Monday Memo - 10/26/20

Reflections on last week
I would like to thank all of you for attending the meeting(s) last week regarding our return to school. We know there are many unanswered questions, but we will have a lot more information to share with you this week. Please understand that we are moving as fast as we can to answer all of your questions and finalize our building plan, but even after all the planning and preparation we do, it is simply not possible to know everything or plan for every single scenario. We have never had to re-open a school that has been closed for eight months due to a global pandemic that is continuing to surge throughout the world. These are truly unprecedented times and we are doing the best we can with the resources we have to bring everyone back to school safely. The best way forward is to work as a family of Hixson educators who support one another and show kindness in these very challenging times. 

If you have concerns, please contact the Hixson administration directly. We are always happy to talk with you about your needs, and we appreciate the trust that you have in us to help you address those needs.

Cool Tech Tip
From Leslie Creath - "If you're looking to be more inclusive in the clipart/images in your lessons, https://www.freepik.com is a great website that has lots of free images of people of all races and ethnicities."

Click HERE to submit a Tech Tip.

Important dates
October 28 - Return to School Staff meeting at 1:00 pm
-We will review our return to school building plan.

November 2 - Jimmy John's Night for Hixson Middle School

November 3 - Professional Development
- District ABAR PD in the morning, Building PD related to our return to school in the afternoon
Alive and Well will work with our staff during 2nd semester instead of November 3. Dr. Mayes will send details about November 3 later on this week.

November 9 & 10 - Teacher work days

November 11 - first day back to school for students in Responsive Learning Plan

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

Got questions about our return to school?
If you have specific questions or concerns regarding our return to in-person school, please submit them HERE. These questions are very helpful as we plan for our return to school.

Work location plans
Click the Google Forms below to communicate your work location plans. If you need to change your plans after you've already submitted your response, email Sarah Magruder so she can update your information. Work location plans for the week of 11/2 to 11/6 are due today by 3:30 PM.

Work Location Plans - 11/2 to 11/6

Monday Mindfulness with our counselors
Join the Counselors for a mindfulness zoom session on Mondays, at 8am.

Here is the link for the staff mindfulness time.

Meeting ID: 977 1740 0071

Passcode: Mindful​

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

Addressing equity in the STEM pipeline
The next event from the Kirkwood Educational Equity Speaker Series (KEESS) will be a webinar titled Addressing Equity in the STEM Pipeline. Kirkwood's description of the event is below: 

    "A panel discussion designed to share the current data concerning the underrepresentation     of students of color in STEM careers, and begin a deep dive into the educational                    experiences we can create for our students to promote interest and participation in STEM        programs throughout their academic career."

This event will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 beginning at 4:00 pm. Click on the link below to register.

https://www.kirkwoodschools.org/Page/9358

Webster Speaks: Dialogues on Race, Equity and Inclusion

On October 28 at 7:00 PM, Webster University will have their 9th episode of Webster Speaks. Cbabi Bayoc (the artist who painted our beautiful mural) and Dail Chambers, two prominent St. Louis artists, will be the guest speakers. They will discuss the intersection of art and Black activism. Click the link below to register.

https://www.webster.edu/diversity-inclusion/webster-speaks/

Monday Memo - 10/19/2020

Reflections on last week
On behalf of the Hixson administrative team, thank you so much for making Materials Pick Up Day, Hixson Connections Day, and virtual Parent Teacher Conferences a success. While this was a busy week, it was full of positivity, smiles, and good lunch! 

Click HERE to view the Hixson Connections Day slideshow!

Thank you to the following staff members who supported Materials Pick Up Day!
Linda Peterson
Erica Spraggins
Sarah Bodi
Katie Kraushaar
Gail Tumminello
Jacob Normana
Dane Gasparovic
Rachel Lowe
Jessica Greenberg
Wardell Ward
Emily Tokos
Terrie Hobold
Stacey Hill
Jenny Melloway
Maria Pangelinan
Christy Burton
Ginger Krueger
Hixson administration & custodial staff

Thank you to those who created SEL activities for Hixson Connections Day!

