Even though we have had a very weird year, we have managed to do a lot more than we thought we would be able to do. This 2020-21 school year has been tough to find what we can do safely without risking anyone of exposure. So far we have still had some difficulties. We have managed to continue with the science Olympiad, both girls and boys basketball, football, cross country, and lego league. Our middle school team has done a magnificent job at keeping their students safe from this pandemic. So far we have not had a spiraling amount of cases at our school. 

    Looking at our next quarter agenda we have a week long thanksgiving break but we still are doing virtual on Monday and Tuesday, so make sure your kids are getting their work done before 2nd quarter ends. Teachers will still be taking in grades on Monday and Tuesday so please look at it as a normal virtual day. I hope that you guys have a wonderful break and stay safe during these awful times. Your teachers will be looking forward to seeing you all come back safe and healthy.

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Things have been very busy here at ESMS.  We have a hybrid schedule so we do not see all the kids every day plus we have students who are totally virtual of which we Zoom with just to see their faces.  We miss school the way it use to be and we hope that we are restored to normal soon!  However, we want everyone to be safe so we will do what it takes to educate our students.  

We will have an online book fair starting on November 23 and ending on December 6.  Whatever you order will be delivered to your house and we will get points towards school items.  We really appreciate your support for this.  There will be another one in April.  Books make really nice gifts for the holidays.  

Remember that if you child needs books to read that we have an Overdrive/Sora eBook system.  I order loads of books each year from this. Have your child get on and check it out.  Their library card number is their school username. 

I want everyone to have happy holidays but please be safe.  Please take care of yourself and return to us safe!   

As I am trying to be the best role model for my students, I am reading articles about wellness, strength and positivity.  I read many articles over the weekend but below are the ones that I wanted to share with others.  I really learned a lot of information from them that I can share with my students, along with fellow staff members.  I really think to develop especially in the current situation we are in, we must develop a growth mindset.  Here are the links to the articles if you would like to read them.  

http://positivepsychology.org.uk/self-efficacy-definition-bandura-meaning/
https://blog.ace-up.com/5-ways-to-improve-your-self-management-skills
https://generalassemb.ly/blog/diversity-inclusion-equity-differences-in-meaning/
https://jamesclear.com/grit
https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/develop-a-growth-mindset/

Hope you found them helpful and inspiring.  We are in this together and it takes all of us to make it work.   I have had my students working on projects to improve our school culture.  We found some activities that I posted yesterday, schoolwide hand projects where everyone traced their hand and put a kind word in the middle and we spelled out ESMS with the hands to post in the commons, plus more.  I want us to use our platform to help others.  We will continue to work on these type of projects to help others get through this time.

Next week is spirit week in honor of Homecoming week at ESSD.  We are dressing up every day and you can be counted whether it is a virtual day or an in class day.  The following are the days:

Monday, September 28 - Fan Fest Day - dress to represent your favorit team like the Chiefs or the Royals.
Tuesday, September 29 -  Hawaiian Day
Wednesday, September 30 - Comfy Cozy Day
Thursday, October 1 -  Team Color Day
                  Hippogriffs - white
                  Kraken - Red
                  Dragons - Black
                  Thunderbirds - Blue
                  Gargoyles - Grey
                  Phoenix - Purple
                  Narwahls - Burgundy
Friday, October 2 - Tiger Spirit Day Wear your black and gold

Support our team and dress for the occasions!!

So we finished weird and now we are starting weird.  I am so proud of the kids for all they are doing to keep us safe and follow the rules of social distancing and wearing a mask.  Our school district has started us with a hybrid schedule for most of our students.  The students are extremely happy to be back and seeing teachers ad friends.  

We have deployed devices to all Virtual and Hybrid students that requested one.  We have had some issues but I think we are now running a lot better.  We may have a few issues here and there but overall, most students are working.  If your child is still having issues, please call and let me know so I can help.  

The Techsperts are starting some amazing projects.  We will again be working with administration on features for the FaceBook page.  We are working on blogs for our page. Just so much to get going here at the beginning of school....but we are super excited!

