PENDERGAST SCHOOL NEWSand the constant battle can get to be a lot on a parent. I’ve found some helpful tips to keep in mind when working with your teenager: • Physical appearance

Pendergsat Elementary School September 2020

September 2020 What an interesting start to the school year! Just a few weeks ago, the terms ZOOM, SeeSaw, and GoogleClassroom, were unknown to most of us, and now we are quickly becoming experts to keep our children on track. I want to thank you parents for your flexibility and patience as we learn this new process for engaging our students and ensuring they are learning at or above the pace they were learning when we could be face to face. We know we couldn’t do this without you. Now, more than ever, this home-school partnership is crucial to the success of your children. They need your support, encouragement, gentile motivating nudges to get up on time to log into ZOOM for their 8am morning meeting with their teacher. I will include tips and suggestions for our partnership in each of my newsletters this year.

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Free Student Meals Daily

We hope you are taking advantage of our no-cost breakfast and lunch program. Because Pendergast School qualified for this special federal program, all of our students qualify for free breakfast and lunch each day. Check our website for the monthly menu.

Technology Support

Please contact your child’s teacher if you need tech support. We have several employees working on technology, so your child’s teacher is your best first place for help.

District Testing

Our students will be taking online Pendergast District tests this month to get a baseline. These benchmark tests happen several times a year, and are simply used to measure growth and guide teaching. Please observe all testing protocols that will be shared, including not helping your child during these testing sessions. We need to know what they know! These tests are not graded. They are informational for us.

PENDERGAST SCHOOL NEWS Motivating Your Kids | Online Success Tips | Counselor’s corner

Pendergsat Elementary School September 2020

Communication will also be key to your child’s success this year. If you ever have questions, reach out. You can contact your child’s teacher through email (usually first initial, last name @pesd92.org). These email links can also be found on our website. You can communicate through GoogleClassroom/SeeSaw, ClassDojo, or by calling the school office. We can quickly connect you to your child’s teacher.

SEESAW (K-3)/GOOGLE CLASSROOM(4th-8th) is where you can help your child keep up with their classwork. Students will have some sort of task to complete for each of their classes, EVERY DAY! Ask teacher about these if you don’t see them. SYNCHRONOUS learning is when students are learning with the whole class on the ZOOM app. ASYNCHRONOUS learning is complete independently, usually without a teacher online. You are strongly encouraged to read through the Distance Learning Handbook on our website. It contains a thorough explanation of a typical school day. PARENT-VUE is parent access to our online grade book. We will be email the access codes to all parents that have a current email address in our system. Please send your email address to your child’s teacher if you haven’t already.I hope all of this information helps the process. Although the office building is closed, we truly are here for you and our students. Reach out if you need support of any kind.Mr. Woolsey, Principal ([email protected])

Counselor’s CornerWelcome back! Greetings from the school counseling office! I am excited to see all of our new and returning students in their zoom classes! I am the school counselor and my office hours are 7:30 - 3:00 each school day. I can be reached anytime by email at [email protected]. You can also find useful information on my school website that includes my contact information, mental health and community resources, the student forms for bullying/cyberbullying reports and my request for counseling referral (www.pesd92.org/pendergast) In the Counselor’s Corner, I will be sending out helpful information regarding what is happening in our school, including high school transition, college and career planning resources, and parenting tips. I am here to help support all students and their families as we navigate these new times and virtual learning, as well as help students overcome personal/social barriers.

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Helping our middle-school students during distance learning

Motivating our middle-grade children can be extremely difficult. We want them to take more ownership of their learning and grades, but often, bad habits and the constant battle can get to be a lot on a parent. I’ve found some helpful tips to keep in mind when working with your teenager:

• Physical appearance and body image are of great importance to adolescents. Support a healthy body image with your child by listening and understanding their views; giving lots of compliments; complimenting what’s inside too; be a good role model.

• Keep the lines of communication open. Make uninterrupted time for your child to tap about what’s on their mind. A non-threatening space will most likely make them feel more comfortable opening up and sharing.

• Encourage your child to engage with all optional synchronous learning opportunities. If the teacher offers a weekly class meeting, participating in that can keeps students connected to the teacher and each other, which will enhance engagement.

To read this entire article, visit https://grownandflown.com/teacher-tips-middle-school-distance-learning/