Harwood Staff Blog update, November 20, 2020

We are grateful for all that everyone does!  Have a great Thanksgiving!  

Take Care of yourself and your families! 

"Hey I just met you, and this is gravy, but here's my stuffing, so carve me maybe."

Team Harwood; 

As we continue to ensure our students are safe - seen, heard, respected and understood we want to reiterate our priorities and ask for your continued partnership to hold us and each other accountable to maintaining our focus on these  School wide Priorities:  

• Wellness - to ensure basic needs are being met in order for learning to happen

• Attendance - to ensure students are seen and thus able to learn

• ELO - to support all students in learning

 Weekly and Daily Priorities:

	Daily	Weekly
Expected	Continue to update seating charts Complete attendance for TA & each block in the first 10 min. of each block Holding necessary staff meetings on line when possible Ensure students sign out when they go to the bathroom   Remind students to keep masks above their nose & maintain physical distancing	Book students for each ELO block Universal support of TA TA Wellness check for the Black and Gold Cohort  Follow up with TA Wellness check Follow up with TA absences
Suggested	Take time for your own wellness	Email to students and families who you have signed up for your ELO blocks Follow up communication with students and families if students were absent from an assigned ELO

Continuing to manage our time and prioritize our own wellness requires that we not only have clarity of our expectations but clarity of what we can remove from your priority lists - please see below for a few suggestions:

• Follow up with students who have course completion in your class from 2019-2020

• Getting through your “entire curriculum”

Knowing that clarity can sometimes best be sought in person we want to invite everyone to join us for a drop in via zoom to ask questions and seek answers - Monday 2:50

Join Zoom Meeting

ID: 81251869599

Password: JKAta7Fg5D

‪(US) +1 346-248-7799‬

Passcode: 8719227514

 

Weekly gratitudes:

• To Chelsea & Heather for digging into their tool kit and using universal strategies to support our students and when they were out of tools completing the SST referral to seek additional support.

• To Eric, Amanda,  Tracy and Alison Conyers for their work around providing COVID testing for our staff this past week.  

• To Jen Dreimiller for an amazing start to the Harwood Wellness Center 

In partnership and with gratitude,

Meg, Laurie, and Duane

Daily

Weekly

Expected

• Continue to update seating charts

• Complete attendance for TA & each block in the first 10 min. of each block

• Holding necessary staff meetings on line when possible

• Ensure students sign out when they go to the bathroom  

• Remind students to keep masks above their nose & maintain physical distancing 

Book students for each ELO block

Universal support of TA

• TA Wellness check for the Black and Gold Cohort 

• Follow up with TA Wellness check

• Follow up with TA absences 

Suggested

Take time for your own wellness

• Email to students and families who you have signed up for your ELO blocks

• Follow up communication with students and families if students were absent from an assigned ELO

Curious  

Topics	Information/Links	Tasks/Point people
Schedule resources - if you need a reminder of our: Wednesday; Snow day; Full Remote	Please note the Q2 TA start time on Wed. is now 9 a.m. Harwood Middle/High school Wednesday; Full Remote & snow day schedule  here. *This is also on our website under bell schedule	Duane, Meg and Laurie
Synthesized attendance tasks for teachers	take attendance in first 10 min. of each TA/block call Nancy/Liz if a student is missing from class after the first 10 min. email with students/families after an unexcused absence book student for ELO after an unexcused absence log tardies in powerschool book student for ELO after 3 unexcused tardies	Meg, Laurie and Duane
Absence reminders to families	If parents communicate absences with you - please direct them to complete the school absence google form. Ensuring we have accurate attendance data is essential always but particularly now as major decisions are being made based on this data.  Thank you for your help with this.
ELO expectations	Teachers are expected to have students booked for each ELO block they teach.   Please book students for ELO in Enriching students Attendance must be taken for each ELO block in Enriching Students.  (This is critical for our data collection.) Teachers are expected to plan and deliver either:  Support Enrichment or whole class instruction  for each ELO block they teach.  Proactive booking of students is expected and needs to be completed by the end of the day each Monday.  Pre-bookings should be based on: Need for targeted support for current work - either skills review or completion oversight  Need to complete or revise work from the previous week Extended or enrichment opportunities to deepen understanding and demonstrate advanced skills	Curtis and Lisa T.

