Rocket Weekly for Staff

Dear RES Staff,

I hope this message finds you safe and well!

I also hope everyone has taken the past two weeks to rest and spend time with your family and loved ones. In my twenty plus years working in education, what we are experiencing is nothing I could have ever imagined occurring. All of us are working together to process the unprecedented measures needed to combat the outbreak of COVID-19.

Together, as a school family, we will get through all of our these "new norms" we are faced with: teleworking, on-line instruction, 24 hours with our spouses/partners and/or children, strategic runs to the grocery stores, worrying about family members with underlying conditions and possible exposures, and not being able to see, touch, or teach our school kiddos....

I know and understand that many of you may be feeling anxious and overwhelmed at this moment. In a couple of weeks we went from looking forward to the weekend to being informed schools were closed for two weeks, only to be then informed we would be providing on-line instructional opportunities for the next four weeks. More importantly, all of us are wondering if we will even open back up our physical school doors this year.

The most important thing we can do right now is to reassure our students and families as we help them find some normalcy and routine in this new way of living. Therefore, this week we will reach out to our families, work diligently to become proficient with the on-line instructional platforms, choose our words carefully, and be there for one another.

Our words matter. School is not closed. School is just taking place in a different format.

Our kiddos matter. We will be there for them and their families.

You matter. Structures and supports have been and will continue to be put into place to ease the transition to on-line instructional opportunities.

We matter. Teleworking is to protect us so that we may continue to educate the children - the future leaders of our county, state, and country.

Although nothing will ever replace the magic of learning that took place in each of your classrooms, we can and will provide invaluable instructional resources and activities to foster our students' continued growth.

This is an emotional and psychological adjustment for all of us. I am so incredibly fortunate to work with each and every one of you. Together, as a school family, we will get through this. In the end, we will become stronger educators and advocates for our students. We may even learn some new tricks to add to our bag!

This is what I know in my heart... we've got this!!!!!

Click here for a document that consolidates the Grade Level/Team Recommendations for the Week of March 30th. (Still need to add Special Education, Pre-K, and Paras)

Please Note: Mrs. Batelka is working on inputting all of the webinars and meetings on the daily schedule. This will be completed on 3/30/2020. In the interim, all webinar and meeting dates are accessible via the following documents:

• RES Grade Level and Team Recommendations for the Week of March 30th (will be linked n the morning as they have been changes to the system level schedule)
• RES Zoom Meeting Schedule
• Remote Learning Teacher PD Plan
  
• Elementary Supervisors' Zoom Meeting Schedule (Participate in at least on ZOOM Meeting)

8:45am - 10:00am School-Wide Staff Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting
• Click here for the agenda

3:00pm - 3:15pm Office/Admin Zoom Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:15pm - 4:15pm School-Wide Staff Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

8:45am - 9:00am Office/Admin Zoom Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

9:00am - 9:30am Special Education PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

9:30am - 10:00am Kindergarten PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:00pm - 3:15pm 5th Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:15pm - 3:45pm 1st Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:45pm - 4:15pm 2nd Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

8:45am - 9:00am Office/Admin Zoom Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

9:00am - 9:30am School-Wide Staff Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting
• Click here for the agenda

9:30am - 10:00am IMT Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:00pm - 3:15pm 5th Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:15pm - 3:45pm 3rd Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:45pm - 4:15pm 4th Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

9:00am - 9:30am Special Education PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

9:30am - 10:00am Specials PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

10:15am - 10:45am Office/Admin Zoom Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:00pm - 3:15pm 5th Grade PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:15pm - 3:45pm Pre-K PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:45pm - 4:15pm Para PLC Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

9:00am - 10:00am School-Wide Staff Meeting and Break-Out Team Meetings

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting
• Click here for the agenda

10:00am - 10:30am Office/Admin Zoom Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:00pm - 3:15pm 10:00am IMT Meeting

• Click here to join the ZOOM Meeting

3:15pm - 4:15pm Collaborative Planning

• Contact Mrs. Batelka if you would like her to set up a Zoom Break-Out Session to include multiple staff members
  

Please remember that it is staff members' professional responsibilities to meet all deadlines.

