Friday, April 17, 2020

Lincoln School News for April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

Hello Lincoln School Families!

By now, you have hopefully heard and seen some messaging from Dr. Bruce, Superintendent of SJPS. We have been hard at work preparing for this new adventure and I am excited to see the implementation of this plan. Below you will find details, but I am certain we will continue to learn and adapt as we create history. Thank you all for your caring and support and know that we are here to care and support you as well. You know how to reach me and I'm here, in my dining room/office. Please let me know if there are things I can do to assist you.


Remote Learning Plans  
Our teachers have been very busy this week learning together and working collaboratively to plan, create, and record lessons for your child.  These will be available to you each Monday afternoon beginning April 20th. The lessons, in combination with assignments, should provide one and a half to five hours of on-task assignments for your learner, depending on grade level.  Additionally, teachers will be offering opportunities to virtually connect with learners in weekly whole classroom settings and will facilitate individual connections with each learner. Please note, as our District grade level staff works collaboratively,  learners may receive lessons from a grade level teacher who is not their own classroom teacher. However, virtual connections will be with their own classmates and teacher.

Our expectations for learning are:

Y5-3rd Grade
  • Families will check established communication channels with their child’s teacher weekly. Recorded lessons will be posted weekly on Monday.
  • Families will help learners complete assignments by the following Monday, unless a later date is indicated by the teacher.
  • Families will schedule and attend individual connections with classroom teachers once per week. This is an opportunity for the teacher to check for understanding and provide feedback on your learner’s progress toward essential learning goals.Thank you
  • Classroom teachers will schedule a class meeting once per week. We hope that your child will be able to attend these live connections. The recorded session will be available for those not able to attend or prefer their child not be recorded. 


4th - 5th Grade
  • Families will check Google Classroom for weekly lessons.
  • Learners will log in and check Google Classroom or SeeSaw for recorded lessons which will be posted weekly.
  • Learners will complete assignments by Monday of the following week, unless a later date is indicated by the teacher.
  • Families will schedule and attend individual connections with classroom teachers once per week. This is an opportunity for the teacher to check for understanding and provide feedback on your learner’s progress toward essential learning goals.
  • Classroom teachers will schedule a class meeting once per week. We hope that your child will be able to attend these live connections. The recorded session will be available for those not able to attend or prefer their child not be recorded. 

We understand that this is a time of great uncertainty and rapidly changing situations.  Our plan is for emergency remote teaching and learning in a time of crisis, it is not distance learning or online learning in the truest sense.  Our priority is to support our learners and their families emotionally and socially during these stressful months of "Shelter in Place" and to provide some joy for our learners.  
Here is a link to the full plan document:



Feeding Our Bears


“Feeding Our Bears” is back this week with a new pick-up location! We will be handing out free breakfast & lunches to any student 18 and under on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. until June 4th at St. Joseph High School (back entrance off of Lakeview Avenue).


Social Emotional Connections
A message from our School Social Workers
In the video below, our elementary school social workers, Colette Jasiak and Bri VanHekken, share ten tips for managing your stress. While these tips are always important, they are essential during this time of crisis, as your stress is contagious.




Here is the article that our social workers referenced in the video above: You Are Not Your Child's Teacher.


Crisis Support for Our Families
We realize your family may be facing medical or financial anxiety, and we encourage you to look to St. Joseph Public Schools as a resource to help you meet your needs. Two way communication between our school and your family is essential to provide support. Please remember the email: guidance@sjschools.org and visit our website sjschools.org updated information, including this list of social/emotional resources provided by our social workers.  They have also put together this google site that will be continually updated with important information: Covid-19, Guidance & SELIf anyone needs help navigating the site, here is a quick screencast that can be included: Guidance site navigation videoOur entire staff is looking forward to seeing your learner online next week!

In addition, 211 is a free, confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need. Dial 211 (or 844-875-9211) to speak with a community resource advisor who can provide info and referrals for everyday needs in times of crisis. For more, visit uwsm.org/2-1-1.

Learning Enrichment Opportunities
Rosetta Stone is offering three months of FREE world language lessons for students who are remotely learning. Click here for more information.

