DCS Secondary Express
Volume 2
Happy Friday Wonderful Leaders!
It is an honor to work with leaders that champion for our students on a daily basis. Difficult times often magnifies our resilience, drive, and strength to rise to new heights. There are times we will surprise ourselves! Please continue to be the stabilizing force that makes your school a safe haven for our students and an EMPOWERing base for our faculty and staff.
Dr. Rita Pearson says it best...
"Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
Thank you for serving our students, for serving with our teachers, and for supporting our families.
Much gratitude,
Mrs. Clarke
Be a CHAMPION! Take a moment to view this powerful video...
Important Trainings....
Monday, August 31
Go Guardian Training for all new administrators and a refresher for veteran administrators will be held virtually at 10am.
Monday, August 31
Secondary Principals' Meeting @ 10:45am - "Setting the stage for a Secondary 'Mock' Virtual Day"
Friendly Reminders...
- Encourage teachers to provide their traditional and virtual students the privilege of viewing and engaging in "LIVE" lessons. Live lessons should be recorded and uploaded for students that are absent or for students that need clarification on content.
Remind teachers that pre-recorded lessons forgo a student the ability to engage in the lesson and the opportunity to maximize effective use of their time and resources.
- Support teachers in understanding the need for students to feel engaged in daily learning.
By engaging students virtually and/or traditionally, the teacher is able to build relationships with them which only enhances the quality of learning.
- Prompt teachers to upload additional resources to reinforce concepts.
District-wide Grading Policy - Approved
Congratulations EXCEL Administrators & Staff - Recipient of the 2020 CLAS Little Red House Award!
Implementation of Strategic Teaching Model
Professional Development Opportunities
Learning Blade Training
Learning Blade is a system of interactive online lessons and printable at-home activities for 5th to 9th graders, where students learn about STEM and Computer Science careers while reviewing academics. Students can use over 400 online lessons in 12 human-centered "Missions" or stories to explore these exciting careers aligned to Alabama standards. Click here to download our Lesson Outlines.
Pick your 1-hour online session!
Tuesday - September 1
7:30 to 8:30 am CT
Wednesday - September 2
7:30 to 8:30 am CT
Wednesday - September 2
3:00 to 4:00 pm CT
Thursday - September 3
3:00 to 4:00 pm CT
The "hot" link for registration was sent via email.
Help for Stressed Educators During COVID-19; Noticing & Meeting Teacher Needs as Schools Reopen
Monday, Aug. 31 @ 2 pm ET
Presented by Jen Alexander, M.A., NCC, SB-RPT
The return to school is usually an exciting time—but this year, it comes with a wave of complicated stress and worry. Educators, families, and students have spent the summer navigating fears about the pandemic, the effects of social isolation, and other adversities such as job loss, illness, and the ongoing trauma of racism. As schools reopen, what feelings and needs should educators prepare for in themselves as a result of these stressors? And how can educators work together to prioritize their own well-being while responding to students in ways that help everyone feel safe and ready to learn?
Get practical answers in this edWebinar from experienced educator and trauma expert Jen Alexander, author of the bestselling book Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools and the timely upcoming ebook Supporting Students and Staff After COVID-19.
Participants will:
- Discover the four essentials of trauma-sensitive schools
- Recognize how the stress of the pandemic and subsequent events may affect educators
- Learn strategies from Jen’s new ebook that will help you #NoticeTheNeed and #MeetTheNeed in yourself and with team members
- Identify ways to improve self-care practices and maintain a healthier work–life balance
This edWebinar will be of interest to elementary-level teachers, school leaders, administrators, and school counselors. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation. Learn more.
CLAS Professional Development Opportunities
Mrs. Anita Clarke, Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction
Email: anita.clarke@dcs.k12.al.us
Website: Dcs.edu
Location: Decatur Board of Education, 4th Avenue Northeast, Decatur, AL, USA
Phone: (256)552-3000