This and That:

Staffing: We are hoping to hire our media manager position before spring vacation. If you are interested in being part of the hiring team, please let me know by Wednesday 3/2.

Transfer Interviews: For those certified staff interested in participating in transfer interviews, more information will be coming soon.

Read Across America Day: The Marshmallow Reading Challenge materials will be in your box by Wednesday morning to kick off on Read Across America Day. Please connect with Debbi if you have any questions.

Spring Conferences: At this time, the plan is to have schools offer in-person and virtual spring conferences. That way we accommodate families who want to come in person and those who are still not yet comfortable doing it. More details soon.

Elk Meadow March Virtual School Assembly: Our March assembly will be ready by Friday!

Employee Assistance Program (from Human Resources):  Please don’t forget that our School District offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help staff navigate life stressors and/or manage life-changing events.  The EAP program is administered by UpriseHealth.  The services they offer at no cost to Bend La-Pine School district staff members (minus substitute teachers) are outlined below.  For the 21/22 school year, each covered member can receive up to six EAP visits per year which is an increase from the three allowed in the 20/21 school year. 

To find out more about your EAP, schedule a counseling appointment, or access services call UpriseHealth at 866-750-1327 or visit uprisehealth.com/members to find out more.  Access Code is OEBB.   

Staff Meeting Agenda: Reading Foundational Skills Adoption, Art in the Meadow 2022, Family listening sessions,

SIW Agenda: SIW this week is “Teacher Prep”

Focus on Excellence and Equity:

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

Poetry Contest: Here is a link to a poetry contest, sponsored by the State of Oregon’s Poetry Association. It is open to K-5 as well as older students. What a great way to get students writing with a purpose (and word art!!)

Digital Citizenship Made Simple For the month of March (From Instructional Tech): You will be seeing several posts here on the topic of Digital Citizenship. This is a topic that we all know is important, yet many of us have a hard time finding time to fit it in. Here is a quick video showing you how easy it is to sign into Common Sense Media and how to access their quick activities. Their material is fantastic and will offer opportunities for rich discussions. **Note from Kelle – I strongly recommend you take 2 minutes to watch the video.**

COVID/ Safety Related Information:

EME COVID Anonymous Safety Concern Form: Link here.

Masking: By now, you may have heard that when we come back from spring break, masking will be optional. That is moved up from March 31 being the end. It is now March 19, in businesses as well as schools. More information and communication will be coming soon.

Volunteers: Principals have a meeting early next week to learn more about bringing volunteers back into our buildings. More details soon.

To Do:

March Mini Observation: Certified staff that teach reading (all classroom teachers and some specialists), follow this link to sign-up for a March Data Conference (this will count as one of your mini observations). There is also a short assignment (about 15 minutes) you will need to complete prior to the meeting. All of these meetings will be completed prior to spring vacation. Please reach out to me, Debbi, or Anna if you need any support with the homework portion. We are happy to help.

School-Wide Art Project: Please have your feathers completed and turned in to Natalie Page by this Friday, March 4th.

Read Across America Day: The Marshmallow Reading Challenge materials will be in your box by Wednesday morning to kick off on Read Across America Day. Please be sure to set a class goal with your class and hand out materials on Wednesday. See Debbi if you have any questions.

Important Dates: