1.21

Hi Team, 

I hope that you all made it through this bone-chilling weekend! We had a busy weekend and I am looking forward to the week ahead. last week was an odd 3 day week but we all got through! This week is a full one! 

Staff Shoutouts

• Karen Chesser for helping a family get to a much needed appointment 
• Ashlyn for finding the time to support a student 
• Jess Egizi for being a strong student advocate 
• Deb and Sheila for working extra hard to support our PK students last week 
• Lucia, Betsy and Michele for working to make a student's first week with a plan a smashing success

News and Announcements 

• Reminder: If you are interested in coming to the BEST institute please let myself, Jess Heinz or Lucia know. 
• We will engage in our January Options Based Drill on Wednesday morning. Your script is embedded in this document linked above and below. This is the letter that will go home to families tomorrow.
• I will come over the speaker and say: 
• “Hello, this is _______.  Earlier this year we discussed what to do if you hear the word “Lockdown” over the intercom. Practicing this helps us all stay safe if something unexpected is happening at the school. We are going to practice that again now. In a moment you will hear the lockdown command and then you will practice doing it. Then, I will get on the intercom to let everybody know that the practice is over, using the words, “This is (admin name), ALL CLEAR”.
• You will then say the following:

• PreK-6

  “Remember, our first job is to get quiet and keep voices off” (voice level zero) “The second part of your job is to look at me and listen carefully for my directions.” “Remember, sometimes we will go to a special place in the classroom, shut the door and turn off the lights” “Other times, I might tell you that we are leaving the classroom.” Now we will practice going to our indoor location and staying there with our voices off for a few minutes, until we hear Mrs. G tell us that the practice is over by saying, ALL CLEAR”

Professional Resources: 

• Tips for Responding to Mid-Year Behavior---This is a quick read and filled with some great reminders! Take a peek. 
• This is a great list of webinars that have been posted through RC. This are longer deep dives but they are a great resource if that's something you're interested in: Digital Webinars

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	Humanity and Justice Meeting 8:15 3/4 PLC  10:40-11:40  1/2 PLC 12:15-1:15
Tuesday	5/6 PLC Meeting 9:45-10:45
Wednesday	K PLC Meeting 1:55-2:55 Drill @ 9:30  Staff Meeting at 3:15
Thursday	SST Meeting 8:15-8:45 PK Meeting 11:30
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday	Humanity and Justice Meeting 8:15 3/4 PLC  10:40-11:40  1/2 PLC 12:15-1:15 Check in with Meagan 2:30-3:30
Tuesday	Out of the Building----WCLT Meeting
Wednesday	Check In with Lucia 9:30  Meeting with Jennifer Chambers 10:00 Principal's Meeting w/Meg 12:15 K PLC 1:50-2:50
Thursday	SST 8:15 Student Meeting 10:00  BEA Check In 10:00  Berlin PK Meeting 11:30
Friday

 

January 15

Hi All, 

I hope that you all are enjoying this three day weekend and the, albeit cold, sunshine! I've been reflecting on the meaning of this day and made a conscious decision to be mindful of my language, pause to notice any implicit bias that showed up and address them. We also spent time as a family and did something that we are fortunate enough to be able to do, ski! 

Important Notes about Tomorrow: 

Special Weather Statement: There is an off chance that the weather will actually matriculate into some questionable road conditions. If that is the case then I will move our inservice to a virtual format. I will make this call by 7:00, since we were planning on starting at 8:30. I will send an email and am looking into if I have the capability to send you all a message via IC. Meagan last week gave each building the professional judgement to make building based decisions.  

Staff Shoutouts

Before I forget - A shout out to Ali for always being willing (even offering without being asked) to help with dismissals.  She passes out the notes, collects teacher sheets and makes sure students are headed in the right direction.

Bess -- thank you for working in an impromptu manner to support a family

Michelle T -- for being understanding and so flexible

Danny -- for your flexibility 

News and Announcements

https://www.edutopia.org/article/resources-martin-luther-king-jr-day-matt-davis/

MLK Teaching Resources

All School Morning Meeting --- this meeting will take place from 9:25=9:55. The PBIS Leadership team has some fun skits prepared. We will run the meeting like a typical morning meeting. 

Report Card Updates --- giving the glitches in IC and the challenges that they have posed we will send report cards home on the 2nd of February. Report cards will be due the 31st of January. 

Spirit Week --- You all voted to have a spirit week. Here is what the weeks look like: 

• Sports Day---wear your favorite team, jersey, gear (leave helmets at home please) 
• Costume Day --- no weapons 
• Hat Day --- wear your favorite hat! 

