The Secondary Gazette
Secondary Teacher Weekly Newsletter
March 13, 2024
Welcome teachers!
We are so happy you are here! Our Secondary Gazette is a weekly newsletter focused on secondary news, professional development, curriculum, and all the good things happening in our secondary schools! This week’s Gazette will spotlight some actionable items to integrate into your classroom which focus on the dimensions of the 5D Framework.
- Click HERE for past issues!
- Looking for our OUSD Instructional Resources Page? CLICK HERE for Secondary Instructional Resources.
Blaze Pizza: Pi Day 2024
How do I get my $3.14 Pizza?
All you need to do is show up in-restaurant at BLAZE Pizza on Thursday, 3/14/24! You do not need any reward or promotion to redeem.
ATTENTION ALL EDUCATORS!
Awesome OSIDE Educator Spotlight...
How lucky are we to have the best educators in OUSD?? Read on please!
📣 Shoutout to The 21st Century Entrepreneurship teachers at El Camino High School. These amazing educators provided an amazing opportunity for the students by hosting a workshop with the owner and Founder of Brixton. Way to go! YOU ROCK!
Attention All Educators!
Do you have a strategy to share? A colleague you'd like to give a SHOUT OUT to? Would you like to spotlight something amazing happening on your campus? If you have any ideas you love that you’d like to share, please let us know HERE.
Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming Professional Development...
MATH
March 14th Webinar: How is the area of a clover similar to a sphere?
4:30-5:30 pm *VIRTUAL*
Math educators, high school counselors and administrators are invited to attend a virtual discussion with Mathematics Leaders on the importance of Data Science and other courses that create
greater access for students to higher learning opportunities.
ED TECH
Elevate your teaching with this upcoming Google PD focused on Google Classroom’s new innovative features! Click this link for the Google PD Flyer.
ELA/ELD
Register for StudySync's upcoming webinar:
Explore the Power of WritePrecise
Thursday, March 14th, 11:30-12:00 pm
Can't attend due to conflicting prep time? Just register and a recording of the webinar will be sent to you 24 hours after the event.
San Marcos Writing Project....
San Marcos Writing Project: Effective Writing Symposium: Register Now
San Marcos Writing Project: Register Now!
San Marcos Writing Project Presents AI in the Classroom Register Now!
School Counseling
Counseling Highlights...
Hello Educators,
Here is a Character Strengths Snapshot Survey for adults and students.
The Positivity Project’s Character Strengths Snapshot Survey is a concise assessment designed to provide individuals with a quick understanding of their personal character strength profile. While it is important to note that this survey has not undergone academic validation, it will serve as a valuable starting point for individuals interested in exploring their character strengths. Please find the link below:
https://posproject.org/character-strength-surveys/
Warm regards,
Fabian Solis
Email: jesus.solis@oside.us
760-966-7852
History
History Highlights...
Impact-btw:
Women’s History Month in btw (by the way, stuff you should know) Dig into the Women’s History posts and have your students complete the
“Dig Deeper” activities at the end of the posts.
Nearpod
Take a look at Nearpod’s Women’s History Month Lessons: 5 Ways to Teach About Famous Women in History!
Don’t forget to take advantage of Nearpod’s Immersive Reader that can translate and read your presentations in over 50 languages.
Scavenger Hunt
Do your students need a refresher on their digital environment? Edit this Scavenger Hunt to make it your own, or use as is, for students to dig into Google Classroom, Rapid ID, and more..
Impact Projects:
Want to incorporate a Spring Hands on Project into History? Check out Impact’s ‘Chapter Activities, Projects, and Worksheets’ where you will find PBL, Hands-On, and Technology projects!
Upcoming Professional Development:
Elevate your teaching with this upcoming Google PD focused on Google Classroom’s new innovative features! Click this link for the Google PD Flyer.
My partner teacher does this lovely thing..
✨As always, you can reach out to me for support at any time via phone, email, or by putting in a Help Desk Ticket. ✨
760-966-4014
Science
Science Highlights...
Lab-Aids Virtual Check-In
Calling all middle school science Lab-Aids pilot teachers: there will be an optional check-in with a virtual trainer this Monday, March 18th from 2:15-3:15 PM. See Google Calendar invite for more details, or contact me directly for the Zoom link!
Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science
Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science is a free, three-day, grant-funded professional development opportunity for middle and high school science educators, based at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California, with all room and board included. The 2024 Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science application is now open! Click here to apply or register by April 7th.
Amplify STEM Library
Fuel engagement and encourage student agency with free STEM resources for teachers. The resource library provides free activities, posters, and guides to elevate teaching and learning in your classroom. Browse topics from science and literacy and Science Seminars, to math in the real world and problem-based learning.
Need help, supplies or questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Taylor Galvan
760-966-4792
Math
Math Highlights...
March 14th Webinar: How is the area of a clover similar to a sphere?
4:30-5:30 pm *VIRTUAL*
Math educators, high school counselors and administrators are invited to attend a virtual discussion with Mathematics Leaders on the importance of Data Science and other courses that create
greater access for students to higher learning opportunities.
Submit your solutions on this form: March 13th, 2024
Creative and the best show of understanding will win prizes.
If you haven’t already, be sure to join the Imagine Learning Teachers’ Lounge to gain access to exclusive content and to connect, collaborate, and engage with other Imagine Learning partners across the nation!
Let’s Stay in Touch:
Teachers’ Lounge<< Register for access to the Imagine Learning teacher’s community with webinars, discussions, and other resources!
Please reach out if I can support in any way!
Reuben Medlock
Secondary Science and Mathematics TOSA
(760) 966-4797
Multilingual Learners
Multilingual Learners Highlights...
Check out these free Virtual Professional Learning Offerings:
Literacy for Long-Term English Learners - Virtual Saturday Sessions (Partnering with Dr. Brandon Zaslow / The Learning Collaborative)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Aygs8BZkClD0idCTlwMaJDYTJLyerbx/view?usp=sharing
English Language Development for SECONDARY Newcomer Students (Partnering with USC Rossier School or Education)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jU3PIf4zhuRlzPmHP3FrSeo4h_GCJCik/view?usp=sharing
Integrated English Language Development: Virtual Saturday Sessions (Partnering with Dr. Brandon Zaslow / The Learning Collaborative)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FqpHHLDjLk3CNK7XDLz8nrypiVtOMjaT/view?usp=sharing
Reach out to me if you need any help accessing these materials or would like support in any way!
ELA
ELA Highlights
What's new in the Blast Library?
Engage Your Sports Fans with the March Madness Blast
The Blast, "The Big Dance," dives into the history behind March Madness and asks students whether and how they participate in March Madness, why it has captivated fans for generations, and why people develop traditions around sporting events.
Can you guess the answer to the Number Crunch? Review "The Big Dance" in the Blast section within the Library and find out.
Extend the Blast with a jigsaw activity investigating the research links...
March Went Mad Gradually and Inadvertently
Article: A historian of the Organization of American Historians shares how the NCAA tournament transformed from a humble, small-scale event to a phenomenon enjoyed by sports fans around the world.
An ode to March Madness, where you can always expect the unexpected
Opinion: For NPR, writer and former college basketball player Hassan Burke writes a love letter to March Madness and explains why he thinks everyone should watch and fill out a bracket.
A Brief History of NCAAB March Madness
Article: In a question-and-answer style article, College Insider explains the origins of the March Madness championship, where the term came from and more.
Guest Teacher Guide
It's a busy time of year! Make sure to check out the Guest Teacher Guide to support your guest teachers while you're away. Keep a copy of this guide and the suggested resources near your desk in case of an unexpected absence.
StudySync Resources & Support
Check out our StudySync Resources and Links and OUSD Secondary ELA Instructional Resources page for more info….in need of support? CLICK HERE for the WELCOME HUB and bookmark this page for important info!
Please contact melodee.morgan@oside.us, or 760-966-4791, I'm here to help and support you!
Contact Us!
We are here to help!
Reach out to us any time...
Kristina Vasquez EdTech and flexible support for Social Science/History TOSA kristina.vasquez@oside.us
Melodee Morgan ELA and Social Science/History TOSA melodee.morgan@oside.us
Kim Moreno MTSS TOSA supporting Multilingual Learners & World Languages kimberly.moreno@oside.us
Reuben Medlock Science/Math TOSA reuben.medlock@oside.us
Fabian Solis, Counselor on Special Assignment jesus.solis@oside.us
Secondary ELA TOSA Teach, inspire, and believe there is good in the world!