Caring 

Topics	Information/Links	Tasks/Point people
A reminder about the holidays from our Counseling office	Given the time of the year, it is important to remember that the holidays for many students and families are stressful. We need to be mindful of how we discuss the upcoming holidays with our students.  This year for many of us and for many of our students, Thanksgiving is even more challenging given all the COVID related factors. A simple question such as “What are your Thanksgiving Day plans?” can trigger a flood of emotions. Some folks may be grieving the loss of others or traditional plans while some folks may be excited about new or continued plans. Please remember the analogy of the “iceberg” and that there is often more going on beneath the surface for folks including our students. If you are concerned about a student, given the time of year, continue to support them  and reach out to their school counselor, for additional support if needed.	Sally, Erin and Tara
Reminders from our health office	On Friday November 13th, 2020,  Governor Scott announced important updates to the Executive Orders in an effort to keep Vermonters healthy and safe; Multiple Household Social Gatherings Suspended. Attendance at all public and private social, recreational and entertainment gatherings, indoor and outdoor, including large social gatherings incidental to ceremonies, holiday gatherings, parties and celebrations, shall be limited to participation with only members of a single household. For the sake of clarity, nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members living in the same residence. Individuals who live alone may gather with members of their immediate family residing in a different household. Please review the full document and updates at: https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%208%20TO%20AMENDED%20AND%20RESTATED%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20.pdf	Amanda & Tracy
High School TA plans for the coming week	Gratitude: “If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner As we approach Thanksgiving week, I hope you have all enjoyed a gratitude activity with your TA students. We will continue to share gratitude through activities in advisory next week and beyond.  After the Thanksgiving break, we will embark on a school-wide “Fill the Buckets with Gratitude Challenge” activity. More to come on this in the next installment of the blog! Check In Questions for the week: As promised, I will be sharing 6 questions for you to consider for your weekly asynchronous check-ins with students. The first two are a nice fit for our focus on gratitude. Describe something that you do often that makes you happy and why. Name someone you know who makes your life better and why. What are three words that describe you best? What five things would you take with you during the zombie apocalypse and why? Did you have any bad days this week? What did you do to make yourself feel better? What was your best accomplishment this week? As always, please let me know if I can support you in any way...

Topics 

Information/Links

Tasks/Point people 

A reminder about the holidays from our Counseling office

Given the time of the year, it is important to remember that the holidays for many students and families are stressful. We need to be mindful of how we discuss the upcoming holidays with our students. 

This year for many of us and for many of our students, Thanksgiving is even more challenging given all the COVID related factors. A simple question such as “What are your Thanksgiving Day plans?” can trigger a flood of emotions. Some folks may be grieving the loss of others or traditional plans while some folks may be excited about new or continued plans. Please remember the analogy of the “iceberg” and that there is often more going on beneath the surface for folks including our students.

If you are concerned about a student, given the time of year, continue to support them  and reach out to their school counselor, for additional support if needed.

Sally, Erin and Tara

Reminders from our health office 

On Friday November 13th, 2020,  Governor Scott announced important updates to the Executive Orders in an effort to keep Vermonters healthy and safe;

Multiple Household Social Gatherings Suspended. Attendance at all public

and private social, recreational and entertainment gatherings, indoor and

outdoor, including large social gatherings incidental to ceremonies, holiday

gatherings, parties and celebrations, shall be limited to participation with

only members of a single household. For the sake of clarity, nothing in this

Order prohibits the gathering of members living in the same residence.

Individuals who live alone may gather with members of their immediate

family residing in a different household.

Please review the full document and updates at:

https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%208%20TO%20AMENDED%20AND%20RESTATED%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20.pdf

Amanda & Tracy

High School TA plans for the coming week

Gratitude:

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner

As we approach Thanksgiving week, I hope you have all enjoyed a gratitude activity with your TA students. We will continue to share gratitude through activities in advisory next week and beyond. 

