OSP Connected
June 2020-Office for School Performance-Volume 40
Message from Dayle
Like many of you, I have watched many incomprehensible things on TV and Twitter and Instagram recently. I don’t want to watch it anymore and at the same time I need to- to see the pain and anger and cry for justice in our nation for black people. I find myself wondering what we do next to prevent future deaths of our black community members. I also wonder what we can do here in Hillsboro for our students and families.
In 2006, I took my first district training on equity called United for Understanding Racism. Since then hundreds of people in our district have taken such training including our recent series- Taking it Up. It is all great training and we learn a lot. Everyone can speak the lingo of microaggressions, White privilege, ally and bias. But where does the passion and commitment go when the training ends? In so many ways, we are only baby steps ahead of where we were almost fifteen years ago.
In our district, over 85% of the teaching staff is white. We have more classified staff of color but as a system, we are mostly white. At the same time, the students in our schools are over half students of color. I am not going to rattle off achievement and discipline and attendance data- you have heard it all before- but I am going to say that we have an issue serving our students of color. This is not a student issue. This is an adult issue. We have the knowledge to change it but we have to get uncomfortable and take action.
First, we white educators have to understand that our lived experience is different just by the color of our skin. I am not watched when I am in restaurants or stores, no one expects me to be violent or uneducated, and I am not judged and perceived in certain stereotypical negative ways. White privilege exists. If you don’t believe it- talk to one of your black or brown students about their experience. When we do focus groups or gather stories from the Needs Assessment our students tell us about not getting their questions answered, being accused of wrongdoings when simply socializing like their white peers, and having adults tell them about the low paying jobs in their futures. It is hard to read; if you are offended, bravely sit with a student- or a colleague- and just listen. They will tell you what it’s like to be of color in HSD.
Next, we have to stop and interrupt aggressions in speech and action in our environments. I am not going to call them microaggressions, which they are often called, because that implies they are small and maybe hurt less. Aggressions are awful no matter the size. Learn to speak up and if you don’t know what to say --say “I don’t know what to say but this isn’t right." When you miss the opportunity to interrupt and later find yourself ruminating on an interaction go back to the person and talk about it. Hold people accountable for the words they speak. It must be unacceptable in our spaces to say racist, biased, mean and disrespectful things.
My last priority- because there are many things we must do- is to know every student by name, strength and need. Every student! As we have watched the students who have become less engaged over time during this Covid shut down, or are struggling to graduate or earn credit at the high school level, and they are our students of color- our black and brown students who we are charged to care for! And it’s not because they are lazy or don’t care, (I’d actually like to eradicate that thought in HSD), it's because they are struggling, many are working, dealing with the stress and trauma of this part of life and they don’t trust the system to help them! They have experienced years of it; we need to reach out to them and show up. Last week I sat with a young person of color and spent three hours negotiating the online resources, helping them “know what to say” to their teachers and figuring out how to pass classes. Students know who is in their corner. If you are white, ask yourself which students of color would reach out to you for support. If it’s no one- you have two more weeks to change that narrative.
Hillsboro School District family, there is no more important time to be bold with our actions, get out of our comfort zones and serve our community. Some people may think that this message is “political”- it is not. It is a value of our district, backed by policy, that we are here for all students of all races, genders and ethnicities. And in being here for students we are also here for our families and staff. For our staff of color, I know the events happening in our world and community are extra hard for you as it may affect you personally and the students that you care for that look like you. And for our white colleagues I want to challenge you to feel uncomfortable everyday and bravely take steps to do something- even if it’s not perfect- and use your privilege for growth. I am going to end this with a quote that is after the signature of one of our colleagues in our district that I respect very much. It makes me think, it makes me sad, and it makes me panic because we are seeing this in our community.
“The child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel its warmth”
~ African Proverb.
HSD Focus 2019-2020
INSTRUCTION: End of Year Reflection and Celebration
As we close the year during this difficult time we celebrate the contribution of every single one of you as we switched to distance learning for all. It was amazing to see how we came together to begin a way of teaching and learning that we had never done before. We celebrate the risks taken as well as the collaboration in order to support each other through it. We celebrate that within two weeks you made it possible for our students to continue learning as they began to virtually connect with teachers, staff and peers. We celebrate the support that families have been given to help them become facilitators of learning at home.
