March 8, 2021

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Lisa Birk

Let the Golden Weeks begin again!

During the next four weeks or so, we will have several timely tasks, alterations, and learning opportunities that will help to set the stage for the rest of our year together with students and families. They will also set us up for the future as we begin to plan for school year 2021-2022. Please let me know if you have questions along the way and pay careful attention to due dates that arise this time of year.

Rushed Stand-Up Meetings: Our stand up meetings (10 minutes) are currently scheduled for 9:35-9:45 because teacher prep-time is designated from 8:30-9:35 and admin is not supposed to dip into this time. Teachers reported feeling that the 9:45 end with a 9:45 start is a bit hectic. Please let me know your preference in changing this time slightly using THIS SURVEY.

Student Sports Participation Survey – Advisory Classes: Our Athletics department is trying to get an idea of how many students plan to participate in football and cross country next season. Please take a minute in your Tuesday and Thursday Advisory classes this week and have students complete this Google Form. Thank you!

Track & Field Staff Volunteers Needed: Due to COVID restrictions on parent volunteers, our Head Coach is asking for some help. A stipend is available…amount unknown at this time, but Brooke is looking into it. For more information and the meet schedule, refer to Jane Ward’s March 5 email and/or contact her directly. Go Golden Eagles!

Conference Preparation:

  • Teacher/Classroom Video: In order to attempt to provide a more-typical experience for our families during conferences, all middle schools will host videos of staff introducing themselves and discussing the particulars of their courses. The hope is that this creates an increased connection in a time where connection with families can be difficult. I know many of you are providing much of this same information via email and other ways, so please know that this is not coming from a deficit-based lens or that I think our current practices are lacking in anyway. As a district, the decision was made to try this out and I thank you in advance for taking the time to provide this meaningful information in a fun and engaging way.

The detailed instructions and requirements for these videos can be found HERE. Please add your video to the folder HERE. If you want to do a Loom recording for your video, Jane Ward made a slideshow to accompany her video that serves as a nice and easy-to-replicate model.

Additionally, there are TWO quick questions for you to answer on this Google Form that will be part of what we share with families around conferences. If you need help filming, would like to borrow a microphone, or have any other questions, see Ryan.

  • Artifact: On March 18th and 19th, students will add their Artifact for conferences related to their Golden Week classes. We will share the template with you in next week’s Update.
  • Invite Only Conferences: Please keep in mind students who you may want to conference with in an invite-only session. We will add these to a spreadsheet to set up times prior to having all-school sign-ups beginning.

School-wide Alignment in Canvas: On Wednesday, our ICCL team will be sharing a number of updates. One of these is to bring us all in closer alignment, minimize confusion, and increase family/student usability with Canvas. Although by this point all teachers have a system that is working for them; however, our families are experiencing a system that is quite different class to class. A new system, even with slight differences, multiplied by seven classes can be a way to ensure that disengaged students don’t persevere and families who would otherwise like to support become frustrated and don’t even try. Upon returning from Spring Break (if not before), all classes will begin using a “Weekly Guide” that parents and students can find in the Module section (most of you already use a form of a Weekly Plan). The guide will have all assignments/tasks/tools liked to it rather than having families need to click through many pages and additional areas to find assignments. The guide will also clearly outline work as either HOME or SCHOOL. The good news is that for most of you, this will only require you to rename and begin linking assignments/tasks/tools to the weekly plan you already have.

2020/21 Budget Update: Within the next several of days each department/team will receive their YTD discretionary budget balance and YTD expense details. The balance must be spent by 4/30.

Professional Development, Wishlists, Curriculum & Teacher $150: In an effort to plan for the balance of this year and for 2021/22, we are asking our teaching staff and teams to take time to complete this PD | Wishlists | Curriculum Planning worksheet by Friday, March 19. There are four tabs for each budget allocation. Please note, if there is professional development that you wish to attend before June 30, 2021, list that as well. Contact me if you have any questions.

Summer Teacher Opportunity: Bend-La Pine Schools will be offering a summer learning program for district students.  This program is in the planning stages right now so details are far from being decided. Refer to Jim Boen’s March 5 email for more information and survey which will close March 29.

Doug Reeves PD Opportunity: As the district made temporary changes to our policies on grading practices, we committed to ongoing discussion of equitable grading. To ground this work in research and best practices, we are engaging in a partnership with Dr. Reeves, an internationally respected educational leader. Dr. Reeves and his team will provide professional learning opportunities for all certified staff and engage in deeper action research with interested staff. To kick off this work, on Wednesday, March 10th, from 2:30-4:00, you are invited to join a WebEx with Dr. Doug Reeves to learn more about a new district study on equitable grading practices, beginning with an overview of some of the latest research on equity in schools. Although this research is grounded in students who experience poverty, it highlights excellent practices which are good for all students, regardless of background. I encourage you to join if you are interested. More information below:

Equity and Excellence Right Now: The 90 90 90 Solution 

In this session based on his latest book (Solution Tree, 2020), Dr. Douglas Reeves will share the latest research on equity. Since the original publication of the 90 90 90 studies, we have learned a great deal about school improvement in high-poverty schools. This session will include compelling new evidence on how schools make a profound difference in the lives of students in poverty. Some of the evidence challenges conventional beliefs about dealing with students in poverty. The emerging research and science on this subject will help teachers, leaders, and policy makers allocate resources and time wisely to help students in poverty achieve their potential. 

WebEx Meeting Information: Meeting Link: https://bls.webex.com/bls/j.php?MTID=m11ed7d35978e19936b231e020b9b0b7b

Meeting Number: 120 873 6714 Password: March10

Education Foundation Thanks You: With appreciation for all your hard work and dedication, the Ed Foundation is pleased to invite you to access 6 Mindfulness sessions created for you by local Mindfulness Educator, Banni Bunting. These are available to each staff member through the end of the 2020/21 school year. Each session is only 20 minutes and are available via audio or video formats via a QR code that is displayed in the staff room next to a bowl of candy. Enjoy and breathe deep!

Todd Wells | American Fidelity | Section 125 Benefit: Todd Wells will be virtually here on Wednesday, March 10. He will take the first 10 minutes of our All Staff Meeting at 1:30 to speak to us about this benefit, updates and changes. Enrollment opens March 26, will be handled virtually. Your annual enrollment allows you to explore your supplemental benefits options as a Bend-La Pine Schools employee. These benefits are designed to help financially protect you and your family. Learn more about this benefit and sign up for your optional virtual appointment now.

Immunization and Exemption Rates Report K-12: This report indicates percent of PCMS students vaccinated and percent of missing doses as well as other percentages.

Bend-La Pine School District Parent Groups Combine Efforts
and Fundraise for Family Access Network: In addition to our Trivia Night New Socks and Gloves collection, parent groups across the Bend-La Pine Schools (BLPS) are uniting for the month of March to raise funds for Family Access Network (FAN). For over 25 years, FAN has connected children and families in need with crucial resources such as nutritious food, safe shelter, clothing, health care, and much more, enabling children to thrive in school and beyond. Click here to read more about this month long program! English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

Important Links:

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