Quote to consider
Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
To Dos
The admin team would like to support content teams by attending content team PLCs twice a month. Please email Wendy and Nole what reoccurring meeting times work for your team.
Bits and Bobs
GRADING:
Q: “Since grading last spring was P/NG will the district be giving guidance on grading during CDL?”
A: There will not be district or state guidance given for grading. Last spring we were required to not assign student grades to work received (or not received). This fall schools in Oregon are allowed and expected to grade assignments/tests. I would suggest one of two things: 1) Grade work as you have in the past. After communicating expectations around grading, hold students accountable to these expectations when issuing grades. 2) As a team or department, come to some agreements around grading that all on that team/department will adhere to.
Q: “Last spring we didn’t ‘collect’ paper packets will those be F’s now if not turned in to the school? Any guidance on what expectations we can get on what students should be completing and turning in would help me know how to best grade”
A: Teachers need to base grades on student work. If the only way to receive student work is via paper packets and these packets are not turned in, then assessment cannot happen. If there is another way to assess student work (verbal or written input from students for example) then those options are open as they would be for students when in a traditional classroom setting. I would encourage families to use Canvas if they are able to (no medical reason to not use iPad, and they have internet access at home) as this will be the absolute best way for assignments to be given and received – as well as feedback on the work turned in.
For both of these two scenarios it is important to remember that there is more than one way to collect learning from students. This is a time for teachers to both be flexible and creative in how assignments are given and received. There is additional time built into the MS teacher schedule that allows for teacher exploration and communication with students. I’m excited to see what new, creative techniques might come out of this required distance learning teaching environment we are currently in. Also, one of our first priorities when allowed to go to a “limited in person” model (as soon as Sept. 28) is to bring in (to school) those students who need required testing (SPED and ELL come to mind), and students who do not have any connectivity at home – like don’t have internet or cell service (even with a hot spot).
COMMUNICATION TO FAMILIES:
Main/general communications will be given from advisors to families (eg: school-wide info, tech updates, family engagement, etc). Additionally, we will continue to do whole school communications weekly from Wendy to families using SynerVoice and staff will also be sent these communications so staff is in the loop. Families will be able to follow along with their students’ academic progress through Canvas and Synergy. Teachers will continue to be available for families to email if they have specific content/grading/curriculum questions and connect with students/families through office hours (more details for teachers on our teacher CDL schedule). When a student is struggling/unengaged, please continue to connect with their families early and often as well as looping in their grade level counselor and advisor. Please send out POSITIVE communications (without family action items) as often as possible.
ATTENDANCE:
In CDL schedule, teachers will be able to override the PV code with a NPV code. At 11:00am the auto dialer will place calls to parents for the previous day’s NPV absences school wide. Therefore, a particular day’s attendance must be completed by 10:00am the following morning. A student is considered present if any of the following occur:
– Participating in a video class
– Communication from the student to the teacher via chat, text message or email
– A phone call with the student
– Posting completed coursework to a learning management system or web-based platform or via email
– Turning in completed coursework on a given day
WEDNESDAY:
During CDL, teachers will post 20 minute assignments/activities (similar to exit tickets) every Wednesday. The district has decided that teachers will need to post these 20 min assignments/activities on Wednesday mornings (not earlier). Teachers can use Canvas to schedule these assignment postings ahead of time if they choose. The main reason for this decision is due to attendance; students submitting completed work for this assignment will be the way teachers take attendance each Wednesday (for students who do not attend a support session). These weekly Wednesday assignments will begin on our first Wednesday (9/16). Advisory classes do not “meet” on Wednesdays, therefore there will not be an activity/assignment for attendance on Wednesdays from advisory.
HDMS ICCL WORK TEAMS:
Most folks have already signed up for a team, Thank you! It is still my expectation that we have all certified staff sign up to be a part a team. If you have not signed up please do so here.
It is important for me to have shared leadership, voice and direction as we move our work forward at HDMS. These work team serve as one way to invite conversation and ensure that all staff have a place to show up, share their thoughts and ultimately shape the work and direction for our school. These team are not new, but extensions and a continuation from last year. It is still my hope to have all staff be a part of this work during CDL.
I recognize that CDL and Canvas as well as the landscape of our world right now can feel overwhelming. I also want to continue to work hard to support and honor teachers time. The MS schedule our district has created offers several opportunities for teachers to accomplish what is being asked of them during CDL and I believe there is still room for serving on our school teams.
For the next 5 weeks, my plan is to have our ICCL work teams meet weekly during the building directed SIW time (12:20-1:25), thereby not infringing on any other teacher prep times. These meeting will begin on 9.23.2020.
If anyone is concerned about this ask, I invite folks to chat with me and share what their specific concerns are so I can better understand.
STAFF COURSE OFFERING
In Performance Matters look for this course title: Meeting the Needs of All Students: Differentiation is the Key
Description: This course will support you in providing differentiated instruction both in a virtual and face-to-face classroom settings. As a result of this class, you will come away with a better understanding of what differentiated instruction is and you will have created a differentiated instruction lesson you will be able to implement directly into your classroom this year. This course is run completely through Canvas, with a group share on the last day of the course (Friday, December 4th).
- Class will be presented online through Canvas and WebEx
- Class will require approximately 3.5 hours of work per week, for 3 weeks (all digital).
CANVAS COACHING
HDMS Canvas Coaches and the subject areas they will support:
- Ingrid Hoban – Math department and SPED department
- Elissa Freeman – LA department and counselors
- Lisa Meredith – Science department and Electives Department
- Martin Wardle – SS department, PE department and ELL department
Please take advantage of this Instructional Canvas Resource webpage.
Reminders
DISTRICT WORK TEAMS:
Sign up for an optional district work team.
GUIDELINES FOR MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION:
Each of the past few weeks we’ve shared the “Guidelines for distribution of materials between school and home” document. It continues to be refined and updated; here is the latest update. This one includes what to do in the scenario of distributing material to a student’s home (directly). We will continue to provide links to the most up-to-date version of these procedures as they are shared with us.
BUILDING PROTOCOLS:
– Always enter through Main Entrance
– Sign in (including your locations so these areas can be sanitized)
– Masks must be worn at all times (unless you are alone in your room and can close your door)
– If you meet (in person) with members of your cohort for more then 15 mins, remember to record this on the Staff Contact Tracing Log
HDMS Highlights
8th grade WEB Leaders in action for the first ever virtual training! Go WEB!
