• It is heartbreaking, and frankly, it is morally reprehensible the richest country in the world can’t provide the resources and the protection health care workers need and deserve to help people during this crisis.  I saw a nurse on the news today stapling her face mask together to finish her shift. We are more worried about toilet paper than producing more face masks, gowns and face shields.  There is no reason why health care workers are being sent into battle without the weapons they need to fight this crisis including proper protection for them. We should be pulling out all stops to get the resources to the people that need it so we have their backs because they certainly have ours.  But they’re still showing up for work and getting the job done.  And this reminds me of all of you.  YOU.  You’re all doing EXACTLY the same thing.  Do public schools have enough resources when there is NO crisis?  No.  But you still show up for work and get the job done.  You give your students the public education they all deserve.  You make up for the inequities of funding and resources.  And I love you all for it.  I am so proud of all of YOU.

 

• I took some time for myself today, worked out, planted some flowers, and took a nap.  And yesterday too.  Remember what I said yesterday?  Take some time for yourself and RELAX.  And yesterday, I took some time to help my wife in her classroom.  Yes, things are very fluid indeed.  My wife was told Friday they could send workbooks home. So I said, “I  guess we’re doing this on the weekend when we’re supposed to be “with our loved ones” according to the district.”  We had to rummage through each of the student desks (see photo below) with no protective gloves and take out all of their workbooks.  And, then, we had to go buy paper bags at Raley’s and label each with the child’s name(see photo below).  Oh, but the district will say this was optional.  Really?  It’s optional when you say to teachers can help their students?  When has a teacher ever turned down to help a student?  So, we spent four hours of our Saturday putting all of the workbooks into bags, labeled with their names, and hauled them to the cafeteria so parents can have more resources.  This had to be done by 745am Monday.  If I wasn’t there, it would have taken my wife 8 hours which would have been time she could have spent with her loved ones…that’s me by the way in case you were wondering.  😊

 

• Frankly, and yes, I am going to say this…this is what happens when people make decisions, who haven’t been in the classroom for years, without the input of people on the front lines, the classroom teachers.  I get it.  I TOTALLY get it.  I really do.  We are going by the seat of our pants during this crisis, just like everyone else, but in a crisis, people want direction.  Not mission statements.  Not ever-changing directives.  Not hashtags.  We need to tell the troops what we want them to do, give them the training and the resources to win the battle, and the troops will get it done.   I know you will. 

 

• And you know what…all they have to do is ask for our input, and I can get my team together on a moment’s notice, and we’ll draft a plan.  I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I have some pretty damn smart people on my team.  Gonna give a shout out to our bargaining team of Carrie Doyle, Steve Grant, Chair Kris Hensley, Blaine Hipkins, and James Ward.  And make sure to give a shout out to your site reps too.  

 

• But now, sharing decision-making isn’t something MUSD seems proud to do. Yet, they ask ME and YOU to help THEM pass Measure R.  That’s more like let’s be teammates when it serves us.  And yes, you can tell I am not a happy camper right now.  But, that attitude doesn’t serve our work, our mission, our calling.  We need to focus on helping you so you can help the kids.  Tuesday, we bargain working conditions for the time period between April 6 and May 15.

 

• You’ve read already quite a bit, but I want to encourage you to read the article.  It will empower you, lower your stress, and make you feel appreciated.   Click here to read it. 

 

• Maybe you saw it online already.  I would encourage you to visit the Facebook pages that CTA has set up for teachers.  It has a WEALTH of resources, but it’s mostly teachers venting and supporting one another.  What you’re feeling…WE ARE ALL FEELING IT.  Do you think you’re more compassionate and sensitive than me?  Come on now, don’t answer that.  I thought you were compassionate.  😊  Click here for that CTA Facebook page.

 

Dear Members:
 

• Number 1 question last night was…”April 3rd is still a non-flexible teacher prep day, even with the extended closure?  It’s still mandatory to show up for work?”  Actually, about fifteen of you had that question…and anyone with childcare issues would have that issue.  My issues are much different.  So my answer is, “We negotiate on Tuesday. We meet on a regular basis now as the situation remains fluid.  My goal is to fix that so you can work remotely. The only reason we made it a non-flexible teacher prep day in the first place was because we were going back on April 6 which has now changed of course.”

