To Do:

• Actually, this is going to be a “no need to do right now” item. At our next MS Horizontal meeting (Jan. 28) we will not be discussing chapters 7 – 8 of The Culture Code, so you do not need to read that section quite yet. Instead, we will be spending that time processing the information that Austin James collected from you during a site visit in the past number of weeks. Remember Tony Hsieh (downtown Los Vegas project from chapter 5)? He was quoted as saying: “I try to help things happen organically. If you set things up right, the connection happens.” (p. 64) He is also the one that spoke about the power of “collisions” – the belief that: “Serendipitous personal encounters are the key driver of creativity, community, and cohesion.” (p. 66) Well, we are going to attempt to set up the conversation at our next Horizontal to provide an opportunity for you to “collide” with one another!
• You might want to add this to your calendar and begin spreading the word… Dr. Ross Greene, author of books that include: The Explosive Child, Lost at School, and Raising Human Beings is coming to Bend on May 17, 2019. I have not personally heard Dr. Greene speak, but know a few who have and they cannot stop saying great things about him and his philosophy around working with children/youth. No price for this training has been confirmed, but I know it is important for the organizers that people/schools can afford to send a number of folks to hear him.

This and that:

• As you know, we have recently asked staff to weigh in on three options around their start time for next year. At a District Leadership Team (made up of classified, certified and administrative employees) meeting earlier this week we took a first look at the results and reviewed all of the comments. Here are the survey results from middle school staff that we reviewed. You are welcome to discuss and/or share with others at this point, but know that no decision has been made yet. If all goes well, a recommendation will go to Shay by the end of January. One thing that stuck out to me was that the option receiving the most votes has staff finishing her/his work day only 5 minutes after students are dismissed. This is difficult for me to believe is a viable option because this does not seem to be enough time between kids and staff leaving. However, I believe the message is strong (especially considering the second-highest work time option) that MS folks would like a longer work time prior to student arrival each day. [If you’d like to see what the elementary or high school staff had to say just let me know and I’ll send you their results.]
• As you have likely read by now, Governor Kate Brown has released her recommended budget. This year the Governor’s Recommended Budget includes clear priorities to better fund k-12 schools. Still a long way from being approved, it is nonetheless welcome news to have funding Oregon schools closer to the national average (QEM) than it ever has been in recent memory. Here are some highlights of the Governor’s Recommended Budget.
• Here is a gut-checker that I recently read in a newsletter that Kimberly Strong sent out (ESD Chronic Absenteeism): One major driver for chronic absenteeism is disengagement from school. In fact, the Chronic Absenteeism Report put out by the Chief Education Office in 2017 noted that when asked if they could change “just one thing” about school, 75% of students interviewed said they wanted improved relationships with teachers.  (Stevens and Kim-Gervey 2017). I don’t like reading things like this – because I know this is something that can be fixed if/when we become aware of it.
• Mini Observations- We are fast approaching the first “deadline” for mini observations. Please remember that by winter break you need to have the following completed:
  • Probationary: 2 observations (one formal)
  • Contract teachers on evaluation year: 2 mini observations
  • Contract teachers not on evaluation year: 1 mini observation
  • In addition to completing these, please be sure you are recording them in Talent Ed.

Reminders:

• Gary Timms may seem like a mild-mannered, easy-going, “nothing rattles him” kind of guy.  That is what I used to think about him too. But, this student shadowing activity challenge has him on the edge. He is very concerned that MS building admin will have a higher percentage of “shadowers” than his elementary folks so he is really laying it on thick with them. I think he is even using crying emojis in his recruiting efforts! Here is a reminder of what you need to know to be involved on the winning team: a description of the parameters for participating, some interview questions, and a Google form for your reflections. As a reminder, here is the deal: the level with the highest percentage of building admin participation will receive a hosted happy hour at McMenamins. So let’s show others we at the MS level are empathetic and concerned about student equity by spending some time shadowing a student!
• District SIW is next Wednesday, Dec. 19.
• Those attending the CONNECT training – it is both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, starting at 1:15 at PCMS.