District Staff News
September 10, 2018
I've been reflecting a lot lately about the work we all do for the students and families here in Canby. The first week of school is always so affirming when we see how excited and hopeful students are on the first few days of school. I've also been reflecting a lot lately on momentum. It's pretty incredible how positive energy can keep something moving forward. The start of this new school year is full of promise and expectation.
Since our All Staff Inservice, I've heard from a number of people about how optimistic they are for the new year. There is good energy around our work.
You are part of every student's personal story. Every day your commitment to their success leaves a lasting impact. So, I'm reflecting on how we can keep that momentum going throughout the year.
I can tell you that we're taking steps to improve achievement and engage our community. We're working to remove barriers and to better support our educators. We're also committed to communicating clearly and consistently with our staff, students, families and community. While this work is incredibly important, it is not what a student notices most. The care and compassion our staff provides is key.
Above all else, it all comes back to that CHOICE you made to work here. And I'm going to ask you to make another choice: choose to lead. Choose to pass our optimism onto our students. With all the divisiveness, political upheaval, and lack of civility that seems more pervasive than ever, we must make the choice to deliver positive messages to our kids - and to one another. It might just be the secret to keeping that positive momentum going.
Best,
Attendance Awareness month is September. Our district will be developing a plan to address this and I will be sending information via Twitter to bring attention to this issue. What can you do? Commit to something that you will do to bring awareness both as a school and as a classroom teacher. If we don’t, here are two quick facts to bring gravity to this issue:
It takes an average of THREE days for a student to catch up from every ONE day of being absent.
Missing THREE or more days of school per month can set a student back TWO full years of learning.
Let’s commit to getting this message out!
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Open Enrollment for the 2018-19 benefits plan ENDS TODAY! You must select your benefits by midnight. Please login to OEBBenroll.com and make your plan choices for the 2018-19 plan year.
There is additional information on plans at OEBBplandocs.com. You may also visit the OEBB website for videos with helpful information as you choose your benefits at https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/OEBB/pages/videos.aspx You can find additional benefits information on the district website, including a link to OEBB.
ABSENCE MANAGEMENT APP
Frontline's Absence Management system (formerly Aesop) has an app! You can report your absences from your smartphone.
Simply find the app in your phone's app store by searching for "Frontline Education." Once you complete the download, open the app and view an initial welcome screen. Enter the invitation code of 7354 and continue to sign in!
AMERICAN FIDELITY ENROLLMENT
Just a reminder of the FINAL American Fidelity appointment date - coming up on September 18th. Go to this link to schedule your appointment: https://benefits.americanfidelity.com/canby
Please remember that if you want to continue your flexible spending account or dependent day care account you need to re-enroll. Any optional plans that you had in 17-18 will continue unless you make changes with a representative.
ESOL CLASSES
There is still room in the ESOL class, being offered in partnership with PSU. There is no cost to employees and classes are held on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 7:30 in the Ackerman Library. Classes start September 26. This class can be taken as part of the ESOL endorsement series. Contact Danielle Reynolds, Teaching & Learning Coordinator, if you'd like to join the class.
The tech team has been hard at work all summer to get things rolling for the 2018-2019 school year. Here’s a very quick update and some reminders:
· Don’t be bashful! If you have questions around making technology work or integrating it into your instruction, please let your building technology specialist know. They’ll work to get answers and the support you need.
· Check your videos! If you have a YouTube video that you previously used or want to use that’s currently blocked, follow these instructions to open it up.
· Keep an eye open! In one month our team will be moving forward with a brand spankin’ new helpdesk system. You’ll receive reminders and information about this big change in the next few weeks!
· There’s a process! If you have software or apps you’d like to put in student devices (Chromebooks, iPads, labs, etc.) please follow the process outlined here.
Some staff members have asked to see the student-voice video from our Inservice Opening Session again. It was not widely distributed because all students were told when they agreed to talk that their friends would not see the video (you have to do what you have to do to get kids on camera!).
Enjoy another look at the video!
Let's Be Friends!
If you have news you'd like to share with staff, students, parents, or our community, please contact Autumn Foster, Communications Coordinator. You can email or even send photos via text (503-805-1717) with a quick caption. Sharing the good in our district builds support and trust in our community.
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