Friday Flyer - May 20, 2022

 

Pace Yourselves

It is typical for schools to experience a "loosening" as the year comes to a close. However, departing from established routines, having extra recess or unstructured activities, can lead to undesirable behaviors. At times students' anticipation of "summer" or "vacation" is one of stress rather than joy. The best thing we can do as leaders is to insist upon maximizing learning time, keeping students engaged in cognitively demanding tasks that are also enjoyable. As of Monday, we still have 12% of the year left, not counting the two half days. Yes, have field day and moving on ceremonies, simple transition activities, but the year is not over. No excuses about wasting time when we have lamented "lost" learning time due to the pandemic. 

You have reopened and almost completed an entire year of school during a pandemic - after over a year of remote learning. This is an amazing feat - to get our students and staff back in person, in spite of all the challenges of social distancing, testing, staffing challenges, and quarantine protocols. I am proud of the work you have done to stay the course. Thank you!

Friday Flyer

Please review highlighted content carefully.

Friday Flyer - May 6, 2022

 

May 3 Region Meeting

Thank you for taking time to "get on the balcony" on Tuesday in spite of all that is happening on the dance floor. I'm sorry I was not there, but I know you were in great hands with Jodi and Christine.

Hiring Season

You must call and check references before offering a candidate a position. It is foolish not to.

You must provide your colleagues accurate information about a candidate. It is a professional obligation to do so and is unethical if you do not.

Reflection and Thank you

Last night, the School Committee voted to approve Dr. Cassellius' recommendation to close the Mission Hill K-8 Pilot School. At the beginning of the year, Mission Hill experienced a great loss with four colleagues put on administrative leave; it has been under a microscope with a school review and a six months-long investigation, while also in transformation status. I, along with many others, have supported the school all year.  There are no winners in this situation. It is a situation that is filled with emotion and pain for all members of the community. I broke down and cried with sadness for everyone involved after the school committee vote. There are no winners in this story. 

I will need to spend more time at Mission Hill to provide support with healing and transitions while also continuing to ensure students have the best experience possible in these last two months. Jodi will continue to support Region 6 during this time. Again, I appreciate your patience and flexibility. 

Food for Thought

Here is an article from Phi Delta Kappan named Making sense of reading's forever wars. 

Friday Flyer

Please review highlighted content carefully.