Tamarack Programs

Article of the Week:
As we start to plan for 2nd semester, here is a great article on how to connect students to their learning. Math is the example, but this could be used across all subjects- great place to start! Enjoy-
Bringing a Culturally Responsive Lens to Math Class

Important Notes:
Here is our district’s Inclement Weather Delay guidelines for this school year to you again for your reference.

Wednesday PPD Share Out:
1. Please sit with your group (if you are working with a group)
2. Review your PPD Check-in & Share out Document
3. Decide who will share out the topic and three facts
4. Share Out

One Class at a Time- As you likely are aware, Mid Oregon Credit Union and KTVZ sponsors the One Class at a Time program, awarding $500 with a KTVZ News story to share with the community and highlight great things happening in schools. They are currently looking for innovative and relevant classroom programs that we can feature (things happening now, this spring, or even next fall).

Classified PD: Please share this PD opportunity  with your classified staff who provide interventions for students. It will be held on January 31 at Three Rivers. Most questions are answered on the flyer.

ACR: The 2020-21 ACR forms (English & Spanish) are now posted to our district website and portal.
Tam @ Ed Center:
HS: Changes to ACR and Choice App Dates- After reviewing the HS ACR/Choice Application dates with cabinet, we moved the ACR submission deadline to Monday, March 2 from Friday, February 28 and the Choice Schools application deadline to Tuesday, Feb 18 from Monday, Feb 17, which is MLK Day. Here is theUPDATED TIMELINE.
MS: March 2, 2020 is the deadline to submit an ACR.

Tam @ NSES, SRES, & LPES:
ACR’s- ACR’s will be due on Monday, March 2 this year. Please begin sharing this information with families. Let me know if you have any questions.
Dibels Schedule- Pleas see the final dibels schedule for winter.

Your input is valuable: Earlier this week Andrea sent information regarding opportunities to provide input in our superintendent search… and here are a few highlights of opportunities for you: Wednesday, January 15, from 3:00-4:30 p.m., has been set aside for district leaders to drop in and chat with search consultants, Valerie Pitts and David Cash from HYA & Associates. Our consultants will be in rooms 307 and 312 at the Education Center and no appointment is necessary; please stop by whenever it works best for your schedule.

Additionally, you are invited to join us at one of our public forums:

January 14 / 5:00-6:30 p.m. / Sky View Middle School Library

January 15 / 5:00-6:30 p.m. / Cascade Middle School Library

January 16 / 4:30-6:30 p.m. / La Pine High School Library

More information about our Superintendent Search Process is available on our district website.

Events:
1.12.2020 1:45pm PPD Review and Check-In @ Ed. Center
1.31.2020 Certified Work Day (No work for Classified Staff, No class for Students)

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week: I read this over the break and thought it worth sharing!
The Secret to Classroom management–No Matter Where You Teach

Important Notes:
Word of the Month: Self-Awareness Repeat to refresh!
Welcome back from Break! This is a great week to review classroom expectations with our students. Please take the time with the students to review expectations.
Did you complete your Safe Schools? If not, they are now past due! (Please complete ASAP)
Case Managers- Please get me December Student Data! (Work with your coach if you have questions!)

Events:
1.8.19 1:15 K-5 SET Meeting @ Tam @ Ed Center (Please note no Staff/PD/PPD Meetings this week!)
1.8.19 1:45 6-12 SET Meeting @ Tam @ Ed Center (Please note no Staff/PD/PPD Meetings this week!)
1.15.19 PPD Share Out- More information to come!

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week:
Twelve Creative Alternatives to Showing Movies Before the Break!

Important Notes:
No Staff Meeting this week- See below!

IPad Use- From Skip:
Over recent weeks a few incidents have occurred at different schools and classrooms that make me think that we need to review some basic but important iPad guidelines and practices. If everyone can work to insure that the practices below are consistently applied and communicated, our parents and community will have a positive view of how we utilize our digital devices and resources.

• Google searches – The internet is a great place but just allowing students to surf unsupervised or without an academic purpose can sometimes lead to unexpected results and consequences.  Instead, have them utilize tools such as Discovery Education or World Book.
• Image searches – Searching for images should be monitored and managed closely.  Just telling students to google an image should not occur.  The same applies to using other search engines such as Bing.  Instead, direct students to the image search page that was created by our department.
• Free Time and Rainy Day Recess – At no time should students be given “iPad Free Time”  Whether it be during rainy day recess, snack time, waiting for the bus, before school, or when they finish their work, students should not have free time on the iPad. There should always be a reason for using devices so that screen time is purposeful.
• Apple Classroom – This tool allows teachers to monitor and manage student use.  All teachers should know how to use this tool.  If they don’t, schedule a coach to come over and conduct a staff or small group training or refresher.
• AUP and Digital Citizenship Lessons – After returning from break it would be a great time to review the AUP and the digital citizenship lessons. A mid-year refresher never hurts.
• Parent Tools – there are settings and tools that parents can use at home to manage devices.  Here are two blog posts from our coaches that outline steps parents can take.
  • http://blogs.bend.k12.or.us/instructionaltechnology/2019/10/09/set-students-up-for-success-with-screentime-settings/
  • http://blogs.bend.k12.or.us/instructionaltechnology/2019/11/06/jamf-parent-app-available-now/

Here are a few reminders from SEAN regarding restraint and seclusion procedures:

1) Please print off the most recent version of the paperwork in the portal.  We have received some copies dated back to 2017. 

