BSD Briefs
September 18, 2017
District Goal: WE empower all students to achieve post-high school success.
Teacher Collaboration in Action
At Nancy Ryles Elementary, all grade level teachers are seated around tables in the library. In the front of the room, a Master Teacher trained at Teacher’s College, who also happens to teach 2nd grade at Nancy Ryles, is training her fellow teachers on how to better evaluate student writing.
The teachers are poring over a 2nd grade student’s story titled “The Snowman.” Did he put thought into how to begin his story? Is he using transition words? Is he using descriptive language? Is he using the correct punctuation? Is his spelling at, above or below the second grade level?
They are working off of a rubric, debating the level and score for each measurement. The goal? To ensure all the teachers at Nancy Ryles are evaluating writing the same way. This creates consistency in grading between classrooms and crates a smooth progression between grade levels. It helps teachers in 1st grade know where students should be by the end of the year. It helps 3rd grade teachers understand what to expect from their incoming students.
The teachers evaluate, debate, score and start again. The instructor points out how teachers can use evaluations on individual pieces of writing to see how a student is growing and progressing, areas they may be excelling, and also areas where they need a little more help.
Next, teachers from each grade level evaluate the same writing sample and compare scores. Are they evaluating and scoring the writing the same? They discuss and debate. Their instructor then shows them how to use their evaluations to help students improve areas of weakness.
This is exactly what the Beaverton School District had in mind, when it moved to early release Wednesdays to allow time for teacher collaboration. This is just one of the ways teachers are spending their time Wednesday afternoons, to assess where their students are at, determine areas of growth and areas where students need a little extra help. The ultimate goal... to increase student achievement and prepare all students for post-high school success.
Early Release/Teacher Collaboration Wednesdays
Don’t forget Wednesday there will be a 90-minute early release to allow educators time to collaborate and participate in professional development opportunities.
Dismissal times will be:
- Elementary schools that start at 8:00 a.m. will dismiss at 1:05 p.m.
- Elementary schools that start at 8:30 a.m. will dismiss at 1:35 p.m.
- Hazeldale @ 118th will dismiss at 2:25 p.m. (2017-2018)
- Middle schools will dismiss at 2:20 p.m.
- High schools will dismiss at 1:00 p.m.
- Bridges Academy will dismiss at 1:00 p.m.
- ACMA, Health & Science, SST, ISB, Rachel Carson and Merlo will dismiss at 12:35 p.m.
The Early Release/Teacher Collaboration webpage has an updated FAQ and an animated video (English & Spanish) explaining Early Release and Teacher Collaboration.
Sprint 1Million
Eligible students at Aloha High School received free devices and free connectivity on Friday, September 15, as part of the Sprint 1Million Project.
The 1Million Project will distribute devices and provide service to eligible students at 13 BSD high schools and will help the District complete its goal of having a tablet or other device for every student to take home this school year.
Every year over the next five years, hundreds of thousands of high schoolers who lack Internet access at home will join and benefit from the 1Million Project. The ambitious goal is to connect one million students in that time to help level the playing field and help eliminate the “Homework Gap.” Each student participating in the 1Million Project will receive a free hotspot device and 3GB of high-speed LTE data per month for up to four years while they are in high school. Unlimited data is available at 2G speeds if usage exceeds 3GB in a month.
Early Release
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
(students will be dismissed 90 minutes early)
School Board Business Meeting
Monday, September 25, 2017
6:30 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo Rd., Beaverton.
Early Release
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
(students will be dismissed 90 minutes early)
Bond Accountability Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Administration Office
16550 SW Merlo Rd., Beaverton.
Early Release
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
(students will be dismissed 90 minutes early)
Department of Land Use & Transportation Public Comment Notice
Washington County’s Urban Road Maintenance District Advisory Committee (URMDAC) is considering 27 pedestrian and biking improvement project candidates for funding in 2018-2020. $7 million is available to fund projects in 2018-2020; it is anticipated that URMDAC will select 4 to 8 of the 27 candidates for funding.
You can learn about the 27 candidates at pedbikeprojects.com. The map at this site provides the ability to review the individual 27 candidates and provide comments on them (use the “Top Candidates 2018-20” tab).
For information about URMD pedestrian and biking improvements, visit URMDprojects.com.
URMDAC is scheduled to select recommended projects at its Oct. 18 meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
If you wish to comment on any or all of these candidates, please submit your comments by Oct. 8, 2017 to:
Steve Franks
Urban Road Services Coordinator
Operations and Maintenance Division
1400 SW Walnut St., MS 51
Hillsboro, OR 97123-5625
or
Hazeldale Groundbreaking
Mountainside Open House
DACA Informational Forum
Beaverton School District
Read past issues of the BSD Briefs.
The Beaverton School District recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of the Beaverton School District that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability in any education programs, activities or employment.
Email: community_involvement@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: beaverton.k12.or.us
Location: 16550 SW Merlo Rd, Beaverton, OR, United States
Phone: (503)356-4360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeavertonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @beavertonsd