The "Oskaloosa Syllabus"
April, 2014 - News You Can Use!
NEW DISTRICT VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS!
Vision - "BELIEVE, ACHIEVE AND CREATE WITH PRIDE"
Parents, teachers, administrators and especially students, contributed to this statement. We MUST believe all students can achieve - we need to project the positive attitude about learning and Oskaloosa Schools! What does this vision mean to you as an educator?
Mission - "Engaging ALL Students to Embrace the Power of Learning”
How will you contribute to realizing the new Mission of the district?
"District Beliefs" about student learning
NWEA MAP Assessment
Once testing is complete, you will be able to access the NWEA Map site to see the growth your students achieved this school year. The link is embedded below or go to the staff resource page. You will need to use your new username (e-mail address) and password to access the web-based information.
In addition, to learn more about why growth indicators are so important, watch the video below.
March DLT Update
- The "Tool for Improvement" was edited and placed on the staff resource page. The DLT members should have gone over this tool with your during PLC time in March sometime.
- The HS is going to pilot standards-based grading in some volunteer classrooms next fall. No letter grades, points correct, or percentages will be placed on any student work; rather a 1-4 coding system will be used along with specific feedback for improvement. Letter grades will still be calculated for the report card so a GPA can be provided.
The updated "Tool for Improvement can be found on the staff resource page under <Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment>: http://www.oskaloosa.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/Staff|Resources
PLC NEWS!
PLC Dates for April
April 9th - PLC - Extended Vertical - T-Shirt and Jean Day!! :-)
April 16th - Individual Technology Plan Day
April 23rd - PLC/Vertical
April 30th - PLC/Building
PLC to Watch in April - Kindergarten PLC!
100% of kindergarten students will show growth on kindergarten Language Arts District assessments (as listed in our action plan) at the end of 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Kindergarten's Action Plan for 2013-2014:
1. Compile Reader's & Writer's Workshop Units
2. Watch videos on Workshop Models and student conferencing
3. Share and organize mentor text for workshop units
If you see any Kindergarten teachers, ask them about the fabulous collaborative conversations they have during when they have PLC time!
PLC Survey Results
As a district, the Administrative Team also analyzed the results. We were very pleased at the amount of growth and progress made over the last four years. We recognize some issues we need to tighten up in the future.
- K-12 PLC's need to be provided more assistance. Travel time between buildings is an obstacle at times. Looking for common collaboration needs to be developed
- We need to ensure we are providing enough time for tasks to be completed. The Elementary especially has 4 core areas to monitor so their time needs to be honored more effectively.
- We still need to work on becoming better at looking at data and student work - though we have seen MUCH progress with this in all PLC's!!!!
- Time is a factor - we could always use additional time to collaborate and complete the work being asked of all of us!
If you have not seen the results, log into the PLC Wiki and go to the page on the right called "PLC Survey Results".
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact an administrator.
The picture below was taken during the District PLC Facilitator meeting - MS studies the results for the MS PLC's.
Are you meeting your SMART Goal? Iowa Assessments and GLB Data Will Help Determine
In addition you will analyze the number of students who were unsuccessful on GLB's to help you determine if you met your SMART Goals. I will send out shortly the form to complete to send to the next grade to help them determine needs for next year.
Literacy Intervention Grant
- Universal Screening tool (be in place by 2014 - done)
- Progress Monitoring tool (be in place by 2014 - done)
- Research Based Interventions (be in place by 2014 - done)
- Summer School (be in place by 2017 - planning)
- 3rd Grade Retention (be in place by 2017) This policy starts with this year's Kinder students
Oskaloosa is looking to add a summer reading "camp" at the Elementary this summer. We are having discussions with Wm. Penn who already runs a 2-week camp at the Elementary in July. Research shows you need a minimum of 44 hours of literacy instruction to see an increase in achievement. We would like to have a 60 hour (4-week) program in place this summer.
Through the Department of Education, each district is allocated dollars based on enrollment. Oskaloosa would receive a little over $31,000 to fund a summer school program.
There will be more on this as planning continues.
March DAC Update
- Analyzed the Needs Assessment Results for disconnects - go to the front page of the website to see the survey results
- We will begin collaborating with Mr. Kargol and the HS Art program to create a wall for our Vision and Mission
- The next meeting will be on April 20th.
Needs Assessment Survey Results
April Professional Learning
- April 10th - Iowa 1:1 Institute
- April 10th and 11th - Iowa ASCD Leadership Academy
Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) Grant Update
What Does that Mean for Next Year?
- We will have two Instructional Coaches at the Elementary next year (K-5)
- We will have a full-time Instructional Coach at the Middle School next year (6-8)
- PLC Facilitators will continue to be compensated $500 for their work
- DLT members will continue to be compensated $500 for their work
- DAC members will continue to be compensated $200 for their work
- TQ members will continue to be compensated $200 for their work
- Mentors will continue to be compensated by the state $1000 for their work with New Professionals
Instructional Coaches 2014-2015
- Jen Groenenboom will remain as an Instructional Coach next year. She will serve K-5 in the area of Literacy. She will collaborate with as many teachers as she can to support our critical literacy work.
- Stephanie Edgren will be a full-time Instructional Coach next year rather than full-time Intervention Coach. She will also serve K-5 in the area of Literacy. She will continue to monitor and support the Reading Corp volunteers. Together with Jen, they will oversee the Universal Screening and Aimsweb maintenance. Together, they will assist any Elementary teacher in the area of literacy implementation. This is exciting as we will be able to support more teachers next year. MTSS or RtI is about core instruction so it makes sense we focus on building our core instruction so we can reduce the gaps we see in literacy.
- Marian Raum will continue as an Instructional Coach at the Middle School next year. She will work in all areas and with as many teachers as possible, but with an emphasis on Literacy. Marian will also continue to help oversee Universal Screening and Aimsweb along with SWAT Team data analysis.
Coaches will work with any teacher wanting additional support and coaching next year. They will utilize a coaching cycle to maximize impact on classroom instruction. The process will be outlined further in the fall.
With luck, we will be awarded the TLC Grant for the 2015-2016 school year and we will not only support literacy, but we will be able to support Math at the Elementary. In addition, we will have additional literacy support at the MS and HS.
Learning Opportunities Available for Teacher Leaders and Instructional Coaches!
SAI, the DE, Iowa ASCD and Learning Forward Iowa is offering a one-day workshop to help districts who were awarded the TLC Grant. In addition, schools who are working toward the award are encouraged to take any teacher leader to the workshop.
Who: Anyone who wants to be a better teacher leader or future Instructional Coach
What: Launching Teacher Leadership: An Institute for Teacher Leaders and Administrators
Where: FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC Campus in Ankeny
When: June 12th - all day
Why: Because you want to increase your leadership capacity and grow in your professional learning
How: Let Dr. Cooksley know you are interested in attending the workshop and you will get registered to attend
Analyzing Current Practice and Adjusting Instruction
Below are two slide shares from Jennifer Jones - once you set up a free account you have access to all of her wonderful resources. Trust me when I say they are WONDERFUL!!! This would be a great resource to look at during PLC time to have discussions about your own current practice and how you are aligned to the Iowa Core shifts and expectations!
Iowa Core Learning Opportunity
See below:
Summer LETRS Training
June 4th and 5th at the Elementary (Module 7 and Review Modules 1-3) AEA - July 15 & 16
July 29th - August 1st at the Elementary (Modules 4, 5, and 6) AEA - June 30 - July 3rd
Iowa Core Challenge Question
1) What is the acronym associated with the CEI?
2) What does each letter in the acronym stand for?