This message was sent to ##Email## To advertise in this publication please click here November 10, 2020 .PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP Yoga, help lines, virtual social hours: Strategies to support staff through COVID-19 Education DIVE Distance learning is a new skill for many teachers, and it leaves many of them with all the stress of being a first-year educator. It's an overwhelming career change in an already overwhelming year. Professional development sessions give teachers opportunities to target specific skills they may be lacking, such as learning how to use platforms like Flipgrid and creating weekly goals can allow them to reach small benchmarks without feeling overwhelmed. Remaining mindful of teachers' workloads is also critical, experts says, especially because virtual learning platforms can have a steep learning curve. READ MORE When the principal gets COVID-19 MiddleWeb (commentary) Rita Platt, a contributor for MiddleWeb, writes: "I have COVID-19. By the time I got the call from the county health department, I was very sick and reasonably certain that the results of the test I had taken a few days back would be positive. Still, when the gal confirmed I was shocked and said, 'Are you positive I'm positive? Could this be a mistake?' It wasn't a mistake. Making the call to my boss, the superintendent, was hard. Our school was still face-to-face. We had been open since August, and all of us were hopeful we would be able to stay that way." READ MORE Survey: Educator morale, school job applicants declining Education Week Educator morale is dropping. School districts are reporting fewer job applicants. Student mask requirements are expanding. And there is a big range in the amount of live instruction schools offer daily. Those are four key findings from the EdWeek Research Center’s latest monthly survey about the impact of the coronavirus on schools and other timely topics. The EdWeek Research Center administered the online survey Oct. 28 and 29. A total of 1,630 educators responded, including 495 district leaders, 310 principals and 825 teachers. READ MORE VIDEO SHOWCASE Mitigating the Risk of Aerosolized Transmission Promoted By Erlab Boost Your School's Immunity Promoted By Apothepack 6 trauma-informed strategies for helping students succeed amid COVID-19 THE Journal The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and wide-reaching effect on students, from the quality and nature of the instruction they have received to their social and emotional well-being. Whether students are attending school in person or continuing with remote learning, K-12 leaders need to plan for how they will address not only students' academic needs but their social-emotional needs as well. READ MORE Getting schools open: Misguided or visionary? Education Week District leaders are on the hot seat like never before. As coronavirus cases surge again in most states, they are faced with letting students come into classrooms or requiring that they stay home to learn. It's a no-win decision, and they're making it with drastically imperfect information. If superintendents and school boards stick with — or retreat to — remote-only instruction, they risk the wrath of parents who want their kids back in classrooms. If they push forward with face-to-face learning, they could be criticized for gambling with the health of students, staff and their families. READ MORE Listening to teacher demand: Tracking K-12 student needs during COVID-19 Forbes When COVID-19 hit, many teachers knew that millions of their students wouldn't have the home environment needed to transition successfully to remote learning. Videos of educators going to all manner of lengths to deliver food and learning supplies to students have tugged at our heartstrings. As the pandemic has progressed, what students need to make progress has come into sharper focus — even amidst the uncertainty surrounding the election and what lies in store for schools in the winter. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. A School Leader’s Guide to Crisis Communication Free 3 PD Hour Course: Building Relationships in Online Learning Free 3 PD Hour Course: An Exploration into Social and Emotional Learning Teacher Resources: Supporting Students of Color and Battling Racism Appropriate Ways for Principals to Build Relationships with Teachers Could two pandemics (yes, two) change schools forever? eSchool News Schools across the globe pivoted to online learning within days as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across countries, shuttered physical learning spaces, and shed light on learning inequities. But a second pandemic — systemic racism — has lingered in schools and education policies for far too long. In a one-two punch, these two pandemics are poised to alter public schools as we know them. READ MORE How redefining 'normal' can alter human behavior Fast Company A few years ago, Gregg Sparkman was thinking about how you might encourage people to eat less meat. Then a PhD student in psychology at Stanford University, Sparkman knew that animal farming is a major factor in global warming, producing about 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. While politicians dithered over carbon taxes, here was an area where ordinary people could make a real difference in their own lives. READ MORE 7 advantages of uncertainty that leaders maximize everyday Leadership Freak You wouldn't choose uncertainty, but the Rolling Stones were right. You