UINTA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1
November 2017-Weekly Newsletter Vol.2
High Reliability Schools-Level 1
Safe and Collaborative Schools
Although this update will focus on the indicators for Level 1 within the High Reliability Schools framework, effective schools focus on critical aspects within levels 1-3 simultaneously. Safe and Collaborative Schools are absolutely the foundation for success, but without Effective Teaching in Every Classroom (level 2), and a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (level 3), schools flounder in mediocrity.
Level 1 in the High Reliability Schools framework addresses the factors foundational to the well-being of a school. Do faculty, students, parents, and community members feel like our schools are safe and maximize collaboration for the enhancement of student learning? There are eight indicators to measure level 1:
1.1 The faculty and staff perceive the school environment as safe and orderly.
1.2 Students, parents, and the community perceive the school environment as safe and orderly.1.3 Teachers have formal roles in the decision-making process regarding school initiatives.
1.4 Teacher teams and collaborative groups regularly interact to address common issues regarding curriculum, assessment, instruction, and the achievement of all students.
1.5 Teachers and staff have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning of the school.
1.6 Students, parents, and the community have formal ways to provide input regarding the optimal functioning of the school.
1.7 The success of the whole school, as well as individuals within the school, is appropriately acknowledged.
1.8 The fiscal, operational, and technological resources of the school are managed in a way that directly supports teachers.
Much of our time and effort this year has been focusing on the development of effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Dr. Robert Marzano states in A Handbook for High Reliability Schools, “We consider implementing professional learning communities as critical to high reliability status at level 1” (p.27).
Professional learning communities provide the framework for collaborative teacher groups to provide input on indicators 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5. PLCs can identify and execute ways to make schools more safe and orderly, obtain teacher input into decisions regarding school policies, and provide input into how the school can function more effectively.
In addition to level 1 success, PLCs provide the framework for standard prioritization, proficiency scale development, and common assessment development, thus developing the Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum in level 3.
EMS Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
THANK YOU!
Kindergarten through 5th grade teachers came together last week in a district-wide PLC to discuss and analyze the prioritized math standards. Thank you to all of the teachers from each school that contributed to this work. A special thanks goes out to the twenty-seven teachers, coaches and principals that met and reached consensus on UCSD #1’s priority standards for mathematics.
HUMAN RESOURCES NEWS!
PTSB
Please feel free to contact Human Resources with any of your questions. We are here to help and support you!
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
We owe...all our veterans-a debt we can never fully repay. -Doc Hastings
North Elementary expressed their gratitude to our local veterans by providing breakfast (thank you PTA) and celebrating their sacrifices with word and song. Thank you North Elementary staff and students, special thanks to Amanda Linford for another incredible tribute to the veterans of Uinta County.
UCSD#1-Administration
Cheri Dunford, Supt., Board Exec. Assistant Ext. 1021
Dr. Joseph Ingalls, Assistant Superintendent K-5 Ext. 1026
Doug Rigby, Assistant Superintendent 6-12 Ext. 1025
Alicia Johnson, Instructional Services Admin. Assistant Ext. 1024
Kristine Hayduk, Human Resources Ext. 1023
Email: ajohnson@uinta1.com
Website: www.uinta1.com
Location: 537 10th Street, Evanston, WY, United States
Phone: 307-789-7571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uinta-County-School-District-1-Pathway-to-Excellence-480272945367024/
Twitter: @ucsd1