Teaching and Learning Update
January, 2021
From the desk of Deanna Barash, Assistant Superintendent
for Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction
It has been a very busy month in the department. The coaches and coordinators have highlighted their work and the positive impact it has had on our students.
Portrait of a Graduate
As we move toward making a decision about what the rest of the school year and beyond will look like, the District Learning Design Team met recently to brainstorm what kinds of practices from this year we want to take into the future and how we continue to increase student engagement, even in the time of social distancing.
The WB coaching workshops have continued weekly and have been beneficial as well as enjoyable for the whole group! Each participant has set coaching goals for themselves and has an accountability buddy they will check in with outside of the workshop time. Part of the workshop is spent reflecting on the work of Jim Knight’s book, The Impact Cycle and the rest of the time is spent role playing and discussing coaching experiences with the group.
In our continued efforts to support best practices in literacy instruction, the literacy coaches have provided professional development opportunities and teacher support during the pause on in-person instruction. We strive to build continuity and consistency across the district in literacy instruction. We recently updated the pacing and alignment, implemented monthly grade level PLC meetings to “unpack” upcoming units, and provided opportunities for teams to collaborate and think critically about the best practices for implementation. The coaching team is proud to continue our work building capacity in literacy instruction across the district. We look forward to the upcoming pilot of writing and phonics units of study and the chance to continue the all-important work of alignment in our ELA curriculum.
During the last two months, the coaching team has supported teaching and learning in the following areas:
Large Group Professional Development:
PD for all K-5, ELL, and special education teachers using Literacy Footprints Digital Reader Assessment Resource
District Wide PLC Grade Level Unit Unpacking Meeting
Small Group-Grade Level Support:
Continued support as teachers implement the Units of Study
Best practice for virtual mini lessons and videos
Provided individual and small group support to teachers on using Literacy Footprints for small group instruction
Modeled Guided Reading/Small Group instruction using our Literacy Footprints resource
Individual Coaching:
Provided individual and small group support to teachers using Literacy Footprints
Navigation of the site and accessing resources
Setting up classrooms
Creating guided groups
Assigning books to students
Supported classroom teachers with small group virtual implementation
Collaborated with teachers to analyze assessment data and determine next steps for instruction
Ongoing Personal Professional Learning:
Attended Literacy Footprints webinar focused on supporting remote literacy instruction
Planned and participated in the district Coaching PD (Impact Cycle) with coaches and instructional deans
Attended Teachers College Office Hours with Lucy Calkins on Units of Study implementation best practices
District Literacy Materials:
Purchased Writing Units of Study teacher resources for Spring 2021 curriculum pilot, K-5
Ordered Phonics Units of Study for K-2; Fountas and Pinnell Word Study for grade 3
Literacy Leadership Team training on Dyslexia and Equity in Instruction
Ongoing partnership with literacy coaches and colleagues across Oakland County to learn more about best practices in coaching, literacy instruction and remote learning
Continued to WB Literacy Roadmap to reflect the current priorities in literacy instruction
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
The DEI Committee has been meeting and working through its subgroups to tackle systemic work across the district. We have groups focusing on district and school policies, curriculum, spotlighting and advocacy, staff PD, school programming, and talent development and management.
MTSS
Based on feedback from families and staff, we have implemented two initiatives to provide additional support for students while we are in a remote/hybrid learning model. The first is the Student Academic Support (SAS) program, which allows K-12 students to get extra help from teachers in all core subjects in the evenings via Zoom. Since it started on January 12, we have had students sign up for 386 tutoring slots!
For students in grades K-3 who have an IRIP and could use additional support, we have launched the Mobile Academic Team (MAT), which provides face to face instruction for small groups of students at WBHS. Transportation and food service are also provided if needed.
K-12 ESL
The elementary and secondary ESL PLCs have been collaborating on curriculum units and problem solving for student success over the last few months. We’ve been able to model and share strategies, use data to drive instructional decisions and continue sharing remote learning tips through our weekly meetings.
In January, ESL teams reviewed assessment and progress monitoring data to adjust second semester groups and schedules as needed. We examined the growth of students over the 1st semester to determine instructional focus areas moving forward. We continue providing Title III tutoring before/after school in the areas of ELD (English language development), reading and math for students in need. Bilingual paras meet with students on Wednesdays to check-in and provide additional support across all content areas. Some of our EL staff members added a drop-in support session at the end of the school day for students and parents. We are proud of the growth and resilience of our students and staff, despite the challenges brought upon us this school year.
February is the start of WIDA ACCESS for ELLs testing, a state standardized assessment given to K-12 ELs to measure English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing across content areas. ESL staff has been busy administering test sessions and making sure students complete testing safely and in a timely fashion. Options were provided to Lakers Online EL families to make testing in person feel safe and manageable. The ESL team held various parent meetings at the elementary and secondary level to inform families of WIDA testing and the information it provides.
K-12 Math
Elementary students are excited to be back in school doing “Work Places." These skill based games help students extend their mathematical practice in a fun and engaging way.
Secondary 7th grade math students are learning about proportional relationships. Strategies include a ratio table. Students must provide evidence to support their thinking.
Social and Emotional Learning
K-2 SEL Curriculum
We are thrilled to announce that the K-2 SEL Team has determined that the Ruler Curriculum from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will be our consistent social and emotional curriculum for both our virtual and in person students. Our team, which is composed of six teachers, three social workers, three administrators, Diane Swatosh and Becky Heitsch, was able to pilot this program as well as other SEL curriculum in order to determine the best fit. We chose Ruler because of its ability to be integrated into the daily curriculum, teach students SEL skills and provide opportunities to practice. It also fits well with Capturing Kids Hearts’ and Restorative Practices.
Student Behavior Concern Flowchart
As mentioned in the last Board of Education update, the district is now using a common risk assessment document to record actions that are taken when a student makes a threat to themself or others in a consistent manner, as well as to improve communication across the district. This document is called the Student Safety Assessment or SSA and will be completed by social workers and/or administrators. To support K-12 teachers in identifying students who may be at risk, a flowchart was developed with examples of low risk, moderate risk and high risk behaviors and the steps a teacher should take if these behaviors are observed.
SEL Lessons for All
Each week our social workers continue to create and provide social and emotional lessons to our K-13 students on asynchronous Wednesdays. Recently some topics featured are: how to move out of the red zone to the green zone, growth mindset and prepping your body to be its best on a test day.
OK2SAY
We are relaunching the OK2SAY campaign in West Bloomfield. OK2SAY is an anonymous way for students to report threats, bullying, sexual harassment or concerns about self harm. Some of our wonderful WB middle school and high school teachers created a video to explain OK2SAY to our 6-12 students.
School Mental Health Consultant (MHC)
Student Safety Assessment (SSA)
A multidisciplinary team created a district risk assessment document in order to document actions that are taken when a student makes a threat to themself or others in a consistent manner, and to improve communication across the district. The team has been working on streamlining the process and has approved both process and a document. Check-ins have been held with building teams and the MHC has met with several teams to guide them through the documentation when incidents have occurred.
Mental Health Supports
The MHS has been meeting with families, both in person and online, to provide additional mental health support, and is currently supporting 22 students with weekly/biweekly mental health check ins. The MHS has additionally visited several classes and a sports team to talk about mental health and support high school suicide prevention training (over 150 students total). This has included providing supportive measures under Title IX.
Programming
The MHS has been coordinating with the GWBCC and over 60 students in the WBHS Leadership class completed a SOS Suicide Prevention Training. Internet Safety, parent webinars, and Expressive Art programming are also being offered at the high school, sponsored by GWBCC. The high school SEL team has curated content that is added to teachers’ Canvas pages for asynchronous assignments once per month. In December the theme was coping with negative thoughts and access to crisis resources. In February the theme is resilience.
