To Do:

• Effective immediately, DHS will no longer be accepting faxed child abuse reports. We do not know yet whether they will be asking for a hard copy of reports still – but are hoping not as faxed copies are the best way to share these. For now, please share the “no more faxed copies” with your staff – and I’ll update you on this development as we learn more.
• Please share this (Ed Foundation) Classroom Grant info with your teachers: SAVE THE DATE!The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools announces the Classroom Grants timeline for grant distribution in the 2019-2020 academic year.  The grant process will open Monday, February 18, 2019 with a link to the online application form.  Grant applications must be submitted no later than Friday, March 22, 2019.  The grant application process is open to all educators in Bend, La Pine and Sunriver.  Once determinations are made, funded grants will be awarded in May 2019.  All educators will be sent additional communication by January and the online link in February.  Questions can be directed to Angie Cole, Allocations Committee Chair at:  [email protected] or (541) 318-3794  or Michelle Johnson, Executive Director, Education Foundation at: [email protected] or (541) 355-5660.  Requests for STEM, art, music & wellness projects will be accepted during the dates indicated and must complete all necessary forms for consideration.  In the 2018-2019 academic year, the Education Foundation funded over $89,000 in classroom grants — it’s highest award in 30 years of service to the K-12 educational community.  To learn more, visit www.engagedminds.org

This and that:

• This week you’ll be asked to reflect on Whether Your Words Contribute to a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset, the fourth question from the article 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Unmotivated Students, by Jennifer Gonzalez. When you think about your staff, I have no doubt that you could identify those with a growth mindset and those whom lean towards a fixed mindset. Could any of Jennifer’s suggestions of how to develop more of a growth mindset work for you as you work with your staff? Does your school culture embody your overall staff mindset?
• Kerry Morton shared some information with me regarding a math conference sponsored by Teacher Development Group – whom many of you are familiar with. Here is a link for this conference that brings together math educators/specialists at the top of this field who share their work – based on the latest research.
• The BrightBytes survey window will open November 12^th and close November 30^th.  Skip will be sending out directions for students and teachers in two separate emails next week.  If you have any questions about how to administer this survey please let him know.  Remember, this survey is used by Shay in his report to the board regarding our Future Ready board ends.  Please ensure that students and teachers fully participate in this survey.
• I will be in Portland on Thursday afternoon and Friday for the OSBA conference. If you need to reach me, call or text me on my cell if it is urgent – or feel free to email if it is not as urgent.  I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

Reminders:

• We have a Leadership meeting on Monday, starting at 3:15 in the board room. A bulk of our time will be spent in our smaller admin PD groups (that you chose at last month’s Leadership meeting).
• Veteran’s Day – no school – on Monday, Nov. 12.