January 8 - Happy New Year

 

Thank you for making the time and stepping up to thoughtfully discuss the unsettling events of this week. As the year progresses we will have more and more conversations as a school to raise awareness and take action on issues related to social and racial injustices and beyond. I look forward to seeing how the work evolves and where the students lead our school culture and learning. 

Good luck next week, our final week of semester 1. Thank you for all the work and energy you've put into making the 1st 1/2 of the year a success. 

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This Week's Link(s): 

A compilation of crowd sourced resources to teach and learn about
the insurrection from Wednesday. 

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Updates: 

- *LSUU Board Member IN-PERSON Visit to PA*: FYI - two school board members will be visiting PA during school between 10-10:30 next Friday. If I pop into your room with them, it will be quick. They simply want to see what things look like in-person so that they can be more informed. I will be with them at all times. And, they know it's the last day of the semester. 

- GMTCC student bus riders may be waiting inside the building prior to the arrival of their bus at approximately 7:55. They will be asked to wait in Donovan's room, the room next to Mrs. Duffy's room. If you see one wandering around please remind them to go to that room and let the main office know. I don't anticipate any wanderers, but just in case. 

- Looking for help on Grading? Email Maura and Val they are ready to help. There will also be dedicated sessions for grading guidance during 1/18 In-Service

       - Here is a resource  to support you with entering end of semester grades. It has been updated to reflect some of the scenarios that have occurred due to hybrid learning, for example, weights not reflecting actual content delivery. 

      - Drop in sessions with Maura will be available T-Th next week at 3pm. 

- A friendly reminder that students should have a pass from the office when they are late to class. Period 1 (8:00 am start time) is particularly difficult as the several students come in the middle level doors and go directly to class. Please direct them to the office for a tardy pass. I rely on period 1 attendance to call home and many times, the student has arrived late and I am not aware. Thank you. 

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Calendar

1/11-15 Adjusted class schedule

1/13 - Best Practice

1/18 - Inservice

1/20 - HS Grades and Mastery Report Supplements Due

2/5 - In-Service

2/?? - Winter Carnival 

2/22-26 - Winter Break

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TA (Teacher Advisory) 

1/13 - TA Announcements and Haiku Challenge (No Video)

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Schoolwide Happenings: 

Winter Sports are on!!

The recent visit by Dr. Bob and Superintendent Wrend confirmed two things that I thought were going on in our building during this pandemic. First, they confirmed that our air quality was excellent. In fact, Dr. Bob asserts that our air quality better than probably anywhere else other than outside. In other words the air inside Peoples Academy is of greater quality than your home, the supermarket, the gondola, etc. Thank you Brian and Team for making that happen! 

Second, they both confirmed that they felt welcome and inspired by what they saw and felt (not the air, but your vibes). When I walk around and come to your classrooms, I see the hard work that you are doing, the creative instruction that you are providing, and the respectful and welcoming nature of our school culture that you have all worked to develop. They confirmed this! Thank you. 

By the way, the masks that you found in your office mail box are C.O. Superintendent Wrend. They are both more protective and more comfortable than the KN95 masks that were provided in the fall. 

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Celebrations: 

Congratulations to our very own Rachel Duffy on being selected to join the pilot of the Windows to A Multicultural World (WTAMW) K-12 remote learning platform offered through the Clemmons Family Farm.  This new platform will facilitate learning about African-American and African diaspora history and culture using content developed by a team of historians, artists, and teachers.   Windows to A Multicultural World will be available with no cost to students.

Happy Birthday

Rita Angione  Jan. 16