A Message From Mrs. Pawlus

As I settle into to the new normal, there are so many things that are uncertain and it is a struggle for this type A mom of three to wrap my head around. Am I doing enough teaching at home? How much screen time did they watch today? What day is it anyway? How will I juggle work responsibilities with home responsibilities?

Then I look at the news or read tweets from educators and non-educators and I become more overwhelmed. When are we going back to school? Will this time count? Where has COVID spread? Are they going to close grocery stores? Does my throat hurt?

As I sat with these thoughts this week, I began thinking about my Hill Community and how parents are managing the new normal with their kids at home. Are you feeling just as overwhelmed as I am? As we start our next week in quarantine and you plan for the week ahead, here is my advice.

1. Keep it Simple. It is easy to look at Facebook, Instagram and twitter and see all the things you could be doing with your child to enhance their experience at home. But the truth is as long as you are doing your best to follow along with what your teacher has provided you are doing just fine. Spend time reading and writing each day...it’s does not need to be Pinterest perfect.
2. Self-Care is the Best Care. Make sure that you plan time to relax and unwind. Go for a walk, work out in the basement, read a book for pleasure…whatever it is that makes you happy and centered. It is a great time for your children to see you do this as it is an important life skill. Remember, you cannot take care of others well unless you take care of yourself.
3. Be Kind to Yourself. This is hard for all of us. We have not experienced anything like this before. Every time you turn on the news you hear someone say this is an “unprecedented event” because it is…which means handling it the way you are handing it is the way it should be handled. Don’t beat yourself up, you are doing the best you can, recognize that and say it to yourself often.

That’s it...my advice and what I plan to live by. I thought I would share it with you, as a mom adjusting to the new normal, I hope it helps!

Take care! Be well!

Hugs,

Shari Pawlus

Extended Learning Activities for Special's Classes

You can access extended learning opportunities for your child in the areas of art, vocal music, media, instrumental music (fifth grade only), and physical education at the link below.

5 Ways to Make the Most of Social Distancing

Technology Troubleshooting with TSD iPads

Time to Talk, Play and Create: Supporting Children's Learning at Home

Hill Playground Closed

In order to cut down on the spread of COVID-19, Oakland County today ordered the closure of several public spaces, including playgrounds with playground equipment. Therefore, all of our school playgrounds are closed to visitors until further notice. We’re sorry about the inconvenience, but we appreciate the effort to keep everyone safe.

Thank you again for your willingness to help others—ONE Troy is the best community in the world, and there is no doubt that we will get through this together.

Sample @ Home Learning Schedule

It Does Matter: An Important Message from Dr. Machesky

Dear ONE Troy,

Today, the MDE released a memo outlining that the extended learning we are providing for students during this closure does not count toward instructional time. We are deeply disappointed that our state education leadership is so shortsighted to insinuate that engaging students in learning during this period of time doesn’t matter. It does matter. This matters for our students’ brains. It matters for their development. It matters for their social-emotional and physical health. It matters that we keep that connection between students and their teachers.

We deeply appreciate the hard work of our teachers and staff. Information is changing daily, but know that the Troy School District will continue to do what’s right and advocate for our students and staff.

For now, we will continue to do exactly what we are doing now. Our extended learning platform will continue to offer learning opportunities and we strongly encourage students to take advantage. Our original blueprint was to continue this work through Spring Break (April 13), and we will reassess our plan at that time.

Please take care—and be well,

Rich Machesky, Ed.D.-Superintendent-Troy School District

BrainPop Free Access Information

Epic! Reading Opportunities

Pawlus' Paper and Pencil Challenge

Students may write an essay each week we are away from school on the topics listed below. When we return to school I will pick one winner from each grade level. The winner will receive a book of their choice from Mrs. Pawlus. Email them to me by the due date and I will announce the winners each week.

30 Second Book Reviews on Twitter

Create a 30 second book review of a book you read or had read to you. Post it on Twitter @Hill_Huskies with the hashtag #HillHuskyReaders. Just tell us the name of the book, the genre, the plot and why you recommend it to others. No Spoilers please. Post as many as you'd like and make them creative.

CARE Company Registration and Refund Updates

I am including the update from our CARE Company that was sent out to parents this week. Please be patient during the refund process.

Dear Parents,

Like you, myself and the CARE Staff are learning to navigate our new world created by the Covid-19 safety protocols. We are doing our best, as information becomes available to us, to keep you informed. The information below was posted on our website today:

In light of the quickly moving changes occurring due to the safety protocols being implemented at the Federal, State, and local levels, registration for all upcoming CARE and Enrichment Programs, including Camp C.A.R.E., have been placed on hold. As information becomes available, we will update the website and reach out to you through email.

REFUNDS: In addition to the above information we want you to know that we are working on providing refunds for our CARE families. We are refunding the full and half-days first. Please be patient with us. There are over a thousand refunds to be processed. It is a lengthy process. We are are determining the best way to handle the March payment (refund/credit). Once we've processed the full/half-day refunds, we should have a better idea of how we will compensate for your March payment. Please rest assured we do not plan on keeping this payment.

If you noticed, I began the email with Welcome Spring. I want to focus on the positives that continue to happen in our new normal. And, there are positives. As I type, I'm watching a family, bundled-up, walking on their way to the park. I see more and more of this each day. That is a positive. Enjoy your kids, they grow up very quickly. This is a small moment in time. We will all get through this together and be stronger, better people because of it.

Wishing you and your Family a Happy, Healthy Spring!

Dawn Wyatt - Community Education and Enrichment Supervisor

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March Weather Ideas That Can Teach Your Child Science Skills

According to the old saying, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Is this true where you live? In many parts of the country, the month of March brings changeable weather—which makes it a great time to enjoy science and other weather-related activities:

• Keep a temperature graph. Have your child record and graph the temperature each day for a month. Or, use the online weather report for your area. Record whether the day was sunny, cloudy or rainy.
• Measure the rain. You’ll need a plastic jar with straight sides and a flat bottom, a ruler and a marker. On the outside of the jar, use the ruler and marker to mark off each quarter inch. Have your child keep track of the amount of rainfall.
• Make wind chimes. You’ll need four clean, empty cans, some string and a coat hanger. Make sure the edges of the cans are smooth. Help your child punch a hole in the bottom of each can. Tie a knot in one end of the string and thread the string through a can. Then tie the other end to your hanger. Repeat with each can. Each time the wind blows, the cans will make music!
• Go online to learn more about weather. Check out these fun, age-appropriate websites:

Weather Wiz Kids, www.weatherwizkids.com

The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, www.almanac4kids.com/weather.

NASA’s Climate Kids, climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/weather-and-climate.

Reprinted with permission from the March 2020 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2020 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.

Here are some helpful links if you would like more information on COVID-19:

If you have any additional questions or are showing any signs of a respiratory illness (similar symptoms to the flu: fever, cough, shortness of breath,) please consult your health care professional. All of this information, as well as useful links and updates, will be available under quick links on our websites: www.troy.k12.mi.us. We will also update you again as the situation changes and more information becomes available.

We are grateful for your partnership in keeping your children—and all TSD students—safe as we navigate through this situation.

Kerry Birmingham - Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives - TSD