Dear Venture Staff,

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it feels like we’re more than ready to welcome its arrival.

Over the past weeks, we’ve been motivating students to be present, be working, and be NICE. We’ve created lessons that encourage students to think and DO, tackled behavior challenges (there’s always more to say on that!), and managed to do it all with far too little sleep.

Next week is our chance to pause, take a deep breath, close our screens, and refill our own buckets.

I encourage you to spend this time basking in the glow of self-appreciation for the incredible work you’ve done this year. You are much more than teachers. You are mentors, guides, and creators of spaces where young people feel welcomed and valued.

Here’s your homework for the week:

• Do fun things.
• Eat fun food.
• Spend time enjoying your family, friends, and your own life.

You’ve earned it. These are the moments that make for a full, satisfying life.

I want to share a moment that reflects just how impactful your work is. During Exhibit Night, a family told Caryn how much it meant to them that their student is thriving in school for the first time. They shared how happy they are to pick him up each day and hear him talk about loving school.  If you want more evidence that you're making a difference, talk to William about the closing activity he did with his students.

This is the difference you’re making.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you do to support our students and each other. Have a joyful, restful Thanksgiving—you’ve truly earned it.

 Tutor.com

Students still have access to www.tutor.com, a live tutoring service, providing one-on-one video chat/writing support in nearly all subjects, provided by the Princeton Review.

Assessment Updates from Shelly Blank...

Assessment Staple in the Instructional Framework (page 26)! Please utilize this component in the framework when thinking about best assessment practices in the classroom.

Week of  November 25
A Week of Thanksgiving!!!

Week of  December 2
Bus Duty: Nettles
Monday: First Day of Term 2
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified Staff Collaboration 8:00: Chapter 4: Please Read Chapter four and bring a lesson you want to transform into a workshop lesson (not a workshop lesson). Online teachers: will have alternative work.

Week of  December 9
Bus Duty: Tacke
Monday: 
Tuesday:
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

Week of  December 16
Bus Duty: Eastman
Monday: 
Tuesday:  Kaiser out @am
Wednesday:  Kaiser out @am
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day

December 23 - January 3:  Winter Holiday Break!!!

Week of  January 6
Bus Duty:  Cooley
Monday: 
Tuesday: 
Wednesday:  
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day