Our world has changed seemingly overnight. As we deal with the immediate crisis—and learn behaviors that ensure the safety and well-being of ourselves and others—we all have an opportunity to make our world a kinder and more generous one.
Here are 8 ways to be a good neighbor during trying times.
Stay safe, stay home
Across the country, various forms of shelter-in-place and social distancing orders have gone into effect. Stay up to date on your city’s instructions and follow the orders and advice of local officials. By slowing and limiting the spread of infection, we can “flatten the curve”—protecting vulnerable community members and preventing local hospitals and emergency services from overwhelm.
Check-in
For the elderly, immunocompromised or otherwise vulnerable, these are especially scary times. Reach out to those neighbors and friends (on the phone, email, through a closed door) and see if there’s anything you can do for them. A grocery run, food pickup or dog walk could make a huge difference. Let them know you’re there for them. If you yourself are in the vulnerable cohort, make it easy for others to know how they can help—there are plenty who want to help but don’t know how.
Donate blood
In the midst of coronavirus anxiety, blood drives have been canceled and donations have dropped. However, maintaining our nation’s blood supply is still critical: Every 2 seconds, a patient needs a blood transfusion. If you’re healthy, consider giving blood. Donation centers are skilled in infection control practices and adhere to strict safety procedures.
Do a virtual food drive
You can deliver needed groceries to families and community members right from your computer. Check the websites of your local food banks, city or city health departments or non-profits that focus on food insecurity. You can sign up as an individual or as a group. For the latter, get creative and launch a drive with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.
Volunteer
Check with local non-profits, charities or your city for volunteer needs. Many neighborhoods are also forming their own emergency response teams. Volunteers can sign up for a range of activities or projects. If you have the gift of health and security, volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to pay it forward.
Shop local
Local businesses are hurting, and some may not recover. Patronage right now is more crucial than ever. Place orders online; buy gift cards; keep up your membership. Many restaurants are staying afloat by offering take-out and delivery—if you can afford it, mix up your in-home creations with local cuisine. And if you can be generous in tipping your delivery drivers, you’ll be helping them through a rough time.
Donate
Public health crises spotlight the gaps in our communities and this crisis is no different. Many hospitals are in need of gloves, goggles, N95 masks, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, gowns, and other PPE. Look through your closets and garage and see if you’ve got extras (new and unused) you can donate to local hospitals. Also check in with your favorite charities, causes or non-profits and see how you can help.
Spread kindness
These are stressful times, and a little kindness goes a long way. For those workers on the front lines (who themselves are at increased risk), receiving some patience, kindness, and compassion from customers will buoy their spirits. Be generous where you can. Remember too, that just as with the oxygen mask in the airplane, you can only take care of others after taking care of yourself. So, find ways to make self-care and mental health a priority.
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Collecting and analyzing student data doesn’t have to be burdensome. Using the right data-tracking tools, teachers can efficiently use student data to guide instruction. Check out some different ways you can easily track student data.
Google Forms – If you are into technology as a means for data collection, Google Forms may be beneficial to you. This survey tool can gather student data for you in a Google spreadsheet. Try these tips on using Google Forms for formative assessment checklists.
Data Folders for Students – I ask my students to graph their own progress on weekly assessments and quizzes. Tracking their own data gives students ownership over their accomplishments or struggles, and, in many cases, helps students to improve. I use data folders similar to this free one from Bunting, Books, and Bright Ideas. I provide folders and keep them in an easily accessible basket. These are also great to show parents at conference time!
Classroom Data Walls – Displaying student data creatively on a bulletin board is a debatable method of tracking student data. However, WeAreTeachers says “the key to these boards is that they are limited to a single skill set of foundational skills that mostly require memorization. Giving students permission to monitor their own progress makes it feel more like a game than a report card.” To make your data wall more confidential, use student numbers in lieu of student names. I have found these data walls to be motivating for many students.
Teacher Data Binder – Keeping all of your student data in one, organized, central location keeps you up-to-date on student progress. When you need to access student information quickly, a data binder comes in handy. This free, printable data binder from The Curriculum Corner contains everything you need to make your own. Or, try these free data tracking sheets from Brandy Shoemaker.
