Everyone – thank you for your continued flexibility this week in dealing with staff absences. I don’t want to jinx us, but the absences have decreased quite a bit the last few days so maybe things are improving – let’s hope so. We will continue to monitor the situation daily and support you as needed.
Updates, Reminders, Department Info and Rants…
From Jennifer Hauth – National School Counseling Week 2022 is Feb. 7-11, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February.
I have had posters and certificates made for each school counselor in your building, serving in a traditional school counseling role. Please take a moment on February 4th-7th to present the certificates and posters to your school counselors, thanking them for all that they do.
SSC Positions – Be sure to read Jennifer Hauth’s email to all principals re: hiring of SSC. she sent it early Thursday morning.
Note from Jackie Wilson regarding sustainability efforts in your schools and the district. Check out the most recent information here. Hey Title schools–there is a great idea for a family engagement activity you could develop for your school!
Note from Julie: – Our coaches have been subbing pretty much every day in buildings this month. If you have not seen coaches in your building it is because they are supporting schools in need! Thank you for understanding and for all you are doing!!
And from Skip and Tammy: Hats off to all the coaches and Ed Center staff, as they have gone above and beyond to keep our schools afloat during this challenging time. It’s not easy waking up every day not knowing what you are going to do or where you will go, and they have done it amazingly! Give them a big thank you the next time you see them.
Note from Julie re: Educator Network Days – February 9th and April 20th are now designated as teacher planning time. We will have a couple of sessions happening on this day. The one that will most impact you is the K-1 Foundational Skills session. We will still need administrators to help facilitate this work. Lindsley has recorded the training and you should have all of the materials in your building. We just need you to help facilitate the group. As of now, we have a high percentage of K-1 teachers who plan to attend. The coaches are currently checking in with each K-1 team to confirm if they plan to attend. Here is the list of facilitators for each building. Let me know if you have any questions. If your building does not have any participants, I will let you know. Teachers will be paid for attending this session. Click here for a list of the sessions that will still be offered.
From HR – Classified Job Postings and Hiring Update for Temporary Positions. We are closely approaching the date when some temporary classified new hires will not be eligible for benefits and be excluded from the bargaining unit because their employment in 2021-22 will be less than 80 days. HR will be editing temporary job postings to reflect when the 80-day employment window ensues (see this link for the impacted jobs and dates). It is very important for administrators/supervisors involved in offering jobs to new temporary hires after these dates that these prospective employees are aware of the non-benefited status of their position before they accept the offer of employment.
The Red Zone – Things to Share or Do…
The Removal of Appendix A and the new return to school policy – As you all know the school board voted to remove Appendix A per the recommendation of Dr. Cook. What does this mean for you? It means we have some flexibility when it comes to using our cafeterias and other areas for meals. It doesn’t mean that we stop continuing practicing safe distancing during meal times when masks are off. It does mean that we can relax on the cohorting and be able to put more grade levels out on recess at the same time. It doesn’t mean that we eliminate cohorting completely and mix grade levels together for instruction. I know all of this can be confusing but eliminating Appendix A does provide for some more decision making at the building level. If you have any questions or wonderings about something you may want to do, please reach out to Tammy or Skip.
Thinking about changing your meal plans? Starting February 7, we will entertain approval of new meal times and locations. All changes must be cleared by us first before they can be implemented. Inviting us to your school to talk through the change might be easiest. If you make a change, families need to be notified of that change. Building leaders should include teacher leaders in any meal plan modifications.
Attend the State of Schools Retreat–February 4, from 9:00-12:00 The Elementary team will be meeting at Sky View Middle School and will be meeting in two separate groups. The format will be similar to the Cascade work last year: meet in groups with facilitators, WebEx to all rooms/locations, have breakout activities to do together, etc. Please be sure to bring your leadership notebook to this meeting as there will be a few opportunities to reflect and write down your thinking, as well as your computer to look up information. You will be leaving with a boxed lunch to take with you and enjoy. Room assignments will be sent later or possibly posted in the lobby that day. For more information on future sessions, long term vision, plan and please refer to Lora’s email she sent earlier this week.
February visits – don’t forget to sign up for your February visit. Click here.
Horizontal Meeting Schedule – We made some significant changes to our horizontal schedule. Please look at it and make the necessary changes to your calendar. Thanks!
Summer School – A number of you have reached out with questions about whether Bend-La Pine Schools will continue with summer programming for students this summer. The answer is “yes”! We are currently identifying an administrative lead for the program and hope to get out information soon about certified and classified positions available. The dates for this summer are August 1-19, Monday through Friday. Both part-time and full-time positions will be available.
5th grade Writing contest – “What does it mean to be a welcoming nation?” Here’s Something to pass on to interested 5th grade teachers.
Calendar
- February Visits
- SIW schedule – this is the newest version
- Horizontal Meeting Schedule – there have been changes – check it out now!
- Tammy and Skip visitation schedule
- Monthly checklist
- February 4 – State of Schools – 9-12, Sky View Middle School
- 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 25 – Horizontal 3:00-4:30
And Finally…
Teachers calling for subs in 2022…