OSP Connected
December 2019-Office for School Performance-Volume 34
Message from Dayle
Mother’s Day is tough for me. Although I get to celebrate being a mom of two awesome children, Mother’s Day has always been about my mom. It is the day my sister and I take my mom on new adventure whether that be a drive to a new beautiful Oregon landscape, a new restaurant or a performance. But after my mom passed away in 2011 Mother’s day is just hard.
I think about how I feel about Mother’s day as we head into the winter, which is filled with celebrations- whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Kwanza, Christmas, New Years or Hanukkah. For most of us these are fun experiences spending time enjoying traditions with friends or family. They offer memories of joy and laughter, enjoying traditional foods and activities that reflect your values and customs. But what if they don’t?
For some of us, and for some of our students, this holiday season can be hard. It can create memories of trauma or angst of family members gathering. It can remind you of loss or a lack of resources. While the Hallmark movies roll and the commercials show yet another happy family around a table piled with food, some of us are reminded that we are not that.
I bring this up not to be a damper on your holiday festivities and excitement for your experiences but simply to remind you that everyone experiences this time of year differently. Be kind to each other.Extend a little grace and compassion if emotions run high or choices seem uncharacteristic of the person. As teachers, don’t forgo great lessons of academic content to partake in holiday based activities. These may be fun for you but painful for the students in your care. Let school be the place where each student can be a learner, a validated worthy person and a place free from reminders of what they have experienced in the past or what is to come. Despite what this season has to offer us- whether great joy or challenges- let us enjoy learning and great relationships at school!
HSD Focus 2019-2020
INSTRUCTION: Lean in to the Struggle
Jo Boaler, a revolutionary researcher and math educator states that, “struggle is critical to mastering a skill or concept. When we sense discomfort in our classrooms, we can be quick to explain and provide steps to follow. But removing the struggle for students also removes the cognitive heavy lifting that leads to deep learning and understanding.”
As facilitators of learning, we can explain the purpose for why we are doing something and provide space for students to productively struggle before support is given. For example, in math, use an open ended problem or provide an answer with a mistake in the work and ask students to analyze the error. These moments of productive struggle encourage students to persevere and create a culture where getting stuck is valued.
In order for this productive struggle to take place, an environment where students feel safe to take risks must be established. We can create this nurturing environment by explaining the purpose for the struggle up front, sharing our own mistakes, and celebrating perseverance.
For more ideas on how to lean in to productive struggle check out the article Talk Less So Students Learn More HERE.
CLIMATE AND CULTURE: Celebrating Diversity During the Holidays
The end of the year brings us opportunities to learn and explore how different cultures express their values, beliefs, and customs; specially the cultures represented in your classrooms and/or schools. The article, Culturally Responsive Instruction for Holiday and Religious Celebrations, published by Colorin Colorado states that “the first step in implementing more culturally responsive instruction is recognizing how our own cultural conditioning is reflected in our teaching: how we set up our classroom, establish relationships with students, even how we design and deliver our lessons.” We invite you to read the article to explore different ideas that can be used throughout the year but especially during the holidays to implement more culturally responsive instruction.
CAREER & COLLEGE READY: OSP UPDATE
Language Arts Adoption Update
Elementary Pilot Ends this Week We are in the home stretch. One week left of the pilot and then we will enter our final phase of selecting our new LA adoption curriculum.
LA Community Viewing will be on Monday, Dec 16th at the Brookwood library. All are welcome to attend. We encourage you to attend! (see flyer below) Please communicate with your families in whatever way you normally communicate too. (Facebook, Twitter, Smore, Website etc.) Thanks!
To keep yourself informed about this process, check the following links on an ongoing basis:
Language Arts Communication Plan
Language Arts Adoption Update - for weekly updates
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!
Learn What’s Next…
Follow this link to a new (1.4) #TechForward>> digital magazine focused on media balance & well-being.
Alternate Link to #TechForward: http://bit.ly/Tech_Forward
The Sora app is coming to our middle and high schools this December!
Sora is a school-friendly reading app designed just for students. It’s run through Overdrive, the same company that runs the Libby app offered by our public libraries. Students will be able to download district-purchased eBooks and audiobooks on their Chromebooks and phones to read for fun or to support their learning. The Sora app will also be available to staff so you can read alongside your students. Suggest titles here and email questions to Vanessa Ceccarelli.
Coffee Conversations - Supporting Dual Identified Students (Episode # 12)
This month Magaly Gonzalez Hiltner and Mariaeugenia Olivar discuss supporting students who are learning English and struggling with academics. Take the time to ensure the correct processes are followed and students are given the support they need before rushing to special education considerations.
Please feel free to email us if you have any questions.
-Your Student Services Team