MAC 3 Oak news * updates * interesting info
February 15, 2021
Some of our students have been back, in-person for three weeks now. When comparing what school typically is to what it is now, it's quite different.
All teachers pick their students up outside and walk them into our classroom. They head directly to their assigned desk (no tables for us at the moment) and begin to unpack their book bag. One at at time each student enters the coat room to gather any additional materials they will need, hang up their winter gear and book bag, and returns to their seat. While everyone is taking turns doing this, students are organizing their materials, responding to some type of prompt in their Crew notebook, deciding what they will share, or observing a live feed of the Cornell University bird feeder (on Tuesdays). Once everyone has put their materials away and gathered what they need for the day we watch the daily announcements from Ms. Harrison. Then we wrap-up crew with some type of share (always optional).
Next we transition to math for 50 minutes. In the morning we both have a mix of in-person and web-based students we are teaching to. Students meet on Zoom in order to work collaboratively. In the afternoon, our math students are all in-person. With the 6 feet social distancing, collaboration is not as easy, but it does happen.
After a 5 minute break, everyone logs onto the same Zoom link for 30 minutes of social studies or science. Last week students were learning about the technologies and innovations of the Mesopotamians (social studies).
Our time together concludes with language arts. Students alternate reading and writing every other day for 50 minutes. In writing students are working on "Where I'm From" poems, weaving in metaphors and similes. Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson is our current read aloud. Students are using Padlet to share and respond to each other.
We thank you for making sure your student arrives on time, wearing their mask.
If your student attends school in-person, please remember go through the COVID-19 Self-screener before they arrive each day. It is our goal to keep our students safe and healthy and that only can happen if students (and adults!) stay home when they are sick.
When our students are not able to be in school, we will work to meet their academic needs. If your student is home sick and not feeling up to school work, please let us know. Flexibility will be key!
Specials are back! All students at Lake Bluff will have synchronous specials this week. Attendance is expected and will be taken. We are including the 5th/6th grade special schedule here. If our scheduled time will not work, for a particular week, Ms. Church (music), Mr. Karman (art), Mr. Newman (PE), and Señor Becker (Spanish) will be flexible and will welcome your student to another time (as long as it matches their content). Zoom links for each of the specials are included in the link as well. We will post the same document on our students' Google Classroom page as well.
All of our students (and families!) deserve equitable spaces, justice, and the empathy and advocacy of peers, teachers, and other adults. This week is Black Lives Matter in Schools Week, February 1-5. In MAC 3 Oak we intentionally teach, talk, and reflect on race, inequities, and how we as individuals can work to see and understand the experiences of others throughout the school year; not just in February. BLM in Schools Week has the tag lines: A week of action. A year of purpose. A lifetime of practice. Our purpose and practice in MAC 3 Oak is ongoing.
Band and Orchestra have new schedules posted on their respective pages on this site.
All students of the Shorewood School District have access to free lunch and breakfast. If you didn't sign up electronically for this week, food can be picked up at Shorewood Intermediate School daily between 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. If you DID sign up for this week, your student will bring home meals each day during the week.
If you are a family who is opting for in-person, it's important you read and understand the district policies. Here is a list of COVID potential symptoms: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, running nose* or congestion. (*This is the only symptom associated with allergies. All others are considered potential COVID symptoms.) If your student presents with any of these symptoms at school, they will need to be picked up within 2 hours. Your student will be able to return to school once they have a negative COVID-19 test, are fever free for 24 hours and experience symptom improvement OR, 10-days past symptom onset, are fever free for 24 hours and experience symptom improvement. So many of these symptoms are related to the flu and frankly symptoms we typically see throughout a "typical" winter. I got the flu shot for the first time (ever!) to hopefully protect me against the flu (depending on the strain, of course).
We want to do everything we can to avoid any stigma attached to being sick; it happens each winter, to many of us in Wisconsin. At the same time, we want to be sure our classroom and school is as safe as possible for everyone. Just because a child or adult is out of school will not mean they have the corona virus. Talking with your student about this early and often will be important in helping them, as they themselves are transitioning back into school, whenever that may happen for your family.
Given that it's been nearly a year since they have been in school this is something we have been thinking about a lot. Here are some resources we've investigated that you may find helpful as well:
In-person School During COVID-19 from the American Academy of Pediatrics
How to Help Children Build Resiliency in Uncertain Times by Dr. Kenneth Ginsberg
School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians by the CDC
Nine tips for preparing children to return to school from the University of Calgary (while basic, I think it may be helpful!)
School Reentry Considerations: Supporting Students SEL and Mental and Behavioral Health Amidst COVID-19 from the American School Counselor Association and National Association of School Psychologists
Supporting your child's mental health during COVID-19 school from UNICEF
All of this is shared understanding the a return to school for some of our students and families just is not possible given the incidence of COVID-19 in our community right now and their personal needs. We pledge to continue to support our families who opt to remain remote as well.
It's our hope you understand we are your partner to ensure your student is healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. When these criteria are met, it makes learning possible. If you or your student needs anything, please let us know. We will do all we can to meet their needs.
