This and That:

SIW Agenda: SIW this week is “school discretion.” This will be “team time.” All of our classified staff will be participating in training on Trauma-Informed Practices during the SIW time.

Substitute Situation (From Skip): We probably don’t have to tell you that despite our best efforts, we are still facing shortages of subs most days of each week. We hope this situation will improve with new subs being onboarded, bonuses being offered, and decreasing COVID rates, but FOR THE TIME BEING: The district has suspended ALL school-day professional learning activities for staff who need subs. Our expectation is that staff will also not be approved for school-day professional learning provided by partners like the ESD or other private providers. If you have anyone who has scheduled a day out for PD they will need to cancel that absence. Please reach out if you have any questions.

HB 3294 (From Skip): Very recently, we were made aware of HB3294, the Menstrual Dignity Act. You can read the details of the Act here. Maintenance will be installing feminine hygiene dispensers in a couple of your student bathrooms. I know this might cause some alarm but it is needed and is required. We have asked them to install the dispensers but not stock them quite yet. They will be empty for a while to allow students to get used to seeing them and also allow us to decide on a messaging approach.

Standard Response Protocol (From Scott Bojanowski): Thank you for watching the SRP (Standard Response Protocol) brief training video this fall. As a reminder, the following are Standard Response Protocols: Lockout, Secure, Evacuate, Shelter, and Hold. In Bend-La Pine, we use the I Love U Guys Foundation program.

We now need to provide the full one-hour training to new employees, or anyone that just wants the full training as a refresher. Any new hires since January 2021 need to attend one of the training dates below, between now and May 2022. These training dates are in PD Place on the portal for sign-up and they will receive one hour of professional development for attending.

Focus on Excellence and Equity:

TLC Update: Here is a link to this week’s TLC Update. A couple of highlights to check out: the adorable photo at the top, curriculum adoption update, and several other tidbits and resources.

YouthTruth Family Survey: I shared some YouthTruth Family Survey data at our staff meeting. Here is a link to that updated data with all of the questions.

Bias Article: “Bias Isn’t Just A Police Problem, It’s A Preschool Problem“: A great short read regarding bias in the classroom. Here is a quote:

If implicit bias can play a role on our preschool reading rugs and in our classrooms’ cozy corners, it no doubt haunts every corner of our society.

Biases are natural, as Gilliam says, but they must also be reckoned with.

COVID/ Safety Related Information:

COVID Resources Update: Below is some COVID-related resources that will repeat in each of our newsletters for easy access.

To Do:

MAC Training: Be sure to complete your MAC training this week as our first MAC survey will be the week of 11/15. Mary O’Connor sent an email on 11/2 with a link to the survey and a training video to support you with the training quiz. Please reach out to me or Mary if you have any questions or need additional support.

Staff Room Sign-Ups: Good news! One more thing is going back to “normal” -we are asking everyone to sign-up for two weeks of helping with the staff room. Here is the link. Thank you for helping out. (P.S… Sue, after doing lunchroom duty every day for the past 2 years, you are not allowed to sign-up!!)

Important Dates: