QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Caring for yourself is not self-indulgence, it is an act of self-preservation.” ~ Audre Lorde

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week
• Please swing by my office whenever is convenient for you.  I have a wee gift to show my gratitude for each of you and all you do to go above and beyond for our students. 
• Click below to see the notes from our 4 SIW Work Teams.
  • Culture of Care https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mo6NtpWRnrb2XjxHQHiSOh1788u8c_Ef?usp=sharing
  • PBIS/Advisory Here are the note
  • AVID https://docs.google.com/document/d/12-JQy8i1CstjGpwwNOXhXaxF6mV2KdULuj_BezTzNiM/edit?usp=sharing
  • Equity https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YEPY3Dac_J0FmhDb317IjaJqh3XbzNdq

ADVISORY UPDATE 11/20:

• -PBIS and College Day Lesson (slideshow) (Kahoot) 
• -Card sort materials and Diamondbucks will be in teacher’s box by the end of the day Monday, 11/18
• -Please use this opportunity to “flood the system” with Diamondbucks

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

The goal of the Empathy Step is to gather information from the child about his/her concern or perspective on the unsolved problem you’re discussing (preferably proactively). For many adults, this is the most difficult part of Plan B, as they often find that they are unsure of what to ask next. So here’s a brief summary of different strategies for “drilling” for information:

REFLECTIVE LISTENING AND CLARIFYING STATEMENTS

Reflective listening basically involves mirroring what a child has said and then encouraging him/her to provide additional information by saying one of the following:

• “How so?”
• “I don’t quite understand”
• “I’m confused”
• “Can you say more about that?” • “What do you mean?”

Reflective listening is your “default” drilling strategy…if you aren’t sure of which strategy to use or what to say next, use this strategy.

AVID CONTINUED PD (AVID = Advancement Via Individual Determination)

• Regardless of their life circumstances, AVID students overcome obstacles and achieve success. They graduate and attend college at higher rates, but more importantly, they can think critically, collaborate, and set high expectations to confidently conquer the challenges that await them.
  • Ask yourself…what about the above statement doesn’t sound like a good idea? Meaning…why wouldn’t I want to incorporate AVID strategies into our school?

BITS AND BOBS

• Please be aware of how much you are using our copiers and printers.  Print Shop is the most cost efficient way to get printing done and ends up saving HDMS money!   Plan ahead and use Print Shop please!

• Self-care tips from the book Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators by Elena Aguilar
  • November: Self-care is the root of resilience when you’re dragging yourself toward holiday breaks and your emotions are raw.
  • What your body desperately needs: sleep, nutrition, exercise, laughter
  • Ways to take care of your body: Spend time in nature, sit near water, 15 minutes of sun, learn to say “no”
  • “When you value your mind, heart, body, and spirit, you’ll make choices that foster your resilience.”

• SBAC Update:  HDMS is sending out opt out letters and information to all families in English and Spanish.  All communication related to opt-outs it is critical that parents are engaged in the communication and that students are not subjected to undue influence by educators or staff during working hours. Inappropriate communication would include:
  • Making repeated announcements to students (e.g., over school intercom systems, assemblies) during working hours reminding students to pick up ODE’s opt-out form 
  • Initiating a discussion of ODE’s opt-out form or process with students during working hours
  • Repeatedly reminding students to submit ODE’s opt-out form during working hours 
  • Encouraging students to submit ODE’s opt-out form during working hours
  • The opt-out forms apply only to ELA and Math. Exemptions for all other state assessments require parents to submit a written request based on disability or religion.

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Below is an excerpt from a parent email showing support and appreciation for electives at HDMS!

‘My son has been talking about (Foods class) all weekend. It’s unusual to see him get excited about something at school-I love it!’

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week

ADVISORY UPDATE

November 13

• Student Success Act Survey (3-5 mins)
• Review procedures and have safety drills for earthquake and lockdown (15 mins)
• Team building or study hall for remaining time. 

Tardy Data

• We are continuing our weekly tardy protocol.  Please see this spreadsheet for details (and the charts/trend graphs on the tabs at the bottom); this document is updated weekly.  

