Week of February 6
Buenos dias estrellas brillantes,,
This week is National School Counseling Week, which is a time set aside annually to focus attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within the U.S. school systems. School Counselors can have a tremendous impact in helping students achieve school success, and we are very lucky to have such a talented and skilled counselor here at our school with Jennifer. This year, her full time support has been so good for our students. Thank you so much for your care, love, and focus on social justice in our school and community! Think about having our students make a card or some message of appreciation to her in the next week. She does a lot for us every day.
• Calendar Changed to Make Up Weather Days – The school board approved a revised calendar due to the snow and ice days. Official communication about these days will go out to staff and families soon, but five school days will be made up – four at the end of the year, and one during the school year on PD/planning days; March 17 for middle and high schools and May 5 for elementary schools. The new final day for students is Thursday, June 22nd and Friday, June 23rd is a grading day (last work day) for teachers and most classified staff. This means our moving days will be pushed very close to the end of June. Linked here is the 4J Calendar Changes webpage and linked here is the Updated Elementary Calendar.
• New Students on the Bus – The Transportation Department sent an email to principals and secretaries, but teachers can be a big help with new students riding the bus as well. Please remind new students of their bus route and also their bus stop. Also, if teachers can tell the bus driver the bus stop as well, especially for younger students, it’s a huge help because the Transportation Department does not tell bus drivers where to drop off new students unless they are creating a new stop. For our youngest kids, you might attach a tag to their backpack.
• 2017-2018 Staffing Survey, Due Feb. 15 – A repeat from last week, but if you haven’t already, all staff should complete a short survey, on this linked Google Form . I’d like to know staff members’ individual plans and preferences for the future as well as your thoughts on next year’s staffing plan and master schedule. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, February 15th. All answers will be kept confidential.
•Staff Meeting 2/07/17 @2:50-3:50: This week Kim Reinhardt will be back to discuss how to calm a class after a difficult incident or interaction. Room clears can be disruptive, but sometimes they are necessary. This meeting will focus on how to help your class refocus. There will also be some general calming techniques described in the meeting. In addition, I will share some procedures on packing your things for the new building.
•Time to pack: Believe it or not, now is a good time to start packing. It is already February and the building will be done in June to store boxes. The district will give us a drop dead date to be out of the old building. This date could be June 26 though it has not been set yet. The snow days have really put a crunch on things. After that, they will be doing demolition. Getting packed on time will help all of us to start school on time in September. All teachers will be paid two days to pack and two to unpack. Classified staff will also be compensated for packing. Ask Craig for boxes and tape this week. Tuesday we will show you the proper way to label your boxes and you will get your final classroom number.
• Academic Enrichment Grant – If anyone is feeling in the mood to write a grant, The McCarthey Pressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. Grants are awarded to individuals in amounts up to $10,000. The deadline is April 15 and let me know if anyone is applying for any grant above $5,000 so we can first get district approval.
• Free Admission for Students to Oregon Asian Celebration – The Oregon Asian Celebration is planned for February 18th and 19th at the Lane Events Center. Feel free to share with students that admission is free to students ages 12 and under and through underwriting by Oregon Community Credit Union, students 13 and older (including college students) can attend the event for free by picking up a Student Admission Ticket at any of the credit union branches. General admission is $6 for one day or $10 for both days.
• Report Card Reminders – Some reminders for report cards going home on Friday, February 10th:
No Report Cards for Cumulative Files – Teachers do not need to print a report card for the cumulative file at this point in the year, but teachers will need to do it at the end of year. For students who move, our new secretary (or Marian) will print one to go to their new school.
Specialists Reports Due Tuesday Feb. 7 – Specialist reports are due to classrooms teachers by Feb. 7th so they have at least two days to get everything stuffed into report card envelopes.
•Laws and Policies About Immigrant Students in U.S. Schools: Be informed and ready to speak about these laws to families. Last week I shared information provided by the district on undocumented students. Much of that information is based on current federal law. Take a look at the videos and documents in place now to protect undocumented students. Also, further below, I have shared a document that Carmen Urbina, Andrea Ortiz, and Guadalupe Quinn created in the late 90’s. It documents how our families in Eugene were treated by INS. It is an important historical document to our community and one which all educators should read. There are still families in our community effected by these raids that occurred.
- Dear Colleague Letter: Joint Letter from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice (2014): Under Federal law, States and local educational agencies are obligated to provide all children – regardless of immigration status – with equal access to public education at the elementary and secondary level. This includes children such as unaccompanied children who may be involved in immigration proceedings. The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice published a joint guidance letter , a fact sheet , and a set of Questions and Answers on this topic.
- Educational Services for Immigrant Children: What Schools Need to Know: The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice released fact sheets, FAQs, and enrollment guidance related to the educational services for immigrant children and families in January 2015. These fact sheets (also available in Spanish) and the Civil Rights information provide a summary of what schools need to know.
•Plyler vs. Doe: A Landmark Supreme Court Case: Plyler vs. Doe is the court case that guaranteed undocumented students a right to a free public education in U.S. schools. Learn more from the following fact sheets and from an interview with Attorney Roger Rosenthal.
