AP Readers receive a gift each year. This year, I selected the fleece blanket. Other available options are below. The umbrella from 2018 is still one of my favorites. (From 7/13/2020)
My former Integrated Math student Kelly and I stayed in touch via email throughout the Spring and Summer of 2020. Above is a picture of a cat she saw at a Newport Beach garden. I appreciated exchanging our thoughts on favorite books and music. I also had Kelly's older brother Cade the previous year in AP Calculus.
Unit 5: Supporting Populations with Special Needs (August 3-August 9)
In Review
-Universal Design for Learning strategies support all students, but especially students with disabilities.
-Support multiple means of representing content and multiple means of allowing students to express themselves.
-Executive function is the "secretary of the brain". Executive functioning skills can be taught and encouraged through purposeful design.
-The transition to remote learning can be overwhelming and students who struggle with self-regulation may struggle in remote learning contexts.
-Schools are required to meet IEP requirements of students with disabilities, even in remote learning. Students can use technology tools to access content in both English and their native language.
-As many as 20% of students may not have Internet access at home.
Sarah's parents celebrated her graduation and birthday by having many of her mentors record a video message for her. I also sent to her home a simple notebook since Sarah is moving to New York to study in the upcoming school year. Best wishes, Sarah. (From 7/14/2020)
A group of faculty members met at the Bonita parking lot on 6/12/2020. We drove by the homes of Mr. Shibuya, Mr. Sanchez, and Mr. Podley to celebrate their retirement from a safe distance. We gave them gifts and thanked them for all of their contributions to Bonita High School. Mrs. Verti took on the responsibility to make a math department gift binder for Mr. Shibuya.
Unit 4: Selecting Digital Content (July 27 - August 2)
In Review
-Selecting digital content is hard work, and requires a lot of purposeful time and planning.
-It is important to read all of the fine print to ensure that you are keeping you and your students safe online.
-As you move materials online, it is important to be aware of copyright laws and to avoid violating them.
-When selecting digital tools, make sure that you use tools that are accessible for all students and compatible with the devices students are using.
-With all of the content you use, it's important that content be free of bias and that content honors the diversity and richness of experience in your classroom.
A Shoe Adoption Project Update: I first heard about the Black Girls Run community on The Strength Running podcast. I reached out to the local Los Angeles chapter and Ambassador Wendy has graciously become my contact. We donated four pairs of running shoes to Wendy's athletes on Wednesday (7/22/2020). We hope the COVID lock down will end soon so that the running community can get back to doing what we love. Thank you to all of the donors, supporters, and friends of this project. (From 7/22/2020).
The Strength Running Podcast w/ Black Girls RUN! CEO:
Unit 3: Maintaining Connections with Students and Families (July 20 - July 26)
In Review
-It is important to identify and understand barriers that may be preventing families from successfully supporting their learner with Remote Learning.
-Demonstrating empathy allows you to understand each family's Remote Learning situation so you can also meet the needs of their child.
-Just as you establish learning norms for your students, it is equally important to provide norms for how families can connect with you.
-When selecting resources, it is important to remember that a digital divide exists
--Don’t assume all family members know how to and are comfortable with technology.
Be willing to explore new and/or varied methods of communication.
-Taking the time to learn a new digital resource or placing a letter in the mail can help ensure you maintain a connection with all of your families.
-Be mindful of how consistent and concise you are with your communications. When, how, and in what format you will be sharing information can help ensure both access to the information and that it will be red. Rather than focus on what families can’t do during Remote Learning, focus on what they are able to do. Small steps can lead to big accomplishments!
Remembering Mr. Coss. A message from our superintendent:
July 17, 2020
Dear Bonita Unified Community,
I am deeply saddened to share that early this morning, Jason Coss, Principal of Lone Hill Middle School, passed away from his courageous battle with cancer.
Jason was a devoted father and husband, an incredible educator, a wonderful friend and mentor, and a remarkable, courageous human. He meant so much to Bonita Unified, and he will be greatly missed.
Not many of you may know, but before his career in education, Jason worked as a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff. His goal in life was to make a difference in the lives of others, and that passion is what ultimately inspired him to become a teacher at Shull Elementary. After that, he became the principal of Oak Mesa Elementary and then principal at Lone Hill Middle School.
To put it quite simply, Jason was a champion for kids. He cared tremendously about the students and families he served and was an inspirational leader to his colleagues, staff, and students. Jason had such an incredible impact on all of our lives, and I know his passing brings a huge loss to our community.
Jason’s family requests privacy during this time of grief but sends their appreciation to everyone for the outpouring of love and support they have received.
This year, the class of 2020 at Lone Hill Middle School dedicated a reading bench in Jason’s honor. That bench is proudly displayed in the front of the school. The dedication video can be viewed by clicking on the following link: Class of 2020 gift. (Edit: Video above)
The loss of Jason will affect each of us differently, so the District has mobilized a team of mental health support professionals to assist anyone in need. If you or your student needs to speak to a counselor, this can be arranged by emailing Mr. Mark Rodgers, Senior Director of Student Support Services, at Rodgers@bonita.k12.ca.us.
On behalf of the Bonita Unified community, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Coss family, to all who worked alongside Jason, and to all students who were enriched by him. He will forever live in our hearts.
Unit 2: Bringing SEL to Remote Learning (July 13 - July 19)
SEL = Social-Emotional Learning
In Review
-Chronic stress and/or trauma will interrupt the learning process.
-We are home for a reason, and that reason is most likely a stressful one. Be transparent about the anxieties and current circumstances to begin creating an authentic learning environment in your remote setting.
-Positive relationships create safe spaces for learning.
-Research has shown that social and emotional development can be fostered, and social and emotional skills, attitudes, and behaviors can be taught using a variety of approaches. There is no one right way.
-How you implement social and emotional learning activities and practices into your curriculum and introduce these concepts with your students should be based on the unique individuals within your classroom and scaffolded to address everyone’s comfort levels.
-There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to SEL. Consider the cultural responsiveness of your SEL and teaching practice and be transparent about your efforts to make all students feel empowered.
Our district will use Canvas for remote education starting in the Fall of 2020. While I have used Canvas before, this will be the first time that I will be using it with my high school students. Teachers have a training date on July 22, 2020.
My friend Daisy shared this video with me. I recall one of my "essential" tools during my first year teaching was a pen-shaped chalk holder, it allowed me to use up much of each chalk. I never had the pleasure of using the Hagoromo from the video. (From 7/4/2020)
Unit 1: Establishing Norms for Remote Learning (July 6 - July 12)
In Review
-Through a series of open-ended questions, teachers and students should co-create behavioral norms for the remote learning classroom.
-A set of norms should be concise, kid-friendly, and applicable to all members of the classroom community.
-Re-establish or adjust classroom norms for a virtual setting. Revisit norms often and draw attention to a specific norm for the learning session as needed. Take time to check-in and connect with students.
-Post your norms in a prominent place in order to serve as the reference point for all conversations about interactions among students and between students and teachers.
-Consistency is key.
-Create opportunities for both formal and casual interaction.
Keep learning. I'm going through this online course through NC State to prepare for potential remote/hybrid teaching in the upcoming school year.
(From 7/6/2020)
Specifically, the course will include the following units:
Unit 0: Defining Remote Learning: We will define what Remote Learning is and is not, how it is different from traditional "distance learning", and review the Instructional Design Principles for Remote Learning.
Unit 1: Establishing Norms for Remote Learning: In this unit, we will discuss how to set up classroom procedures in a Remote Learning context, including sending and receiving content, maintaining connections with students.
Unit 2: Bringing SEL to Remote Learning: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) focuses on helping learners understand and manage emotions, set goals, set and achieve goals, show empathy for others, maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. In this unit, we will learn how to bring SEL practices to your Remote Learning classroom, and how to identify and address the social and emotional needs of your students.
Unit 3: Maintaining Connections with Students and Families: In the time of COVID-19, many families and students are struggling with daily realities including managing working from home while teaching students, having to go to work while students have to remain home, food insecurity, family illness, or loss of income. This unit will cover strategies to support and maintain connections with families in uncertain times.
Unit 4: Selecting Digital Content: With all of the resources available on the Internet, selecting high-quality, appropriate content for all students can be a challenge. This unit will support locating, identifying, and vetting content to pick the best resources for your Remote Learning classroom.
Unit 5: Supporting Populations with Special Needs: This unit will address and provide strategies to support students with disabilities, learning differences, English Language Learners, and other students with unique academic and social-emotional needs.
Unit 6: Providing Feedback and Assessment: This unit will dive deep into providing high-quality feedback to students remotely through a variety of media. We’ll also dig in to how to assess student learning and adapt instruction in new ways.
Although we are distributed, the AP Statistics readers stay in touch on the Facebook group page. One of the readers, Kelly, put together this fun Virtual Escape Room for us. Link to Escape Kansas City 2020. Also, our virtual fun run was modified this year. (6/20/2020)
We are not meeting in Kansas City to read the responses. I'm still happy to read from my own laptop. My friends Tim and Daryl used Zoom to stay in touch.
