To Do:

• By now you have spoken with or received SLGGs from your certified teachers.  So, it is time to begin (if you haven’t already) thinking about your SLGGs for this year.  Please have those in Talent Ed no later than Friday, November 18.
• There is a small group that meets monthly to discuss district safety issues.  Discussed are both big picture, district-wide topics as well as level and building questions/concerns.  Mr. Hecker was the MS rep for the past number of years.  Obviously, we are in need of a new rep for middle schools.  The meetings generally fall on the third or fourth Thursday of the month and start at 7:30am.  Please let me know if you might be interested.

This and That:

• Last Friday when I was in Salem as part of the ODE Advisory Panel for Counseling we watched a video called The Science of Character.  In a nutshell, it talks about focusing and growing those character traits that are good within us, as opposed to focusing on those characteristics that are not as good within us and trying to fix those. This reminded me of Dan and Chip Heath’s concepts of “bright spot” recognition and “cloning” those things that we want to see more of (from their book SWITCH), as well as your work around the “Student B” bucket of Thriving Citizens.  The video is just over eight minutes long, but worth your time I believe!

• The first of six Digital Leadership Academy PD sessions will take place on Nov. 7 from 2:00 – 5:00 at PCMS.  This sessions specific topic is titled: Leading a Culture of Innovation.  Sign up for this session and the other five in PD Place.  If you are wanting CAL credit for your involvement in these trainings then you need to email Skip your name.
• As you know, some of our classified positions are difficult to fill, or remain open (e.g. bus drivers, custodial, etc.) indefinitely.  Because of this our district is going to hold a Classified Job Fair at Bend High on Saturday, Nov. 5. If you know someone who might be interested in filling one of these vital roles please point her/him to this opportunity to practice some of the skills that would be needed on the job (like driving a bus, bobcat, stand-up lawn mower, or Zamboni!).
• There are two math PD opportunities that were passed on to me to share.  Here are some highlights:

  Best Practices: How Math Teaching Matters (click on to see additional specifics regarding this training)

  o    Dates are December 2^nd, December 9^th, January 31^st – it is a 3-day seminar [There is a two-hour follow-up for those taking it for credit on February 9th]

  o    Buildings are responsible for substitute costs

  o    Teachers and Admins need to sign-up in PD Place

           Leadership Seminar with Fred Rectanus from Teachers Development Group

           o    Dates: January 13^th 8:00-11:00, March 8^th 8:00-11:00, and April 28^th 8:00-11:00 (NEW DATE!)

           o    Principals, Assistant Principals, Student Services, Deans, and ICCL Teacher Leaders are invited

           o    Schools are responsible for any substitute costs

           o    Sign-up in PD Place

• And lastly, buy certainly not least important, there is an upcoming Units of Study PD for K-8 building administrators coming up on Nov. 10.  This flyer has additional information.