Dear Blakely Families,
It is hard to believe that we are approaching our twelfth week of this school year. I have been thinking back to the start of our school year, and the combination of trepidation and wonder about what Continuous Learning would look like for our students. It seems that we are now in a space where the pattern of Continuous Learning has become somewhat predictable, and the trepidation and wonder is now held for what the Hybrid Model might look like for our students when they return to in-person learning in January. Interwoven into all of this is the continual roller coaster ride of COVID numbers going up and down, and trying to find calm and peace in what very little we can control right now.
Regardless of whether we are in Continuous Learning or the Hybrid Model, it is extremely important that our students feel as safe and supported (and hopefully happy!) as possible. We are working with families to make modifications on an individual basis if/when we know that something is not quite working in Continuous Learning. We are also actively planning for our January Hybrid Model reopening in order to make it the very best possible experience for our students.
An additional way that we can understand how our students and families are feeling is by administering a Social Emotional Screening Survey. We have partnered with the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) in order to gather this important data that will help us with short and long term planning as we strive to meet the needs of our students and families.
Here is the link to the family survey. Please note that this survey is confidential and anonymous, and is formative and not evaluative in any way. The information provided will provide us with valuable information about what is needed for students and families to be successful in our current learning environment, and if any changes need to be made.
Additionally, we are having each of our students complete a survey as well. These surveys are not anonymous, as each student will receive their own unique survey link in their Frogrock email account. Classroom teachers will provide a window of time (30 minutes) for this survey to be completed by the student with the help of a parent or caregiver if needed. The survey will be used by district and school administrators to better support all students (looking at large trends) and by classroom teachers and support staff (building administrators and counselors) to address individual student needs as appropriate. Please note that this survey is compliant with the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act.
I know things might feel especially overwhelming right now as we enter into our eighth month of the pandemic, shorter days and an uncertain or different holiday season. It’s important and okay to acknowledge that this is hard. It is hard for students, for families and for staff. I continue to focus on the mantra that we are all just doing the best we can right now, and it gives me hope to think about our students, and our community. I know that we are here working through this side-by-side and I could not be more grateful for all of you!
Wishing you a week of hope and health,
Reese
