To Do:
From Alandra:
NEW: Social Media Policy: This summer, the Board of Directors approved a new social media policy. This is the FIRST social media policy we have had in place for our district and it makes some key changes that we want principals and staff to be aware of going forward. One of the key changes I want to highlight is that all official school accounts, including many student-run accounts, will need to go through an approval and oversight process. You can read details in the policy and I will be on hand at upcoming principal meetings to go over some additional details and answer questions. I’ve also attached the Site Authorization form. Thanks! Alandra.
Please share this message from the Bend Police Department with your families, staff and students: We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of e-bikes on the roads! We recognize e-bikes can be useful and fun. However, we want to make sure the community knows the rules that apply to them. Here is the message in Spanish and English.
Awesome Volunteers: We would like to feature outstanding volunteers around our district. Does your school have a community or parent volunteer who is going above and beyond? Please send Alandra a quick note to let her know.
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From Dave re: State Assessment Notifications and Opt Outs sent by December 9:
Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) Opt-Out Communication to Families
The deadline for high schools to share (1) Annual Notices and (2) Opt-Out forms is December 9. The deadline for elementary and middle schools to share these forms is February 3. Here is a weblink containing ODE’s Annual Notice and Opt-Out Forms to share with families. https://www.bend.k12.or.us/district/academics/academics-overview/oregon-department-education-resources . This webpage will also be linked to school information webpages. Please be prepared to make forms available to parents or adult student in the school office as well.
Below are additional important details from ODE’s 2022-23 Test Administration Manual–
- Consistent with the requirements of ORS 329.479, ODE has developed an annual notice (available through ODE’s Test Administration webpage) that describes these assessments, identifies the timeframe when the assessment will most likely be administered, and identifies an adult student’s or parent’s right to excuse the student from testing. Districts and public charter schools must provide parents with the ODE-developed annual notice at the beginning of each school year. In addition, districts and public charter schools must provide parents with separate notice at least 30 days prior to administering the statewide summative assessments in Math and ELA using the ODE-provided 30-day notice and opt-out form (available through ODE’s Test Administration webpage). School districts and public charter schools must use the 30-day notice and opt-out form provided by ODE to communicate with all parents about state testing requirements and their right to opt-out for high school students by December 9, 2022 and for students in Grades 3-8 by February 3, 2023.
- Per OAR 166-400-0060 Student Education Records and OAR 581-022-2270 Individual Student Assessment, Recordkeeping, and Reporting, districts must retain non-federally required student records, such as parent-submitted opt-out forms, for at least three years after the record was created.
- Note: Distinguishing opt-outs from parent requests for exemption. The term “opt-out” refers to the legislatively created process that applies specifically to the ELA and Math assessments. Parents may opt out of Math and ELA at their discretion by submitting the state-created opt-out form. For all other assessments, OAR 581-021-0009: Exemptions allows parents to request that their student be exempted from testing based on disability or religion. Unlike the opt-out process for Math and ELA, parent requests for exemption for all other tests must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be submitted in writing to the district (there is no standardized form)
- Include reasons for request (disability or religion)
- Propose an alternative learning activity for the student
- Is subject to district review and determination whether to approve
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Information:
From Jackie Mueller – Sustainability Update:
Energy Conservation over the Holidays
Reminder to staff to shut down electronics and lighting. Building HVAC will be set to unoccupied mode over the holiday. Please remind staff to turn off electronics at the power switch in classrooms, unplug personal appliances in classrooms and common areas unless holding biological specimens or needed for safety, close windows, doors, and blinds. Here is the SOP for Holidays and quick image to send in an email. For the month of September, BLS has consumed 200,000 kWh more than last year. There are new buildings on the grid but every conservation action does affect our impact. Thanks for taking time to shut down your school.
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From Sean: I have had some questions regarding the development of SLGGs by your Student Success Coaches and Student Success Instructors. With the uniqueness of their role, we have determined, for the purposes of writing SLGGs, that they will be considered TOSA’s. The guidance from ODE states:
Teachers on special assignment (e.g. TOSA, instructional coach, mentor teacher) who do not provide instruction to students are not required to set SLG goals. However, they must participate in the evaluation process and may include measures of their impact on school and district goals for student achievement. Therefore, they NOT be required to develop SLGGs.
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From Scott McDonald and his team– The information below re: App requests, software requests, digital subscriptions and student data privacy was sent out last year but we think it needs to go out again just as a reminder to everyone
In the summer, our IT department receives a high number of requests for new applications, digital services, and tools to be implemented for the upcoming school year. We do our very best to say “yes” and meet stated timelines whenever possible. But the process does take time.
In the old days when software was simple, we could add a new app or service in a matter of hours. Nowadays, software is smart, which is good for efficiency and productivity. It is also bad, when it comes to securing data, particularly our student data. Thus, the need for frequent application quality checks and student data privacy contracts and agreements.
The quality check- This step is easy! We utilize a service from Education Framework that helps us to find any security vulnerabilities or issues with a digital app or service. For some very simple applications that do not require any user information, the work can stop right here. (example: a graphing calculator app)
The Student Data Privacy Contract– If an application or tool requires any user information or a user sign in, a Student Data Privacy Contract is required. This is an agreement signed by the vendor that states that their company will protect our student/user data to the same high standards that we protect that data. Because many school districts require this agreement from the very same vendors, we now partner with the Student Data Privacy Consortium. Partner districts in this group can piggyback onto each other’s contracts and therefore expedite the process.
Our shared roles and responsibilities- By working together and planning ahead, the process can go smoothly. Here is a suggested plan for success:
- If your school / department is looking at a new app or service, involve IT as early as you are comfortable. Your point of contact can be Patrick Elliot and Scott McDonald. We will be able to state whether the request will require a contract almost immediately.
- If a contract is necessary, plan to organize a team. You will need to identify the requestor, a champion from district leadership, an IT representative, legal council (if required)
- IT will facilitate the contract communication between the vendor and your team as much as possible.
Those of you who have requested new services this past year know that we are still refining this process. We are certainly willing to take suggestions on how it can be improved. That said, we are no longer able to take shortcuts. There is too much at stake.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. You can plan on seeing this email again the next time your school or department requests a new service or the next hot new application.
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Calendar:
November 21-25: Thanksgiving Break. No school.
November 21: Principals breakfast 8:00-9:00 @ Original Pancake House and work session @ Ed Center, room 312.
November 28: Assistant Principal/Dean Training @Ed Center, room 314 7:30-8:30
November 28: Safety Team Meeting @Ed Center, room 314 8:30-9:30
November 29: District-wide Spanish-language FAFSA Night (in partnership between Bend-La Pine Schools, COCC, and Juntos). More information to follow.
November 30: SIW is School Discretion
December 6: Administrators/ICCL training
December 7-9: COSA Law Conference– Katie and several building leaders attending
December 9: Opt Out Forms sent to families by this date!
December 13: HS Administrators work session, BSHS Robert Maxwell Center (formerly named Perseverance Hall) 8:00-9:30.
December 14: Office Manager meeting, Location TBD
December 19-January 3: Winter Break—Wahoo!
