TO DO:

As new state metrics are being discussed, so is the growing possibility of returning to school in at least a hybrid format. As families are considering this very real possibility, they are also experiencing a range of emotions (some are very excited, while others are very anxious or concerned – and no doubt some a roller coaster of all of these). Due to this, the district has received a number of parent communications requesting that teachers or other staff do not talk with students about when a return to school is going to occur. Following is a sample message that I’d ask you to share with your staff regarding this:

We know many staff members are excited to see students back in class. But as state metrics and conditions are changing and evolving, please make sure to only communicate return to school plans with parent/guardians – and avoid sharing these details with students. We don’t want to create unnecessary disappointment for our students.  ______________________________________________________________________________

Here’s one I’d love your feedback on… I learned this week that the HS is planning on communicating a Pass/No Pass option to students very soon (instead of letter grade) – for the 2002-21 school year. This is similar to what occurred last spring. I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether we should offer/communicate this at the MS level. I imagine the default would be letter grade, with the option to go P/NP if requested. Let me know what you think. Here’s the HS draft version of the request form. ______________________________________________________________________________

Many of our Bend employees have internet service with BendBroadband. Some of these teachers (in particular) have experienced an overage of data usage due to CDL this fall (both teaching themselves and any children they have learning through this model). Following is some good news on how these teachers can not be charged for this overage usage during this crazy time. Please share the following message with your staff:

Any teacher that’s been impacted by data overage charges with BendBroadband should send an email to [email protected], from their school email address with their name and account number, requesting credit for their “data usage allowance overage charge,” and they’ll be credited. ______________________________________________________________________________

THIS and THAT:

As you are aware, there are all kinds of updates coming out of Salem today regarding reopening our schools to students. Paul sent you an email today regarding some items he wanted to make sure you were aware of. Also, here are some highlights around changes in LIPI that have been reflected in our district LIPI Plan… What is different:

• Cohort now defined as 20 students (not 10)
• Added “capacity” limitation based on new LIPI guidance
• 250 student per week limit is removed
• Updated the links to the ODE limited in-person instruction guidance which provides further guidance on 1:1 instruction in LIPI.
• Removed the phased transition table and added the link to the ODE’s new metrics document which we will follow when determining out application of LIPI. ______________________________________________________________________________

Here’s a great free tutorial resource for students. Because there is a limited number of slots for all (Bend-area only students for now, due to the funding source) of our middle schools, I’ve created a Google doc allocating you each a certain number of referrals. Please put student initials in each of your slots to indicate they are spoken for. Please make sure you do not over commit your slots and thus eliminating possible referrals from others.

Thanks to a partnership with Better Together and funding from the City of Bend, Bloom Tutors is offering free 1:1 virtual tutoring for middle schoolers, with a focus on supporting families who might otherwise not have funds to pay a tutor. All tutors are vetted HDESD substitutes- licensed and trained teachers who have completed a background check and are prequalified in subject area/grade levels. 
Bloom Tutors is working with Better Together to provide 10-20 middle school students with high-quality tutoring, through 1 or 2, hour-long sessions per week for up to 6 weeks- through winter break. Tutors are available to teach all subjects, with a priority focus on math and language arts. 
Because we have limited funding to start, we’d like to enroll students directly through referrals from school leaders, counselors, and teachers, who know best which children have academic need and financial need. Please share this private link with families/students whom you’d like to refer to this program: Request a Free Tutor (This is a separate registration process from the one available on the Bloom Tutors website.)
For more information and general inquiries, please go to the Bloom Tutors website: https://bloomtutors.com. _______________________________________________________________________________

And speaking of great news… here is another: USDA has extended the waivers for summer meals until June 30, 2021. The waivers will allow us to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to kids 18 and under for the rest of the 20-21 school year.  _______________________________________________________________________________

One more from Nutrition Services regarding holiday meals being served: We will be offering meals over the holiday breaks. They will include breakfast, lunch and supper grab ‘n’ go from 12pm-1pm on the following days:

• Monday 11/23 – we will serve meals for 11/23, 11/24, 11/25, 11/26 
• Monday 12/21 – we will serve meals for 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/24
• Monday 12/28 – we will serve meals for 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31

We will be serving only at the sites below (No mobile routes).  Meals are available to all kids 18 years of age or younger.

• Bend High
• Elk Meadow
• La Pine High
• Lava Ridge
• Pilot Butte 
• Three Rivers
• Westside Village

If you have any questions or need clarification, contact Nutrition Services. _______________________________________________________________________________

There is a new Webex functionality that allows the presenter (teacher) to control the “mute” feature in ways that were not possible, well, prior to this update. Here is more on that… _______________________________________________________________________________

REMINDERS:

Next Tuesday’s Horizontal meeting will be focused on instructional PD (for you). Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, to watch this 9-min. video and reflect on (and likely ready to talk about): Why do we use the phrase Excellence & Equity when talking about and engaging in the work of improvement? Next, go to this jamboard and write down your (brief) thoughts prior to Tuesday afternoon. _______________________________________________________________________________

If you are part of the Restorative Justice trainings (Tues. & Wed.) next week, please note that there is homework to complete prior to that. I found this out by digging into the confirmation/reminder email that I received on Oct. 26 from Amber McGill and it is all outlined at this webpage. This email also communicates that participants should receive the meeting Zoom link this week. ________________________________________________________________________________

Remember that a transportation request needs to be completed for any student needing a bus ride to and/or from LIPI in your building. Here is the link to request LIPI transportation.