“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” – Mark Twain
Art with Alma 2019-2020 – Please click here for a quick photo review of the “best teacher workshop ever!!!”
| More great tips on feedback for your students; Teachers shared with us 6 tips for feedback that strikes a balance between effectiveness and sustainability. pic.twitter.com/r3bZLPag12 |
Highland Design Teams – please use this link to provide input on our Highland design teams for the upcoming year. I’ve added the names I already know for certain. Thank you!
Building Security
Please remember both buildings are armed each day. If the gym is not being used, then assume the alarm is set. If you are using the gym as a pass-through to or from the parking lot there’s a good chance you setting off the alarm. This will be less likely once school is underway, but please just be aware.
Secure Vestibule Project
This project will be proceeding however the construction probably won’t start until after winter break. (Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it can happen over the break.) It’s going to be a significant change that will require rebuilding our front desk altogether. There will also be some changes to the door locks around the school to allow for office control.
Culmination Planning Survey
Please get your Fall Culmination info in ASAP. The sooner we have this information the sooner we can be prepared. I still have some unknowns with Kids, Inc in terms of numbers and space needs, but the more I know upfront the easier I can manage those conflicts. I would like to encourage a common evening start time of 5:30. https://forms.gle/foYjjT9dQ5Uig79S6
Afterschool Supervision
Please go straight to the bus pickup first, then walk back to the back of the school. Your role is to be there in case of an emergency and look for students who may have been forgotten. Come inside and make the announcement at 2:45.
Recess Lining Up
After examining the “Transitions” sheet in the master schedule document, please talk to your team about what makes sense for lining up after recess. I do believe most all the recesses will be easier compared to last year based on the timing.
Friday 9/13 Parent Lunch
Just a quick heads up; Nutrition Services is inviting parents to lunch on Friday 9/13. This will be a challenge given our space and timing, but I am asking for patience, understanding, and flexibility upfront. I am planning to set up some outdoor seating, hopefully with canopies so that should help.
Digital Resources Update
Google Images is now blocked. Here’s an alternative: http://bit.ly/BLSimage_search
Digital Literacy Site
- http://bit.ly/BLSDigitalLiteracy
- Contents of this site: ● iPad Boot Camp ● 3,4,5 Digital Skills ● Coding ● Digital Citizenship This is a work in progress so suggestions of what we can add that you will find helpful are appreciated.
Digital Citizenship
● Many revised lessons from Common Sense Media
● Links on the Digital Literacy site – http://bit.ly/BLSDigitalLiteracy
● Goal is to complete all lessons by October 18th
● Coaches ready to help you and provide support
iPad Bootcamp
● Revised posters from several years ago
● Great way to start the year with iPads
● Basic, Intermediate and Advanced
● Each school is receiving a set of posters for each grade level
● The original poster files can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/BLSDigitalLiteracy
Password Changes
● All Students will have a new password this year
● The new password can be looked up in Synergy – Miscellaneous tab > Initial Network Password
● A report can be run in Synergy with all your student passwords – BEN – > School Reports -> Elementary Reports -> U-RP34 Student Initial Network Passwords by Teacher
● Students will need their new password to connect to the wireless network and to log into accounts
ConnectED Set Up Meeting –
- Thursday 9/5 2:30-3:30 – Library
- Please plan on meeting in the library right after school to work on ConnectED setup.
Camp Highland Schedule Camp Highland schedule is linked here. We condensed this a bit to reduce some disruption. Please take a look and see either Lorin or me regarding questions.
2019-2020 Master Schedule I do believe this is starting to look finalized. Thank you for your patience with the tweaking, changing, adjusting. Please take a close look at the “Transitions” sheet – I am sure this could use a little work, but I think it’s a good start and if everyone is able to fulfill their role then we should be able to maintain some quiet
Safe Schools Training – Just a friendly reminder to complete your online Safe Schools Training.
Calendar Link Please make a habit of checking the google calendar each week to be informed of upcoming events. If you notice something that needs to be updated please send a message to us in the office; Shawna, Elizabeth and/or me.
Architects in Schools Program
For over 40 years, the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s Architects in Schools (AiS) program has matched professional architects, engineers and other design and building professionals with 3rd – 5th grade teachers for a FREE six-week classroom residency. The program delivers arts programming, environmental understanding, awareness of cultural links to history, understanding responsibility to the natural environment, career awareness, communication skills and more – all through the principles and practices of architecture and design. Last year we served 5,400 students across Oregon.
The program is based on a curriculum guide that teachers and their partner design and building professional can incorporate into existing classroom curriculum. The AiS curriculum guide uses architecture and engineering concepts to teach math, science, social studies, language arts and other disciplines, includes sustainable design concepts and can incorporate the engineering and design standards. Landscape architecture and construction residencies can also be a focus of the program.
Participating teachers receive a free training that links the program to Common Core and New Generation Science Standards.
I am contacting you to let you know the application process is now open for 3rd – 5th grade teachers to participate this upcoming school year. Please forward the attached flyer and following information to any 3rd – 5th grade teachers who may be interested in applying!
- Application Info: bit.ly/ais19-20_info
- Teacher Applications: bit.ly/ais19-20-teacherapp
- Deadline: October 4, 2019
- More Info: www.af-oregon.org/architects-in-schools
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
We hope to have many Deschutes County schools in the Architects in Schools Program this year!
Candice Agahan
Education Programming Associate
& Administrative Coordinator
503-542-3823