• Students with more than four unexcused tardies in a week will be called to the admin office to discuss/troubleshoot this issue, be trained on how to track their tardies/attendance using StudentVue, fill out a parent contact form, and be assigned escalating accountability measures (for repeat offenders).  Additionally, parents are notified. 

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE – Challenging Behavior

When we encounter students with behavioral challenges, adults often spend a lot of time describing the inappropriate behavior and spend less time on the conditions in which the problem behavior arises.  

The Plan B process attempts to change this pattern by asking us to spend more energy identifying the circumstances in which the challenging behavior occurs.  We do this during the Empathetic Step – The Most Important Phase of a Plan B – engaging in a dialogue with the student to gain a clearer understanding of the kid’s perspective on what is happening for them. 

The Curious Not Furious empathetic approach is the critical phase of building a relationship with students and assisting them in a deeper understanding of themselves (which research says builds neural pathways for victims of trauma).  Here is a repeat YouTube link from a couple of weeks ago about the difference between sympathy and empathy.

If you find yourself falling back into the trap of perseverating on the students inappropriate behavior, perhaps this will help.  The vast majority of problematic behavior can be traced to one primary cause – Avoidance. Students are trying to avoid doing what has been asked of them (because they lack the confidence/skill to do it).  

HOW they avoid is different and unique to each individual but here are some broad categories of Avoidant Behavior:

• The Jokester, Class Clown
• The Yeller, Loud Talker
• The Pouter
• The Socializer
• The Wanderer (pencil sharpener)
• The Withdrawer (iPad, Book, Head on Desk)
• The Disappearer (Locker, Bathroom, Absentee)
• The Procrastinator (Tardy, Doodler)
• The Fantasizer (Lost in an Imaginary World)
• The Power Struggler (will engage in anything opposite of what is asked)
• The Annoyer (will begin to try and bother or engage those around them in anything else)
• Email Paul to contribute your addition to this list

Don’t get lost in Challenging Behavior weeds.  Your and the students’ energy is best served following the  Collaborative Communication steps (Empathy/Teacher Concern/Problem-Solving).  

BITS AND BOBS

• Bus entrance and weekend use
  • Our Bus ADA door is now keyed for AD 1.
  • Please continue to only use the Main Entrance if you are accessing HDMS on the weekend, as entrance from the Bus Doors will not give folks enough time to disarm the alarm.
• We have some upcoming Stop the Bleed trainings for Bend-La Pine Staff. These trainings are optional and are NOT mandatory. 
  • Wednesday, November 13th, 230-4 at Bend High. Please sign up in Performance Matters to reserve your spot. 
  • Monday, January 27th, 4-530 in the Education Center Board Room (520 NW Wall St.). Please sign up in Performance Matters to reserve your spot.  

SBAC Update: 

• In all communication related to opt-outs it is critical that parents are engaged in the communication and that students are not subjected to undue influence by educators or staff during working hours. Inappropriate communication would include:
  • Making repeated announcements to students (e.g., over school intercom systems, assemblies) during working hours reminding students to pick up ODE’s opt-out form 
  • Initiating a discussion of ODE’s opt-out form or process with students during working hours
  • Repeatedly reminding students to submit ODE’s opt-out form during working hours 
  • Encouraging students to submit ODE’s opt-out form during working hours
  • The opt-out forms apply only to ELA and Math. Exemptions for all other state assessments require parents to submit a written request based on disability or religion.

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“There is no power for change greater than that of a community discovering what it cares about.” ~ Margaret Wheatley

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week
• Click here to see the SIW Work Teams.  Expect to hear from the ICCL lead person on where and when your first Team Time will occur.
• Please complete the MAC survey (Nov. 7th)
• Review the powerpoint that was shared at our SIW by clicking here.

ADVISORY UPDATE

November 6: 6th Grade Class Meeting

• 7/8th Grade Digital Citizenship “Media Balance & Wellbeing” 

The advisory team strives to ensure that advisory lessons are easily accessible for staff (to avoid the need to plan for another prep) while still being in-depth and meaningful for our students.  This year’s Digital Citizenship lessons have been updated through Common Sense Media.  You can use this link to access the lessons (you’ll need to sign in using your gapps account).  The lessons will take two advisory class periods.    

