District Staff News
December 18, 2018
The last day of class before winter break can be challenging! The kids are eager to celebrate the holidays and we're eager to step away for a little bit to get some much-deserved relaxation. Don't let the challenges of today get in your way. You're almost there!
As we head into 2019, school funding will be the hot topic as the legislature will begin working on the budget for the 2019-21 biennium. Governor Brown has proposed an ambitious school funding plan. She wants to invest in pre-k, lower class sizes, lengthen the school year, and fully-fund Measure 98. We'll be keeping a close eye on the budget negotiations. I am cautiously optimistic.
Winter break may feel like the halfway point in the school year, but we don’t actually reach that point until January 31. During my school visits, I am seeing strong classroom instruction and new strategies to engage our students. Our Academic Vision is coming to life in our classrooms, and I thank you for that.
You have one of the most important jobs in the world: you educate and care for children every day. You love them and support them and work hard to make them the best they can be. I know you take this responsibility seriously. I hope you'll enjoy it with family and friends and return to work on January 2 psyched and ready to go!
Again, I'm grateful for all that you do for our families and students in Canby!
Best,
DR. IVONNE DIBBLEE
As I prepared my December board presentation, focused on goal number one of our academic vision: improving academic achievement, it was wonderful to have so many artifacts providing evidence of the great work in our Canby classrooms. I couldn’t help but acknowledge that some of my most rewarding experiences as an educator were those that were started at the teacher level.
As many of you may know, we have three schools that engage in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies. One example of excellence shared at our board meeting was that of the work of our Canby High School Math Department. These educators came together at the beginning of the year and committed to having students engage in interactive notebooks. (If you are curious, here is a link to a video of an example in Science). While we have only one set of grades thus far, it is important to note that student grades show a positive trend. Students earning an F are down by slightly more than 10% and D grades are down as well in Algebra I. Why is this important? Algebra is often referred to as a gatekeeper to postsecondary success.
Last month I shared the first lesson of the “Great Northern Geese”. We considered the power of sharing a common direction. This month we contemplate:
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Let’s stay in formation! Connect with your colleagues. Get curious about strategies you all want to be a part of and try them out. If we feel we are slightly lagging, you have others that can help you get back in it. The results may surprise you!
Enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones, take care of yourselves, come back with a new charge. 2019 is going to be a GREAT year!
All Staff Return to Work on January 2, 2019
TECHNOLOGY MANAGER BRET ADKINS
Tonight, your technology team is changing our Edge Switch. This means we’ll have a significant improvement to the connection quality, speed, and number of devices we can support on our entire network.
On November 20th, we installed a next generation network firewall. We had a few hiccups that got resolved in short order, but this change means we’re now using a leading-edge technology security system that is aimed at data safety and keeping the bad guys away. Molalla and Canby were the first in Clackamas county to make this change.
Over the holiday break, we’re taking the next step in securing our wireless network, we’re installing security cameras at CHS, we’re cleaning up student and staff account creation and deletion processes, and we’re advancing a technology inventory and asset management project across the whole district.
Thanks for your support!
Serving Up Smiles
Our Nutrition Services department has been “serving up smiles” this month. Staff served “smile fries” to our elementary students who purchased school lunch. If that wasn’t enough to put a smile on your face, these guest servers might. Firefighters from Aurora Fire District served up the snacks at Ninety-One School. Canby Firefighters did the same at Lee. We want to thank them and all the other guest servers for sharing their time and their smiles.
2,700+ Cookies
Now, we'd like to thank the folks behind the scenes who make baking more than 2,700 cookies a breeze. We appreciate Galina Dobson, Jeanette Wingate, and Roxanne Bennett and the nutrition services department for getting everything set up so we can get those cookies rolled an into the oven. Thank you!
Congratulations to Carus' Loren Higler, the recipient of the November 2018 CARE Award!
It may not have gone viral, but Ninety-One Principal Skyler Rodolph and third grade teacher Seth Gingerich put on quite a performance last month. Their “Lost & Found” video encouraged students to take their unclaimed items home. The school donates unclaimed lost and found items. This musical plea was the final request before the big donation.
All students. All abilities. All opportunities.
Email: fostera@canby.k12.or.us
Website: www.canby.k12.or.us
Location: 1130 South Ivy Street, Canby, OR, USA
Phone: 503-266-7861
Facebook: facebook.com/canbyschooldistrict
Twitter: @canbyschools