After the Thanksgiving break, we will embark on a school-wide “Fill the Buckets with Gratitude Challenge” activity. More to come on this in the next installment of the blog!

Check In Questions for the week:

As promised, I will be sharing 6 questions for you to consider for your weekly asynchronous check-ins with students. The first two are a nice fit for our focus on gratitude.

1. Describe something that you do often that makes you happy and why.

2. Name someone you know who makes your life better and why.

3. What are three words that describe you best?

4. What five things would you take with you during the zombie apocalypse and why?

5. Did you have any bad days this week? What did you do to make yourself feel better?

6. What was your best accomplishment this week?

As always, please let me know if I can support you in any way...

Topics 

Information/Links

Tasks/Point people 

Schedule resources - if you need a reminder of our: Wednesday; Snow day; Full Remote

Please note the Q2 TA start time on Wed. is now 9 a.m.

Harwood Middle/High school Wednesday; Full Remote & snow day schedule  here.

*This is also on our website under bell schedule

Duane, Meg and Laurie 

Synthesized attendance tasks for teachers 

1. take attendance in first 10 min. of each TA/block

2. call Nancy/Liz if a student is missing from class after the first 10 min.

3. email with students/families after an unexcused absence

4. book student for ELO after an unexcused absence

5. log tardies in powerschool

6. book student for ELO after 3 unexcused tardies

Meg, Laurie and Duane 

Absence reminders to families

If parents communicate absences with you - please direct them to complete the school absence google form.

Ensuring we have accurate attendance data is essential always but particularly now as major decisions are being made based on this data.  Thank you for your help with this.  

ELO expectations 

Teachers are expected to have students booked for each ELO block they teach.  

• Please book students for ELO in Enriching students

• Attendance must be taken for each ELO block in Enriching Students.  (This is critical for our data collection.)

• Teachers are expected to plan and deliver either: 

• Support

• Enrichment

• or whole class instruction 

for each ELO block they teach. 

• Proactive booking of students is expected and needs to be completed by the end of the day each Monday.  Pre-bookings should be based on:

• Need for targeted support for current work - either skills review or completion oversight 

• Need to complete or revise work from the previous week

• Extended or enrichment opportunities to deepen understanding and demonstrate advanced skills

Curtis and Lisa T.

Topics 

Information/Links

Tasks/Point people 

A reminder about the holidays from our Counseling office

Given the time of the year, it is important to remember that the holidays for many students and families are stressful. We need to be mindful of how we discuss the upcoming holidays with our students. 

This year for many of us and for many of our students, Thanksgiving is even more challenging given all the COVID related factors. A simple question such as “What are your Thanksgiving Day plans?” can trigger a flood of emotions. Some folks may be grieving the loss of others or traditional plans while some folks may be excited about new or continued plans. Please remember the analogy of the “iceberg” and that there is often more going on beneath the surface for folks including our students.

If you are concerned about a student, given the time of year, continue to support them  and reach out to their school counselor, for additional support if needed.

Sally, Erin and Tara

Reminders from our health office 

On Friday November 13th, 2020,  Governor Scott announced important updates to the Executive Orders in an effort to keep Vermonters healthy and safe;

Multiple Household Social Gatherings Suspended. Attendance at all public

and private social, recreational and entertainment gatherings, indoor and

outdoor, including large social gatherings incidental to ceremonies, holiday

gatherings, parties and celebrations, shall be limited to participation with

only members of a single household. For the sake of clarity, nothing in this

Order prohibits the gathering of members living in the same residence.

Individuals who live alone may gather with members of their immediate

family residing in a different household.

Please review the full document and updates at:

https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%208%20TO%20AMENDED%20AND%20RESTATED%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20.pdf

Amanda & Tracy

High School TA plans for the coming week

Gratitude:

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner

As we approach Thanksgiving week, I hope you have all enjoyed a gratitude activity with your TA students. We will continue to share gratitude through activities in advisory next week and beyond. 

After the Thanksgiving break, we will embark on a school-wide “Fill the Buckets with Gratitude Challenge” activity. More to come on this in the next installment of the blog!

Check In Questions for the week:

As promised, I will be sharing 6 questions for you to consider for your weekly asynchronous check-ins with students. The first two are a nice fit for our focus on gratitude.

1. Describe something that you do often that makes you happy and why.

2. Name someone you know who makes your life better and why.

3. What are three words that describe you best?

4. What five things would you take with you during the zombie apocalypse and why?

5. Did you have any bad days this week? What did you do to make yourself feel better?

6. What was your best accomplishment this week?

As always, please let me know if I can support you in any way...

Connected 

Topics	Information/Links	Tasks/Point people
Upcoming Dates	DATES  Updated Drill Dates  11/23 8:30 ( 5 minutes)   11/24 8:30 ( 5 minutes)  Change of schedule for next week: 11/23 - Black cohort day 11/24 - Gold cohort day  Picture day make up times 12/10 & 12/11 Gold Cohort	Meg and Laurie, Duane
12/02  Staff meeting	Objective:  Continuing to identify how we foster our own resilience. Zoom Information:   Meeting ID: 858 1626 1603 Passcode: 9M1Hus Great news - we have been able to pre-book break out rooms for our staff meetings in order to provide consistent ally groups moving forward.  In order fro this to work please  log in to the Zoom App first making sure to use a Zoom account with their school email. . use the Meeting ID and Passcode above to join the meeting NOT the link. use a mac or PC to join the meeting
Harkness - how we can continue to connect and encourage dialogue during this time.	Harkness Circles are allowed..   Classroom furniture may be configured  so that students can sit in a circle, but  students need to be 6 feet apart at all times. There is no  “15 minute limit”  for student conversations, as classrooms are “contract- traceable” units.  Kate, Ryan and Chris Urban have been experimenting! Please see here for more suggestions and resources.
Tech Updates	When communicating with Tech support please use hutech@huusd.org for any questions/inquiries and for a specific tech request use this form. Do not email any of us individually a tech question or request. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1L13rrBnEMgmQAq22JGs5PIUscwz7ySM4iMUM0ZfEN2Y/edit	Taggert Haslam Justin Griffith

Topics 

Information/Links

Tasks/Point people 

Upcoming Dates 

DATES 

• Updated Drill Dates 

• 11/23 8:30 ( 5 minutes)  

• 11/24 8:30 ( 5 minutes) 

• Change of schedule for next week:

• 11/23 - Black cohort day

• 11/24 - Gold cohort day 

• Picture day make up times

• 12/10 & 12/11 Gold Cohort 

Meg and Laurie, Duane

12/02 

Staff meeting 

Objective:  Continuing to identify how we foster our own resilience.

Zoom Information:  

Meeting ID: 858 1626 1603

Passcode: 9M1Hus

Great news - we have been able to pre-book break out rooms for our staff meetings in order to provide consistent ally groups moving forward.  In order fro this to work please 

• log in to the Zoom App first making sure to use a Zoom account with their school email. .

• use the Meeting ID and Passcode above to join the meeting NOT the link.

• use a mac or PC to join the meeting

Harkness - how we can continue to connect and encourage dialogue during this time. 

Harkness Circles are allowed..  

Classroom furniture may be configured  so that students can sit in a circle, but  students need to be 6 feet apart at all times. There is no  “15 minute limit”  for student conversations, as classrooms are “contract- traceable” units.  Kate, Ryan and Chris Urban have been experimenting!

Please see here for more suggestions and resources.

Tech Updates

When communicating with Tech support please use hutech@huusd.org for any questions/inquiries and for a specific tech request use this form.

Do not email any of us individually a tech question or request.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1L13rrBnEMgmQAq22JGs5PIUscwz7ySM4iMUM0ZfEN2Y/edit

Taggert Haslam

Justin Griffith