February 10, 2022

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I hope everyone who is not a skier has enjoyed our recent weather.  70º in February is unheard of.  It makes me worry that mother nature is going to wallup us with some terrible March weather – be prepared!

Updates, Reminders, Department Info and Rants…

Culture of Care – Just a reminder that Culture of Care offers more than just PD! When it comes to our mission of building Trauma-Responsive, Restorative and Equity-Centered educational cultures, we are available for things like:

  • Confidential consultation on leadership and culture challenges.
  • Development support for school’s MTSS model (data review, service delivery & tiered supports)
  • Thought partnering and brainstorming around Culture of Care related resources, action plans, staff support, and culture building.
  • Coaching on classroom management & PBIS.
  • Support with Restorative Practices implementation and Equity work.
  • Building staff community and addressing team dynamics.
  • Providing non-evaluative observations and feedback.
  • Trauma-Informed & Equity-Centered policy review and guidance.
  • Creation of needed resources (i.e. Classroom Check in Guide)

And as always, you can find a wealth of resources and opportunities on our Culture of Care website, such as the latest Drop-in Community Circles and Care Read Along.

You can use our team scheduling link to set up a 15, 30 or 60 minute zoom call with the HDESD team, or meet with one of the coaches individually:

Social Emotional & Mental Well-Being – Are any of your teachers interested in giving Harmony SEL a try in your classroom, but missed the first training?

Harmony Kits have arrived and we are sending them out this week to those who ordered them. If there’s a K-5 teacher who did not order Harmony SEL kits, we have extras. Use the request link here (Harmony SEL Kit Request Form) if you are interested in receiving kits or connection cards (descriptions can be found on the request form), or contact Anne Stephens.

Vaccine Update –   Are you ‘up to date’ on your vaccine?  As we start to plan for making masks optional it is important that everyone reviews their vaccination status. The CDC is shifting away from the phrase “fully vaccinated” in favor of calling people “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccines.

Up to date is defined as: 

  • Ages 18 and older: Boosted or completed primary series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 5 months or completed the primary series of J&J within last 2 months.
  • Ages 5-17: Completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines

Not up to date is defined as: 

  • Unvaccinated OR
  • Has not completed the primary series of any COVID-19 vaccines OR
  • (For individuals ages 18 and older) completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna more than 5 months ago and is not boosted.

Silver Rail – just an FYI that a posting will be going up for the Silver Rail principal position.  Stephanie has decided to step back into the VP world at Silver Rail.  The posting will go live on Friday and will close on March 2.  Interviews will be on March 10.

The Red Zone – Things to Share or Do…

From Lora:  As you know, we are hosting three networking/professional learning/district information sessions for all of you this spring. One component of each session will be dedicated time for small group discussions of Unconscious Bias in Schools. Here’s the reading schedule:

  • Monday, February 28th*: Chapters 1-3
  • Monday, April 4th: Chapters 4-6
  • Monday, May 9th: Chapters 7-10

Reminder:  It is still expected that all school leaders read the book, but the above sessions are for the building Principals only.    If you didn’t get a copy of the book, last Friday, let us know and we will send you one. 

*All sessions will be in the board room from 3:30-5:00 PM. SNACKS WILL BE PROVIDED! 😊

Calendar

  • February Visits
  • SIW schedule – this is the newest version
  • Horizontal Meeting Schedule – there have been changes – check it out now!
  • Monthly checklist
  • February 16-18 Tammy at a conference–call Skip!
  • February 16 – Critical Friends-School Design Work – Board Room 1:30-3:30
  • February  23 – Special Mary Ehrenworth Workshop for Elementary Admin. 1:30-3:30 (location TBD)
  • February 28 – Preparing to Lead Equitable Schools–Principals only.  3:30-5:00 location TBD
  • March 7 – Horizontal  3:00-4:30, Board Room
  • March 21-25 – Spring Break
  • April 4 – Preparing to Lead Equitable Schools–Principals only.  3:30-5:00 location TBD
  • April 11 – Horizontal – school  BRYT visits follow up 3:00 – 4:30, Board Room
  • April 18, 19, 20 – Tammy and Skip out
  • April 25 – Horizontal  3:00-4:30

And Finally…