can't always get what you want. Successful leaders find advantage in uncertainty. READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Bakpax: Hybrid Learning on Any Device • Empower and engage students with instant feedback • Solve for digital access issues • Use for in-person, virtual, and seamless hybrid learning LEARN MORE How to ask references about a candidate's personality Inc. (commentary) Alison Green, a contributor for Inc., writes: "I run a nonprofit and hire part-time workers to work in recreation-type centers across the city. Strong interpersonal skills are part of what we look for. However, interviews make people nervous, and it can be a little hard to judge those skills in interviews. My question is about checking references and getting managers to talk about interpersonal skills with us. For example, we recently interviewed someone who was great on paper and good during the phone screen, but was much weaker in person and seemed so nervous that it was hard to get a read on what she would be like day-to-day. I moved forward to the reference check just in case. No one would give me anything other than glowing reviews about her interpersonal skills, and it sounds terrible now that I'm typing it out, but I just wasn't convinced." READ MORE How to be a visionary leader and still have a personal life Harvard Business Review Being a successful leader requires energy, grit and courage. You have to communicate new visions, break bad habits, pursue growth opportunities, and model new behaviors — all repeatedly and over a long period of time. Big leadership roles require hard choices and professional and personal trade-offs. Some things have to give, and there's no magic formula to make everyone involved happy all the time. But what would it take for you to both transform your organization and leave yourself — and those around you — in reasonable shape? READ MORE 5 steps to manage your time the agile way in 2021 Forbes While Americans have a new president and Pfizer announces a promising vaccine candidate, it's an opportunity for leaders to manage their time the agile way to get ready for what comes next in 2021. Times may still be uncertain while stocks continue going up and down, leaders should plan how to deal with stress and time management more effectively. In this new era of continuous communication, it seems that there is never enough time in the day to accomplish what is planned. Spending a little time learning about time-management techniques has enormous benefits. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Tangible Play (Osmo) Whether you’re teaching in-person, online, or a mix of both, Osmo can make a difference. Explore the many ways Osmo can integrate with mainstream curriculum, special education, and more. Learn about the Osmo for Schools difference: educator resources for an educational environment. An actionable approach to tough issues even timid leaders can employ Leadership Freak The worst agonies of leadership are self-inflicted. Poor results and toxic environments are often the result of misplaced tolerance. READ MORE How to stay engaged with your work, even when you feel like checking out Fast Company As the pandemic and a flurry of current events wears on, so does work. You're stressed, exhausted and overwhelmed. You're eager for this to be over. There are certainly days when you'd like to just lay on the couch, but still your company and team need you and you have to find a way to engage. READ MORE How to effectively lead through a crisis and cultivate progress Forbes In the middle of an unprecedented health and financial crisis, businesses across every sector are being tested, moving quickly to adapt to a changing landscape. And within those businesses, individual employees, teams and their managers are also grappling with a variety of unexpected challenges. Facing an uncertain and dynamic future, many employees are rallying around company leaders more than ever before — looking to them to provide a sense of security, a vision of hope and an actionable path forward. READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Don't Go It Alone The learning landscape is changing. Let us help you navigate it. Our experts are available for early-morning check-ins, or late in the evening as you reflect on your day. Bottom line: Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. We’re here, day and night, to help you lead your schools into the future. Learn more LEARN MORE .EDUCATION POLICY Biden is president-elect: What could it mean for K-12? Education DIVE Both Biden and his pick for vice president, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., have criticized the Trump administration's handling of school reopenings following coronavirus-related building closures in spring. Biden's coronavirus response plan includes reopening schools and child care programs as the "the single most important step" to reopening the economy. As part of the next emergency package from Congress, he said eh would push for $200 billion in education funding. READ MORE Biden wins election, but with a likely divided Congress, one education expert warns, 'there's no mandate momentum here' The 74 Following three suspenseful days of ballot counting, Democrat Joe Biden pushed past President Donald Trump to capture Pennsylvania's 20 electoral college votes and become the nation's 46th president. "The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a president for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not," Biden