http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/chinn/?p=12439
Howdy Holt Bolts,
It was nice to see everyone after the break last week (related snarky TikTok) and it’s always surprising how once kids are back how easy it is to get back into the groove.
Fifteen items of note for this week:
• Staffing Updates – Two staffing Updates:
• PE and Counselor Interview Updates – Following both our counselor and PE interviews last week, we did not select any of the candidates at this point and decided to repost the positions. The Counselor Job Posting is up now and closes Tuesday. The PE Job Posting should hopefully get reposted soon.
• Title 1 EA Job Posting – Ashton’s 6.5-hour Title 1 EA Job Posting is now up and closes Thursday. We know of at least one solid candidate applying, but please encourage anyone good to apply. Jenny and I have tentatively scheduled interviews for Thursday, January 19th right after school. If you’re interested in volunteering your time to help with interviews.
• Team Meetings Wednesday & Minutes Template – Staff voted last week to resume Grade Level Team Meeting, which will not be weekly but will be twice a month on the first two Wednesdays of non-Staff Meeting weeks. Meeting dates are on the calendar through spring break and we will revisit before then if this is something teachers want to continue or modify. Teams should:
– Meet in their wing so specialists can connect if needed
– Take care of any needed team business
– Complete the Team Meeting Minutes Form (make a copy) and email it to holt_staf@4j.lane.eduThe Team Meeting Minutes Form can also be found on the Holt Staff Dashboard.
• REPEAT: Fire Drill, Friday, Jan. 13 @8:20 – This Friday at 8:20 will be our January Fire Drill. Linked here is the Building Evacuation Map and the Fire Drill Lines Map. If we are rained out, we’ll try again next Friday.
• Friday PD: Report Card Meeting – This Friday is “Building Based” and we voted last week to use this time to discuss Report Cards. Downtown hasn’t given any guidelines yet, but if they stay consistent with past practice, Report Cards will go home on Monday, Feb. 13th. Teachers in the past have also been allowed to do grading from home as long as they notify their administrator (me) and have connected with any colleagues regarding grading. Let me know if there’s any specific report card info you think we need to know from the district and I can try to get that ahead of time before we meet. See you Friday at 1:25 in the Library!
• Remind Kids to Wear Coats – I’m going to put something in the Quick News, but we have some cold and wet days coming up, so remind your kids to take their coats out to recess.
• School Choice Info – School Choice season has begun and school choice tours will be in-person this year, but doing it hybrid and will have the in-person presentation also on Zoom. Tours will be on Jan. 17th (12:00PM) and Jan. 26th (6:00PM). Holt is closed to most transfers (we’re allowed to take about 10 kinders), so these tours serve more to retain neighborhood families who are considering trying to lottery into other schools. PAHS is sending a parent rep to share about the parent group and about Holt from a parent perspective. If there are any staff who are interested/willing to join me in the presentations, I’d love to have more voices than just myself. You could share as little or as much as you’d like. Staff merely being present during these presentations also helps families feel like we’re a family and a team and makes it more welcoming. Below is an article I’ll put in the next Quick News.
School Choice for the 2023-24 School Year
Spread the word to all of your friends that HOLT ROCKS! With Holt’s focus on the whole child, we are an excellent school and a positive choice for your child’s education. With School Choice coming soon, please invite friends and acquaintances to visit Holt and seriously consider joining the Holt family.
We’re holding a presentation and tour on Jan. 17th (12:00 PM) and one on the evening of Jan. 26th (6:00 PM). Both will be offered in-person and on Zoom, though presentations will be geared toward in-person attendees.
Please watch the 4J website for the upcoming lottery application timeline.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://4J-lane-edu.zoom.us/j/99968435049?pwd=ZDM2czBBRzFmYWJOVVVaMWdVQWhBUT09Meeting ID: 999 6843 5049
Passcode: 796245
• Lunch Wagons Location Change – Teachers, please tell your students Monday to put their class lunch wagons in either the PURPLE or GREEN area (whichever one matches the color of cone on the tables where they sit during lunch). We’ve had issues with doors getting blocked, so the PURPLE area will be where they currently go and the GREEN area will be along the U-shaped bike rack.
Also, for Rainy Day Recesses, students should put the wagons in the seating area across from the Dynamos Classroom. Having the wagons in the lobby area outside the gym on rainy days has also blocked doors and caused some traffic jams and safety issues.
• Doors and Blinds Reminder – Two reminders:
• Blinds are to be kept open – Classroom blinds need to be kept open during the school day (blinds in the open position or pulled up). Door windows should also be uncovered.
• Room Doors Closed & Locked if Unattended – If a classroom is left unattended, classroom doors should be closed and locked, which will prevent students from sneaking into the classroom. Allan sent an email.
