The CIA Report
March 2017 Edition
Welcome to the March 2017 Edition of The CIA Report!
Please be sure to take time to read this newsletter prior to the March 9 administrator meeting. If you have any questions about the content, please list them on this Google Doc, and we will address them during our meeting.
Thanks!
Learning Today...Feeding Your Professional Soul...
We're Getting a Reboot!
That's right - We are getting a reboot!! All of us!
Are you unfamiliar with what a reboot is exactly? If so, take two minutes to learn from Superman and Batman. This particular clip is especially timely (despite the fact that it was created in 2015). Be sure to watch it through to the end!
Next year is bringing with it some significant changes at all levels. But rather than thinking of them as "major changes" or "difficult transitions," we have the opportunity to view them as a REBOOT!
Our elementary schools are getting a reboot - they will now be K-6 not just K-5! They are saying farewell to some of their beloved colleagues and welcoming in new ones!
Our middle schools are getting a reboot - they will now (fit all of their students into their schools!) be 7-8 not 6-8!
And our high schools are getting a reboot by saying farewell to Moodle and embracing a new learning management system!
How we as leaders choose to view the change MATTERS.
If you aren't super excited about the reboot that is coming your way, consider all of the advantages! The upcoming reboot offers you opportunities like:
- reviewing or revising your school mission/vision!
- reestablishing culture and climate - installing new practices or events in your school
- encouraging your teachers to consider new ideas when creating their online content for students (HS)
- establishing new routines within your school and schedule
- encouraging teachers to work collaboratively to create course content for the new LMS (HS)
- encouraging teachers to think differently about how they collaborate - especially when making use of late start time
This reboot provides endless new and exciting opportunities!
What is really exciting is that you are not alone! We are all here to work together to ensure a successful reboot for you, your students, and your staff. Lean on each other, and lean on those around you (like the folks in CO).
Producing a successful reboot isn't easy - but as you learned from Superman and Batman, the payoff is incredibly lucrative!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/19/super-hero-inspirational-quotes_n_6272328.html
Image Credit: @juddhowdyshell
https://uk.pinterest.com/explore/superman-quotes/Teaching & Learning
Curriculum
- Curriculum teams are putting the final touches on revisions and new course curriculum! We expect to send curriculum to the School Board in June for final approval.
Solar Eclipse
- Meghan Aydelott has requested volunteers to join the WSD Solar Eclipse Task Force. These groups (one elementary and one secondary) will help think through the logistics of the day, including curricular ties, activities, locations, and scheduling. If your school does not already have a representative, please encourage your staff to volunteer. This will be an awesome event, and we need help with the details! Contact Meghan with your questions or names of volunteers.
Elementary Libraries
- Elementary librarians will be meeting on Monday, March 13 to brainstorm scheduling opportunities for the coming school year. We will not be making scheduling decisions (those, as always, are up to the building principal); however, we will be discussing options to allow for the library to best serve all students K-6.
- Despite schedule changes for the 17-18 school year, all elementary librarians are still expected to teach library lessons just as they have in the past.
Assessment
SGA and SLO’s DUE: All Student Growth Assessment (SGA) and Student Learning Objective (SLO) forms are due March 6th. Please remind all staff to enter SGA data in SIS or turn SLO final data form into Dr. Schwierjohn as soon as possible. This information is needed for iObservation. Thank you for your help getting this information completed!
Aspire, PreACT & ACT proctor training: We will have April 19th testing proctor training at 7:30-10:00 on March 17th. PreAct and Aspire training will be at Liberty and ACT training will be at Timberland.
Technology
UPDATED AUP, NOW CALLED RUP
Technology is constantly changing. Our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) has recently gone under a revision process to reflect the current state of technology in the Wentzville School District. Technology is deeply embedded into every core area of our district's curriculum and enhancing student learning daily. Our focus is no longer on what is acceptable use, but how we responsibly use technology. To reflect this change, we have changed the Acceptable Use Policy to a Responsible Use Policy (RUP).
TECHNOLOGY PLAN
I am pleased to share the updated District Technology Plan for 2017-2020. This Plan provides a framework for the further advancement of technology in the Wentzville School District as it continues to enhance student learning.
The District Technology Plan is a culmination of the efforts of the District Technology Committee. The Committee comprises of at least one representative from each school and the Technology Department. Members concentrated on seven technology focus areas from the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards for Students:
Empowered Learner
Digital Citizen
Knowledge Constructor
Innovative Designer
Computational Thinker
Creative Communicator
Global Collaborator
Professional and Program Development
Action Items
Everyone -
PD Planning -
Please mark your calendar to attend the next DPDC meeting (9:30 to 12:00 p at CO on 4/6) to meet with your DPDC chair and plan your building PD for next school year.
