Apple TV Snag
Unfortunately, we’ve hit a bit of snag and I am not sure when these will be installed. I will provide an update as soon as I have the information and I am sorry these may not be ready to go for day 1.
Taking it Up
I am incredibly proud to be part of a district and school committed to the success of each and every student. This year I participated in another round of Taking It Up “training” with the intent of improving my own ability to pursue equity. Why did I go a second time? I learned a great analogy to answer this question. Dealing with racism is like going to the dentist, rather than removing your tonsils. While it would be nice to have a one-and-done approach, it’s just not sufficient and there is no quick fix. We need consistent check-ups. It’s a mistake to think that we do not need to work on equity just because we do not have a very diverse population here at Highland or at large in Bend. It is, in fact, more imperative that we make every effort to change this perception. Why am I sharing this with you? Great question! First, I am calling out my own responsibility publicly to hold myself accountable. Second, I look forward to doing this work in our everyday interaction with you and our families. Third, I hope to encourage more of you to join me next year for Taking it Up.
Meeting Schedules
EBISS Meetings – As we discussed with each of our grade level EBISS teams last year, we will move to an all-day EBISS meeting format this year.
Morning Meetings (Staff, PLC, Design Teams)
I’ve worked up a couple different options for morning meetings this year and I would love your input on these.
The short description of the three options;
Option 1: all morning meetings (Staff, PLC, Design Teams) on Tuesday mornings.
Option 2: Staff meetings and PLCs still on Tuesdays and Design Team Meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (1 each)
Option 3: Staff meetings and PLCs still on Tuesday morning and Design Team Meetings during SIW time.
The total number of meetings for the year is intended to be the same for all options. The one exception to these will be Leadership Meetings which will need to be on a different morning, which is to be determined later.
Each of these options have benefits and challenges to be considered which will probably be better discussed in person at our first meeting, but I wanted to provide a little information ahead of time for you to chew on.
Highland Teams (Academic Excellence, Thriving Citizen, Future Ready)
The decision regarding our meeting schedule could impact this topic as well, but I would like you to put some thought into which team you would like to commit. For example, if you intend to work on the next Schoolwide Storyline, the Future Ready team will take on that responsibility. All three teams will be determining our SIW professional development for the year, excluding the days already scheduled for district PD.
EA interview
If you would like to volunteer to join me in interviewing for a new part time EA, we will be interviewing on Thursday 8/23 in the afternoon. Please email me if you are interested.
Construction update
We received our new piano the other day so I was able to get quick look at the finished floor in the gym (before striping) and it looks amazing. The bleachers are the only missing component right now, but the whole interior looks impressive. The parking lot was paved at the end of last week and the landscaping is probably 85-95% complete. The courtyard is looking great with the stone work and plants. The project on the southeast basement walls is likely going to wrap up during the first week of school as it is projected right now. This will impact some of our space on the playground, but this should wrap up very soon after we get classes underway.
Math Journals
Math journals are distributed to your rooms already. Thank you, Shawna for counting these out and delivering them room to room.
What Adults Can Learn from Kids
Please enjoy this recycled TED talk for some beginning of the year inspiration. Let’s be childish!
Architects in Schools
For over 40 years, the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s Architects in Schools (AiS) program has matched professional architects, engineers and other design professionals with 3rd – 5th grade teachers for a FREE 6 week classroom residency. The program delivers arts programming, environmental understanding, awareness of cultural links to history, understanding responsibility to the natural environment, career awareness and communication skills – all through the principles and practices of architecture and design.
The program is based on a curriculum guide that teachers and their partner design/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 following information to any 3rd – 5th grade teachers who may be interested in applying.
Application Info: bit.ly/ais18-19_info
Teacher Applications: bit.ly/ais18-19_teacherapp
Deadline: October 6, 2017
More Info: www.af-oregon.org/architects-in-schools
candice agahan
administrative & program assistant
architecture foundation of oregon
po box 40230, portland, or 97240
503.542.3823