LaSata Drawing Contest
With kids unable to be in school because of the stay at home order, it may be challenging to keep them engaged in educational enrichment activities. Therefore, I am happy to announce a new drawing contest for students in grades K-12. I hope this drawing contest will inspire students to exhibit their talents and learn more about our great state and its landmarks.

The contest will run April 6 – 24. Only electronic submissions will be accepted, and the drawings should be emailed to SenKLaSata@senate.michigan.gov. All submissions should include the name, grade and hometown of the participant, as well as a parent’s or guardian’s name and phone number. 

Any questions about the contest should be directed by email to senklasata@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at 517-373-6960.



It is the policy of the St. Joseph Public School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Lincoln School News for April 2, 2020





April 2, 2020

Greetings Lincoln Families! Thank you for being an active part of our school community even during our time away. It’s the power of our connection with each other that will help us get through this trying time. Every effort counts - large and small! From positive Facebook posts and participation in our challenges to sharing resources with each other as families, we thank you!

As we look ahead to next week, we wish you and your family a relaxing spring break. Certainly it isn’t going to be the spring break you may have envisioned, but we know you’ll make the most of it. Time together is what matters most.

In keeping with our published school calendar, there will be no school during the week of April 3-8. Remote learning will resume on Monday, April 13th. Of course, your child’s online learning tools will be available during the break, but we’re not expecting you to keep in contact with school. Our staff will be enjoying time with their families as well.


Don't Forget to Read Your Teachers' Blogs



Virtual Tour of the Box Factory Student Art Exhibition
As you know, the live exhibit for the 2020 Elementary Community Student Art Exhibition at the Box Factory was cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19. We are delighted that they have created a virtual tour of the entire show for our families to enjoy.  Please click here to view the amazing artwork of our SW MI students. 


Stay at Home Stay Safe
Please do everything you can as a family to observe the state and federal guidelines for staying home and staying safe. There are many clever ways to stay social while maintaining physical distance. Google recently released an extension, for example, which allows tile views in hangouts - similar to group FaceTime and Zoom. Share your great ideas with other families via social media!


Talking with and Supporting Your Child Trying to explain what’s going on to your child can be a challenge. We know our children are being impacted by the news coverage, worry about job loss, and stress of working from home. While we are all doing what we can as adults to handle this national crisis, understanding the child’s lens is important during times like these.
There are also some resources available online from other experts in the area of child psychology to help you navigate this new territory together at home. If your child is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly. We are here to help! Our School Social Workers are listed with contact info below:
Colette Jasiak - cjasiak@sjschools.org
Brianne Van Hekken - bvanhekken@sjschools.org

Mental Health ResourcesThis is a difficult time for families. As an adult, you may have many mixed emotions, too. Please take good care of yourself and staying as emotionally healthy as possible by disconnecting from the news, recommitting to hobbies and activities that you enjoy, focusing on self care, and social connection. Your child is counting on you to model the way during this time of crisis. If you are struggling or need some additional ideas, please visit www.sjschools.org. Our school social workers and counselors have been working hard to put together a list of mental health resources (see sjschools.org).



Food DistributionFood distribution at Lincoln School will resume on April 13th. If your family is in need of food over spring break, please contact one of these resources in our community for support: Area Food Sites and Distribution

If you are in need of food or interested in making a monetary donation to assist in this time of crisis, here’s a list of local Food Bank Options



Join us for District Wide Dress Up days and activities.



Date
Spirit Day!
Activity!
Friday 4/3
Fuzzy Socks Friday!
Show us your BEST Quarantine Dance! 
(bonus points for the SJ Fight Song)
Monday 4/6
Hat Day!
CREATE SOMETHING!
Wednesday 4/8
Flannel Day!
Get OUT and MOVE!
Friday 4/10
Superhero Day!
Teach someone “How to...”
(how to make a PB&J, 
how to make a fort, 
how to scare your mom, etc.)
To join the FUN:
Take a photo/video of how you are embracing the theme or activity each day.
Share your photo/video with us using the following google form: forms.gle/6zzX2kmgL9qDhnFM8
Keep an eye on the following sites to see the moments of joy happening all throughout our community!
SJPS Facebook: facebook.com/sjschools
SJPS Twitter: @sjschools
SJHS Student Senate Instagram: @sjstudentsenate







Michigan Needs Volunteers!


