AVHS Staff Newsletter: September
Updated September 26
Important Upcoming Dates at AVHS
September 28 - ALL STAFF Meetings 7:00 am or 2:30 pm
September 30 - NO SCHOOL/High School Data Day
October 6 - School Conferences 4 pm to 7 pm
October 7 - NO SCHOOL/School Conferences 7:30 - 10:30 am
October 18 - Drill Day (safety drills)
Information Included In This Update:
- Connection & Collaboration Eagle Day Exit Ticket
- ALL STAFF monthly meeting 9/28
Data Analysis /Instructional Alignment Day Schedule
NEXT STEPS, Next Steps
- Fall Conferences
- Advisory Slides
- Early Bird Cafe Opens for Staff Orders
- District 196 Foundation 2nd Annual Celebration October 14th
Eagle Day Exit Ticket & Data
We’ve been asked to collect and share data after our Trimester One Eagle Days. Please take a minute to complete this exit ticket. https://forms.gle/sF3JcAqvnS4HTAz1A
SEPTEMBER STAFF MEETING: Wednesday, September 28th
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 28
7:05 am/2:35 pm
Location: Community rooms
Tentative Agenda: Get to Know Em, Celebrations, Back to School Transition Days, Eagle Day Review, EMT calls in D-Hallway, "Swatting", Next Steps Sign Ups and Session One, Fall Conferences, Veteran's Day, November PD interest inventory,
Who called?
The main office often receives calls from parents worried about their children when they miss a call from AVHS. If you reach the voicemail of a family member, please leave a message with your name and the reason for your phone call.
Thank you,
Teresa
AVHS Site-Specific Schedule for Friday, September 30 Data Analysis Day
- 7-7:45 – Department meetings for any departments/teachers who are onsite*
- 8-10 am – Learning Team Time (analyzing data from unit 1 summative and/or unit 2 formatives, establishing Essential Learning Outcomes/Learning Targets, developing/refining common formative/common summative assessments)**
- 10-11 am – Next Steps Groups for departments/teachers who are onsite
- 11am-12pm – Lunch
- 12pm-3pm - Learning Team meetings and individual teacher work time. ***
*See your BILT for details
**Please inform your BILT & Admin where your team will be meeting
***Department meetings for teachers who were pulled for district-wide meetings in the morning
Data Analysis /Instructional Alignment Day Schedule
The upcoming Data Analysis – Instructional Alignment (DAIA) Days for trimester one is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Since the afternoon is a protected time for Learning Teams/PLCs and many of our teachers will be expected to attend District 196 Teaching & Learning, it is difficult to plan a meeting during that time so we will look to use Wednesday's required staff meeting for communication purposes.
Staff who are not attending District meetings will meet with their Next Steps groups in the morning on Friday, September 30th. We will provide guidance for learning teams after our BILT meeting on Tuesday, but those who are at AVHS should plan to spend much of the morning collaborating with their Learning Teams.
Please refer to the attached Calendar Parameters 22-23 document for general district-wide guidelines developed in agreement with DCUE. Reminders regarding the parameters:
- The district-sponsored meetings on the mid-trimester DAIA mornings enable district-wide learning and collaboration while avoiding the use of subs.
- The end-of-trimester staff development days (and also the additional HS staff dev days) include building-driven time in the mornings.
The linked DAIA Days – Sept 30 / Oct 7 2022 summary document for a summary list of specific district-sponsored PD sessions/meetings, organized by level for these two DAIA days. If you have questions about a specific session, please reach out to the contact person provided.
NEXT STEPS, Next Steps - 9/30/22 at 10am
We will be having our first meeting on Friday, September 30thduring Data Day. Before this meeting, please review this document and sign up for a session you would like to participate in for the 22-23 school year.
Keep in mind, these sessions are suggestions and not the only options. Part of the appeal to the open space forum is for YOU to chart your own learning path. So, if there is something you want to read/listen to/watch/explore, please add it to the sign-up sheet.
Meeting Dates:
9/30/22, 11/4/22, 12/2/22, 1/13/23, 2/10/23/ Fair (more information coming soon!), 3/1/23 Wrap Up
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns! We look forward to getting this important work started.
Aimee Tanner-Podmers
Fall Conferences - Thursday, Oct 6th & Friday, Oct 7th
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 6 (4pm-7pm) and Friday, October 7 (7:30am-10:30am). Families meet via Zoom in or in person.
