{"id":147,"date":"2016-11-10T21:24:37","date_gmt":"2016-11-10T21:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/gary.timms\/?p=147"},"modified":"2016-11-10T21:28:39","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T21:28:39","slug":"november-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/gary.timms\/2016\/11\/10\/november-11\/","title":{"rendered":"November 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

Principal for the Day-<\/strong><\/span> This is being done a bit differently this year. The ed foundation has decided to only do half the schools this year and then rotate for next year. If you haven’t been contacted, you are off the hook this year. If you are hosting a principal for the day, you’ve already been contacted and know the drill. Let me know if you have any questions.<\/p>\n

Culture of Safety-<\/span><\/strong> Wanted to say thank you for all you are doing to move us forward with our safety protocols in buildings. We have made amazing strides and I appreciate your leadership this work. Here is a link<\/a> to the list of things we have agreed on as being absolutes. There are a few items that are proving to be a bit more challenging. As part of my next visit, I’ll go through the challenge areas to see how you’re doing and work with you to come up with a plan if needed.\u00a0 Once again, thanks for the great progress we’ve already made.<\/p>\n

Dyslexia Law-<\/strong><\/span> Some of you know, and others may not, that the Oregon Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 612<\/a> aka the “dyslexia law” and it puts forth several requirements. Sean Reinhart is leading our work on this and he has been kind enough to write up a summary<\/a> for your information. My recommendation is that you read Sean’s summary, not the actual law, but I included the law for the aspiring attorneys.\u00a0 We’ll keep you posted and informed as you need to know.<\/p>\n

Horizontal Meeting-<\/strong><\/span> Just a reminder that our November optional horizontal meeting will be held this coming Monday at 4:00 at Amity Creek. Our focus on observations- minis, formals, pre conference, post conference, conversations, record keeping, note taking, etc. If you plan to attend, please bring any forms you use (pre\/ post conference, note taking forms, record keeping) and be ready to share\/ discuss\/ ask questions. Hope to see you there.<\/p>\n

Start Time Committee-<\/span><\/strong> For as long as we can remember, there have been conversations regarding appropriate start times. Much of the interest has been for later start times for secondary schools. A committee in BLP led by Jay Mathisen is taking a close look at that question of start times. The committee is made up of staff and community members (Scott E. and I are elementary reps). The hope is that we would have a recommendation for Shay sometime after the new year. Scott and I have open ears for any thoughts you might have from an elementary perspective and also welcome any questions you might have about the committee’s process.<\/p>\n

Thoughts-<\/span><\/strong> I thought I’d take a minute to piggy back on Shay’s earlier message to staff. Different emotions have risen up for people over the last few days and I’ve had a few questions and discussions about how we should navigate. Really, the only answer I have is, the same way we always do. We are fortunate to be in a position to help and care for and love kids everyday. No matter what child walks through our door, our job is to do our best to help them no matter what they need. Whether they are at our school for a day, a week or six years, we do our best to help, love and care for them as long as they are there. If they are scared because their parents are divorcing, we help them. If they are scared because they are moving to a fifth school in the last year, we help them. If they are scared because of an election, we help them. If they have a hard time reading or writing or solving math problems or talking in front of a group or making friends or controlling their emotions or being humble or being kind or covering their mouth when they sneeze or walking in the hall…we help them. We help, love and care for our students no matter who they are and what they need. I think this is a message we can reiterate with staff as well.\u00a0 The video below is a great example of someone who helps, loves and cares for.\u00a0 Thank you for doing that every day.<\/p>\n