Week Ahead: Sept. 27 – Oct. 1

I’d like to tell you about a colleague of mine. I got to work with Mike for 10 years.  He was an educator’s educator.  Dedicated to students, focused on the big picture, passionate about his subject (social studies) and always ready to go to bat for what was best for kids.  This week a he lost his battle with dementia.

Mike’s impact on this world has been truly immeasurable.  His granddaughter started a memorial FaceBook page, and his former students have been posting their memories of Mike.  Their bitter sweet memories really drive home the powerful impact teachers can have on their students.  Here is one of those posts:

I was one of those kids Mr. Warwick made feel special. I know it had an immeasurable positive impact in my life. I love learning that I wasn’t the only one- although he had the gift of making you feel that way. What a gift!

Thank you for the positive impact you are having on our students.  Not only will these student never forget what it was like to live through this pandemic, they will remember the teachers that made them feel cared for, helped them develop their sense of self, and brought light on difficult days.  Thank you for being the Mike Warwick of their middle school experience.

THE WEEK AHEAD:

Monday, Sept. 27
VS A-D
1:30-3:00 Admin Mtg (Molly attends)

Tuesday, Sept. 28
VS E-H
9:30-10:15 SST
3:15-4:30 MS Leadership Team Mtg (agenda)

Wednesday, Sept. 29
Wellness / Consolidation
9:00-9:45 MS Assembly
10-11:00 AS Family Wellness Session – Character Strengths with David Bott
3:15-4:30 Divisional Mtg Time: Collaborative Planning/Work Time

Thursday, Sept. 30
VS A-D
9:30-11 Admin Mtg (Molly attends)

Friday, Oct. 1
VS E-H

Upcoming (on the radar)

• Oct. 11: Comments completed and peer reviewed (in Q1 bin) and grades completed by 3:00; verification reports printed by 3:45
• Oct. 12: Verification report reviewed, signed (can be digital) and returned to office by 3:00
• Oct. 13: End of Quarter 1
• Oct. 13, 14 and 15: Parent Teacher Conferences
• Oct. 18-22: Fall Break

PTC Update: After discussion at the Leadership Team meeting, we brainstormed ways to give more flexibility in the Parent Teacher Conference schedule.  By keeping the amount of time set aside for PTCs the same (2 full days) and spreading it out over 2.5 days rather than 2, there is the ability for each teacher to block out time that suits them best given their home situations.  We have added conferences from Wednesday 1-4:00 (we will be cancelling MS Meet Ups for that day).  Each teacher will add in an additional 3 hours of breaks distributed across the 2.5 days as they best determine.  On Monday, you will receive directions for how to do this.

Recording of David Bott’s presentation:  If you did not get a chance to see David Bott’s presentation at our Sept. 22 assembly or wish you reshare portions of it with students, you can view it here.

From Daniel:  After receiving quotes for school-wide subscriptions to PearDeck and Whiteboard.fi, the cost far exceeded the current number of known, regular users who are using these tools to warrant the purchase. So, we will not be moving forward with a school-wide subscription for these apps at this time.

Focus Group Invitation from Catriona:  This Focus Group group will include three people from each division and three-at-large members and is scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 23 @ 3:15 pm – 4:15 PM. WaiMun Fong, David Chadwell, Ha Noi (HR), and Phuong (Business Office) will facilitate the focus group with me.

If you are interested, please complete this form by Wednesday, September 22 @ 4:00 pm.  We will notify participants on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dqszbUadHr00FMqH_7ijYCGysHW8BoLheeR1hCtmxsk/edit

I look forward to chatting with this Focus Group on Thursday. I hope to facilitate additional focus groups in the future as we seek understanding of the many challenges that face our community during this COVID -19 pandemic and beyond.