TO DO:
There will be an upcoming training for all building admin. and supervisors. I just wanted you to have a heads-up on the date/time so you can pencil one in to your calendar now (more info regarding this training will be coming from HR). Of these two dates/times, you only need to ATTEND ONE (your choice): April 13, 7:30 – 9:00am, or April 15, 5:00 – 6:30pm. _________________________________________________________________________________
You likely have – or will soon – begin receiving questions around the use of Canvas (is it still required) as we move to all-in. Please help staff recognize that our implementation of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) was accelerated by the pandemic. However, the need for a consistent LMS was recognized pre-pandemic, and training and implementation had started prior to last March. Please be sure your teachers understand that Canvas is our new LMS and will stay with us after the pandemic is in the rearview mirror. An LMS provides a consistent platform that teachers, students, parents, and support staff can rely on for communication, instructional support, and feedback. It is important that we (administrators) develop and communicate a consistent expectation for Canvas use to teachers as we transition back to in-person learning. Amy’s team has created this document that you can copy and/or modify to meet your own site standards for now. _________________________________________________________________________________
Please let your teachers know – if you haven’t already – that the end of this term is Friday, April 16 (instead of Thursday, April 15). If you are a school (or have teachers in your school) who will give final marks for quarter 3, these need to be submitted no later than Sunday, April 18 by 5:00pm. _________________________________________________________________________________
If you haven’t had a chance to read Paul’s email earlier this week that contained some best practices around lunch, performing arts, school safety plans, and RSSL update, please do so. There is no doubt some nuggets here that will be helpful to you (and a “to do” with updating your safety plan). _________________________________________________________________________________
Certified Bargaining
We have received a request to bargain from BEA as our last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) concludes in 2021. We are interested in obtaining administrative input into confusing language or language that you’d like to see changed in the last Collective Bargaining Agreement 2017-2021.
If you can recall any experiences that you’ve had in the past four years where you tripped over some of the CBA language, then we can work with BEA to improve it. Please take some time before April 16th to fill out this google form with your ideas. _________________________________________________________________________________
You may/may not yet be receiving inquiries regarding students wanting to return to your school now that the all-in announcement has been made. Juan shared the following communication (which now includes a date) with you on Wednesday via email, and I thought it is worth repeating. Please share with any staff who may be receiving these requests at your school:
As students from D CDL and BLPO share their interest in returning to their brick and mortar school for ‘all in’ please use the following party line …”Thanks for your interest in returning, there is a district process that must be followed to ensure all schools are allowing for adequate space in order to follow the safety guidelines, we are unable to address your request until we follow the process and get the green light. We will be back in touch with you after April 12 and we have a better idea of the allowable space in our classrooms”. Please start a waiting list for those making this request. _________________________________________________________________________________
In a recent, previous, blog I shared a return to athletics medical clearance informational letter with you (after a positive COVID result). That form has been updated and I’ve been asked to share this update with you and ask that you also share it with your families in a future communication. Here is the English version of this letter. I was hoping to also share the Spanish at this time, but it is not quite ready – but will send it along to you when it is.
THIS and THAT:
I am saddened to announce that Amy Stafford, in our office, has had to resign and will be moving to California for the immediate future. [Amy will return to Bend in the summer of 2022 and again seek employment within BLS… keep her in mind!] Her last day will be next Tuesday, April 6. We are working on acquiring a sub to fill in (at least part-time) until we post and hire for her replacement. If you are in need of any support that Amy has been providing please reach out to me for a path forward. We have temporarily moved a few of the ongoing building supports that require Synergy access or confidentiality (expulsion hearing request, STAS documents, suicide risk screens, child abuse reporting, and principal leave sheets) to Janet Bojanowski (yes, this is Scott’s wife – who was just hired to work with our school board) until we hire Amy’s replacement. You can email Janet or give her a call at x1017. I’ll keep you posted as this hiring process continues. _________________________________________________________________________________
I hope you don’t have to use this information… but you may want to keep it handy just in case. Tami Pike will be out of the office this afternoon, and returning April 13. For any issues that arise, contact super nurse Maria Buagas 541-647-7952. If you have not received a reply from Maria within 1 hour, please contact Julianne Repman 541-788-6890. _________________________________________________________________________________
As you continue to think about what lunch will look like at your school starting April 12, remember that we have approved paying staff members (what you need, not an excess) who volunteer to help with supervision (and give up their 30 minute duty-free time). Please let me know if you have need of additional supervision (and volunteers to do it) so I can get you a budget code. _________________________________________________________________________________
Starting Monday April 5th, UPS and FedX will be delivered directly to the schools and not diverted through the Distribution Center. _________________________________________________________________________________
In case you didn’t happen to see this update from ODE regarding their request to postpone OAKS testing this spring. I’ve underlined a few key points…..
The United States Department of Education (ED) responded to Oregon’s strategic waiver request last Friday, March 26, 2021. ED did not approve Oregon’s request as submitted. However, the last paragraph, similar to the general guidance they offered on February 22, 2021, again points to an opportunity for further discussion about assessment. ODE is engaged in further discussions about what spring 2021 summative assessment expectations will look like in Oregon with ED representatives right now. We expect resolution this week. ODE also plans to submit a separate Accountability Addendum to ascribe to the accountability flexibility that has already been conveyed by ED. The Assessment Team has developed communications to share with education and community partners, but cannot finish writing them nor send them out until a final path forward has been defined. ODE will use typical communication channels to share this information as soon as possible. In the meantime, our recommendation continues to be that districts should prepare for summative assessment administration, being mindful of the fact that our test blueprints have been shortened – resulting in significantly reduced testing times. Additionally, today Dave sent this message via email to you:
This link should address the majority of questions pertaining to OSAS assessments this year. Be sure to read this and expect additional communication from the district next week.
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A questions recently came up regarding what it would take for our district to return to hybrid (once we are all-in). Here is language from ODE regarding this (thanks Paul!):
ODE clarification on 3/29: Operationalizing Physical Distancing Guidance
In the same ways that schools should not reduce in-person instruction or revert to CDL based on county metrics when there is limited transmission of COVID-19 in the school environment (this is often referred to as the ‘’bluebox” of the metrics chart) – schools will not be required to shift from operating with 3 feet of physical distance to 6 feet of physical distance (middle and high school levels) if they’ve met the requirements set out in newest guidance and began operating with clear routines and protocols in place and then the community metrics moved to the more restrictive threshold. A shift could be called for in physical distancing requirements by the Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) in partnership with the school and district leadership, especially in response to an outbreak or transmission within the school. _________________________________________________________________________________
REMINDERS:
Dana Pedersen, earlier this week, sent you an email regarding FAN Advocate evaluation… and wanting your input. Here was the rubric that she sent – with the hopes of detailed feedback from you. _________________________________________________________________________________
MS Horizontal Tuesday at 8:00am – see you then! _________________________________________________________________________________
If you and I don’t have a time for me to visit you at your school this month, let’s connect on this next week. Also, I’ll be inviting Juan to join some of these future meetings (dependent on his availability). _________________________________________________________________________________