From Tammy and Karen
This week (which has been especially “interesting”) I’ve been reminded that the greatest gift we have in our work is each other. Every day, we lean on the collective wisdom, creativity, support, and generosity of our colleagues, and it is this spirit of collaboration that turns challenges into possibilities. When we share ideas, step in for one another, ask thoughtful questions, or simply listen with care, we create a community where everyone can thrive. Our individual strengths are powerful on their own, but together they become something extraordinary—something that lifts our schools, our students, and our shared purpose. Thank you for the many ways you show up for one another; your collaborative spirit is the heartbeat of our success.
Important Links
- November 19th Elementary TLC Update
- SPECIAL EDGE November 20
- 1-Page Student Management guide
- Topics of Interest/Problem of Practice
- FAQs for Special Education Inclusion Topics—Keep checking in here! BEA and BLS supported
- Dates to recognize groups
Notes from our Team:
From Julie Richards, Director of Elementary Curriculum
Please share with staff:
Subject: Maintaining Strong Instructional Routines as We Approach Winter Break
As we move into the final three weeks before winter break, we want to thank you for your continued dedication to high-quality instruction and for the warmth, creativity, and care you bring into your classrooms during this season.
These last weeks before break are a critical window for student learning, particularly in reading and mathematics, where consistent, uninterrupted instructional time has a meaningful impact on student growth. Strong routines, clear expectations, and protected instructional minutes help ensure that students continue to make progress right up to the final day.
We fully support engaging, fun, and meaningful seasonal activities and projects that are inclusive of all students and reflect the diverse traditions, backgrounds, and experiences in our school community. At the same time, we ask that core daily routines for reading and math remain intact and that instructional minutes in these areas are not reduced or replaced. When possible, consider ways to integrate literacy, math, and content standards into projects and celebrations, allowing students to learn while engaging in seasonal fun.
Your ability to balance joy with purpose is one of your greatest strengths. By maintaining consistent instructional routines alongside engaging and inclusive activities, we ensure our students continue to thrive academically while feeling valued and connected during this time of year.
Thank you for your professionalism, intentional planning, and commitment to maximizing every learning minute for our students.
From Kayla Martin, Safety
Thank you all for your attendance and participation at our second cadre meeting! Here is the link to the Cadre and Student Services slides.
A few pieces of information that were discussed:
- Here is the Health & Safety POC Roster- The best place to start when fielding your safety concerns.
- Want to revoke visitation privileges? Start here.
- Holiday party refresher
- Volunteer: Helping with the party by providing a service or supporting supervision (Ex: helping students build gingerbread houses in the hallway)
- Visitor: Attending the party!
- Provide feedback here!!
From Kinsey – Office of Policy and Advocacy
Policy Training: Here is the slide with links to the policies we discussed via scenarios at your recent horizontal meetings. Let me know if you have an issue related to one of these scenarios or policies that you’d like to discuss.
Bias/Complaint Response Template: As a reminder, most of our complaint policies require that you communicate your investigation findings in writing. This can often be an informal email format (for a bias incident between students, or a straightforward complaint where you’ve been communicating frequently with the parent or employee already), and other times a more formal findings document.
In either case, there are certain points you need to include in that written conclusion of the investigation (ex: your conclusion, how to appeal, etc). Here is a template you can download and use. It’s geared toward bias incidents and a formal format, but you can adapt and use pieces as desired. If this is overwhelming or unhelpful, disregard. I’m always happy to review a draft email or findings document to check it against policy considerations before you send it, if helpful for you!
From Dave VanLoo – Director of School Improvement
Here are links to use for documenting OSAS testing opt-outs and exemptions in 2025-26. These forms are like what we have used in the past and are needed for cleaning up data at the end of the school year. Opt-outs apply only to ELA and Math testing; anything else follows ODE’s exemption process.
ELA & Math: https://forms.gle/PJL18GBVXBrtZHT7A
Science & ELPA: https://forms.gle/VvvQoTtdz8hYFKfw5
In addition, principals and VPs can view students added to the opt-out and exemption forms at these links. These links contain data for all schools, but schools can filter their own students to help plan and manage testing.
2025-26 OSAS ELA & Math Opt Out Tracking Form (Responses)
2025-26 OSAS Science & ELPA Exemption Tracker (Responses)
Let Dave VanLoo or Stephanie Bent know if you have any questions or need other staff added to the response spreadsheets.
From Tami Pike – Director of Health Services
Health Services Support During School-Sponsored Activities
Please ensure that parents/guardians of students who require specialized health services (e.g., diabetes management, seizure support, adrenal insufficiency care) are informed that the school nurse must receive at least two weeks’ notice before any school-sponsored activity that occurs outside of regular school hours (such as dances, movie nights, or Robotics events). This advance notice is necessary to arrange appropriate health supports.
For overnight trips, a request should be submitted by the parent/guardian at least four weeks’ in advance of the event to allow sufficient time for planning and coordination.
Parents/guardians can submit a request for health services support here (English/Spanish).
This guideline does not apply to athletic events or classroom field trips, as those requests must be submitted by the coach or teacher using the Request for Direct Care Nursing Services form.
PPE Our post-COVID PPE supply is running low, and we are currently out of medium-disposable gloves. Prior to COVID, schools were responsible for purchasing their own gloves for general use, and we will be returning to that practice. The remaining PPE items listed below will not be replenished once they are gone.
Current inventory available through Distribution:
- Small disposable gloves
- Large disposable gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Disposable masks
Well Child Exams. Please share in your school newsletters. English/Spanish
Action Items
- Prepare for our PLC meetings in the next two weeks by revisiting the notes, thinking about your problem of practice, collecting any data or helpful resources, and be ready to set goals for outcomes and for your individual and collective learning. You can access notes and slides for the next meeting here.
- Share information with staff regarding teaching expectations for the month of December
- Share Well Child Exam info in school newsletters: English/Spanish
- Check out the Bias Incident Response Template from Kinsey
- Use the forms provided by Dave VanLoo to document opt outs from testing
Important Dates
- December 9: PLCs 3 and 4, from 3:00-4:30
- December 16: PLCs 1 and 2, from 3:00-4:30
- December 17: All Admin PD 3:00 – 4:30 pm at Aspen Hall
- December 22 – Jan 2: Winter Break
- January 13: Horizontal Meeting 3:00 – 4:30 at Highland Elementary
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School
- January 20: PLCs 1 and 2 from 3:00 – 4:30
- January 21: Educator Network Day
- January 27: PLCs 3 and 4 from 3:00 – 4:30
- January 28: All Admin PD 3:00 – 4:30
- January 30: Progress Reports – No school for students
And finally… Congratulations to our Next Duck Drawing winner Lynne Tat!
Lynne Tat is in her second year as Assistant Principal at North Star. Prior to that, she was a counselor at High Desert Middle School for many years and a District Equity Coach. Her roots in elementary school go way back though, as she started out her career as an elementary teacher in Pendleton. She is the proud mother of Hannah, a member of the Wolfpack at Caldera and Brady, who is a High Desert Diamondback. Throughout the year, you can find Lynne cheering on her kids in sports, or husband Ban, as the coach. Lynne brings a passion for creating school environments in which all students, families, and staff are seen, welcomed, and appreciated as valuable members of a community. Thanks for all you do Lynne! Let us know what your beverage of choice is and we will bring it your way!
