Saturday Scoop
For Information and Inspiration
Our Collective Work
Consistent Curriculum Implementation In All Classrooms
Meaningful Feedback to Students and Teachers
Social Emotional Learning
Weekly Message
Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player who ever has or will live. No one will convince me otherwise, although many have tried, most notably my kids. He has the athleticism and grace of a ballerina. And no one soars like Mike. How did he get to be so good? It's a fascinating story that I love reading about. Studying people who are the best at what they do inspires me and picks me up when I'm having rough times. My children do not agree that Michael is the best however. They admire Lebron James. Being a student of greatness, I began to study him as well, mostly in an effort to win debates with my boys. In looking carefully one day at his shoes, I noticed writing on the side. I saw that it said, "Man in the Arena". I thought he was referring to himself, but Peyton (my youngest) informed me that it's a quote from Teddy Roosevelt. I was fascinated because I know this quote. It reads in part, "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood." How interested I became then to see him referencing a quote that has inspired me ever since I came across it in a book by Brené Brown this summer. I have to admit, it gets me one baby step closer to agreeing with my kids.
I tell you this story because I've been inspired by you in the goal-setting meetings that I have been privileged to be a part of these past weeks. You have all been so thoughtful in considering what you can do in your practice that will impact outcomes for kids. I have left these meetings lifted up by the collaboration and high expectations that I've witnessed among teams. It has made me really aware of how much I aspire to be the kind of principal who can support you in reaching your goals. Like you, I want to get in the arena and challenge myself to be better this year.
I've also been reminded that I need to give myself some grace. Michael and Lebron didn't become Michael and Lebron overnight. I'm sure they worked on their dribbling skills and then focused on their shooting, then worked on their defense, eventually putting it all together. I think with attention to one area and focusing there, we will all improve as a group this year. Maybe that means we focus on mini-lessons for a time and leave conferring to next quarter. Build your repertoire and practice, then move on to the next. And as always, find the balance. I hope your weekend was great. I set a goal of giving better feedback and thanks to Ben was able to begin reading his recommended book, The Impact Cycle. But I also snuck out to see Peyton score some goals at his tournament on Saturday. Thus why the Scoop is coming out this morning. #Striveforgreatness and remember to be kind to yourselves.
Warm regards,
Jennifer and Lindsay
Community of Learners
The framework is the document we used at one of our earlier staff meetings in October. I wanted to share the framework with you, especially at this goal setting time of year because the guiding questions really help me to reflect on what I'm seeing in classrooms and how I can nudge you toward the thing you are ready to work on. I think they are great questions for self-reflection in the area in which you set your goal as well. I hope you will find both of these documents valuable in your self-assessments and goal setting.
In the spirit of growth and learning, and recognizing that Lindsay and I are learners as well, we have invited our mentors Glen and Vicki to the staff meeting on Tuesday to help us learn and grow in the area of PD for staff. They are there to give us feedback so that we can get better. I always think it's great to have an extra pair of eyes (or two) on our work to get a fresh perspective. It's always fun to see what others notice.
Clarification about Professional Day
Also, we understand that circumstances change. By choosing one or the other, you are not locking yourself into those hours until the end of time. All it takes is a conversation to change. Also, if you chose one, but on a particular day, you need to come 15 minutes earlier and leave 15 minutes earlier, you can flex that on your own. We just ask that you avoid Tuesdays and keep those 8-4 so you can attend staff and committee meetings. If you need further clarification, please see your BEA representative.
Dinner During Conferences
Field Trip Information
I know this may disadvantage some students whose loved ones do not necessarily check backpacks regularly. If you need assistance obtaining permission, please let the office know. It may help for us to support you in gaining the needed permission. Thanks for your help with this.
TAG Organizer Peer Assessment
Many of you are setting a fantastic goal of student self-assessment. We found this great protocol for student peer assessment as well. It is another great way to build in that student ownership of learning that so many of you were passionate about at goal-setting. The video is one minute and shows the strategy in practice. We'll also be using this at Tuesday's staff meeting to practice. Take a quick sneak peek!
