
From Tammy and Karen
It looks like the weather is going to cooperate over the next few weeks for us to amp up our mindfulness throughout ACTIVE APRIL Month! I hope you will join me in this challenge to get moving more as a way to alleviate stress and build wellness!
Breakfast and Belonging:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Belonging Survey for Administrators! We received 26 responses, and you can view the results in this slideshow. These insights will help us build on our strengths as a team while also identifying areas for growth.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the responses and explore ways we can foster an even stronger sense of belonging within our team. To gather your ideas, we’ll be discussing this further during our Breakfast and Belonging meetings with Principals and our Ice Cream and Inclusion meetings in May with APs. Your input is invaluable in shaping a more connected and supportive Elementary Administrator Team. Looking forward to the conversation!
Breakfast and Belonging Group Reminders: These groups will take place at Jackson’s Corner at the big table (we reserved it!) from 7:00-8:30, and includes breakfast and beverages! We are excited for time to connect in small groups. If you are unable to attend your assigned time please just let us know!
Friday, April 4: Scott, Tim, Nichole, Kate, Julie
Friday, April 11: Andy, Beth, Lybe, Patrick, Kimberly
Thursday, April 17: Wendy, Deborah, Ben, Jesse, Jennifer
Friday, April 25: Dan, Megan, Michelle, Gary, Marc
Spring Conferences Schedule Reminder: For Spring conferences, the work days are as follows: Wednesday, April 16, from 7:15-3:15 (first 8 hours if your day is slightly different) is work time–no conferences during this time and 3:15-7:15 is conference time. Thursday, April 17, 7:15-7:15 are conferences. Friday, April 18, is a day off to trade.
Bargaining Updates: This spring we are sharing our bargaining updates on our Staff Portal. Our first update, covering last night’s first session with the BEA and District teams, is available HERE.
Bargaining dates:
BEA-BLS: April 2, 16 and 30; May 12 and 19; June 2 and 3
OSEA-BLS: April 10 and 24; May 8, 22 and 29; June 4
Important Links
- BEA and OSEA Bargaining Update Website
- State Testing Folder
- March 19th Elementary TLC Update
- Topics of Interest/Problem of Practice-Got something you want some collaboration with? (New Request about systems to support student behavior)
- FAQs for Special Education Inclusion Topics—Keep checking in here! BEA and BLS supported
Notes from our Team:
From Kerry Morton, Math TOSA
Bridges Math Disposal – Please do not dispose of any Bridges materials, yet. It will cause additional work for your custodial staff and cost extra money.Your office manager should have shared this survey with teachers to help the Custodial Department determine how many recycle bins and dumpsters are needed at your school for the disposal of the Bridges Math materials. Please resend the survey to your staff so the Custodial Department can make a plan. We only have about 50% of teacher responses. Thank you!
From Kinsey in Policy, Advocacy, and Office of DEI
Emergency contacts: We’ve learned from other districts across the country who have experienced immigration raids, or smaller-scale detention/deportation actions in their community, the importance of having up-to-date emergency contacts in Synergy for each student. If parents/guardians suddenly become unavailable, we rely on emergency contacts–outdated information adds stress to an already traumatic situation.
With conferences coming up, please encourage families (all families, not just those to whom the above situation might apply) to update their emergency contacts. This might look like a station in your lobby with iPads and instructions (I’m working on getting some we can provide you), a reminder by classroom teachers, etc.
Day of Silence: The 2025 Day of Silence is coming up (student-led advocacy day to support the LGBTQ community). I have asked your DEI-ICCL rep and/or GSA advisor to send a message to staff about this day, so staff are aware and know how to navigate.
If you haven’t seen that message come out to your staff, or if you’d like to re-send it in your staff memos, please reach out to your DEI-ICCL rep. Teachers should plan for nonverbal or written means of participation in class that day, if possible.
From Ryan Kelling in Human Resources
Contract letters for licensed employees were sent to all licensed employees via UKG and must be returned no later than April 15.mIf you have not yet completed yours, please log in to UKG to review and submit your response as soon as possible.
Administrators, please ensure your staff are aware of this deadline and follow up as needed – and don’t forget to return yours too! If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Candy Gelatt or [email protected]
From Julie Richards in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction
Educator Network Day – April 23 will be dedicated to learning about Amplify Desmos Math. This will be virtual and facilitated by Fawn Nguyen from Amplify Desmos Math. The staff will need to be in one location (library) and the administrator’s role is to open the link on their computer and manage the chat and be the communication liaison between Fawn Nguyen and your staff. The zoom link will be sent to you on the day of the training.
Life and Career Readiness (Jenny White and Jennifer Hauth)
Principals below is an activity you can use at the beginning of a SIW or staff meeting.
From Scott and Kayla in Safety
Please check out the slides from the most recent Safety Cadre Meeting: Safety Cadre #3 Training Slides- Elementary
Dyslexia Training Opportunity Central Oregon Dyslexia Conference – May 3, 9am – 3:30pm
Location: Ridgeview High School
This conference is designed with educators, administrators, and parents in mind, bringing you resources and tools from the International Dyslexia Association and specialists in our community. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what Dyslexia is, experience a simulation putting you in the seat of a child with learning disabilities and take a deeper dive into understanding how to best support these students. Learn why children struggle with reading and what you can do in the classroom to help!
Teachers – Earn 5.5 Professional Development Units for FREE. No additional paperwork necessary – certificates will be distributed after the event.
Join us if you are just learning about dyslexia or you are ready for a deeper dive into strategies and tools for working with children with dyslexia. Together, we can help our struggling readers!
More information and registration : https://CentralOregonDyslexiaConference.eventbrite.com. The conference is $12 and includes lunch and snacks.
Action Items
- Do not dispose of Bridges Materials yet
- Update emergency contacts at spring conferences
- Make sure you and your staff have signed their contract letters by April 15
Important Dates
- April 4th: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
- April 8: School Board Meeting 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- April 9: Administrator Professional Development 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Perseverance Hall, Read Ch 3 of Thriving Leaders
- April 11: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
- April 15: Horizontal meeting 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Ponderosa Elementary–PON and Jewell host
- April 17: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
- April 19: On the Road to Kindergarten Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at various parks
- April 22: Admin ICCL 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- April 25: Breakfast and Belonging, Jackson’s Corner, 7:00-8:30
And finally…A lovely reminder from the American Heart Association! Keep moving forward and walking down that road! Good things are coming!






