tweeted. READ MORE On COVID and schools, President-elect Biden has promised a different approach Chalkbeat For the last several months, President Donald Trump has had a simple message for schools: reopen your buildings. President-elect Joe Biden has a more complicated one: the federal government is on the way with better guidance and — hopefully — money, but no mandates. "Schools need clear, consistent, effective national guidelines, not mixed messages and political ultimatums," the Biden campaign plan for reopening schools says. READ MORE Ed experts reflect on long-term impact of Trump K-12 policies Education DIVE For a president whose 2016 campaign said very little about K-12 education issues and in fact suggested the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education, President Donald Trump's education policies may have lasting impacts on where children are educated, how federal funding is allocated and how education-related civil rights are interpreted and enforced. READ MORE .SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY E-rate report reveals dire need for off-campus internet eSchool News While E-rate remains a crucial program for schools and libraries to ensure connectivity, the COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the need for increased flexibility and funds for off-campus learning. In the 10th annual E-rate Trends Report, based on with a record-breaking 2,138 responses submitted by E-rate applicants, Funds For Learning offers an inside look at the efficacy and value of the federal E-rate program. READ MORE Best ClassDojo tips and tricks for teachers Tech & Learning ClassDojo is a superb digital platform for connecting students, teachers, and families in and out of the classroom. While it's very easy to use and filled with useful features, it's best taken advantage of when you know how to use it right. That's why the best ClassDojo tips and tricks are invaluable for teachers. Whether you're toying with the idea of introducing ClassDojo in your class, you're a regular user, or you've just reached a point where you need something new, these tips and tricks will help. READ MORE  FEATURED ARTICLE   Benefits of an Early Childhood Leadership Certificate from Bank Street   A child’s first few years of educational experiences set the stage for how they will learn for the rest of their lives. The Bank Street Early Childhood Leadership Advanced Certificate Program is designed for mission-driven educators seeking to advance their professional opportunities and fill the need for exceptional leadership in early childhood education. Areas of study within the program include curriculum and development, social justice, systems thinking, progressive education and law. LEARN MORE   Rapid adaptation in K-12: Technology at a break-neck speed Tech & Learning Here at the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association we keep a watchful eye on the developments within what we call the end user markets, such as education, to understand how trends within and across these markets are shaping the demand for AV products and services. From this vantage, the story of K-12 stands out among the others. While most markets are reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and can rightly point to it as perhaps the most trying period in recent memory, K-12, in particular, has arguably seen the most fundamental disruption to its core service model. It is hard to imagine a more abrupt and forced adaptation. READ MORE How shared spectrum connectivity benefits distance learning eSchool News Today's students, teachers and administrative staff are facing unprecedented connectivity challenges as the 2020 school year brings more and more distance learning options. School districts' commitment to the "no child left behind" mission takes on a new meaning with today's technology and learning formats, as students must now have access to reliable, secure internet service in order to access all their educational opportunities. Such connectivity is now a requirement for all distance learning solutions currently being used, including e-campus portals and learning management solution platforms. READ MORE Hacks for schools to support parents of younger remote students Education Next (commentary) Rann Miller, a contributor for Education Next, writes: "Although we had the option of selecting hybrid learning at our children's school, my wife and I elected remote learning for our three children; a third grader, a kindergartener, and a preschooler. We decided to minimize the risk of any of our children catching COVID-19. While we are all-in on supporting our students during this point in their education journey, balancing full-time work and the myriad of Zoom calls throughout the day and assisting with schoolwork is no walk in the park. As an educator, I recognize that this is not easy for my colleagues in the classroom, either." READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by McGraw-Hill Identify and Address Individual Learning Gaps Many students will experience learning losses and have gaps in their knowledge and skills. With Rise, long-term learning loss doesn’t have to be one of the consequences. An adaptive math and ELA supplemental solution for grades 3-8 with over 1,100 learning objectives Rise can be used as independent practice work for progress monitoring, request a sample How to cope with laptop and device shortages District Administration Magazine Educators in Newport