September 4, 2020

Hi Team

Week One done and now a long weekend that you so truly deserve. This week we dug into Anti Racism in Education. Social Emotional Learning, Clever, Google Classroom, Google Meet, Zoom, Canvas and had so much time to collaborate on this new remote teaching journey that begins on September 16. I know there is still a LOT of work to do and a LOT of questions but we have time. I have faith. Thank you

Human Resources and the PD team will send out the daily schedule via Canva (it's great) but for now here is what I know you have scheduled through FPA this week.

In this time of remote learning it is even more important than ever that we find a way to connect and make teaching and learning personal for our kids. To that end the expectation is as follows.

You can spend time volunteering to distribute chromebooks, art bags, instruments, learning bags etc at your home school and you should find a way to virtually connect with your students prior to the end of the DESE days. Suggestions: Choose a class or grade level and set up a Google Meet. Set up a Zoom drop in by team ( Performing Arts at the Middle School level for example). Set up a Zoom drop in by Department (middle /high school). Set up a Grade five band drop in for the district. These meet and greets do not need to be long! Please invite me when you schedule them. I would love to see you in action.

A combination of distribution days and virtual meetings is best but if you cannot do distribution times, meet as many of your incoming students as possible. You can also reach out with a Smore or email through Canvas/ Google classroom but an actual virtual meeting is the expectation.

Thank you for helping to transition these kids into this virtual synchronized world of education.

Here is a link to all the curriculum work you started last week. Please take the time to look at the entire folder. Your colleagues have added resources and creative ideas for remote lessons that can certainly be shared across all our disciplines. More work on this as the week progresses but this is a wonderful start.

Remember 45, 50 or 97 minute classes does not mean 45. 50 or 97 minutes staring at a computer. Use break out rooms, studio time, silent reading, drawing, writing in a journal, etc to break up the time AND every lesson MUST include SEL and Diversity and Inclusion connections through the arts. ALL SESSIONS SHOULD CONCLUDE WITH A WRAP UP/ASSESSMENT/REFLECTION of some sort.

This spreadsheet includes, materials requests, Q and A, software requests and resources. Click the button below.

DESE released strict Covid 19 guidance for arts education. Please click the button below to review our crosswalk for each discipline.

Helpful links

Ellen has move to FHS. By now you all know that in an effort to save jobs and cuts to the operational budget Dr. Tremblay close Perini as our central office and we re all scattered across the district. Ellen's new home is in an office right off the theatre lobby. Thanks to the FHS administration for welcoming us to this space. Ellen can still be reached at 508 782 7701.

I was planning to record a video to wish you a wonderful day and a successful week ahead but Chris Brindley sent me this one and it is perfect. If you haven't seen it- take the time to watch and put all of this into perspective. I also just read that a tentative agreement between the union and district will be shared soon. Perfect news on Labor Day. After last week I know we can do this and do it well. The "noise" in this video is out of the way and we are back to doing what we do best- preparing to teach our kids the arts we all love. Enjoy the video, this beautiful day and "see" you this week.

Best

Donna