Because the lesson resources are so in-depth, we’ve also tried to pare it down to the essentials (slideshow, student handout(s), lesson quiz, and family resources) which can be found here.  This will be posted to the staff Google Classroom.  The student handouts will also posted to the student Google Classroom. 

BITS AND BOBS

• November 8th is WEB Bingo please allow all your WEB leaders (they will be wearing their WEB shirts) to be excused the last 5 minutes of 6th period to go down to the cafeteria and get ready for WEB BINGO! Thank you for your support!
• Here is an upcoming training that I was made aware of and asked to pass along to you: “Compassionate Conversation: Practical, empathy-based tools to work with people experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and trauma.”  This workshop takes place on 11.13.19 from 2-5pm in Bend. If you are interested in attending this free event, please RSVP at: [email protected]
• Green team: 
  • The student led green team takes the blue recycling carts out for pick up from each wing on Wednesdays.  Please empty your red classroom recycling bin into the large blue cart whenever it is full.  
  • All classroom and hallway trash cans/recycle bins should have a laminated poster hung near by with examples of trash vs recyclables.  Please let Mr. Kennedy know if you need one or more of these trash/recycling posters. 

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.  Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than you found it” ~ Wilferd Peterson

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week
• Please make sure you complete your SLGGs and self-reflection.
• ALL CLASSIFIED STAFF:  Please see the new goal setting form and the new evaluation rubric.  These will be the forms used moving forward. 

ADVISORY UPDATE

October 30: 7th Grade Class Meeting

• 6/8th Grade Digital Citizenship “Media Balance & Wellbeing” 

November: 6th Grade Class Meeting, 

• 7/8th Grade Digital Citizenship “Media Balance & Wellbeing” 

The advisory team strives to ensure that advisory lessons are easily accessible for staff (to avoid the need to plan for another prep) while still being in-depth and meaningful for our students.  This year’s Digital Citizenship lessons have been updated through Common Sense Media.  You can use this link to access the lessons (you’ll need to sign in using your gapps account).  The lessons will take two advisory class periods.    

Because the lesson resources are so in-depth, we’ve also tried to pare it down to the essentials (slideshow, student handout(s), lesson quiz, and family resources) which can be found here.  This will be posted to the staff Google Classroom.  The student handouts will also posted to the student Google Classroom. 

CULTURE OF CARE

Thanks for everyone’s feedback related to the Collaborative Conversations PD. I debriefed with Lauri/Wendy on Thursday. Moving forward, we are going to run future Plan B professional development ideas by the Culture of Care team led by Stephanie M to ensure that they information best suits teachers’ needs.

SET Process

SET is the process by which we identify students who may be eligible for IDEA and 504 protections.  This year, each grade level counselor and an ERC team member will meet once a month with Alicia and Paul to discuss at-risk students.  

At-risk students are identified by:

(1) having a large number of Observations Forms despite receiving multiple Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions (including parent meetings). (2) failing numerous classes over many semesters despite receiving a number of Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions (including parent meetings). (3) responding to a parent request for an evaluation

If you are interested in seeing the students that we are tracking in the SET process, you can access our HDMS SET spreadsheet.  You’ll see a tab for students that we processed last year (2018/19) and students we are tracking this year (2019/20).

BITS AND BOBS

Tardy Data: Our tardy protocol from last year continues this year.  Tardy reports are run every Friday with data from the previous Friday through Thursday.  Any students that are unexcused tardy to more than three classes in that time span appear in this spreadsheet.  The spreadsheet will be updated weekly, so please refer to it each week if you are interested in the details.  Also, there are tabs along the bottom of the spreadsheet with charts and graphs you may find useful. 

ACT: This is an update and a bit different than years past. Every MS will administer the ACT Aspire assessment at least one time during 2019-20 school year (rather than the required two times as in the past). You can choose whether this is a fall or winter assessment. This is for this current year only – we will likely be back to two assessments next year.

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.  If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you”. ~Zig Ziglar

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week
• Please make sure you complete your SLGGs and self-reflection.
• ALL CLASSIFIED STAFF:  Please see the new goal setting form and the new evaluation rubric.  These will be the forms used moving forward. 

