The band is back together! We are adding a new, old member to our elementary team. Mr. Jon Lindsay will be the new principal of Buckingham Elementary next year. We recently conducted a modified interview process and believe it or not the Buckingham staff decided he was just what they were looking for. This also means that the dynamic duo is back together (Jon and Gary). Jon was quick to remind Gary that during his first year as his VP Gary required Jon to wear a tie every day. There’s an inappropriate saying about payback I could insert here 😉 Congratulations Jon!
Department News…
From Human Resources – We recently communicated a change in instructional days to help plan for grades 4th-12th returning to all-in learning. For some classified staff, these dates were not included on the beginning of the year Classified Work Calendars. If workdays have been added that were not on a person’s originally assigned work calendar (see link), our preference is that staff shift their work hours from a day when students are not onsite to coincide with a day when students will now be onsite. Your assistance is instrumental in supporting a fully functioning school especially as we experience full enrollment for the first time this year. If you are unable to alter your schedule to accommodate the recent changes, please reach out to your supervisor so they are aware of this. You can discuss whether you can best support the school by following your originally scheduled workdays or extending your hours on other school days when students are onsite. The other options are using personal time, accrued comp time and/or taking unpaid leave. We apologize for the last-minute change, but we were trying to balance teacher and staff needs to prepare for all-in learning. If an EA says that they cannot work April 14th and 15th, then you’ll need to find a mutually agreeable time for them to make up those hours. Some ideas:
- Work some of those hours on April 1st and 2nd if you have a need for them.
- Extend their working day on other school days (perhaps when you know in advance that another person will be absent, and you’ll need more coverage). Incremental increases should not be beyond 8 hours in a given work day.
- The day after students’ last day of school
From Juan in TLC – As students from DCDL and BLPO share their interest in returning to their brick and mortar school for ‘all in’ please use the following party line …”Thanks for your interest in returning, there is a district process that must be followed to ensure all schools are allowing for adequate space in order to follow the safety guidelines, we are unable to address your request until we follow the process and get the green light. We will be back in touch with you after April 12 and we have a better idea of the allowable space in our classrooms”. Please start a waiting list for those making this request.
From Paul – If you haven’t had a chance to read Paul’s email earlier this week that contained some best practices around lunch, performing arts, school safety plans, and RSSL update, please do so. There is no doubt some nuggets here that will be helpful to you (and a “to do” with updating your safety plan).
From Jon Lindsay – We have received a request to bargain from BEA as our last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) concludes in 2021. We are interested in obtaining administrative input into confusing language or language that you’d like to see changed in the last Collective Bargaining Agreement 2017-2021.
If you can recall any experiences that you’ve had in the past four years where you tripped over some of the CBA language, then we can work with BEA to improve it. Please take some time before April 16th to fill out this google form with your ideas.
From Nutrition Services – Garra created this video showing how Lava Ridge has students grab their meals from the cafeteria. If you are interested in learning more about their process contact Gary or Lybe.
From Terry Cashman – Starting Monday April 5th, UPS and FedX will be delivered directly to the schools and not diverted through the Distribution Center.
Another From Paul – ODE clarification on 3/29: Operationalizing Physical Distancing Guidance: In the same ways that schools should not reduce in-person instruction or revert to CDL based on county metrics when there is limited transmission of COVID-19 in the school environment (this is often referred to as the ‘’bluebox” of the metrics chart) – schools will not be required to shift from operating with 3 feet of physical distance to 6 feet of physical distance (middle and high school levels) if they’ve met the requirements set out in newest guidance and began operating with clear routines and protocols in place and then the community metrics moved to the more restrictive threshold. A shift could be called for in physical distancing requirements by the Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) in partnership with the school and district leadership, especially in response to an outbreak or transmission within the school.
From FAN – earlier this week Dana sent you an email regarding FAN Advocate evaluation… and wanting your input. Here was the rubric that she sent – with the hopes of detailed feedback from you.