• Chairs Up at End of Day – Teachers, remind students at the end of the day to put their chairs up. We have a 1-hour night custodian who’s coming in right now and sweeping around chairs slows him down.
• EA P.D. Opportunities on Grading Day, 2/3 – Classified Staff should take note that on Grading Day, Friday, Feb. 3rd, downtown will offer EA PD similar to what they did in October and previously scheduled for January 3. More details to come.
• Student Prearranged Absence Form – Downtown is now requiring elementary families to use the same Request for Pre-arranged Absence Form that middle and high school use. This doesn’t really apply to elementary schools, but secondary wants elementary to start using it because families complain about it when middle school starts asking them to use it in order to excuse absences that are 3 or more days. I’m asking elementary directors if they can put their foot down and say elementary isn’t doing this, but if we have to if they can at least waive the signature requirement by teachers. Do note that although there is mention of homework and missed work, teachers are not required to provide work. Below is an article I’m planning to send out to families once I hear back from elementary directors:
Prearranged Absence Form
School District 4J has a new Request for Pre-arranged Absence Form form families should:
• Complete for or all absences that are 3 or more days in length
• Submit the form to the office at least 2 days prior to the absenceThe form does not apply to sickness, an emergency, or an authorized religious holiday, but is required to excuse any planned absences 3 days or more. Without the form, absences will be unexcused. The above form can also be found on the Holt Website under the School Info menu on the Schedule and Attendance webpage.
• 4J Grown Your Own Teaching/Counseling Program – 4J is starting up a “Grown Your Own” program for any current 4J EAs interested in getting their teaching or counseling degree. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, be recommended by their building principal, and have 2 years experience working in schools. If this is something you’d be interested in, let me know and I can get you additional information.
Additionally, if their are classified staff interested in career advancement who do not meet the qualifications to apply to the Teacher or Counselor Pathway (example: do not have a bachelor’s degree), but wish to begin their pathway to further their career they can also apply. This could include people that want to be teachers, but could also be people that want to move into a position like electrician, HVAC technician, or mechanic. If this is of interest to you, let me know and I can share additional info as well.
• Nominations Open to Honor Education Support Professionals – Each year, the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Lottery partner to honor one outstanding Education Support Professional (ESP) for their service and commitment to public schools and students. If you know a deserving classified staff member, please feel free to submit a ESP Nomination Form.
• Free Guided Virtual State Capitol Tours – The state emailed principal info on free Virtual Tours of the State Capitol Building. All you need to do is visit the website and then call or email to schedule your tour.
• Schedule of Upcoming Events – See the Holt Staff Calendar for future events, but here are the events of note for the next two weeks:
January 9 (M)
Library Week #2 Classes
Title Staff Room Duty
2;45, Allan Meeting w/Parent & Kim
3:45-5:15, Allan to Elem Principals’ Meeting (Chavez)January 10 (T)
January Birthday Drinks & Goodies in Staff Room:
10:15-11:45, 4th Grade Junior Achievement
2:45-3:45, PBIS/SEL/Equity Meeting (Kelsey’s Room)January 11 (W)
8:50-10:45, Book Nook, During AM Recesses (Cafeteria)
12:00, Student Council (Reich’s Room)
2;45, Grade Level Team Meetings
2:45, Allan to IEP Meeting (Lesli’s Room)January 12 (H)
3;00, Allan Meeting w/Parent
5:00-6:00 Site Council (Library)
6:00-7:00, PAHS Meeting (Library)January 13 (F)
8:20, Fire Drill
9:00, Allan Meetin w/ESD Migrant Ed.
1:25-2:25, Friday PD – Report Cards/Equity (Library)
4:00, Holt Staff Friday at 4:00 (Public House)January 16 (M)
No School — Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 17 (T)
Winter Benchmarking Continues
Library Week #1 Classes
Kinder Staff Room Duty
10:15-11:45, 4th Grade Junior Achievement
11:00-11:00, Holt Night Out – BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
12:00-12:00, School Choice Presentation & Tour (Library & Zoom)
2:45-3:45, Staff Meeting (Library)January 18 (W)
8:50-10:45, Book Nook, During AM Recesses (Cafeteria)
7:00-9:00, School Board Meeting (Zoom)January 19 (H)
2:25-3:30, Title 1 EA Interviews (tentative)
4:00-6:00, Allan to Conscious Discipline PD (Zoom)
6:00-7:30, 5th Grade Outdoor School Night (Cafeteria & Library)January 20 (F)
1:25-2:25, Friday PD – Staff Choice
Look forward to your 3-day weekend!
Allan
