Page 27 - DistanceLearning

As a first year principal, this experience has
provided me with a laser focus on my educa-

tional philosophy and priorities. And I’ve quickly
learned that I do not like being a cloud-based principal — I pre-
fer brick and mortar. But what I can do as a cloud-based princi-
pal is remain connected to my staff and families, and reinforce
my students’ identities as growing learners. When this time has
passed, and it will, I hope my students return to our building with
a renewed sense of connection and commitment to our purpose.
Proud Patriots are always respectful, curious and productive.
I am working on accomplishing this mission through the following
communication strategies:
1. Weekly Friday Messages - These are end-of-week messag-
es I create based on the feedback received from teachers,
students and parents. The themes change, but are forward-fo-
cused and positive. Weekly Friday Messages
2. Parent Newsletters - The value of the newsletter has in-
creased since the closure. This format allows us to celebrate
our identity, reinforce priorities, bring a little levity to parents,
as well as educate and share resources. (I also send weekly
newsletters to staff for those same purposes.)

3. Week-in-Review Videos - Teachers and parents share pho-
tos each week that reflect our online learning and school spirit
days. These photos are used to create videos that are shared
both in the newsletter and pushed out into Google Classrooms
on Monday. Families have expressed that they look forward
to viewing the videos together and feel a sense of connection
with our school as a result.

I am convinced that the connections we create with our students
and their families will yield increased engagement, both within our
cloud-based school and later, back in our brick and mortar build-
ing. The relationships we sustain during this time of separation
supports both the academic needs of our students, as well as the
social emotional needs of our families. Human connection and Parent Newsletters
relationships have never been more important.

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