Quote to consider:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
To Dos:
MS SCHEDULE UPDATE: On Wednesdays, students will be remote, with time to complete coursework that has previously been assigned by their teachers. Teachers will be available for extra tutoring and support via scheduled office hours- details found here. Please connect with Nole if you have questions or need support with this adjustment in any way.
CANVAS EXPECTATIONS UPDATE: Here is a support document that covers the Canvas LMS system expectations. It is very important that teachers continue the three minimum requirements of posting weekly agendas, creating assignments and providing feedback in Canvas. It is also very important that they continue to regularly sync Canvas and Synergy. Updated information in both Canvas and Synergy not only allows access for our students who are quarantined at home, but also allows counselors and staff to accurately track and monitor student progress.
CURRICULUM ORDERS-LAST REMINDER: Heather is coordinating curriculum orders for the 2021-22 school year. You can view this document’s HDMS tab to see what was purchased last year. Please email Heather by May 14th if you plan on making any purchases so that information can be input into the database.
MAY FIRE DRILL: Scheduled for Monday (5.10.21) at the end of advisory at 11:35ish. This drill will not be scheduled for students, so please do not share this info with them ahead of time.
Bits and Bobs:
CONTENT SECTIONS: With the adjustments of course sections in the four core content areas to make class sizing more equitable, and to avoid the need for further reduction in staffing, comes the need for staff to divide up their sections amongst their team. (Elective teachers will also have to complete a form, but aren’t tasked with dividing up sections with colleagues if they are the only person that teaches that elective). We appreciate everyone’s time in connecting as a team with Nole to discuss these details; these forms are due back to Nole by 5/12.
SUB NOTES/TECH PROCEDURES: As in years past, if you are going to be absent and are unable to leave hardcopies of that day’s lesson on your desk, please email your sub plans to a wingmate who can print and support with details for your sub. It is imperative that you also cc Kerri, Karina, Stacy, Gina, Nole, Heather, and Kara on this email to support in the event your wingmate is unable to support or unexpectedly absent as well. If you would like your sub to utilize technology, please also cc our site tech Rob Hartsock on the email and the sub can connect with him in the morning in his office in the media center.
WATER BOTTLES: Please support students by reminding them to bring their own water bottles to school. While the office does have water bottles to give away occasionally if a student genuinely forgets theirs, we are unable to provide water bottles on a regular basis to the same students repeatedly as this is not cost effective nor sustainable. Continue to refrain from sending multiple students to the office, bathroom, etc. at the same time.
WARMING WEATHER: (from Tim): The district’s head HVAC person wrote a program last year for the HDMS system so that when temps reach a certain degree the system will pull in cooler air and circulate it in classroom wings in the middle of the night through the early morning. Usually, the HVAC system shuts down at a certain time after everyone leaves the building, but this program forces it to continue running for the sole purpose of cooling the building. Reminder: as temps get warmer, staff should consider leaving their upstairs windows open overnight so the cooler air will circulate. We shut them on weekends.
FAN USAGE: Fans can only be used if they are pulling fresh air in from the outside (stationed by a window or exterior door), not if they are circulating existing air in the classroom.
EVENTS/ACTIVITIES GUIDELINES: Click here for the latest guidelines (as of now) for events/activities both during and after school. Any staff interested in hosting events/activities must first get their plans approved by the safety team; please submit any proposals by Mondays at noon. Reminder: the safety team meets every Wednesday at 9am; all are welcome to attend and notes are archived in the safety team folder (link on the sidebar of the blog).
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION: BLS is currently in our recruiting season for National Board Certification and are holding several virtual informational sessions for teachers who are interested in becoming National Board Certified- more info found here. BLS has found that when school teams do this work together, it strengthens the team, teaching practice, and impact on student learning. We are offering additional supports for school teams who decide to pursue National Board certification together. We have added extra sub days, resources, and time with a NB mentor to support teams. Contact Michele Oakes if you have any questions or would like to learn more about National Board Certification.
REGIONAL EDUCATION NETWORK: As part of our work with the Regional Educator Network, BLS has defined a need to increase the number of counselors in our district, especially those who identify as BIPOC. As you know, counselors support our students, teachers, families and community. As we increase the number of BIPOC counselors in our district, we will positively impact the students and community that we serve. In order to determine who is interested, we have created this survey survey for all certified and classified staff.
SCHOOL SIGNAGE: Remember to take down posters advertising events after the event date has passed. There are some outdated posters still hanging throughout the school. As a reminder, all posters/signs must be approved by the admin team and be in both Spanish and English.
Reminders:
SCHOOL BUILDING SECURITY: Any exterior classroom door that is within a fenced area of a school can be propped open (science wing emergency exit, commons, g-wing, etc). Exterior doors not within a fenced area can be propped opened, but must be closely and actively supervised (ie. closed when no adult is monitoring it).
SAFETY FEEDBACK: Here is this week’s optional safety survey for staff to provide feedback to the safety team. And here are the results from last week’s survey.
High Desert Highlights:
