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A Special Shout out to my future Coronado Cougars use this gift of time to prepare for your high school experience! Athletes use this time to think about how you want to train for the return of sports.

Musicians use this extra time to master your craft! Music is a great to ease your anxiety and prepare for choir, band or orchestra!

Artists take this time to enjoy the outdoors and paint or draw what you see!

Looking for a fresh start use this time to create an establish new work and study habits in a sea of distractions. The future is yours for the taking ! Put your best foot forward and think about the following questions during quarantine: how can I be better on the otherside of quarantine 2020 and how can I help others during this quarantine experience?

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A Special Shout out to my future Liberty Patriots use this gift of time to prepare for your high school experience! Athletes use this time to think about how you want to train for the return of sports.

Musicians use this extra time to master your craft! Music is a great to ease your anxiety and prepare for choir, band or orchestra!

Artists take this time to enjoy the outdoors and paint or draw what you see!

Looking for a fresh start use this time to create an establish new work and study habits in a sea of distractions. The future is yours for the taking ! Put your best foot forward and think about the following questions during quarantine: how can I be better on the otherside of quarantine 2020 and how can I help others during this quarantine experience?

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Life has pretty much slowed to a halt. Including school the governor has made the call school buildings are closed for the rest of the year and distance learning marches forward. My heart breaks for alll those students moving on to the next level who will not recieve the send off they so deserve. I have been blessed to share the past two years with a third of my students. It breaks my heart that you will not enjoy the last few weeks of middle school at school celebrating with your friends but one thing that has not been taking away is the gift of time......

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Family Time in the digital realm! How did it take a pandemic for us to realize we can still carry on family game night even though we are a thousand miles away! Zoom brings jackbox family time to a new level! Mom was the fibbage champ and Corwin was the Quiplash champ his creativity is off the charts. I have to say the joy in this pandemic is the extra family time. Morning and evening walks to start the day with my favorite 4th grader!  This tradition needs to continue!

Life has pretty much slowed to a halt. Including school the governor has made the call school buildings are closed for the rest of the year and distance learning marches forward. My heart breaks for alll those students moving on to the next level who will not recieve the send off they so deserve. I have been blessed to share the past two years with a third of my students.

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Today we celebrate this beautiful young lady! Twenty-Two years ago we welcome my lovely niece Cassie into this world. I'm sure she did not expect to be spending her birthday in quarantine but we are venturign into the new normal.

We are taken a break from the over the top invite everyone you know; even if you barely talk to them birthday parties! The extravaganza's have been replaced with drive by birthday parades. I do have to say I have been priviliged to be a part of these simple events and the joy on my daughter's face as she is reunited with her friends has been priceless!
The longer we are stuck in quarantine I can see the toll this is taking on our children.  I can't help but wonder is this due to the perception we as adults are portraying. What should our story be during this time: lonliness and sadness or one of hope and creativity? History will judge us for better or worse as time progresses but in this moment I choose to look for joy!

Happy Birthday Cassie Marie! Have a great day!

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this picture says it all!  No words can describe the emotions of seeing the city that never sleeps - sleeping on a Friday night!

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No grumbling aloud! MY daughter's morning devotion focused on turning complaints into blessings! Coronavirus is dominating the news and wreaking havoc with our daily routines but today is a day to be thankful! I am thankful for extra time spent with family. Enjoying a cup of hot cocoa in the morning with Alex! Visiting with students via Zoom. I learned that I am not very good with the Zoom presenter tools but I am learning! Plus I found a really good tool to use in the classroom for next year! I think we are all finding a new routine, less notifications and moments of stress more smiles and laughter!

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What a difference two weeks can make! We went from scrambling between softball, volleyball and hockey games;now we are sitting at home playing NHL 99, teaching from home as we strive to find our new normal.
I am starting to settle into a routine for myself and my family. These are uncertain times and I do not know what the immediate future holds but for now I plan to take a deep breath, relax and settle in for the duration.
I tell my students that failure is the first step on the ladder of success. Now it's time for Mrs. S to model walk the walk.
The idea of complete distance learning is scary. My brain is working on over drive! How much work should I be posting? How much contact should we be making? Should we continue with our regular lesson or focus on the impact Covid -19 has had on our community and nation? I may have made mistakes along this journey but they come from a place of love. I want to reassure my students that they are not alone! Your entire Del Webb  family is behind you! When you are felling alone participate in the virtual spirit days, join one of your class zoom sessions and reconnect with some friendly faces and engage in one of the many enrichment opportunities provided by the school district. If you are struggling remember the counselors and teachers are still here, cheering you on through the heartache.