ADVISORY UPDATE

• October 23: 8th Grade Class Meeting, 
  • 6/7th Grade Digital Citizenship “Media Balance & Wellbeing” 
• 30: 7th Grade Class Meeting, 
  • 6/8th Grade Digital Citizenship “Media Balance & Wellbeing” 

• November 6: 6th Grade Class Meeting, 
  • 7/8th Grade Digital Citizenship “Media Balance & Wellbeing” 

The advisory team strives to ensure that advisory lessons are easily accessible for staff (to avoid the need to plan for another prep) while still being in-depth and meaningful for our students.  This year’s Digital Citizenship lessons have been updated through Common Sense Media.  You can use this link to access the lessons (you’ll need to sign in using your gapps account).  The lessons will take two advisory class periods.    

Because the lesson resources are so in-depth, we’ve also tried to pare it down to the essentials (slideshow, student handout(s), lesson quiz, and family resources) which can be found here.  This will be posted to the staff Google Classroom.  The student handouts will also posted to the student Google Classroom. 

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

Above is a short video on the difference between empathy and sympathy.

FEEDBACK

Laurie and Wendy would like your feedback about their SIW session on Collaborative Conversations and tailor their next session to your needs. Here is a quick 5 question survey.

In addition, to assist those wanting to jump into the Plan B process, we’ve added this question to the Observation Form: If you’d like a member of the CCT to cover your class for 5-10 minutes so that you can have a Plan B conversation with the student, please name the day/period/time below.  One of us will be there

BITS AND BOBS

• Our 1st and 2nd-year teachers, district wide, are attending workshops around Disciplinary Literacy. I think this article provides a great definition and understanding of what, exactly, Disciplinary Literacy actually is, as well as providing some great content-specific examples.

• I have seen several ‘all staff emails’ asking staff to look for a specific students lost items, such as; lunch box, i pad, notebook etc… This is not necessarily a sustainable system.  I wonder if these opportunities would be good practice for our students to advocate and problem solve with you as the adult but then they have to do some of the work to retrace their steps, chat with their teachers etc…instead of ‘all staff emails’ being how their problem gets solved and materials get recovered.  Thanks for considering an adjustment to the ‘all staff email’ practice.

• Data to use for SLGGs:
  • Number of 6th graders: 290
    • SPED: 28
    • ELL: 31
    • TAG: 20
  • Number of 7th graders: 283
    • SPED: 28
    • ELL: 20
    • TAG: 16
  • Number of 8th graders: 283
    • SPED: 36
    • ELL: 20
    • TAG: 13

• Conference details: Click here for tips on how to best work with interpreters
• Wednesday Oct 23^rd 4:00-8:00pm (DPO provided dinner in the staff room)
  •  Dinner break 1 at 5:30-6:00: Math, Social Studies, PE and Sp Ed
  •  Dinner break 2 at 6:00-6:30: Language Arts, Science, Electives and ELL
• Thursday Oct 24^th
  • Grading time 8:00-11:30
  • Lunch break all departments 11:30-noon
• Conferences noon-8:00pm
  • Dinner break 1 at 5:30-6:00: Language Arts, Science, Electives and ELL
  • Dinner break 2 at 6:00-6:30: Math, Social Studies, PE and Sp Ed
• Friday Oct 25^th
  • Non work day for certified staff

• Please click the link below to read the notes from our Safety Team meeting https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M_pV9ki9XhXX_iaWCWVUGd965FTAY0NkH0hxqjCpRdc/edit?usp=sharing

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

During SIW we looked at data related to the achievement gap for historically underserved students

• students who have special needs
• linguistically diverse students
• students of color
• students living in poverty

Something to consider, we have colleagues in this building who are a part of one or more of the above 4 sub categories. These colleagues are here in our building educating our students because a teacher in their life did something different, adjusted a practice, made an empathic connection that allowed our colleague to make it through a system that is not set up to support their success. I challenge us all to continue the work that supports all of our students succeed, especially those who we are historically failing.