News Public Schools were steadily working their way through a five-year 1-to-1 plan to provide all students with laptops when the COVID pandemic struck in March. Even before coronavirus spread to the U.S. and shut down schools, the Virginia district’s Director of Technology Chris Jenkins warned his colleagues about supply chain problems in China. He and his direct supervisor, the assistant superintendent for business operations, responded quickly. READ MORE How smart technology can help create healthy school buildings EdTech Magazine As districts start phasing students back into the classroom after months of online learning, they're under growing pressure to ensure school buildings and other learning spaces are clean and safe to use. Experts say that will require delivering cleaner air and managing crowds, which can be accomplished with the help of smart building technologies such as advanced HVAC controls and video sensors. Some schools have been using smart technologies to measure utility use and efficiency, streamline building maintenance and enhance school safety. Now, these technologies are playing a larger role in keeping buildings healthy and preventing the spread of disease, whether it's the common cold or a novel virus such as COVID-19. READ MORE .PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 12 ways teachers say their teaching has improved in 2020 We Are Teachers (commentary) Julie Mason, a contributor for We Are Teachers, writes: "I've seen a lot of metaphors for what pandemic teaching is like. Some say teaching in 2020 is like building a plane while you’re flying it. Others compare it to working on a rubik cube: just when you thought everything would click into place, the whole thing falls apart. No matter what your metaphor of choice is, one thing is clear: teaching in 2020 has been really hard. And while I am not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions, I do find myself reflecting on the past few months as we count down the days until this year is finally over." READ MORE Teacher self-care in a time of trauma MiddleWeb Every year teachers are faced with challenges and demands that were not addressed in their university courses; did not fit into the professional development goals for the year; or impacted their lives in ways that they never realized they would impact them. Many of these challenges and demands must be met head on, without any training and without any hesitation. READ MORE Helping students read emotions behind masks Edutopia Teaching young students to tune in to facial expressions — even when partially obscured by a mask — can support the development of emotional literacy skills. READ MORE How can teachers nurture meaningful student agency? MindShift The term "student agency" continues to be at the forefront of the educational discourse around the world. By encouraging children to have more control over their learning, educators hope students will leave our classrooms and schools with a range of skills that will support them in being lifelong learners, engaged humanitarians and empathetic people. READ MORE PRODUCT SHOWCASE Enter for a Chance to Win! PCS Edventures is awarding 8 winners, $12,000 in STEM curriculum & materials. Hurry, the entry period ends on December 7th, 2020. Enter sweepstakes at: https://contest.edventures.com   LEARN MORE   Create a Safe Learning Environment Sneeze Guards allow for proper social distancing while keeping maximum capacity in the classroom. Made from clear acrylic, set up is easy. Made in Michigan. Variety of different sizes available.   LEARN MORE   Using chat techniques Teaching Channel "The Chat" is one of the key tools available to educators teaching online, and one of the best tools for building dynamic, active and inclusive learning environments. You might even call it a "silver lining": a small thing that works better online even if the overall context of online learning is not nearly as good as a real classroom. Using the chat involves asking students to respond to a question in whatever meeting platform you are using. It's primary benefits are its speed, visibility and simplicity. Students can write without having to open a new window or toggle to a new place so they can be writing within seconds and you can bring pace and energy to your classes. READ MORE How to make the most of student feedback during distance learning Edutopia As teachers, we constantly look for clues that can help us understand the impact of our decisions. Are we doing things that are working? How do we know? Do students appear engaged? What sense are students making? Who is participating, and who isn't? READ MORE Integrating SEL in hybrid classrooms eSchool News (commentary) LeAnn Simmerman, a contributor for eSchool News, writes: "As I navigate this school year, I am keenly aware of the ever-present power of change. Each day seems to bring a new challenge, a new policy, a new online platform, a new protocol, a new expectation, and at times, new quarantines. As educators, we take a deep breath, strengthen our resolve, and carry on. But what about our students? How are they navigating this new environment? Now more than ever, they need us to be aware of and support their social-emotional health and help them cultivate SEL skills." READ MORE Creating a district-wide K-5 SEL program Edutopia Over the last decade, and certainly since March, when the pandemic shut down our schools, educators have become increasingly aware of the necessity to help students build