PLC and Department Chair Facilitators Professional Development
All K-12 PLC and Department Chair facilitators will participate in a monthly professional development and weekly asynchronous tasks with a focus on PLC best practices led by Amy Quinn, Rebecca Heitsch and the Teaching and Learning team. This month facilitators discussed student data and created goals within their PLC. The book talk focused on teacher efficacy and the impact we have on others.
K-12 Science
Elementary students began their next exciting science rotation!
K- Materials & Motion
1st - Sound & Light
2nd - Liquids & Solids
3rd - Motion & Matter
4th - Energy
5th - Living Systems
Middle school students are learning about Adaptation and Natural Selection by learning about the real world connection of why pesticides do not always work.
The High School science department continues to find ways to bring hands on activities and high interest tasks that help students transfer their knowledge to the real world. In Biology students are studying Lions as part of their African Storyline. As highschool students return to their classroom at WBHS, students are finding ways to safely collaborate while socially distancing. These students below are preparing their presentation and also sharing results from data that was collected.
Kids in Charge is Coming to Middle School
In collaboration with the Greater West Bloomfield Coalition and the Teaching and Learning Department, the Kids in Charge program is coming to WBMS and LOMS. Students in grades 6-8 will receive four lessons created by the Teaching and Learning Department based on the Michigan Model for Health about alcohol dangers, tobacco/vaping awareness, facts about marijuana and making good choices. Each lesson also includes coping skills, refusal skills and identifying a safe and trusted adult in their life. The graphics and language have been updated for the middle school crowd and we are pleased to be able to provide our young adults with this valuable information.
K-12 Assessment
Students in grades K-8 took the NWEA MAP Growth assessment in Reading and Math earlier this fall and again this winter. These results will help guide teachers as they continue with interventions and support.
Our testing coordinators for grades 3-11 have begun planning for spring assessments. The state has applied for a testing waiver, however we have yet to receive any further guidance from the Michigan Department of Education.
K-12 Social Studies
K-5 Social Studies curriculum-writing team has been working on developing succinct units for teachers to implement, considering the limited classroom time. Teachers are focusing on literacy connections while creating engaging, inquiry-based lessons. During grade-level PLC meetings, teachers across the district have shared this curriculum and ideas for implementation. This process will be ongoing for the remainder of the school year.
6-12 Social Studies teachers are continuing to provide high-quality, anti-racist social studies instruction, now completely virtual since West Bloomfield Middle School and OEC no longer have in-person instruction. Teachers are integrating technology such as Jamboard, Pear Deck, and Nearpod to assist with their virtual lessons and to make the content engaging and accessible for students.
K-12 Special Education
On February 8th the social workers & psychologists along with Andie Briolat, Becky Heitsch & Lynne Swerhone began the first of eight professional learning sessions in the series “Applying Behavior Analysis in the Classroom."
This professional learning series is a result of the partnership between WBSD & Acorn Health recently approved by the Board. This training will provide our staff with a deeper understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) , a research based practice that produces practical and socially significant changes in student behavior. Additionally they will learn evidence-based interventions to support student skill development and increase engagement in the learning environment. We are very excited to bring this training to our staff and embark on this journey. We know it will greatly enhance the skill set of our department which will in turn improve the experiences of our students.
K-12 Technology and Technology Integration
Teachers are continuing to use district technology to make the transition back to hybrid instruction, including Canvas, Pear Deck, Nearpod, and Kami.
Teachers are still using Zoom as our primary video-conferencing tool. We have continued to support teachers with troubleshooting, security, recording, and the integration with Canvas.
Finally, our EdTEch Learning Group has continued to support their colleagues with instructional technology tips/tricks and with the development and maintenance of our school websites.
WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
CURRICULUM, ASSESSMENT AND INSTRUCTION
5810 COMMERCE ROAD
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48324
248-865-6479