Cougar Weekly

I have to admit that yesterday afternoon was a blur. After what started out as a normal Friday, I got a phone call that no principal ever wants - that we may have to lose a teacher to another campus. I was prepared for this, and had money set aside to "fund a reduction teacher", so I was not worried. What I learned, is that during a situation like we are in, there are no guarantees. I was behind closed doors trying every angle I could find to work it out so that this would not happen. I know some of you may have heard rumors, and some of you certainly know all about it. If I didn't talk to you Friday, please don't worry - it doesn't affect your position. This is very hard to put in a weekly newsletter, and I'm sorry that I'm not delivering this message in person, but my heart has been so heavy. I will continue to try and offer ways that the district can help the other school while keeping our teaching staff intact, but thought you needed to know that we may have to say a TEMPORARY goodbye to one of our own until she can come back next year to our NEW Clifton Park.

Please pray for clarity for our leaders, for peace and understanding for those affected by this situation, and for our students and families that will be affected by losing a teacher they have bonded with over five of the most difficult weeks we've had to face. I don't need to say any more at this time, because I'm still battling it in every way that I can. I will let you know the outcome at some point early next week. God is in control, and we must try and "be still".

Monday (21st) - "Do The Math" training after school, from 3:15-3:45 for all 1st-5th teachers. 3,4, and 5 ELAR do not need to come; you will have an after-school special on Next Gen. Balanced Literacy soon. You don't need to bring anything.

Tuesday (22nd) - Board meeting, 6:00 PM. Dr. Craft will most likely talk about the status of whether we are going to designate virtual and face-to-face teachers.

Thursday (24th) - Title One parent engagement zoom - 4:00. Awareness zooms for ESL, GT, and Dyslexia will follow at 4:30. These are AWARENESS presentations, not meetings - I will send a connect-ed message on Monday for parents with the zoom invite for the 4:00 zoom. ESL, GT, and Dyslexia will send their own invites. All are welcome!

Monday (28th) - SBDM/CEAC in the cafeteria, 3:15.

Friday, Oct. 9 - PD day (planning/recording); no students.

Oct. 2, 5, and 9 - BOY conferences with TTESS appraisers; look for the invite! Make sure to work on your SLO and professional goals. These have to be submitted before your conference.

All teachers will get a print-out of their roster. Next to each student is either "F2F" or "V". On Tuesday, you will need to HIGHLIGHT any students that are NOT in the right learning environment. Across the district, there are students designated as F2F in the system and they are actually virtual and vice-versa. At Clifton Park, we've been working to "clean" this up, so I don't think we have many that are incorrect, but we have to do this on Tuesday. Felicia will then work to make corrections by Thursday. HOPEFULLY, designations will then be correct and students will not be able to "flip" back and forth, as has been happening with the LMSs (Schoology/seesaw) when they are absent from school but log in and complete work at home. I