The Lake Bluff Newspaper December issue has been published. Check it out here! We had many MAC 3 Oak students who contributed in many different ways (video creating, writing, and illustrating). Student participation is encouraged! On Wednesdays the Newspaper Club meets from 1:30-2:00 pm. If your student wants to share something, they do not need to attend the meeting, they can do so through this link.
Click here to access a letter from our room parent, Jill Keuler and our Lake Bluff PTO from November 22, 2020.
Some of our students have been back, in-person for three weeks now. When comparing what school typically is to what it is now, it's quite different.
All teachers pick their students up outside and walk them into our classroom. They head directly to their assigned desk (no tables for us at the moment) and begin to unpack their book bag. One at at time each student enters the coat room to gather any additional materials they will need, hang up their winter gear and book bag, and returns to their seat. While everyone is taking turns doing this, students are organizing their materials, responding to some type of prompt in their Crew notebook, deciding what they will share, or observing a live feed of the Cornell University bird feeder (on Tuesdays). Once everyone has put their materials away and gathered what they need for the day we watch the daily announcements from Ms. Harrison. Then we wrap-up crew with some type of share (always optional).
Next we transition to math for 50 minutes. In the morning we both have a mix of in-person and web-based students we are teaching to. Students meet on Zoom in order to work collaboratively. In the afternoon, our math students are all in-person. With the 6 feet social distancing, collaboration is not as easy, but it does happen.
After a 5 minute break, everyone logs onto the same Zoom link for 30 minutes of social studies or science. Last week students were learning about the technologies and innovations of the Mesopotamians (social studies).
Our time together concludes with language arts. Students alternate reading and writing every other day for 50 minutes. In writing students are working on "Where I'm From" poems, weaving in metaphors and similes. Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson is our current read aloud. Students are using Padlet to share and respond to each other.
We thank you for making sure your student arrives on time, wearing their mask.
If your student attends school in-person, please remember go through the COVID-19 Self-screener before they arrive each day. It is our goal to keep our students safe and healthy and that only can happen if students (and adults!) stay home when they are sick.
When our students are not able to be in school, we will work to meet their academic needs. If your student is home sick and not feeling up to school work, please let us know. Flexibility will be key!
Specials are back! All students at Lake Bluff will have synchronous specials this week. Attendance is expected and will be taken. We are including the 5th/6th grade special schedule here. If our scheduled time will not work, for a particular week, Ms. Church (music), Mr. Karman (art), Mr. Newman (PE), and Señor Becker (Spanish) will be flexible and will welcome your student to another time (as long as it matches their content). Zoom links for each of the specials are included in the link as well. We will post the same document on our students' Google Classroom page as well.
All of our students (and families!) deserve equitable spaces, justice, and the empathy and advocacy of peers, teachers, and other adults. This week is Black Lives Matter in Schools Week, February 1-5. In MAC 3 Oak we intentionally teach, talk, and reflect on race, inequities, and how we as individuals can work to see and understand the experiences of others throughout the school year; not just in February. BLM in Schools Week has the tag lines: A week of action. A year of purpose. A lifetime of practice. Our purpose and practice in MAC 3 Oak is ongoing.
Band and Orchestra have new schedules posted on their respective pages on this site.
All students of the Shorewood School District have access to free lunch and breakfast. If you didn't sign up electronically for this week, food can be picked up at Shorewood Intermediate School daily between 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. If you DID sign up for this week, your student will bring home meals each day during the week.
If you are a family who is opting for in-person, it's important you read and understand the district policies. Here is a list of COVID potential symptoms: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, running nose* or congestion. (*This is the only symptom associated with allergies. All others are considered potential COVID symptoms.) If your student presents with any of these symptoms at school, they will need to be picked up within 2 hours. Your student will be able to return to school once they have a negative COVID-19 test, are fever free for 24 hours and experience symptom improvement OR, 10-days past symptom onset, are fever free for 24 hours and experience symptom improvement. So many of these symptoms are related to the flu and frankly symptoms we typically see throughout a "typical" winter. I got the flu shot for the first time (ever!) to hopefully protect me against the flu (depending on the strain, of course).
We want to do everything we can to avoid any stigma attached to being sick; it happens each winter, to many of us in Wisconsin. At the same time, we want to be sure our classroom and school is as safe as possible for everyone. Just because a child or adult is out of school will not mean they have the corona virus. Talking with your student about this early and often will be important in helping them, as they themselves are transitioning back into school, whenever that may happen for your family.
Given that it's been nearly a year since they have been in school this is something we have been thinking about a lot. Here are some resources we've investigated that you may find helpful as well:
In-person School During COVID-19 from the American Academy of Pediatrics
How to Help Children Build Resiliency in Uncertain Times by Dr. Kenneth Ginsberg
School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians by the CDC
Nine tips for preparing children to return to school from the University of Calgary (while basic, I think it may be helpful!)
School Reentry Considerations: Supporting Students SEL and Mental and Behavioral Health Amidst COVID-19 from the American School Counselor Association and National Association of School Psychologists
Supporting your child's mental health during COVID-19 school from UNICEF
All of this is shared understanding the a return to school for some of our students and families just is not possible given the incidence of COVID-19 in our community right now and their personal needs. We pledge to continue to support our families who opt to remain remote as well.
