Friday, September 11, 2015

Team Breath...

When I can, I filter information, tasks and expectations coming down from above and consider how I can thoughtfully support us all in managing the many demands. Last year, when we had to upload our data in CITE 6, we had an 'expert' sit with you, help and complete the task with you. Seemed like that worked pretty well? We purposely avoided raising anxiety by giving you lots of information about the task all through the year - and opted to just show you how.

I am going to use that strategy when it comes to something that is new this year. That is - the new Elementary Progress Report (EPR) which is now housed in Inspired Innovation. I'll meet with each of you, or as a team, between now and Fall Break and together, we will create your EPR for first semester.

Are you still taking slow, deep breaths or are you starting to hyperventilate?

Seriously - it's not bad - lots of drop downs and components to align what you do with what you need to report to parents. 

Another breath - and the serenity prayer.

For now - just hear this as information - not as another thing to do.

Lean on me. I'll do the heavy lifting.

Safety - The Priority

Wow...really feels like a plethora of mandatory trainings this year. There are more...

 Please think about how these trainings provide that critical safety net so nothing can happen to our kids that we are not prepared to prevent or handle. 

I know the time to juggle getting them done is a real challenge. Consider and then schedule pockets of 15 - 20 minutes when you might have them here and there to get these done. Perhaps scheduling them in to your calendar is the key? 

* Child Abuse Reporting

* Standard Response Protocol

* CITE Evaluation Training

* Playground Supervision

* Mandatory Safety Training (facilitate by district representatives)

I have a new form for you all to sign, which I'll leave on the counter at the front office, for you to sign and confirm that you have completed all the courses. These deadlines are non-negotiable. 

CITE Evaluation Training (Certified only)

There is one more - I am obligated to do a presentation on the CITE evaluation. Since we are devoting Wednesday afternoons to collaboration and professional development, that leaves after school to do this training. I believe I can complete it in 30 minutes or less. I will be doing this on Tuesday, September 15th at 4:30 p.m.  Sorry in advance for the conflict with yoga. Maybe they could start at 5:00 p.m.?

Playground Supervision Course

The Center for Professional Development in conjunction with Health & Wellness is offering a Response to Severe Injury on the Playground for all staff that supervise the playground. This is an online course that provides participants with exposure to the skills needed to properly respond to and manage severe injuries on the playground.

While this course is mandatory for all classified employees that supervise the playground; it is recommended for certified staff and administrators that supervise the playground as well. Staff can sign up via InspiredEd. The course number will be 803 with section designations beginning with -1, -2 etc. Classified staff mandated to complete this training should do so as soon as possible and no later than 10/1/2015.

Based on the premise that proper supervision enhances student safety, Playground Supervision aligns with DCSD’s Strategic Plan, and is not PGI eligible. It is expected that staff participate in this brief 25m online course during their normal working hours. 

Mandatory Safety Training 

Tuesday, October 20th (day students come back from Fall Break)

7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Safety Training

2:30 Lockdown Drill with District Safety personnel

Calendar

Sept. 14 - 18th:

Goal Setting Conferences

Monday:

Billie's Crew out on Voyage

 Bootcamp Kick-Off Assembly 3:25 p.m.

Tuesday:

Multiple Tier System Support -MTSS meeting 7:30 a.m. (We use to call this RTI)

Mandatory CITE evaluation training for certified 4:30 p.m.

SAC meeting 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday:

The Beat

PD: Collaborative Planning

Sept. 21 - 25:

Goal Setting Conferences

Monday:

Professional Learning under the direction of the Assessment Team - Looking at Student Work via a protocol. Aligned with our school goal of increasing quality student work. Schedule coming.

Tuesday:

MTSS meeting 7:30 a.m. (We use to call this RTI)

First Grade out on Voyage

Wednesday:

Cindy (our school director) makes school visit in a.m.

PD: Meet in library at 1:30 - Leadership Team presenting revised mission work, Core Practices,year long professional development plan and details.

* Details provided for our Professional Development time on Friday.

* Could be some collaborative planning time.

Friday:

No Students

Professional Development:

Potluck Breakfast for those interested

Lunch provided 

Focus of our work:

Morning -

* Math Focus - Phase 1( math skills) and Phase 2 (Thinking Mathematically)

* Discussion/decisions around Portfolios

Afternoon -

* Work independently or collaboratively for math instruction OR backward planning

School Accountability Committee-

Would one of you be willing to be our teacher representative this year?

Please let me know.

We generally have four meetings a year.

The first one is next week - September 15th at 5:30 p.m.

Where is Deborah?

There are only three weeks until Fall Break! Gulp! During that time I need to complete goal setting conferences with all staff. If  time was driving my plan there are more efficient ways of accomplishing this task, however, I value and enjoy the one-on-one time with each of you. I think the personalization is important. It will take me at least two weeks to complete these. Please let me know if your preference is to meet in your room or on my couch:)

I also need to engage in some first round formal observations with teachers prior to the break.

I also need to meet with grade level teams to show, explain and support understandings about the new Elementary Progress Report (EPR) before the break. 

I have been working toward uploading at least one piece of evidence into Inspired Innovation for each of you. I haven't quite hit that goal - but working on it!

Just want you to be aware of the focus of my work over the next three weeks in case you are wondering why I am less visible. 

Wish this could have been a more inspiring blog post...

AND sometimes, you just have to get the information out there.

Have a great weekend!

Deborah