Todd Whitaker is scheduled to present to those interested on the 9/1 PD day. Current thoughts are to have him present a ½ day of "What Great Teachers Do Differently". Here is a link to the 17 things in his book (of the same name). Here is a video. We have asked him to customize based on the needs of the participating schools. I will be asking for feedback from DPDC and principals (at the Admin meeting). Is there any topic you'd like to address?
DPDC / BPDC elections
BPDC Elections - You and/or your DPDC Chair should have asked for nominations in January/February. Elections should occur before or shortly after the March PD day.
MS Principals / DPDC - Please ask your 6th grade teachers on your DPDC if they’re interested in being on the committee in their building for next year. If so, send names to Nichole Nolan and she’ll forward them to the building chair
DPDC - DPDC chairs need to be elected for DRE, HI, LVE, PRE, PVE, HHS and LHS before the DPDC meeting on 4/6. We will be inviting your new DPDC chair to attend as well. Your BPDC may re-elect your current chair.
Secondary DPDC Administrator Rep - We will be electing the Secondary DPDC Rep after the Admin Meeting by Google Form. Please let me know if you are interested in this position by filling out this form. Responsibilities include:
Participating in DPDC meetings (quarterly - 2 full days, 2 half days)
Participating in Representative Team meetings (as needed - see below)
Communicating with secondary principals to get information / feedback.
The DPDC has voted to reorganize the committee to:
Create a grade span Representative Team who would have the responsibility of 1) responding to items needing a timely response (ex. DPDC expenditures) and 2) developing ideas and plans to present to the DPDC (ex. Structure of PD Days - building time / district time, When should the DPDC meet?, etc.). The Representative Team will be made up of 1 representative from PK-2, 3-6, MS, HS, Lead Teacher, Process Coordinator, Content Leader, Coach (8 total) with 3 exofficio members (Dir of Professional & Program Dev, Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal)
Reduce the number on the DPDC from 41 to 27 as follows: (23 voting: 18 building reps, 1 Process Coordinator, 1 Lead Teacher, 1 Content Leader, 1 Literacy Coach, 1 Technology Coach; 4 non-voting: Dir Professional & Program Dev., Association Rep, Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal = 27 TOTAL)
Take a minute to recognize someone who has helped you out recently. It’ll make their day! Energy Bus award
The DPDC is willing to support your K-6 PD needs including retreats. Please let me know what you’d like to propose.
Coaching - Our Literacy Coaches will be supporting your 6th grade teachers as well. We hear they are excited!
Updates
Everyone -
LMS Pilot - We are in the process of piloting Canvas, a Learning Management System (LMS), at the HS’s. In April/May, the team of 30 pilot teachers/administrators will be getting together to determine if we move forward with implementation in the Fall of 2017. Things look very promising. If Canvas is implemented this Fall, we will set expectations for use and give plenty of time/opportunities to learn Canvas. Current thoughts are that we will 1) phase out our server/support for Moodle in the Fall of 2018, and 2) eventually require all students to take SGA’s in Canvas… maybe as early as Fall of 2018.
- Canvas has more functionality than Moodle or Google Classroom. It allows teachers to 1) automatically grade assessments and post scores to SISk12, 2) use Google Suite for Education interactively, and 3) share content across the district and with others in the Canvas community. They can also create assignments and grade on their phone… and much more! Administrators will be able to 1) get assessment data from their building, 2) view teachers courses and 3) organize committees!
EdCamp survey - The survey is open until 3/6. The results as of 3/2 are below.
HS Ignite!
We had 35 students apply for the HealthCare Academy. Our first cut will be to ask the current sophomores (7) to apply next year. All students who applied that will be seniors will be granted an interview in April. A rubric has been created to score and rank the students. We will have a wait list should any of the top drop out of the program.
We had 11 students apply for the Startup / Business Solutions strand. We will have an interview for the students as above.
School Improvement
Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith
Email: greggklinginsmith@wsdr4.org
Twitter: @GTKling
Dr. Karen Hill
Email: karenhill@wsdr4.org
Twitter: @karenhill03
Mr. Greg Lawrence
Email: greglawrence@wsdr4.org
Twitter: @greglawrence
Dr. Keri Skeeters
Email: keriskeeters@wsdr4.org
Twitter: @keriskeeters