October 11

SIW- Earlier this week I received an adjustment to our SIW information. I apologize for the confusion and any scheduling difficulties this may cause. Here is the update- We are required to give the SIW the week before conferences to teachers for conference prep. These two dates are October 16 and April 8. These are in addition to the Wednesdays of conference week, October 13 and April 15. If you would like further information/explanation, please give me a call and I will share.

EBISS- Below you will find dates/times for EBISS school leadership teams to meet and a survey to find out what you want to focus on at those meetings. Please complete the survey asap.

Dates:

12/5 3:00-4:30

2/6 3:00-4:30

3/5 3:00-4:30

https://forms.gle/zf1pM7vV1UjuWkxG

OHP- here is a flyer from OHP (English & Spanish versions) regarding family health coverage. You may post on community bulletin board. You may also be receiving additional copies of this flyer to have available at various parent events. (This will be made available by OHP – you do not need to make copies.)

Chronic Absenteeism- Those of you who have had your October meetings with me know that I am talking a lot about chronic absenteeism. We are fortunate in our region to have Kimberly Strong from the ESD as a resource for addressing this issue. Please read below from Kimberly.

Greetings! I’m Kimberly Strong, your regional capacity builder (aka – that chronic absenteeism lady). My job is to support you and your school’s efforts to increase regular attenders.

Many of us have heard the statistics associated with regular attendance over the last couple of years. For the most part, these statistics confirm what we already know as educators. When our students attend regularly, they are more likely to learn to read on grade level; they are more likely to create and build social skills and bonds with others; they are more likely to have a successful transition to middle school and high school; and they are more likely to graduate on time.

I am excited to hear about your needs for your school and how I can partner with you to meet those needs. Some of the services I provide are:

Assistance with building school-level attendance plans
Assistance with building your school’s attendance team and structuring meetings
Coaching and troubleshooting your attendance plans in action
Providing resources for your strategies and interventions
Providing instruction for staff, students, or community about chronic absenteeism
Providing communication about best practices and the realities of implementing them (This includes a monthly webinar series hosted by Jessica Sprick from Safe and Civil Schools, who literally wrote the book on chronic absenteeism. Please see the attached flyer to sign up your team!)
Much more! Please inquire if you have an idea you don’t see here.

I would love to get started working with you. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 541-639-9799.

In addition, you can sign up on this spreadsheet to have Kimberly contact you if you would like to discuss how she can help your school’s efforts to increase attendance.

Inclement Weather- Please share the inclement weather guidelines with your staffs.

From Lora and Jay- Listening Sessions- Team:

Thanks to all of you for your willingness to facilitate SIW activities with your staffs related to the Excellence and Equity Review. I have received notes from a few schools who did the activity this week, and I have a request for those of you who have not done it yet.

As I reviewed the notes for “areas for growth,” they are PRIMARILY addressing what resources will support your work: more SEL/behavioral support, smaller class sizes, etc. These are important factors and will certainly improve learning in your schools. However, we all know that even with all these additional resources, if the adults and the systems of the schools don’t grow and learn how to address all students’ needs more effectively, we will have limited success in changing the outcomes we already see.

That is why the second question in the reflection section is so important. It addresses OUR ACTIONS AS ADULTS IN THE SCHOOL. Please help to emphasize this question in both the reflection and discussion portions of your activity.

Thanks again, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Also, you can review Leadership survey and listening session results that Shay shared out at Leadership on Monday.

Classified Evaluations- From HR- We have worked with our OSEA leadership to establish a new classified evaluation rubric. While the contract language has not changed around timing or frequency (at least once every two years), this new form will allow for a more meaningful discussion with your classified staff members.

Attached is also the goal setting form to use with staff. We would like for you to delete all previous evaluation forms you have used in the past with classified from your system. This new form will be the only one that will be approved for use going forward. We ask that you plan to discuss this new form with your classified staff and let them know this will be the form used in the spring for evaluations. We want to avoid any surprises for our staff when you pull out a new form to use for their evaluation.

As always, we are available for any questions you may have either via phone or when we see you at the next horizontal meeting.

Out- I will be out Tuesday- Friday to attend the Teachers’ College Leadership Institute. I am excited and feel fortunate to be able to go and learn more about our writing curriculum and effective implementation in schools. I will have my cell and will be periodically checking emails, but don’t know how accessible I will be. If you are in need of urgent assistance, you know who to call!

Upcoming Events

October 21- Horizontal Meeting- 3:15- North Star

October 23-25- Conferences

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