Jill Right
Dana Mitchell
Jessica Warneke
Jessica Gelb
Emily Collins
Eric Conners
Sarah Bodi
Sheri Wells
Shannon Marks
Carin Gado

Thank you to those who helped visit student homes and deliver Virtual Student Recognition Awards. It was so amazing to see our students and their parents smile!

Kelsey Tobey
Hannah Branch
Leslie Bennett
Vinnie Raimondo
Brennan Wells
Joe Stevison
Emily Tokos
Mike Hazelton

Thank you to our amazing office staff who called all the parents of the Virtual Student Recognition awardees and created their gift bags. Their attention to detail is impeccable!

Sarah Magruder
Earline Banks
Maddie Baker

Thank you to all Hixson staff members who wrote positive notes to students. I'm sure your messages meant a lot to them!

Staff Shout Outs
From Jill Right to Jordan Haddock - "Thank you for hosting a fun trivia night for the staff of Hixson and Steger. Categories were fun and doable!"

Click HERE to submit a Staff Shout Out.

Cool Tech Tip
From Leslie Creath - "One thing I've found to be helpful is to only show what the kids absolutely need in the navigation menu. It makes things simpler for the kids to use. Also, try and put all of your assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc. into a module, that way the kids only need to click on "modules" from the navigation and can find all of their classwork there! 

How-to video

Click HERE to submit a Tech Tip.

Important dates
October 20 - Transition Task Force meeting
November 3 - Professional Development (AM - district ABAR PD, PM - Hixson PD w/Alive & Well)
November 9 & 10 - Teacher work days
November 11 - first day back to school for students in Responsive Learning Plan

Got questions about our return to school?
If you, your team, and/or department has specific questions or concerns that you're wondering about regarding our return to in-person school, please submit them HERE. These questions are very helpful as we plan for our return to school.

Work location plans
Click the Google Forms below to communicate your work location plans. The forms for the upcoming weeks will appear in each Monday Memo until we no longer need them. The form that's due will always be one week ahead so that I know your plans before the week actually starts. If you already know your plans for each week, then you are welcome to complete them all if you want. If you think your plans might fluctuate each week, then just complete the form when it is due on Mondays. If you need to change your plans after you've already submitted your response, email Sarah Magruder so she can update your information. Work location plans for the week of 10/26 to 10/30 are due today by 3:30 PM. Please make sure you complete this task on time.

Work Location Plans - 10/26 to 10/30
Work Location Plans - 11/2 to 11/6

Monday Mindfulness with our counselors
We know everyone is feeling stressed and now we have conferences this week!  Join the Counselors for a mindfulness zoom session on Mondays, at 8am. This week we will be focusing on mindful movement to stretch and release tension.  

Here is the link for the staff mindfulness time.

Meeting ID: 977 1740 0071

Passcode: Mindful​

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

Adopt a Classroom Grant
"The Racial Equity in Schools Fund is now open. The purpose of this grant is to provide support for teachers and schools who are working to eliminate racial inequities in their classrooms. Now through October 23, 2020, any PreK-12 public, private, or charter school teacher or principal can apply for grants for professional development, diverse books, or flexible funding to support students of color."

Abolitionist Teaching Network Grants
The 2020 Abolitionist Teaching Network opened their grant applications last Wednesday! These grants are for educators who "strive to disrupt inequalities and injustice within their schools, communities, or both". You can nominate yourself or someone else. Click HERE to apply.

Monday Memo - 10/12/20

Hixson Connections Day dashboard
Thank you for your support of Hixson Connections Day. The dashboard is complete and ready for your review. I have included the link and password to the dashboard below. Please show the dashboard to students today during Statesman Time as you are talking to them about Hixson Connections Day. However, do not give them the link because we will give it to them Tuesday morning. If you notice an error in the dashboard, please let me know so I can fix it.

