Updates, Reminders, and Department Info…
From Julie – Educator Network Day is just around the corner on February 15th from 2:00-3:15. Classroom Teachers will be able to choose which session they would like to attend. We will have 15+ choices available. My ask for administrators is on February 2nd to add an agenda item labeled….sign up for Educator Network Day in Performance Matters and to reserve 5 minutes in the schedule that day for teachers to look over the list and sign up. This will allow the presenters to know how many to plan for in each session. Teachers will be notified of the options in the TLC blog on February 1st. -Thank you
From Our Horizontal on 1/24 – Here is the link to our presentation on the 24th. I thought Lindsley’s steps on where to focus moving forward were quite helpful. Take a minute to review them on slide #5. Thank you for taking the time to review your Dreambox and Lexia data and for making a plan to increase usage of both. If there are staff members needing to increase usage, start by making attainable 4-week goals and build from there. Include them in deciding on what the goal would be and what is possible to attain within a 4-week period. Build from there. Making short-term, attainable goals will hopefully lead to long-term progress.
From Alandra – Principals, We are trying to share more positive events, activities and stories from our schools. If you have anything happening in your school during the month of February, please send it to Alandra. Thanks!
The Red Zone – Things to definitely read, do or share
From Kinsey –
Principal partnership and communication for DEI events and activities: Your role in supporting communication for our DEI events is so helpful and critical to the success of the events and to staff awareness and engagement with them. We never want staff to feel unaware or uninformed about opportunities to participate in events that support our schools. Thank you for double-checking that each of these messages is familiar and accessible to your building/dept staff.
Translator/interpreter levels of support: We have a growing number of translation and interpretation resources to support a variety of needs. Using these correctly avoids budget expenses for your building/dept, increases family engagement and school culture goals, and upholds civil rights. Please ensure your staff (particularly front-office, counseling, athletics, and other family-facing teams) are clearly aware of this information and how to access these levels of support. If you have questions, contact your Language Specialist or Kinsey if you’d like to brainstorm processes to meet your building needs!
Here are details on upcoming events and activities. Please pass this information on to staff members and please consider signing for an event.
Flip the Script—Black Family Night—5:30, Feb 1, 2023 @ Pacific Crest. We need as many elementary leaders there as possible. Please contact Skip or Tammy to let them know if you are or are not coming.
YT Survey – The YouthTruth survey has been extended through February 3. You can check your schools’ progress for all three surveys and find an FAQ at this link. The goal for staff completion is 95%. If you are below that number please provide a time for staff to complete the survey so you can attain that percentage. The goal for families is 50%. If you are below that number please send another communication out to families with the link and the new deadline. Thank you!
Elks Injury Prevention Poster – Kids can get their creative juices flowing by participating in the Oregon Elks Eye Safety Poster Contest. Here is the link to the contest info and registration forms. Please pass this on.
Calendar
- Feb 1 – Black Family Night–5:30—dinner included–(we’ll look for the location)
- Feb 2 – PD and work day (see previous notes for the specific details)
- Feb 3 – report card prep day for certified, some classified have work day too (see previous notes for specific details)
- Feb 3 – CEL training for all admin (principals and assistants—SS you were invited in the summer as well) This is the second all day training with CEL.
And Finally…
After our Horizontal meeting on Tuesday I went home and told my cat about the old saying that was referenced in one of the presentation slides (“there is more than one way to skin a cat”). I could tell he was visibly shaken and confused by this saying (as was I). I had to assure him we didn’t brainstorm multiple ways to skin him. I’m not sure he believed me, but some extra treats and some medicinal catnip seemed to put his mind at ease – it was hard to tell because he is a cat. I promised him I would address the future use of this saying with everyone and provide alternatives that do not involve forcibly removing his dermis. Here is what the google machine returned…
- There’s more than one way to bake a cake…
- There’s more than one way to cook an egg…
- There’s more than one way to peel an orange…
- There’s more than one way to make a bed…
- There’s more than one way to catch a rabbit…
- There’s more than one way to shear a sheep…
- There’s more than one way to shoe a horse…
- There’s more than one way to shine a penny…
- There’s more than one way to knit a sweater…
- There’s more than one way to dive into a pool…
- There’s more than one way to shake a carbuncle…
I have no idea what a carbuncle is so if perhaps shaking it causes harm I apologize.