Announcements
Monday, March 16, 2020
Good Evening Parents,
One can't deny that, given the unwelcome presence of COVID-19 in our community, we have a challenge before us. With flexibility, calm and communication, you and I can work together to make learning happen for your children.
By now, all parents should have received a preliminary information sheet with usernames/passwords/codes/links to help their child access LUSD's CLEVER site online. CLEVER is a portal that gives your child access to a variety of apps. Some of the apps, like MyOn and ConnectEd are for all students; others, like Lexia Core5 and Renaissance Place (a.k.a. AR which is only available M-F from 7:30-3:30) are programs that I have assigned to students (the preliminary information sheet will reflect which of the latter 2 apps your child will use.). Please take some time to explore what your child can do on CLEVER; not everything will be used for our class, however, all of it is available to your child.
I will be using this webpage to not only provide fixed information for you, but also flexible posts about developing ideas, links, documents and possible activities/projects for your child. If you have any educational activity ideas, please feel free to send them my way and I will research how they might be applied at home or share them with other parents in our class (if you like).
As this temporary home teaching situation unfolds, there may be many questions, even frustrations. Please be patient as we all try to navigate this new path. I will do everything I can to clarify and support you and let you know if I need to seek outside assistance to serve your needs.
Most of all, I want to let you know how hard it will be to be separated from your children. Although they are a CHATTY group, they are a very sweet and loveable bunch and are very dear to my heart. Please give them my love.
Please stay tuned to the REMIND app for texts from me informing you of updates to this website.
God Bless and stay well,
Mrs. Banakus
Monday, March 23, 2020
Hi Parents!
Well, we've made it through the first week! My hope is that you are all well and enjoying time together.
I've started posting lessons for the week; today's lessons are in the COVID-19 Home Study tab now and the rest of the week's lessons will be up and running tomorrow. Also check out the Parent Resources tab; I've included some extra documents and links.
I don't want to bug you with too many text updates unless they're important or timely, so perhaps the best thing to do is check out my website after 3pm, M-F. Next week's lessons will be posted on Monday, March 30th.
A big GREAT JOB!! to those parents and students who have been able to work on FRECKLE and LEXIA (sorry, I can't seem to log onto AR at this time). I know the challenge of figuring out how to do school at home is real, but my hope is that routine will breed more peace for y'all. Hang in there!
If you have any questions, please text me on REMIND during school hours, M-F, 8-3.
God Bless and stay well,
Mrs. Banakus
Monday, March 30, 2020
Hi Parents!
In some fashion, willingly or not, we are each adjusting to the new norm.
For me, it's about trying to take teaching, which is hands on, in person and real time and somehow translate it into worksheets, website postings and live streams. I've spent a lot of time researching, planning, converting, organizing, posting, texting, learning how to use new technology and connecting with other teachers. I'm not going to lie...it's just not the same. I miss your children's smiling faces, giggles, frustrations/successes and, yes, even complaints about which student was talking too much.
For you? I'd genuinely love to hear how things are going for you all at home. Do you have a home schedule now? What does it look like and are you happy with it? Have you made time for work, play and family time? Are there any projects or activities that you'd like to share with me? How is(are) your child(ren) adapting? Is there anything I can do to help?
One of the new, but old, activities I've started is live streaming a chapter book read-aloud at 1:00pm, Monday-Friday. It's a familiar activity for your children. Often, they would get a piece of copy paper and doodle (not color) as I'd read a chapter. The added benefit with distance technology is that, as I read, we all get to see each other. Please refer to my REMIND app texts for information on how to connect to it. My plan is to take the books I read and record/post them so that they are available all the time-stay tuned!
Again, please stay connected; it's important for your kids to know that school and teachers are still here to help.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please keep text communication with me to school hours, M-F, 8-3. I will gladly take an emergent text after hours, but truly consider what is "emergent." If you have a thought or question and you don't want to forget it or won't be available during usual school hours, please email me and I will address it the following school day. I appreciate your consideration and understanding :)
God Bless and stay well,
Mrs. Banakus
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