To Do:
Educator Network Day on November 16: On November 16th from 3:00-4:00 our secondary teachers will be meeting in the first Educator Network Day. This content specific professional learning time is led by our District ICCLs and TOSAs. Be sure your teachers understand where to go for this important collaboration time AND that you know where you are needed on that day.
This document has a rough draft of the administrators assignments for this day. Attempts were made to have multiple admin at the larger sessions. This “assignment” may be changed if you can work out a trade with another principal or assistant principal.
The role of the administration at the Educator Network Day is to take roll (there is an electronic way to do this) and to support ICCLs and TOSA with questions that are beyond their scope. This may include bringing questions back to Level Leaders and Dean.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Speaking of our secondary TOSA’S – A big SHOUT OUT to this dynamic team! Here is the slideshow from their presentation at our work session this week. We will hear from Monica Freeman, our Social Studies TOSA, at a future work session.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Dave Van Loo: YouthTruth Kickoff Webinar: Prior to November 28, please watch this brief prerecorded webinar in preparation for the YouthTruth survey in January https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RzTK82XodqDeIX5AGQEAbKPxztFIhev0/view?usp=sharing
| Bend-La Pine – YouthTruth Kick-Off Webinar – 22-23.mp4drive.google.com |
Pro-Tip: Because we’re all short on time these days. To receive all the pertinent information in less time, you can watch the recording at 1.5x speed. To change the playback speed, click the settings “gear” icon in the lower right-hand corner of the video screen.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Breathalyzer notification to students and parents: In the October 28th HS Blog, I explained that all high schools will continue the pre-COVID practice of Breathalyzing every student interested in entering a school dance and admitting those students who tested negative. Part of the implementation plan required each school to notify their students and families of this practice.
Part of the implementation plan is for every school to notify their families and students of this practice. Plan to notify your families and students prior to your next dance. The notification should be sent in English, Spanish and Chinese. Here is the Spanish version and Chinese version.
Here is the notification in English: We continue to re-establish many traditions and events that were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and ( name of school) is excited to bring back a wide range of extracurricular events for our students and families. In accordance with policy JFG-AR, Bend-La Pine Schools stands committed to school safety and will require all students to use a breathalyzer before entering dances and for seniors prior to the graduation ceremonies during the 2022-23 school year. This was our standard practice pre-pandemic and will be followed by high schools across the district. Students who have a positive reading for their blood alcohol level will not be allowed to participate and parents/guardians will be contacted. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed by staff administering the breathalyzer. If you have any questions please feel free to call your student’s school at (541-355____) with any questions. We encourage you to use this reminder as an opportunity to talk with your child about school rules and your family values–our partners at Deschutes County have wonderful resources for supporting this conversation. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school events safe and fun for everyone.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Information:
Policy moment: ownership of curriculum: Recently there was a question about who “owns” curriculum once it is developed by our staff. GCQBA-AR is the administrative regulation that addresses this topic.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Kinsey: The Office of DEI’s family engagement team has a few events coming up. It is always well-received to have school leaders and staff participate in these events.
Please consider attending one–or all–of these events (and to the extent possible, avoid scheduling school events during these evenings):
- Tues, Nov 29th – Spanish-language FAFSA Night
- Tues, Jan 17th – 5th annual Bend-La Pine Schools’ Latino Family Night
- Wed, Jan 25th – 1st annual Bend-La Pine Schools’ Asian-American Family Night
More information to follow—for now just save the dates!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Honors Diploma adjustment: Thank you all for your feedback on our Honors Diploma requirements. We are moving forward with a change to these requirements which can be found here. Highlights include:
- Added 100-level or high college courses to the AP/IB requirement (3 for big schools, 2 for small)
- Added the option of school-identified capstone courses in CTE and the arts for big schools
- Left language around small school identification process for capstone courses
This will head to the board next, then take effect for this year’s graduating class. Please gather a team to identify your non–AP/IB/100 level capstone courses. For BSH, CHS, MVHS, and SHS, these would be for CTE and the arts. For BTA, LPHS, and Realms, these would be in all areas listed in the AR.
Please let Stephen or Katie know if you have any questions.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Jackie Wilson (Mueller), BLS Sustainability and Energy Specialist
National Recycling Day November 15th: Did you know that BLS produces about 388 cubic yards of waste weekly? To celebrate National Recycling Day, your staff can compete in a fun learning challenge about waste and recycling. The school with the highest percentage of staff participation will win a special prize. The challenge is done through an online app with quick learning challenges worth points. To participate, staff need to download the Goosechase iOS or Android app, either sign up for an account or participate as a guest and join the challenge with your schools specific code. Use the specific code for your school to access and play.
If you have any specific questions about expanding recycling at your school or education needs, please reach out to [email protected]
The Down “the Drain”and Dirty: Not all that goes down the drain should. Many of our schools have had sewer back-ups, most of them due to misuse of the systems. It is important to educate staff and students about our sewer systems and the importance of the “Three P’s” in municipal water systems, pee, poo, and (loo) paper. Here is an informative and funny video to share with students and staff about keeping our septic running clean found on the City of Bend’s Educational Resources.
There have also been multiples issues with “flushable wipes.” There are not any wipes truly degrade in water systems and tend to block up pipes. Check out this video by a local student about keeping flushable wipes out of the toilets. The new menstrual products being flushed are also causing problems. You can teach students about these dispensers and HB 3294, The Mensural Dignity Act, with this short presentation.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day -November 14th: On November 14th, students can recognize and celebrate the legacy of Ruby Bridges by walking to school on November 14th. Bear Creek and Juniper Elementary Families can meet at Juniper Park and walk to school with Commute Options to show support for social justice, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in BLS schools. Any student walking to school that day can download a bingo card English/Spanish and snap a photo of it completed to Commute Options. http://commuteoptions.org/RBWTSD
“My message is really that racism has no place in the hearts and minds of our children” Ruby Bridges
Calendar:
November 14: Principal PD session 3:00-4:30; Brooks Hall, Trinity Church by the Ed Center
November 16: Educator Network Day: Building leaders have been assigned a content area to oversee 3:00-4:00 on this day. Check out your assignment here and don’t forget to take attendance.
November 18: Principal Breakfast 7:30 @ Original Pancake House
November 18: College and Career Day! Plan school wide events to promote post secondary education AND wear your college colors!
November 21: HS Principal work session and lunch 9-12 @ Ed Center room 312
November 21-25: Thanksgiving Break. No school.
November 29: Please save this date for a district-wide Spanish-language FAFSA Night (in partnership between Bend-La Pine Schools, COCC, and Juntos). More information to follow.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally…
Ready to smile? Becky shared this “bit of goodness” with several of us this week. Take a moment to call the number.
The “Peptoc” project was featured on NPR recently. It was created as an art project from students at West Side Elementary in California, with the help of their teachers Jessica Martin and Asherah Weiss.