Homecoming spirit week is coming up September 28 - October 2. 
Monday - Fan Fest (wear your favorite sports attire)
Tuesday - Hawaiian Day
Wednesday - Comfy Cozy Day
Thursday - Team Spirit Day
Friday - Tiger Pride Day
Whether you are face to face or virtual those day, plan to join us to build excitement for our special day!

Thank you to all the staff, students and parents for their patience while we work through getting technology into the hands of our students.  I believe every student that requested a device has been issued one. We had some wifi issues but I believe those have been resolved.  Again, thank you for your patience.  

Let's continue to be diligent in wearing face masks and hand sanitizing so we do not have any issues.  

Well I hope this finds everyone well.  I know the circumstances for us now is very stressful.  I am here to help in any way I can.  Please feel free to email me questions or ways I can help.  I have had the Techsperts working on getting reading lists from Overdrive so students know what is available.  It can be overwhelming if you have never used it before or do not have anyone to guide you through.  If you need help, please email me and I will try to walk you through it.  I am already looking into my ordering for next year so if you have any requests, please let me know that as well.  I am missing the students and staff and the connections we were making  I am looking forward to getting us back to our "normal" routine.  I appreciate all the patience you are giving us to work through this.  We will return the same to you.  We are all in this together!  Have a great day and I will try to post here more to update you on information I know.

It seems so hard to believe that we are almost done with third quarter.  Time is certainly moving along. 

We are in the process of selecting WEB Leaders for next year.  The 7th grade students are writing essays and turning them in with an application by March 6th.  On March 13th we will announce the leaders for next year after we complete the process of looking at attendance, behavior, leadership skills, etc.  The students are excited to have the opportunity to be leaders at ESMS next year.

Techsperts are helping to wrap up the year.  We have weeded out old books and are straightening shelves.  It is a messy and tedious process.  Teachers have been offered the opportunity to come select deleted books for their classrooms.  I have order a bunch of new books this year and we are processing those as well.

Techsperts are also working on their leave their mark projects.  Lots of neat things being discussed.  Next year several of the Techsperts are going to go out and explore some of the other electives.  I am excited for them to have this opportunity.  My Techsperts classes will only have 3 or 4 students per hour.  I am excited for those students to stay with me and help me make the LC a better place.  

Spring break is fast approaching.  It is March 16-20.  After that we will start MAP testing.  We are getting new carts and iPads to make that process happen.  Following that. we will have one last in-service day, April 9 which will be half day for students and in-service in the afternoon. No school will be held on April 10.  

With all of the snow days, our last day of school is scheduled for May 19.  It will be a half day for students.   The original date was May 7.  I just hope we do not have many more.  It will still be a long summer as we do not start back up unit August 24.  

The message yesterday in WEB was to keep positive thoughts and messages in your head as we approach the change in season and try to get through until winter break.  I hope by planting these thoughts in the students and staff it will make the next few weeks easier.   I believe in positive reaps positive.  

The first quarter is over and the second is getting close to be half over.  Time this year seems so busy and quick.  We are working hard in the LC to make the space neater and less cluttered.  We are working on making the space more comfortable and user-friendly.  We are going to start working on weeding books and materials to make room for the new materials we need.  I appreciate the help of the Techsperts to make this happen.  A few adults have also been donating time to make the space better. 

Today, Mr. Findlay brought his class in to use the VR Goggles.  I really appreciate the effort our teachers give towards using the materials that I purchase to enhance the curriculum.  The VR Goggles are super cool for the kids as it makes them feel like they are in the environment the teacher wants to create....today it was space.  

As we approach Thanksgiving Break, I want to tell all that I am thankful for the staff that I work for and with.  I am thankful that they keep an open  mind and are willing to try new things.  I am thankful for the students who are also open to trying new things plus for the most part are here to focus on the learning.  They are willing to give me ideas on how to improve the learning environment in the LC.  I want to make it a place that is conducive to collaboration, communication and learning.  I am thankful for the parents who support the learning process.  Without them, it would be a much more difficult job!  I am thankful for my family as well who support my job!  So, thank you everyone and I hope you enjoy your break!