MICHIGAN LAUNCHES COVID-19 VOLUNTEER WEBSITE



Medical professionals, everyday residents asked to save lives

LANSING, MICH. As Michigan’s healthcare system faces tremendous strains due to the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are calling on medical professionals and everyday Michiganders to volunteer their talents and time to save lives.

Today Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS launched a new volunteer website, www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19, where trained medical professionals can register to serve their fellow Michiganders by assisting hospitals in fighting COVID-19. Other state residents also can use the site to find out how they can help in their local communities, give blood, donate money or needed medical supplies, or assist public health officials in tracking infections.

“We’ve seen an incredible amount of strength and courage of Michiganders during this time of uncertainty, whether it’s from communities donating food, money, and resources to those that need it or from businesses using their technology to manufacture personal protective equipment,” said Gov. Whitmer. “To bend the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state, we must all work together as Michiganders. Whether you’re a medical professional looking to volunteer, or someone who can give blood or donate to your local food bank, everyone can help out. We will get through this together.”

This website will serve as a single clearinghouse for Michiganders to join the fight against COVID-19. The state will work with hospitals and health systems that are short-staffed to fill gaps if and when necessary.

Residents with a background in public health, healthcare fields, or community organizing may assist with contact tracing. Contact tracing involves speaking with COVID-19-positive patients to determine the people they interacted with and locations they visited in the days prior to becoming infected.

“The time is now to save lives,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “Doctors, nurses, medical assistants – please volunteer where we need you most. You can save lives. Michiganders in good health who want to serve seniors who are alone – safely, from a distance – please volunteer. You can save lives, too. If you’re ready to use your cell phone to trace infections to their source, please volunteer. You can save lives, too. Visit www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19.”

Easy-to-use-buttons on the website allow users to link to volunteer opportunities in their community, donate or give blood. The Michigan Community Service Commission within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is a partner in the new website as the state’s expert at using service as a strategy to address Michigan’s most pressing issues and empowering volunteers to strengthen communities.

The American Red Cross is also partnering with the state on the new site. As the demand for blood remains high during the pandemic, Whitmer and the Red Cross encourage eligible, healthy Michigan donors to go to RedCrossBlood.org and schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead. The Red Cross has implemented COVID-19 mitigation measures at blood drives.

Information around COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.


Mental Health ResourcesThis is a difficult time for families. As an adult, you may have many mixed emotions, too. Please take good care of yourself and staying as emotionally healthy as possible by disconnecting from the news, recommitting to hobbies and activities that you enjoy, focusing on self care, and social connection. Your child is counting on you to model the way during this time of crisis. If you are struggling or need some additional ideas, please visit www.sjschools.org. Our school social workers and counselors have been working hard to put together a list of mental health resources (see sjschools.org).
Supplemental Family ResourcesLooking for some fun activities to do with your family at home. Have you discovered some great online resources? Please post your favorite discoveries via social media https://www.facebook.com/SJLincolnPTO/


Many of us may be trying to adjust our Spring Break plans. Looking for some Staycation ideas?



Camp in the backyard or living room

Video Game Olympics - choose short games like tennis, bowling, etc
Learn a foreign language - check out the Mango program through St. Joseph Public Library (Maud Preston Palenske) or go to Rosetta Stone for a free 3 month trial!
Plan a future vacation
Check out an exotic destination using Google Maps Street View.
Family Cooking Challenge
Photo Scavenger Hunt - go on a family hike, explore your backyard and take photos of items on your scavenger hunt list.

WelcomeThis week the Business Office welcomed our new CFO, Brenda Graham. We are very happy to welcome her to SJPS - though it is not a normal welcome with our shut down.



Brenda comes to us with years of experience in school finance having worked for Mattawan Public Schools and most recently, Portage Public Schools. Along with her years of experience she also holds her Michigan School Business Officials CFO Certification.

Brenda is a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, so she is no stranger to the area. She has one son, Ian, two dogs named Jax and Opie, and a cat named Gemma. Who can guess her favorite series when she named these pets?


It is the policy of the St. Joseph Public School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment.