Friday Memo - 3/12/21

MURAL #2

Our second mural is complete! Take a trip down to the 8th grade hallway to take a look. The designs you see on this mural are directly inspired by Hixson students who participated in the Hixson logo redesign contest.Thank you to Cbabi Bayoc for his amazing work, and helping make our school a very special place to be!

Important dates

March 16 - Asynchronous learning day due to staff vaccinations
March 16 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner provided by PTO)
March 17 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner provided by Hixson)
March 19 - NO SCHOOL due to Parent Teacher Conferences (teacher comp day)
March 22 - 26 - Spring Break
March 29 - Transition Task Force, 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm
April 1 - (REQUIRED) Meeting with HR regarding new Sick Leave Policy, 3:35 to 4:45 pm (via Zoom)
April 5 - Department meetings
April 6 - 9 - MAP Testing for virtual students
April 12 - 16 MAP Testing for in person students
April 12 - Faculty meeting
April 16 - Hixson Summer Academy registration closes
April 19 - SLT meeting

SMART Technologies
We had a great demo with SMART Technologies today! The SMART board will be here until March 17. If you have time on Monday or Tuesday, please come try out the board and give Jason and I your honest feedback!

Parent Teacher Conferences
All staff are permitted to work from home during the hours scheduled for Parent Teacher Conferences. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Survey Results
Mike, Aimee, and I had the opportunity to review the results of the survey most recently administered by the district. Many of you brought up the need for self-care. We all know how challenging it can be to find time to do this, especially in these current circumstances, but nevertheless it is still important. I would like to try to help you with this, so I have an offer I'd like to put on the table. If you need to take a moment for yourself during the school day, I am happy to come cover part or all of one of your classes on a Tuesday or Thursday starting the week of March 29, 2021 (I need to get through staffing conversations first) and every week thereafter. I can block off up to two class periods per day on Tuesdays and Thursdays for teachers. Should you decide to take me up on this offer, I encourage you to do the following during your time:

• Go outside and get some sun and fresh air
• Go for a walk
• Make an important phone call
• Call a friend or loved one 
• Yoga/mindfulness
• Watch a funny video
• Listen to music

If you're interested, please email me directly to set it up!

Brief Staffing Update
Staffing conversations have started with current and future Hixson staff members! We are asking that you do not share information with other staff members until Aimee sends the draft master schedule out to all staff, including those coming to Hixson from Steger.

MAP Testing
If a parent contacts you to express frustration or to refuse MAP testing, please have them reach out to me directly. Please do not tell them to contact Tim Brown or anyone in Central Office. I have the "Documentation of Non-Participation in State-Wide Testing for Virtual Students" form that they need to sign and return to Hixson if they refuse. My message to parents will be, "I understand your concern with your student taking the MAP test in person. We are simply following the law set by the State of Missouri regarding standardized testing. If you refuse the test, our only request is that you fill out a form so that we can provide documentation of your refusal to the state." 

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccines - March 16, 2021
In partnership with the Visiting Nurses Association, the Webster Groves School District will provide vaccinations for COVID-19 to our staff. Below are important details about the vaccination administration.

• Type of vaccination:  Pfizer
• Date of first administration:  March 16, 2021 
• Time: 8:00 AM through 4:00 PM
• Location:  Roberts Gym at Webster Groves High School
• Date of second administration:  April 9, 2021

Please be mindful of the following to make the process run smoothly:

• Arrive on time
• Temperature will be taken after arrival
• Have all necessary documents completed and readily available

• ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Insurance Card
• Completed medical questionnaire and consent form

• Follow signage and/or instructions from volunteers
• Maintain social distancing and wear a face covering
• Be patient and flexible
• Contact your building principal or immediate supervisor if you need transportation to WGHS for your appointment
• Please also review the attached V-Safe and Pfizer Fact Sheet that have been provided by the Visiting Nurses Association

Revised plan for supporting students who are quarantined
Click HERE to view our revised plan for supporting students who are quarantined. If you need to change your plan, please let me know as soon as possible so I can update the document. Be sure to let your students know about the change.

Protocol for teaching remotely 
Click HERE to access the protocol for teaching remotely.

Protocol for substitute teachers who will cover virtual classes
Click HERE to access the protocol for substitute teachers who will cover virtual classes.

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference
The Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference (virtual) will take place July 21 and July 22. Their theme this year is Enacting Equity. They also have an awesome podcast! I have provided information for the conference below. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. 

Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference (virtual)