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week
• Make sure you have completed the survey to select the top two School Improvement Teams you are interested in being a part of.  Click here to learn about the 4 school improvement teams.  Please select your top 2 choices.
• 2019-2020 staff who are on an evaluation cycle (Group A) will receive 6 mini observations and complete SLGGs, self-reflection and summative evaluations.  Staff who are not being evaluated this year (Group B) will receive 3 mini observations, complete SLGGs and self-reflection. 
• Please log in to TalentEd and make sure you complete your SLGGs and self reflection by November 1, 2019.

ADVISORY

• – Finish SEL Lesson #1 from last week
• – Finish Counseling Needs Assessment from two weeks ago
• – First Step Resource slideshow (linked in staff and student Google classroom)
• – Team building and/or study hall

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

Here is a powerpoint to reinforce basic tenets of Collaborative Problem Solving. You can review slides 1-6 from last week and 7-17 for this week.

BITS AND BOBS

Here is a document outlining the boundary change process that will occur this fall/winter – and go into effect in the fall of 2021 (when the new HS opens). If you are interested in learning about the timeline of this process or curious about who is involved – check this out!

Click here to see the conference survey results, spoiler looks like Friday will be a non-work day for teaching staff.

Click here to see the materials discussed during SIW on Excellence and Equity

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I appreciated the ‘bite sized’ PD that revisited AVID and the notebook strategies.  It was nice to have it in a small chunk with the rest of the SIW time available for me to make adjustments to my lessons and then implement these changes the very next day for the benefit for our students” ~ current HDMS staff member

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week.
• Fall conferences are approaching. If staff at HDMS are interested in adjusting when we conference to gain a Friday off, we need to vote on this adjustment. Please click here to take the survey to have your voice heard.
• Click here to learn about the 4 school improvement teams.  Please click here to select your top 2 choices.  It is my hope/expectation that all staff will join a team. These teams will meet throughout the year during SIW time to gather wisdom from all staff about how we will work to continue to improve and move our school forward in these areas. 

ADVISORY

• The topic for 10/9 is SEL Lesson #1.  
• The grade level slide show and student materials have been posted to the Staff Google Classroom. 
• The grade level student materials are scheduled to be posted to the HDMS Student Google Classroom in the morning on 10/9.  
• Only 400ish students have joined the HDMS Student Google Classroom.  Please ensure that all of your advisory students have joined using this code: rzp8ox

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

Here is a powerpoint to reinforce basic tenets of Collaborative Problem Solving. We’ll post it both this week and next if you want to divide the slides up and read 1-6 this week and 7-17 next week.

BITS AND BOBS

• Our first district SIW is on Oct. 9.  During this time we will be holding an Equity and Excellence listening session using district and school data. Click here to read more.

• Click here for the district inclement weather guidelines

• Click here for the Counseling/ELL/Sp Ed slide show presented at our staff meeting on Tuesday

• Observation/Evaluation 2019/2020
  • Staff who are on an evaluation cycle (Group A) will receive 6 mini observations and complete SLGGs, self-reflection and summative evaluations.  
  • Staff who are not being evaluated this year (Group B) will receive 3 mini observations and complete the SLGGs.  
  • Please click here to see which group you are in.  If you don’t see your name or think you are in the wrong group please come and see me.

Behavioral Resolution Reports

We had not been posting weekly Behavioral Resolution Reports like last year because we weren’t sure if people were reading them. But, since we have received some inquiries, we will be adding them to the Behavioral Resolution tab at the top of the blog. Click here for the first report which captures all entries since the beginning of the year. Warning: It is long and you’ll have to zoom in to read the details.

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

The world is full of good people if you can’t find one, be one.  We rise by lifting others everyday

TO DOs

• Look at the HDMS calendar for any updates or events happening in the upcoming week

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

In the fourth video segment, you’ll learn that challenging behavior occurs when the demands of the environment exceed a kid’s capacity to respond adaptively. In other words, it takes two to tango. But many popular explanations for challenging behavior place blame on the kid or his parents. Not this model. Watch Now

BITS AND BOBS

• Central Oregon has an exciting opportunity to improve professional learning and support educators throughout their career. To be part of this innovative work around the state please click here.
• HDMS Doors: Thank you for your patience with our front entryway construction and the ‘bumps’ it has caused. Here is where we are currently with doors and swipers:
  • Staff swiper cards unlock all doors when held up to the swiper plate. If you don’t have a swiper or it seems to not be working, please see Nole (he will keep a list and I will work with tech to resolve).
  • The main doors will be unlocked by Stacy when she arrives to HDMS at 7:45. This ensures that she can see anyone who enters the building after that point.
  • The bus doors will unlocked at 7:45 by Tim. We are working to have one set of these doors be key changed to an AD 1 so that staff can enter the bus entrance if they arrive before 7:45.

