This and That:

• As most of you are aware already, Josh Marks has created a flowchart for navigating the expulsion process for a student on an IEP.  Thanks to the many of you who have had input into this process.  Along with this direct link for IEP Expulsion Process, you can find this document any time within the BLS Docs tab in TRIBE.  Feel free to share this document with your building SPED case managers if/when it is needed.
• Not long ago I read an article entitled Productive Struggle in Middle-School Classrooms. What struck me, besides the obvious that I was one of those students whose goal was “expedient” or “avoidant” help-seeking, was the author’s assertion that struggle is part of the learning process [not just the memorization of content – my words].  Although it is a short read, I hope something will resonate, make you pause to think, or be able to be applied in your building.
• Here is some welcome news that just came through my inbox.  You may or may not have heard, but wanted to pass along just the same:

  State Board of Education to Consider Temporary Rules for Instructional Time

  Members of the Oregon State Board of Education will consider temporary rules regarding flexibility for instructional time to accommodate the high number of inclement weather delays and cancellations this school year during the Board’s next meeting on January 26, 2017.

Reminders:

• Last Friday you received an email from Dave VanLoo regarding SBAC Opt Out form.  I’ve linked the English and Spanish versions here, as well as the administrator/teacher FAQ for you to reference.  You can find all of these under BLS Docs for future reference as well.  Please remember to communicate this opt out option to parents sometime in January (as you would normally distribute your monthly newsletter).
• We have a MS Horizontal meeting on Monday, beginning at 3:15, at HDMS media center. Here is the agenda.