Updates, Reminders, Info and Rants…
Staffing Plans – in case you didn’t know it, your staffing plans are in the Staffing Plan google folder shared with you. We have verified that the certified section is accurate. As a reminder the SEL staffing in blue is only for the SEL hiring. The HU staffing is flexible and can be used for things like class size reduction. I will be working on the list of teachers who are returning from a leave of absence or a reassignment. I will notify you of these teachers so we can being to prepare for their return. District-wide teachers postings will be going up next week. As a reminder, no hiring can take place until all the returning teachers are placed and until after transfer interviews have taken place.
Kindergarten Registration and Orientation – As you know, kindergarten orientation is going to be a bit different this year. A few weeks ago we brainstormed a bunch of different options. One of the options that we would like to see happen at each school is a WebEx open house for families. Alandra and Scott McDonald have been working on a format, template, and directions for putting this event together at your school. Alandra will be sending out information on this next week and she will be asking you to identify a night between April 19th – 29th so it can be advertised. Here is the poster that is being distributed throughout the community. There will also be other community wide advertisements and communications.
Transfer interviews – These interviews will take place on April 20th. They will start at 3:30 and be held at Pine Ridge Elementary. Jon will be sending info to teachers shortly about the process if they want to participate. I know some of you will not have to hire but your help is needed and appreciated. Please add your name to this list. Thank you!
Bend Science Station – you all had materials delivered to your buildings this week from the Bend Science Station. An email from BSS is in your inbox today telling how to use these materials and lessons. Please forward this email to your teachers. BSS is a fantastic partner and what they do for our teachers and students is very appreciated. Thanks for getting this info out.
From the Office of School Support – We are saddened to announce that Amy Stafford, in our office, has had to resign and will be moving to California for the immediate future. [Amy will return to Bend in the summer of 2022 and again seek employment within BLS… keep her in mind!] Her last day will be next Tuesday, April 6. We are working on acquiring a sub to fill in (at least part-time) until we post and hire for her replacement. If you are in need of any support that Amy has been providing please reach out to me for a path forward. We have temporarily moved a few of the ongoing building supports that require Synergy access or confidentiality (expulsion hearing request, STAS documents, suicide risk screens, child abuse reporting, and principal leave sheets) to Janet Bojanowski (yes, this is Scott’s wife – who was just hired to work with our school board) until we hire Amy’s replacement. You can email Janet or give her a call at x1017. I’ll keep you posted as this hiring process continues.
All kids, All day, Every day – Thank you everyone for all the hard work you have been doing this past week and this year. All the changes thrown at you and at your staff haven’t been easy. Hopefully this is the end of the changes and we can just concentrate on teaching and learning and not putting together different schedules. We still have some desks available so over the course of the next few days and weeks you think some single desks might be helpful just let me know. And remember that the goal for conferences is to get them done by the end of the month. We are asking that teachers offer evening spots for parents and that we provide teachers with time during SIW this month to schedule/prep for conferences. Thanks for helping to make that happen.
Another reminder about retention – This year we expect more inquiries than normal about retention. This is to be expected because some parents are concerned with lost learning time. To help your staff navigate this topic during conferences Kelle H. shared the message she recently shared with her staff. I would suggest that everyone share something similar.
Here’s Kelle’s message:
- DO NOT BRING UP RETENTION. If a parent brings up retention, listen to their concern and let them know that you will talk with me.
- Retention is a topic that often comes up at conferences.
- We have heard more than the typical interest in retention for the next school year.
- Retention will be handled the same way as in past years.
- Teachers should not bring up the topic of retention at conferences.
- If a parent brings up retention, the teacher should listen to their concern and let them know they will talk with the principal.
- All retention conversations should start with the principal.
- If a parent is seriously interested in retention, they can initiate the process by completing this form.
Calendar
- 4/5 – All students, all day, all week!
- 4/5 – Horizontal 3:30 – 4:30 – Equity goal revision (Kinsey)–30 min
- 4/12 – Horizontal 3:30 – 4:30
- April 19-29 – Kindergarten WebEx orientation nights
- 4/20 – Transfer interviews
- 4/21, 4/22, 4/23 – Skip is out of town
And Finally…
Scott Edmonson and his family have appreciated all your prayers and support during this difficult time. Here is a link to a very touching story on Zach. The strength Ashley showed in this interview was amazing. Please keep her in your thoughts.