This video explains the assignment for April 9 that needs to submitted in the Assignments section of Microsoft Teams. If you have any issues, please message Mr. Martin in the chat feature on Teams (search Sean Martin) or email at smmartin@vsb.bc.ca
I look forward to seeing a picture from all you there.

I sent your parents all an email about the program Microsoft Teams. It is the program we will be using to do our work while we are away from school. It has a lot of similarities to myBlueprint, but adds some features for chatting and asking questions, which I like. Our plan for this week is to learn how to use it. Once we learn how to use it, I think you'll like it.
We will go VERY, VERY SLOW in learning how to use Teams. We will help each other out and you can always ask me for help if you need it as well. My hope is that everyone will be able to login tomorrow using the instructions I sent you parents. I hope to hear from you soon!

I figured that I would just do a small post for today (Monday) since most of you are just seeing my post from yesterday for the first time today (if you haven't seen that one yet, it is right below this one). Below is a picture of what was for lunch today. Some scrambled eggs, a piece of pear, a few raspberries and some leftover pasta salad from dinner last night. I know, I know, you are all disappointed to not get a sandwich picture - maybe next time. The plan for dinner is looking like burritos, but I still might change my mind.

What did you have for lunch? Or what are you planning to have for dinner? Let me know in the comments! 

I'll have another post tomorrow for anyone who wants to stop by :)

Hey Everybody! I am hoping to do some school type stuff with you all online soon. I am just waiting for the schools to decide how they want to do it and when we can start. Hopefully that will be soon to give you all a bit more to do during the day.

While we wait for that day, I have decided that I will be posting to my website. Starting with this post, I will post something every day. I hope that you can stop by and check. If you leave a comment, or a question, I will reply to them all. It will be good to hear from everyone! Today's post is focusing on how I am spending the majority of my time lately. I don't want to bore you with the pictures of school stuff, so I have included pictures and details that are focusing more on what I am doing with my family.

We are definitely doing our best to keep having fun with our activities while we are staying safe at home. Hockey is probably the thing that we do the most. If the weather is nice, we play on the driveway. If the weather is bad, I cleaned out the garage so we can play in there as well. We are also building a lot. Zack built a jail out of coloured straws and Jon finally got around to making the Lego set he got for his birthday. While we mostly stay at home, we do enjoy some outdoor time with some socially distanced bike and scooter rides. There is a pond not far from our house that has ducks and turtles that the boys like to check up. I'd be lying if I said TV and video games were not a part of what we are doing, but we are trying not to make it the whole day. The kids (and I) are happy about the new Pokemon series that came out on Netflix and the boys are getting pretty good at Mario Party. We are mixing in some school stuff as well. I have the kids doing some reading and writing every weekday. We are also practicing our math and doing some art projects. It's not the same as being at school, but we are making the best of the situation.

So what have you all been up to? Do you have any suggestions for the boys and I to try? Leave a message in the comments section and I'll get back to you!

I'll have another post for you tomorrow (Monday).

I am sure many of you are following the news and have seen that schools in BC are currently listed as closed indefinitely with plans to reassess about re-opening as the COVID-19 situation develops. Currently, that means schools will remain closed after spring break and the foreseeable future, with spring break possibly being extended as part of this.

I haven't received any guidance yet as to what learning might look like going forward, but I have already started working on how I can best adapt the curriculum to an online structure so learning can still take place after spring break - whenever that might end now. As a class, we use myBlueprint and that will probably work very well as a way to receive, complete and assess assignments and student learning. I will send out emails to all parents towards the end of spring break with all instructions for reminding your child how to use myBlueprint, which they have done many times at school. Once reminded of the simple steps, all that is really needed is internet access and a computer/phone/tablet. Students should all have a square bar code in their binder for logging in (for those missing their barcodes, I'll be able to email them out as well). 

The VSB might have a different plan for things, which I will update on as I learn more. I really just wanted to let parents and students know that I am here and ready to continue things for Division 7, regardless of if we have a classroom available or not.

I don't really have a ton of answers at this time, but I can certainly try to help answer questions from anyone who has them. I can still be emailed at smmartin@vsb.bc.ca (don't forget the extra m or another teacher will get your message) or you can comment on this blog post below. 

Try to enjoy the rest of your spring break as best as you can. I will be in touch.

Cheers,
Mr. Martin