TO DO:

This year’s Job Fair (yes, you read that correctly!) is scheduled for April 13. For all of you planners out there, you’re welcome. For those non-seven-months-ahead planning types, don’t worry – there will be more communication/reminders on this in the months ahead. _________________________________________________________

This “to do” is connected to our upcoming conferences and our usual need for additional interpreters… If you have bilingual staff who are not classroom teachers and who might be available to support with interpreting during fall conferences (for the time slots we are unable to fill with our regular interpreters), we need to ensure they receive some training on this role.  Please invite them to this meeting: Thursday, October 10th 4:00-5:00pm in Room 312 of the Education Center.  Please have them RSVP to Kinsey Martin.  They will be time-sheeted for this training and paid for any interpretation time they work.  If they attended this training last year, they don’t have to attend again, but are welcome/encouraged to get a refresher! ___________________________________________________________

Please pass this on to your science teachers:

Based on teacher request, we have developed an optional Claims-Evidence-Reasoning class.  They will be meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd from 4:00pm-6:00 pm at Pacific Crest MS in Jane Ward’s classroom (D113). 
We will be using backwards design to create lesson plans and assessments around the NGSS science and engineering practice of claim-evidence-reasoning. Please contact Quinn Daily for more information. _________________________________________________________

And, please share this opportunity – including this hotlinked document – with your staff:

Central Oregon has an exciting opportunity to improve professional learning and support educators throughout their career and we are inviting you to be a part of this innovative work around the state. ________________________________________________________

Please pass this flyer on to all of your classified staff. This is in regards to an “Annual Literacy Strategies Conference” that will be offered on a voluntary (and paid) basis. This is a great opportunity for our classified staff to receive great training to better work with students… but it is voluntary to attend (and paid!). ________________________________________________________

THIS and THAT:

I wasn’t sure if this was a “reminder” or not, as it has been barely mentioned in the first place, so I am communicating it here… Our October 7 Leadership meeting will focus on modeling an Equity and Excellence building listening session. At this meeting, you’ll be provided some district and school-specific data. The idea behind this modeling is that you would then use the first district SIW (on Oct. 9) to conduct your building Equity and Excellence listening session (including using the same district and school data). Please let your staff know that you are planning to meet with them all on Oct. 9 at the building in place of having district SIW meetings to attend (for some). __________________________________________________________

Here is an observation/evaluation update from Jon: Expectations this year look exactly like last year.  I’ll do my best to help summarize those expectations…

Student Learning Growth Goals:  We are still required to have Student Learning Growth Goals.  The requirement and expectations are still the same.  The goals still need to reflect student growth.  

Scoring –   Reminder:  Two years ago we changed how we score SLGGs. We have removed the state scoring guide and the Oregon Matrix.  We are required as a district to make sure we are reflecting on SLGGs in the evaluation.  We decided to fulfill this requirement by using Domain 4 Monitoring, Assessment, and Follow-up in our Summative Evaluation Rubric.  Domain 4 speaks specifically to how teachers use of assessments.  SLGGs should be considered when evaluating Domain 4.  We expect that other factors, like classroom observations, will influence the scoring of this section as well.  There are five different standards in Domain 4.  The SLGGs may influence one or more standards in this domain.  We trust that teachers and administrators can have a professional conversation of how much influence that SLGGs had on the scoring.  

SLGG Forms-  We will be using the same forms with very little change this year. We did remove the scoring guide.  HS and MS will use the form in Talent Ed.  Elementary will use the paper version.

Summative Evaluations:  They will be done like usual except the matrix has been removed.  All probationary employees are on Summative Evaluation.  Employees of concern need to be on Summative Evaluation.  Regular/Contract employees need a Summative Evaluation every two years.

Observations 

Probationary Employee= Six observations total. Two formal observations are required by the state. Four mini observations.  Two of the minis can be professional. 

Employee on Summative Evaluation= Six mini observations.  Four classroom observations and two professional observations.   

Employee not on Summative Evaluation= Three mini observations.  Two classroom observations and one professional observation.

Our committee discussed what counts as a Professional Observation.  We believe that this includes any meeting where an administrator either observes professional behavior or has a professional conversation with an employee. This may include an EBISS meeting, IEP meeting, PLC meeting, student or parent conference, goal-setting meeting, committee work, etc.  In the case of some meetings, it would be appropriate for an administrator to observe several employees at a time.  The feedback could be given to the group or to an individual.  The important part is to let the employees know that it will be counted as a mini.  

The changes will be published in the newest version of The Professional Growth and Performance Evaluation Manual.  We are certain, however, that most employees don’t look at that manual, so it will be up to administrators to share this information with them. 

If you have any question, then please do not hesitate to call. Ext 1104. ___________________________________________________________

I’ve heard recently from Meera Rupp, principal at Bend International School (one of our district’s charter schools). They are a small school near Realms MS that serve students through 8th grade. Meera said they have some current openings in 6th and 8th grade. If you have any students in these grades that may benefit from a smaller school setting (with an international focus), you may want to provide this flyer to the family for consideration. ___________________________________________________________

Oregon RTI is having a conference in Salem in November. Here is additional information if you are interested in attending or sending a team from your school. __________________________________________________________

Here is an update on our Culture of Care Project, as well as a “to do” if you are interested in being involved at a deeper level…

Our three regional care coaches have been busy developing a plan of action to structure how they can support our district and your buildings.  Overall, they have 67 schools in the region to support.  Understanding that this is a three year the coaches have developed a structure to support all schools over the three year period.  The coaches have developed a three-tiered support model with priority schools, consultative schools and facilitative schools.   Bend–La Pine Schools has capacity for 11 priority schools this year.  Our goal is to have representative from all levels (K-12).  All other schools will fall into the consultative category for year 1. 

Currently, we are looking for buildings that are interested in being a priority school this year.  Your school is a good candidate if:

1. Your building was not a priority school/pilot school last year with Dr. Rick Robinson. (All year one schools will receive consultative services from our regional care coaches)
2. Your building has a core team ready to lead the work at the building level.
3. School leadership has articulated a commitment to building a Culture of Care.
4. Resources (staff/time/budget) have been allocated to support the adoption of a Culture of Care.
5. School leadership has begun eliciting input from staff to adopt a Culture of Care
6. School has begun to gather data to guide Culture of Care work.

If you are interested and excited about your building being a priority school this year, please send Sean Reinhart an email no later than Wednesday, Oct. 2^nd.  You will be notified by Monday Oct. 7^th. ___________________________________________________________

REMINDERS:

I mentioned this a few weeks ago (9.6.19 blog), but thought it was worth a reminder: Deschutes County Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Whitney Schumacher will be facilitating a Youth Mental Health First Aid training for Bend-La Pine Schools on Friday, October 18^th. If any of your staff are interested in attending this training,  please encourage them to register now at the following link: https://blpsymhfa2019.eventbrite.com. There are a limited number of seats available.