This and That:
Staffing: We have a couple of staffing changes that I’m excited (and sad!!) to share with you all. Jerry Huegel was chosen as the Student Success Coordinator for North Star! Although I know, we will all really miss Jerry, this is the perfect next step for him with finishing his administration program this summer. Additionally, April Jorgenson has accepted a position supporting the TLC at the district office. I can’t imagine the front office without her, BUT she has deserved more responsibility for many years. Our district is lucky to snag her. Please join me in wishing these two Elk Meadow icons nothing but the best in the next part of their journey.
Changes in Mask Protocol: By now, you have likely read Lora’s update on masking. In short, starting THIS MONDAY, while outside, students, staff, and other adults do not have to wear masks (even during school hours). While inside, nothing has changed; students will still wear masks (even during indoor PE). Deciding how you handle masks coming off and back on is up to each teacher. Here are a few ideas:
- Students that choose to not wear a mask at recess can leave their mask on their desk immediately before going outside. Masks go on immediately upon re-entering the classroom, then hands get washed.
- Kayla’s sister donated around 500 mask lanyards to our school. You can provide one of these lanyards to each or any of your students.
- I’ve heard that some schools will ask students to keep their masks in their pockets or around their wrists at recess if they choose not to wear one.
**Please note: I have noticed a marked decrease in distancing around the building and on the playground. With the masks coming off outdoors, we will need to be more vigilant about reminding students to distance. Thank you for everyone’s help with reinforcing this.
Testing (Shhhhhh….): Grades 3-5 students will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment this week starting on Monday. During this week, classes in A, B, and C wings will test at various times. There will be test sessions running from 8:00-10:15 daily. If you would like to know specifically when a neighboring class is testing, please check in with your wing partners.
The best way to help is to reduce unnecessary noise during this time. You should have students transition through the wings quietly during testing times. Please use ongoing reminders for students to be quiet when accessing the restroom. Be mindful of testing if you are working with a student on academics in the wing.
Multi-Factor Authentication (From Chad in IT): On Monday, all elementary staff will receive an email asking to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). The deadline for elementary staff to set up MFA won’t be until July 26th, but for their own convenience, it would be best to set it up before that deadline. For help setting up your MFA, please work with the Help Desk, Hannah, or Amy Michalski. **Note from Kelle: I will be adding this to our end-of-the-year check-out list.
Summer iPads: The below message will be sent in our next parent communication in early June. Classroom teachers -Please do what you can to also communicate this information to your families:
Dear Students and Families,
Once again students will be allowed to keep their loaner iPads with them throughout the summer months. This will provide students with a device to continue learning opportunities over the summer.
If you will not be attending a Bend-La Pine Schools program or school next year, please return your iPad, charging brick and cord to your current school. Schools will be communicating their return schedule directly to families. If you will be attending a different Bend-La Pine Schools program or school next year, keep the iPad you have and take it with you to your new site in September.
Sometimes plans change during the summer. If you find yourself moving out of the area or leaving the district during the summer and need to return your iPad, please drop it off Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Education Center located at 520 Wall Street, Bend. Please remember to also return your charging brick and cord at this time. The fee for missing cords is $5, and missing charging bricks are $20.
Trauma-Informed Training Opportunity: Check out this free summer learning opportunity open to all staff. The topic is Trauma-Informed Engagement Practices through the process of continuous improvement. A stipend or graduate-level credits are also available.
Jump Start: On Monday, I am hoping to complete a letter to parents (of kids invited to Jump Start) and send grade-level teams the current list of names. By Tuesday at noon, I’d like confirmation of our first round of invites from each team. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, April will send the invites to the appropriate families. I am going to ask for confirmation of their participation by the end of the day on Thursday. On Friday, we will reach out to families that did not reply. Next week, we will work to fill the unfilled seats. Please let me know if you have any questions.
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.
To Do:
Art in the Meadow: Jessica is starting work on the video early this week. Please ensure you have art for EVERY Elk Meadow student in your Art in the Meadow folder
Certified Evaluations: If you are a staff member on “formal evaluation” this year, self-evaluations are due on Monday 5/24. I plan on sending a google doc to schedule an evaluation meeting early in the week.
Important Dates:
- All Week: Grades 3-5 Smarter Balanced Assessment (please keep noise levels to a minimum)
- Thursday: Staff meeting