UPdate from the UP for Learning Team
May 10, 2020
UP friends and partners,

I imagine we have all hit a point in our experiences during this pandemic where perhaps, the adrenaline has worn off and the fatigue of the situation has taken over. This week, I've been returning to this quote, by Dr. Lindsay Jernigan, to remind me that as we continue to adapt, even when the intensity of Zoom fatigue sets in, we can choose to evolve into unity. To me, hope is the possibility of change. This hope for me comes from the times, throughout the week, that I can be connected with our youth-adult teams and our YAC (Youth Advisory Council) throughout the state.

Every week, I have been meeting regularly (on Zoom/GoogleMeets) with youth-adult teams. I'd like to highlight the Montpelier Restorative Practice Team, who has met every week since we've been learning during COVID, to support their school community in maintaining and strengthening connections. Over the past couple of weeks, they have been providing their TA advisors with Weekly TA Tips from the MHS RP Team . With their permission, I have shared the emails that they have sent out to support the TA's at their school during this pandemic, in hopes that they can be a support to your team.

At UP we believe that in our current learning environment, it is more important than ever to experience and highlight the impact of youth voice and youth-adult partnership in education. We cannot wait for you to attend the P2 Virtual Summit on Friday, May 15th! The P2 youth-adult planning committee is designing a unique experience for everyone to see, hear, and feel the power of youth voice and youth-adult partnership in learning and decision-making. The planning team is focusing on the themes of Connecting, Sharing and Inspiring . There will be sharing sessions, a virtual dance party, and a whole lot more! We are so excited for our first free virtual Summit and hope you will join us.
I hope to see you on Friday at the P2 Summit!

With gratitude,

Lindsey
2020 Power 2 Summit:
Youth & Adults Transforming Schools Together

May 15, 2020, 9 am-12 pm (Virtual Zoom Event)
Connect, Share and Inspire: Learn about tools and strategies that can be used in our homes, communities, schools, and organizations to make learning meaningful and create change!

Register NOW for this FREE event and join us on May 15th!
This website will take you to the registration for Zoom, as well as the agenda and session information.
Remote Learning and the Brain
UP's Webinar Series

To help meet the needs of our evolving educational landscape, UP for Learning is hosting a series of professional learning webinars that focus on the impact of stress on learning, the power of positive self-talk, and how the brain learns. Following each webinar, educators will be provided with a lesson and resources they can immediately implement with students to help them become more effective learners during these unprecedented times.

The live webinars will be held every Thursday during May from 3:00-4:00 pm. If you are unable to attend at this time, you can register and a recording of the webinar will be sent to your email. A professional learning hours certificate will be provided by UP for Learning upon completion of each webinar. If you missed the first webinar, feel free to register for the remainder of the series.
Schedule:
Thursday, May 7th: How Stress and Emotions Impact Learning & Strategies to Reduce Stress - a recording is available!
Thursday, May 14th: The Power of a Positive Mindset, Self-Talk, and Response to Errors
Thursday, May 21st: Understanding and Influencing How the Brain Processes Information
Thursday, May 28th:  Strategies for Effective Remote Teaching & Learning 
Contact Amie Conger at  amie@upforlearning.org  with any questions.
Helpful Resources for Youth and Adults:

UP Resources:

  • UP's Youth Advisory Council member, Zayda Kellog has written a piece on her experiences with remote learning that has been shared in VT Digger. We encourage you to read her powerful piece: Remote Learning Presents New Opportunities

  • UP's Youth Advisory Council has received an incredible response to the Connecting VT Youth survey. They hope that this survey will reach all parts of VT. Please continue to share widely. The YAC members are currently making connections and would love to make even more meaningful connections!

UP for Learning has created a resource page on our website where you can find the resources we have shared in past newsletters.