First, let me say that I'm speechless on the events of the past week.  The events that are occurring around LA and the surrounding area are concerning, to say the least.  I'm a supporter of our 1st Amendment Rights and believe the protests are drawing attention to the much needed change we desperately need in our world, but looting and destroying businesses is not the way to make that change.  I've been glued to the TV the past three days watching the scenes from Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Long Beach and I'm speechless.  Things start out peaceful and with a strong message and then turn sour as the day progresses and night falls.  Our character is who we are, and the actions we take define our character!  While looting may look like a cool or fun way to score some free stuff, your moral integrity must take over and drive you away from stealing and destroying businesses that have nothing to do with the real issue at hand.  We will rebuild and we will be stronger as a Nation because out of ashes comes strength!

 

  OK, now for this week :-)  I was not able to get the movie into Edpuzzle, but I WAS able to get the movie onto my computer for you to watch.  I was even able to provide some of the same commentary I would have given you in the classroom:-)  So, you are going to watch the movie Blood Diamonds and answer some questions in a Google Form.  I would recommend you take a look at the questions before watching the movie so you know what to look for.  I also give you an idea of when a question is coming up in the movie by pausing the movie and telling you what to look for.  You have the WHOLE WEEK to complete this assignment:-)

 

  The movie can be found here: (link in email from 6-1-2020)

   The Google Form with the questions for the movie can be found at: (link in email from 6-1-2020)

 

  Also, I've attached a Study Guide for our unit on Africa so you have an idea of what to review and know for the test NEXT WEEK.  

 

  We will do a LIVE Kahoot during our last Zoom meeting this week.  The schedule will remain the same we've done in the past and is as follows:

          Thursday- Period 1 at 10AM and Period 3 at 11:15AM

          Friday- Period 2 at 10AM and Period 4 at 11:15AM

 

  This week will be our last ZOOM, so I hope you ALL can find time to join me for a review and to say a proper Goodbye:-)  You will get a few extra credit points for showing up as well!

 

  I hope you are all doing well and getting excited for Summer as it's right around the corner!  Enjoy your last "full week" of school and remember, Finals week is next week.

 

  If you need anything, please reach out and let me know!

Hi Students and Parents,
  I wanted to send out a quick note and say Great Job to each and every one of you!  
  For my students, I know the shift to online/distance learning has been a challenge and as the time has dragged on, it's becoming even more difficult to find the motivation to keep going!  Please know, I SEE you and and I'm proud of you for putting your heads down and charging on to complete the work each week and still logging into the Zooms, and for finding creative ways to interact with me.  When I read your emails and comments in the Google Forms, I can still HEAR your voice as if we were in the classroom and I hope the same is true for you.  As always, I miss you guys and wish we would have had the final 10 weeks to continue learning and having fun in the classroom!  I'm proud of all of you for adapting to and overcoming the curve balls that were thrown at you during your Freshman year.  While it hasn't been easy, you've shown that you ARE adaptive problem-solvers and this is a trait that will suit you well in life.  Keep up the great work!
  For my parents, I know the sudden shift into being a teacher of six different subjects, while still trying to work and be a parent, was not easy.  As a parent myself, I've been struggling with 5th grade math for the past few months, but think I've got it and I am ready for Algebra next year:-)  I wanted to say Thank You for all the support you have given, not only to your kids, but to all of us teachers as well.  You're finding the time to keep your kids going with their school work, while also juggling your own work responsibilities and trying to keep the household running.  You've all become Master Jugglers and I commend you for all your hard work and sleepless nights.  Without your support, we would never have been able to get through these past 10 weeks of online learning.  Again, I tip my hat to you and thank you from the bottom of my heart!
  While there are still a lot of things up in the air for next year, I'm confident with time everything will come together.  I'm still crossing my fingers we will get back into the classroom sooner rather than later and I look forward to being able to bump into each of you next year and stay connected as you move through your Sophomore Year!  WE have all been LIVING HISTORY and this is a time period we will look back on 30 years from now and talk about the things we did to make it bearable.  You may forget some of the details and some of the things you learned, but you'll always remember how you felt!  So, find something to make you smile each day and try to laugh at least 5 times each day as this is HOW we get through the tough times.  And remember, we will come out of this as a stronger, more connected community!
  As we move into the long weekend for Memorial Day, I hope you find some time to relax and "unplug" for a while.  As I told my students yesterday, please take a minute this weekend to remember all our Fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastees who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could live with the freedoms we enjoy today.  While it may seem like just another long weekend to many, that's the real meaning of Memorial Day.   Many amazing Men and Women have bravely sacrificed their lives, in places near and far, to protect us and allow us to live the lives we choose, so we pause to remember them on Monday.
  Enjoy the long weekend and HANG IN THERE as we only have a few weeks of school left when we come back!  As always, I'm here for ALL of you and let me know if I can do anything to help.

 

  Based on my random survey from last week, an overwhelming 85% of you said I should let my 11-year-old daughter buzz my head TODAY at 11 AM.

 

  So, I'm sending you a Zoom invite link in case you'd like to join my "office hours" today, where you can watch my daughter take the buzzer to my head.  I must say, she's pretty stoked to cut my hair and has been chomping at the bit all week to get the buzzer in her hands.  If you'd like to stop by, egg her on and just have a laugh, please feel free to swing by my Zoom at 11AM.