• Classified Staff: Please click here to learn about an “Annual Literacy Strategies Conference” that will be offered on a voluntary (and paid) basis. This is a great opportunity to receive training that can support our work with students… but it is voluntary to attend (and paid!).

ADDITIONS

• Advisory info for next Wednesday Oct. 2nd, 2019 has been added to Staff Google Classroom.
  • Please ensure your entire advisory class has the HDMS Student Google Classroom code: rzp8ox

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

As parents were moving around our building during Open House with their children, the following comments were heard:
“Wow, providing dinner for the whole family sure was nice”
“I’m glad we don’t have to follow a schedule.”
“I really like this new way, it feels welcoming and warm.”

TO DOs

Please complete the survey (click here). I am interested in gaining any and all feedback on how the first month of this school year has gone.

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

The third video clip features yet another important theme: The definition of good parenting, good teaching, and good treatment is being responsive to the hand you’ve been dealt. Notice, the definition isn’t “treating every kid exactly the same”. Watch Now 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Tuesday, Sept. 24th 8:00am ICCL meeting in the FRR
• Wednesday, Sept. 25th
  • Advisory: Kahoot on HDMS expectations and PBIS (Staff Google Classroom has been updated with Advisory lesson, Kahoot has been updated and is on Student Google Classroom)
  • SIW: Member directed time
• Wednesday, Oct 2nd Safety Day and fire drill during 7th period. Explicit instruction in all class periods regarding safety procedures. More details to be shared in person on Oct. 1st.

• Flu Clinic dates listed below
  • 9/24/19 – High Desert (7:30am-9:30am)
  • 9/25/19 – Sky View (7:45am-9am)
  • 9/26/19 & 9/27/19 – Transportation Department (9am-11am)
  • 10/2/19 – High Lake Elementary (12:30-2:30pm)
  • 10/4/19 – Buckingham (7:15-9:15am)
  • 10/9/19 – Sky View (7:45am-9am)
  • 10/10/19 – 3 Rivers (7:45am-8:30am)
  • 10/11/19 – Mt View (7:30-9:30am)
  • 10/16/19 – Miller (11am-12pm); Bend High School (2-5pm); Summit High School (11:30am-2pm)
  • 10/17/19 – La Pine High (7:30-9:30am)
  • 10/17/19 – Education Center (11:30am – 1:00 pm)

BITS AND BOBS

Translation and Interpretation Info:

They work for the HDESD and we contract with the HDESD for their services. Here is a document containing all of the information a staff member needs to gain this support, below are the highlights:

Documents for translation take approximately 5-7 school days for turn around. It can be longer during busy times. 

Please send your documents as an attachment in an email, and in a manipulative form (Word, Pages etc) if at all possible. PDF’s are difficult to translate and take longer. Please don’t convert a PDF to Word. It ends up corrupted for the translator. 

Remember to request your interpreter(s) on the portal 5-7 school days in advance unless it is an emergency issue such as medical, discipline, etc. The HDESD will always try to fill every request, but sometimes there isn’t anyone available last minute.

Don’t forget to notify our office in advance if the appointment is canceled or changed. We are charged for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice.

Snacks:

Best practice when allowing students to eat in your classroom is as follows as per our district nurse Tami Pike. Please encourage students to avoid bringing snacks that contain peanuts. This will support all students having a safe and comfortable place to learn in the classroom.

