This and That:
Personal Leave (from Human Resources): We are having an extremely hard time filling all substitute requests. Last week we asked principals to keep personal days to 5% in the building. This week and for the remainder of the year, we are going one step further. We will not be approving any more personal days unless a substitute can be found. If we have already approved a personal day, then we will honor that decision. Moving forward, however, if an employee, either classified or certified, asks for a personal day, we need to know that the position will be covered before approving the request. We also would like to remind you that we’ve made special agreements with both associations that employees will be paid for unused personal days.
Notes From Kelle About Personal Leave: In light of the information from Jon above, except in EXTREME circumstances:
- I will not be approving any new personal leave requests beyond one classified and one certified per day for the remainder of this school year.
- As per the contract, I will not be approving any new personal leave after June 4th.
- Before completing paperwork for personal leave, be sure you have a sub confirmed. Sue can help you with this, as needed.
- Please talk with Kelle or Sue if you would like a refresher on your options for unused personal leave.
Certified Evaluations: Certified staff on formal evaluation this year will need to complete a self-evaluation and schedule an evaluation meeting with Kelle. Certified staff who are NOT on formal observation this year do NOT have to complete a self-evaluation and schedule an end-of-the-year debrief with Frank.
The following staff members are on formal observation this year. Your self-evaluation is in TalentEd ready for you to complete. Please have it done no later than next Monday, 5/24. More information about meeting sign-ups will be coming soon: Mary, Kristin, Kayla, Shannon, Amy, Tori, Jill, Jenn, Tara, Emily, Allison, Liz, Wes, Julia, Melinda, Melissa, Karen.
The following staff members are NOT on formal observation this year. Frank will soon be sending you directions for how to schedule an end-of-the-year meeting with him: Kellie, Katherine, Kari, Debbie, Diane, Steve, Heather, Conor, Jerry, Nicole, Olivia, Rachel, Debbi, Jessica, Tammy, Kathy, Sara
Classified Evaluation: Only one staff member was on formal observation this year (Lizzi) because most schools did not finish their classified evaluations last year, and they were rolled forward to this year. We were able to complete our classified formals last year, so we didn’t have any to roll forward this year. All of our classified staff will be scheduling an end-of-the-year meeting with Frank. More information will be coming soon.
Jump Start: On Friday, I got initial information regarding Elk Meadow’s allocation of Jump Start seats and some suggested student names to fill them. I will be working this week to meet with teams to finalize our initial invites.
Field Day (From Melissa): Field Day will be June 11th. Just like everything else this school year, it is going to look a little different. Field day will be held on June 11th during the time your class has Music, PE, or Library for Kinder. Kathy, Amy for Kinder, and I will take classes through a 3 station rotation for 30 minutes. We will be on the AB playground field. COVID safety protocol will be followed. You are welcome to join us and come out with your class during their field day time, but I understand that is also your prep time. Please encourage your students to bring their water bottles.
TLC Update: Of particular note in this week’s update: information regarding changes to our literacy block for next year, paid curriculum work for this summer, National Board Certification information, and more!
COVID/ Safety Related Information:
Questions/Concerns about COVID-19 related matters?: Please follow this flowchart. If in doubt about what to do, you can always check with Frank or Kelle. Frank is our Safety Team Lead, and Ann Hollenberg is our School Nurse. You can find our School Safety Checklist here. And here is a link to our COVID anonymous safety concerns form.
CDC Mask wearing update (From the district COVID Safety Team): You have likely read or heard about the CDC updating their guidance around mask-wearing and folks who have been vaccinated. And you also probably heard that Gov. Brown is going to move Oregon requirements regarding mask-wearing (indoors and outdoors) to align with this new CDC guidance. What you may or may not have caught in the small print (so to speak) is that Gov. Brown also said that for schools, we will continue to follow current RSSL guidance regarding social distancing and mask-wearing for the remainder of this school year (see the end of the third paragraph). In other words, no changes for us (as of now anyway!) in how we do school this spring.
To Do:
Art in the Meadow: Please have your art in the Art in the Meadow folder by the end of this week (Friday 5/21). Thank you!
Important Dates:
- Tuesday: Gr. K EBISS meeting,
- Thursday: Staff meeting
- Friday: Art in Art in the Meadow Folders Due