The "Oskaloosa Syllabus"
April 2016 ~ "News YOU Can USE!"
Osky's BIG Rocks!
The Administrative Team has been having good discussions about what we, as a group, believe and will commit to as a team. One of those items is to identify the focus areas for the district and buildings. Why? We want to ensure we are focused on the Big Rocks - or the most important things and not too much.
The graphic below illustrates the Big Rocks Osky has focused on for the past 5-7 years. Our goals remain the same: continue to build leadership capacity within the staff and provide the necessary professional learning to ensure we have continuous growth for our teachers and our students.
Osky is experiencing challenges - our Free and Reduced rate continues to climb, we are seeing an increase in mental health issues younger and younger, and our budget is being stretched thin. Despite these things, we remain committed and persistent to continuous improvement.
Administrative Collective Commitments
The Administrative Group spent several hours putting together our beliefs about how our group should work together and what we need to do to hold one-another accountable for student learning.
A-Team Collective Commitments:
- Commit to advance high-performing teams (PLCs) using the four [DuFour] questions
- Actively promote the district's vision, mission, values and goals
- Require high standards and expectations for student success through engagement in reflection and collective inquiry regarding best practices
- Engage in a growth mindset to improve the education for our students
- Support and trust one-another
Each of these has been, and will continue to be, discussed in great detail and each has bullet points to clarify and describe what each means to us. This has been a good exercise - one the District Advisory Committee (DAC) has already engaged in - we hope to maybe have a retreat with the Board of Education to develop their collective commitments as well.
What Collective Commitments does YOUR PLC have in place?
Standards-Based Grading Conference
Oskaloosa was represented at the 2nd annual Standards-Based Grading Conference hosted by Grant Wood AEA on March 23rd held in Iowa City due to an overflow crowd! The keynote speaker was author Thomas Guskey - a leader in Standards-Based Grading.
An Elementary and a Secondary presentation was given to large crowds (see pictures below). Kirsten Stek, Paige Pierson, Beverly Jenkinson, Jeanne Clark and myself presented twice to a secondary crowd. Tim Veiseth, Angie Grubb, Jayme Braida, Mindy Archer, and Denise Morris presented an Elementary version of "Why Standards-Based Grading: Focused Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Practices".
Some Key Points we heard:
- When it comes to change and education: Implementation happens first, success happens second and a change in beliefs and attitudes comes last.
- Begin with what you feel the expectation for learning is - that is your "3".
- Make sure you have clear standards - no more than 4-6 - Language Arts has more
- Report cards should be supplemented with other information given to parents about what students will know and demonstrate that year
- Begin with your purpose for grading and reporting - and put it on your report card
If you are interested in learning more about Standards-Based Grading, Drake University is hosting a conference on June 7th in Des Moines. See Dr. Cooksley if you are interested in attending.
Paige, Kirsten, Jeanne and Beverly present to a large crowd in Iowa City
Growth Mindset
The District Leadership Team has been focusing on having a Growth Mindset the last few months. The graphic below was shared at the Standards-Based Grading conference by a presenter. The District Leadership Team will use this graphic to reflect and help us grow as a district and as individuals.
- How might you change how you speak to your students?
- How might you change how you speak to your own children?
- How might you change how you speak to your colleagues?
DLT Update from March
The District Leadership Team meeting focused on looking at our progress in reaching our goals set along with deep discussions related to grading and reporting. On a scale of 1-4, we are at 2.245
The Grading Guidebook will be updated to reflect the changes - the biggest one being: No Extra Credit will be given K-12 for any reason.
Other items discussed, but no decision made:
- Not giving zeros for missing work
- Not docking students for late work
- Using a 60 point scale rather than a 100 point scale
- Using NE for No Evidence instead of a zero
Summer Reading Program at the Elementary
Students in Grades Two and Three will have the opportunity to increase their reading skills during a summer reading program from May 31st to June 24th - the program will be five days a week and go from 8:30 - 12:30. Students eligible have been notified and enrollment is taking place now.
Oskaloosa Part of Study
Students in 3rd grade in the Summer Reading Program will be part of a study being conducted by the Department of Education. This is an attempt to determine which method of instruction has the most impact on learning. If your child is part of this study, you will be notified.
- Breakfast and lunch will be served starting at 8:15 and lunch until 1:00 at the Elementary as well - in conjunction with United Way. In-town transportation will be available.
English Language Learners
Taeko Cochran will also be providing extension instruction for students in her program. We were given a grant to supplement the cost of this program. If you want more information about this opportunity, please contact me at Central Office.
