OSP Connected
November 2020-Office for School Performance-Volume 43
Message from Dayle
1. Learning something new feels uncomfortable. If you want to run a 10K you have to celebrate your success completing the mile. Congrats to all of YOU for making it through first quarter.
2. Don't try to do it alone. You can't. There were days that the only reason I got through that year was because the text at 6am from my running friend said, "I'll see you soon". When the path is hard, we need each other. Thank you to the PLCs and teams for keeping each other afloat.
3. Emotional things take a lot of energy; pay attention to your response and needs. At that time, I needed to get that energy out and running met that need. Sometimes we need sleep, or to balance that energy pull through hobbies or time with people who fill your soul. This year is tough. Attending to what you need - shutting off your computer in the evenings, giving yourself permission to grade fewer items, reaching out for support - is a priority. We each need something different and taking care of our needs is important.
4. Consider who benefits by your actions. In the chaos of 2011 I know my family, my colleagues, and my dad were better off because I was doing something new and not folding under the challenges. Your students are 100% benefiting by your effort and dedication to teaching and student learning.
I am always thankful for the staff that serve our students and families and am beyond humbled by what I see right now. This is not easy. It is not easy for anyone and we all feel a little out of sorts. However, I can tell you that 2011 passed and not only did I survive it, I grew from it. Someday soon --we will feel like that about 2020.
HSD Focus 2020-2021
INSTRUCTION: Homework During a Pandemic
As with many things in our classrooms, the expectations and realities around homework have shifted during distance learning in response to the pandemic. Through the many changes that educators have made recently, we have had to re-envision what we do with our students live (or synchronous) and what we expect them to do on their own (or asynchronous). Our purpose and definition of homework as we used to understand it has had to shift. Additionally, the pandemic has brought to light many of the inequities that exist in our community and education. In the article, What is Homework’s Purpose in a Pandemic?, Christina Torres discusses how she has had to rethink what activities are truly necessary to give students and what she can let go. Torres has these suggestions for making homework purposeful and productive:
Setting the table for success – communicate clear expectations with students around homework
Having a worthy purpose for the work students are asked to do – Is it mindless stamina-building, or is it to prepare for substantive discussion in class?
Connecting homework to students’ world and to unfamiliar cultures
Giving students voice and choice – Getting students involved in creating rubrics, self-assessing, and navigating due dates prepares them to succeed on their own.
Using students’ time well – “Copious amounts of homework often strip students of time to just be kids,” says Torres. “If you believe homework is necessary, be prepared to share your rationale (and respond to student feedback).”
CLIMATE AND CULTURE: Updated Definition of SEL
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has updated its definition of SEL to be: the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. This change in definition is important to highlight as we begin to intentionally embed social and emotional learning into all courses and grade levels. For more tools and resources and to learn how SEL, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Antiracism all fit together please take a look at the following resources:
CAREER & COLLEGE READY: Scholarships & Financial Aid
Career and College Pathways remains a focus as students prepare for the next steps after high school. This month marks the opening of the OSAC scholarship application at www.oregonstudentaid.org. The scholarship application is for Oregon students only and offers over 500 scholarships for high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Also, on the OSAC website students and families can access the FAFSA and ORSAA applications for student financial aid. Please check in with your school to career specialist to learn about the scholarship workshops that are happening this month, as well as post-secondary admissions presentations that are taking place. All information is delivered virtually, so students in various grades can listen to the presentations as they plan for their future. We hope that through our continuous collaboration with internal and external partners we continue to one day reach our vision of clear and viable pathways for all students.
Leading Change in HSD: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
As quarter one comes to an end, we would like to thank you for your continued support and effort in addressing and confronting diversity, equity and inclusion in your buildings and departments. In quarter one, we focused on introducing our continued equity work during phase 1 while we built a foundation for understanding. For some, this may have been a review while for others, it was an opportunity to build on the work we know is needed in order to lead change in HSD. We looked at key terms including (but not limited to) race, equity, ethnicity, power and privilege. Our goal is to align our working definition so that as a district, our common vocabulary is strong and consistent throughout our district.
Additionally, we began discussing culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices. This was just the start of our work. As we move throughout the school year, we will continue to develop these skills. A few resources that could help you as you begin (or continue) to utilize CRT practices in your classroom, please refer to our website for more information. Keep in mind, children grow into the intellectual life around them. What are you implementing into your practices that reflect our students, support their values and are responsive to their needs?
Take a look at the video below with Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Bran, discussing Culturally Responsive Teaching.
Coffee Conversations: 504 Plans
This month's Coffee Conversation features Dr. Elaine Fox, Executive Director of Student Services, who tells us all about 504 Plans. 504s are legally binding plans for students who need accommodations to access general education curriculum and instruction due to a disability. 504 Plans are different than IEPs, which outline accommodations but also include specially designed instruction. The plans are important for staff to understand and follow - watch the video to learn more!
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 works with current HSD tech.
Want a different result? Try something new!
Learn What’s Next…
Follow this link to a new (2.4) #TechForward>> digital magazine focused on the Jamboard Google Meet integration and features.
Elementary Language Arts Adoption
Reminder: If you are having technical issues with rostering please submit a ticket to our tech department. However, if your issue is within the ConnecEd platform, please submit your ticket to their technical department at https://mhedu.force.com/DTS/s/contactus. When you submit the ticket they are able to find the issue connected to the user account.
Continue to check the Language Arts Guide for any new information.
New Attendance Call Messages
Based on feedback and input from educators at both elementary and secondary, HSD has updated the attendance voice message that goes to families when a student is recorded as absent. Here is the script for the voice messages:
Elementary:
"Hello, this is [SCHOOL_NAME], as required by Oregon law, we are letting you know that your student [STUDENT_NAME] has not yet been recorded as participating in Comprehensive Distance Learning on [ATTEND_DATE]. If at any point your student engages in online learning this evening, they will be counted as attending for today. If they do not, they will be counted as absent for today. For the most up to date attendance information please login to your ParentVue account. For further questions contact your student’s teacher. Thank you!"
Secondary:
"Hello, this is [SCHOOL_NAME], as required by Oregon law, we are letting you know that your student [STUDENT_NAME] has not yet been recorded in Comprehensive Distance Learning with [ATTEND_SUMMARY] on [ATTEND_DATE]. If at any point your student engages in online learning this evening, they will be counted as attending for today. If they do not they will be counted as absent for today. For the most up to date attendance information please login to your ParentVue account or your student can login to their StudentVue account. For further questions please contact the specific class period teacher that has marked your student absent. Thank you!"
Google Professional Development Opportunity
G Suite Fundamentals - Fast Track PD
We are excited to announce our district’s participation in Google for Education’s new PD initiative: G Suite Fundamentals - Fast Track PD. If you’re interested in learning how to use Google tools in the classroom, and/or if you want to become a Google Certified Educator Level 1, sign up for the program here.
What can you expect if you register?
Over the course of 6 weeks, you’ll receive an email each Monday morning from the Google for Education team highlighting content from the Teacher Center, and sharing exam preparation tips and hints.
This condensed PD program will help you:
- get familiar with G Suite for Education tools and their classroom application
- understand how Google tools can make your life easier
- prepare for the Google Certified Educator Level 1 exam