Quote to consider:
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis
To Dos:
WEEKLY INTERPRETER AVAILABLE: Please continue to utilize our system of having a Spanish interpreter on standby Wednesdays from 1:30-4:00pm. Use the link on the sidebar of the blog to sign up by Tuesday at 9:00am. This resource can be utilized in a variety of ways including: pre-planned parent conferences, cold calls to celebrate success, cold calls to discuss attendance or grades, and/or a way for advisors to complete attendance family contacts.
WEBEX SECURITY UPDATE: As you know, WebEx has been upgraded to be more secure on Monday, November 30th. At that time, students who are logged in will be able to go directly to their teacher’s WebEx room, whereas those who are not logged in will be in the waiting room until they are let in by their teacher. We are hopeful that students completed this update during advisory activities the week before break.
We are thankful for the new Webex changes, but please continue to be vigilant and cautious about allowing “guest” students into WebEx sessions. In addition, please encourage any student who isn’t already, to be logged in with their BLS credentials. For a refresher: students click on the Webex app, and the sign in button is in the lower right.
For added security to our Webex sessions, the master list of links will no longer be available to students. Please add a link to your Webex sessions to your homepage in Canvas by this Friday.
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jmj1zVPGhsjKREDuh2LymLawOheBrQrd/view?usp=sharing
Click the link for button options one, two, three, four, and five provided by our Canvas Coaches.
Bits and Bobs:
DISTRICT TECH TRAININGS: Information regarding a few technology trainings for staff called “After School Specialis can be found via this link.”
STUDENT CAMERAS ON WEBEX: I’ve been a part of a few conversations around students not having cameras on during Webex instruction. As you know, this is not a mandate (that all students have cameras on) – and also can be very frustrating to the teacher. Here is an article found in the Marshall Memo that had what I thought was both good philosophy and ideas regarding better student engagement in this area. It is a one-page read, so I hope you all take a few minutes to check it out!
CLASSIFIED STAFF OPPORTUNITY: Our awesome classified staff members bring diverse talents, background, and expertise to our district! If you’re interested in becoming a certified educator in a hard-to-fill role, we recommend you consider attending an Info Session coming up next week. See this flyer for details.
LIPI UPDATE: As part of the Governor’s “two week pause,” we are not adding additional students to LIPI at this time. We are, however, continuing to offer LIPI to those students who have been participating. Schools can continue to work on lists and processes for adding additional students so we are ready to go when LIPI expansion is once again given the green light.
FIRE ALARM TESTING: Tomco Electric is doing fire alarm testing on Monday (11/30) starting at 8am. During that time there may be a brief alarm sounding, but they will attempt to make it silent.
ELL NEWSLETTER: Please take a moment to read December’s ELL newsletter.
Reminders:
BOND TECHNOLOGY CLASSROOM UPDATE: See the previous blog post for more info and sign up (by Dec. 9th) on this document if you’d like to utilize either of the options shared.
CULTURE OF CARE OPPORTUNITIES: Don’t forget about the many opportunities to connect with your colleagues offered by the HDMS Culture of Care Team- link in sidebar of blog.
HDMS Highlights:
