Week of January 30
Hello Shining Stars,
It was so encouraging to give tours last week of our classrooms to prospective families. It gives me great pride to show the public what amazing work you all do each day. We provide such a warm and inviting space for students to learn. Our work is important on so many levels. You have much to be proud of. I continually get feedback from current families about how special an environment we have created: challenging, creative, bicultural, and warm. Teachers, as your students enter the classroom Monday, be ready to hold them and help them feel wanted and safe. Be ready to talk with them about whatever is on their mind.
Here are some important announcements of the week:
• Supporting Undocumented Students: For many, including myself, there has been a lot of concern about the Presidential Executive Order related to immigration and how it might effect students and families. School District HR Associate Director, Christine Nesbitt, has drafted an informational memo regarding policies and practices designed to support students who may be undocumented. Here is the memo titled: Supporting Undocumented Students. Please read it carefully.
•The Sun Ray Challenge: We have one more week to complete the Sun Ray Challenge. The assembly will occur on Wednesday, February 7 in the morning before walking to class. The assembly will happen in the Gym on February 7 in the morning where we will make snow- people. Do you want to volunteer? Please see the updated information in your boxes which Jennifer will be giving to you.
•Science Teacher Leader Shift at ECDR: Megan Murphy has passed on the Science Teacher Leader responsibilities to Jaime Jones. Nikita is also considering supporting us by co-leading in this area. In the coming weeks we will be hearing more from them about the curriculum adoption and some details the district wants us to be informed on.
•Assembly for Viaje Musicale, February 1 at 1:00 PM- This Wednesday there will be a Viaje Musicale assembly with Mr. Adee. Please expect to leave your classroom close to 12:45 to the assembly. The assembly will last to close to end of the day 1:35. However, we will leave backpacks and coats in class and will have time to return to the classroom. The assembly will be in the GYM this time where Mr. Adee will have the instruments set up.
•Viaje Musical: February 2nd 6:00pm- It’s happening! Viaje Musical is a musical extravaganza involving ALL 4th and 5th graders. Students will sing, dance and play music from Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Chile, Spain and New York!Thursday, February 2nd at 6:00pm (in the Camino gym). One night only! The evening performance is an important part of Camino students’ education. Please make every effort to attend. Parents are also invited to an assembly version of Viaje Musical on Wednesday, February 1st at 12:40. ¡Viva la música!
• 2017-2018 Staffing Timeline – Staffing allocations for next school year will be distributed to principals at a meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd at 4:00. Principals will also receive SSD and Title 1 allocations at this same meeting. I’ll email allocations to staff this same evening. Staffing plans will be due three weeks later on Wednesday, March 15th.
I’m planning to follow similar process for finalizing the 17/18 staffing plan. After receiving our allocations I will draw up potential staffing scenarios and will email those to staff for input. I’ll hold an optional staff meeting for people to discuss as a group the draft plans. Both PLT and the whole staff will have a say in the process. I’ll also plan to meet with grade level teams for input before my final decision. Let me know if you have questions on any of this.
• 2017-2018 Enrollment Projections – Last week, principals received enrollment projections for next year. Our current total enrollment is 327 students (though that number fluctuates weekly) and for next year we are projected for 363 students. I have already advocated with the Oscar Lauriero and Brooke Wagner about not factoring in a new building bump in enrollment. This is especially concerning when we consider staffing for a bilingual teacher. I advocated that we might be closer to 390 students upon opening in September. As many of you know, last year Howard and Roosevelt were both well over their projection. It is very common for new schools to surpass the projections. I am not sure what this will mean for us, but we hope that we get an FTE increase in teachers. However, the needs index (poverty, mobility, ELL, etc.) can change and the district is looking at some budget reductions, so we won’t officially know where we stand on staffing until Feb. 22nd. The projections by grade level are 64 (KG), 60 (1st), 66 (2nd), 79 (3rd), 41 (4th), 53 (5th). The district Title 1 budget sounds like it’s going to be reduced for next school year, though we are projected to have more students. I am hoping we stay at similar levels.
• 2017-2018 Staffing Survey – With staffing allocations coming out in three weeks, I’d like staff to complete a short survey, on this linked Google Form . I’d like to know staff members’ (including EA’s, custodians, and office staff) individual plans and preferences for the future as well as your thoughts on next year’s staffing plan and general ideas for the master schedule. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, February 15th so I can get input before drawing up potential staffing scenarios. All answers will be kept confidential and please let me know if you have any questions.
