Executive Director's Newsletter May 2020
Dear Colleagues,
Virtual high fives on the extraordinary job you have all done adapting with little warning or preparation to disruptive changes in working conditions unlike any we have ever known. Thank you for everything you have done to maintain stability and educational quality in the lives of your students. As we continue to face many personal and professional uncertainties, CAWS will keep you informed and connected.
CAWS was fortunate to hold our Spring Seminar on March 1, 2020, just before the pandemic spread though California. During our board meeting that weekend, the potential onslaught and effects of COVID-19 were discussed. As the intensity and seriousness of the situation rapidly unfolded, CAWS implemented our plan and created new ways to bring everyone together. Our first general information virtual roundtables were held on March 30. Since then we have had four additional Programme level events. Look for announcements of additional events to be held throughout this summer in your emails and on our website. Topics for these events will be pertinent to each IB programme and allow educators to share best practices as well as concerns for the coming 2020/2021 academic year.
On behalf of CAWS I have kept national and global IB officials informed of the detailed concerns shared during our board meetings, roundtables and legislative updates. Responses from all levels of IB have been swift and appreciative of the information as well as the numerous challenges faced by California IB educators. IB leaders have said that they will address these issues in the coming weeks.
The CAWS Board has held two unscheduled board meetings since March in order to further develop our strategy and address scheduling for the next several months. In order to support safety, we have postponed our summer Lake Tahoe Teacher Training to Nov. 1-4, 2020. The IB Global Conference in Toronto and the CAWS 2020 Fall Forum in San Diego have also been cancelled.
Legislative updates and vendor support and discounts will continue to be announced through emails throughout the summer. Check your emails each week if you are interested in these updates.
Since March of this year the unparalleled adaptive and creative forces required of and demonstrated by teachers and administrators have been unlike any I have experienced since CAWS was founded. It is only through your devotion and determination that your students completed this semester! Bravo and congratulations to all of you as you begin well-earned summer breaks!
It is a joy to serve the CAWS board and all of you. Please contact me if there is anything I can do for you throughout the summer.
Warm regards and best wishes for a healthy and happy summer,
Robin
"You will wear many hats - including that of a lifelong learner” Greta K. Nagel
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