Heads up...Wednesday, Sept. 14 is an early release day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my school we have trainings and meeting that day

My school is TBD.

Many are lobbying for telework not matter the duties required or tasks allowed. For me, I’d happily sit at my desk until 3:25 as long as I can grade.
I already need the time to grade since our principal required 8 extra meetings the first two weeks and I lost a total of six planning periods across 9 days to emergency coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of the early release day?

I am a teacher and we have no idea why - nothing is posted on the school calendar explaining why.

It is a student wellness day. Good timing, too. It’s the third week and as one of my sixth graders said to another “Sh!ts real now.” At least in secondary schools. No more ice breakers and ungraded pre-assessments. There’s work being graded for the 90% category and late penalties. The stress is starting already.

[Anonymous]

This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.


What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inapropriate and weird anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inappropriate and weird anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inappropriate and weird anyway.

That is not the way positive postcards are used at two different schools I’ve been at. The positive postcards are for relationship building and the goal is to catch students at some point during the year doing something positive and unique to them. In middle school we wrote them during grade level team meetings. In high school we write them during department meetings. There’s a set of pre-printed address labels, you look for kids you have, especially ones that get overlooked, and then write to them about something from that week. Students and parents appreciate them.

And PP, no, teachers should not treat all students equally. Teachers identify individual student needs and meet them. It’s the daily art of teaching. Some kids easily make friends, others need a thoughtful seating chart that matches them with peers they can work well with. Some kids work independently, others need a lot of support. And one way to support are the positive postcards.

[Anonymous]

Kids are not all the same. It seems like starting with the low-hanging fruit would get teachers in the habit, then work their way up to more challenging students.

[Anonymous]

Sending a postcard home is totally weird. Can't you say "good job" somehow at school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sending a postcard home is totally weird. Can't you say "good job" somehow at school?

I’m glad you aren’t a teacher, since you don’t seem to be able to see why this might matter to some families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sending a postcard home is totally weird. Can't you say "good job" somehow at school?

I’m glad you aren’t a teacher, since you don’t seem to be able to see why this might matter to some families.

I actually am a teacher, and I think that's inappropriate and weird.

[Anonymous]

We had security training for all staff at my high school this afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sending a postcard home is totally weird. Can't you say "good job" somehow at school?

I agree. It might be cute for elementary school. I teach high school and my students would find it totally weird if I sent them postcards at home praising them. I do make an effort at school to chat with kids and get to know them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inappropriate and weird anyway.

At some schools, this is to ensure that kids who have a tough time connecting with teachers hear something positive. If your child is an average to high achieving student, they don’t need this because they are already getting positive feedback.

The idea is not equality (treat everyone the same as if they don’t have different needs), but equity (making sure all students have their individual needs met). Equality would require not allowing students with dysgraphia to type unless everyone can type. Or not giving a student on crutches an elevator key since not all students can ride. I would love it if every teacher remembered to give positive feedback to all their students on a regular basis. However, some don’t hear a note of praise for 10 months. Don’t begrudge a child a postcard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sending a postcard home is totally weird. Can't you say "good job" somehow at school?

I agree. It might be cute for elementary school. I teach high school and my students would find it totally weird if I sent them postcards at home praising them. I do make an effort at school to chat with kids and get to know them.

My teens got postcards last year from a few 10th grade teachers and they liked it. DD still has one pinned to her bedroom corkboard.

[Anonymous]

We played pickle ball or walked around the track.