Special Edge 6/5/20

From Sean Reinhart:

Well, we made it.  This is our last Special Edge of this surreal school year.  As we put this year to a close, I can say that I have never been more proud and prideful of you and our district.  You have all demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our students and families as you quickly adapted to the new environment.  This is a testament to not only your skill and competence as educators (teachers, EAs, specialists…we are all educators), it is also a testament to you genuinely caring about students.  Our organization is coming through this stress test in good form.  We are shaking some old practices while creating a lot of new practices and staying frosty with our goals.  We were not able to see each other as often, but in some ways, we were able to connect more directly about kids. 

I am humbled by the role of public schools in our society.  I have always believed that schools play a much larger role in holding our society together, but through the COVID closure, I have seen it firsthand.  We take care of students’ basic needs.  We feed and clothe students and provide social and emotional support for students.  We get them to and from home and drop them off at their after care services.  We provide care for students so their parents can work and provide for their family.  We partner with club sports teams and park and recreation for facility use so that kids have active and enriching activities after school.   We expertly (ask the parents!) teach students how to read, write, count, walk, talk, eat, take care of basic needs, get a job, cook, make friends, and think critically.  Schools are not a cog, schools are the cog in our communities and are vital to our society moving forward. 

I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t tell you what fall will look like at this time.  We will be getting some guidance soon and will work to create a plan with all the provided information.   I will be sending emails routinely throughout the summer, so be sure a take a peek at your emails once per week for updates related to our return to school this fall, including professional development opportunities.  I do have one SAVE the DATE for some Trauma Informed Practice training that will be available in August.  Click the link to read the flyer for Jim Sporleder Aug. 20-21.

Have a wonderful and restful break. 

From Behavior Coaches:

SUMMER RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES:

Behavior Coaching Tools for Parents & Families
This document is designed as a tool for teachers, staff and behavior coaches to support parents and caregivers who are experiencing challenging behavior in the home setting.

Bend LaPine Schools District Website:  Student Mental Health and Families in Need

SUMMER RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS:

TRAUMA-INFORMED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Save the Date:  August 20-21, 2020
Join Jim Sporleder in Bend, Oregon, to learn how to develop a trauma-informed & relationship-centered culture in your building.  Jim Sporleder is the former principal from Paper Tigers Documentary   More details and registration link available in early June at High Desert Education Service District.

CLASSROOM 180 BOOK CLUB
Join educators across the Bend-La Pine School District who will be reading Classroom 180  by Heather Forbes.  Heather Forbes is the owner of the Beyond Consequences Institute . She has worked in the field of trauma and healing since 1999. She is an internationally published author and speaker on the issues that arise when children and young adults are impacted by trauma.  Heather’s signature style is to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-life application.   The purpose of this book study is to provide educators with a comprehensive framework to create, implement, and sustain a trauma-informed classroom.  We will learn how trauma impacts the brain and how we can create an environment to support all our students during these uncertain times.  (Note: You are responsible for the purchase of the book.  Cost is 54.00)  Draft of Classroom 180 Syllabus   Registration link coming soon in Performance Matters. 

From Shannon Watters:

We are in the final stretch, you can do this!  Just a couple of reminders for paperwork and progress reports:

PAPERWORK

Today is the last day to turn in paperwork to Records Clerks for a review.  Please don’t send anything in and expect a review after 4 o’clock today.  Records Clerks will not be reviewing any documents that come in after 4 pm. 

Here are the steps you must complete for IEP paperwork that will not have a review from records clerks:

1. Send only paperwork that needs to be uploaded (meeting attendance, meeting notes, reports, etc.) to the Records Clerks ([email protected]).  They will upload it for you when they receive it, just not review it. 
2. If you have paperwork that needs signatures, please email the document(s) to RCC and they will send it out.  They will also upload it when it comes back fully signed.
3. Validate all paperwork in Synergy.  Once all errors have been fixed, finalize the paperwork.  This will move the documents into the Historical Docs.
4. Complete the Progress Report for that student.  Guidance is listed in Bend – La Pine Schools COVID Guidance (question 1-H) on how to complete Progress Reports.
5. You are now responsible for sending the finalized paperwork home.  Here is the link regarding accessing documents once they have been finalized.  
6. You can use BLSend to get all documents to parents.  Here is the link for guidance on using BLSend.  Remember: *Check to make sure the uploaded documents are listed.

PROGRESS REPORTS

• Progress reports must be completed for every child, with the exception of Private/Homeschool refusals and ECSE students.
• IEPs must be finalized before you can complete a Progress Report.
• The Bend – La Pine Schools COVID Guidance (question 1-h) provides scenarios to help guide you in completing the progress reports.  You will also find the Synergy guidance on creating progress reports linked here.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.