- Sign-ups for Fall Conferences will be shared with families on Friday at 4 pm through the following link https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/AVHSConferences once Bill Blatzheim has given the OK that all necessary updates have been completed.
- As we've done in the past, please use the "Focus on the 15%" strategy (those who are in the bottom 15% of your gradebook) for your initial outreach and scheduling priorities.
- Teachers will send individual Zoom links to families and will update a spreadsheet with your zoom link so Main Office staff can assist anyone having trouble locating a Zoom room or physical location.
Advisory Slides (week of 9/26)
Below you will find an overview of the week, as well as a link to the slides. Please let a team member know if you have any questions, concerns, or recommendations for Advisory.
Monday: Beach Ball Airball game (if your beachball was defective, please come see Lisa in A103 to see if we can fix or replace it)
Tuesday: Grade Checks
Wednesday: Grade Checks
Thursday: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and PEN (moved from last week’s slides)
Friday: NO ADVISORY (Data Day)
Slides Link: CLICK HERE
TIP: Many have commented on the number of announcements in the slides and on the PA during the grade check days and we are trying to keep those to a minimum when possible. If you can’t get through all your students, don’t sweat it. One trick I use it to go to AVHS.info and click on the Schoology reports; I click on my Advisory class and prioritize those students with one or more failing grade and talk to them first. Then, I breeze through my students with all passing grades with a VERY QUICK check in. Each teacher has his/her own method, but if you are looking to try something new I’d recommend this method to try.
EARLYBIRD CAFE IS OPEN!
We are excited to announce that the Early Bird Café (AVHS Coffee Shop) will open Monday, Sept. 19th for staff! New this year- we are offering 2 sizes (Small-12 oz and Medium-16oz).
Staff are welcome to come down to the coffee shop in the cafeteria to place an order (next week we will be open during 1st hour) or complete this order form https://form.jotform.com/222573615051147 to have your coffee or tea will be delivered to you.
We will charge your lunch account. If you do not have an account set up, please contact Sharyn Mathiowetz or Matt Hentges and we will assist you.
Coffee, Hot Tea, Hot Chocolate, Espresso- Sm- $1.50, Med- $2.00
DISTRICT 196 FOUNDATION EVENT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
The District 196 Foundation will host its 2nd annual Celebration event on Friday, October 14, 2022, at the Minnesota Vikings Museum in Eagan. The event is open to all. Tickets cost $50 per person ($30 of which is tax deductible). Space is limited, so register now at www.district196foundation.org/events.
The foundation’s ability to fund these programs depends on support from people who share its commitment to ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to learn. To donate, visit https://www.district196foundation.org/donate
Seen & Heard In the Halls
Information Included in Previous Updates
Eagle Day - What Faculty Need to Know
Special Schedule for Thursday, September 22 Mock Car Crash
How to Find a Case Manager
11th Grade iPad Swap in Math Classes - starts Monday (9/18)
Action Required by 9/14/22: Annual Review of District 196 Policies, Regulations, and Procedures
- Advisory Slides (week of 9/12)
- Coffee & Conversation Optional Staff Meetings begin 9/14/22
- Schedules for Back-to-School Night (9/14); Pepfest (9/16); Connection & Collaboration Eagle Day (9/23)
- 2nd Floor Gender-Neutral Restroom Update
- 10th Grade iPad Swap
- Homecoming Chaperones Needed!
- District 196 Foundation 2nd Annual Celebration October 14th
- Update on your classroom's AirPlay/AppleTV
- Advisory Slides (week of 9/6)
- Coffee & Conversation Optional Staff Meetings begin 9/7/22
- Annual Review of District 196 Policies, Regulations, and Procedures
Friday, September 23rd is an Eagle Day: What Teachers & Staff Need to Know…
Staff can view the most up-to-date details and documents (image below) by CLICKING HERE
CLICK HERE for the direct link to the Eagle Day Student Request Form
*Teachers should invite a minimum of 5-8 students for intervention/support
CLICK HERE for the direct link to the Eagle Day Spreadsheet for advisory
Special Schedule for Thursday, September 22nd is Mock Car Crash
This event includes collaboration with the AV Police and Fire Departments as well as the State Patrol. There will be a video, the mock crash event, and a guest speaker. More information will be sent in a separate e-mail message to grade 11 and 12 families on Monday.
Questions? Please contact Bill Blatzheim.
Coffee & Conversation: OPTIONAL staff meetings
Where - STEM Classroom
What - Come for the coffee - stay for the conversation
We'll check in, share some reflections and ideas for next year's Back to School Night and collect feedback to be delivered to the district office as to what you think about starting school before/after Labor Day. See you there!
