Tuesday, September 29, 2020

September 29, 2020

Announcements

  • Tuesday & Wednesday this week- Group 1 in school, Group 2 follows Monday/Tuesday remote schedule
  • Thursday & Friday this week- Group 1 remote; Group 2 in school
  • Attendance on Remote Days
    • We are reporting attendance on remote school days 
    • Email your child's hybrid-core teacher if your child will miss class
  • Remote Days Meal Order Form
  • September 23rd School Bell- Wondering why we're all so tired?  Be sure to read Sarah Crum's article about the brain capacity required for learning all-new routines.  
  • Layers- Please remind your child to bring layers so we can work outside as comfortably and frequently as possible.

Weekly Email   

In lieu of "Greensheets" for a weekly work-completion update this year, we are asking Swifties to email home once per week.  Parents and guardians should receive an email on Monday for Group 1 students and Thursday for Group 2 students.  We have provided the following template: 

Dear ________,
Something that went well this week is  ________________ [list at least two accomplishments].   
I have completed all of my assignments from Google Classroom.  See my screenshot below! [Insert a screenshot of your Google Classroom TO DO list].

OR

I have the following late assignments to finish (see my screenshot below).  I will get them done by ___________ (how will you complete these tasks and when will they be done by).   [Insert a screenshot of your Google Classroom TO DO list].

Love,
Your Name


If your child has completed all of their work, the screenshot should look like this: 


Of course, work completion is just one piece of the picture.  Please know that we will follow-up with students if we have concerns about the quality of what they have turned in.   It may be the perfect topic for a PLP goal!


8th Grade Challenge

Swift House kicked off the 8th Grade Challenge last week, sharing expectations and the formal "Kick Off" form.  We know that Swifties will need to get creative with community connections this year, however, we are confident that there are community needs that they can help fulfill, now more than ever.   We will also provide dedicated time and structure for the research component of the project during our Independent Project unit in December.    If your 8th grader is undecided on a topic, encourage them to keep a brainstorm list nearby and confer with their core teacher. 

Examples of excellent community connection resources include VEEP and UVM Extension youth opportunities.  


Remote Learning Tech Issues

We've have had a range of connection issues with student Chromebooks in both Zoom and Google Meets.   Some of the issues are related to the software and hardware on our devices, not necessarily your home WiFi.  Our district is aware of these issues and has been communicating with Google, HP, and Zoom about fixes to make these meetings run more smoothly.  Zoom updated their software last Thursday; students should be sure to restart their devices each morning to receive any updates.  

We know that a lagging connection can be frustrating for Swifties trying to stay connected from home.  We are working hard to post assignments that are accessible after the class as well.  We also encourage students to see us during our office hours (12:30 on remote days) to check in with any questions.

In the meantime, if at any point your child is having trouble with a device, please complete an IT Help Desk ticket.  Our IT department will get back to you quickly!


School Days



UVM Extension Leadership Opportunities

Here are some fabulous ideas for 8th Grade Challenge connections.  

TRY for the Environment - Apply to be a Teen Teacher! (grades 7-12)

TRY stands for Teens Reaching Youth and is an environmental leadership opportunity for students in grades 7-12. It is an environmental education program taught by teens and designed to increase environmental literacy and responsibility in younger youth. NEW for 2020-2021: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the TRY program will be limited to two content areas - 4-H2O and Waste Solutions. Each content area will consist of three, 45 minute lessons that are designed to be delivered virtually - either when students are in the classroom or at home.  We will offer the TRY teaching opportunity to teens twice - Session 1 (January - March with training in December) and Session 2 (March - May with training in February). All trainings and program delivery will be virtual; Session 1 applications are due by November 2. Learn more at the 4-H Announcements page.

Advanced Leadership Immersion (grades 9-12)

Everyone is called to lead. Whether it’s a project, a group, a business or a country, you will find yourself asked to step forward and lead many times throughout your life - and effective leadership is a learned set of skills. That’s why, this October, Vermont 4-H has partnered with the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont to offer the Advanced Leadership Immersion (ALI) to students looking to take their leadership to the next level. ALI will meet online the second weekend of every month from October through May for classes and leader chats, plus schedule their own discussion groups and social events. Tuition is “pay what you can." Visit https://giv.org/apply-fall/ for more information and to apply.  Applications will remain open only until filled. 

Become a Cloverbud Connector! (ages 10 and up)

Calling all teens and tweens! Would you like to become a Cloverbud Connector? In April, UVM 4-H launched Cloverbuds Connect, short video challenges and activities for Cloverbuds (youth ages kindergarten-second grade). We currently have a library of 30 videos and we are inviting you become a Cloverbud Connector. As Connector, you get to create short (5-10 min.) videos that are educational, hands-on, and inspiring. We use the platform Flipgrid, so all of the content is secure, private, and curated. 

  • Is there something you are passionate about that could spark the interest of others?
  • Do you enjoy creating short, fun videos for the internet or friends?
  • Do you enjoy mentoring peers and younger learners ?

If you answered yes, then this is a project for you! Apply here: https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_cUdNRQKcRcElFnD

And there are more opportunities for teens! Check out our teen science cafes, babysitting course, DEI for teens, gardening & nutrition, vet science, 4-H World Changers (learn to code!) and the Youth Environmental Summit! Learn more at www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements



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