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Hi All, 

I hope that you had a restful break and that it was filled with the things that bring you joy. Somehow we are entering 2025. I'm looking forward to the great work that we have ahead of us in the new year. Rowan is currently battling pneumonia in a rather unpleasant end to our vacation. 

  

I spent a lot of time reflecting on the first part of our year and I am so grateful for the hard work and dedication you show your students and colleagues everyday. We are heading in the right direction and the way that you are all showing up for kids is making a big difference.

We've got this, two days this week! 

News and Announcements 

Here's a Midweek Minute from Responsive Classroom. It's filled with some great resources for getting back into the swing post break.

Facilitating a smooth transition back into the classroom after winter break requires deliberate planning.

Returning after winter break can feel like the first day of school all over again. The routines, rules, and procedures that were once so familiar are now a distant memory, and it takes a conscious effort to get back into rhythm with them. Here are five ways teachers can help make this transition positive.

1. Review expectations and routines. After an extended absence from the classroom, students may have forgotten procedures and routines that effectively support a positive learning environment. Reestablishing expectations and reteaching routines helps anchor students as they return to school.   Typical routines and procedures to review: Morning and dismissal routines Responding to a signal Lining up Hallway expectations Restroom behaviors Small-group learning rules Lunch and recess rules

2. Provide socialization time. Set aside time for you and your students to reunite and discuss their time apart. Consider a welcome-back activity that incorporates movement and sets the tone for an awesome rest of the year. Try this whole-group activity: Play music while students mingle around the classroom. When the music stops, students pair up and share. Repeat this activity a few times so that students get to talk to numerous classmates.

3. Revisit some favorite activities. Using activities that students enjoyed and were successful with reestablishes their confidence in the classroom. Revisiting a fun activity, game, or song reminds students of enjoyable experiences in the classroom and encourages them to reengage. Start with the class’s favorite Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting activities, energizers, and brain breaks.

4. Engage students in goal setting. We often associate the start of a new year with resolutions. Engage students in meaningful goal-setting opportunities for the second half of the school year.

5. Ease back into academic demands. Students may not be emotionally or mentally prepared for a rigorous assignment or intense new learning right away. Consider some reflection activities that can help students regroup and ease back into their learning.

Explore more tips and strategies for easing back from winter break.

“Seven Tips for the Transition Back to School From Winter Break”

“Reaffirming Community after a Vacation”

“Energizers! Using Quick Movement Breaks in the Classroom”

•  Please take a moment to review the LCAP for the upcoming assessment windows. The semester closes on the 17th. Inservice will be the 21st, the morning will be at U-32 and the afternoon will be a half day for grading. Paraprofessionals will continue training with Cat and U-32 staff in the afternoon at U-32. Report cards are due on the 29th and will go home on the 31st. 
• Looking Ahead: Curriculum and Associates will be hosting a PD day on the 12th of February. Please see the schedule below:

8:15-10:15 Grades K-3, Pacing 

10:30-11:30 Principals, Instructional Leadership 

12:00-2:00 Grades 4-6, Pacing 

2:15-3:15 Grades 7-10, Leveraging i-Ready Data 

2:15-3:15 Grades 4-6 (Optional), Analyzing i-Ready Data 

3:30-4:30 Grades K-3 (Optional), Analyzing i-Ready Data

What's Happening at Berlin?

Thursday	Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent 8:00-9:00
Friday

Where is Celia?

Thursday	10:00-10:45--Celia and Susanne Check In
Friday	Student Meeting 9:15  Erin Mullaney 1:00  No Team Meetings