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Let the learning begin! Today was a crazy day. Extra grace required for ourselves, our family, friends and coworkers. I have spent the better part of the week trying to plan lessons that are more than busy work. I have been engaging with students via google classroom but are the activities meaningful? I want them to see that history is a part of us. We have a collective history but we also have a personal history to share. I think I'm going to look at creating and sharing an oral history project. Who has a story to tell? The Smith employee working hours on end to keep our shelves stocked, the small business owners trying to figure how to keep their business afloat following an unprecedented statewide shutdown and the healthcare workers on the front lines fighting this pandemic. They all have a story to tell! Lets connect and share the stories of these amazing heroes. Everyday people sharing the best of humanity with others.

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Today was a normal Sunday in the Spatharos house church, lunch followed by family time and getting ready for the school week ahead! It will be nice to settle into a routine. However having church at the dining room table and lunch from the drive thru anything but normal.

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They say a pictures worth a thousand words! This says it all. This photo truly expresses my reality the past week . Who would have thought grocery shopping would be such a chore!  Thank God I am a modern girl because this daily shopping is for the birds. I have been spent a good part of the past four days at the grocery store in search of tomato sauce. I have everything to make my spaghetti sauce except the sauce! Trying to find that sweet spot time when the can goods have been restocked! First thing in the morning no Bueno but arrive at 4:00 pm and I scored my golden tomato sauce and a 15 lb bag of potatoes! The longer this continues I can't help but wonder if we will see rationing at some point.
The best part of the day was the Zoom play date I set up for my daughter and her friends! Watching their smiling faces and listening to the laughter brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart! We will survive!

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Empty classrooms like this loom large all across the country. Including mine, I have felt a little lost all week with all this extra time on my hand. I have spent the week posting articles I have read with my students, creating  a scavenger hunt for them to enjoy and trying to figure out how to teach during these unprecedented times. Why? This teacher is yearning for a classroom full of laughter, students and learning! No one can say for sure when this alternative reality will end but I am excited to see what next week holds one step closer to a small semblance of normalcy. I am looking forward to meeting with my students via zoom as we reconnect with a "Zoomed" in scavenger hunt.Looking forward to a time filled with smiles and laughter!

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So far I have felt like we were on Spring Break until today. Going grocery shopping and seeing people lined up and waiting for the store to open. Brought back memories of listening to my Grandmother's stories about living through the Great Depression. Stories of Bread Lines and Mayonnaise Sandwiches, I realize this is not an ordinary Spring Break.
It is times like these that bring out the best and worst in humanity. I encourage you to be the best! Call your neighbor and see how you can help? Mother's who are home with young children could use a hand picking up and delivery groceries. Keep connected with friends via phone and technology. I will do my best to be an encouragement and hope for those during tough times.
A note for my students, I know you are anxious about a variety of things such as when will we go back to school? What happens if someone in my family gets sick? What is next for our society? I want to reassure you that you are not alone! I am here for you and will keep connected and look forward to hearing from you. Stay safe and healthy! Your loving teacher Mrs. S.

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"It's all about finding the calm in the chaos." - Donna Karan
This quote sums up my adventure. What do you do when you are swimming in chaos search for the comforts of life. Nothing says comfort like a good old fashioned game of RISK.  However, Mrs. S fell like the Roman Empire as Alexandria and Mr. S were the last two standing.
Thank you to everyone for sharing how you are passing the time. During times like these history is the best teacher. I keep asking myself, "Are we over reacting?" I am sure this is a questions we all struggle with as we see the iconic symbol of our city shuttered and dark,  We are Vegas Strong and we will get through this together. Take this time to help where you can. Donate blood, buy groceries for an elderly neighbor so they can stay safe at home. Take the time to thank the workers at the grocery store for their extra work and dedication to our community.
To my students I miss you and look forward to the day when I can say music is off voices are off!  Find a sense of normalcy in the little things like board games or movie night with family. Remember you are not alone - We are Vegas Strong!

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"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - FDR
I am taking FDR's words to heart as I reassure my children. No fear here just fun! When schools are on break time for an indoor reading nook with some out door flair! It maybe cold and windy outside but this group is warm and cozy in the indoor reading tent!
Today was spent reading and enjoying a great TED Talk recommended by the Bettis family https://www.ted.com/talks/danielle_feinberg_the_magic_ingredient_that_brings_pixar_movies_to_life followed by a game of GO Nuts for Donuts! Corwin snagged Dad's extra Donuts so he may be extra hungry tonight!

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What forces cause society to change? This is a question that I have been discussing with my students for the past week.  I have learned  that a virus can force society to change all in the name of toilet paper! Why else have I spent the better part of the last three days in search of toilet paper the new "holy grail!" I have searched high and low from Henderson to the Las Vegas Speedway not a pack to be found! Rumor had it Costco had toilet paper and I was out the door in a flash! The simple things in life make me happy! Spending extra time with family, making cards and yes scoring a jumbo pack of toilet paper is the icing on the cake!

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The Pandemic of 2020! Schools are closed, the Las Vegas Strip is shut down! What is next? Join me on this journey to find a semblance of normalcy amidst the stormy sea.