TO DO:

• This is a tough time of year, with so much going on, to complete mini observations and feedback conversations. However, you know we are quickly coming to the conclusion of another year (23 more school days with kids?!) so hang in there!  As a reminder, I’ll want to touch bases with you this month regarding your self-eval and any questions/comments that we can have around that.  My goal will be to have your (principal) summative eval done no later than June 19.

THIS AND THAT:

• The New York Times has created “What’s Going on in This Picture” writing prompts for teachers to use with his/her students. The new photo that is added every week not only provides a visual prompt to write about, but there is also other opportunities to engage with other writers outside of your school. Seems like a nice tool that helps facilitates the use of descriptive words in student writing.
• Every couple of months Kinsey Martin sends out an ELL Newsletter to folks in her department.  I will work to provide you with this newsletter information in one of these updates. This may be information for you to be aware of, or it may be a topic that you want to share with others (front office staff, counselor, etc.) in your building. Here is the May ELL Newsletter and a process/protocol for a new student that you’d like to refer to the Welcome Center. Both of these documents can also be found in the “BLS Docs” folder on the Tribe blog.
• If you are interested in learning Spanish, or improving your existing skills, COCC’s Central Oregon Summer Spanish Immersion is offering a special discount for our district employees!  Limited number of discounts–first come, first served.  When you register, use the code: COSSI-K12. Check this out if you would like additional information or to register.
• Here is a heads-up (or reminder) regarding supplemental health curriculum that includes the process for having health curriculum adopted within our district. Please take a few moments to read these two paragraphs.
• There is a required math training for all middle school teachers on August 31. Teachers can sign-up here. As of today, only four middle school math teachers have signed up, so please encourage your folks to do so soon.

There are two other classes that math teachers may be interested in as well:

Best Practices: Mathematically Productive Engagement on June 19-21

Best Practices: How Math Teaching Matters on August 15-17

(Both can count for their 190 days for the 2018-2019 school year and I can offer 2 graduate credits from PSU.)

• The math Challenge-up Assessment window is August 20-September 15. Each school can pick the days that work best to administer the assessments. The paper pencil portion of the assessment is located here along with answer keys and directions. The EasyCBM window will open August 13^th.

REMINDERS:

• Don’t forget Mother’s Day this Sunday!
• The annual 5th grade move-up day is quickly approaching.  If you haven’t already, you might want to consider having someone from your staff reach out to your feeder schools to make sure they are prepared to come visit you on May 22. Thank you in advance for the planning and time you and your staff spend preparing for these few hours.  I know this is “one more thing” on your plate, but goes a long way in generating a warm welcome to your incoming 6th graders (and parents).