Note: we are very close on two more celebration tubes---more to come! x

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	NO School
Tuesday	Inservice
Wednesday	All School Meeting 9:25-9:55 Staff Meeting at 3:15 K Team Meeting 1:50-2:50  Board Meeting 6:15 PM
Thursday	SST Meeting 8:15-8:45 PK Meeting 11:30
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday
Tuesday	Inservice
Wednesday	Meeting with Jennifer Chambers 10:00 K PLC
Thursday	Student Meeting 8:15 SST 9:00-9:30 Meeting with Chris O'Brien 9:30 PK Meeting 11:30
Friday	Student Meeting 9:30-10:30  Student Support 2:30

1.1

Hey Team, 

I hope that you all had a wonderful break. The weather was completely odd and we battled sickness but I was thankful for a slower pace and extra time with my family. I am also energized to be starting a new year with you all. We will re-center ourselves and look at the next few weeks ahead to ensure that we've got a plan to support teachers and students through this testing window. 

Staff Shoutouts

• Karen, Jess, Lori and Doreen for all their help with the helping hands stuff. 
• Lucia for being a rockstar and for your generous food donation and all the trips to get food. 
• Chuck, Ali and Marcus for sprucing up our home while we were all away! 
• Kate, Michelle M for a great conversation on how to best support a kiddo
• Lori for organizing a fun off campus event!  

***Remember you can "shoutout" a colleague just zip me an email or drop a note and I'll make sure it gets into the blog!

News and Announcements

• Please remember to take time to "go slow" on your first day back. All kids had varying experiences over break and it's important to do a personal check in with each kiddo. Make sure to take notice of those that may be more withdrawn. Reach out to myself, Jess or Karen if there are any issues.
• Here is a great and quick article about welcoming students back after a holiday from Responsive Classroom: https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/seven-tips-for-the-transition-back-to-school-from-winter-break/ 
• We will gather for staff meeting at 3:10 on Wednesday afternoon. 
• I will be out and about this morning taking videos and pictures of "SEL" work live and in action in our building. On Wednesday I will be presenting to the board about how we support all students socially and emotionally here in our building. If you have any videos or pictures that you would like to send along please do so!
• We will NOT have PLC's this week given the short week. We'll get back on track with our professional learning next week! 

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	NO School
Tuesday
Wednesday	Staff Meeting at 3:15 Board Meeting 6:15 PM
Thursday	SST Meeting 8:15-8:45 PK Meeting 11:30
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday
Tuesday	Elementary Principal's Meeting 10:00-11:00 Student Support 12:15-12:45 Out of the Building----WCLT Budget Meeting 1:00-3:30
Wednesday	Check In with Lucia 9:30  Meeting with Jennifer Chambers 10:00 Principal's Meeting w/Meg 12:15
Thursday	Student Support 12:15-12:45 District Safety Team Meeting  2:00-3:30  Student Meeting 3:45-4:15
Friday	Student Meeting 9:30-10:30  Student Support 12:15-12:45

12.17

                                         

Hi All,

I hope that you all had a good weekend. This weather is just unlucky. We will most likely have indoor recess tomorrow. This time of year always feels like marathon and a sprint all in one. I know many of you completed the iReady diagnostic last week. Please remember that the window closes this week. 

A person heads up: Daycare is closed on Thursday/Friday this week so I will be splitting days with Christian on Thursday and Friday. I don't want to be out but our babysitter pool is pretty shallow these days. 

Staff Shoutouts 

• Lucia Burke for all her help in planning food for the Holidays 
• Mary Beth Downing for spending extra time last week to support a student through a tricky spot 
• Ashlyn for her consistent positive attitude  
• Sarah, Michele, Kim and Jess Egizi for working hard to welcome our newest students 

News and Announcements 

• Consistency and survival are the words of the week. Find the joy with your students while maintaining consistency and acknowledging the wide range of emotions that kids may be feeling this week. 

 What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	Humanity and Justice Meeting 8:15 3/4 PLC  10:40-11:40  1/2 PLC 12:15-1:15
Tuesday	5/6 PLC Meeting 9:45-10:45
Wednesday	K PLC Meeting 1:55-2:55 Staff Meeting at 3:15
Thursday	SST Meeting 8:15-8:45 PK Meeting 11:30 Berling IIW--Session 4
Friday	Holiday Brunch 7:45-8:30 Extra Recess 2:45-3:15

Where is Celia?

Monday	Humanity and Justice Meeting 8:15 Check in with Meagan 2:30-3:30
Tuesday	Out of the Building----WCLT Budget
Wednesday	Check In with Lucia 9:30  Meeting with Jennifer Chambers 10:00 Principal's Meeting w/Meg 12:15 K PLC 1:50-2:50 Board Meeting 6:00
Thursday	SST 8:15 Out in the afternoon
Friday	Out in the Morning---in around 12:00

 

12.10

Hi All,

What a wild weather game we're playing! It feels like the universe may want us to have 4 day work week. It's a big bummer to miss another Monday but I hope that everyone got something done on their "to do" list. While the weather predictions were far off from what was expected it seems we're in the same boat as the rest of the state. 

