Staff Round Up for December 7

Team,

I hope this Staff Round Up finds everyone doing well and rested up as much as possible from this past break. I can tell you that I took advantage of eating well and now must pay the price with some extra exercise. Phew. 

Do any of you know all the skills listed below?  Wow!

From the desks of our Crisis Team:

Many of our students are experiencing disappointment and frustration during this Covid-19 pandemic.  In addition to difficulties associated with adapting to online learning, they are facing losses like missing social time with their peers, sports seasons, “senior year” activities and family gatherings.  These social connections are very important to our students at this developmental stage. Some may have also experienced the death of a relative or friend due to Covid-19.  

Some students are more resilient than others in their ability to cope with the stress of this pandemic and may begin to show more clinical signs of anxiety and depression and even thoughts of suicide.  We know many of our students have experienced anxiety, depression and panic attacks over the past months. 

At this time, families may be under great stress due to job loss and the economic challenges that follow.  This stress transfers to the children. Incidences of domestic violence in Guilford County have increased dramatically during the pandemic and some of our students may have been witnesses or victims of abuse. 

The school can be a source of support for them. If teachers and staff hear about a student who is feeling severely depressed or talking about suicide, or if they are made aware of physical or mental abuse occurring in the home, they must report this.  Please contact the grade level counselor and the social worker immediately so they can follow up with the parent and make necessary referrals. 

• Reports of suicidal ideation should be reported before the end of the day that the teacher or staff person learned of the threat.  Late or “after thought” reporting to administrators or support staff could have serious liability implications. You want to use the quickest means of communication possible. If you can not reach a counselor or Ms. Wright, contact me on my cell.... 336-442-4374.

• Reports of abuse or neglect must be made to Child Protective Services. Please let an administrator know as well as the school counselor and school social worker so they can assist with this report. 

• GCS has a list of resources that can be given to families by social workers and counselors. Teachers and staff should never make any personal recommendations to parents regarding mental health providers.  Again, there are liability considerations and these suggestions to parents could create financial obligations for GCS. Please allow the counselors and/or social worker to assist with resources. 
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• Remember that all students have a right to confidentiality.  Please put as little information as possible about students in email and do not discuss mental health matters of students to others.  Phone calls are best.

Remember that counselors and social workers have been trained in how to handle student crises and mental health concerns. Please report, inform and let it go.  That is what they are here for!!!

Any students who may be interested in enrolling into a Social Justice class next semester must contact their counselor immediately.  If you know of any students you believe would enjoy this, please let them know about this opportunity. 

Intro to Racial Equity and Social Justice explores the foundations of big concepts like power, identity, and authority that play various roles in our daily lives. In addition to examining the present, we’ll look into the past to deepen our understanding of how we came be here, in this place; this now, where racial equity is again centered in our national conversations. In doing so, we’ll discover some ways that we might individually and collectively make a difference in the pursuit of social justice while also recognizing that learning truly is power.

As it relates some other pressing questions:

As covered in the staff meeting, will the remote schedule stay intact? At this time, I am not changing it as I have not been provided a non-negotiable directive to change it to 9:55-4:25. Once I receive that directive (or if), we will change it at that time. (except for Adaptive)

Will the "office day" change? Until the office of Teaching and Learning changes their Professional Development schedule, we will stay with Monday - Thursday instruction, Friday - Office hours. 

Will staff have to return?  This has been moved to January 4th. However, everyone must be on campus for any testing needs, amongst any other requests by administration.  

Also - for clarification purposes, please know submitting a Reasonable Accommodations request to Benefits must still be arranged by myself. This does not mean an automatic remote working agreement. However, reasonable accommodations can be an array of things, as explained in the faculty meeting. Remember, you must discuss with me your request so that I can arrange the proper accommodations for you.

As discussed in the faculty meeting, please refer to the flow charts attached here when it comes to leave while in Covid.

Any questions should be directed to Mrs. Harris in this FORM. 

From the desk of Mrs. Michelle Cook:

All Guilford County students in grades 9-12 are required to take the Career Interest Finder survey in NCCareers.org. We are asking each teacher to post the following assignment in their Canvas Course and stress the importance of completing this assignment by November 24th. This assignment can be completed anytime, even for a bell ringer, or a Friday could be an ideal day to not take away from your 1 hour live instruction time.  It should take around 10-15 minutes. Each student who completes the Career Interest Finder Survey and submits can send a screen shot to you for extra credit.

Upcoming service activities:

      

December 18th - "Rylie's Blessings" - collecting new or slightly used toys to be donated to Wake Forest's Pediatric Unit playroom.

Counselors' caseloads are as followed: Ms.Graves A-D 10th-12th, Ms.Campbell E-L 10th - 12th, Ms. Graham M-R 10th - 12th, Mrs. Hudgens S-Z 10th - 12th, Ms.Compton 9th grade counselor

Attention all SW Fans!  Can’t come to see our Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Football or Soccer teams play?  No problem.  All games will be broadcasted “Live” on our NFHSnetwork Streaming program.  Go to https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/southwest-guilford-high-school-high-point-nc

Subscription monthly $10.99 and Annually $69.99

See all home and many away games (based on who has the program at their school)

Great opportunity to everyone to see SW Volleyball next Thursday night!

Have you left your mark at SWGHS? Buy a Legacy Brick to commemorate your time as a Southwest Cowboy, and make a contribution to your sport, band or chorus to help fund critical equipment and uniform purchases and fees! AND get a great deal RIGHT NOW! The first 21 seniors/senior families to purchase a Legacy Brick this year will get 21% off the price of the brick! That's $21 off the $100 brick! Click here to order your brick, and enter 212021 in the promo code field to take advantage of this deal! 

Help SW Athletics and Booster Club by Linking your Amazon Account to our Charity!

Click here: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-4362420 

 By clicking the link above, you can help SW Athletics get .5% from your Amazon orders to support our student athletes.  

For Game Schedules go to www.cowboysports.org

Athletic Schedule of Events for Dec. 7^th-Dec. 11^th

Monday, Dec. 7^th

3:45- VB Practice check-ins                         (In season)

3:45- W. Basketball check-ins                     (Tryouts)                                                             @ SW Gym Old Gym

4:00- XC Check-ins                                          (In Season)                                                         @ SW Track

4:45- Cheerleading                                         (In Season)                                                         @ SW Auditorium

5:30- M. Basketball                                         (Tryouts)                                                             @ SW Old Gym and 9^th grade gym

6:30- Swimming Practice                              (In Season)                                                         @ Smith HS

*Football, M. Soccer, M. Lax- Dead Period

 

Tuesday, Dec. 8^th

3:15- VB Game vs. WG                                  (In Season)                                                         @ SW Main Gym

3:45- W. Basketball Practice                        (Tryouts)                                                             @ SW 9^th grade gym

3:45- XC Check-ins                                          (In Season)                                                         @ SW Track

4:15- M. Basketball                                         (Tryouts)                                                             @ SW Old Gym

6:30- Swimming Practice                              (In Season)                                                         @ Smith Pool

*Football, M. Soccer, M. Lax- Dead Period

 

Wednesday, Dec. 9^th

3:30- VB Practice                                              (In Season)                                                         @ SW Main Gym    

3:45- W. Basketball Practice                        (Tryouts)                                                             @ SW 9^th grade Gym

3:00- XC Meet @ SWGHS                             (In Season)                                                         @ SW Gym (Meet in Stadium @ 4 PM)

4:45- Cheerleading                                         (In Season)                                                         @ SW Auditorium

5:30- M. Basketball                                         (Tryouts)                                                             @ SW 9^th grade gym and Old Gym at 6 PM

6:30- Swimming Practice                              (In Season)                                                         @ Smith Pool

*Football, M. Soccer, M. Lax- Dead Period

 

Thursday, Dec. 10^th

3:30- VB check-ins for game @ Dudley  (In Season)                                                         @ SW Activity Bus Lot

3:45- W. Basketball Practice                        (In Season)                                                         @ SW Old Gym

3:45- XC Check-ins                                          (In Season)                                                         @ SW Gym

4:00- M. Soccer/Lax                                        (Skill Development)                                         @Check-ins- Training Room Doors

4:00- Football                                                    (Conditioning)                                                   @ SW Main Gym

4:30- M. Basketball                                         (In Season)                                                         @ SW Main Gym/ JV 9^th Grade Gym

4:45- Swim Meet @ GAC                              (In Season)                                                         @ SW Activity Bus Lot  

 

Friday, Dec. 11^th

4:00- XC   check-ins                                         (In Season)                                                         @ SW Gym

3:00- VB check-ins-practice                         (In Season)                                                         @ SW Gym/Old Gym

3:45- W. Basketball practice                        (In Season)                                                         @ SW 9^th Grade Gym

4:00- Football                                                    (Conditioning)                                                   @ SW Main Gym

4:00- Soccer/M.Lax                                         (Skill Development)                                        @ Check-ins at SW Training Room Doors

5:30- M. Basketball practice                        (In Season)                                                         @ SW Main Gym (Practice in Old gym/9^th grade)

6:30- Swimming Practice                              (In Season)                                                         @ Smith Pool

 

Saturday, Dec. 12^th

9 am- Basketball Practices                           Pending                                           Check-ins 8:30 am

11am- XC Meet                                                Home                                                Check-ins- 10 am

4 pm- Swimming Meet v. RJR                     Smith HS                                          Check-ins at Smith Pool

 

(NOTE:  Dec. 7^th, 8^th and 9^th are Dead Periods for M. Lax, M. Soccer, and Football)

UPCOMING DATES

Saturday, December 5

XC - Home - 11AM

Tuesday, December 8

JV/V Volleyball - Home - Western Guilford - 5pm/6:30pm

Wednesday, December 9

XC Conference Meet - Home - 4PM

Thursday, December 10

Swimming - Away - 4:45PM

JV/V Volleyball - Home - Dudley - 5pm/6:30pm

Saturday, December 12

Swimming - Home - RJ Reynolds - 4:45PM

XC Conference Tri-Meet - Home - 11AM

Monday, December 14th

2nd interim report for the 2nd quarter

Friday, December 18th 

"Rylie's Blessings"

Wednesday, December 23rd

Staff workday - No School for Students

Thursday December 24th - Friday, January 1st

Winter Break - No School for Staff or Students

Monday, January 4th

Mandatory workday for staff - No School for Students

Friday, January 15th

End of 1st semester

Monday, January 18th

MLK Holiday - No School for Staff and Students

Tuesday, January 19th

Mandatory workday for teachers - No School for students

Wednesday, January 20

Current plan for re-entry for HS on 50% capacity - A/B day model

1st day of 2nd semester starts

Thursday, January 28th

Reports cards distributed

We are in it it together. We got this. We are... Southwest!