High School Shows Movie - Draws Community to Watch!
"Most Likely to Succeed" is a documentary about Project-Based Learning. It was shown to the High School teachers, community and business folks, AEA, and parents.
After the 90-minute viewing, participants went to the high school to debrief and discuss what they saw in the movie. The movie depicted a school in San Diego - High Tech High - where they use Project-Based Learning as their means of educating students. The documentary charted the history of education in the United States and talked about how we need to evolve with our students as the world changes and expectations for success change as well.
The High School is NOT trying to be High Tech High, but they are planning to take a look at how current instruction needs to evolve and provide students with more real-world experiences.
If you are interested in learning more, or want to be part of future conversations, contact Mr. Bandy at the high school.
Teachers reflect on questions related to what they saw in the movie
Example of Project-Based Learning - Engage Students in a Meaningful Way
Professional Learning Community [PLC] Information
PLC Institute
Virtual Coaching
PLC Facilitators took part in "Virtual Coaching" with Dr. Eric Twadell - A Solution Tree consultant and Superintendent from the birthplace of the PLC - Adlai Stevenson High School in Illinois.
The Facilitators were split between Secondary and Elementary. Here are some key take-away ideas from those sessions:
- All PLCs have common skills they should focus on - whether it is writing or math skills. Formative data can be shared - should be shared - and decisions to help students made
- PLCs should be looking at data continuously - it is not an event - rather it should be a habit of mind driving decisions
- Using protocols helps a team with decision-making, problem-solving or having discussions
- Norms are important in making your meetings run efficiently; teams who trust one-another are able to make sure everyone follows those norms
- All members should be given a role so they are part of the team; if there are too many people for the number of roles - double them up
PLC To Watch in April - HS Special Education!
PLC SMART Goal:
100% of students taking Aimsweb math testing will score 40% or higher by the end of the school year.
- 100% of students taking Aimsweb fluency probes will read 145 wpm with 0 errors.
Many of their action items include: monitoring Individual Education Programs for students, understanding the data, looking at instructional techniques, and reading articles.
Math Night Held at Elementary
HIgh School PBL Exhibition Night Planned
Time: 5:30 -7:00
Iowa Core Connection
Balanced Literacy
Shared Writing
Guided Writing
Tool For Improvement Time!
Student Engagement
Math Resource Pilot
The Math Curriculum Team explored, heard from, and asked questions about several potential math resources.
The Middle School will be piloting two resources next year: "Go Math!" (Houghton Mifflin) and "Envisions" (Pearson).
The High School will be piloting one new resource to stack up against their current resource: "Go Math!"
The Elementary is still determining the best choice - but they are looking at "Everyday Math" (McGraw Hill) and Envisions (Pearson). April 4th they will also hear about another product called "Singapore Math" from Houghton Mifflin.
Instructional Coach Corner
- Have you been wanting to plan lessons leading to more student engagement? I.C.'s can help!
- Do you want to learn a new instructional technique, but not sure what it looks like? I.C.'s can model that for you!
- We have new Swivl cameras in each building - have you asked to record yourself teaching? The videos are confidential - no one but YOU ever sees them! Reflective practice helps us all improve!
Middle School Teachers - have you gone to the Coaches Café? Check it out - have a cup of coffee and a conversation!
#oskyicplc
Be sure to check out the hashtag on twitter!!!!
Instructional Coaches are an asset to our buildings - how are you utilizing them to grow and become better at what you do?
April Challenge Question
Throwback to something I haven't talked about in a while!!!
What are the 5 Characteristics of Effective Instruction our Tool for Improvement is based on?
Important Updates and Information
MAP Testing
Measures of Academic Performance or MAP will take place starting April 4th - April 22nd.
Students will take the Reading Comprehension, Math and Science assessments. We will compare their Spring scores to their Fall scores. We measure individual student growth and whether, as a district, we are above the national mean [average].
Solar Panels at Middle School
Working with NASA
Reading Corp
I have submitted an application to continue to partner with United Way to bring reading tutors to Oskaloosa.
This is our second year we are working with Reading Corps. Stephanie Edgren has been our Internal Coach in the past and this year she had help from fellow Instructional Coach Shannon DePenning.
Together they monitor the tutors and student learning data. It is a great opportunity for our students and hope we can have two tutors again next year.
PLC Shirt and Jean Day
April 13th
Wear your blue PLC shirt that day to show your support of PLCs in Osky!
- Next year you will be able to purchase your t-shirts through the Osky Spirit Store - any time of the year!!!!!