After having no power for three days it is nice to just breathe. This week was stressful but we got through it together! Why is it important to remember to take a deep breath? Take a look at THIS ARTICLE as, though it seems like a no brainer, it reminds us that taking a moment can help us remain calm, de-escalating a stressful situation, and focusing on what's important.
I know that phone calls can home be a LONG process AND think about an email....or a post card....or a note to send regarding something GOOD one of the students in your care has done. Can you remember getting one of these when you were a student?
This could be the one thing that makes a difference in one of 6th-7th-8th grade students' lives. It could be one of the ONLY nice things that they hear all day. It could be the one thing that gets a student to produce work for you. Take a look at THIS ARTICLE and read all about the benefits of showcasing the GOOD in our students in a few simple minutes....
October 2019
Number 64- update
In an effort to prevent suspended students in grades 1-12 from falling behind in class
assignments or homework, Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 982,
requiring all public and charter school teachers to provide homework assignments to
suspended students, upon request. Teachers have historically had the option whether
or not to require suspended students to complete any assignments and tests missed
during the term of their suspension.
AB 982
Beginning January 1, 2020, AB 982 requires a teacher to provide, upon request,
homework to any student who has been suspended from school for two or more
schooldays. This request must be made by either the suspended student, their parent,
legal guardian, or other person holding the right to make educational decisions for
the suspended student. If the request for homework is made, the assignments then
must be turned in to the teacher by the student either upon the student's return to
school from suspension or within the timeframe originally prescribed by the teacher,
whichever is later.
The Legislature explicitly stated that the purpose of AB 982 is to provide the
suspended student with the homework that the student would otherwise have
been assigned so that the student does not unnecessarily fall behind academically.
The Legislature also explicitly stated it did not intend to require a teacher to correct
classroom assignments or homework missed while the student is suspended, or to
add an additional burden on a teacher's workload. With this in mind, AB 982 also
provides that if a teacher is unable to grade the homework assignment before the
end of the academic term, then the assignment shall not be included in the calculation
of the student's overall grade in the class. This added safeguard minimizes the
impact on teachers who otherwise would have to grade these potentially delayed
assignments, while also reducing the punitive academic impact on the suspended
student.
Takeaways
Though this bill does not explicitly require it, school districts and charter schools
should consider informing a suspended student and their parent or legal guardian
of their right to request the student's homework if the suspension will last two or
more days. Similarly, school districts and charter schools should consider informing
all teachers of the new requirements under AB 982, and develop consistent and
equitable procedures around grading assignments for suspended students.
Observable Fish Moments at SV:
Be There: Thank you to EVERYONE for working together and being there for our students when we didn't have power. Kristin thank you for taking home the walkies and charging them. Thank you Tina for bringing hand warmers.
Play: Thank you for dressing up during our spirit days. Thank you Daniel for coaching our football team and for being our site AD.
Choose your attitude: Your attitude can decide how you will feel for the rest of the day- EVERY DAY!!
Make Their Day: Make at least one positive phone home this week.
