Dear Families:
We have made it through Trimester 1. While we have encountered challenges, just as in life as in our students’ careers, we learn from them. The beauty rests in the approach that we are life-long learners. In the role of my vocation as an educator, I have found it essential to approach every student as an individual – emotionally, spiritually, socially, and most identifiably from an academic sense.
Regardless of the situation of my “filling in” for Mrs. Yena, I have embraced the opportunity to apply this approach during the time I have been so blessed to share with these students. In an attempt to sincerely reflect that approach, you have hopefully noticed an attitude of compassion for the adjustment, even while we maintained the scholastic pace in which you have invested. Still, like I would in any class at any level, in any environment, I am now using the research I have gleaned from my time acclimating with each individual learner to inspire a more strategic and regimented Trimester 2.
I find this to not only account for the anomaly of the calendar, but more pertinently a means to value what has been assessed both formally and informally as the motive for what the crux of our instructional planning and expectations will be. Your patience in crafting the best approach has been appreciated. Your faith as we move forward, even more valued.
My initial motive has been to gradually assess student achievement and ability to establish a benchmark of sorts in terms of surveying abilities as well as better tune planning based on areas of need, not to mention opportunities for extension.
Effective post-Thanksgiving break, you will notice a more regimented and intentionally convenient approach to the communication, collection, and analyses of assignments. There will now be available more immediate, consistent, and universally observable process regarding assignments.
Students will still be expected to catalog their own assignments and behavior on a daily afternoon basis. An added component I now have access to will be to post assignments on our classroom website as a method of cross-referencing for accuracy and clarification on any homework or assessments. Likewise, the frequency of posted grades via the PowerSchool utility will increase, even as the return of hard-copy graded assignments will be arriving at home nightly.
We have encountered the added element of weather and infrastructural complications. The intent was to hit the reset button with a fresh start on a normal pace, but Mother Nature and Father Time had other plans. Still, there is no need to use this week’s irregularities as an excuse. At the same time, I feel no need to rush and try to “stuff” a week’s worth of content into two-and-a-half days. Instead, we can look at our logistics as an opportunity to build a bridge between what we have learned thus far, what we need to revisit, and what we need to concentrate on before moving forward. Along these lines, I will be sending home a compilation of work samples for each student for your perusal. Friendly reminding you that this is a small sample size, I encourage you to look over the materials and feel free to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. As always, I am beyond grateful for the responsibility with which you entrust me.
Wishing you health and praying for prosperity as the Holidays proceed.
Humbly,
~Mr. B.