Quote to consider:
The strongest people are the ones who are still kind after the world tore them apart.
To Dos:
POSITIVE POSTCARDS: If every staff member writes about 15 postcards all our students will receive a kind note from an HDMS staff member. Please work to complete your part of this whole school effort.
ELL TIP: The ELL tip of the week is found here. Thanks to our amazing ELL specialists for providing these tips weekly and their amazing support of our ELL students and families. And thanks to all our teachers for working so diligently to continue to improve your practice by utilizing these weekly tips in your instruction.
AVID TIP: The AVID tip of the week is found here. Consider discussing with your grade level/content PLCs ways to embed this strategy into an upcoming lesson.
PARTNERING W/ FAMILIES TO SUPPORT BLACK GIRLS: Set aside some time to read and reflect on this article from Learning for Justice. See the end of the article for some reflection questions we can all spend some time considering to further our practice.
SUPPORTING SECONDARY INSTRUCTION BLOG: Check out this week’s supporting secondary instruction blog and look for opportunities to include these valuable resources covering “Tribal History, Shared History” in an upcoming unit/lesson.
Bits and Bobs:
FEEDBACK: Through the staff survey, conversations with our BEA building reps and individuals swinging by the office, I am going to clarify a few items that have been themes:
- SCHEDULE: Next year we will be running the same 7 period daily schedule with advisory four days a week. There is interest among middle school staff across our district to look into a block schedule. The district will only move forward with this if all middle schools are onboard. Currently there is a task force being created (BEA reps, middle school admin, teachers and counselors) to spend months looking at research, contract language, pros and cons etc. This team will then submit findings and a recommendation to the superintendent about this time next year for his consideration. If Dr Cook approves the move for all middle schools to move to a block schedule, this would go into effect for the 2023/2024 school year.
- ATTENDANCE/ASSIGNMENTS: Best practice is that all learning activities are put on Canvas so students can access the information if they are absent or if they need a refresh of the lesson/activity. Sometimes when students are absent for unique circumstances it is best practice to exempt students from some of the assignments they have missed due to the absence. These circumstances are typically communicated to staff through our counseling department. Otherwise if students are absent and teachers ensure that the assignment/activity has been posted on Canvas then students are able to complete the work and turn it in. Obviously when a person is home sick the prior is getting better, not school work, so students will need extended time to complete assignments they have missed while absent. If ever a staff member is concerned or curious about a student’s absence, the first thing to do would be to check in with the grade level counselor to see if they have information and if not, then a plan can be created on who will be reaching out to check in with the student/family.
BEST PRACTICES: A key priority within our district’s equity efforts is to improve outcomes and experiences for our culturally- and linguistically-diverse students and families. We know that teachers who have specialized skills and training through an ESOL endorsement are better able to:
- understand multilingualism,
- identify strengths and assets of emergent bilingual students,
- support language acquisition during teaching, and
- partner with families through culturally-sustaining practices.
Want to obtain your ESOL endorsement for free?! Bend-La Pine Schools has partnered with OSU to provide a full scholarship to five certified teachers, to participate in the endorsement program. To learn more about this opportunity; understand the timeline, application, and selection process; and ask questions, please join BLS and OSU:
- Informational session and Q-and-A
- Tues, March 8th 4:30-5:15pm
- WebEx meeting: join here
- Here are additional details about this opportunity, and here is the application (due April 1, 2022).
Growing your toolbox of culturally- and linguistically-sustaining practices is incredibly valuable and relevant professional learning for educators, as our community grows and diversifies. If you are interested in learning about other PD opportunities related to this topic, please reach out to your building’s Language Specialist, or to one of our district’s multilingual department instructional coaches.
WATER FOUNTAINS: Clearance was given by the health department to have water fountains turned back on. Walt will coordinate with Tim, our building engineer on getting this done.
STATE TESTING DATES:
- ELPA: March 7-March 18
- ELA: April 25-May 6
- Math: May 9-20
- Science (8th grade only): May 23-27
- Make ups: May 31- June 3
- iPad ‘roll in’/clean up: June 6-10
VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers have been approved for field trips and after school activities beginning April 1: Volunteers must be cleared through our volunteer process AND staff must have a mitigation plan submitted and approved prior to the event. Keri Green is able to support folks with this process.
Reminders:
FIRE DRILL: Our rescheduled fire drill will occur Monday (2/28) during the beginning of 7th period.
RESTROOM USE: Please continue to remind students to use their passing periods wisely, it should be rarely that students are using instructional time to use the restroom. When students do leave your room to use the restroom, please reteach the procedure of how they check out of your room, so you are aware of which students are gone at what time.
High Desert Highlights:
