To Do:
- Thank you for communicating with you teachers to temporarily cease the use of classroom visits by “In Our Backyard” as a resource for Human Trafficking curriculum. This organization and the curriculum they provide has not been approved by our Health Advisory Committee. There is concern about best practices and our readiness to respond to students who may be triggered (or reach out for support) by the presentation. Skip has been working with the Health Advisory Committee and they are about to begin a review of all groups interested in providing Human Trafficking information to students. Please reach to me or contact Julianne or Skip if you have specific questions related to this request.
- Student Shadowing- Competition is heating up about the Student Shadow Showdown! The HS Team is going for 100% participation! The challenge is to EACH OF US is to spend a half day shadowing a student in one of our schools, then interviewing the student after the shadow. When you schedule your Student Shadow, let Alandra know when and where if you are comfortable having her share your story. Let’s highlight this positive connection with our students. Beverages of choice to the winning level!
- Mini Observations/SLGGS – I appreciate your efforts to stay on track with completing evaluation processes AND entering them into TalentEd Perform. By winter break, please complete the following:
- SLGGS for all certificated staff including administrators
- Self Evaluation (deadline is May)
- Observations:
- Probationary/Temps: 2 observations (one formal)
- Contract teachers on evaluation year: 2 mini observations (one can be non classroom)
- Contract teachers not on evaluation year: 1 mini observation
Informational:
- Contact Kimberly Strong at the HDESD if you have questions about the Mini Grants available to impact Chronic Absenteeism. Here is the Grant Application, if you are interested. If you missed the required webinar scheduled for today, strategize with Kimberly about alternative ways to get that information. The deadline to apply is January 18
- Employee Start Time Survey Data: I appreciate your help encouraging staff to complete the survey on three options for employee start times for next year. At our District Leadership Team – DLT – (made up of classified, certified and administrative employees) meeting earlier this week, we reviewed the survey results from high school staff. Feel free to discuss and/or share the results with others, but know that no decision has been made yet. The current plan is that a recommendation will go to Shay by the end of January.
- Our next District SIW is Wednesday, December 19. Here is the schedule of meetings.
- Gallup Poll Resources: Recently, you were sent an email from Gallup with directions on how to download your school results. Dave Van Loo has shared some helpful resources related to interpreting that data. Huddle Card information describes the four areas surveyed and the Scorecard Workbook can be used with staff to analyze results. Here is the district data.
- State Budget Update: This year, the Governor’s Recommended Budget includes clear priorities to better fund k-12 schools. Still a long way from being approved, it is nonetheless welcome news to have funding Oregon schools closer to the national average (QEM) than it ever has been in recent memory. Here are some highlights of the Governor’s Recommended Budget.
- I am a member of the OSU Cascades Advisory Board. We meet each quarter and learn about programming and offer input on upcoming changes/programs. At our meeting this week, the lead teacher described a new program launching Fall 2019: Art, Media and Technology . This is a major that could interface with many of our CTE programs, particularly Media Arts and Computer Science AND it is offered in our backyard!
- In addition, COCC and OSU-Cascades now offer a Degree Partnership Program (DPP). This is phenomenal news for students who are looking to stay in Central Oregon for a two, then four year degree. Through this program, students can benefit from advising at COCC and OSU-Cascades in planning their program.
- New Course Requests Process: At our Principals meeting last week, we spoke of the New Course Request process for adding course to our District Standardized Course List. Normally, we would review those requests together in December, in time to add courses to your curriculum guides and in preparation for forecasting. Since we moved up our timeline for Incoming 9th Grade Orientations this year, please send those requests to me for approval. Here are the docs needed to submit that a new course be added:
- Instructions for Completing Course Proposal,
- New Course Proposal Form
- Sample Completed Form
Calendar:
Monday, Dec 17 – Grad Coach meeting – 1 admin from each school attends – 2:00, Ed Center, Room 203
Wednesday, Dec 19 – District SIW
Dec 24-Jan 4 – Winter Break!
Jan 22 – HS Admin Meeting – SHS @3:15
Jan 31 – HS Principals Meeting – Ed Center, room 312 @7:15