the project school

TPS Families - the weekly Update has just arrived to in-boxes. Please take a look at your earliest convenience!

"Daniel Tiger" will air an episode dedicated to teaching children how to deal with COVID-19 and safety: https://people.com/parents/daniel-tiger-coronavirus-pandemic-episode/?fbclid=IwAR2S3siHRUzhds3pDV6oNzlybPi6eZASXJJPC7cIq4bIvpiB6HNQ90Za6Js

We have received responses from almost all of our families (only 10 students left to reach!) for their plans for August-October school at TPS. As parents and educators, we know how challenging it is to decide what is best for your child and your family. This is tough stuff! Thanks for working with us to create the best situation possible. We are now working with responses to determine the placements and groupings that give the best chance for physical distancing. Once we have this information, we will share it with all families, likely sometime the week of July 20. These are the plans will be based on current knowledge of the pandemic. If the situation with COVID-19 changes in our community, so too will our plans. We recognize that the results of the best plans we are able to put in place may mean that some families will want to change their commitment. We will work with families who feel this way and will most definitely consider all requests. Below is an article that speaks to us as we are making decisions. There are 2 points that we believe are worth noting in response to the article: (1) We very much hope that Governor Holcomb listens to teacher-leaders and requires face-coverings in schools. As you know, we would certainly support this decision, as it is a requirement that we have made, as well. (2) In Indiana, officials are not currently using specific metrics to guide local school districts as they decide when to reopen and when to remain virtual. Rather, districts are taking an assembly of input from state, local health and education officials to make that decision. State health commissioner Kristina Box said the state does not currently have specific metrics for schools to follow in their counties, but that could change as the state’s infection rate climbs. As a school that is working diligently to make the best decisions possible, we would WELCOME specific metrics for schools to follow in our county. If you have interest in expressing support for this, we encourage you to contact Dr. Box and the ISDH at 877-826-0011. As we have said from day one, we are constantly watching the data. Increases in cases in our community must be considered, and understanding the data matters. Reopening is most certainly complicated for everyone. Thanks for your support. https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/indiana-schools-reopening-could-be-complicated-by-covid-19-infection-increase.php?fbclid=IwAR1kLZy2kh9epmApXhF4jrB8aeGXmyjj4VFB2U0SmRt4ZakY-iDRqSgFj_k

Hello TPS Families! Our important weekly email Update has just hit inboxes. Please read through it at your earliest convenience, paying special attention to the optional Q&A sessions happening tomorrow, and the deadline Tuesday for completing your learning format commitment form. Thank you so much!

Sharing a beautiful new resource created by our Kindergarten teacher Ms. Liz, as part of her masters course work. Here is her description of the site: "Loving Library was created help educators find books and resources to use in their classroom to educate their students in a way that fosters tolerance, empathy, anti-racism and activism. We want to give educators the tools to be agents of change in their communities and to make a difference in the lives of their students." This link has been added to our growing resource library (linked on our website) of anti-racism materials for children and families. Thank you, Ms. Liz! https://sites.google.com/view/loving-library/home

TPS FAMILIES - an extremely important email has just landed in your in-boxes regarding reopening. Please make sure to read it as soon as you are able. We miss you greatly, and are wishing you continued health and safety!

We are pleased to share our reopening plan, approved this evening by our school board. We thank the members of our reopening committee for all of the thoughtful and meticulous work they put into crafting this plan, and we thank our board for their deep commitment to what is best for the children and families of our school community. A link to the reopening plan is below. You can also check the COVID-19 banner at the top of our website at any time for timely updates. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/783848/reopening_plan__approved.pdf

At 4:30 today there will be a special Zoom board meeting, where the reopening plan will be discussed and voted on. The public is welcome to attend. Community questions can be submitted publicly in the chat bar. This meeting will also be recorded and posted later, for those unable to attend. Find the Zoom link and details here: https://www.theprojectschool.org/article/262061

We are so excited to be almost ready to introduce our new website and smart phone app to you - they are getting their finishing touches this week. Stay tuned!

We are so proud of some of our TPS middle school students for receiving such a fabulous recognition from NPR for their podcast work! https://indianapublicmedia.org/blog/bloomington-students-win-npr-student-podcast-challenge-honorable-mention.php?fbclid=IwAR2ZAvTxrSfeo4v0kWOlITPCKjkZIKHGZRoEwuotAVwvXaghfhd5FoOKIF8

TPS families - an important email with message and brief survey has just hit your in-boxes. We hope that everyone will take a few moments to complete the survey by the end of this week, to share a bit more important feedback to help us develop our re-entry plan. Thank you so much!

We are extremely pleased to share that through an exciting grant, we will have 2 full-time, salaried Teaching Fellowships available for the 2020-2021 academic year. One fellow has been hired, and we are now seeking an outstanding second candidate. The Project School Fellowship program is a collaborative effort with Indiana University Purdue University (IUPUI) School of Education that is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field and are highly interested and motivated to become a licensed elementary level teacher. This two-year fellowship includes all licensure coursework and an integrated student teaching experience and mentorship from experienced TPS classroom teachers. TPS fellows are full-time TPS employees and thus afforded the same level of benefits, support, professional development opportunities, and administrative services as any other employee. Our fellowship is an opportunity to engage with passionate educators in a fully immersive experience. Click below to learn more. Please help us spread the word! http://projectschoolin.apptegy.us/o/tps/page/current-openings--28

On this #Juneteenth - and every day - we dedicate ourselves to ending the systemic and structural racism still embedded in all facets of our society, and to doing our part to create real and lasting liberation, equity and restorative justice for everyone. We are deeply humbled to be part of a learning community committed to this crucial work. We will continue to try to do better every day.

Check out our special goodbye/happy summer video! We are missing our families so much already, and wish you a safe and peaceful summer of exploration and celebration! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok4D1LagH3o&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2ouO9ZVehgcpxNqAfX-0NSAYybwYijsxwKXnWbO4hsL1ED8-56DK9PaK8

TPS families, new families, and TPS high school/college grads... don't forget to join us for our Drive-Thru Celebration tomorrow from 1:30-2:30p. Come through the dismissal line, and let our staff shower you with love and distance high fives!

Our weekly Family Update has hit in-boxes! You can also find it by clicking https://www.theprojectschool.org/cms/lib/IN01925060/Centricity/Domain/80/may%2010%20update.pdf.

WOW -- Thanks to the generosity of so many, TPS has raised almost $6000 this week to support our families experiencing food insecurity. Our deep gratitude to all our donors!

Our deep appreciation to the Community Foundation for their generous grant of $2500, which will help us continue to provide for TPS families who are struggling with food insecurity during this crisis. It costs $1250/week to support our families who have shared this need with us.