Updates -- 24 April 2015

Hello everyone,

Happy Friday.  Happy pay-day.  Happy most-well-earned-weekend ever.

Hope you're able to rest and relax for a couple days, far from the rigors of work, safe in the company of those you love.

Expression Of Gratitude
I sent the following letter to the superintendent earlier this week.  I share it with you because I want you to know how I feel:
Hello,
      First of all, I want to formally recognize my abiding appreciation for everyone at central admin who has stood in the breach for us at Marshall recently.  My gratitude to goes out to Diana (Shaum) and Bev (Gibbs) for providing us with additional counseling support throughout this process, and especially to Joel Axler, Nancy McCleskey and Jen Netzky for being here to talk and listen to our parents, our students, and our staff members for hours on end day after day, and also for their efforts to compassionately reach out to the families of every kid kept home after-the-fact (~70 on Tuesday; 15 on Wednesday; 10 Thursday) to ensure them that Marshall is safe and that getting back-to-normal is a good thing to do.   Likewise, it I am grateful to Bob (Kuhn) and Mary K (Walton) for so deftly organizing and carrying-out such a meaningful, informative and orderly public forum on short notice earlier in the week, and for their validation of the work we have all accomplished at our schools to make sure that they’re safe.  Thanks to Tony (Cullen) for recognizing the importance of the forum and for finding the time and space for it at FHS.  And, finally, my thanks to Chris (Grove) and Dietrich (Sauer) for showing up unexpectedly at Marshall in the wake of lockdown #2, just in case we needed a few extra eyes-and-hands; we did.
      I cannot recollect a time when I’ve been more proud to be a part of FUSD.  Our district administrative team, as well as the faculty and staff at Marshall School (and I’m sure at every site), have all performed above-and-beyond admirably during this time of trial.
      Nevertheless, I don’t think I can impress upon you how much emotional turmoil these events have evoked, particularly among my faculty and staff, who have twice now endured these awful disruptions.  Nor do I think I will be able to impress upon you how overwhelmingly proud of our staff I am.   None of them faltered during these trying times, not one has  failed to carry-out our prime objective: to keep safe the students of Marshall.  And yet, despite their elevated levels of anxiety, evident yet today on most of their faces, they still have not wavered in their commitment to our students and community.  On Tuesday, the day after our most recent disruption, not one para-pro, not one gen-aide, not one teacher or support staff member was unexpectedly absent from work.  That’s a pretty amazing statistic in my opinion, given that it was likely everyone’s compulsion (myself included) to just stay home and hide-out as a response to our collective (and reasonable) paranoia: that we might get another one of these calls one of these days, quite literally when we least expect it.  That expectation has sadly become our new normal.  I don’t like it.  Not one bit.  But it is.
      And yet I am able to  tell you without equivocation: Marshall School and its entire staff is ever-ready to do what needs to be done.  Regardless.  Now more than ever.  But it’s also nice to know, again without equivocation, that FUSD (and FPD, who have also been universally awesome throughout this ordeal) has our back.
      In view of all this craziness, I am hopeful to bring our faculty and staff together again tomorrow after dismissal for another short face-to-face debrief.  And then I am going to send them home early, to be with their families, to rest and recuperate so that they’ll be ready to get back to it on Monday.
     John Coe, principal
     Marshall Magnet Elementary School

Tentative 2015-2016 Stuff
We will conduct our annual part stock-market, part blackjack class-placement trading games during the week of  04 May.  Jessica Grant has sent you the schedule and trading cards have been placed in your mailboxes.  Most of you have done this with us before.  If you haven't, please get with your grade-level peers prior to your appointed time to be sure you're up-to-speed with how to complete your cards.

With that in mind, below are links to a few other documents you might find interesting and/or useful as you begin to plan for the coming school year.  Now is the time to scrutinize each of them for conflicts and trouble-spots.  Feel free to bring your concerns to me or Janelle Reasor at your earliest convenience.  Please note my use of the word "tentative" in identifying each document.  Any/all of these plans may be subject to change as mandates, schedules, expectations, etc. are made without warning by those in authority over us...


TPPP
FYI: Your TPPP activities log is due to me no later than the last day of school.

301
You have been asked in a recent email from Mary K Walton to vote on next year's 301 calendar.  FUSD will be unable to proceed with the plan until 70% of 301-eligible faculty have voted.

Bonito Street Construction
The City of Flagstaff has informed us that Bonito Street south of Marshall will be under construction between Elm and Santa Fe beginning late May to improve water and sewer lines.

Tech Peer Coaching
Heather Zigler has asked principals to encourage teachers to apply to be trained and equipped to become Technology Peer Coaches.  The application is available at http://tiny.cc/2015techcoachapp.  Questions? Contact Heather at 6129.

DCS (formerly CPS)
Nancy McCleskey has provided you with a packet of new information regarding reporting abuse and/or neglect to the Department of Child Services.  It was put in your mailboxes last week with an orange top-sheet.

TL;DR: If you see signs of abuse, such as a physical injury, call 1-888-SOS-CHILD.  Do not make such a report online.

Calendar
Week A
  • Monday 27 Apr.
    • Regular School Day -- Snow Day Make-up
  • Wednesday 29 Apr.
    • PTO School Carnival, 5:30-6:30
  • Thursday 30 Apr.
    • K-2 Heritage Square Suzuki Perf., high noon
    • Coe, White at PBIS mtg, 4:00


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