Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Integrated Arts School
Thought of the Week
A Wise Lesson in Empathy: With billions of us humans on earth it’s incredible to see how we are all connected and similar in many ways. At the same time we are all individuals with our own opinions, thoughts and values. At times, we can feel so strongly about something that it could blind us from seeing the bigger picture or taking into account that there’s more than one way to approach the situation. Perhaps if we took a moment to step into the other person’s shoes we will see where that person is coming from and by doing so it will make all the difference.
THE COMING WEEK:
- Monday
- Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
- Tuesday
- Care Teams Meeting 7:00-8:00
- Wednesday
- Office Admin Meeting 7:00-7:30
- SIW – Teacher Prep 1:00-2:30
- Admin Meeting 3:00-4:30
- Thursday
- Smart Reading (Kindergarten) 9:45-10:45
- Fire Drill 1:30
- Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- Friday
- EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
- April 13 – Emily McLarty’s Birthday!
UPCOMING DATES:
- April 14 – Meet with Peter
- April 15 – Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
- April 16 – Office Admin Meeting 7:00-7:30
- April 16 – Conferences
- April 17 – Conferences
- April 18 – No School
- April 21 – Ben out for meeting 7:30-12:30
- April 21 – Committees Meeting 2:30-3:15
- April 22 – Earth Day
- April 22 – Care Teams Meeting 7:00-8:00
- April 22 – Admin Training – 3:00-5:00
- April 23 – Administrative Professionals Day!
- April 23 – Spring Picture Day
- April 23 – Office Admin Meeting 7:00-7:30
- April 23 – SIW Ed Network Day 1:00-2:30
- April 23 – Safety Cadre Meeting 1:30-3:30
- April 24 – Smart Reading (Kindergarten) 9:45-10:45
- April 24 – Lock Down Drill 1:00
- April 24 – Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- April 25 – Stephanie JS Birthday!
- April 25 – EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
- April 27 – Laura G Birthday!
- April 29 – Forest Kindergarten 9:30-1:30
- April 29 – ICCL Meeting 2:30-3:15
- April 30 – Office Admin Meeting 7:00-7:30
- April 30 – SIW Ed Network Follow Up 1:00-2:30
- May 1 – Smart Reading (Kindergarten) 9:45-10:45
- May 1 – Sped Team Meeting – 2:30-3:15
- May 2 – EET Weekly Meeting 8:00-9:00
Updates from Downtown
April 3, 2025
Posted on April 3, 2025 by Tammy Doty — No Comments ↓
From Tammy and Karen
It looks like the weather is going to cooperate over the next few weeks for us to amp up our mindfulness throughout ACTIVE APRIL Month! I hope you will join me in this challenge to get moving more as a way to alleviate stress and build wellness!
Spring Conferences Schedule Reminder: For Spring conferences, the work days are as follows: Wednesday, April 16, from 7:15-3:15 (first 8 hours if your day is slightly different) is work time–no conferences during this time and 3:15-7:15 is conference time. Thursday, April 17, 7:15-7:15 are conferences. Friday, April 18, is a day off to trade.
Bargaining Updates: This spring we are sharing our bargaining updates on our Staff Portal. Our first update, covering last night’s first session with the BEA and District teams, is available HERE.
Bargaining dates:
BEA-BLS: April 2, 16 and 30; May 12 and 19; June 2 and 3
OSEA-BLS: April 10 and 24; May 8, 22 and 29; June 4
Important Links
- BEA and OSEA Bargaining Update Website
- March 19th Elementary TLC Update
- Topics of Interest/Problem of Practice-Got something you want some collaboration with? (New Request about systems to support student behavior)
- FAQs for Special Education Inclusion Topics—Keep checking in here! BEA and BLS supported
Notes from our Team:
From Kerry Morton, Math TOSA
Bridges Math Disposal – Please do not dispose of any Bridges materials, yet. It will cause additional work for your custodial staff and cost extra money.Your office manager should have shared this survey with teachers to help the Custodial Department determine how many recycle bins and dumpsters are needed at your school for the disposal of the Bridges Math materials. Please resend the survey to your staff so the Custodial Department can make a plan. We only have about 50% of teacher responses. Thank you!
From Kinsey in Policy, Advocacy, and Office of DEI
Emergency contacts: We’ve learned from other districts across the country who have experienced immigration raids, or smaller-scale detention/deportation actions in their community, the importance of having up-to-date emergency contacts in Synergy for each student. If parents/guardians suddenly become unavailable, we rely on emergency contacts–outdated information adds stress to an already traumatic situation.
With conferences coming up, please encourage families (all families, not just those to whom the above situation might apply) to update their emergency contacts. This might look like a station in your lobby with iPads and instructions (I’m working on getting some we can provide you), a reminder by classroom teachers, etc.
Day of Silence: The 2025 Day of Silence is coming up (student-led advocacy day to support the LGBTQ community). I have asked your DEI-ICCL rep and/or GSA advisor to send a message to staff about this day, so staff are aware and know how to navigate.
If you haven’t seen that message come out to your staff, or if you’d like to re-send it in your staff memos, please reach out to your DEI-ICCL rep. Teachers should plan for nonverbal or written means of participation in class that day, if possible.
From Ryan Kelling in Human Resources
Contract letters for licensed employees were sent to all licensed employees via UKG and must be returned no later than April 15.mIf you have not yet completed yours, please log in to UKG to review and submit your response as soon as possible.
Administrators, please ensure your staff are aware of this deadline and follow up as needed – and don’t forget to return yours too! If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Candy Gelatt or [email protected]
From Julie Richards in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction
Educator Network Day – April 23 will be dedicated to learning about Amplify Desmos Math. This will be virtual and facilitated by Fawn Nguyen from Amplify Desmos Math. The staff will need to be in one location (library) and the administrator’s role is to open the link on their computer and manage the chat and be the communication liaison between Fawn Nguyen and your staff. The zoom link will be sent to you on the day of the training.
From Scott and Kayla in Safety
Please check out the slides from the most recent Safety Cadre Meeting: Safety Cadre #3 Training Slides- Elementary
Dyslexia Training Opportunity Central Oregon Dyslexia Conference – May 3, 9am – 3:30pm
Location: Ridgeview High School
This conference is designed with educators, administrators, and parents in mind, bringing you resources and tools from the International Dyslexia Association and specialists in our community. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what Dyslexia is, experience a simulation putting you in the seat of a child with learning disabilities and take a deeper dive into understanding how to best support these students. Learn why children struggle with reading and what you can do in the classroom to help!
Teachers – Earn 5.5 Professional Development Units for FREE. No additional paperwork necessary – certificates will be distributed after the event.
Join us if you are just learning about dyslexia or you are ready for a deeper dive into strategies and tools for working with children with dyslexia. Together, we can help our struggling readers!
More information and registration : https://CentralOregonDyslexiaConference.eventbrite.com. The conference is $12 and includes lunch and snacks.
Action Items
- Do not dispose of Bridges Materials yet
- Update emergency contacts at spring conferences
- Make sure you and your staff have signed their contract letters by April 15
Important Dates
- April 4th: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
- April 8: School Board Meeting 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- April 9: Administrator Professional Development 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Perseverance Hall, Read Ch 3 of Thriving Leaders
- April 11: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
- April 15: Horizontal meeting 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Ponderosa Elementary–PON and Jewell host
- April 17: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
- April 19: On the Road to Kindergarten Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at various parks
- April 22: Admin ICCL 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- April 25: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
And finally…A lovely reminder from the American Heart Association! Keep moving forward and walking down that road! Good things are coming!