 

• Oh and yes, you can do written packets of work for students. For more details on that, read the FAQ.   Frankly, I don’t see how kids in Grades k-4 will do the online thing very well.  Yes, yes, I know.  Kids are more techie than we are…speak for yourself!

 

• Read through the attached FAQ.  It’s also available on mantecaeducators.org and will be updated as needed. You might want to favorite that on your devices.

 

• No funnies!  You just had some last night.  But, I’m preparing some of my own for later.  As an extra bonus offer, I have a guest columnist with a special message for you later!  

 

• Have a great day!

Dear Members:

• Students can use Xfinity Hotspots free. To find one, visit:  https://xfinity.com/wifi/#find-a-hotspot
• What an interesting day!  So, by now, you’ve heard that we will be doing distant learning from April 6 until May 15.  That’s due to the Governor’s statements that we need to shelter in place to slam the door on this COVID-19.  Do we want to open up too early, then close, then open again, and ooops, close again?  So, that’s why MUSD is going farther than County Superintendent James Mousalimas’ recommendation to stay closed until April 17.  Remember, it is up to each local school district to decide the best course of action.
• We are TENTATIVELY going back May 18 because we might be able to squeeze in high school finals and high school graduation and elementary promotion ceremonies.
• Remember, you CAN teach next week if you want to, but this week and next week is for PLANNING.  It’s up to you.  Nothing assigned this week or next week should be graded.  But, what I’m going to do is assign some work, and I’ll grade it later as extra credit.  That’s me.  I just don’t think kids should be penalized for learning a new system, especially those kids that don’t have access to internet.  Did you know kids without internet will have to drive to school and download information to their device there?  Or they can go to a business or park with a free Comcast hotspot. Look at the attachment if you’re confused as I am.  😊  And yes, Virginia, there are kids without internet access.
• Did you watch my video message to you yesterday?  If not, here is the link again. 
• Looking for a good k-4 PE program for distance learning?  Try Gonoodle.com
• Want another one?  Click here to try Joe Wick’s PE program on YouTube
• I have posted the FAQs on our website, but also included it here.
• You’re calmer because I’m getting fewer emails.  😊  For awhile there, I was getting 150-200 a day.  That’s okay!  Better than 150 phone calls!  It just takes awhile to get used to changes and these are DRASTIC  and SUDDEN changes to instruction.  Remember my main message in my video message was take care of YOU and please watch over EACH OTHER. 
• I love the Ken Buck social media post.  A lot of people have loved this South Carolina School Board Member’s post…over 90,000 times.  Then you have what I call…Plunger Protection.  Then, you have a post dedicated to all of our Activity Directors and some travel tips.  That’s all I got…tomorrow is a new day, full of challenges and smiles.  I hope you have mostly the second.

Dear Members:

• Click here to watch my President’s Message
• San Diego and LA Unified made the decision to remain closed until May 5…at least.
• County Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas has recommended all school districts remain closed through April 17.  No word from MUSD, however.
• Kindergarten teachers, you might want to check out Benjamin Cogswell on Facebook.  He is doing some crazy stuff!
• You might want to tell your students in your next email/video message that anyone can get Comcast internet for free. Comcast opened up all of their wifi hotspots throughout the state.  Go to your wifi settings on your phone or device, you’ll see xfinitywifi.  Click that, and they can log on for free.

Dear Members:

• There has been much confusion so Deputy Superintendent Roger Goatcher and I are busy preparing a joint communique on expectations, procedures and best practices for these next two weeks.  Please be patient.  Thank you for your cooperation.
• CTA has a distance learning webinar scheduled for this Thursday.  Last week, they filled up the 500 spaces in 3 minutes.  They have space for 1000 attendees this time and there is a registration link this time.  If you are not able to make the webinar, click here for a recording of last week's session. 

