A big thanks to Jim Boen for sharing this article about remote learning and how this isn’t the first time in history we’ve had to turn to this approach to teach. The big takeaway for me was what remained in our classrooms and what practices stuck even after kids returned to school. I think most of us can agree distance learning was not how we wanted to run school. However, there were some things that worked that we should probably think about keeping. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. If you have something to share please add it to this Padlet.
Focus on Excellence and Equity…
I just want to bring to everyone’s attention the website Equity and Anti-Racist Dialogue in the Classroom. If you have a LEAD cohort member in your school they know about this site. This is a great resource for you and for your staff to support equity and anti-racist conversations, teacher moves, and teacher practices. For more information and support on how to use this site please reach out to Kinsey Martin. She would welcome the opportunity to partner with you.
Department News…
A reminder from Alandra – Now that schools are reopening for in-person learning, I wanted to reshare this helpful social media guide that also applies to school newsletters, websites, teacher emails, and any other communication to families.
A few keys:
- Please be sure that the photos you share reflect the consistent safety practices you have in place in your buildings.
- Mask up! All photos on campus should include students/staff wearing masks over the NOSE and MOUTH 😊
- Keep your distance. Make sure folks are spread out in any photo shared.
- If you use a photo that is pre-pandemic, be sure to list the year it was taken when you share it.
Questions? Email Alandra any time!
Another from Alandra – We just got the Chinese prevention/covid tracing letter back (originally shared last week). To access all the letters click here. Some families have said that they did not receive a letter yet so please get these out.
COVID Vaccine Round 2 – As you know, the second round of vaccinations are upon us. What you also may have heard is that 20-30% of those who receive this second vaccination have side effects noticeable enough to keep them out of work for one or more days. If a staff member needs to take leave due to symptoms after vaccination, please code both of these as “other leave” and put something like “illness due to vaccination” in the reason for leave. This will come out of a staff member’s 5-day COVID leave, and not the typical sick leave allocation. Let me know if you have questions about this.
From Jon in HR – Team, Rochelle Williams was the first to ask, so I am giving her the credit😊 The temporary teachers that we are hiring right now will not work the 135 days to count as a full year for TSPC. Therefore, we are not required to complete the two formal observations. Since we are halfway through the year, I would recommend that we have administrators complete a minimum of two mini observations. I’d also like them to complete an evaluation so that we have a record of how the teacher performed this year. Just my thoughts. Let me know what you think.
COVID info from Paul…
Leave/Subs For Vaccinations Shots – For staff who need to be out of the building for vaccinations shots or who have post injection illnesses that prevent them from working, identify the absence under “other” and write in vaccination on the Leave Sheets. If there are sub costs from HDESD, use the “illness” code with a memo of “vaccination”.
HR will be communicating with office managers about how to code other COVID-related leave.
Short Term Temp Dates – Any temporary classified people hired after the dates below, will not qualify for medical benefits. HR communicates this at time of hiring but we recommend schools inform interviewees too:
- EA ‐ HS (Bend and South County) (182 days) 02/18/21
- EA ‐ HS (Skyline and Marshall ‐ Trimester schools) (181 days) 02/18/21
- EA ‐ HS (REALMS ‐ Trimester School) (179 days) 02/17/21
- EA ‐ MS (Bend and South County) (179 days) 02/17/21
- EA ‐ MS (REALMS) (179 days) 02/17/21
- EA ‐ ES (Bend and South County) (177 days) 02/16/21
New County Metric Guidance – Last week, the state issued new indoor/outdoor guidance that applies to our after-school activities. Here is the information to share with your team (mostly applicable to high schools) for Deschutes County which is still in the extreme zone.
Rapid Testing – RSSL requires schools to have the capacity to offer rapid COVID-19 tests (BiomaxNOW) available to symptomatic students/staff by March 1. Here is the rollout timing:
- Week of Feb 1 and 8: District personnel attend OHA trainings and develop district and school based protocols
- Week of February 16: Information sessions for school personnel; BiomaxNOW registration and testing kiit ordered by each school.
- Week of February 22: Final site coordinator and testing facilitator Q&A
- Week of March 1: Testing available for symptomatic students/staff at each school site
MOU – In order to satisfy this requirement in the MOU:
Each school site will post the school’s COVID-19 Safety Checklist and a copy of the OSHA emergency temporary standards on the safety bulletin board.
Please post a hard copy of your latest Checklist and a hard copy of this document (103 pages)on your staff bulletin board.
BLS COVID-19 Cases – The district will be creating a dashboard that reflects positive COVID-19 cases within our schools. The data will be updated every Wednesday after OHA’s weekly Kindergarten-12th grade school report is released. We will also include a list of FAQs to explain more information about the data.
Non-Masking Students On Buses – If you receive a complaint of students not wearing masks on a bus, it would greatly assist transportation if you can gather the following information prior to emailing Kim/Tina:
- Your school and the bus route number
- Reporting student’s name (to check their assigned seat number)
- Seat number (all bus seats have seat numbers) or name of non-mask wearing student
- Time of day (i.e. 2:15pm)
Ideally, students should report non-masking behavior immediately to the bus driver.
Updates, Reminders, Info and Rants…
Black History Month – As you know, February is Black History Month. You may or may not have seen this blog post regarding some highlighted Black authors and recommended videos that could be used for instruction this (or any) month. I watched one of these videos, as the title caught my eye: “The exceptional life of Benjamin Banneker.” Here is a link that will bring you to this video (on the right side of the page), as well as other educational resources. The video is definitely appropriate for MS-aged kids (likely geared more towards a younger audience), and the 3:30 clip kept my attention and left me wanting to learn more.
Transfers from DCDL and BLPO – Because of numbers, Lora and Brad have ask that before accepting a transfer from District CDL or BLPO you talk with me first.
Student photos – Don’t forget to reach out to Ben Blau at Dorian about scheduling photos. Please do not schedule anything before March 1st. [email protected].
Who’s missing? Something that registrars can start doing is looking for kids that don’t show up in person, online or in District CDL. Did we drop someone we didn’t mean to drop? Did someone not get the message on options? The last thing we need is for a student to be in limbo because of the enrollment choices we just presented.
Safe Touch instruction and Safe Touch Training – now that we are back it is time to start getting Safe Touch on your calendars. Remember this is a must do – no exceptions. Tim Burdsall has graciously offered to conduct a safe touch training for anyone who needs the training or who would like a refresher. We are currently gathering information on who is interested so please submit your name here if this is something that interests you.
Substitute Flowchart – Here is the process to follow for subs. Remember, to have your office managers get in job requests early and to check them often.
Outdoor School – we are allowing very few of community partners and outside organizations into our building. However, we have decided that Charlie and his Camp Tamarack staff are ok to come into the schools. While this won’t be the same as sending kids to Camp Tamarack, it will probably be better than the completely virtual program they have been offering. Charlie will be contacting schools directly about your timeline and schedule. At that time please let him know of any protocols you want him to follow around entering the school and working in the classrooms.
February Building Visits – just a reminder to sign up for a February visit
Calendar
- Friday – no kids. Report card day.
- Sunday 11:59 pm – all report cards finished
- Monday 2/15 Admin SLGG’s
- Tuesday 2/16 – 3:30 – 4:30 Horizontal (Monday is a holiday)
- Wednesday 2/17 Leadership – details TBD
- Monday 3/1 – 3:30 – 4:30 Horizontal
- Monday 3/15 – 3:30 – 4:30 Horizontal
And Finally…
