Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Integrated Arts School
Thoughts of the Week
I recently read a book titled, Thriving Leaders by Claire Gray, and as I read it I came across this list below of what the expectations of a leader are and this quote. “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
(Harvard Business School definition of leadership) I have adapted the list to fit the leadership of teachers, because I think it fits what you do as teachers everyday! I want you to know I see you, and know what it takes for you to do what you do!
What are the expectations of a leader? Most literature focuses on the difference between leadership and management but the reality is, if you’re leading, you’ll be doing both and more.
These are 8 different expectations of you as a leader;
- You must be a Visionary who inspires the people around you by setting the vision, understanding the big picture, and communicating this to your students. You are motivating your team for the future.
- You need to be a Manager and direct your students, assign work, delegate, and clarify your expectations. You have to give context about what needs to be delivered and followed up on to hold your students accountable.
- You must Mentor your students by imparting your knowledge and wisdom and sharing stories of how you’ve approached situations in the past so that your students may take what is relevant to them and apply it.
- Being a Coach is critical! To do this you must ask powerful questions to help the person you’re coaching come up with their own solutions. A solution that is meaningful and useful for them
- The role of Teacher is where you train your students and transfer knowledge and skills. This can mean showing them a new process or including them in the classroom so they can learn and become a contributing member of society,
- As an Advisor you share your specialist knowledge by giving advice, helping to problem solve and reach solutions together.
The final two components are often not in a job description, but take up considerable time.
- Ever had to be a Counselor? Being a sounding board, because people are human and both colleagues and students go through difficult times in and outside of our school day. Mental health issues are more prevalent than ever. This is the role of the listener.
- Finally, you often need to be a Mediator, which has you assisting when two students are having a disagreement and cannot solve it on their own.
As you can see there’s a huge expectation of you as a leader! Some days you may play all these roles, and others just a few. The critical skills of a leader require reading the situation and determining what role it is time to step in and assume.
The Coming Week
- Monday
- Field Trip to Bend Science Station (Holmberg, Eisenbeis) 9:00-11:30,11:30-2:00
- Admin/Union Rep Meeting 2:30-3:00
- Tuesday
- Field Trip to Bend Science Station (McLarty) 9:00-11:30
- Care Teams 7:00-8:00
- ICCL Admin Training 3:00-5:00
- Wednesday
- Office Staff Meeting 7:00-7:30
- EA Meeting 1:00-1:30
- SIW Teacher Prep 1:00-2:30
- All Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
- Thursday
- Ben admin Meeting 7:30-8:30
- Forest Kindergarten 9:30-1:30
- Fire Drill 10:30
- Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- Friday
- EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
- Assembly 1:30-2:00
- EET Movie Night – The Grinch 6:00-8:00
UPCOMING DATES:
- December 16 – Principal Meeting
- December 16 – Committee Meeting 2:30-3:15
- December 17 – ICCL Meeting 2:30-3:15
- December 18 – Office Staff Meeting 7:00-7:30
- December 18 – Holiday Party! 1:00-3:00
- December 19 – SMART Reading 9:45-10:45
- December 19 – Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- December 20 – Natalie Page’s Birthday!
- December 20 – EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
- December 21 – January 5 – Winter Break!
- December 24 – Sue Schaber’s Birthday!
- January 4 – Julia Torres’ Birthday!
Updates from Downtown
Do Good December
From Tammy and Karen
January SIWs on the 15th (END) and 22 (protected). Reminder–Educator Network Day is January 15th, followed by an EL planning day on January 22. On January 22, this whole 90 minutes is protected for teachers to have time digging into and planning the second EL module that they will be in the middle of doing. The Educator Network Day (END) on the 15th will get them going with loads of information, but will not provide the needed time to do some deep and intentional planning. Please use this time for what it is intended to be used for and do not schedule any other topics to be covered during this 90 minutes. Thanks!
Please Share with Families (it’s timely). Please share this flier with your families about a special Spanish Family event next Wednesday, put on by the Deschutes Public Library. They would love to grow the engagement in this event and we can help!
Important Links
- November 20th Elementary TLC Update
- Topics of Interest/Problem of Practice–Keep connecting and supporting each other!
Notes from our Team:
Curriculum, Instruction and Systems–Julie Richards. EL additional training opportunity (space limited)
Sign up for full-day sub-release planning days and/or after-school planning times.
We are excited to offer additional support/planning times for Expeditionary Learning. If you are interested in participating in these first-come first-serve opportunities (space is limited due to sub capabilities), please Sign up here. An email will be sent to folks the following week regarding getting subs. Space is limited so please do not get subs until you are notified that there is room for you on the specific dates
Full-day w/sub provided:
- Jan 21st – 4th and 5th only(Education Center boardroom)
- Feb 4th – K and 1st only (Education Center boardroom)
- Feb 12th – 2nd and 3rd only (Education Center boardroom)
Afterschool w/timesheet (curriculum rate)-any grade level welcome
- Feb 3rd 3:30-6:30 (Education Center boardroom)
- Feb 10th 3:30-6:30 (Education Center boardroom)
From Kinsey in Policy, Advocacy, and Office of DEI
FAN and the Holidays: Just a reminder that FAN does not coordinate Christmas/holiday gift needs for families. This has been the case for over 10 years. FAN resources are maxed out prioritizing basic needs (utilities/heat, rent, clothing, hygiene supplies, food, etc). There are many community-based organizations that do support religious or holiday-based requests like Christmas gifts, such as Salvation Army, Giving Plate, etc. Here, here, and here are a few sample resources.
What is the ask of you and your staff:
- If you have a family seeking support with Christmas gifts or holiday resources: Please refer them to those community-based agencies, not your FAN Advocate.
- If you have individuals wanting to donate holiday gifts and toys to families in need: Please refer them to those organizations, who are collecting and distributing toys and holiday donations.
- If your students/staff want to be directly involved in supporting FAN’s work: Organize a “Winter Weather Drive” to gather desperately-needed winter clothes for our students and families in need, not just for those who celebrate Christmas. Thank you!
Action Items
- Protect January 22 SIW for a FULL 90 minutes of EL planning for your staff
- Share flier with families
- Encourage staff to sign up for the newly added optional EL planning days
- Review how you can support families in need at your school for the holidays and beyond
- Think about the teams/groups you supervise and their differing needs
Important Dates
- December 10: Admin and ICCL Training—Jewell Elementary, 3:00-5:00
- December 11: All Admin Meeting at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30
- December 19-20: Tammy is out–connect with Karen if you need anything
- December 23-January 3. Winter Break!
- January 6: First Day back from break!
- January 7: Horizontal Meeting at Elk Meadow from 3:00-5:00, hosted by Elk Meadow and Westside Village
- January 15 and 22: SIWs that are Educator Network day followed by an SIW that is EL planning time
- January 29: All Admin PD at Perseverance Hall, 3:00-4:30