans - 11/2 to 11/6

Monday Mindfulness with our counselors
We know everyone is feeling stressed and now we have conferences this week!  Join the Counselors for a mindfulness zoom session on Mondays, at 8am. This week we will be focusing on mindful movement to stretch and release tension.  

Here is the link for the staff mindfulness time.

Meeting ID: 977 1740 0071

Passcode: Mindful​

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

Adopt a Classroom Grant
"The Racial Equity in Schools Fund is now open. The purpose of this grant is to provide support for teachers and schools who are working to eliminate racial inequities in their classrooms. Now through October 23, 2020, any PreK-12 public, private, or charter school teacher or principal can apply for grants for professional development, diverse books, or flexible funding to support students of color."

Abolitionist Teaching Network Grants
The 2020 Abolitionist Teaching Network opened their grant applications last Wednesday! These grants are for educators who "strive to disrupt inequalities and injustice within their schools, communities, or both". You can nominate yourself or someone else. Click HERE to apply.