OSP Connected
March 2022-Office for School Performance-Volume 57
Message from Dayle
In the last month I have had the opportunity to be part of some listening sessions with high school students and I have also had time to be in schools and talk to students at the middle and elementary level. As students have shared the high and low points of the year, there is a consistent thread of positivity that I think is really important to celebrate - students appreciate you!
High school students recognize teachers connecting with them more as people. Their comments include phrases such as, “They understand when I am struggling"; “They check in on me"; “If I need more help or more time, they are flexible"; “We are learning interesting things so I want to come to class." Students also identify that they have an adult they can go to - a teacher, grad coach, campus monitor, counselor, educational assistant. It’s so great to hear their appreciation of and connection with you.
At middle school and elementary school, I’ve heard how much students like being in school with their teachers and friends. Comments include, “School is fun”; “I like music class and playing instruments”; “Getting to have electives in person is so much better”; “My teacher reads to us when we are on the carpet." The students are really relishing the awesome relationships being built with their peers and school staff, and enjoying all the great aspects an in-person school experience has to offer.
Thank you, staff! I truly believe the most important indicator of our work as a school system is how students are feeling about their school experience. You are doing so much well! Our kids appreciate you and your work to teach and support them is recognized.
Instruction: Productive Struggle
Jo Boaler, a revolutionary researcher and math educator, states that, “struggle is critical to mastering a skill or concept. When we sense discomfort in our classrooms, we can be quick to explain and provide steps to follow. But removing the struggle for students also removes the cognitive heavy lifting that leads to deep learning and understanding.”
As facilitators of learning, we can explain the purpose for why we are doing something and provide space for students to productively struggle before support is given. For example, in math, use an open ended problem or provide an answer with a mistake in the work and ask students to analyze the error. These moments of productive struggle encourage students to persevere and create a culture where getting stuck is valued.
In order for this productive struggle to take place, an environment where students feel safe to take risks must be established. We can create this nurturing environment by explaining the purpose for the struggle up front, sharing our own mistakes, and celebrating perseverance.
For more ideas on how to lean in to productive struggle check out the article Talk Less So Students Learn More HERE.
Health Adoption Feedback
It’s Forecasting Time for the 2022-23 School Year!
Such an exciting season to get planning for the 2022-23 school year!! HSD off-campus course offering information is here; the QR code will take you to videos and course descriptions. Please go to the counseling tab of the school’s homepage to find all information regarding forecasting. For additional resources please see our CCP website: click here for examples of these important communication pieces and look for printed examples throughout our high schools.
***For more CCP information please click HERE
Climate & Culture: Women’s History Month
“There is strength in the differences between us / And I know there is comfort where we overlap.” -Ani DiFranco
March is designated as Women’s History Month. It is a time to reflect and increase our awareness of women’s contributions to United States history, as well as existing equity and justice issues for women in society today.
This month, we should also take the opportunity to dive a little deeper into the role played by intersectionality. While women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds have contributed significantly to women’s equality, their experiences cannot be equated with one another’s. White women’s history in the U.S. looks different from that of Black women’s history, which is different from that of Latina women, Asian women, American Indian women, and so on. The same is true for women of varying abilities, gender identities, sexualities, etc. Taking the time to examine the circumstances and the context within which important women in history have operated will lead to a richer understanding of where we are today.
“If we are commemorating Women’s History Month with an intersectional approach, We must honor women such as Kimberlé Crenshaw and Angela Davis. Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989 to describe the idea that people who belong to multiple disadvantaged demographics experience inequality in a unique and more complex way, where the inequality they experience cannot be attributed to just a single factor such as race or gender. While Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality, Angela Davis explored similar ideas in her novel Women, Race, and Class in the early 80s. If you are new to the world of intersectional feminism, Davis’ novel provides a perspective that will challenge the correlation between your feminism and white supremacy, leaving you with a more inclusive way of approaching feminism.”
Full article here: An Intersectional guide to Women’s History Month
Consider the work of: Dorothea Dix | Milagros Peña | Sylvia Rivera
Commemorations: Women's History Month
This month, for Women’s History Month, commemorate women’s stories. Celebrate women’s achievements!
We will continue reviewing our current commemorations collection of lessons and resources for you and we welcome any lessons that you would like to contribute to our district document. Please reach out and we will add them to the appropriate grade bands.
If you have any questions or would like ideas with implementation, please don’t hesitate to ask your TOSAs for support: Catherine Jager, Maricruz Acuña and Yessica HardinMercado
Book Recommendations
This month we have a simple list of book recommendations for you to consider.
Becoming a Great Inclusive Educator
Solid research articles and stories combined in one place.
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor writes an awesome children’s book to help your students feel confident in who they are!
Paula Kluth is renowned for her clear, proven suggestions for including students highly impacted by their disability in the general education classroom.
Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning
Andratesha Fritzgerald writes clearly and uses great analogies to help us serve all students.
Dual Language Logo Competition & the Three Pillars of Dual Language
Our dual language program’s three pillars or goals are for our students: to become social-culturally competent, bilingual and biliterate, and high achievement academically. After reviewing and understanding the pillars, our dual language students in grades 7-12 have the option to create and submit an HSD DL logo by March 18. In the fourth quarter, our elementary dual students will be voting for the top logo and this will become the new DL logo for our district!
Announcement: We are also getting ready to finalize the second family DL newsletter. As you know, we like to spotlight someone for their support of the program. Take a minute to acknowledge a DL staff, parent or family member for their contribution to your class or program by submitting their nomination in this form.
Tech Teach Grow Team
OUR PURPOSE
Support educators with digital curriculum and technology integration in the classroom. Our hope is to provide HSD staff with tech integration ideas, info and updates via quick digital media that is easily accessible at your convenience. Everything we share works with current HSD tech. #TechForward>>
WANT A DIFFERENT RESULT? TRY SOMETHING NEW!
NEW! HSD Chromebooks & Google Classroom
Video: HSD Chromebook and Google Classroom Intro
Resource: HSD Chromebooks & Google Classroom (topics linked to video demonstrations)
Video Tutorial:
Resource: Video Links by Topic
Tech Tips of the Week: #15-19
Tech Tips of the Week: The Tech Teach Grow team will be providing quick tech tips for staff each week through Monday Notes. The tips include updates and integration ideas that relate to the work educators do. Each tip has a brief written description, video/GIF and a way to access the tech integration TOSA team for support on digital curriculum or tech tool/app integration. We will also collect the tech tips for each week and post them here in OSP Connected.
TeachFlix for PD Calendar & Resources
For your convenience, TeachFlix has been updated with all available 2021-22 PD resources that staff can access on demand. There is also a new PD Calendar tab that houses topics, dates, times and Meet links for upcoming PD sessions.
Thank you to those that have attended PD sessions! Please see the playlists below to learn more about them. We encourage you to attend! Extended contract is available for those engaging in PD. See your building admin for details.
Please Note:
- All of the PD resources from 2020-201 can be found under the HSD Originals tab.
- Find new TeachFlix link icon (shown above right) on MyApps
Teaching Resources: Teaching & Learning 2.0
Link to site: Teaching & Learning 2.0
Teaching Language to Access Learning
Language Central
Three Ways to Scaffold Language for Access to Learning