Hixson Connections Day dashboard: https://view.genial.ly/5f7fc4836cca8d0d90470f79 
Password: Hixson2020 (case sensitive)

Staff Shout Outs
From Gail Tumminello to Jenny Hannel - I just wanted to say, thank you to Jenny for making the easy to follow videos on how to mass email parents in SIS and how to keep your columns locked into place. They are both really helpful videos!

Click HERE to submit a Staff Shout Out or Tech Tip.

iDEA representative needed
Hixson has two representatives for the district iDEA committee. This is the group that provides input/helps plan professional development for the district. We are in need of one more rep to join Leslie Creath in this important work. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in being our second representative. 

Important dates
October 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm* and Hixson Connections Day
October 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm*
October 15 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 9am to 4pm*, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
October 16 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
November 3 - Professional Development (AM - district ABAR PD, PM - Hixson PD w/Alive & Well)
November 9 & 10 - Teacher work days
November 11 - first day back to school for students in Responsive Learning Plan

Since November 9 is now a work day for teachers to prepare for the first day back to in person school on November 11, the November 9 Faculty Meeting will be rescheduled for a different day/time. I will let you know when that meeting will take place.

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

Got questions about our return to school?
If you, your team, and/or department has specific questions or concerns that you're wondering about regarding our return to in-person school, please submit them HERE. These questions are very helpful as we plan for our return to school.

Work location plans
Click the Google Forms below to communicate your work location plans. The forms for the upcoming weeks will appear in each Monday Memo until we no longer need them. The form that's due will always be one week ahead so that I know your plans before the week actually starts. If you already know your plans for each week, then you are welcome to complete them all if you want. If you think your plans might fluctuate each week, then just complete the form when it is due on Mondays. If you need to change your plans after you've already submitted your response, email Sarah Magruder so she can update your information. Work location plans for the week of 10/19 to 10/23 are due today by 3:30 PM. Please make sure you complete this task on time.

Work Location Plans - 10/19 to 10/23
Work Location Plans - 10/26 to 10/30
Work Location Plans - 11/2 to 11/6

Monday Mindfulness with our counselors
We know everyone is feeling stressed and now we have conferences this week!  Join the Counselors for a mindfulness zoom session on Mondays, at 8am. This week we will be focusing on mindful movement to stretch and release tension.  

Here is the link for the staff mindfulness time.

Meeting ID: 977 1740 0071

Passcode: Mindful​

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

Adopt a Classroom Grant
"The Racial Equity in Schools Fund is now open. The purpose of this grant is to provide support for teachers and schools who are working to eliminate racial inequities in their classrooms. Now through October 23, 2020, any PreK-12 public, private, or charter school teacher or principal can apply for grants for professional development, diverse books, or flexible funding to support students of color."

Abolitionist Teaching Network Grants
The 2020 Abolitionist Teaching Network opened their grant applications last Wednesday! These grants are for educators who "strive to disrupt inequalities and injustice within their schools, communities, or both". You can nominate yourself or someone else. Click HERE to apply.

Monday Memo - 10/5/2020

Hixson's new Virtual Schedule
Today is the first day of our new schedule! We truly believe that this will be a good adjustment for Hixson students and staff. As always, please let us know if you have any questions!

Staff Shout Outs! 
From Hope Strasser - A HUGE shout out to the Math, ELA, SSD teachers, Jen, and JIll for your help with NWEA! Thank you so much for your patience, finding multiple ways to troubleshoot, and handling all of our tech issues. I couldn't have done it without all of your help!! Thank you, thank you!!

From Stacy Camden - I want to send a big thank you to Hope and Jen for all their hard work with NWEA this year! Hope had everything organized and ready to go and spent her time troubleshooting problems and keeping teachers calm. Jen jumped in to help whenever she could and did it with a smile! I am extremely grateful for them both!

