District Staff News
August 26, 2019
Welcome Back! I hope you had an enjoyable summer where you found time to be with friends and family, took a few good walks, read a few good books, and focused on what a great choice you made to be part of the world of schools.
Last week, we held a new employee orientation for educators who are new to our district. It is always inspiring to spend time with people new to the profession and those new to our team. Their enthusiasm and positivity is contagious! I appreciate the time and energy our administrators, teachers, and staff put toward the selection of our new colleagues. Please join me in welcoming all our new educators to Canby School District.
As you are settling in, I want to remind you about tomorrow’s All Staff Inservice. It begins at 7:15 with the Benefits Fair and Breakfast, generously sponsored by Sodexo. At 8:30, our morning session and keynote will begin in the Fine Arts Center. If you haven’t already, please be sure to pre-register for sessions that will help you meet your professional development goals for the year. Our Teaching and Learning team, led by Dr. Ivonne Dibblee, has done a great job soliciting your feedback and putting together a day full of learning opportunities for all of our employee groups.
Much of our professional development will focus on our commitment to academic and behavioral supports for all students. Each building will be developing a sustainable PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program. Each plan will rely on staff engagement and input. This work will align our efforts system-wide. Our new Behavior and Inclusion Coordinator, Patrick Kelly, will lead an important session tomorrow on positive school climate and classroom management plans that work best for all students. I strongly encourage you to attend one of his two sessions.
Our Academic Vision is at the heart of our work. It involves improving academic achievement, increasing family engagement, improving educator effectiveness, and ensuring equity in education. It really is all about All Students, All Abilities, All Opportunities. Throughout the year, we will continue to bring together our ILTs throughout the district to help better align the district’s work with regard to school climate and academic achievement.
As you know, the state legislature passed the Student Success Act (SSA) this summer, which will provide additional budget dollars. This funding will not be available until the 2020-21 biennium. Our district will be working on a required four-year plan that will outline how the district will spend those dollars to meet the intent of the SSA. We will share out this plan with all stakeholder groups and seek feedback before submission.
We have a heavy lift ahead of us this year as we work to make improvements and to bring out the best in all our students. Much like those educators who are new to our district, I know your enthusiasm and passion for ensuring our students succeed will carry you through the challenges in the year ahead. EVERY staff member has an impact on our students. I know you take that responsibility seriously.
I look forward to a great year.
Best,
Welcome back to another wonderful year of teaching and learning! It is incredible to think that we are getting ready for another start to the year. I am always inspired by the energy you bring and the excitement of our learners. In preparation for tomorrow, I encourage you to look at the PD website and sign up for your sessions I hope you enjoy this year’s inservice. We focused on bringing you sessions that support school climate, instruction, and personal wellbeing. I appreciate all of you that provided feedback and I look forward to working with many of you as we prioritize curriculum adoptions for many of our content areas.
I’d like to take this time to welcome Lori Culley, our new TOSA in Teaching and Learning. Lori has an impressive resume as she has served students in various districts, levels, and roles. Her experience that will be an asset to all of us in Canby. Lori Culley has taught at the elementary and middle school level. She has multiple endorsements (Math, Reading, Library Media, ELA, Multiple Subjects) and will be focusing on the implementation of Lexia for our K-2 classrooms, TAG K-12, and working with Student Services to promote engaging classrooms. She will be running two sessions on the 27th and she looks forward to being in your classrooms and supporting YOU!
- Ivonne
Welcome and Welcome back to the new school year! I am excited to lead the next chapter as we have great growth opportunities ahead of us! I want to welcome back all of our veteran staff members as well as some new members of our team that I know will bring their knowledge and fresh perspective to our work!
First of all, please stop by the Student Services office as we have a new look and meet two new staff! Patrick Kelly is our new Student Services Coordinator and he will be leading our District school teams in implementation of best practice regarding student behavior and inclusion, including working with building school climate teams! Patrick has worked closely with many Districts throughout the metropolitan area as well as with ODE.
Additionally, we have Sarah Fitts, a new Social Skills Specialist who will be dividing her time between the District Behavior Program at Eccles and working closely with Patrick to support all schools from the District Office! Student Services will be working in tandem with Teaching and Learning to support classrooms and schools across the District with the help of these new team members! Patrick will be leading two sessions at all staff PD on August 27th - if you can, put these on your list as he has lots to share!
- Kathy
This summer, the technology team has been busy on three big projects. Each staff member received email communications about these projects, but please take this opportunity to review the significant changes we’ve implemented.
1) We’ve updated EVERY SINGLE iPAD in the district to utilize a new management system. This system allows us to better deploy apps and settings and provides our staff and student users access to instructional resources organized by grade level, subject area, or school. Please review an email we sent regarding our iPad change for more detailed information.
2) Every staff member now has a secondary email comprised of their first and last name. Please review the message in your inbox to learn more about what this change means for you.
3) Each student in the school district has a new email address and computer login username. If you work with students and technology, please review the message that explains how your students will be impacted.
Lastly, and most importantly, the technology teams wants to share that Natalie Becher is now working full time as our instructional technology support specialist. As we align the work of our technology team with the work of our teaching and learning team, Natalie is immensely important to ensuring staff are supported in using technology in a way that benefits and enhances instruction. Natalie has already worked this summer creating some fantastic resources to allow our district to grow effectively in this area. She’ll be communicating with you directly to make all of our jobs better. Please welcome her to her new role when you see her in your building.
- Bret
OEBB Open Enrollment for the 2019-20 benefit plan year opened on August 15th and closes at midnight on September 10, 2019. This enrollment is for the plan year beginning October 1, 2019. Everyone is required to re-enroll in benefits.
You may find additional benefits information on the district website: https://www.canby.k12.or.us/ under Human Resources Dept, Benefits Information. If you have questions or need further information, please contact Tess Robison at extension 3916.
This year we will be hosting labs to help with your enrollment. The labs will be held here at the District Office in the Riverside Room on September 4th, 5th, 9th & 10th from 9 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm. No sign-up is required ~ Just stop by!
- Denise
The Canby Can Move wellness committee is offering two ways to move and refocus during our inservice day on August 27th. During lunch, we will coordinate a group walk at the high school track. New this year, we will have two 25 minute yoga sessions during lunch with Liz, our resident instructor. If you are interested, bring your walking shoes or yoga mats. After both activities you can enter a drawing for several different prizes including a yoga mat and hiking pack.
Fall fitness classes start the week of September 30th. Our instructors from last year are back! All classes will take place at the same location they were in last year, except yoga will be offered at the high school on Thursdays at 3:30 and 4:30!
Please look into joining your building wellness committee to help create employee wellness with your building colleagues. These committees are hoping to involve all employees, not just teachers. More information to come soon from your building champion. If you aren’t sure who that is or would like to get involved with Canby Can Move, please email Megan Hochstetler at hochstem@canby.k12.or.us.
- Megan & Morgan
Have a great year and NEVER underestimate the impact you have on the lives of our students!
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