Sunday, March 29th

• Building Access - sign up by midnight for tomorrow

Monday, March 30th

• Initial communication to families - copy Mrs. Batelka on the email sent
  
• Identify PD Trainings and Instructional/Program Zoom Meetings you need to attend
  
• Update your SMCPS email vacation responder

Tuesday, March 31st

• Submit names of students if parents have requested print resources
• Identification of students with potential connectivity/internet access difficulties

Wednesday, April 1st

• Submit names of students if parents have requested print resources
  
• Establish your schedule - Due by 3pm
  
• Input your “office hours” on the RES Staff Office Hours Document - by 3pm
  
• Submit your plan both for family/student communication and the provision of feedback to students and families accessing the on-line instructional programs and print resources by 4:15pm.
• SOFT deadline for report cards - 5pm

Thursday, April 2nd

• Submit names of students if parents have requested print resources
• 2nd Formal Parent/Guardian Communication - copy Mrs. Batelka on the individual emails sent
• Hopes and Dreams for our kiddos! Please complete if you're able to - Collage will be created for our kiddos to let them know we are absolutely thinking of them!
• Zoom Survey - please complete if you're able to in order to provide Central Office with feedback.

Friday, April 3rd

• Submit names of students if parents have requested print resources
• Hopes and Dreams for our kiddos! Please complete if you're able to - Collage will be created for our kiddos to let them know we are absolutely thinking of them!
• Zoom Survey - please complete if you're able to in order to provide Central Office with feedback.
• Email your picture and message to Mrs. Vanderwest for inclusion in the RES Message to students and families!
• 3rd Marking Period Comment Sheets Comment Sheets due by 4:15pm
• TAC Window closes for 3rd Marking Period at 5pm
  

A "new" folder to go along with our "new" school norm has been added to the RES Staff Folder SY2019-2020.

• This folder houses all RES internal documents as well as some documents from Central Office.
• Click here to access the Folder.

• Click here to share resources with your peers! This folder is housed in the "On-Line Instruction and Teleworking" Folder located within our RES Staff Folder SY 2019-2020.

If you do not have a system issued laptop, one will be provided. Please click here for the Employee Laptop Pickup Information and Registration document.

In effort to have one location for questions and issues that will undoubtedly arise, we will be using “Padlet” to house all questions/issues.

As several different staff members have varied roles of support during this time of school closure, this will provide us with a means of tracking questions and issues.

Also, as many of you may have similar questions or issues, it will be an internal resource for all of us to support one another.

Please click here to access the RES Q&A and School Communication Process Document.

Click here to access our RES padlet.

Please click here if you are in need of Technology Support.

Topics covered are:

• Login or access issues to platforms in Clever - Please submit an individual ticket for each student and include the student's ID number when submitting an issue specific to Imagine Learning Language & Literacy and Imagine Math.
• Screencasting guidance
• Zoom guidance
• Google Calendar
• Google Hangouts/Meet
• Google Drive or other Google Apps
• Hardware issue with SMCPS issued laptop/device
• "Other" - will need to clarify

Please click here if you are in need of Professional Development.

Topics covered are:

• Imagine Learning Math
• Imagine Language & Literacy
• Google Classroom
• Google Apps
• "Other" - will need to clarify

The MP3 Window opened the morning of Monday, March 9th and closes at 5pm on Friday, April 3rd.

SOFT WINDOW: 5pm on Wednesday, April 1st

Report cards will be mailed on Wednesday, April 15th.

Please click here for Central Office Grading Guidance for the 3rd Marking Period.

As Report Cards need to be reviewed, please have them completed by 5pm on Wednesday, April 1st. In order to continue with "Going Green" and our new norm of teleworking, all report cards will be reviewed electronically and homeroom teachers will be sent a PDF of the Report Cards should any edits be needed. This will give everyone the opportunity to complete any needed edits Thursday and Friday before the window closes at 5pm on Friday, April 3rd. This is a soft-deadline. Please let Honora know if you are unable to make this soft-deadline.

When report cards are ready for review - please email Mrs. Goddard and Mrs. Batelka so we are aware that they are ready to be run. Mrs. Batelka will review all report cards.

Please email once done rather than waiting for the "soft" or "hard" deadline.

As a friendly reminder - below are guidelines for Pre-K through 4th...

