To Do:
Our work to expand the PLC work between high school teachers continues. Please be sure your science teachers know to attend the high school science teacher meeting during our District SIW on Nov 13, 2:30-3:45 in the Board Room. Paul Hutter will be facilitating the meeting.
This is the last week to get your notes from your Excellence and Equity listening session to LORA. They are due to her by November 14. Thank you for taking the time to facilitate this important exercise!
Informational:
SBAC Opt-Out– We now have a Spanish version of the parent letter for SBAC op-out. Thank you, Kinsey!
Please read this important message from Transportation about field trips and dates to avoid.
Here is an important Discipline Note: We have made one addition to the Incident Form to improve communication with transportation regarding student behaviors that may be concerning. We have added a place on the doc where you can record communication with our colleagues in transportation. When it makes sense to do so, we would like you to ensure they are “in the know” regarding behavior incidents, especially when there are safety concerns. Here are some examples of when Tina (who oversees discipline) would appreciate hearing from school staff: when a student is on a safety plan, when a student may be volatile or there have been, or could be, threats of violence (e.g. bring weapon), a STAS has indicated a student is at high risk, or a student is trespassed.”
Here is a special note from Sean: We have had some incidents in which private practitioners are being allowed to work in schools that do not already have an established partnership with the district. Here is a quick reminder about private practitioners in our schools: Bend-La Pine Schools does not allow private practitioners to conduct business in our schools during school hours. This includes a private behavioral health therapist, clinical psychologist, occupational therapist, private behavior support skills trainer, observations by family advocates or any person hired by a student’s family to provide services. Usually, this will come through as a request from a family to have their private provider observe the student in the school setting. This does not include private folks related to contracts or partnerships we have with community partners (The Child Center, School-Based Health Center, Deschutes County Health).
If you are approached by a family or private provider about observing or working with a student in your school, consider and try the following:
- Explain that BLPS does not allow private providers to conduct business in our schools. In turn, we will not propose conducting academic instruction in their office.
- Inquire about the type of information they hope to obtain, and offer to have a member of the school team provide that information. Typically, with the permission of the parents, we can conduct an observation and share the results with the family and private provider.
- If the family requests that a provider come into school and perform their services in the school setting, inquire about those services and, if appropriate, explain that we have trained staff that can deliver those services. If needed, convene and school or IEP team to consider the services requested by the parent.
- Offer to have our team members consult with the private provider to learn about their work and align services when appropriate.
- If asked about a specific policy, please refer to KK-AR: Visitors to District Facilities. The most pertinent language in this policy includes:
“Permission to visit will be granted if, in the judgment of the school principal or designee, the visit serves school interests. Permission to visit will be denied if the visit would be disruptive to the educational program or orderly school operations, would impede the work of teachers through interruptions or unreasonable demands on teacher or staff time, or if the visitor’s course of conduct would conflict with district policies or administrative regulations, building regulations, or the law. The school principal or designee may also deny permission to visit if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that the visit would compromise the safety or welfare of students and staff. The school principal or designee has the discretion to limit the scope of the visit as to the duration or specific location of the visit in order to ensure the safety and welfare of students or the orderly administration of educational programs and school operations. If you continue to get questions about this practice, please refer the parent to the Office of School Support or Special Programs.
Attendance Professional Development: Kimberly Strong, our HDESD attendance coordinator shared this webinar about effective attendance strategies. It may be helpful PD for your Grad Coaches and Student Deans, as well as other key staff working to positively impact attendance.
Calendar:
I will be out of the office next Thursday and Friday for the Oregon School Board Association conference but will be available by cell phone.
Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11 – No school
Bend LaPine Area Change Committee (BACC) Meeting Nov. 13 at 7:30 @Ed Center Room 312- Committee members, bring the students you would like to discuss to this meeting.
HS Admin Meeting @ MVHS, Nov 18, 7:00am (read and be ready to discuss Chapters 4-6 in The Culture Code.)
College Day – November 22
Thanksgiving Break – November 25-29
HS Principals Meeting @Jackson’s Corner, Dec. 6 at 7:00am – I have moved the Nov 22 meeting to Dec. 6