Virtual Learning Week 5

Virtual Learning - Week 5 

We're sending you a virtual high five! Our appreciation of your ongoing commitment to partnering with us in your child's education cannot be overstated! We appreciate you and are here to support our students and their families. We’re all in this together! 

#BetterTogether

Remote Learning Updates
Our new remote learning plan kicked off this week. Plans and lessons will be available to you each Monday afternoon. The lessons, in combination with assignments, should provide one and a half to five hours of on-task work 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.


Thank you for checking established communication channels with your child’s teacher weekly. Thank you, too, for helping learners complete assignments by the following Monday, unless a later date is indicated by the teacher.

A Note from Your School Library/Media Center
We are excited to hear so many of our SJ students have been reading and enjoying the library books they took home with them in March. While we would love to be able to facilitate a book exchange for students to get more reading material, we are not able to do so at this time due to our buildings being closed. Please visit the websites created by our teacher librarians for access to numerous ebooks and resources. We will be sharing even more possibilities soon. Finally, please encourage your children to keep reading and to contact their teacher librarian for assistance. We are here to help!

Elementary Library Media Resources Site

Upton Library Media Resources Site

SJHS Library Media Resources Site

Google Meet Grid View

Is your child able to view all their classmates during their Google Meet? If not, there is an extension to add a grid view. Google Extension - Grid View 

There will be a grid image in the upper right corner of the Google Meet page once it’s downloaded. We're sure your child will enjoy seeing everyone during your virtual visits.

As your child connects with his/her class,  we ask that you please be mindful of everyone's right to privacy. Please do not photograph the class and repost on public social media outlets. While we are all excited and proud of the work our students and their teachers are doing together, we want to be sure to be respectful of all families. Thank you!


Support for Our Families

Social/Emotional Support 
Please use guidance@sjschools.org and visit our website sjschools.org for updated information, including this list of social/emotional resources provided by our social workers.

Please watch the video below from Colette Jasiak and Bri VanHekken, our elementary school social workers, regarding creating routines at home in this new remote learning environment. Please also check out the resources below. 

Read Aloud The Group Plan

Positive and Productive Children While the Kids Are Not in School

Technology Support
Please contact support@sjschools.org for repair/support of school issued devices or for learners who need a device or do not have internet access during the closure. Note: Public libraries and schools will provide wi-fi access from their parking lots while people remain in their vehicles.


Feeding Our Bears 
This important service will continue Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00AM-12:30PM at the St. Joseph High School entrance off of Lakeview Ave. 

These resources in our community are also available 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.


Community Support Resources 
211 is a free, confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need (social, emotional, health care, unemployment and more). 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.

Protect MI Child
We shared this initiative awhile ago, but with the increased screen time during this closure and so many virtual options available, we wanted to share it again. This website below offers tips on talking to your child about internet safety, in addition to stopping ads from popping up unexpectedly on your child's device. 

https://www.protectmichild.com/cybertips.html

Fifth Grade Class Gift to the School
Please see the message below from our Fifth Grade Farewell Committee.

Hello Brown Families!

This is the time of year when, traditionally, the 5th Grade class holds fundraisers to raise money for a gift to the school. (A few gifts from previous classes have been the water bottle drinking fountains, playground equipment, and the Gaga Ball Pit.)

Among other fundraisers, the most popular has been popsicle sales at recess. Sadly, this year's 5th grade class will not be able to hold any of these fundraisers. But we would still like for them to be able to leave their legacy and buy a gift for Brown Elementary School.

Our hope is that we are able to continue this tradition with the help of your donation.

We understand the struggles that most, if not all of us are going through right now, and greatly appreciate any amount that you are able to give.

Thank you so much, from the 5th Graders!

https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/details/9826  

For any questions, please contact: Lydia Woosley - lydiawoosley@gmail.com or Robin Lawrence - Rel3414@gmail.com  

Calling All Fifth Grade Families!

As soon as it is safe to be together again, we will make a plan to celebrate the many accomplishments of our amazing fifth grade students. Until then, there are a few things that we would love to ask families to help with from the safety of your home. 

Fifth Grade Slideshow

Chelsey Fonua is putting together a slideshow for the 5th graders and in order to gather photos from every family, she has created a Cluster group. Please add your photos to the link below, fifth grade families.

https://cluster.co/i/T8SFHDJK  

Fifth Grade Guess Who Baby Pictures Now/Then

Hello All,

My name is Christin Haunhorst, mother of Alice in Mr Lignell's class. Delana Langmeyer and myself were on the committee for the Guess Who Baby Pictures Now/Then display. We would like to move forward with the project despite the school shutdown. We feel it is vitally important to have some form of normalcy even if it is virtually/digitally. I will send a link to view the slideshow when completed. 

With that being said I need your help. I need you to send me your students' baby picture. Preferably under a year old. (If this is not possible the earliest picture you have will be fine)

I will also need their current school picture or current candid picture. Either of these can be portrait or landscape in orientation. Please select photos that clearly show their face and preferably alone in the picture. 

Please send all pictures to my secure photography email:

mommabearpridesjhs@gmail.com

Please label your email with student name and teacher name so that I can assure we include everyone. 