• Shaded Teacher Grade Level Report Cards are located on the Elementary Site with some areas fully or partially shaded. Please check to make sure there have been no edits prior to completing your report cards.
• Areas fully shaded should not be marked as theses were not covered during the 3rd Marking Period.
• Areas partially shaded should not be marked as Strong Command as these areas have not been fully taught during the 3rd Marking Period.
• All areas not shaded should have a competency indicated - even if it is NY for "Not Yet."
• As you identify students' competency levels, please remember that you are marking them for the entire standard indicated. Therefore, as students progress through the Marking Periods, it is uncommon for a student to decrease in a skill/standard. If the data is borderline between two competency levels, it may be "safer" to go with the lesser competency level.
• When Mrs. Batelka reviews the Report Cards, she will be comparing students' Report Cards against the Shaded Teacher Report Card, located on the Elementary Website, to verify that all non-shaded areas have a competency marked, that all fully shaded areas are marked as NA for "Not Assessed," and that all partially shaded areas are not marked SC for "Strong Command." It is understood that there are always some exceptions.... but no area that is not shaded may have NA marked.

As a friendly reminder - below are general guidelines for 5th Grade....

• Grade level (below, on, above) for reading and math needs to be recorded

• Comments for Grades of “C,” “D,” or “F” must be explained in the comment section.

• The comment is intended to explain to both the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s) the reason for the grade of “C,” “D,” or “F."
  

Comment Sheets (Grades Pre-K through 4th):

• The standardized agreed upon Comment Sheet is to be used.

• Click here for informaiton regarding "phrasing" regarding school closure

• Please remember to include areas of strength and areas to work upon so that parents may understand what their child needs to work upon.
• Comment Sheets are due by 4:15pm on Friday, April 3rd. This is a "hard" deadline.

• Comment Sheets should be reviewed by your teammate prior to Mrs. Batelka reviewing them.

• Comment Sheets are to be emailed to Mrs. Goddard. Mrs. Batelka will be reviewing all Comment Sheets electronically and forwarding them back to classroom teachers in a PDF if edits are needed.

Strings/Band/Chorus and Special Education Progress Reports:

• These are due by 4:15pm on Friday, April 3rd. This is a "hard" deadline. Only exception: Students still needing their most recent IEP closed. Mrs. Batelka will work with special education individually on Tuesday, March 31st to discuss these students.
• Strings/Band/Chorus Progress Reports are to be emailed to Mrs. Goddard.
• Special Education Staff need to email Mrs. Batelka when their progress reports are ready for review.

• Special Education: Please add the following comment for the 3rd Period Narratives: Due to School closure, these progress reports reflect progress data that was available prior to the school closure 3/16/2020 - 3/30/2020.

• Mrs. Batelka will forward a PDF of the Progress Reports should any edits be needed.

Click here to assess the RES Instructional Staff Daily Schedule March 30th - April 24th.

Please note, I'm still working on the schedule templates for the following staff: Paras/Nurse/Counselor/Media

All staff need to create and share their "daily schedule" as we telework from home.

Examples are provided within the document to reference as each of your work on your individual schedule.

All staff will input their schedule on the TAB with their name.

The structure and format has been set for each staff member to ensure consistency across staff schedules and adherence of the required components of the schedule.

• School-Based ZOOM Meetings (8:45am to 10am and 3:15pm to 4:15pm)
• Professional Responsibilities (minimum of 2 hours)
• Office Hours (minimum of 2 hours)
• Duty Free Lunch (30 minutes)
• Planning (45 minutes)

Building access is for our staff members who do not have internet access at home and/or whose position requires them to be in the building. Click here to sign up to work in the building or pick up materials/technology.

There is a limit of 10 people gathered in one place with 6 feet distance between all individuals.

Students, community members, and spouse/children of staff are not allowed in the building while staff members are picking up materials, or at any other time during the school closure.

Please enter through the front entrance doors and go into the Main Office.

Staff are to please use the wipes prior to signing into BAM.

Staff are to work individually in their classroom/instructional space and may not work together in a classroom/instructional space.

Restrooms: The only restrooms to be used are the restrooms in the Staff Lounge and in the Main Office. Following the use of the restroom, please wipe down surfaces touched with the wipes provided. The restrooms will also be regularly dis-infected by Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Mills.