From Mackenzie Hennekes - Hope Strasser for working so hard with NWEA! Hope has done an awesome job with getting everything organized for NWEA and troubleshooting when needed!!

From Jacob Norman - All of the people in the 8th grade wing who help me feel sane when I'm at school.

To submit a staff shout out, please use the HIXSON STAFF CHECK IN form.

Tech Tips
From Jason Heisel - Want to add some editing software to your computer so you can trim up your videos or edit out parts you do not want to share, download Open Shot Video editor. Simple to use, works on PC and Mac and is free: https://www.openshot.org/

To submit a tech tip, please use the HIXSON STAFF CHECK IN form. 

iDEA representative needed
Hixson has two representatives for the district iDEA committee. This is the group that provides input/helps plan professional development for the district. We are in need of one more rep to join Leslie Creath in this important work. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in being our second representative. 

Important dates
October 5 - Department meetings
October 9 - Hixson & Steger Virtual Trivia Night, 7pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/92137097037?pwd=bTJtdEhOd2tmL0tCQ09ZNDRsTmI3dz09
Meeting ID: 921 3709 7037
Passcode: trivia

October 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm* and Hixson Connections Day
October 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm to 8pm*
October 15 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 9am to 4pm*, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
October 16 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
November 3 - Professional Development (AM - district, PM - Hixson) and Faculty meeting

Since November 9 is now a work day for teachers to prepare for the first day back to in person school on November 11, the November 9 Faculty Meeting will be rescheduled for a different day/time. I will let you know when that meeting will take place.

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

Got questions about our return to school?
The Hixson administrative team will meet with Central Office administration on Thursday, October 8 to discuss our plan for the students in the responsive learning plan to return to school. We have not decided if our return will be hybrid or a full 5-day return, but we will consider our options on Thursday. 

If you, your team, and/or department has specific questions or concerns that you're wondering about regarding our return to in-person school, please submit them HERE. I would like to have these questions ahead of our meeting on Thursday.

Plans for the week of October 12-16
Please read the information about next week HERE. Then, click HERE to communicate your plans for the week. I must have a response from every single staff member by the end of the day today! 

Work location plans
Click the Google Forms below to communicate your work location plans. The forms for the upcoming weeks will appear in each Monday Memo until we no longer need them. The form that's due will always be one week ahead so that I know your plans before the week actually starts. If you already know your plans for each week, then you are welcome to complete them all if you want. If you think your plans might fluctuate each week, then just complete the form when it is due on Mondays. If you need to change your plans after you've already submitted your response, email Sarah Magruder so she can update your information. Work location plans for the week of 9/21 to 9/25 are due today by 3:30 PM. Please make sure you complete this task on time.

Work Location Plans - 10/12 to 10/16
Work Location Plans - 10/19 to 10/23
Work Location Plans - 10/26 to 10/30
Work Location Plans - 11/2 to 11/6

DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

Becoming trauma-informed
As we begin to wrap our heads around our transition back to in-person school, and as we get closer to the date of our professional development with Alive and Well (the afternoon of November 3), it is important to start wrapping our heads around how to best serve the needs of our learners. As I was reading Educational Leadership Magazine this weekend, I came across an article written by Paul Gorski about trauma informed care in the context of schools, and how that relates to equity. To me, it was a very good read that builds on many of the ideas Dr. Gorski shared with us during our PD session in September. I highly recommend you read this article when you have time. I provided the link and abstract below.

How Trauma-Informed Are We, Really?
Paul Gorski

To fully support students, schools must attend to the trauma that occurs within their own institutional cultures. Equity advocate Paul Gorski describes three transformative commitments schools can make to maximize the potential of trauma-informed education.

Abolitionist Teaching Network Grants
The 2020 Abolitionist Teaching Network opened their grant applications last Wednesday! These grants are for educators who "strive to disrupt inequalities and injustice within their schools, communities, or both". You can nominate yourself or someone else. Click HERE to apply.