2) Please remember to complete the form in its entirety (even the small details please) The information we have on it is what’s required by ODE

3) Please observe that the required debriefing be held within 48 hours (to the best of your ability) after each restraint or seclusion.  Remember, everyone involved in the incident must participate, in addition to a building administrator (even if they were not involved)

4) Please remember, if a student is in restraint or seclusion for 30 minutes or more, the building admin must complete and sign the Admin. Approval form which is attached to the paperwork.  

5) Finally, please remember to send the parent notification letter home if a staff participates in the administering of restraint or seclusion and they are not CPI trained

Please feel free to contact Krista Baker or your building behavior coach if you have questions or need assistance with completing the forms. 

Events:
12.18.19 In lieu of a staff meeting please make sure you have completed your PPD docs, Safe Schools (Due NOW!), and enjoy the time as a site team!

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week:
Jim Boen always seems to find the right time to share important messages. This message is fantastic! Watch this video shared by Decatur Public Schools. “I Chose You” was the prompt teachers were given when considering one of her/his students who inspire them to come to work every day. A great reminder of why we do what we do–Thank you all for your work with our special beings!
How might you remind your students (some need it more than others) that they are meaningful?

A week late but this is a fantastic resource:
December Self-Care Calendar

Important Notes:
Tuesday Field Trip:
Depart at 10:00
10:30-11:45 Sunriver Resort (Tour and Lunch)
11:50-12:15/12:20 Camp Abbot Trading (Reindeer Tour)
12:20 Return to School by 1:00

Personal Professional Development: Next month (January 15th we will meet at Ed Center) we will meet together and do a share out of current learning’s! Here are some questions (below) for your teams to work on so you are ready to share out.

From last week: Here is a link to Program Field Trips. Tamarack @ NSES, SRES, and LPES (Please note K-12 planned trips). If you are wanting to plan additional trips for your students (1 per month in addition to the K-12 trips), please submit the field trip request to me and let me know the activity and dates and I will add it to this larger list. This does not including swimming or biking trips as those are part of our psych of success programming.

Events:
12.10.10 Gingerbread Field Trip
12.11.19 Personal Professional Development

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week:
7 Ways to Give Back to Your Community!

Reminder Links from November-
The Holidays and Trauma

The Holidays, School, & Trauma
Here are some tools to avoid power struggles!

Can Teachers Give Up Power and Keep Authority?

Important Notes:
Word of the Month: Giving

Please revisit Tamarack expectations with students upon return from break!
17 Different Ways to Review Classroom Procedures

Here is a link to Program Field Trips. Tamarack @ NSES, SRES, and LPES (Please note K-12 planned trips). If you are wanting to plan additional trips for your students (1 per month in addition to the K-12 trips), please submit the field trip request to me and let me know the activity and dates and I will add it to this larger list. This does not including swimming or biking trips as those are part of our psych of success programming.

Events:
12.4.19 SET Meetings (All Certified Staff Please Attend)
12.4.19 Tamarack PD
12.6.19 Tam Winter Party @ Etnier’s
12.10.10 Gingerbread Field Trip
12.11.19 Personal Professional Development- Next month we will meet together and do a share out of current learning’s!

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week: Self Monitoring Checklist is a great tool for students Self Management!

Important Notes:

Students: As we head into the winter/holiday season, please remember that this is a challenging time for students! As adults we need make sure we are taking care of ourselves and entering into situations/escalations calm and ready to support our students. Let me know if you are needing help in this!

Here is a tool (Top 10 Behavior Coaching Tools) that the Behavior Coaches are sharing out with school teams. It could be a great resource for Tam staff too!

Plan ahead: 12.10.19 10:00am-1:00pm Gingerbread Junction @ Sunriver Field Trip!
Depart at 10:00
10:30-11:45 Sunriver Resort (Tour and Lunch)
11:50-12:15/12:20 Camp Abbot Trading (Reindeer Tour)
12:20 Return to School by 1:00
Tamarack @ NSES, SRES, and LPES please arrange for transportation. NSES and SRES should plan to share a bus, please communicate with each other.
Tamarack @ Ed Center- Bobby please arrange for Bus!

Plan ahead: 12.2.19-12.6.19 Student Review of Tamarack Expectations

Events:
11.20.19 SET Meetings (K-5 1:15-1:45, 6-12 1:45-2:15)
11.20.19 2:15 Tamarack Staff Meeting @ Ed. Center (Tam @ LPES- We can Facetime) Agenda to follow next week!
11.22.19 College Day (Wear your best college gear!)
11.25.19-11.29.19 Thanksgiving Break!
12.6.19 Tamarack Winter Party @ Etnier’s
12.10.19 Gingerbread Houses @ Sunriver Field Trip!

