May Day
May beckons us with the possibility of warm and sunny spring days and entices us with blooming flowers to brighten our spirits. Plus, it is a month full of fun holidays such as Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day. We also honor our love ones on Memorial Day. Although, we won’t be able to do our normal Indiana May traditions surrounding the 500-mile race, we can look forward to the August festivities for it.
One of my favorite spring activities is to take walks to view all the spring flowers. My treks usually take place at Holcomb Gardens on the Butler campus, Ritchie Woods in Hamilton County or in Brown County.
Since most of us can’t venture too far from home, you might want to take a virtual tour. Here is a link to take a virtual tour of Brown County Hills to see the beautiful trails and wildflowers.
These photos were taken at Holcomb Gardens – Click the images to make them larger.
Book/Author
Please watch and listen to this read aloud video of “Plant a Kiss” written by Peter Reynolds.
For more information about Peter Reynold’s and his books, please visit his website: http://www.peterhreynolds.com/
Shout Out to Indianapolis Coordinator – Suzanne Zybert
This week we are featuring Washington Township’s Oasis Coordinator for Tutoring! Suzanne Zybert has been overseeing the program for five years. She is a well-qualified and an experienced educator. She is in her 31st year as an educator, 20 of which have been in Washington Township Schools. She taught for 11 years at the elementary level both in Texas and in Indiana. She then served as an elementary school Principal at Nora Elementary and her current role (year 5) as the Coordinator of Alternative Programs and District Partnerships both in Washington Township.
Suzanne shared this message, “I love being an educator and have appreciated the awesome opportunities to serve students, their families, and our school community.”
Originally from southern Indiana, Suzanne and her husband, Daryle (a Nebraska native), reside in Fishers, Indiana. They have one cat, love college sports and heading to the beach. She told me that she always loved working with Oasis as a building principal and even more so now as the coordinator. Her philosophy matches the Oasis mission because she believes that “developing a love for reading is critical and OASIS does just that and then some. Reading is essential to me both professionally and personally and I love to read a variety of genres to support my overall growth. “
Oasis is thrilled that Suzanne shares her passion with her tutors and her warmth and bubbly personality help build a strong relationship with all her volunteers.
She has many favorite authors that include books for children and for herself. She recommends the book, Love You Forever! And that perfectly sums up her caring and nurturing way of connecting with her students and all who she associates with in her life!
Indianapolis Oasis Zoom Class!
Join us Tuesday, May 5, 1pm for a FREE Oasis Class. Community, Compassion, and Commitment – The Impact of COVID-19. Our featured guest will be Bruce Buchanan, the fourth-generation owner of his family held business, is CEO of Flanner Buchanan. He takes great pride in the family’s six-generation history in Indiana and it’s nearly 150 years of funeral service in Indianapolis. Join Bruce as he talks about the COVID19 pandemic and how it has impacted funeral care. Learn how families are dealing with the restrictions and the many ways that loved ones can still be honored. Bruce shares his first-hand account of how our community has rallied to support each other and how community, compassion, and commitment matter now more than ever. Please contact me ([email protected]) for information on registering for the Zoom class.
Prior to class you will receive an email confirmation letter from Oasis, with the Zoom link. Click the link and your computer will open up the Zoom App and the class. Remember to click any permission buttons your computer may ask for. If for any reason the link does not work, open the Zoom App and type in the Meeting ID number and Password (found in your email confirmation from Oasis with the link.) If you need additional assistance registering for the class or with Zoom, email: [email protected].
National Oasis Tutoring Survey
Oasis Tutoring asks all Tutors, Teachers, Principals/Building Liaisons and District Facilitators to participate in the annual Oasis tutoring survey. It is important as it provides Oasis feedback for improvement of the program and measurable data to report to funders. Thank you in advance for taking a moment to share this year’s tutoring experiences prior to the Covid-19 break.
Helpful tips for taking the survey:
- Taking the survey on a laptop or desktop computer is recommended instead of a mobile device or tablet.
- After clicking on the link provided, click on the role you serve in the program (“Tutor”).
- You may receive other requests or reminders to take the survey, please only take it once.
Tutor Tuesday
Please enjoy more information about incorporating poetry into you tutoring session by viewing the blog from the Oasis National Tutoring office in St. Louis.
If you have a minute, send me an email and tell me how you are keeping busy during this time at home. I know that if you live in Marion County our Stay-at-Home has been extended, so I would love to hear from you.
Oasis is still working on a reentry plan to continue tutoring with our students. So, stay tuned and I will let you know as soon as I know something!
Take care and stay well! Look for the beauty in each day!
Will there be a way to get our students’ items to them sometime this month? I’d love for my student to receive his journal (which he worked so hard on), his “All About Me” book, and a few other items. For instance, would it be possible to arrange a drop-off/pick-up system at school or at the admin office? We could drop off the students’ items in bags labelled with their names, and then the parents could stop by and pick them up?
That is an excellent question. Unfortunately, the school administrators are following very strict guidelines on allowing anyone on the school campuses. That is why we are proposing working with the same students at the beginning of the 2020/21 school year. Of course, that is dependent on the schools reopening in August. Please be patient and we will get the information as soon as the Superintendent of Public Instructions informs us. I love the web page that you designed for your student. How are you and the student utilizing that?