- Fact Sheet: Public Education for Immigrant Students: Understanding Plyler v. Doe (American Immigration Council)
- Plyler v. Doe: Still Guaranteeing Unauthorized Immigrant Children’s Right to Attend U.S. Public Schools (Migration Policy Institute)
•Here is the document on INS raids in the Late 90’s from Carmen Urbina: 1997-Lane County La Migra (INS) Raid Report-A Socio-Economic Impact Study Pay special attention to the testimonials.
Teaching and Learning for Emerging Bilinguals:
• Simon’s Cat, a great language and writing tool in Spanish or English: Simon’s Cat is a really fun animation on You Tube with can be used to teach language. The month of February is traditionally a time when some teach about Valentine’s day and friendship. Take a look at this video and consider how you might use it to teach writing or language skills. It is a very fun video with no words.
| 12th Annual OALA Winter Conference — Feb. 10-11 |
This annual event provides a venue for Latino and non-Latino educators, business and community leaders to learn about ongoing and emerging educational issues impacting the Latino community. This conference will support the efforts of numerous educators by providing valuable information on a range of innovative strategies for the fastest growing ethnic U.S. segment — Latinos. Conference strands will include: programs and practices that promote equity and opportunity, instructional pedagogy, leadership development, initiatives and reforms, and family/community outreach. The OALA Winter Conference is more than a conference with great speakers, it’s a vehicle to develop, support and mentor the next generation of Oregon educators in a more diverse and challenging learning environment. Held annually, the OALA Winter Conference offers intensive exploration of the field of innovative instructional and learning strategies for Latino students, best practices for parent involvement, closing of the achievement gap for English language learners, and professional development training for aspiring administrators. Participants can expect a hands-on curriculum which includes presentations by nationally-recognized authors and educational officials.
Calendar of Events for our School and District:
February 6 (M)
Second semester begins
Informal observations throughout the day by Joel.
February 7 (Tu)
8:15-11:15, Joel to Elementary Principals’ Meeting (Ed Center)
12:30, Fire Drill (Weather dependent)
3:00-4:00, Staff Meeting- Kim Reinhardt to teach about behavioral PD focus. (Library)
5:00-6:00, Site Council Meeting is still happening. (However, there is NO Parent Group Meeting)
February 8 (W)
9:00-11:00- Joel at construction meeting.
1:45-2:45, PLC Time, Please meet to create math formative assessments for 2nd semester. Reid Sheppard will be here for your support. Please work in the library.
2:45-3:45, Protected planning time.
February 9 (Th)
Joel in informal observations throughout the day.
2:45-3:45, Mod Squad
3:45-4:45, PLT Meeting
February 10 (F)
OALA Conference begins. -Joel out of the building in the PM.
February 13 (M)
Regular Day
February 14 (Tu)
Technology PD- Time to be determined with Erin Skoubo and Misty Jackson
10:30-12:15, The Friendship and Family Lunch– See the special schedule for lunches in your mailboxes from B Loftis.
February 15 (W)
9:00-11:00, Joel at construction meeting.
11:00, Joel at the big Staffing Allocation Meeting.
1:45-2:45, PLC Time, Please arrive on time to meet with your team. Focus: Math/ Science Support
2:45-4:45, Title 1 Reading Model Discussion Integrated/ Designated Walk to Read?- PLT El Camino Del Rio Rescheduled- 2 hours.
February 16 (Th)
8:30-9:30, Parent Cafecito with Alicia and Joel
Technology PD- Time to be determined with Erin Skoubo and Misty Jackson
February 17 (F)
Regular Day
February 20 (M)
President’s Day- No School
CFEE Training
February 21 (Tu)
CFEE Training
AIM4S3 Final Visit from Lisa Meyer
2 hour staff meeting- Lisa will share ideas and review materials for AIM4S3.
February 22 (W)
CFEE Training
AIM4S3 Final Visit from Lisa Meyer
9:00-11:00- Joel at construction meeting.
1:45-2:45, PLC Time, Please arrive on time to meet with your team. Focus: Assessment- Math/ Science support
6:00-7:00, School Choice Presentation Meeting at our School.
February 23 (Th)
CFEE Training
2:45-3:45, Mod Squad
February 24 (F)
CFEE Training
February 27 (M)
4:00-5:00, Joel at All Admin Meeting
February 28 (Tu)
8:30-2:30, IIPM Data Team All Day in Room 17
March 1 (W)
6:00-7:00, Dr. Seuss Night
March 2 (Th)
Joel and Jennifer in several attendance support meetings.
March 3 (F)
8:30-10:00, Attendance Support Leader Meeting at El Camino del Río (Conference Room)
March 8 (W)– Science LEL B Visit – We need 6 teacher to be observed teaching science.
March 15 (W)- Staffing spreadsheets are due to Human Resources by midnight.
March 27-31– Spring Break
That is all for the week.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Saludos cordiales,
Joel Lavin
Uncategorized | Comment (0)