Thank you so much,

Christin Haunhorst

Stay safe. Stay well.

Our Tech Fest Will Go On!
Great news! Our Annual Ren Baldwin Technology Festival will be held virtually this year. This means our students can keep working on all those awesome projects from home! Get creative and have some fun! We can hardly wait to see what our creative students come up with!

The SJPS Foundation's photo contest has been extended to May 20, 2020!

Please plan to email your entry to sjpsfoundation@sjschools.org.

TIPS FOR A WINNING PHOTO:

*Cell photos are FINE! Email the ORIGINAL shot so size requirement is met.

*Entries must depict school life - including remote learning at home!

*Take shot in LANDSCAPE mode so it can be used in the school calendar

*BE CREATIVE!




 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.

Virtual Learning Week 4

Welcome Back, Brown School Families!

While your spring break undoubtably varied from your original plans, our hope is that you were able to relax together and embrace the gifts that mother nature provided.

Thank you for continuing to partner with your child's teacher in providing opportunities for learning and enrichment. As you learned from both Dr. Bruce's and my emails earlier this week, our instructional staff members have been busy learning about virtual connections and have created plans to best meet the needs of our students & families during this time of emergency remote learning.

Emergency Remote Learning Plan Update

As afore mentioned, teachers have been very busy this week working collaboratively to plan, create, and record lessons for your child.  These learning opportunities 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.
• 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.  

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

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 google site with social/emotional resources provided by our social workers. If you need help navigating the site, please watch this short screencast.

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.

Fifth Grade Class Gift to the School
Please see the message below from our Fifth Grade Farewell Committee.

Hello Brown Families!

This is the time of year when, traditionally, the 5th Grade class holds fundraisers to raise money for a gift to the school. (A few gifts from previous classes have been the water bottle drinking fountains, playground equipment, and the Gaga Ball Pit.)

Among other fundraisers, the most popular has been popsicle sales at recess. Sadly, this year's 5th grade class will not be able to hold any of these fundraisers. But we would still like for them to be able to leave their legacy and buy a gift for Brown Elementary School.

Our hope is that we are able to continue this tradition with the help of your donation.

We understand the struggles that most, if not all of us are going through right now, and greatly appreciate any amount that you are able to give.

Thank you so much, from the 5th Graders!

https://www.payschoolsevents.com/events/details/9826  

For any questions, please contact: Lydia Woosley - lydiawoosley@gmail.com or Robin Lawrence - Rel3414@gmail.com  

Calling All Fifth Grade Families!

As soon as it is safe to be together again, we will make a plan to celebrate the many accomplishments of our amazing fifth grade students. Until then, there are a few things that we would love to ask families to help with from the safety of your home. 

Fifth Grade Slideshow

Chelsey Fonua is putting together a slideshow for the 5th graders and in order to gather photos from every family, she has created a Cluster group. Please add your photos to the link below, fifth grade families.

https://cluster.co/i/T8SFHDJK  

Guess Who Baby Pictures Now/Then

Hello All,

My name is Christin Haunhorst, mother of Alice in Mr Lignell's class. Delana Langmeyer and myself were on the committee for the Guess Who Baby Pictures Now/Then display. We would like to move forward with the project despite the school shutdown. We feel it is vitally important to have some form of normalcy even if it is virtually/digitally. I will send a link to view the slideshow when completed. 

With that being said I need your help. I need you to send me your students' baby picture. Preferably under a year old. (If this is not possible the earliest picture you have will be fine)

I will also need their current school picture or current candid picture. Either of these can be portrait or landscape in orientation. Please select photos that clearly show their face and preferably alone in the picture. 

Please send all pictures to my secure photography email:

mommabearpridesjhs@gmail.com

Please label your email with student name and teacher name so that I can assure we include everyone. 

Thank you so much,

Christin Haunhorst

Stay safe. Stay well.

To all of our families and friends who are first responders, healthcare workers, store employees, truck drivers, and other essential workers - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. #BetterTogether

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.

Virtual Learning Week 3

Thank you to all of our families for being such an active part of our school community even when we aren't able to be together in our classrooms. Our powerful connections with each other are helping us get through
this trying time. The pictures and posts on our Facebook groups, as well as your ongoing participation in our learning and social challenges bring smiles and inspiration to our entire school family. Thank you!

As we look ahead to next week, we wish you and your family a relaxing spring break with the ones you love. In keeping with our published school calendar, there will be no school during the week of April 3rd - 8th. 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.

                                     

Stay at Home, Stay Safe 

Thank you for doing 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, including family "bear hunts" throughout your neighborhood. Please see the video below for more details. 

Brown Staff Members Love To Read!

Our Brown School Staff have been busy reading, recording, and sharing videos with our students on our Facebook page. Please click here to access new stories and messages from our amazing Brown School staff.

Mental Health Resources
This 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. Our school social workers and counselors have been working hard to put together a list of mental health resources. If you are struggling or need some additional ideas, please visit www.sjschools.org. 

Feeding Our Bears
Food 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!

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





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. Please note that Brown School's art begins at 20:16. 

                          

To all of our first responders, healthcare workers, 

store employees, and other essential workers - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. #BetterTogether

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.