Together we thrive! And that we did today at our elementary kick-off. Appreciation for you all –for your presence, engagement, flexibility, and desire to learn today. Appreciation to Dan for an exciting story of thriving on the PCT to kick us off, Eric for helping us dig into Article 18 and how to proactively set our schools up for success, Jennifer for a brain break that was active and fun, Julie for helping us start to learn the ins and outs of EL, and Lisa McNulty back at the office who took care of lunch! It all made for a wonderful day.
I am aware the Feedback QR code for today was cumbersome to log into at a non-BLS site. (not to mention, I may have turned off the projector and forgot you were all scanning!) We are up to 17 people who have taken the survey—just 18 to go! Here is a link to do it here real quick–please and thank you!
The “slide decks” link in the top bar is updated with the slide decks from Julie and I today. Here are links for other resources I tossed your way today as well.
- Tier 1 Expectations
- Personal Electronic Device Expectations
- School Issued iPad Expectations (Draft–feedback here please)
- SIW Planning Doc with corrected Nov date
- Assurances for Learning
Also, here is the link from a sample schedule I shared last spring of building a main schedule with assurances if you find it helpful to see.
From Tammy
1. As we head into the planning of our inservice weeks, please make sure you share this strategic priorities document with your staff. It is important in defining what we are about, communicating a common message, and having a vision for where we are headed.
2. In going through our exit cards (“What are you still wondering about?) from earlier this week, I saw several common themes that we will start to work through answering. Some of the topics got covered earlier today at our training, but there is one in particular that I want to draw our attention to sooner than later, and that is in relation to the schools who, due to reduced funding, whether it be no longer having Title, or not having partial FTE in the staffing plan, have lost a reading specialist.
I know that there are aspects about that that make it feel impossible to continue a successful Walk to Skill program. Have hope–I know that there are several ways in which you can still have a very successful Walk to Skill program, but it is going to take us coming together, with some of our reading experts (Julie, Lindsley, and coaches) to talk about all the possibilities. Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 15 at 8:30, for any school without a reading specialist or anyone interested for that matter, in putting our heads together to work on this topic. Please RSVP here. Anyone available to host? When I hear of a place, I’ll email all who rsvp to let you know!
Action Items
- Update staffing plans to reflect your staff names and positions accurately (certified and classified tabs)
- Update your current enrollment, also changing the number of students per section as you adjust it (#s 1 and 2 on the photo)
- Note: Please show a blend like #3 on the photo (keep accurate numbers on grade level lines and color block the blend). This example is a 1/2 blend of 21 students.
- When you make a change, please update the last date you changed it. (#4 on photo). Or, if you don’t have a change to make, please put the date you last checked the plan.
- If you haven’t done so already, sign up here for one of the HR Trainings called, “Managing Performance–Investigations” from 12:30-4:30on either August 15th or 19th. (August 8 is not possible for elementary with our kick off day)
Important Links
- August Professional Learning Calendar
- K-5 Curriculum Checklists
- Inservice Week Certified work calendar for 24-25.
Notes from our Team:
From Colleen and Josh in Student Services: Update on Inclusion EA schedule:
Thursday 8/29 and Friday 8/30 – 8AM-11AM: All “new to the district” inclusion EAs will receive onboarding training. Student Services central office team will host this “two mornings” training to support the great start for our new inclusion EAs. At the end of each session, EAs will return to the buildings to work the rest of the day with your teams. This training will coincide with the instructional EA trainings that will occur on those same days. Inclusion EAs will report to work on Tuesday 8/27, Thursday 8/29, and Friday 8/30.
From Kinsey, Policy, Advocacy, and Equity: Family Liaisons and FAN Advocates: I know you are wondering who your Liaison and FAN Advocate will be this year. We had some August changes with staff on those teams, so I am still completing hiring. After hiring, I will finalize school placements but those will likely not be confirmed for another two weeks.
In the meantime: If your school has August family events, please invite the Liaison and Advocate who have been serving your school most recently, and assume they’ll be with you again until/unless you hear otherwise. (My goal is to make minimal changes to placements this year, so hopefully you’ll experience consistency within those roles.) Liaisons and FAN are not back on contract until the last week in August, but some might be available for your earlier family events. In addition to inviting those roles, don’t forget to request interpreters via Linguist Link.
If you have questions or an urgent need related to family engagement or family support, reach out!
Sharezies: Eric has created a folder in which he will be dropping things that admin are asking for. I have created a link to that folder in “sharezies”, located on the top bar of this blog.
Important Dates
- August 13: Title Admin/ Office Manager Meeting, here in the board room from 9:00-11:00
- August 15: Optional planning for schools without a reading specialist, 8:30, location TBA
- August 15 or 19: Training: Managing Performance–Investigations, 12:30-4:30 (15th in the Brooks room at the Public Library)
- August 19-21: Tammy out at a Federal Programs Budget conference (text if you need me and if I can, I’ll step out and help)
- August 22: Elementary Admin Meeting—8:00-11:30, Jewell Elementary–thanks Jesse!
- August 26: New Teacher training–all admin attend to welcome them. Time/place TBD (it will be first thing in the morning)
- August 27: District Welcome Back! An interactive whole school event. 8:30-10:00
And finally…
