To Do
Priority # 1: YouthTruth Survey closes next Friday!
Time is running out—just 7 school days left before surveys close end-of-day Friday, January 30th!
- DON’T FORGET TO TRACK SURVEY PROGRESS
Follow along at http://www.ytsurvey.org/BLSprogress26.
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Reminder from HR, Probationary Letters due by February 3: Those of you with third-year Probationary/Temporary certified staff being recommended for Contract status you will need to generate letters of support for each one. The School Board wants each of us to be able to articulate the specific reasons any third-year Probationary/Temporary teacher should move to Contract status, and they take time to read every letter you prepare. Please have these letters uploaded in the appropriate school folder in the google drive listed below no later than February 2, 2026. If you experience any issues with uploading your letters or accessing any of the links below, please email [email protected].
Complete and upload all your Renewal Recommendation letters into the appropriate school folder within this google drive. You will find the list of probationary/temporary certified staff in the drive as well to assist you.
Rubrics for certified staff (link)
Here is a draft template/sample Renewal Recommendation letter for your guidance (make as many copies of the letter as you need)
Be sure your letter is submitted on your school’s letterhead and has your signature prior to uploading
Certified Professional Growth and Performance Manual here.
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Curriculum Guide Audits: TOSAS and our secondary team are currently doing an audit of curriculum guides to ensure that the information shared is consistently communicated for our families.
So, far, we are finding that some schools have made adjustments to the science and math pathways. If this is the case for you, please adjust those ASAP. If you are not sure, reach out to Dean.
From Departments
From Jenn in Student Services:
🎉 National School Counseling Week 2026 (#NSCW26) is February 2–6, 2026! This special week shines a spotlight on the incredible impact of our school counselors and the unique ways they support students every day.
The 2026 theme, School Counselors Amplify Student Success, says it all! Presented by ASCA, National School Counseling Week celebrates how school counselors help students thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and as they plan for future careers.
📅 National School Counseling Week is always held during the first full week of February, and we’re excited to share several resources below to help you celebrate the amazing school counselor(s) at your site.
💙 Please note: We will also be celebrating our Student Success Staff during School Social Worker Week, the week of March 1st.
🏅 Included below is a Certificate of Appreciation you can use to recognize your counselors, along with additional ideas and resources to make this week extra special. Let’s show our counselors how much they are valued and appreciated! 😊🎉
Resources:
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❄️ Cold Weather Reminders from Human Resources ❄️
While our winter has been relatively mild thus far, we wanted to share a few helpful reminders – just in case Old Man Winter decides to show up!
Please be sure to review our Inclement Weather Guidelines
If winter weather does roll in, remember to:
Don’t forget to walk like a penguin – short steps, slow and steady wins the race
Give yourself extra travel time (driving and walking),
Bundle up and wear weather-appropriate footwear,
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From Kayla in Safety:
Reminder for recess/lunch winter weather guidance:
When the outside temperature falls to 20°F or below (not including wind chill), the administration will use caution when allowing outdoor school activities(This information is found in the Quick Reference Guide for Emergencies aka “the Red Green”). See the NOAA Windchill chart here.
Administrators have the discretion to send students outside in inclement weather. For example, it could be above 20°F but extremely icy, so you may decide to keep students inside.
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From Educational Technology:
AI resources for students just got an upgrade, including a new AI for Research slide deck and our AI Guide for Students, both found on the AI in BLS website. If AI instruction is on your radar, we’re glad to partner with you to support classroom conversations and provide staff learning.
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From Gabe, Director of Activities and Athletics:
January 20th-23rd, 2026 – Weekly
Calendar
January 27: Climate and Culture Task Force 8-12 @ Ed Center Boardroom
January 28: All Admin Professional Development 3:00-4:30 BSHS Perseverance Hall
February 2-6: National School Counseling Week! Celebrate your counselors!
February 10: HS Learning Walk 9:00-12:00 @ SHS
February 17: HS Administrator Work Session 9:00-11:00 @ BTA
Who in the World?
Congrats to Dave McKae for winning the where in the world contest this week! The photo is of The Hole in the Rock formation in Papago Park near Phoenix, Arizona. An awesome hike if you’re ever down there. Right next to the zoo!
We celebrate Black History Month in February! Who is this famous inventor and what did he invent?