• Free Book Set Loans from Eugene Public Library – The Eugene Public Library has provided picture book collections to kindergarten classrooms at Howard and Spanish language collections at El Camino del Río, and they are now ready to expand this service, providing picture book collections for primary grades and fiction and nonfiction collections for older grades (typically 50 books per classroom). They want to make it easy for you and can deliver boxes of books to the office. Teachers can use them this year and have the option of keeping them another year. If you’re interested, let me know by the end of the week and I’ll sign you up.
• Friday’s EA Extravaganza and Grading Day – A repeat from last week, but this Friday EAs are supposed to attend the annual EA Extravaganza at the Ed Center, 7:45-2:30. Teachers, HR did email grading day expectations this past week to principals, which is the same as in the past (Notify me if you’re working from home, make plans if you need to collaborate with colleagues, and do make sure you are working and not running errands around town, in which case we’ll lose this flexibility in the future.). Report cards will go home Friday, Feb. 10th.
•Taking it Up is Back!– This year, the district has decided to ensure that Taking It Up will return as a two day Professional Development. The district has hired a 4j employee named Maria Donnatell Shaad, daughter of Maria Shaad (counselor and Spanish teacher), to organize the experience. If you are a new employee to the building, I will probably ask you to go to this PD experience on racial conversations. It is May 1st and 2nd this year.
Teaching and Learning for Emerging Bilinguals
I hope you all enjoyed the work with Audrey and Edward last Friday. It was so fulfilling to see our teachers engaged in such a rich conversation about biliteracy. Below is a video that shows the essential elements of “The Bridge.” This is a great video from a kindergarten class that I think you will all enjoy.
We will be going more in depth to this concept in our session in March.
Free Workshop for Bilingual Teachers
Presenter: Dr. Kim Potowski- (This is an amazing bilingual education researcher!)
Date and Time: February 4 – 9:00-1:00pm
Location:RWEC 101, Western Oregon University, 345 Monmouth Avenue N, Monmouth, Oregon 97361
Information: Mario Martinez mmartinezgarcia14@wou.edu- This is for bilingual teachers only.
Upcoming Events and Dates for All 4J Elementary Teachers
- 02/03/17, Science kits due back/EA Extravaganza at Ed Center for EA’s-EA’s plan to be there.
- 02/28/17, Kindergarten Task Force Meeting, 3:30-5:00, Auditorium
- 04/03/17, 5 hours of science PD for all elementary teachers, 2 hrs uninterrupted planning
- 04/11/17, Kindergarten Task Force Meeting, 3:30-5:00, Auditorium
- 05/05/17: PD/Planning Day – Up to 7.5 hours of PD (flexible).5 hours of math curriculum training for all elementary teachers
- 05/11/17, Kindergarten Task Force Meeting, 3:30-5:00, Auditorium
Calendar of Events for the Week and Beyond:
January 30 (M)
Secretary Interviews- 9:45-3:45 [Team includes: Pilar, Yasmin, Megan, Juana Lopez (Parent), Aline, Joel, and Nicole Sunderland (parent/financial services employee]
January 31 (Tu)
Joel in informal observations throughout the day.
9:30-10:15 ELPA21 Assessment Planning Meeting
2:45-4:45, PLT Literacy Focus Meeting- 2 hours Rescheduled for February 15
7:00-8:00, School Choice Informational Meeting
February 1 (W)
9:00-11:00- Joel at construction meeting.
12:50-1:30, School-wide Viaje Musicale assembly in the GYM.
1:45-2:45, PLC Time, Please arrive on time to meet with your team. Focus: Report Cards
4:00-5:00, Joel to North Region Principal’s Meeting
February 2 (Th)
Joel in informal observations throughout the day.
6:00-7:00, Viaje Musicale (Gym)
February 3 (F)
No School- Semester Grading Day
7:45-2:30, EA Extravaganza –All EA’s are expected to attend during your regular hours of a work day.
February 6 (M)
Second semester begins
February 7 (Tu)
8:15-11:15, Joel to Elementary Principals’ Meeting (Ed Center)
12:30, Fire Drill
3:00-4:00, Staff Meeting- Kim Reinhardt to teach about behavioral PD focus. (Library)
5:00-6:00, Site Council Meeting (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.
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
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.
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)
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
3:45-4:30, Joel to All Admin Staffing Allocation Meeting
Staffing allocation emailed to staff before the school choice presentation.
6:00-7:00, School Choice
February 23 (Th)
CFEE Training
2:45-3:45, Mod Squad
February 24 (F)
CFEE Training
That is all for the week.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Saludos cordiales,
Joel Lavin
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