Staff Lounge: Staff on-site may not congregate and hang out in the Staff Lounge with the exception of eating. If eating, one staff member at a table for a total of 4 people at a time. Please wipe down surfaces touched with the wipes provided.

Staff are to sign out using the BAM in the main office. Please be sure to use the wipes again after signing out.

Staff may call parents using Google Hangout (general education) and Google Voice (special education)

• Click here to access the directions.
• Staff are to use their SMCPS issued device.
• This is for staff to speak directly with parents.
• If a parent does not answer, you can leave a message indicating that are calling from your computer, which is why there is no caller ID, and that you will try them again on XXX at XXX time.
• This document is housed in the Parent Communication Folder.

A Google Folder for documentation with families has been created.

• Click here to access the folder
• Individual folders are being set up for staff (this will be completed by 4:15pm on Tuesday, March 30th)
• To assist staff, each staff folder (accessible only by the staff member, Mrs. Batelka, and Mrs. Goddard), will have a google sheet with all of their students listed with the dates for parent contact listed across the top.

First formal communication will need to take place on Monday, March 30th.

• A standardized template for the email contact has been created to be sent as a mass email to the students in your class.
• Mrs. Batelka is to be copied on the email communication
• Click here for the email template
• Click here for directions to send one email to the entire class via TAC

Second formal communication will need to take place on Thursday, April 2nd.

• A standardized template for the email contact has been created to be sent as an individual email to the students in your class with each student's individual CLEVER account log-in information.
• Click here for the email template

All staff will be in regular communication with students/families via email.

• RES Staff will be available via email to answer and respond to any questions parents/guardians or students may have during office hours.
• Although Staff may be available outside of these times, depending upon their schedules, please be aware that responses to any communications received outside of these hours may be delayed.

Staff may also communicate directly with parents/guardians via ClassDo.

The only staff permitted to access and utilize Google Hangouts, at this time, to speak directly with parents are the special education case managers.

Staff may not "ZOOM" or "video-chat" with students.

Staff may post video "messages" on ClassDoJo that a parent/guardian may share with his/her child. Please remember, the "messages" are not opportunities for direct instruction."

Each school has been tasked with developing a process for students requiring print resources.

Click here to access the RES Process for Print Resources and Parent Communication.

If a parent reaches out to you, please document that student under the "Staff Reporting" Tab.

If students do not access the on-line instructional program, or respond to your attempt to contact them, it will be assumed they do not have access. Therefore we will need to work together to provide them access to the print resources.

Due Tuesday, March 31st: List of students who do not have a parent/guardian connected to ClassDoJo

Due Wednesday, April 15th: Email the parent/guardian/student if they have not accessed any of the Imagine Learning Programs by the end of the day.

Due Thursday, April 16th: Email the parent/guardian/student if they have not accessed any of the Imagine Learning Programs by the end of the day.

Due Friday, April 17th: Submit the names of students who have not accessed any of the Imagine Learning Programs.

On-going: Update spread spread sheet with contacts for students not accessing the on-line instructional programs

Email Mrs. Batelka if you would like to participate in the ZOOM Relay for Life Meeting

Click here for the Relay for Life Staff Folder.

Ridge Elementary School will have a Relay for Life Team this school year to support and honor our School Family Members affected by cancer.

Please click here to donate or join our team!!!!!

Our last Relay for Life meeting was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

• Please click here for the February Meeting Notes.
  

Weekly Raffle Fundraiser - ON HOLD

• Each Friday a raffle will be held for a special item or basket of goodies.
• Staff may purchase raffles tickets on Thursdays/Fridays prior to the raffle immediately following bus dismissal.
• Raffle tickets will be $1/ticket or $5/6 tickets.
• We are looking for donations for the weekly raffle. Please click here to donate an item.
• If you're aware of an organization or group able to donate an item please let Mrs. Batelka know and she will follow-up with the organization/group.

Relay for Life Event - June 6th

• Click here to sign up for the Dunk Booth!

Stay tuned for upcoming fundraisers and activities sponsored by our Relay for Life Team!

Instructional Updates

• Maryland has been granted a waiver for all state assessments due to the state-mandated extended school closure.

