February 8, 2024

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Click HERE to check out 29 minute-long Black History highlights that you might not know from cbschicago. In what ways are your students learning about Black History this month? What about throughout the year?

Do Now:

  • Title Mid-Year Update: Title Schools—Please work to get all your documents into your folders so you can stay caught up. Here is the link to the Mid-Year check-in slides from Tuesday. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Meryll or Tammy with any questions.
  • SRO Appreciation: SRO Cards, posters, goodies to Kayla in Safety by Feb 9!
  • Ed Network: Still looking for teachers to share their practice and ideas with other teachers at our Feb 28th Educator Network Day.  Please have them sign up here if they have an idea for a session and are willing to facilitate that session.

Reminders:

New Notes:

From Paul in HR: Classified Performance Evaluations

Classified staff who are to be evaluated this year will appear in your Performance and Evaluation Hub on Tuesday, February 13.  They will receive the following email/notification on Tuesday:

We are kicking off the classified performance evaluation process for 2023/24.  If you were not evaluated last year, then you can expect to complete the following tasks between now and July 1.

  • Fill out a goal setting form
  • Complete a self-reflection (optional)
  • Sign a summative evaluation completed by your direct supervisor 

Your supervisor will communicate with you on which method they plan on using for your performance evaluation process for this school year which will be either (a) digitally through UKG or (b) by providing with your paper copies of these forms which they will upload into your UKG personnel file. If they choose to use UKG’s digital workflows, then you will need to monitor your notifications/to-do’s within UKG to complete each of these tasks electronically.  Due dates for digital workflows will be:

  • March 1 for goal setting
  • April 1 – May 1 for self reflections (optional)
  • May 1 to July 1 for summative evaluations

From Jenny White (SEL/LCR): Something to share with staff- This collection from Wayfinder engages students in fun interactive games that promote engagement.  This collection include games the encourage cooperation, adaptability, and connection. Directions on how to find the collection in Wayfinder.

Direct Links. Kindergarten. 1st – 2nd. 3rd – 5th

From Kinsey (DEI):

  • Black History Month door-decorating contest: This information was shared with your DEI ICCL reps.  Here are pictures from last year.  Can you please reinforce messaging with your team so your school is represented?  Photo submissions due Feb 27, winners (with prizes!) will be announced Feb 29.  
  • Incoming student nights/family orientations: Don’t forget to schedule interpreters via Linguist Link for upcoming events with families visiting your school (example: 5th Grade Family Nights at middle schools, Academic Info Nights, orientations).  Plan in advance for how the interpreter will be used and how multilingual families will access each stage of the event.  Language Specialists and Family Liaisons can help you develop a plan.
  • Upcoming religious dates:  Here are religious observances occurring during school days in Feb-March.  We have current students and staff who observe these days, so please plan accordingly:  
    • Ash Wednesday: Wed, Feb 14.  Students who observe this day may wear ashes on their forehead.  Teachers and coaches should not ask them to remove or wash off the ashes.  If other students mock or tease them, please report this as a bias incident.  
    • Ramadan: Mon, March 11 – Tues, April 9.  This observance includes complete fasting while the sun is out as well as additional prayer.
      • Students: Teachers should avoid high-stakes exams during this time—if unavoidable, provide accommodations for students as needed.  PE teachers and coaches should work with Muslim students modify physical activity as needed.  
      • Families: Be thoughtful about evening events asking families to come to school after dark, or afternoon events centered around food/meals that might exclude Muslim families.
      • Employees: Be thoughtful about staff celebrations (PTA events, social committee) centered on meals during this time period.  
      • Support: If an employee or student needs accommodations that you are not able to easily provide, or if you want to talk through supports, reach out.

From Tammy and Lisa:

New Contract Information: Based on the actions that happen during the next few days related to the tentative agreements, we plan to use our February 21st Admin Training to discuss contract information. Assuming you all have some questions, we’d like to ask that you add your wonderings to THIS GOOGLE DOC in preparation for our team discussion. We want to make sure all your questions are answered and this will help make sure that we don’t miss any.

Sustainability: As a reminder, one of our executive limitations in Bend La Pine relates to our sustainability efforts. Please take a look at THIS DOCUMENT which outlines our responsibility as schools to sustainability. All schools MUST be practicing the bullets outlined within Level 1 at the very least. If you are not yet there with waste stations, boat stacking, or silverware, please connect with Jackie Mueller by February 16th so she can meet with your team to help you with implementation next steps. If you are further along, what target bullets might your school strive for next?

  • Sustainability Vision from the EL-7 directed Sustainability Plan – 2021
    Bend-La Pine schools will educate and inspire students and staff to be
    leaders in a sustainable community, use resources wisely and support
    the district’s educational and operational goals

Support for Admin Hiring: Thank you all for your flexibility and willingness to support new schools as we work to hire four administrators next week! We hope your days are filled with fun and excitement and the days at your home site are smooth and easy. ❤️

Admin/ICCL Feb 13: During this time of year, you are likely meeting as a school team to go over your mid-year student data outcomes (output data). Although this is important information about which to reflect, it is even more important to recognize and evaluate the adult actions that are essential for strong outcomes. This is your input data. During your time on Feb 13th, you and your leadership team will reflect on the current baseline practices at your school, discuss ways in which support can be best delivered, and brainstorm how you can plan for ensuring these practices are consistent and predictable for all students in all classes. On Friday afternoon, you will receive a slideshow and a survey that you will use to guide your ICCL time together. If you have questions after looking through the slides, please reach out to Tammy or Lisa for support.

Important Dates

  • Feb 9: SRO appreciation due to Kayla today!
  • Feb 13: Admin/ICCL Meeting 3-5 pm at your site (details to come in separate e-mail on Friday evening)
  • Feb 13: Elk Meadow Principal Hiring Day
  • Feb 14: North Star Principal Hiring Day
  • Feb. 15: School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
  • Feb 15: Jewell Principal Hiring Day
  • Feb 16: Bear Creek Principal Hiring Day
  • Feb 19: President’s Day—This is not a paid holiday, so use non-contract if you don’t work
  • Feb 21: Admin PD at Perseverance Hall at BSH–3:00-4:30 (This will cover the new contract)
  • Feb 27: 3:00-5:00. Elementary Leadership, at North Star Elementary
  • Mar. 1: Education Foundation Grants are due: www.blpedfoundation.org

And finally…

Curious about what AI might look like in classrooms? HERE is a recent article that highlights some ways teachers are using these tools. Have you played with any AI technology recently?

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