{"id":3304,"date":"2021-08-20T20:47:18","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T20:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/katie.legace\/?p=3304"},"modified":"2021-08-20T22:20:30","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T22:20:30","slug":"august-20-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/katie.legace\/2021\/08\/20\/august-20-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"August 20, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Think abouts…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shared this information in an earlier BLOG and thought I would bring it to your attention as some members of our community are inquiring about Critical Race Theory (CRT<\/strong>) and whether our schools are teaching it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it? Critical Race Theory <\/strong>is a big topic that deserves substantial unpacking.  In an effort to get you some tools for responding now if you need them, here are some initial resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n


ODE’s stance on CRT here<\/a>, and talking points here<\/a>.  These are just for your own reference if you’d like to borrow any of their language.  This is<\/a> an article about what CRT is, and how it relates to education if you’re looking to read more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


If you have families inquiring about CRT or our district’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and you’d like a partner in that conversation, feel free to reach out to Kinsey. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HERE <\/a>is the link to the slide deck from our HS Admin meeting<\/strong> last Monday. HERE <\/a>is the slide show that Jenn <\/strong>shared during her session. She has provided several links to support our work of modeling SEL for Adults this year. I challenge you to think about how you can model ADULT SEL work in your leadership<\/strong> with your students and staff. Here is the template I used for our connections meeting this week: 3 Signature Practices for Adults<\/a>. It is from the CASEL framework. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress Code Policy: <\/strong> Last spring we discussed our district student dress code policy.  Recommendations for updating this were designed to align with current best practices, minimize disparate impacts on particular groups of students, and uphold our equity lens.  After a conversation with secondary administrators, Cabinet, and student leadership, the recommendations are now in the final stages of the approval process.  While this will not be official before mid-September, the recommended policy (draft) is here<\/a> for your own reference.  In the meantime for your handbook, you can always just refer to your school dress code being in accordance with district regulation “JFCA-AR: Student Code of Dress, available here<\/a>,” (this is the currently adopted version), so that the upcoming change does not make your handbook outdated.  If you have questions about the content of the recommendations, please reach out to Kinsey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In TLC we are super excited about the Innovative Teaching Conference next Wednesday and Thursday (8\/25-26) at PCMS @ 8:30.<\/strong> Sign up is now closed<\/strong>.  We are at 200 people for each day.  Check out the schedule\/break-out sessions HERE<\/a>. If you did not sign up to attend, please come to the keynote and invitation only sessions for your level:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday:8:30-9:45- <\/strong>Mary Ehrenworth Keynote – Gym AND<\/strong><\/em>2:30-3:45<\/strong>– High School Leaders:  Leading Power Standards Work in your building – Doug Reeves – Room D116<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday: <\/strong> 8:30-10:00<\/strong>– Ann McCarty-Perez -Keynote – Gym<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have staff who have been asked to attend sessions (Special Education and BRYT focused work) and have not signed up, please have them attend those sessions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you or your staff is attending an invitation-only session without signing up, we did not order you a lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leave Sheets need to be completed every month: <\/strong>Every school administrator should have received a leave record calendar via Google Docs from April Jorgenson<\/strong>.  This calendar is for keeping track of your non-contract time, as well as any other leave that you may take (i.e., sick, bereavement, etc.).  Per district protocol, leave sheets are to be done each and every month, regardless of you taking leave or not.  April will send out a reminder once per month to let you know the dates that your leave should fall into.  If you have leave to report, please follow the directions on the “Directions” tab of the calendar.  Once you are done, please email April and let her know you are done.  She will print off your leave sheet and get the appropriate supervisor to sign it.  If you don’t have any leave to report, just email April and she will note that you don’t have leave, print out your leave sheet, and have Katie sign it.  If you have any questions,  please reach out to April at 541-355-1056 and she is more than happy to walk you through it.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Jackie Wilson Sustainability, Coordinator<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are in the process of adopting the new 5-year sustainability plan.<\/strong> As teams are planning the return to school, Jackie Wilson, District Sustainability Coordinator<\/strong> can present a brief synopsis to staff and will have additional information about the goals for all teams as we begin the school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the Sustainability Advisor description<\/strong>: Sustainability-Advisor-Position-2021-222<\/a>2 . In 2019 we had sustainability Advisors in 22 of our schools and are hoping to have one in place at all schools for the coming year.<\/strong> This staff member is the liaison for all things sustainable and works as the leader of the student green team. The staff member will be compensated for this position for 40 hours at their curriculum rate. Please work with your staff to identify who will serve as the Advisor at your school! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As office managers and Administrative teams are preparing for the first of many newsletters, it is important to get out some information to parents about idling in the parking lots. This fall there will be campaigns at several schools where we will be collecting and sharing information about the numbers of vehicles idling in school pick-up zones. Part of the program is to educate parents and staff and driving students about idling. Here is a word document<\/strong> (For-first-newsletter-August-idling-info23<\/a>) you can use as a template for communication with families. Please plan to share this information with parents before school starts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The administrator responsible for assessment<\/strong> in your building are required to read THIS <\/a>document from ODE. It is information about essential skills requirements. Be sure staff, particularly counselors, are aware of the requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will move to a virtual format for our district welcome back <\/strong>on the morning of Tuesday, August 31. More details to come on this, but we will not be celebrating in person at BSHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HERE <\/a>is the district ABC calendar<\/strong> for this year, including the start\/end times<\/strong> and the graduation dates.