Supporting Services Updates

• Teachers will not be able to place print shop orders during the school closure. Print Shop Staff will be inundated with copying print packets for students without internet access.

Continuing Education Opportunities

• Pittsburgh is currently offering 100% tuition assistance for both Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility programs. Programs are online and are eligible for Maryland certification. The deadline to apply is April 15. If you, or someone else you know may be interested in this, please let Mrs. Batelka know. The Department of Special Education will be able to support individuals in the process as they are in direct contact with the school.

Most recent Kindergarten Memo

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Most recent Math Memo

• March 2, 2020. This edition contains important information about MCAP Evidence Statements, Modeling, as well as a Modeling Checklist for Students.

Bridges Updates and Supports:

• Please click here to access the Bridges Issue
• Please click here to access help videos

Most recent English Language Arts Newsletter

• Please click here to access The Reading Corner (December 2, 2019 Edition). Please take the time to review the information as there is important information staff need to be aware of regarding upcoming standards and instructional notes for each grade level.
  

Most recent Health and Physical Education Update

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Most recent Special Education Newsletter: The PIER

• Please click here for the February 7, 2020 Issue. This month's newsletter contains information about the following: New staff, Math Strategies vs Models, Alt Assessment Update, Two Word Challenge, Alternatives to Reading logs, Supplementary Aids Reminders, February Hot Topic, ESY Reminder, Transition Expo 2020 and some February humor!

Most recent Elementary Science Newsletter

• February 2020 Edition. This edition contains information on assessments for Kindergarten through 5th grade, MAEF's new hybrid course, Infusing Agriculture in the Elementary Classroom, and additional PD opportunities.

Science Supports and Resources

• Click here to access RES' MISA Evidence Statement Analysis with links to STEM Gauge Items for Grades 3rd through 5th.

Most recent Gifted and Talented Newsletter

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Most recent Library Media Newsletter

• 
  

Most recent Fine Arts Newsletter

• Please click here for the October Edition
  

Most recent ESOL Newsletter

• Please click here for the February Edition
• Please click here to access the ELL Site

Most recent Educational Equity Newsletter

• Please click here for the February 2020 Newsletter

Department of Assessment and Accountability (DAA)

• Please click here to access the DAA Site

... You can be anything you dream to be...

As we help guide students along their paths, it's important to provide them supports to help them reach their goals. It is also essential that we show them a variety of paths in front of them. Think about how many times you may have changed your mind along the way to your current place along the journey. By giving students choices and a variety of options, we let them see that it's OK to change your mind, and it's OK to try something different. That is how you find your passion. That is how you determine your future.

Resources for Aspiring:

• How to Help Kids Find Their Aspirations - Mindshift Article
• 3 Reasons Students Procrastinate - and How to Stop Them - Edutopia Article
• Learning Conversations for PLCs - Learning Forward Article

Click here for a SMCPS developed Aspiring Video

McDaniel College is offering a 100% online cohort for its Equity & Excellence in Education certificate program. This unique, multi-county cohort is available to school system employees partners, with a $200 discount from the standard tuition rate for those who join the cohort (Official cohort code: HE5). This is a great opportunity for educators of all stripes to continue their education while networking with other educators from across the state. Please contact Adrianne Dillahunt (amdillahunt@smcps.org) if your have any questions.

Registration is open for additional courses:

• Please log into the system for available courses

Register online: https://smcps.truenorthlogic.com
UserName: beginning of SMCPS login (without @smcps.org)
Password: normal SMCPS password

Stay tuned for upcoming staff members' birthdays!

Each week a staff member will be randomly chosen to be recognized as the special staff member for that week.

We will announce the staff member on morning announcements and post information about that person in the hallway for all to see.

We also will be playing 2 truths and a myth. These will be posted on the display to give staff and students a chance to try and figure out what a staff member's myth may be. It will be revealed at the end of the week.

Week of August 26th

Week of September 2nd

Week of September 9th

Week of September 16th

Week of September 23rd

Week of September 30th

Week of October 7th

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Week of October 28th

Week of November 4th

Week of November 11th

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Week of November 25th

Week of December 2nd

Week of December 9th

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Week of December 30th

Week of January 6th

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Week of February 3rd

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Week of March 2nd