Buddy Classrooms
We have noticed that there is amazing work going on in the building with teachers having big buddy classrooms across the school. We applaud this practice! The office is sometimes asked to get a student for an appointment and they are with their big buddies. Can you please let us know who your buddy classroom is by filling in the document below. Also, an important SEL strategy is having a buddy classroom where students can go who need a break. Will you let us know who your buddy classroom is for breaks as well. Then we can have the info all in one place. Thanks so much!
Data Teams - SAVE THE DATE
November 19th - 4th, 1st, 5th
November 20th - 2nd, Kinder, 3rd
November 22nd - MS
Conference Plan Time
1. Elementary and Middle School - Teachers shall participate in parent conferencing as scheduled by the District. No more than two (2) conference days in the fall nor two (2) conference days in the spring will be scheduled. At least two (2) hours of student- free conference preparation time shall be included in the schedule for every day of scheduled conferencing.
The expectation is that you will:
Four hours of planning time should be built into the 2 days.I want you to be able to get your plan time when it works for you. I know that parents have different needs for when they would like to meet with you. Some prefer morning, others prefer evening times. Please schedule your plan time as needed while leaving multiple openings in the mornings and evenings for families. Friday is a comp day as you will have done your 12 hours of conferencing on Wednesday and Thursday.
Learning with the Paras
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
CyberSecurity Awareness: Phishing
Phishing is the most common method criminals use to get into systems. Just a few weeks ago, a district in Washington was completely locked out of all of their systems due to ransomware introduced by a staff member clicking a fake link and giving criminals their username and password. https://www.forbes.com/sites/leemathews/2019/09/25/yet-another-u-s-school-district-has-been-ravaged-by-malware/#6be8f5621a99
Here are some tips to protect our BSD systems so we do not fall prey to this attack:
Always be suspicious: Criminals are better at making phishing emails look real. Take the time to check the From: address. Phishes also typically have an “urgent” need to tempt you to log into a site, which gives them your username and password.
Forward to IT: If you suspect a message is a phish, it probably is! Forward the message to phishing@beaverton.k12.or.us and we will take a look for you. If it is a phish and you let us know, we can better protect our systems and remove it from mailboxes if it was sent to many staff.
Verify: If you receive an email from a BSD staff that you think might not be real, call their direct BSD phone number and ask. If you are sending anything that might cause staff to think your message might not be real, send a short email first letting them know what to expect.
Be extra cautious asking for payroll or purchasing information: These emails have been very successful, which means more criminals will try them. One example is a request from your building principal saying they need you to purchase iTunes cards for an “urgent” need.
Review these great resources on phishing and protecting your identity:
Picture Retakes
In the event that we don't have volunteers for picture retake day, we may need to revisit this plan.
Math Lesson Study October 29, 30, 31
Here is the schedule for the math lesson studies that will take place on October 29, 30, and 31. This will be a fantastic collaboration with the TOSAs. We're so glad the middle school can be included.
Inclement Weather Survey
Field Trip Chaperones
SEL Scoop from Juliet
Defusing Strategies Part II.
Listening, Acknowledging Agreeing, Deferring
Listening: Hear what the student is saying, not how they are saying it. Generally, a simple nod is all that is needed with a quick redirect back to the learning.
Acknowledging: "I'm noticing that you are having a hard time getting started with that assignment. Am I right about that?" (Student response. Remind them of the desired task/behavior). "Thanks for letting me know." Quickly redirect to the lesson. Acknowledge with out criticism, opinion, or argument.
Agreeing: Let the student know what they are saying might be true. "I guess you are right about that. I can see how it might feel that way right now. I will be here if you decide you would like help." Get right back to the lesson, and give the student an opportunity to make the decision.
Deferring: Communicate with student specifically when you will talk with them to address an issue. "Let's avoid an argument, and talk right after class. Thanks for your cooperation." Offering a later time can be effective in defusing an escalated situation.
Action Items All in One Place
- complete the 2 question emergency release survey
- complete buddy classroom record sheet
- continue to put your self-assessments and goals into Pivot
- be sure your current IRLA scores are entered in School Pace