December 4, 2020
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| Click HERE to see an easy read version of your great ideas (Thank you Tarah) |
One of the hardest things about the pandemic is the unknown. Do I have COVID? Do my students? When will this end? When can I see my family? And the list goes on and on. The lack of answers can leave us feeling like we have lost control over things that significantly impact our work and our lives. This can increase our stress. This is hard.
While we are definitely all in this together and sharing the load, aspects of this pandemic affect us all differently. One current challenge for us is the increased limitations on our private life. For some of us, the challenges related to restrictions on travel and seeing family is harder and more complicated than for others. I appreciate that everyone is being thoughtful, respectful, and conscious in this moment. Please do reach out to me if you are feeling caught in a hard place with the upcoming vacation. I do not foresee the district planning to close school* post vacation nor changing expectations (teaching remotely while in quarantining based on a decision to travel will not replace sick or COVID days). This is because keeping students in school is the district and state priority. (*We will close if needed, as is the current situation with Stowe schools.)
And, when you do things like modeling proper mask wearing, staying home when you are feeling sick, physically organizing your students properly, and enforcing other safety measures, you are helping. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to these components of our plans. Your effort matters!
Finally, you also know how to reduce your stress and that of your peers, you know how to manage the unknown, and you know how to survive. Look no farther than the image above: you have the skills and ability to stay strong during this challenging time. And, thanks for these fun and inspiring images, which is another fine example of your ability to cope!
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This Week's Link(s):
Encouraging Students to Turn on Their Cameras: We will use this article as a catalyst for an upcoming conversation. This is a topic that brings up a challenge for most of us. This short read could hold some answers for this enigma.
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Updates:
- Quarter 2/Semester 1 Grading Timeline
- Hour of Code is an annual event to engage students in learning about computer science and coding. This goal of the event is to have students participate in an hour of coding and computer science activities the week of December 7th-11th. Hour of Code activities provide engaging learning opportunities for both in person and remote learning days. If you are interested in learning more about Hour of Code or are interested in resources to support.
- Updated Guidelines on Multi-Household Gatherings - could be useful when talking with students
- 12/10: Free Webinar: Equity and Excellence Now 3:00 p.m.
Authors Margaret Searle and Marilyn Swartz share proven ways to relieve the five biggest stressors of teaching in a remote or hybrid setting.
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Calendar
12/9 - Best Practice (Theme: funny, fun, original background)
12/18 - Lunch and Learn Session. 12:00-12:30 Your Powerful Mind and the Effect of Self Talk
12/24 - 1st Winter Break Begins
1/15 - Last Day of Semester 1
1/18 - LSUU In-Service
1/20 - Grades Due: Grading Timeline
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TA (Teacher Advisory)
- Activity - TA announcement; Anti-racist group slide show and discussion option; TA Takedown (The new TA Challenge will be posted on Wednesday 12/9)
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Schoolwide Happenings:
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| Considering New Product Development in Marketing/Entrepreneurship |
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| Stumped by the 9 dot logic problem |
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| Now here's the real deal logic - and it aint my 80's algebra |
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| Surprise - one more warm and sunny outdoor lunch for 2020! |
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| Some creative takes on the Pandemic - from Cedeno's classroom wall |
Celebrations:
Up for Learning: Congrats to Lindsey and Tiffany for presenting at the 7th Annual POWER2 Summit: Youth & Adults Transforming Education Together. Great job!
In case you missed it, here is a well written student article, by Senior Olivia Owen, about PA Art.
We are happy to announce that Annie Boudreau has been selected as one of Vermont’s 2021 Presidential Scholars, who are chosen for their outstanding leadership and service to their communities. All students selected at the Vermont level of this program will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) for consideration as a Presidential Scholar at the national level. The DOE will select two students from Vermont to be part of the national recipients. Good Luck & Congratulations Annie!
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| Ollie, Tony, Gabe and Landon |
Congrats to 2020 boys ALL STATE soccer selections: Dylan Haskins, Charlie Viet, Landon Dubie, Ollie Nigro, & Gabe Carlson.
In girls soccer, 4 PA players made all league honors: Linden Osborne, Weslie Carlson, Shelby Wells, and Lucy Nigro
And, more deserved recognition for Coach Faraci! For the SECOND time, Angie was named the Vermont Small Schools and Overall Vermont Coach of the Year (this puts in the mix for USA Coach of the Year!!!) Way to go Angie - thanks for your hard work.
I wanted to take the time to express our gratitude to the PA teachers and staff. As we all navigate this time in our world one thing that stays constant is the support and dedication of the PA staff.
The other night I asked my boys how the energy was at school. Noah replied that he knows there are many stressed people in the world right now but he never feels that at school. He said things like, Mr.Dolan keeps us laughing and enjoying learning. My art teacher was so amazing and got us outside to paint and I really enjoyed bringing home art supplies and making art on my days off. My history teacher checks in all the time. The guidance counselors are both really helpful.
These may seem like small things to an outsider but for us it’s the energy that our children absorb. They feel safe and are enjoying school.
We appreciate all the extra work teachers are doing to keep the learning going and the sea of calm they share. We realize how this has not been easy and teachers are asked to pivot and be flexible while keeping on.
Happy Birthday
Sheila Jones Dec. 7
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