During the beginning of this week, Deb and I spent time working on our school budget. Budget expenditures during the year basically consist of three areas: (1) supplies, (2) trainings, and (3) subs. In order to maximize our budgets, please keep in mind how impactful the small stuff can be. Things like printshop vs. school clicks may seem like not a big deal but it is not unusual for a school to wash away $5,000 on clicks that could have otherwise been used for 25 days of subs! When we return from our break, Deb will give you your remaining supply budget for your department. In order to spend these funds appropriately, it is important that you and your team have discussions around your department priorities and long-term wishes. I would love to hear your ideas once you have identified your goals.
As I make decisions regarding professional development for our building, I am focusing on a few goals over the next few years. These include advancing and strengthening field study & community partnerships, advancing literacy (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), developing differentiation skills including the use of small groups, and pushing forward the work of equity. These topics will continue to be areas of focus and will direct my investments in trainings. Recently, I stated that one goal is to have all staff members trained in conversations around racial inequities in our schools as part of Taking It Up. I feel so lucky to experience this training with seven other staff members this week. They will be sharing information to all of you regarding their take-aways during our SIW on December 4th.
In terms of literacy training, I am looking into partnering with a trainer from Columbia that would support our school during the next year or so. This work may include some lesson design, intervention design, and disciplinary (content) literacy work in areas other than ELA. In the area of field studies and community partnerships, we have started some conversations around 8th grade intercessions as part of a career exploration option. I have made some connections with a few teachers who have small group work going in their classrooms and are willing to have others observe and I also have found a few books in the area of literacy and small groups that individual teachers may want to use as part of a book study. If you are interested in any of these tools or supports, please let me know. Remember, you can count on Ryan and I to give you permission, provide tools and supports, and stay the course toward our focus areas.
After break, I will be asking to meet with everyone for a short amount of time to check in and go over SLGGs. As a reminder, these are due before you leave for break! Please look for an e-mail with sign-up times to debrief these goals. During this time I will also be checking in with you about how you feel I have done in the first 12 weeks of the year. I am interested in feedback around the areas that I wanted to focus on (communication and behavior) and ideas to improve.
Finally, the end of this week marks our first long break. During your time off, spend some time reflecting on the reading that I attached this week. Your personal strength and balance directly impacts students, families, and our school each day- not to mention you! Your health and well-being is critically important! As we arrive at this very needed and deserved break, take time to recommit to a practice that helps you remember your “WHY” and can continue to propel you into the winter months. Who knows- your new commitment might place you at the starting line of the I Like Pie run with fellow eagles on Thanksgiving Day😉 I hope you all have a restful week and as you spend time with family and friends to give thanks, please know that I am giving thanks for all of you. I can not tell you enough how special our school is and it gives me so much joy to share with anyone around that that is because of the people who work at Pacific Crest. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!