This and That:

• I’ve created a few folders to replace the one “Documents” folder found at the top of this blog.  My hope is that this will help in locating documents if you need to refer back to them at a later date.  I’m not thrilled with the variety of documents found in the “BLS Docs” folder, so that may be separated out at a later date.  For now I hope this is more helpful.  If you have other suggestions for file titles or organization I am open to your ideas.
• I wanted to follow up with you regarding communicating Area Change Request (ACR) information.
  • There are a few spots on our district website where a parent can find the ACR form.  You are welcome – though not required – to put a small blurb in your parent communication/newsletter. Here is sample language you might consider using.
  • The district language that deals with ACR’s (JC-AR) has been updated.  What remains: “Requests received after March 1 will be considered after all other requests have been evaluated.”  What was removed: “… and generally will be honored only on a one-to-one student exchange basis.”  This language was not on the application form itself, but in the AR.  It is still a principal(s) decision, but is no longer slanted towards an equal trade of numbers.  I believe this better fits our district’s belief in “choice options.”
  • ACR forms still need to be turned in to the student’s home school.  Creating and managing an online version is not feasible at this point in time, or with our current process in place.
• It is not uncommon for learners of all ages, including middle school-aged, to think they are “good” or “not good” at something.  Hence, they often like the things they are “good” at and dislike/not want to spend time on those things they believe they are “not good” at.  If you were to ask your students if they were “good” at or enjoyed reading you would likely have a fairly strong opinion of agreement or disagreement.  I ran across the article Getting Reluctant Middle-School Kids Reading recently and thought it was worthy of being highlighted.  Helping kids find reading material at his/her level and of interest is not always an easy task – but this article provides some ideas for librarians, media managers and teachers to consider to do exactly that.
• Apparently, I am not the only one being requested to appear for jury duty.  A question currently came up in one of our schools regarding a teacher who reported for jury duty – then was dismissed around 11:00.  Is this teacher required to return to school for the remainder of the day?  This BLS Staff Leave Guide was created in HR and is here to help answer this and other common leave questions.  It is worth a quick read.
• Starting Feb. 17, our website team is beginning a new process to review requests for changes and/or additions to the website. The process will ensure suggestions are considered in a timely, consistent manner.  To submit a request, individuals must fill out a Help Desk ticket (Request Type is “Website Change Request”). All requests coming from a school must also receive approval from a building administrator. The web team’s decision making process is outlined here on the Portal. If you have questions about the process or want to see if your request has already been recorded, check with Alandra at [email protected]

Reminders:

• This is a math material adoption year.  Each of you had at least one teacher who is a part of the Math Curriculum Review Team (as is Scott O.) and attended an informational session this past Monday – listening and asking question of the various program finalists.  For middle school, the three finalist are College Preparatory Math, Connected Mathematics 3, and Eureka Math.  Here is a document containing some additional information on all of the K-12 options being considered.  At the next district SIW (March 16) all MS math teachers will meet at PBMS and have an opportunity to preview these materials and provide feedback.  Additionally, materials will be available for community input April 1 – 15.  Just as an FYI, elementary is also considering Eureka Math; and high school is considering College Preparatory as one of their options.