OSP Connected
January 2020-Office for School Performance-Volume 35
Message from Dayle
“I think they assume they have more skills than they have,” Kori said. We had been talking about her work with 9th graders and how she, as a graduation coach last year, supported students with their work, grad requirements and worked with the teachers who help them learn. Our graduation coaches get a front row look at all the things that might get in the way of our students’ success and many of those challenges originate outside the school walls. But when I asked Kori what the teachers and adults can do differently to help students, it came down to our beliefs about students and how that impacts what we do next in our work with them individually. We assume they have more skills than they do!
Most of the time our biggest challenge with students is their behavior. Whether it is controlling hands and feet, using drugs at school, cursing when angry, walking out of class when frustrated, or even not coming to school- we often assume our students are making these choices on purpose fueled by ill will. But what if we assumed they are missing skills? Our responses would change for sure. I believe our students would receive more lessons and skill building for dealing with anger, handling anxiety, communicating feelings, making friends and advocating for themselves and being retaught mini lessons regarding academic content even if it’s years behind where we perceive it should be. When we think about the why of what our students are or are not doing, let’s remind ourselves that they are children (even the 18 year olds) and are still developing and need skills in self control, planning, communication and relationship building.
This message is part of my core: believe in kids and when things aren’t perfect- teach. We are adults in a school, not a courtroom or a cell, and we get to teach! We have the privilege of helping our students be better tomorrow compared to today. Let’s interrupt our own mental leaps about our students’ intention and skill and respond to students with instruction.
HSD Focus 2019-2020
INSTRUCTION: Reflect and Reset
At the end of this month, we will officially be halfway through the school year. This is a great opportunity to look at your data and determine what adjustments you might want to make to best serve your students in the remaining four and a half months of the year. But what data should you be looking at? This could be formative assessment data, summative assessment data, quick checklist data you gather during student talk time, among other things. It’s also important to consider student qualitative data. Build in some time over the next few weeks to check in with some of your students to determine what’s working and what isn’t working from their point of view.
If you are struggling to find data that is quick to gather and easy examine, consider this an opportunity to revamp some formative assessment practices. Think of some easy ways to collect feedback of student learning during their partner/group time. Better yet, how can you get students tracking their own understanding and progress? Add this to your next PLC meeting agenda in order to tap into the great ideas of your colleagues.
CLIMATE AND CULTURE: High Expectaions & Support
High expectations and high levels of support for our students is essential to systems of Restorative Practices and Trauma Responsive Care. Students need to know that we believe they can be successful and productive members of our community because of their experiences, not in spite of them. Click on the links below to learn more about:
When Your Students Act Out, Ask These Questions Instead of “Why Did You Do That?”
CAREER & COLLEGE READY: Financial Aid Support
Language Arts Adoption Update
We are still sifting through feedback and data from our LA literacy leadership team, our LA Pilot team and from our community meeting held at the Hillsboro Library. In the next week, Travis, Arcema, Alano, Vanessa and Fran will meet with publishers and varied leaders as we prepare for our meeting with the CCAC (Community Curriculum Advisory Committee) next week. More information to come soon. As we move forward into the next phase of our adoption it is important to emphasize our top priority is to provide our students with the best resources to meet their varying needs.
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!
Follow this link to a new (1.5) #TechForward>> digital magazine focused on your Google Drive.
Coffee Conversations - Safety Care (Episode # 13)
This year you may have heard that Safety Care has replaced OIS and Sync as our state-approved restraint and seclusion training. In this episode of Coffee Conversations, trainers Linda Chan and Deb Wallace talk about the new training and the benefits of attending the refreshers.
Just click the photo below to watch this month's episode.
-Your Student Services Team
2020 Classified Summit
Friday, Jan 31, 2020, 01:30 AM
South Meadows Middle School, Southeast Davis Road, Hillsboro, OR, USA
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