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week: Why suspending or expelling students often does more harm than good..

Important Notes:

Home Tutoring:
You may not have one of your students receiving instruction via home tutoring very often, so I thought I’d refresh your memory (or fill you in if you weren’t aware) that program teachers are responsible for providing instructional materials to the tutor. There is no set format (e.g. packets, via iPad, an outline of and materials for what is to be covered, etc.) for what teacher(s) need to provide the tutor – just that the instructional materials and lesson focus comes from program teachers to the tutor.

Here is a reminder from Sean regarding private practitioners in our schools:
Bend-La Pine Schools does not allow private practitioners to conduct business in our schools during school hours.  This includes a private behavioral health therapist, clinical psychologist, occupational therapist, private behavior support skills trainer, observations by family advocates or any person hired by a student’s family to provide services.  Usually, this will come through as a request from a family to have their private provider observe the student in the school setting.  This does not include private folks related to contracts or partnerships we have with community partners (The Child Center, School-Based Health Center, Deschutes County Health).  Also, this does not include parents inviting a private practitioner to an IEP or team meeting, which is perfectly fine.  If you are approached by a family or private provider about observing or working with a student in your school, consider and try the following:

1. Explain that BLPS does not allow private providers to conduct business in our schools.  In turn, we will not propose conducting academic instruction in their office.  
2. Inquire about the type of information they hope to obtain, and offer to have a member of the school team provide that information.  Typically, with the permission of the parents, we can conduct an observation and share the results with the family and private provider.
3. If the family requests that a provider come into school and perform their services in the school setting, inquire about those services and, if appropriate, explain that we have trained staff that can deliver those services.  If needed, convene and school or IEP team to consider the services requested by the parent.
4. Offer to have our team members consult with the private provider to learn about their work and align services when appropriate.
5. If asked about a specific policy, please refer to KK-AR: Visitors to District Facilities. 

Events:
11.11.10 Veteran’s Day- No School
11.13.19 Personal Professional Development (meeting times with your teams during this time) *January 15th we will have our first share out with each team!

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week: Parent Involvement

Important Notes:
Word of the Month: Self-Management

Parent Night is this Tuesday from 4-6pm at the Education Center. Here are the room/staff assignments- please let me know if this will not work for you!

Tamarack @ Ed Center- Special programs needs to use our rooms for an Elementary Sped SIW training. The instructors will be our coaches and room assignments include:

Abbreviated day: Hilary rm
Behavior data collection: Leslie’s rm
Acc/Mod: Dan’s rm
Sensory: Art room
Boardmaker- Wall Street lab
HalfTone2 – Marshal rm

Events:
Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday… don’t forget to “fall back” an hour.

11.6.19 SET meetings @ Ed Center
11.6.19 NO PD meeting this month!
11.6.19 Elementary SIW (Tam room use only)

Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11… and there is no school that day.

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week:
Tools for Students Self Management

Important Notes:

Word of the Month: Self-Management

Harvest Fest Details:
Here is the link to the schedule.
NSES and SRES Bobby will be by with the bus to pick you all up! Between 8:00-8:30!
K-5 programs will be traveling to stations with each other, and it would be a good idea to have students assigned to staff for the rotations.

Wednesday: This Wednesday is considered a work day, however, I need to deliver some information and have you all participate in a survey. I will contact Classroom Teachers to make a plan on how each site would prefer to gain this information- so more to come!

Events:
10.28.19 8:30 – 11:00 Harvest Fest @ Ed. Center
10.30.10 Wednesday Early Release: Survey & Work Day (Data collection docs needed by the end of the month!)
10.31.19 Halloween
11.1.19 Pay Day!
11.6.19 Tam SET Meetings
11.6.19 No Scheduled Tamarack Staff/PD/PPD Meetings!

This Weeks Weather

Article of the Week:
In the coming days, you will have time to get caught up with work tasks and self-care- try a few!
12 Choices

Important Notes:
Our County partners in suicide prevention ask you to take a moment to review our internal protocol regarding suicide or attempted suicide.  

K-5 Tamarack: No Students Wednesday and Thursday!
Conferences Wednesday (Day and Evening) and Thursday (Day).

MS/HS Tamarack: Students on Wednesday, No students Thursday!
Conferences Wednesday (Evening) and Thursday (Day).

Conference schedules will be sent to you all Monday, by the end of the day!

Events:
10.21.19 Behavior Coaches and Hayley Out for the day.
10.25.19 No School!
10.28.19 K-12 Harvest Fest at the Ed Center- Schedule of Events! (Laura, Traci, Haley, Please work with Transportation to get a bus (If there are issues, let me know and we can make a plan. This is in lieu of the Pumpkin Patch.

This Weeks Weather