March 25, 2020
Dear Spring Creek Families,
The world certainly has changed in the last few weeks. As stated in today’s communication from RVUSD Superintendent, Tracy Smith, schools will remain closed through at least May 1st. This puts us all in an unprecedented situation, and please know that we are here as a school community to support you and your children. Here are a few items to keep in mind as we navigate this shelter-in-place:
We REALLY miss your kids! Working with kids is a true joy. We adore your children, and we really miss them. It was wonderful to see so many of you at the packet pick-up on Monday. Teachers and support staff are finding amazing and creative ways to connect with kids through online learning. As in the classroom, each teacher has her unique style and manner of connecting. Here are some fun ways Spring Creek teachers are reaching out to students:
Google Classroom
Seesaw
Video circles with Ms. Krista
YouTube lessons
Each day, more and more options are coming up!
We understand that you are not teachers! Families are under enormous pressure right now. The last thing we want to do is add to your stress. The learning opportunities teachers are providing are just that: opportunities. Lessons and activities are meant to keep kids’ minds and learning active. However, if this is overwhelming or adding to your household’s overall stress level, please slow it down. Our entire society has slowed to a near halt; it’s OK if learning slows too. It IS NOT our goal for you to perfect the art of home-schooling your children. Please let us support you, and please reach out if the distance-learning becomes overwhelming or too much pressure.
It’s OK to let go of new academic learning! This time of distance-learning is more of an opportunity for students to explore, create, and review. Introducing new academic concepts during this time would be extremely challenging on a variety of levels. Instead, let’s focus on review and practice of basic skills and academic exploration driven by your child’s and your families interests. What we call in the education world, “student-centered learning.” That said, teachers will be getting lessons and opportunities out to families as soon as they can, and if you need support with academics or how to access learning, please reach out to your child’s teacher. They truly care about you children, as do I.
School staff members are in it too! Please be mindful that school and district staff are also balancing their own children’s learning, worries about extended family, worries about the unknown, working from home, and all the other uncertainties that we are all facing. We’re all in it together!
What will students remember about this time of shelter-in-place? Students will likely remember learning to cook or garden with you. They will remember the games and puzzles they played with you. They will remember pajama days watching movies as a family. They will remember how the adults around them managed their own reactions to our collective situation. Students will remember that their teachers and schools missed them, connected with them, and cared deeply for them. They will remember that all the adults around them tried to create a safe and structured environment for them to thrive in. This is our goal with the online learning opportunities and check-ins we are presenting. Students will likely NOT remember if they learned to multiply or divide fractions during this time!
What can we expect in the coming months? We can expect the unexpected and the unknown! You can also expect that we will communicate regularly as we learn more. You can expect to see more and more connections from Spring Creek to you and your children. For example, in the next week or so, I will be trying out video storytelling, video “assemblies,” and maybe even some surprises! I have ideas streaming through my mind. It’s all in the works. You can certainly expect that this awesome community of ours knows how to support each other in times of crisis. You can expect that we all will come out even more resilient than before!
For more information: There is a wealth of information on the RVUSD web site www.rvusd.org about distance learning, how to get meals for kids, community resources, and much more. PLEASE, reach out to me, the district, or your child’s teacher if there is anything we can do to support you and your family.
Take good care, be safe, and please hug your children for me!
Warm Regards,
Shawne Kearney, Spring Creek Principal