 

• If you're really bored, click here for my video message to my students today.  You'll catch me singing in it.  No, that's not today's funnie, and how dare you even say that.  Yes, that's right.  I heard you.

 

• As if you don't have enough going on, but if you're interested, click here for ready-to-use recommendations and strategies for a trauma-informed approach to teaching through coronavirus.

 

• This is an excellent read for all educators.  Please, take time for yourself and don't ask the impossible of yourself.

Dear Members:
 

• What a momentous and trying day, but we lived through it!  One of the more interesting events today was the violation of our agreement by the district.  We had discussed using packets, developed policies that would financially support that, and wrote language that we all agreed to.  Or so we thought.  So I was just as surprised as all of you when all Johnson broke today.  I kept hearing that packets were only for TK/K/1.  Then it was only for TK.  Then, it wasn’t for any grade level.  Nobody notified me except…you.

 

• Tomorrow, we have our regular negotiation set up.  I’m sure this will be a topic of discussion.

 

• The COVID-19 pandemic is also keeping us from spending time with each other—our support networks during our daily work in schools.  I miss all of you, and I miss my students.  I miss visiting each school site, and hearing your concerns and laughing with all of you.  CTA has also created an online space on Facebook for educators to share resources, ideas, feelings, good vibes, stories, laughs and memes.  We’re all trying to figure things out right now—let’s come together to help each other and do everything we can to support our students.  I’m on there from time to time.  Now you know where I get my funnies.
• And now for those funnies….and boy do we need some good ones for today.  I know I do.  And if you don’t think the first funny isn’t the best ever, well, you and I will have some words.  The first one stars my grandson Derek and son in law Jim.  Of course, it’s nepotism, and I stand by that.  They are practicing Quarantine Reading.  What do you think?  Derek is 3 next month, and Jim is already teaching him to throw a football, elbow up!

Dear Members:
 

• Again, today is the only day you’re allowed to be on campus…until noon.  But, you don’t have to show up today if you don’t want to.  The rest of this week we are working remotely from home.  Next week, you can work from school IF YOU WANT TO…or continue to work remotely from home.  But, don’t go into anyone’s classroom or let anyone into yours.  BE SAFE.  Talk through the windows.  Put your hands on a window as a way of shaking hands.  😊

If you want to send an email to parents and students, use the following directions…

1. Open up Q.
2. Go to School in Main Menu
3. Then click Mass email and type your cute little email
4. Then off to the right, hit refresh list and choose recipients
5. It automatically sends it as a BCC…
6. Make sure you do a CC to yourself, Boomer!  That way you have a record of it. 
7. Then off to the top left, review selected recipients
8. Then in new window, hit send email if you’re happy with who it is going to

 

• Click here for a video message sent by my wife to her parents and students.  She teaches 4th Grade at McParland.  My wife isn’t thrilled that I’m sending this out to y’all, but I think it’s important for all of you to see how easy it is.  It took her about 15 minutes to produce a 4 minute video.  Again, this is an optional idea.  Do what you’re comfortable with.

 

To create a video message using Powerpoint (it took my wife about 15 minutes to do this) follow these steps:

1. First, you make a normal Powerpoint with the slides you want. 
2. Then for each slide that you want a video for, click the Slide Show menu, and hit Record Slide Show. 
3. Then hit the red record button, and start yapping.
4. When you’re all done with your PowerPoint, go to File and save it as an mp4. 
5. Then, upload your mp4 file to YouTube (you’ll need to make an account)
6. When it comes to privacy, click “unlisted” video (this only allows those with a link to view it).
7. That way, students and families can access your messages on smart phones as well as their devices.
8. Let me know how it goes and send me a link so I can view it too!  I promise not share yours.  😊

​Dear Members:
 
Here is an email based on last night’s video.  I know the transitions between slides was rather quick…very quick, so back to the Stone Age with an email!  Have a sweet day and be safe!
 
Attached is that teacher checklist, but again, it says MAY want to consider.  You’re not required to show up at school today or take anything home.
 
