Quote to consider:
Your immediate reaction does not tell you who you are, it is how you decide to respond after the reaction that gives you real insight into how much you have grown. Your first reaction is your past, your intentional response is your present. ~yung pueblo
To Dos:
SLGGs: Please log into TalentEd and complete your SLGGs by Jan 3. Each staff member needs two. Staff can consider using the below SEL SLGG as one since we are doing SEL instruction school wide, therefore the data collection is built in.
- “SEL SLGG: 100% of our students will progress in one or more of the indicators on our schoolwide self-awareness survey.”
For your second SLGG, consider using AVID and the WICOR instructional strategies. You can create this goal as a department if you’d like. Check out this SLGG resource for some guidance as you write your instructional SLGG.
OBSERVATION/EVALUATION UPDATE: Here is the final copy of the certified evaluation for this year. Now that the district/BEA have come to a final agreement on mini observations/evaluations for this school year, Wendy and Nole will begin formally visiting classrooms next week. Here is the tool we will be using to capture evidence and guide our follow up conversations.
Use the following link to see the mini observation rotation so you know if you are on an ‘off’ or ‘on’ year.
UNDERSTANDING EQUITY pt. 2 EXIT TICKET: Please provide feedback on the info shared in last Tuesday’s staff meeting by completing this quick exit ticket survey by Dec. 9th. Your feedback will help us plan for future PDs and build the resource library that will cover the seven topics discussed on slide 10. For your reference, here is the slide deck Amber presented.
WEEKLY TIP FOR TEACHING ELLs: Please take time to check out this document for tips on teaching English Language Learners and look for ways to embed the tip in your practice. This resource will be updated weekly by our esteemed colleagues in the ELL department.
Knowing that HDMS has the largest number of ELL students of all of the BLS middle schools, continuing to be intentional with growing in your practice to best serve ELL students is a priority. Additionally, we know that AVID strategies serve ELL students as well, hence our commitment as a school to embed AVID in all our practices.
UPDATE FROM OUR CANVAS COACHES: If you teach quarter rotator classes, please check that you have set your Canvas grade book to sync nightly. You only need to click this once, but it needs to be done at the beginning of each quarter for new classes. From the menu click “grade sync” then click “settings” and click the box next to “nightly sync”
Please make certain that your categories in Canvas match exactly with your categories in Synergy. Your grades will not sync if there is any discrepancy between the two.
There have been many questions regarding why assignments have “disappeared” in Synergy. HDMS is on a quarter grading system, so any grades from Quarter 1 will not appear in Synergy since it’s a new grading term. If you would like to filter your assignments in Canvas you can do so by clicking the top left drop down menu and selecting “21/22 HDMS S1 Q2”.
Bits and Bobs:
STAFF MEETING ADJUSTMENT: In our ongoing effort to gift back as much time to staff as possible, we are cancelling the scheduled staff meeting on Dec. 7th.
STAFF WINTER GATHERING: This year to celebrate community, connection and care we are hosting an all staff breakfast in the Media Center Tuesday, Dec 14th. Food and drinks will be set up by 8am, please come and join in some seasonal, collective, festive joy! (This is replacing our Dec. 14th staff meeting.)
STAFFING: We have the following job postings open, if you know of anyone interested please encourage them to apply or connect with Wendy: head wrestling coach, assistant wrestling coach, and a bilingual EA.
Reminders:
BEHAVIORAL STUDENT SUPPORT FORM: Please continue to use the behavioral student support referral form (linked on the sidebar of the blog) whenever a behavioral incident needs admin response or when you’d like it tracked (enter as an FYI). Refer back to this document from September’s PD for more details on this process.
Keep in mind when entering a form that we often forward these to families, so please ensure you remain factual with the reporting and avoid emotional/judgemental language. Do not let the specifics of the form be a hindrance to you filling it out; it is OK to leave sections blank or enter n/a when needed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: These can be added or edited by clicking on the Announcement’s link on the right side of the main page of the blog. Scroll to find the week you wish to post your announcements and have these submitted prior to Wednesday if you wish for them to appear the following Monday. Also, please let Dave McKae know if you have made any changes by email.
ADVISORY: The Advisory Scope/Sequence is updated with next week’s plans for Character Strong lessons and an activity showcasing a wide range of winter season celebrations. Optional activities include a winter door decorating activity.
High Desert Highlights:
