While graffiti really does bother me, I have to allow myself a little chuckle when it reads, “I love My Mom”.
Recess Supervision Tips – Sorry to point this out, but I am noticing that our supervision is tending to bunch up and become more stationary than best practices call for. Be sure to spread out, move around and make those positive contacts with students in a variety of areas on the playground. Visit that big tree often, so kids know you see them there. Try to be present with some of the more contentious games such as football and ga-ga. If you feel like the game is getting tense, then throw in a little positive interference with their game. Ask questions like the following; Is everyone clear on the rule? Is this a disagreement…how can it be resolved quickly and easily? (rock, paper, scissors maybe?). Sometimes you may need to impose your own ruling to get them to move on, but when you can facilitate their own problem-solving you make a stronger student and a stronger positive culture. Thanks so much for your work out there!
2020-2021 Master Schedule – After some more discussion during the most recent leadership meeting, it was asked that we explore some changes to address a few grade-level specific issues, however if the changes can’t be confined to that grade level, we may need to bring a committee together to explore revising the schedule. Stay tuned.
Sites & Facilities Survey Update – I met with Mike Tiller and Angus Eastwood today to go through our list of site improvements. The next step is the official formation of a district sites & facilities committee in the fall. That committee will go through all the schools’ lists to generate the highest priorities to be placed on the next bond measure (I believe in 2022). My understanding is the last cycle of this process produced over 800 projects district-wide to be considered, so it’s important that everyone manage their expectations and remain patient. There will be a few minor items that I will pursue through other channels, but I don’t have any specific timelines yet.
Ice Packs – To ice or not to ice? Let’s go with “not ice”…. I am going to ask everyone to reduce how frequently we send students to the office for ice packs. The first reason we want to use as a justification is the use of the plastic bags. For sanitary reasons, we have to throw-away and replace every plastic bag each time these are used (that’s a lot of single-use plastic going to landfill for a placebo). The other reason is I would like to reduce how frequently we sending perfectly healthy students into a tiny room with students who might actually be sick. If you feel the need is legitimate, just please send them with one of those yellow notes but if at all possible please find a way to encourage the student to go without the trip the nurse’s station.
Minis – Next week I will be really focused on cranking out some mini-observations and I for sure need your help. If you can try to make time for me on the same day I am in your classroom or the next day, I would really appreciate it so we can have that follow up conversation.
SBAC Draft Testing Schedule – ⅔ and ⅘ teachers please open this soon and examine; you will have editing rights when you open it. This is a collective work in progress. Please feel free to modify to fit your grade level or individual needs. I’ve overlayed some of the all-school storyline field trips and incidents.
Quick Reminder regarding SBAC Opt Out communication
- In all communication related to opt-outs it is critical that parents are engaged in the communication and that non-adult students are not subjected to undue influence by educators or staff during working hours. Principals need to ensure all staff understand what types of communication has been deemed inappropriate by the state. Inappropriate communication would include:
- Making repeated announcements to non-adult students (e.g., over school intercom systems, assemblies) during working hours reminding students to pick up ODE’s opt-out form
- Initiating a discussion of ODE’s opt-out form or process with non-adult students during working hours
- Repeatedly reminding non-adult students to submit ODE’s opt-out form during working hours
- Encouraging students to submit ODE’s opt-out form during working hours
- All student opt-outs again need to be entered into the district’s Google form for tracking opt-outs.
- The opt-out forms apply only to ELA and Math. Exemptions for all other state assessments require parents to submit a written request based on disability or religion.
SBAC Training Modules –
- Module 2 – Test Administrators
- Module 3 – Accessibility Supports
- Module 4 – Test Security
- Module 5 – ELA and Mathematics
- Module 5A – Text-to-speech
- Module 6 – Science and Social Sciences
Upcoming Meetings/Events:
- Monday – 2:45-3:30 EBISS K
- Tuesday – 6:00-7:00 Parent Information Night
- Wednesday –
- 1:30-2:00 Staff Meeting
- Agenda
- Check in with Amy Yilik (Culture of Care)
- Agenda
- 2:00-3:30 – SIW Storyline Science
- 1:30-2:00 Staff Meeting
- Thursday – 1:30-2:30 School Tours
Upcoming Field Trips:
NONE
Assessments
- Spring easyCBM Window – 5/11/20-6/12/20
- Spring Dibels Day – 5/14*/20 (*Revised as of 1/13/20)
- Naglieri – all 2nd graders and any new-to-district students – Window 3/2/20-3/13/20.
- Greene/Cross 2nd graders = Monday 3/9 11:30-12:30
- Howard/Therrian 2nd graders – Tuesday 3/10 11:30-12:30 (please let me know if there is a problem with this time.)
- Resinger (Page) – Wednesday 3/11 11:30-12:30 (Let me know if this will work)
- SBAC – 5/11*/20-5/29/20 – (We may want to consider starting some groups in the middle of the first week of May to help with working around field trips, school-wide SL incidents, etc.)
Resiliency Survey- survey occurs on March 4th. This will be similar to the Dibels day when we have a team come in to help us administer the survey. We will be sending a letter out to families and there will likely be a couple families opting out.
2020-2021 Classroom Grant Funding Program Is Now Open!
The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools’ Classroom Grants Application for K-12 educators for the 2020-2021 academic year opened Monday, February 10, 2020. Public school educators and principals may submit their request using the simple 2 page pdf fillable application form (online at our website and attached). Information about the grant process is also attached to guide you in preparing and submitting a grant. Grant applications must be submitted no later than Friday, March 16, 2020. The grant application process is open to all educators in Bend, La Pine and Sunriver.
Once determinations are made, funded grants will be awarded in May 2020.
Questions can be directed to Michelle Johnson, Executive Director, Education Foundation at:[email protected] or (541) 355-5660 or to Angie Cole, Allocations Committee Chair at: [email protected] or (541) 318-3794. Requests for STEM, art, music & wellness projects will be accepted during the dates indicated and must complete all necessary forms for consideration. The Education Foundation will also offer a “Back to School” Classroom Grant opportunity in September 2020 (for funding of needs in that academic year). This will be the 2nd year of funding opportunities for K-12 educators, and is dependent on available funds. Please consider carefully the amount you are requesting is the actual amount needed. Directions on how to fill out a pdf form can be found here: https://www.wikihow.com/Type-on-a-PDF
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS! SEND IT TO “[email protected]”
In the 2019-2020 academic year, the Education Foundation funded over $100,000 in classroom grants — it’s highest award in 31 years of service to the K-12 educational community. To learn more, visit www.engagedminds.org
Thank you! Angie Cole, Allocations Chair, and Michelle Johnson, Executive Director