Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Art Focused School
Thoughts of the Week
New Year’s Resolution to “Quit Cursing”, keep reading-it is not exactly what you think…
When I say, “quit cursing”, I am not talking about swearing, we’re all adults…but maybe a jar is in order? What I mean is quit talking negatively about yourself! We all do it. “I am not smart enough to do that, I don’t have the skills to complete that, I am too old, too tired, too”…I am definitely guilty. There were many times this year, where I had imposters syndrome. I felt like you all might find out that I wasn’t an expert in something or did not know the answer. I pushed through and instead realized that I don’t need to be that person. I was able to bounce my ideas off you and have truly wonderful conversations, wherein I learned how to rely on others as much as myself. It is why I truly feel the full weight of collaboration in this building. So I ask you all today to, “Quit Cursing.” Think positive thoughts about yourself and others. Remember, always assume positive intent. I lean heavily of the words of Bruce Lee, let’s make this New Year’s resolution together!
“Don’t speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body does not know the difference. Words are energy and they cast spells, that is why it is called spelling. Change the way you speak about yourself and you can change your life.”
Bruce Lee
The Coming Week
MONDAY
- No School
TUESDAY:
- Office Staff Meeting 10:00-10:30
- Care Team Meeting 2:30-3:15
WEDNESDAY:
- Jill’s Birthday!
- Fire Drill 8:00
- SIW – Lori – Math Training/Jill and Steve – District Math Share
- Principal Recruitment Listening Session – 2:45
THURSDAY:
- MTSS Building Wide 2:30-3:15
FRIDAY:
- SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
- Tower Theater Free Movie Night 6:00
UPCOMING DATES
- January 20 – Lea’s Birthday
- January 23 – Kinder Forest Field Trip
- January 29 – Dibels
- February 2 – No School
Updates from Downtown
- Ed Network: Because we were unable to complete the training during Ed Network Day and all teachers need to know this information, we are asking that building leaders plan to do this during the next SIW on January 17th. If you already have something scheduled that can’t shift for that day, you can complete this with your staff on the 24th instead. If you hit any other snags along the way and need ideas to problem solve, please reach out to Tammy or Lisa. Please use this link for the slides from Kerry for the training.
- TAG Night Reschedule: We are rescheduling our TAG night for next Wednesday night, January 17, from 6-7:30pm. Same time, same location, just a week later. See Kristy Knoll’s e-mail for a blurb you can share with your families.
Reminders:
- Office Staff training: Office staff (all of them) will train from 1-2:30 on January 17, March 6, April 17, and May 22. Please make a plan for coverage.
- Student Services:
- Monthly REQUIRED inclusion EA Trainings: Contact Krista Hought or Stephanie Smith for info
- Prevent, Teach, Respond information, PTR Facilitators Guide
- MTSS Tier 3 process
- Counseling: School Counseling Blog
- Safety: Updated SRO List as of 1/2/2024.
New Notes:
Scheduling meetings from Erich: I came across this cool tool within Outlook because I was getting really tired of all the adds on Doodle. Hopefully this comes in handy. THIS DOC will show you how to create a poll with multiple dates and times. You can email to folks outside of BLP as well.
From Curriculum, Instruction and Systems (Julie Walker):
- Please share with your staff:
- Eastern Oregon is offering a science of reading course. It is advertised as a ‘lighter’ version of the LETRS training. Read here to learn more about this opportunity. If you are interested in signing up please fill out this survey by the end of the school day on Tuesday, January 16th. There are limited seats. Please reach out to Lindsley Gehrig with any questions. The cost of this training will be covered by Bend La Pine.
- During the February 28th Educator Network Day is about sharing our practice with other educators- a powerful form of professional learning. If you have a topic and ideas to share, please sign up to be a facilitator. You will be paid 4 hours at curriculum rate for your planning and preparation. More information and sign up here.
- Please share in your next family newsletter: Community feedback opportunity for Language Arts curriculum materials. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K3rRBQjzf24AXR-d1z-fwi1dL9kEO95GBQq-5ih-SL0/edit?usp=sharing
- From Jenny White (SEL): Here is a Wayfinder activity on courage that you can share with your staff. Click on this link to get the directions on how to access the resources in Wayfinder’s Activity Library. The direct links are on the last slide or found below.
TLC Link Update: January 11th Elementary TLC Update The Elementary Curriculum and Instruction website has been updated to provide more relevant information and resources to you. If you are interested in learning more about these changes, check out this video!
FAN Update from Dana Pedersen: FAN staffing has been a challenge this year due to resignations and leaves. Thank you all for your patience as I have adjusted staffing and most recently, made some changes in staffing assignments. I am committed to staffing our Dual Immersion schools with Spanish speaking Advocates. This has caused some shifts in assignments, as the last round of hiring yielded some great candidates, but none of them speak Spanish. Here is the current list of Advocates and their assigned schools. Two new Advocates are in the process of being hired now. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
From Jennifer Hauth: HERE are some upcoming training opportunities for supporting LGTBQ+ students and families, from the Oregon Family Acceptance Project that may be of interest.
Important Dates
- Jan. 15 No School in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Jan. 17: Office staff meeting 1:15-2:15 (plan for them to be away from 1-2:30)
- Jan 17: New Educator Network Day
- Jan. 23, 3:00-5:00 Elementary Leadership, at Buckingham Elementary
- Jan 31, All Admin PD at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30
- Jan 31: Black history month kick-off celebration
- Feb. 8: Lunar New Year celebration/AAPI Family Night