Staff Shoutouts:

• Karen Chesser for pulling double duty last week 
• Betsy, Kirby and Annalissa who all stepped in to cover for paras and teachers last week 
• Doreen and Lori for a giant hand in the "Helping Hands" line
• All staff members who stepped up to take a mitten to support our community

News and Announcements

• The PTNA is hosting the annual Holiday Bazaar. Your class will have the opportunity to ‘shop’ for the people who live at their house. The volunteers from PTNA are asking that you bring your kids down to shop and then return to your classroom. Each classroom will be equipped with wrapping supplies and students will return to the classroom when they have shopped to wrap. Your assigned time will happen outside of your special time for the day. 

• HOLIDAY BAZAAR SIGN-UP

  Wednesday, December 13th

  TIME	CLASSROOM
  12:45	Wagner
  10:00 & 1:30	Pre-K
  10:45	Rob
  11:15-11:45	Maring
  2:00-2:30	Knapp
  2:30-3:00	Egizi
  9:30-10	Turcotte
  1:00/1:15 -1:30	Downing
  1:30-2:00	McCauley-Flippin
  8:45-9:30	Kindergarten

• Lori also shared this schedule via Google docs so that you can request changes.  
• We will move forward with Acadience Training during staff meeting. Paras I will have a quick task for you all as well. 

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	Snowday
Tuesday	5/6 PLC Meeting 9:45-10:45 Report Card Feedback Session 11:30-12:30 Location: Art Room
Wednesday	**Holiday Bazaar***  K PLC Meeting 1:55-2:55 Staff Meeting at 3:15
Thursday	SST Meeting 8:15-8:45 PK Meeting 11:30
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday	Snow Day
Tuesday	PLC 9:45-10:45 Student Meeting 12:15-12:45  Out of the Building----WCLT Budget Meeting 1:00-3:30
Wednesday	Check In with Lucia 9:30  Meeting with Jennifer Chambers 10:00 Principal's Meeting w/Meg 12:15 K PLC 1:50-2:50
Thursday	Union Check in---10:00  11:00---Student Meeting  12:00---Student Meeting
Friday	Student Meeting---1:30 Student Meeting---3:30-4:30

 

12.3

Hi All,

I hope that you had a good weekend. I find that the time before/after a Holiday turns into quite a hectic time. It's also a time in education and life where you can feel like things are falling short in quite a few areas. Please give yourself grace and know that if all you have to give one day is 50% of you normal capacity then you gave 100%. Also, remind yourself that trying and showing up for our students in the way that you do is deeply impactful. 

As the Holidays are upon us please reach out to myself or your counselors if you are noticing an increase in hunger, instability in housing, etc. We will do our best to connect kids to the things that they need. Food and basic necessities (gear, mittens, clothes) are the easiest "get" but we can connect with other resources as well. 

Staff Shout Outs 

• Kirby for always taking the extra time to go outside on "non duty" days to connect with kids 
• Christine for stepping in and supporting kids in multiple ways 
• Kathy for being as flexible as ever
• Tyler for helping in the kitchen and with transitions 
• 5/6 team for working so hard to support all of your students
• Mary Beth for navigating the transition back to work and being proactive in working to plan for all your kids 

News and Announcements

• Lunch Pickup/Transition---Because our gym is multi use we have 15 mins to transition from lunch to the gym being used as a teaching space. The 3-6 students need to be out of the gym at 12:45. If you know your crew needs a little extra time to settle please either pick them up a smidge early or have them settle in the hallway before exiting. The transition crew appreciates your timely approach! 
• Staff Meeting---Will be on Wednesday! I will have to switch up the programming given the weather but stay tuned 
• As we are entering the month of December when distraction is high please take a peek at these articles on setting students and yourselves up for success. 
• Getting Ready for Winter Break
• Upper Elementary/Middle School Engagement
• Making Up for Lost Time

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	No School---Weather Day
Tuesday	5/6 PLC Meeting 9:45-10:45
Wednesday	Student Focus Group 12:15-1:00  Staff Meeting at 3:15 Board Meeting---EMES 6:00
Thursday	SST Meeting 8:15-9:15 PK Meeting 11:30
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday	Mixture of work from home and school ILT  1:00-2:30
Tuesday	Student Meeting 8:15  5/6 PLC 9:45-10:45
Wednesday	Check In with Lucia 9:30  Meeting 10:00 Principal's Meeting w/Meg 12:15 K PLC 1:50-2:50 Elementary Principals 2:00  Board Meeting 6:00
Thursday	Student Meeting 9:00 11:30- PK Meeting  District Safety Team 2:00-3:30---Out of Building
Friday