social and emotional learning competencies. In Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut, 77% of students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, and the strains of poverty have increased significantly since the pandemic. As educators, we recognize that meeting the needs of the whole child requires us to start early to avoid having disengaged and disenfranchised students in middle and high school. READ MORE As pandemic persists, parents of students in special ed face 'no-win situation' Disability Scoop The desk from which Landon Stewart attends third grade looks less like a dining table these days and more like a high-tech command center, decked with two computer screens and colored pencils. To attend school online this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 9-year-old, who is nonverbal, requires a myriad of devices, including one that allows him to select words on a screen with eye movements so he can communicate with his teacher. READ MORE .EDUCATION RESEARCH Pre-primary education around the world: How can we provide quality universal early education for all? The Brookings Institution The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of daily life but presents an added burden on families with young children. Closures of preschools and child care centers have put a strain on caregivers to meet all of the developmental needs of children at home. This, in combination with economic instability and social isolation, is a recipe for toxic stress, which can have long-term negative effects on brain development and health. READ MORE The latest on kids' antibodies The New York Times A study found that children infected with the coronavirus produce fewer and weaker antibodies than adults. Although that finding sounds scary, it actually may help answer longstanding questions about why children have a different experience with the virus than adults. "We know that kids are much less likely to get sick from the coronavirus," said Apoorva Mandavilli, who covered the study. "This study says they produce a less robust immune response to the virus, which, paradoxically, may be a good thing." READ MORE .IN THE STATES 4 new members to DC State Board of Education appear set; will be advisors on school reopenings to student literacy as pandemic continues The 74 As D.C. contends with how to safely reopen schools during the coronavirus pandemic, voters in the nation's capital have added four new members to a board of key education advisors. The nine-member D.C. State Board of Education, an independent agency that advises the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, had five open seats this election cycle. While the races haven’t been officially called, D.C. as of Friday had counted the bulk of its ballots, with NBC Washington reporting that, "In D.C., there aren't enough mailed ballots left to affect any local races." READ MORE NYC DOE Beyond Access Forum provides professional development around inclusive and individualized education Tech & Learning Tech & Learning recently partnered with the New York City Department of Education to offer the Beyond Access Forum: Inclusive and Individualized Education, an interactive and thought-provoking virtual event focused on digital accessibility, inclusion, and teaching information fluency. The virtual event was a result of a special partnership between the Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support, the Division of Instructional Information Technology, and the New York City School Library System. READ MORE How an Oregon measure for universal preschool could be a national model The New York Times On Election Day, Multnomah County, which includes Portland, Ore., passed one of the most progressive universal preschool policies in the nation. The measure, to be paid for by a large tax on high earners, will provide free preschool for all children ages 3 and 4, in public schools and in existing and new private preschools and home-based child care centers. It will also significantly raise teachers' wages so they are equivalent to those of kindergarten teachers. READ MORE .ASSOCIATION NEWS NAESP statement on election of President-elect Biden NAESP On behalf of elementary and middle school principals from across the country, the National Association of Elementary School Principals congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on winning the 2020 presidential election. The Biden-Harris campaign's message of unity provides an extraordinary opportunity to bring Americans together and heal a divided country. READ MORE 3 guiding priorities for equity and inclusion in schools NAESP This summer, NAESP formed its National Task Force on Race and Equity to advise the association on issues related to racial equity and dismantling systemic racism in school communities. The group has been meeting biweekly to review schools' common challenges and to determine how best NAESP can provide support to principals around these issues. READ MORE   Principal Insights Connect with NAESP Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, MultiView, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit Hailey Golden, Senior Education Editor, 469-420-2630| Contribute news National Association of Elementary School Principals 1615 Duke Street|  | Alexandria, VA 22314  800-386-2377  |  Contact Us  |  www.naesp.org Click here to unsubscribe.  Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES   7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063