This and That:

Report Cards (From Julie):  The updated report cards are done and loaded into Synergy.  Teachers can now access them.  The techs are still making some corrections to the template, so I would advise against inputting data directly into the report card until the end of the week.  Here is information regarding changes to the 21-22 report card and a possible parent letter.  

Technology Support: In the TLC blog this week is some information about technology support – I recommend you read that section carefully. Currently, many staff around the district are going directly to Brenna and Tracy before going through the building support team. When Brenna and Tracy are at the top of everyone’s list, they can’t keep up with the demand in a timely manner. Here is a quick one-pager on how to get support. And a reminder about our Elk Meadow support team:

Reading Intervention Support: Debbi was able to get K-5 reading intervention groups started last week! A huge shout out to Debbi and her team as that was a really big lift during a crazy January! Debbi will be out this next week, but groups will continue. Winter DIBELS benchmark testing will be the following Friday, January 28th. Grades 3-5, please have your DAZE completed BEFORE January 28th so that we can use the DIBELS data quickly after the 28th. Thank you!

Crown Act (From Kinsey): Oregon’s Crown Act went into effect on January 1. Do you know what this means and how to ensure you comply with this new law? This at-a-glance resource explains what you need to know about the Crown Act for our Black students, families, and staff. Fortunately, it aligns well with our Dress Code policy and our Non-Discrimination policy, Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this new law and talk with Kelle or Frank if you have a need to report a bias incident.

SIW Agenda: SIW this week is a teacher prep day.

Staff Meeting: Canceled this week.

Focus on Excellence and Equity:

TLC Update: Here is a link to this week’s TLC Update.

Culture of Care: There are some great questions to ponder on the second page of the Culture of Care Winter Newsletter: “Neurologic New Year Reflection Questions for Educators”

Reading Article- “Teaching Reading IS Rocket Science“: 2020 version: I will highlight small chunks of this lengthy report over the next few weeks to try to nudge everyone to read it in small pieces. Pages 8-13 are titled: “Increasing Reading Achievement and Preventing Reading Failure: A Top Priority.”. Below are a few excerpts from this section:

“Researchers now estimate that 95 percent of all children can be taught to read by the end of first grade, with future achievement constrained only by students’ reasoning and listening comprehension abilities.”

“Teachers, however, must incorporate these critical skills (awareness and knowledge of sounds, symbols, sound-symbol connections, vocabuarly, and oral language) into direct, systematice, engaging lessons.”

“Teaching reading IS rocket science, But it is also established science, with clear, specific, practical instructional strategies that all teachers should be taught and supported in using.”

“A deeper, more explicit knowledge of language is not necessary to be a skilled reader, but it is necessary to be an effective teacher- to give students accurate explanations of the English language.”

COVID/ Safety Related Information:

COVID Questions/ Concerns Outside of School Hours (From Tami Pike): All staff should be advised to contact their supervisor for any COVID questions/concerns outside of school hours. The principal should reach out to nursing personnel via email. It is important for nurses and contact tracers to have personal time during non-school hours.

C19 Exposures for Fully Vaccinated Staff (From Tami Pike): As of this time, 1/10/22, if a fully vaccinated staff person is exposed to a positive case and currently has no symptoms, they can work on-site. (Fully vaccinated = received 2nd dose of 2 dose vaccine series less than 6 months ago or has received the COVID-19 booster.)

5-day Quarantine Adopted for Staff: You may have heard that staff can now return to work on day 6 of a quarantine under certain circumstances. The nursing staff and/or contact tracers will make the determination about each case and if the 5-day rule applies. If you ARE able to return on day 6 of a quarantine, it is important to remember:

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

To Do:

YouthTruth Survey: Currently, 65% of our staff have taken the survey. I’d love to have 100%. Please follow this link and take the survey if you haven’t already. Every voice is important.

SafeTouch: Grade level teams – please send Jessica an email this week letting her know your approximate SafeTouch dates. Thank you!

Master Schedule Updates: Classroom teachers – please ensure the master schedule is up to date with your current schedule (including what the rest of the class is doing during reading intervention time. Please be sure to use the tab that says “Master Regular – To Edit.”

Important Dates: