Eagle Express
LHS Staff Newsletter--Year 19, Vol. 4, 09/09/19
THANKS!
Division Assessments Now in Schoology
The division assessments we used to administer in SchoolNet are now being pushed to Schoology courses. They will be added to teachers’ course sections prior to each test window; many of you may see them showing up already. Teachers should review this document to know what to do with those assessments once they show up in their courses to make them ready for students to take. See Erik or Krissy if you have questions or need help.
Political Activities in Schools
School Board Policy 7-14 prohibits the use of School facilities as a means for producing or disseminating to the community any material that advertises or promotes a political party, a political cause or the candidacy of an individual for public office. Regulation 4-29.1 prohibits school property and school time, paid for by the citizens of Virginia Beach, to be used for partisan political purposes. In a continuing effort to promote a closer relationship between public education and those that represent our citizens in the General Assembly, the state created its “taking your legislator to school” program, which begins every November after the election cycle. You can find detailed information related to political activities in schools here.
Homecoming 2019
Classroom Door Decorating Contest (Judged 9/30 in the am)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVmTZQnvq24Fgt8IshQ6HG6vqEFjoX-IpQ2IQPvGH6QFH_SQ/viewform
Screen on the Green Chaperones (Oct 2):
Dance Chaperones (Oct 5th):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSWDhMZ5uMCIYr8nOVE6KmARXarCVDzsnLxwXfJzFqrXN7hA/viewform
Computer & Network Security
The Department of Technology (DOT) would like to once again bring to your attention the importance of good computer and network security practices. It is only through the efforts of every individual that we can hope to protect our networks and, more importantly, our sensitive data.
Password security
1. A poorly constructed password may result in the compromise of individual systems, data, or the VBCPS network. For that reason, safeguards such as password history, complexity, age, and length must meet or exceed the following guidelines:
a. The previous 24 passwords cannot be reused
b. Passwords must contain at least eight alphanumeric characters
c. Passwords must contain three of the following four items:
i. Upper case letter
ii. Lower case letter
iii. One number (for example, zero through nine)
iv. One of these special characters (, !$%^*()_)
d. Passwords must not contain part of the account name or display name
e. Passwords cannot be changed more than once in two days
2. Never share your password with anyone, and do not write it down. Remember, DOT will never ask for your password.
3. Never allow anyone to use a computer that you have logged into without monitoring their activities.
4. Do not allow anyone to “shoulder surf” or stand over your shoulder as you enter your username and password as they can steal your login credentials.
Locking machines when away
Always secure your computer when you step away from it. By not securing (locking) your computer, you may expose and potentially compromise confidential information authorized only for your use to others who might gain access to your computer.
Phishing/spam emails
1. Email attacks whether they be spam or phishing emails continue to be one of the most used attack methods.
2. All users should be familiar with Avoid the Bait Email and Phishing Scams, as this document contains valuable information on how to identify these types of emails as well as the procedure for reporting them to Microsoft.
Protecting sensitive data
1. Protect student data and other confidential data
a. Do not send student data or other confidential data via email whether working inside the VBCPS network or from outside locations. Place data on a secure shared network location (e.g., SharePoint, Office 365) and share only with specific users.
b. Do not use links to share files as this could allow unauthorized access if the link is obtained by any other than the intended recipient.
c. Do not make copies of data containing confidential information on school division or personally owned computers, mobile devices, or external storage devices. Such copies lend themselves to falling into wrong hands and violate legal requirements for confidentiality of data.
2. Do not print confidential information on an unattended printer.
3. As your computer is often used to display sensitive information, clear the display by minimizing or closing applications when unauthorized individuals are near.
4. Treat all information as though it was sensitive data.
Library E-Pass
Restroom Passes
We only heard from about one-third of teachers related to going back to our previous system of restroom passes. As stated in last week's newsletter, if a majority of teachers indicate that they prefer the previous system, we will reinstate it. The anonymous one-question survey available here will close on Friday, 9/13.
Free NASA Opportunities for High School Students
9th Grade
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)--this program targets students with at least a C+ average and an interest in STEM coursework or those who have not yet discovered the excitement of STEM. Students will have an opportunity to engage in innovative, hands-on activities while residing on a university campus The application opens on November 15, 2019, and closes on February 10, 2020.
Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)--online courses for 10th grade students focusing on missions flown or managed by NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore, with a week-long summer academy program at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. http://vscs.spacegrant.org/
11th & 12th Grade
Virginia Aeorspace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)--online course for 11th & 12th grade students focusing on NASA's human spaceflight missions and the Journey to Mars with a week-long summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center. Students can earn up to four free dual enrollment college credits. http://vsgc.odu.edu/VASTS/
11th & 12th Grade
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS)--this interactive online earth science course for 11th and 12th grade students feature NASA scientific research and data. Students can earn up to five dual enrollment college credits and can also be selected to attend a summer academy program at NASA Langley Research Center. http://vsgc.odu/VESSS
The application process for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students closes on November 10, 2019.
United States Senate Youth Program
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will select two student delegates to represent Virginia in the USSYP, sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Each delegate will receive a $10,000 scholarship and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the week of March 7-14. Each high school may submit up to three applications. Applications will be reviewed, and the accepted applicants will take the Public Affairs examination. The exam is designed to test knowledge of the United States government, the United States Constitution, American History and knowledge of public affairs and current events. Completed exams will be sent to the VDOE where they will be scored. A panel of judges appointed by the VDOE will consider the exam results, outstanding academic ability and demonstrated qualities of leadership and community service when selecting the two state delegates and two alternates to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each nominee must be a permanent resident of the United States. Student delegates must be involved in student government, civic or educational organizations and hold a leadership position during the entire 2019-2020 academic year. The following are acceptable to the Virginia Department of Education:
- Student body president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
- Class president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
- Student council representative
- A National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English and Social Studies Honor Societies that include service components)
- Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a local, district, regional or state-level civic service and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator
Detailed information about the USSYP may be found at United States Senate Youth.
An application form can be found here.
Technology Education Endorsement
Training and support are available this fall for licensed teachers interested in exploring adding an endorsement in Technology Education to their Virginia teaching license. The training involves a six-session introduction to teaching Technology Education for middle and high school students. Topics include classroom and lab management, safety, tool and machine operation, assessment, planning and curriculum implementation with hands-on applications. At the end of the course, teachers will have the opportunity to register for the Praxis II exam for Engineering and Technology Education at no cost. Teachers who register will be provided with Praxis II study materials and access to an online practice exam. Training will take place every other Tuesday evening beginning Sept. 17 – Nov. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center. Registration for the sessions can be found in Frontline. Participating teachers are eligible for workshop wages for training sessions attended.
Specialization Badges for Teachers
Several self-directed professional learning opportunities for teachers are being offered through the Department of Teaching and Learning (DTAL) beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. Specialization badges in Performance Based Assessment (PBA) Development, PBA Rubric Design and Rubric Calibration were offered last school year. To complement the specialization in PBA, DTAL is pleased to be adding a literacy specialization for the upcoming school year. The Academic Vocabulary and Collaborative Conversations badges are a great next step for teachers who completed the Close Reading badge. Teachers who have yet to embark on the PBA or literacy specialization now have six options to take advantage of, allowing a teacher the option of potentially progressing through all three PBA or all three literacy badge courses for the chance to earn a specialization. Each badge is “stackable,” and the completion of all three PBA or literacy badges will result in a teacher earning a specialization badge. By participating in any of the above badge/specialization courses, teachers will be able to develop and highlight expertise in specific priority areas that are in tight alignment with the division's Teaching and Learning Framework. A demonstration of mastery in these areas, as identified by earning a badge, will be a preferred prerequisite for job vacancies within DTAL for coaching, specialist and/or curriculum coordinator positions. Furthermore, preference will be given to teachers who have earned any of the above badges when applying for curriculum and/or textbook review committees or other DTAL sponsored committees. Teacher demonstration of mastery leading toward badge/specialization attainment in any of the above areas will also further teacher capacity and can be considered by administrators when determining attainment of the exemplary level of proficiency in the Professional Knowledge component of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Teacher Evaluation Rubric. In addition to earning a master badge and licensure points, at the completion of each course participants will earn points towards earning the Career Teacher Allowance. While these professional learning opportunities will be self-paced and flexible, there will be key submission dates for final products and/or reflections. All courses listed above will be housed in Schoology, and the registration for each will be completed in Frontline. Specific details regarding course descriptions and submission deadlines can be found here.
Kudos
Thanks to those of you who responded to our survey about the inservice week activities. We garnered the following kudos from these surveys:
Kudos to . . .
Dawn Euman--she is always working to improve herself, her instruction, and help lift up others!
Beth Pickett for working hard to make folks happy with scheduling well beyond normal expectations. Also for the accommodations distribution idea.
Jennifer Groves & Marcus Johnson-Williams for working tirelessly for our department.
Mr. Stanley for taking our pictures and making the AWESOME video!
The Eagle Nation Orientation crew. They had a lot of kids but were super organized!
All of the APs because they are masters of multi-tasking.
Millie because she is amazing and always gets the job done.
The Admin Team--you all listened and gave us a great week back at the Nest!
Kudos and thanks to Daniel Jimerson for going above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis!
Kudos to Rachel White for organizing a successful Open House night event!
Congratulations to LHS for receiving the Sustainable School Award!
Monday, 9/9 (A)
Field Hockey @ Salem HS, 4:00
Volleyball vs Bayside, 4:00
PTSA Meeting, Library, 6:00
Tuesday, 9/10 (B)
Golf vs Kempsville @ Kempsville Greens, 2:30
Field Hockey vs Tallwood, 4:00
Volleyball vs Cox, 4:00
Wednesday, 9/11 (A)
National Day of Service & Remembrance
Thursday, 9/12 (B)
Golf vs Tallwood @ Bow Creek, 2:30
Field Hockey @ OLHS, 4:00
Volleyball vs Beach Breakers, 4:30
JV Football vs Bayside, 7:00
Friday, 9/13 (A)
Football @ OLHS, 7:00
Saturday, 9/14
Volleyball Endless Summer Tournament
9/9: Tanya Espinoza, World Languages
9/9: Andrea Everhart, Attendance
9/9: Suzette Johnson, FACS
9/10: Gordon Limbaugh, TCE
9/10: Gina Wood, Special Education
9/11: Mark Doyle, English
9/11: Marie Marcia-Garner, Science
9/11: Ty Swartz, TCE
9/12: Andrew Lykins, Social Studies
9/12: Minnie Reliford, Special Education
9/13: Chelsea Brechtel, Social Studies
9/14: Macabuhay, Custodian
9/15: Mark Alberda, World Languages
Landstown Gear
Josten's is offering an online pop-up store with Landstown gear. The shop will only be open through September 9th. Proceeds from the shop will be used to help offset the cost of our big Heritage Week motivational speaker. The items will ship directly to you and will take approximately 6 weeks after the online store closes. You can access the Josten's gear shop here.
Heritage Week Speakers Needed
Heritage Week 2019 is set for November 18 - 22. The theme for the week is, "Chase Your Dreams." The planning committee is looking for speakers from the community to present to our students around this theme. If you know of someone who would be a good fit and would be willing to speak to our students, please let Shaylee Laton or Dave Siock know as soon as possible.
Innovative Learning Grants
The application for grants for funding up to $2,000 can be found here. Deadline to apply is October 18. We have so many great things happening at LHS. Please consider applying for one of these grants to fund the innovative learning you are leading.
Landstown High School
Email: cheryl.askew@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.landstownhs.vbschools.com/
Location: 2001 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757-648-5500
Twitter: @LandstownEagles