It's our hope you understand we are your partner to ensure your student is healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. When these criteria are met, it makes learning possible. If you or your student needs anything, please let us know. We will do all we can to meet their needs.
The Lake Bluff Newspaper December issue has been published. Check it out here! We had many MAC 3 Oak students who contributed in many different ways (video creating, writing, and illustrating). Student participation is encouraged! On Wednesdays the Newspaper Club meets from 1:30-2:00 pm. If your student wants to share something, they do not need to attend the meeting, they can do so through this link.
Click here to access a letter from our room parent, Jill Keuler and our Lake Bluff PTO from November 22, 2020.
Our December reading data is in! Our students read for a combined 27,938 minutes and a total of 118 books. We agreed, our increased data was due to the extra time we had over winter break. Thank you for finding ways to support your student's reading life! If there is anything we can do to help provide books, please let us know!
Our November data is in! Students in MAC 3 Oak read a total of 25,141 minutes and a total of 104 books. Students were a bit disappointed to not have read as much or more than they did in October. Students should be reading a minimum of 720 minutes each month, or 30 minutes, each day, 6-days a week. We continue to be proud and impressed with their efforts and how they have found their ways to books (with your help)!
Our reading data is in for October! Students in MAC 3 Oak read a total of 26,123 minutes or 435 HOURS of combined reading over the course of the month (that's equivalent to 18 consecutive 24-hour days!). Our students read a combined total of 114 books. We talked about the importance of investing time and effort as readers to continue to grow as readers as well as accurate data collection. Students will continue to track their daily reading through the use of a reading log. It's their choice whether they keep that data either through a printed log or a digital copy.
There were two numbers from September: 18,822 and 92 we shared with our students the first week in October. You may know your student is tracking the number of minutes and what they are reading each day. Collectively, the students in MAC 3 Oak read 18,822 minutes between September 8-September 30. They read a combined total of 92 books. It was exciting to share this information with them.
Remember, there is a lending library made up of books from our classroom, MAC 3 Birch and our 5th and 6th single grade classrooms. Students can access it in the front hallway at Lake Bluff.
Our November data is in! Students in MAC 3 Oak read a total of 25,141 minutes and a total of 104 books. Students were a bit disappointed to not have read as much or more than they did in October. Students should be reading a minimum of 720 minutes each month, or 30 minutes, each day, 6-days a week. We continue to be proud and impressed with their efforts and how they have found their ways to books (with your help)!
Our reading data is in for October! Students in MAC 3 Oak read a total of 26,123 minutes or 435 HOURS of combined reading over the course of the month (that's equivalent to 18 consecutive 24-hour days!). Our students read a combined total of 114 books. We talked about the importance of investing time and effort as readers to continue to grow as readers as well as accurate data collection. Students will continue to track their daily reading through the use of a reading log. It's their choice whether they keep that data either through a printed log or a digital copy.
There were two numbers from September: 18,822 and 92 we shared with our students the first week in October. You may know your student is tracking the number of minutes and what they are reading each day. Collectively, the students in MAC 3 Oak read 18,822 minutes between September 8-September 30. They read a combined total of 92 books. It was exciting to share this information with them.
Remember, there is a lending library made up of books from our classroom, MAC 3 Birch and our 5th and 6th single grade classrooms. Students can access it in the front hallway at Lake Bluff.
This week's highlights...
Monday, February 1st
There are two different school sessions, AM 8:15-11:15 and PM 12:45-3:45
Special today - MUSIC at 9:45 am for the PM cohort || at 1:30 for the AM cohort
Wednesday, February 3rd - ALL MAC 3 Oak students will have crew from 8:30-9:00 am.
The remainder of the day will be asynchronous learning.
10:00 - 10:30 Math Olympiad
12:00 - 12:30 Battle of the Books
1:30 - 2:00 Newspaper Club
Thursday, February 4th
Special today - ART at 9:45 (I think?) for the PM cohort || at 1:30-2:00 for the AM cohort
11:45 - 12:15 WordMasters
Friday, February 5th
Specials today - PE at 9:45 for the PM cohort || at 1:30-2:00 for the AM cohort
and SPANISH at 10:15 am for the PM cohort || at 2:00-2:30 for the AM cohort
There are two different school sessions, AM 8:15-11:15 and PM 12:45-3:45
Special today - MUSIC at 9:45 am for the PM cohort || at 1:30 for the AM cohort
Wednesday, February 3rd - ALL MAC 3 Oak students will have crew from 8:30-9:00 am.
The remainder of the day will be asynchronous learning.
10:00 - 10:30 Math Olympiad
12:00 - 12:30 Battle of the Books
1:30 - 2:00 Newspaper Club
Thursday, February 4th
Special today - ART at 9:45 (I think?) for the PM cohort || at 1:30-2:00 for the AM cohort
11:45 - 12:15 WordMasters
Friday, February 5th
Specials today - PE at 9:45 for the PM cohort || at 1:30-2:00 for the AM cohort
and SPANISH at 10:15 am for the PM cohort || at 2:00-2:30 for the AM cohort