How to Find a Case Manager
Questions? Please contact Melissa Buhr.
11th Grade iPad Swap in Math Classes - starts Monday (9/18)
Even numbered classrooms will do the reset and swap starting Monday. Odd numbers will begin on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Step by Step to follow at the beginning of the hour: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kCuRRiKdff4qPh1nE4yhO4UHnmLLN2IhU3A6sl-Ddu0/edit?usp=sharing
Put this up on the screen in your room, share in Schoology, print a few copies, whatever it takes to get this process in front of the 11th-grade students during math.
CliffsNotes version: Reset the iPad in your room (give them a minute to back up, but not too much time), then send them to the tech team in the Math Triangle to locate their barcode and do the swap. They then scan their barcode with their iPad in your class and wait for the app to do its magic to set their device up for them.
ACTION REQUIRED! Annual Review of District 196 (PRP)
Action required: All staff members must complete and sign the linked form. Please click here to review the linked documents and complete the survey form. Please note, as you review the linked documents, a quick scan for general understanding is adequate.
Thank you for your attention to this information. Please complete your review by Friday 3 pm.
Schedules for Back-to-School Night (9/14); Pepfest (9/16); Connection & Collaboration Eagle Day (9/23)
9/14 Back-to-School Schedule
9/16 Friday's Pepfest Schedule
9/23 Connection & Collaboration Eagle Day Schedule
We need YOU - to chaperone Homecoming 2022!
Homecoming is next week! And that means…you got it…homecoming dance chaperone time! Bill has a few good reasons you should join us on Saturday, September 17:
- You’ll see students in an environment where they’re having a good time. Not that they’re not also having a good time in, say, Mr. Murray’s Chemistry class, because we know they are. But it’s a great way to get to know and interact with students in a different environment. It’s a great relationship builder!
- You’ll help ensure that the evening is a safe and fun event. Chaperones help with check-in, ensure students stay where they’re supposed to be, help out with any situations that might arise, and keep students on their best behavior. We rotate assigned spaces throughout the night, so you’ll get a lot of variety with the shift changes (and you won’t be stuck in one spot all night.)
- You’ll be part of a big and fun team. We need at least 15 adults to join the admin team and student council advisors that night. (Seriously, many hands make light work.) The more, the merrier!
- You’ll get to bed earlier than ever before. We moved the dance up a half hour. It starts at 7:30 and ends at 10:30. Your expected work time is 7 pm to 11 pm.
- You’ll get paid—four hours at your contract hourly rate.
2nd Floor Gender-Neutral Restroom Update
Any staff-issued keys can be used to unlock the restroom, but students will only be issued an "R" key (restroom). To access the gender-neutral bathrooms, students must first meet with their counselor or assistant administrator to obtain a key.
10th Grade iPad Swap
Monday: LaChapelle 1, 2, 7
Tuesday: Redmond 2, 3, 4, 7
Wednesday: Hayes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Thursday: Hirte 4, 5, 6
Friday: Roble 1, 2, 7
Your classroom AirPlay/AppleTV
Over the weekend Cliff updated each AppleTV in our building and enrolled them in a district device management program. Call Cliff at ext 18240 to help you get up and running.
Q~ How does this impact you?
A~ You will have to login using AirPlay with the same password for your room.
Q~ Did your password change?
A~ No, for most of you. If it changed, I left you a note next to your remote.
A School-wide Approach to Cell Phones
Our AVHS school-wide approach allows students the flexibility to use cell phones to stay connected to their family and friends during passing time, lunch, and before/after school, but also to keep them from becoming a diversion from the learning in the classroom. This is how it works:
Expectations: What We Do During the School Day
During all class periods, cell phones and personal devices are turned off or on airplane mode and stored out of sight.
Students may use personal cell phones and mobile devices before and after class, during their lunch periods, and between classes.
To prevent usage in hallways and restrooms, students will exchange their cell phones for a pass to leave the classroom during instructional periods. If a student does not have a cell phone, they may exchange their student ID.
Non-Negotiables: What We Don’t Do
It is never acceptable to send threatening or harassing messages or phone calls.
It is never acceptable to take photos or videos of others without their permission.
It is never acceptable to take pictures or videos of fights or dangerous situations.
It is never acceptable to use your cell phone or electronic communication devices with messaging or picture-taking options to be visible in locker rooms or restrooms.
