Spring ahead
As we "Spring Ahead" Daylight Savings Time, I certainly was thrilled to start feeling slightly warmer temps and enjoyed the bit of sunshine on my face yesterday. For me personally as a mom, the start of spring indicates that baseball is starting up for my son Liam and we are that much closer to the end of my son Connor's senior year. As educators, sometimes March can be tough as the winter tries to still hold on a bit longer and as we begin MCAS testing season, the year sometimes to start feel like it is speeding up. With the slightly warmer and (hopefully sunnier) weather, try to take some breaks to get outside to breathe in the fresh air or to take a walk. If you see your colleagues struggling or getting down, see what you can do to listen and support them. If you see some of your students growing restless too, see if a change in routine will help. As we spring ahead, we have three months left of the school year to keep our focus on student learning and growth and I am so thankful for all of you for your continued laser focus on our mission and vision for students.
Ramadan
Ramadan began yesterday on Sunday, March 10 and extends to April 9. As stated in this resource, it is important to know how it may impact the spiritual and physical needs and abilities of students (remembering not all families observe or celebrate in the same ways). For example:
• Try not to plan strenuous activities/lessons during this time. • Be flexible with PE participation and athletic attendance policies as fasting can be physically limiting for students. • Discourage teachers from using edible treats as incentives or prizes. • Offer an alternative social space at lunch time in lieu of the cafeteria, as sitting around others who are eating may be difficult. • Steer clear of comments that may be perceived as negative toward fasting (e.g., “You have to drink water or you will dehydrate.”) Spread the word - inclusion
In so many ways educators at across MURSD are building cultures and practices that show that we are committed to inclusion! during our PD Day, educators were invited to sign their names to signal their commitment - check out the bulletin board now! We invite you to spread the word by sharing what you or your team is trying that will make your classroom even more inclusive and accessible than they already are? Take 2 minutes to fill out this form to spread the word and share what you are trying this month. We'll share your ideas in upcoming newsletters. We hope that we have so many that the sharing continues well beyond March!! See an opportunity for inclusion-focused PD below.--Cheryl
The Making of a MURSD journey and so much more
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Last Tuesday's PD was a day of connecting and collaborating across the district, enabling vertical teams to trace a very focused part of a students' MURSD journey. There are so many to thank for facilitating our vertical teaming in the morning and curriculum/technology resource workshops in the afternoon. All the Department Leaders did a great job facilitating the conversations - thank you! Thanks also to several MURSD presenters including Rina Manser, Maria Desruisseaux, Tara Bennett, Darcy Daniels, Brianna Zalusky, Leah Hagen, Molly Smith, Liz Garden, and Nick Cuomo. Thanks to Colleen Terrill and her colleagues who offered super-cool workshops focused on technology resources. And, of course many thanks to all who helped get rooms ready, tech working, and lunch served including, Sam, Simon, the Nipmuc Office staff and custodians, and Brittany O'Neil. If you haven't already, please respond to our PD feedback form. Your Department Leaders will follow-up with you in the coming weeks about next steps in our curriculum review cycles. --Cheryl
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