<\/strong> We have discontinued providing the ACT test for all juniors,<\/strong> so that date has been removed. We will discuss how to continue to offer this option on a Saturday to interested students and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canvas First Responders are BACK! <\/strong> We will support the Canvas work in your buildings by timesheeting up to 4 first responders per building, up to 5 hours each per week at the hourly curriculum rate. If you would like more than 4 you can timesheet these folks using your building budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results of Survey Feedback: <\/strong> Thank you for providing your feedback on the High School Teacher Day times, the HS Meeting day\/time. The majority of those who responded voted for 8-4. So, 8-4 will be our official HS workday. <\/strong> Scheduling our HS meetings on Tuesdays 8:00-9:30 was the winner for meeting times\/days. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the Day 189 & 190<\/strong> parameters: Work-Calendar-for-Certified-21-2233<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a DRAFT of our thinking related to the School Design Plan<\/strong> as well as the timeline for completion: School-Design-Plans-2.0-8-20-update21<\/a>. It will be helpful as you work with your leadership team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the slides and resources<\/a> shared during Safety Day <\/strong>on Tuesday: Tri-County Schools, CSECRT slides, Scott’s slides on drills and SRO’s, and SAM prevention slides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mask requirements for Choir and Band:<\/strong> Students should be wearing masks while singing or playing an instrument inside and should socially distance 3 ft to the greatest extent possible. When students\/the teacher are actively playing instruments, they are not required to wear a mask. However, we highly recommend that teachers use any risk mitigation strategies they have, including the instrument caps we purchased last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking in and checking out:<\/strong> We are no longer requiring staff to check-in and out using the QR code. Volunteers and Visitors must check-in using Raptor. Adults who refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to interact with the general student population. If you encounter an adult who refuses to wear a mask, a building administrator should problem-solve with the adult until they agree to wear the mask. Please follow the pre covid procedure that requires itinerate and staff visitors to sign in when they come into the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Teacher Orientation Day:<\/strong> We look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 30th<\/sup> at Summit High School<\/strong>. HERE <\/a>is the letter that went out to all new 21-22 staff along with staff that was hired last year (and rehired this year) along with the agenda.<\/a> Plan to arrive early so you have time to welcome your staff as they arrive and interact with them before the <\/strong>festivities begin. The doors will open for registration and breakfast around 7:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least one administrator from each school should be in attendance to welcome and introduce your new staff.  <\/strong>Also, we would ask that you work with Sean and Kinsey to ensure that itinerant staff at your school are invited and feel included.  With the high number of \u201cnew hires\u201d, we are asking that you keep introduction<\/strong> information to a minimum.<\/strong>  No school swag – we will be providing the \u201cswag\u201d this year.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HERE<\/a> is the information about the upcoming SIOP training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought you might find this information interesting about the estimated percentage of employees vaccinated <\/strong>in our district. This was shared with media this week: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 88.5% of Bend-La Pine Schools certified staff, which includes educators, and 75% of our classified staff, who support all of our operations, responded that they were interested in the vaccine when surveyed last spring. We believe staff may have met or exceeded these vaccine acceptance percentages by now.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have just over 2,200 employees working every day to support teaching and learning for our more than 18,000 students. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holding spots at choice schools: <\/strong> For the first semester of the 2021-22 school year, Choice Option students who enroll in Bend-La Pine Schools Online (BLSO) and remained actively enrolled for the entirety of the first semester will not lose their spot at the following Choice Option schools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Amity Creek Magnet at Thompson School
\u2022 Highland Magnet at Kenwood School
\u2022 Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School
\u2022 Realms Middle School
\u2022 Realms High School
\u2022 Bend-Tech Academy at Marshall High School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is a waitlist at the Choice Options listed above, opportunities to fill the open spot will not be offered to anyone while the student is actively enrolled at BLSO. If a student in the K-12 Dual Immersion Choice Option desires to enroll in BLSO then they must contact Kinsey Martin at 541-355-1026 or kinsey.martin@bend.k12.or.us to discuss the conditions under which the student would not lose their spot in the Dual Immersion Program.

If a Choice Option student enrolls in BLSO and subsequently fails to complete the coursework for the first semester, they may lose their spot at the Choice Option. The principal will consult with the superintendent or designee to determine if that student will be readmitted to the Choice Option. In addition to the BLSO option, incoming Kindergarten students may postpone their entry into a Choice Option School until the start of the 2022-23 school year without losing their spot.

If a Choice Option student enrolls in a program or school outside of Bend-La Pine Schools (including district charter schools) for the 2021-22 school year, their spot will not be held. This AR will be reviewed again in January 2022 in order to determine if it will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is some information about FAN staffing <\/a>for the coming year from Dana Peterson, who oversees our FAN program.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n