Students who violate this policy regarding cell phones and electronic devices are subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences.
Formal warning. Teacher notifies parent/guardian of the violation (email or call).
The teacher notifies the parent/guardian of the violation with a phone call. Referral to document call in Infinite Campus.
Referral to Student Support Office. The administrator will meet with the student and contact the parent/guardian to establish appropriate consequences.
NOTE: If a student refuses to surrender an electronic device to an administrator they are subject to additional consequences.
EXCEPTION: Students who use a personal mobile device to monitor a medical condition (i.e. diabetes, epilepsy) may carry devices with them at all times.
Hall Passes
Three quick reminders on pass-related items as we look to maintain consistent and structured expectations that promote a positive learning environment:
- Passes – Students should always have a pass when they leave your room
- Do not give students a pass in the first five/last five minutes of class.
- Students should exchange their phones for your bathroom lanyard
- If they are working outside of your room, a pink pass with their names and time/date is sufficient.
- Advisory passes –
- If you want to give a pass for a student to leave their advisory and come to you, no problem.
- Please do not write passes for a student to leave your advisory and go to another teacher’s advisory as they are dealing with their own advisory students and activities.
- Prayer Pass- If a student is interested in Friday prayer, they may pick up a participation form from Teresa. You will be notified when the parent has given permission and a pass has been given to the student. The student must have the pass with them to leave class and participate.
COVID-19 Operational Plan for Employees for 22-23
The 2022-23 District 196 COVID-19 Operational Plan for Employees, along with the plan for families and students, follows all current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our primary focus continues to be the in-person participation of students and employees, while integrating health and safety responses into our existing pre-pandemic public health support.
Highlights of Health Guidance
- Anyone exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, does not need to quarantine anymore. Instead, they should wear a mask for 10 days following the exposure but wait to take a test until day 5. If the person becomes symptomatic, they should test immediately and continue to wear a mask for 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
- Anyone who tests positive must isolate for at least 5 days and wear a mask after returning to work through day 10. You may return to work on day 6 if your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free, and you wear a mask through day 10.
- Employees are required to report their positive tests. Employees who test positive must complete a self-reporting questionnaire and send positive test results to Human Resources by emailing HR-Leave@district196.org.
- COVID-related absence pay is no longer available. Staff need to report their absence in their regular manner and use their own paid leave as desired.
Adult Wellbeing at School
Access to district-provided meditation resources
- This Virtual Calming Room was designed to assist in identifying different strategies for managing emotions.
- Smartphone mental health apps
Access district-provided to hotlines and other resources
- Associated Clinic of Psychology (ACP). At no cost to you, call 612-455-8646 to schedule confidential phone coaching sessions to support you. Please mention the Educator Resilience Program in a VM and two dates/times you are available to talk. You will receive a call back confirming your session.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Your EAP can help with almost anything you can think of. EAP services are confidential and available 24/7 at no cost. District 196 employees can utilize this program by calling 866-326-7194 or logging on to hpeap.com (password ISD196)
Who Do I Go To For Help?
Technology. Click here for AVHS Tech Help. The AVHS Tech Help page is for parents and students and is for issues with Schoology, Campus, iPads, internet support, and more.
Contacting counselors. Click here to find your student’s counselor. Counselors are available to assist with concerns about scheduling, academic progress, and mental health.
Contacting administrators. Click here to contact an AVHS Assistant Administrator. Assistant Administrators assist with questions about attendance, behaviors, credit recovery, and school climate/safety concerns. Ms. Moren works with students with the last names A - K and Mr. Tinder supports students with the last names L - Z.
Advisory Slide Archive
Week of September 19
Advisory Slides Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wzWWAwdCclW3uoPSD-W9ystfTM2PC4AgRyefLV9_dqY/edit?usp=sharing
Week of September 6-10
Slides Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Sm_sLx4C-RRuyUcY7y46NmDl_RTWZNLj_jZoFd83Uf0/edit?usp=sharing
Coffee & Conversation Archive
Tips and tricks for Back-to-School night, and discuss strategies for opening a lesson. *Google Slides Template for Teachers AVAILABLE HERE
Enhancing Multiple Choice Q's
The strategy employed in the article below requires students to not only choose a correct answer but use all of the answer choices in some form. This eliminates a bit of guessing and tasks students with thoughtfully considering and recalling information learned to successfully complete the assignment.
Apple Valley High School
Website: avhs.district196.org
Location: 14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avhsscholar
Twitter: @avhsacademics