1.  When can teachers pick up curriculum and teacher resources?
 
School sites will only be open beginning Monday, March 23rd between the hours of 8:00am and 12:00pm for teachers to get materials: see a check list here. Teachers may not be on campus at any other time.  Pretend you’re me when I go shopping.  I’m like a commando.  I go in, get out, unscathed and undetected.
 
2.  What will happen to stipends for coaching, extra duties, 133s and etc? 
You will continue to receive your full compensation.
 
3. Are we supposed to assess the students?
No.  You can use the high school finals or the T2 elementary proficiencies to determine where the students are academically, but you don’t have to.  You probably know better than anyone where the students are.  And you don’t need a test to boot!
 
4. What am I supposed to teach and how?
Remember, the agreement states, “Flexibility will be provided to teachers to evaluate student progress and adjust work to meet needs of students.”  YOU teach what YOU think your students need.  Every classroom is unique, you’re the expert, and only you know the answer to that.
 
5. When will we know what we’re doing after these next two weeks?
During that first or second week, we will be negotiating a new agreement that will finish out the year.
 
6. Can I meet with others this week?
No.  Remember, the next two weeks is distance learning.  You may go to your school site Monday from 8am to 12pm, but please don’t have contact with anyone.  Don’t go in other classrooms to say hi to staff.  Don’t go in the staff lounge.  We’re all supposed to act as if we are infected ourselves.
 
7. Can I Skype, Zoom, or use something called a phone to talk to my students?
I don’t want anyone to be accused of inappropriate language or pictures or anything else with students in a one-on-one video transmission.  It’s your word against theirs.  Let’s see what Teams has for us, and I’ll give you an idea about how I did this in a second.
 
8. The link to check out Modesto Schools distance learning plan didn’t work.
Yup, it didn't work for me when I first tried it.  So, I did a workaround.  Go to google and type in mcs4kids.com and hit enter and it pops up.  Then click and check it out.  Just remember, whatever they did, won’t be as good as whatever you do because you’ll customize a plan for your students.  Modesto did a one size fits all approach which is easier, but not as good for kids
 
9. Can I make a packet for my students?
Yes.  You can make a packet rather than digital.  Send your packet to Printshop and it would be delivered to your school.  The administrative and clerical staff would then distribute it when food distribution is done at every site.  The district will increase site budgets to reflect these extra copies.  Site admin should know this already.
 
10. How long should my office hours be?
That is up to you, but you need to be available during regular work hours in case your administrator calls.   I’m going to make my office hours from 9-11, but if you make yours 8-3, that doesn’t mean you have to respond right away either.
 
11. Are we teaching for two weeks remotely?
The first week is for prepping (M and T) and staff development (W-F) and the second week is for teaching.  You could start teaching tomorrow if you wanted.  I would recommend using Q and sending an email to all parents and students tomorrow letting them know what you’re going to do, and your office hours.  And remember to make it a BCC email.  J

Dear Members: 
 

• Click the link below for my video message.  It’s my first attempt at  distance/digital learning, so please be gentle.  Distance/digital teaching means many things to many people, and it can be accomplished many ways.  If you’re not comfortable with distance/digital learning, don’t worry about it.  You can always send packets to your students.  Hopefully this answers all of your questions.  I know that many of you weren’t expecting this, but how we react to a crisis defines us as educators.

 

• For me, I will send an email tomorrow with a video message to my students.  I want them to know as soon as I can that I miss them, and that I hope they’re okay.  That’s my choice.  You might decide to wait…and that’s okay!  And you might decide to send an email with that message.  You do what works for you!  We’re all different in our approaches and no one…NO ONE is better at this than anyone else.  We’re just all different.  

 

• All of my assignments are on OneDrive, so I will send work to my students via email as attachments NEXT WEEK.  And I will cc their parents.  I will do this via Q.  We don’t teach this week.  We prep and receive staff development remotely. 

 

• Anyway, on with the show.  The video transitions quickly in parts so you’ll need to stop if you need to.  And you’ll need to.  Click here to access the message.