Students will be allowed students to keep their chromebooks over the summer. It will be important to utilize the comment section of the report card to inform families of skills that students should continue to work on during the summer and share any online resources they can continue to use. Here is a report card comment template that you may want to utilize if needed.
Looking forward to the 2020-2021 school year, school may not be back to its normal state due to COVID-19 and the guidelines from the state for reopening. We are working on preparing plans for students re-entering our schools based on different models. There is the possibility that we may come back full on face-to-face or in a hybrid model. We also know that we may have to move on to full on distance learning at any time due to the virus. Regardless of the model we will continue our instructional focus in the areas of purpose, engagement, assessment and classroom environment from the 5Ds. It will be important to invest in professional learning to support staff in meeting the needs of students who have had an extended summer slide. This emphasizes professional learning through social and emotional care, formative assessments, student feedback, student outcomes, data, collaboration, modeling, and coaching.
As you indulge in your summer plans, also take the opportunity to reflect on which strategies and tools will be beneficial to continue after the pandemic. In a recent article in Education Week, Teacher/author Gina Denny lists six ways she plans to change “once there is a semblance of normal”. In addition here is a list of some resources for your summer reading. Summer Summit has been in place for seven years and this year we will be providing a virtual summer summit. Jumpstart the school year by attending our first Virtual Summer Summit on Thursday, August 27nd. This is a conference style professional development with sessions offered by district teachers and staff members! More information will be sent out before the end of school with information on session and registration for summer PD.
CLIMATE AND CULTURE: The Impact of Being Grateful
With the uncertainty and constant state of change we are experiencing due to the global health crisis it is easy to focus on what we have lost or what we feel is missing from our everyday lives. But this time can also serve as an opportunity to slow down and reflect on all that we have; taking a moment to feel gratitude or maybe two to tell someone you are grateful for them, has a profound impact not only on your mood and relationships but also your physical and mental health. Feeling grateful is not about having everything you want, it is about appreciating all that we have. Please click on the links below to learn simple ways to express gratitude and more about the physiological and psychological benefits of expressing it.
How Gratitude Can Change Your Life
CAREER & COLLEGE READY: Creating PK-12 Pathways
Working jointly with the HIllsboro community, the Hillsboro School District is creating relevant, viable pathways for PK-12 students in order to unlock their passion, talent and potential. Throughout the last few months our City of Hillsboro and Hillsboro Chamber partners have worked on videos to showcase careers in our community (click here to access an example of the City of Hillsboro career video series). The videos that are being created are being made for specific audiences, some are geared toward elementary aged students, while others for teens (click here to access the Chamber career spotlight videos). We are also working on elementary CCP one pagers that compliment our secondary pathway one pagers. For additional information please see our CCP website: click here for examples of these important communication pieces.
Here is a sample of the elementary design below:
Elementary Language Arts Adoption
Tech Teach Grow
Our Purpose
This digital magazine is intended to support educators with technology integration in the classroom. Our hope is to provide HSD staff with tech integration ideas, info and updates via quick digital media easily accessible at your convenience. Everything we share should work with your current HSD tech.
Want a different result? Try something new!
Your Digital Support for Distance Learning
Follow this link to a new (1.12) #TechForward>> digital magazine focused on Chrome Canvas and Digital Whiteboard.
Coffee Conversations - Assistive Technology (Episode # 18)
This month, our Assistive Technology Team talks about the benefits of the Google Extension Read&Write. Due to the pandemic, this extension is available to all HSD staff and students. If you are not using it or you are not showing your students how it can benefit them, we encourage you to watch the video and check out the tutorials! Read&Write is an awesome resource for all - especially with Distance Learning.
Google Professional Development Opportunity
G Suite Fundamentals - Fast Track PD
We are excited to announce our district’s participation in Google for Education’s new PD initiative: G Suite Fundamentals - Fast Track PD. If you’re interested in learning how to use Google tools in the classroom, and/or if you want to become a Google Certified Educator Level 1, sign up for the program here.
What can you expect if you register?
Over the course of 6 weeks, you’ll receive an email each Monday morning from the Google for Education team highlighting content from the Teacher Center, and sharing exam preparation tips and hints.
This condensed PD program will help you:
- get familiar with G Suite for Education tools and their classroom application
- understand how Google tools can make your life easier
- prepare for the Google Certified Educator Level 1 exam