During the past week, it has been so fun to see all the creative juices flow from our students and staff! Thank you for always showing your playful side and demonstrating so much care and love each day. This week also included a few changes: Wed. attendance, EBISS meetings (data review and synching expectation), as well as this NEWish blog format for information. I hope that these changes will help to keep our system smooth and responsive to both student and staff needs in the weeks to come.
Today was also the last day for Steve Simpson who worked with our students in Leadership. Steve has accepted a full-time position with Deschutes County Mobile Crisis Unit. We know he will do a great job in this work and wish him many years of future success. HERE is his staff introduction video.
Of note for next week: Seventh grade will have EBISS and 8th may meet if the team decides knowing that our next Wednesday is Veterans Day (refer to the data and protocols in the folder linked above). Ryan and I will be in trainings all day Tuesday and Wednesday but are available by text or phone if you need anything. We will also check e-mail periodically. Wednesday staff meeting will include several breakout options to either clean up or get clarification regarding Canvas/tech issues or participate in new learning tools with demos of tools from our very own teachers. I will also be slowly picking away at putting my old updates into this blog format so everything is in one place.
Election Information: Next week is the culmination of this election season. If you remember back to the launch of last year, we asked that you all spend time recognizing your personal WHY for doing the work of education. Regardless of where you stand on issues and candidates, we are all here because we have a personal belief in students and the power of our work together each day. Please refer to Lora’s election message as you plan for class after Tuesday.
From Bend Broadband: Any teacher that’s been impacted by data overage charges with BendBroadband should send an email to [email protected], from their school email address with their name and account number, requesting credit for their “data usage allowance overage charge,” and they’ll be credited. Wahoo!!
Tutoring: A local organization has secured 3 spots for PCMS to have 3 students receive tutoring for 1-2 hours per week during the winter season. The primary focus is ELA and Math. Please take a look at current data using the EBISS info above and send me an e-mail if you would like to suggest a particular student.
Tech Info: Webex has added a new mute function that Laura shared with us this week. Dan told us that you can get rid of the recommended videos and other videos that pop up by changing the URL. Here’s how: before the ? type _popup and it changes everything. Here’s how to add a distraction-free Chrome extension (from Ryan) https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/df-tube-distraction-free/mjdepdfccjgcndkmemponafgioodelna?hl=en Additionally, Dean Richards and Michele Clements have been working on a Secondary Instructional Blog. This week’s hot tips are all around ideas for using the Chat feature to support students.
Oregon Savings and Growth: Virtual seminar November 5th from 4:30-5:30
State of Schools Update: The Governor held a press conference today to highlight some changes regarding metrics etc. related to school openings. None of these changes immediately affect middle schools but you can refer to this document to see the information. Next week middle school teachers will be asked to provide input regarding the ongoing planning for hybrid design at the middle level. Stay tuned.
Staff Videos: Introducing Bri Agenbroad, Cindy Dziurzynski, and Elizabeth Wright!
Please continue to communicate with your ICCL members regarding celebrations and trouble-spots so we can make our system work the best for everyone. I always feel lucky to work with all of you and please know that even in times when your feedback may not feel very positive, a system that seeks out, considers, and responds to feedback is a sign of a health. PCMS really is pretty magical. Have a wonderful weekend Golden Eagles!
✌️&❤️ -L