Data Clipboards – Clipboards are especially useful for small groups. Color code your clipboards or mark them in a way that makes them easy to identify when you need to grab one quickly. Hang them on the wall near where your groups meet. Students can track data themselves using the clipboards or the teacher can use them as an assessment-tracking tool.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
New Year, new you. Right? That’s what everyone says. Statistics say that 80% of resolutions fail by February. Remember, you can achieve what you put your mind to, you just have to stick to your goals!
Here are some simple steps to keep from feeling overwhelmed and help you keep your new year resolutions.
Keep it simple. If your plan is to lose weight, figure out how much you want to shred and then divide that into 11 months. This helps break down a long term goal to small accomplishable goals.
Accountability. You are more likely to keep at your resolution if your goal is reinforced and encouraged by others. Rely on your support system for the hard days when you’re tempted to give up.
Track Progress. Include an easy way to track your success to match your goal. A vision board or a journal are some great examples to use.
Celebrate the wins. Make sure positive recognition is a part of the process. Praise can go a long way.
Small stumbles will happen. It’s important to remember that bumps will come along the way. That doesn’t mean that you have failed. Write it down on your progress tracker and understand it as a learning lesson.
Change takes time and patience. Don’t give up!
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As a night shift nurse, your schedule is anything but normal (not that a nurse’s schedule is normal). While the rest of us are sound asleep in our beds, you – the night time warrior of the caring – are on a different time shift.
Nurses who have to sleepduring the day face troubles people wouldn’t think about at night, all the lights are off, it’s mostly quiet outside, and usually, everything seems calm BUT as a night shift nurse, everything is backward. Because your night time is during the daytime, you need the know the secrets to getting the best sleep you can.
Turn off the distractions: Put your phone on silent, turn off the tv, and get your mind ready for some sleep.
Darken the room: Hang up dark curtains, grab an eye mask to wear, and even consider earplugs to blackout the light and noise.
Exercise Daily: Hit the gym or just go on a 30-minute walk, anything that will help you release stress and pent up energy.
Cool Temperature: Keeping the room at a cooler temp can help your body relax.
Avoid Caffeine: As the shift winds down, slowly stop drinking that coffee or soda and by the time you get home your body won’t feel as stimulated.
Exercise: Eating right, exercising daily, and drinking water also keeps your body on a natural daily routine.
The more you make your environment look and feel like nighttime, the easier it will be for your body to adapt for daytime sleeping.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Summer break is winding down. Your mind is becoming consumed with thoughts about heading back to school. For some, it’s an easy transition, but for others, it’s a shock to the system. As the calendar flips to August, get yourself refocused on lesson plans, gathering materials, and preparing for your first days back to school. These ideas are meant to help make your job a little less stressful.
Take little steps. Don’t try and do everything at once. Create a timeline of things you need to do before school begins and list the things you want or need. Plotting them on the timeline will help alleviate the feeling many get of being overwhelmed.
Make the first steps fun. Whatever you choose to do first, make it as fun as possible. Doing the easier things first, like creating classroom decorations and posters will remind you how much you love teaching and make the tougher items easier. Do more mundane things like unit planning or curriculum development at a café, park, or any place that offers distractions with good food and coffee.
Find a friend. Working with a colleague can make the tasks more enjoyable while cutting the work time in half.
Connect with kids. Interact with past or present students. Send out emails to new students welcoming them, and see if any previous students would like to help you get your classroom together. Seeing students will bring you joy and remind you why you went into teaching.
Organize your mind. The attitude brought into the new school year can often dictate how that year will go. Educators need to find thoughts that energize, empower and affirm all the good things that lie ahead.
Be rested, relaxed and ready – it will help the kids stay calm and focused.
Be organized and tidy – students will be impressed.
Have too much and too many of everything – there is nothing worse than being short on name tags or pens and pencils.
Over plan the lesson – make sure the lessons fill the time and don’t leave you scrambling to fill before lunch or recess.
Rehearse – practice your welcome back speech, check the pacing and if you are using technology arrive early to make sure it is in place and working.
Be ready for anything and everything – make sure a first aid kit ready, have the dean or assistant principal’s phone extension and have rules in place to handle any unexpected situations.
Start learning names immediately – this helps you connect to students quicker and shows them you are interested and care.