Evaluations and SLGGs:

• Remember that Contract teachers who are on an evaluation cycle will receive SIX mini observations and complete SLGGs, a self-reflection and a summative evaluation.  Contract teachers who are not being evaluated this year will receive THREE mini observations and complete the SLGGs.  ALL Temporary and Probationary teachers get TWO FORMAL observations prior to the end of Feb. For a mini observation to be considered “legit” you must debrief with the teacher within 72 hours of the observation. And finally, counselors will have a new goal setting sheet – specific to counselors – in TalentEd, so don’t be surprised by this change.
• I am still working with HR to make sure everyone is coded in the correct year of probationary etc. Once I have that complete list I will share our HDMS document indicating which group you are in this year.

Equity Summit:

• There is a statewide Educator Equity Summit coming up on Sept. 25 in Salem. If you are interested in learning more, check this out.

ACT Aspire:

• There is completely different website for ACT this year. There is a message on the old website that it is only to be used for viewing reports. Our IT staff was going to upload student and staff information this week, but that is going to get pushed back. For now, Aspire tests can’t be administered. It will likely be at least a week or two before testing is possible.  Please communicate with Dave VanLoo with questions or clarification.

Safety Team:

• Click here to read the notes from this weeks meeting.
• Thanks to Jo for sharing the sub notebook review. Click here for sub notebook info.

Field Trip Info:

• Click here to read the update on HDMS field trip procedures.

HDMS 101:

Click here to see the document that was created for Open House and lives on our school website to support families with all things High Desert.

Mini Grant:

• A Northwest Community Credit Union program supporting youth education
• Mini–Grant Application Deadline: October 10
• To view submission criteria and submit an application, go to our program website at https://www.nwcu.com/project-community.

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

From a parent of a new-to-HDMS 8th grader (and teacher in our district): 

“For the first time in a VERY, VERY long time, he just cannot wait to get up for school in the morning every day.  I can’t thank your team enough for the positive atmosphere and for making him feel at home.  He loves everything about being a Diamondback!”

TO DOs

• Make sure you have created a one page handout to have available for open house.  This document should outline your story as a teacher, classroom expectations, classroom procedures and your contact information.
• If you are in need of a door magnet, please email Kerri.  She will gather names and get another order placed shortly.

CONTINUED CULTURE OF CARE PD

In the second video segment, you’ll learn about another very important theme:  Your explanation guides your intervention.  Restated, your explanation for a kid’s is challenging behavior has major implications for how you’ll try to help. If you believe a kid is challenging because of lagging skills and unsolved problems, then rewarding and punishing may not be the ideal approach. Solving those problems and teaching those skills would make perfect sense. Watch Now

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Wednesday Sept. 18^th 5-7pm Open House (Click here for flyer)
  • 5:00-6:00pm Spanish speaking family hour in Media Center
  • 6:00-6:45pm Whole school meet our teachers throughout the whole building
  • 6:45-7:00pm  HDMS Nuts and Bolts in Cafeteria

BITS AND BOBS

• Teacher Assistant:  If you have student aides, please consider using this form to support the experience going well for you, them and our whole school.  Click here for the form
• See the Welcome Week flyer. Click here
•  The Admin Team sends emails with Disciplinary Notices in order to keep everyone in the loop. Any staff member wanting more details about a suspension is welcome to ask an Admin Team member. If you are a coach, WEB coordinator, AD, counselor, etc and would like more info regarding the nature of the incident as it may impact student participation in extra-curricular events, it is on you to please come and find a member of the Admin Team to learn more.
• See the ICCL Team leads and which team you are on (click here)
• There will be two Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings offered this school year. Staff that usually find this 8-hour training useful are those that do not have a lot of experience with mental health, i.e. any teachers, classified employees, coaches, administrators, school nurses, family advocates, etc. The training is free to district employees.  Here is the registration info.
• ASPIRE: LA and Math teachers please make sure you are aware of the ASPIRE window (click here to see the district calendar) and plan time for this assessment in your classes this fall and winter (spring is optional). More details regarding log in, etc. can be found in the folder titled: Testing
• SBAC data: Here is a link to a pdf with graphs.
• Here is a draft of the School Business/SIW/EBISS calendars for the year. The ICCLs are still finalizing this draft. Please see your ICCL if you want to share your input.
• Field Trips: Ensure you that understand the updated district guidelines and procedures for field trips. Click here.

HDMS HIGHLIGHTS