Marshall Mustang Memo: September 2021

Friday, September 24, 2021

Do you remember the 30 days of September?

Here we are! The final days of September, 2021 to remember! I am proud of all we have been able to accomplish amidst the multitude of challenges we have faced. Many challenges are brand new. Many challenges we have faced before. I am thankful that we face all of these together. Thank you for your assistance in creative problem solving this month. Let's continue the valued collaboration.

Can I teach this?
Understanding A.R.S. § 15-717.02 regarding “prohibited instruction” and its impact on teaching the History and Social Studies Standards - azed.gov. ADE guidance.

Collaboration Hours
We have enough money to begin with up to 4 hours of collaboration time for our teachers to be paid just over $29/hr off of contract time to work on UDL lesson development. Keep your focus narrow. Tackle one part of the UDL design process at a time. Please fill out THIS sheet to communicate with me your collaborative plan and don't forget to fill out a time sheet for that time period.
Teacher Collaboration Hours <-----Please fill this out!

Apple Classroom 301 opportunity
Now that Marshall is set up properly to use Apple Classroom, the tech department wanted to offer Apple Classroom Professional Learning for Marshall. This is a wonderful 301 opportunity. Also, here is a link to the Classroom User Guide as well https://support.apple.com/guide/classroom/set-a-class-created-managed-apple-apd78b08f84c/ipados. We will be in touch with 301 opportunities when scheduled.

Parent/Teacher Conferences & Fall Break!

"At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parts." Jane D. Hull

Thank you for your participation in Dare to Share CT. It is valuable for us to know what we are communicating to parents at each grade level. We know this is your chance to connect, partner and prepare for our second quarter. You know all of this but it is a good reminder...

Attendance Matters
Learning Activities Matter
Participation Matters
Learning Environment Matters
Reflection Matters
Feedback Matters
Student Voice and Choice Matters!

15 Tips for Leading Productive Parent-Teacher Conferences - Remote Learning

Show you care!
Offer a flexible conference schedule. You can accommodate in person if you wish (not sure if masks will be mandated then). Please make sure all mitigation strategies are communicated and employed. Perhaps encourage conference outside if that is the case. We had higher attendance via zoom.
Prepare, prepare, prepare - you are prepared
Arrange for a translator if needed (see me) and find a way to connect
Approach parents with positive assumptions
Share real stories and student work ~THIS IS THEIR TIME TO SHINE!
Be solution oriented
Create clear goals
Avoid education jargon
Give parents responsibility - Yes, I said it! It is worth a try!
Encourage questions
If a parent becomes confrontational, don't engage
Remain professional at all times
Stay in contact with parents/guardians

SHOUT OUTS (<--click)

Please help us all see what is happening behind the scenes!

Thank you, ALL for your continued team player mindset! This was certainly one of the most difficult weeks to date. We are doing our best to get the supports we need to be able to manage many difficult students. We will make progress. Thank you for your trust and patience. ~ Reasor

Thank you, HULLS, NOT Overton, for creating the grid-like thingings to help communicate data with guardians during parent/teacher conferences! ~Anonymous ;)

Peace Corners are ready!

Please upload a photo of your Peace Corner HERE.

Make sure to indicate your name.

From Mary Kay Walton

I am recruiting for teachers who would be interested in attending the social studies curriculum review meetings. Our purpose is to fill in the gaps for missing resources to support instruction and to continue the alignment with the ELA curriculum. We will also be scheduling professional learning opportunities. If we could get representation for every grade level that would be great. Currently, we need:

Kindergarten – 2 teachers

First Grade – 2 teachers

Second grade – 1 teacher

Fourth grade – 2 teachers

Fifth grade – 1 teacher

We will have monthly meetings for one hour each and all meetings will be 301 eligible. If you have some names for me, I will be happy to reach out to them. Thank you so much for your support on this.

Counselor's Corner with Mrs. C.

Hi everyone,

I imagine you are all aware, but in case you don't know....

I have more referrals than I have since I started 2 years ago and less time due to teaching lessons & supporting the numerous behaviors happening throughout our building. Due to this problem and before these other students become bigger concerns, I MUST create time to meet with our students. Given this, I will teach SEL lessons September 27th - October 1st, then I will take two weeks to catch up on all the referrals, etc. When we return from fall break, I will then teach every other week (schedule below). We will re-evaluate and know how we will start 2022 before we go on Winter Break.

SEL Lessons WILL BE taught on:

September 27 - October 1

October 18 - 22

November 1 - 5

November 15 - 19

November 29 - December 3

December 13 - 17

I appreciate your understanding and support of our students during this time of high needs.

Also, Panorama surveys are continuing for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades 9/27-10/1. Please have students bring iPads to SEL with them. Thanks to Mrs. Joe for the idea - I now have a QR code that has made the sign in process significantly faster. Makeups will be held 10/4 and 10/5. I will let you know next Friday afternoon who and when. Thank you for your support!

Important Covid Updates: NEW INFO

September 29th- Mandatory Masks?

The judge has not ruled yet on the constitutionality of the process used by the Arizona Legislature to pass the law which prohibits school districts from requiring mask mandates. It was expected last week and could come any day and for sure by Sept. 29.

If the judge rules the law is not in effect, Mr. Penca's recommendation to the Board is to continue the mask requirement until we see COVID-19 transmission reduce from the high levels we are currently experiencing, and younger students are eligible for the vaccine. If the judge rules the law is in effect beginning on September 29, then our FUSD attorney and Mr. Penca will advise the Board to act in accordance with the law and then we can only encourage all to wear masks.

I know this is a lot to process. We can only control what we can control. Right now, we can control it. We have been reassured that the FUSD Governing Board will hold a special session if/as needed rather than wait until the regularly scheduled September 28th board meeting.

Pooled Testing:

Marshall has been selected for pooled testing.
From McKenzie Bevert- "With our increase in COVID cases in the schools pooled testing is a very important mitigation strategy. As part of the FUSD COVID-19 mitigation efforts, we will be working with NAU scientists using a pooled testing approach to identify COVID-19 infections. This project has been funded by the CDC to document infection rates and monitor variants of concern. The FUSD administration has identified your schools as important testing locations. This project is being run by Drs. Talima Pearson and Crystal Hepp from NAU".

It will only include students in grades 3-5. It will only include those students whose guardians have given consent. Communication about the pooled testing will come from FUSD, not Marshall. Questions will be fielded by NAU, not Marshall. If the project is a go, wWhen I learn more, I will share it with you.

Rapid Tests To Go: Don't forget, we have received rapid Covid tests that can be taken at home. Please see Nurse Liz for more information and/or if you need a test.

Revised Covid/Quarantine Guidelines- Please read

2021-2022 school year mitigation plan

FUSD Health Metrics

FUSD Positive Case Dashboard

Vaccine Information and Locations

Flowchart procedures:

Close contact definition

COVID-19 Playbook

Upcoming CT schedule

Week of 9/27- GDMs

Week of 10/4 - No CTs, report card prep

Week of 10/11 - No CTs, P/T Conferences

Week of 10/18 - IDMs

Did you miss today's Vertical CT? Agenda, link to padlet, and resources are below:

Agenda Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iU_iIWyDGVIhhK70tPPKvLiWB06s5UXaX0I1WaNavaA/edit?usp=sharing

Padlet Link: https://padlet.com/chansen31/diyxijz297t1abfm

Please sign into Padlet (top right corner) using the Google option and FUSD credentials.

Digital Resources Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kXID1tbbSMMLeYJMFA-_SjROCovxO4bD?usp=sharing

Bus Duty - Resource Teachers

Coming Up

Monday, Sept 27

~Smooth beginning to an awesome week!

Tuesday, Sept 28

~5:30pm-? Governing Board Mtg

Wednesday, Sept 29

~9:00-11:30am Reasor at ELETEAM at DO

~Reasor at NISL. Overton to assist with all Administrative Duties (928) 853-5591

Thursday, Sept 30
~Reasor at NISL. Overton to assist with all Administrative Duties (928) 853-5591

~FHS Homecoming Parade 11:05am.

~4-5pm Reasor at Beat The Odds Mentor Mtg

Friday, Oct 1 ~Saturday is National Custodian Day. We are so fortunate to have Nish!

Oct 2, National Custodian's Day
Oct 5 -6, Reasor at DITEP Training
Oct 6 - Walk to school day
Oct 8 - End of Qtr 1
Oct 11-13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (1/2 days) 12:25pm dismissal M-W.
Oct 14-15 - Fall Break
Please acknowledge you have read the post <-click   

Saturday, September 18, 2021

September Successes

Teachers Matter!

Successes!! RTI was a huge success! We are so excited that we were able to complete our first week of structured Tier II throughout our school. #StudentsFirst!

Congratulations on being a finalist for 2021 Rookie Teacher of the Year, Ms. Mijares!

Upcoming CT schedule

Week of 9/20 - No grade level CTs, 9/24- K-5 Vertical "Dare to Share" CT in Library 1-2pm

Week of 9/27- GDMs

Week of 10/4 - No CTs, report card prep

Week of 10/11 - No CTs, P/T Conferences

Week of 10/18 - IDMs

Gifted Testing

Our first round of gifted testing is here. We will have two testing periods this year. The first testing period begins Oct. 4th. Please submit names to Mrs. Hauer through form no later than September 24th. She will then check if they are eligible to be tested. If they are eligible, she will send parental permission forms out.

From Mary Kay Walton:

This is just a reminder that September 25, is Sandra Day O’Connor Day. In 2019, Governor Ducey signed into law, HB 2625, to recognize this day for Civics education. Since this is a Saturday, information on this day or civics instruction focus can be done on Friday, September 24. For a reminder regarding this event here is the link for background information.

SHOUT OUTS (<--click)

Please help us all see what is happening behind the scenes!

Thank you, Marshall for making us feel so welcomed and loved. We cannot cannot express our gratitude enough. The students really LOVED the event, cards and posters! They are still talking about it with their counselor. ~ Killip Cougars

Thank you, Shaw for helping out the front office with AzM2 filing. ~ Reasor

Thank you, all for sharing your celebrations with the staff. It was impactful and motivating. You are doing the hard work and it is working. ~ Reasor

iPad and Outbreak Planning

I was able to talk with most of our grade level teams. You are clear you do not wish to send iPads home daily. I will work with FUSD on how we can meet their expectations for "remote readiness". To be clear, we are not having this discussion because Marshall is close to outbreak status. We are just preparing ahead. For now, here are a few things to consider...

Have students take iPads home to try it out for a night and make sure they can connect to the internet from home, charge it at night, and bring it back the next day. Then, you can analyze how the rollout went and make changes as needed.
As the logistics are being worked out, an emergency plan should be in place in case an outbreak happens before iPads and hotspots go home. The question to consider is: "If we got a call this afternoon that our school is closing because of an outbreak, how would we quickly ensure that students would be able to continue receiving a quality education using the iPad?"
Getting iPads and hotspots home before there is an outbreak helps front load any technology issues, sheds light on inventory problems, and saves time during an emergency situation.

FUSD's PD Day

Please ensure that all participants have an iPad and laptop for the FUSD PD Day, as our courses will require the use of an iPad.

Monday PD Plan for Certified

8:00-10:00am District PD on TEI in Library
https://fusd1.instructure.com/enroll/4D6CCA.

10:00-12:00pm District PD on Tech for UDL - grade level teams
https://fusd1.instructure.com/enroll/KR6BY9

12:00-1:00pm Lunch break

1:00- 2:00pm Restorative Practices in the Library.

2:00-3:00pm Build your Peace Place with all the new gifts you will receive.

Covid-19 Updates
From Nurse Liz:
Coconino County Health and Human Services has provided our school with BinaxNOW COVID-19 self-tests. These tests are performed at home and can be distributed for use by any symptomatic individual in our community including students, staff, and family members. These antigen tests should not be used for early release from quarantine after a direct exposure but are a good option providing quick results for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Please come see me if you know of anyone who is not feeling well and would be interested in testing.

Outbreak Determinations:
The Coconino County Health and Human Services Department, in coordination with the FUSD COVID Support Team, uses several factors to designate schools as being in outbreak status including the number of positive cases, students quarantining with symptoms and/or pending test results, and students marked absent for illness during a two-week period. Actions taken by FUSD may include closing the school temporarily for a designated period of time to reduce interactions among students and staff to minimize possible transmission of COVID-19 at the site, and completing enhanced cleaning and air purification.
Decisions to close schools and transition to temporary remote learning are made only when deemed necessary.  Notifications about outbreak designations will be sent to FUSD families via phone, email, and text. Families and students should be prepared to transition to temporary remote learning with little advance notice, including students taking iPad devices and other needed materials home each day.

COVID-19 Health Metrics and Positive Case Dashboard
The Flagstaff Unified School District provides families, team members, and the community weekly updates regarding the overall risk level for COVID-19 and a data dashboard for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Information is updated each Friday and is available at the FUSD website.
Health Metrics:  https://www.fusd1.org/healthmetrics
Positive Case Dashboard: https://www.fusd1.org/covid19dashboard
Outbreak admin cheat sheet here (ROUGH DRAFT)Admin outbreak preparation procedures here (ROUGH DRAFT)