These past few weeks, I took a few minutes to read some posts and comments from other school districts across our nation. Originally my motivation was researching how other PTO/PTA organizations were supporting their school communities during Virtual Learning. One thing I noticed quickly…This school year is challenging for everyone, but we will continue to move forward and accept the challenge. Due to current pandemic safety measures, this year will certainly look very different. We view 2020/2021 as an opportunity to reinvent our PTO roles. Maintaining school community and supporting and encouraging teachers, students, and their families are very important to us. Our immediate goals are to promote school spirit, help make connections, and point everyone in the right direction for additional assistance. We will continue to share tips and information as we receive it. After many conversations and much thought, we decided the best way to communicate with everyone is the following 4 platforms: Meigs PTO Website: https://www.meigspto.com/ Meigs PTO Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/MeigsPto Instagram https://instagram.com/meigspto?igshid=lcxfpqgrbgf9 Meigs PTO Learning Pods & Community Connection https://www.facebook.com/groups/238990073536430/ In addition, other great resources are posted on: Meigs Middle Magnet School Website http://www.meigsacademicmagnet.org/ MNPS District Website https://www.mnps.org/ We understand multiple emails, websites, social media sites, may seem overwhelming. We put together an “Information Cheat Sheet” and hope this resource will be helpful. - If students need additional help, and/or have questions – please encourage them to utilize the teacher’s virtual office hours. All teachers’ emails are listed on the school’s website. - Homework Hot Line Monday – Thursday / 4pm-8pm / 615-298-6636 - Susan Purcell-Orleck …SEL Facilitator/ [email protected] SEL Social & Emotional Learning Article of the Week SEL for Parents Weekly SEL Lessons Also helps with Typing.com website - School Counselors Melony Osborne Grades 5 & 7 [email protected] Belinda Hotchkiss Grades 6 & 8 b[email protected] School counselors serve students and parents when they have concerns about academic achievement, test interpretation, registration, orientation, school transition, child development, special student needs, crisis situations, family transitions, and educational planning. - Evrits Online Directory www.meigsdirectory.evrits.com If you’ve never used the online directory email or need help, contact Melanie Claybrooks / [email protected] - Absent Excuses If your child is absent, notify the office by emailing Kathryn Forrest / [email protected] - Schoology 101/ Learning Resources / Meigs Virtual Learning Resources All 3 can be accessed from Meigs School Website Home Page - If you have tried all available resources provided and still need additional assistance you can always contact: Dr. Scott Underwood – Principal [email protected] Dr. Sonja Rosse – Asst. Principal [email protected] Dr. Carmen Mullins – Asst. Principal [email protected] - Technology Support Passwords, Laptop, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Office 365, Teams, Clever, Schoology 615-269-5956 7am-7pm 615-259-8787 8am-4:30pm (if you need a translator) August 31-September 18, 2020: In-person tech support – locations listed on MNPS Website - Family Information Center [email protected] or 615-259-INFO / 5:30am-5:30pm They can answer your questions, comments, or suggestions directly. Metro Nashville Public School Board Meigs School is located in District 5 Christiane Buggs – District 5 School Board Rep Phone: 615-525-5371 or Email: [email protected] You can follow Ms. Buggs on her Facebook page…Buggs For Schools Her other social media links are posted on her page. She always provides great information and resources. The MNPS School Board meets every second & fourth Tuesday of the month Location: MNPS Board Room 2601 Bransford Avenue Nashville, TN. @ 5pm ***Due to the implementation of social distancing, seating at board meetings is limited. You can view the meetings on the Metro 3 Channel or the meetings are posted on YouTube. Board of Education meetings currently are held online, you can email or call board members directly. Due to online meetings, I’m not sure if Public Participation Sign-ups to speak 3 minutes at the meeting is allowed at this time. The school board represents the public’s voice in public education, providing oversight for what public schools need and what the community wants. I honestly feel…everyone is trying their best during this time of transition and uncertainty. We are all figuring this out together. Please be patient and be kind with each other. Our MEIGS family is strong,and together or apart we can stay connected at heart. It’s the students, teachers, parents and administration that make the difference…not the classroom. The PTO always welcomes new ideas, comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out and contact us. We are happy to help or direct you to someone who may be able to help you. Respectfully, Yvonne Bostick PTO President 2020/2021
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Distance learning presents us all with formidable challenges. We are all learning how to do things differently for a while. Distant learning can present new and different opportunities that don’t exist in our traditional classroom setting. While the approach to teaching and learning will be different, our goal is to continue to support all students, administrators, teachers and parents. This is my third year at MEIGS and my third year on the PTO Board. I said it before, and I will say it again…I’m grateful to take this unchartered journey of the unknown with my MEIGS FAMILY. The principal, the administration, the teachers, the PTO, the parents and the students are amazing!
While no one is sure yet how long distance-only learning will continue, we know that it won’t last forever. Children and young people take cues from adult behavior and attitudes, so it is important to communicate calm, confidence and optimism that we will pull through the crisis together. Managing our own emotions will help our children stay focused on learning and looking forward to another school year. Managing stress and make the most of an unusual situation sounds easier than it is. We are going through a time of major upheaval to our normal routines and ways of life, and there’s a great deal of anxiety in the world right now. Emotions may be running high, and children may be worried or fearful. Parents may be stressed as well and children are often keenly aware of trouble. Children benefit when they get age-appropriate factual information and ongoing reassurance from trusted adults. MEIGS has put in place layers of support for MEIGS students, so please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, counselor, leader or support team if you need assistance or help. In these circumstances, it’s often possible to reframe challenges as opportunities. We, the PTO want to hear from you! Send us emails with specific questions, concerns, and/or needs. We will work hard and do our best to help. Mark your calendars…AUGUST 13TH AT 6PM. We will send out an invitation for a PTO ZOOM MEETING for everyone to attend. We will try to answer your questions, provide needed resources and support. Please follow our PTO WEBSITE and PTO FACEBOOK PAGE for updated information. It is our goal to communicate often on both these platforms. We are in this together, we will help each other, and we will conquer these challenges together. MEIGS STRONG is more than words – it’s our reality! Respectfully, Yvonne Bostick MEIGS PTO PRESIDENT 2020/2021 y[email protected] |
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