I hope you’re all still enjoying your summer! Mine was rather short since I did summer school, but it was pretty quiet and much slower than the regular school year. My summer highlights were a few short trips to Yachats and Portland with the family. I only got one of my summer books read, but I highly recommend CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties if that’s your sort of thing. The movie I most enjoyed over the summer was The Perks of Being a Wallflower, though the actual best films I watched were probably the 1959 Japanese film The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (I still need to watch part II and III of this 9-hour 3-film epic I borrowed from Ben) or the Alfred Hitchcock films I watched with my kids (Rear Window, Psycho, & The Birds). My favorite proud parent moment of the summer was my kids getting into Stranger Things on their own. My 5th grader, Josie, really got into Eddie Munson’s Big Heroic Scene in the final episode and would walk around the house singing Metallica’s Master of Puppets, which I found hilarious. But enough about my summer.
Feel free to read these announcements now or ignore them until closer to your report-back date, but I figured I’d send this info out now for folks wanting to know the plan for the year.
For folks new to Holt, my intention with my weekly staff announcements is to send just one email to all staff per week during the school year, usually Sunday morning, so as not to clutter up your inboxes. My hope is that staff read the announcements by the end of the day Tuesday each week (once school starts, that is). These sometimes get long, but I like to err on the side of over-communicating rather than under-communicating. I’d advise staff to read the bold heading for each bulleted item and you can decide from there if it applies to you or not.
• Welcome 22-23 New Staff – Please welcome the following fabulous new staff members to TEAM HOLT!
• 2nd Grade Teachers (Michael Dempsey & Myah Rabourn) – Michael is an experienced teacher who’s taught since 2004, starting out teaching high needs primary grade students in the Bronx, New York to teaching at the Hong Kong International School and most recently teaching at the Ruamrudee International School in Thailand. Myah student taught last year with Ashley and later was a regular sub for us in the spring, but before that was an EA in Lebanon School District and ended her time in Lebanon teaching 3rd grade on an emergency license.
• 3rd Grade Teachers (Kendalynn Ball & Marissa Harshbarger) – Kendalynn student taught at Holt this past year in Liz’s classroom and also taught 2nd grade at summer school. Marissa student taught at Edgewood this past year in a 4/5 blended classroom and had prior experience as a SPED EA and also a Behavior EA in Springfield.
• Behavior EA (Levi Thompson) – Several of us got to work with Levi this summer at SEAL where he was the secretary and did a great job with kids and staff, but his day job last year was as a Behavior EA at South Eugene High School.
• Human Services Coordinator (Felicia LaCuesta) – Felicia comes to us from the Salem-Kaiser School District where she served in a similar role as the McKinney-Vento (homeless) Student Advocate for the past two years. Before that she worked as a Branch Director at the Boys and Girls Club. Also, if you’ve forgotten what this position is (since it’s a new one for us), it is something of a resource/wrap-around coordinator to help families in need get access community resources.
• Kinder EA (Amber Callier) – Amber comes to us from Howard where she was an Education Assistant in the CLC. Before that Amber was a special education EA from her home state of Georgia. Amber also lives right here in the Holt neighborhood!
• Lead Custodian (???) – We conducted interviews back in July and had a strong pool of candidates, but Facilities and HR are moving VERY slow. I’ve been told a job offer has been made, but am still waiting for an official announcement.
• Librarian (???) – We conducted pool interviews with Howard and Chavez last week and have selected a candidate for each of our schools, but are now waiting for HR to do their thing. Hope I’ll have something to announce by next week.
• School Nurse (???) – I’m told SSD has hired a nurse for us, but the person has not gone though the HR intake process yet, so hopefully I’ll have an announcement soon.
• Special Education Teachers (Emily Henson & Whitney Oliver) – Emily is our new full-time SPED teacher and comes to us from Utah where she’s taught in a self contained classroom at an autism charter school. Whitney will be our part-time SPED teacher, at Holt in the morning and Gilham in the afternoon. She’s an experienced teacher who was the CLC teacher at Chavez last year.
• Title 1 EAs (Carol Eichers & Lori Tingue) – We’re welcoming back two Holt Bolts, Carol and Lori. You may remember Carol from last school year when she took over as our COVID Utility EA for the last part of the year. Lori was with us two years ago, teaching with the Dynamos, and started with us last year before taking a temporary teaching position at Gilham.
I’ve also pleased to announce that Sped EA Darrin Heffington will be returning this fall. We’re thrilled to have you back, Darrin!
Below is a list of the classroom teaching assignments and linked here is a complete 2022-2023 Staff List. Also, the Holt Website Staff Directory has been updated. Let me know if I missed anyone.
KG: Katie Gulewich, Lesli Harmon, Robin Seno, Robin Vaughan
1st: Jacque Barton, Heidi Gori, Lisa Zluticy
2nd: Michael Dempsey, Jenna Norton, Myah Rabourn
3rd: Kendalynn Ball, Marissa Harshbarger, James Longoria, Desiree Talley
4th: Caitlin Benavides, Elizabeth Cobb, Ashley Reich
5th: Liz Ayres, Debbi Heinrich, Candace Lovato, Geoff Parks
We’re excited have all of you join our team!
• Updated School Map – Linked here is an Updated 22-23 Holt School Map of where folks are working this year. Let me know if you spot anything that looks wrong. This doc can also be found on the Staff Google Drive under MISC > Maps.
• Building Access & Sign-In – SEAL finished Monday and KITS finishes Thursday. Once your classroom is no longer being used, you’re welcome to come in if you’d like. Facilities is postponing our summer deep cleaning until winter break, partly due to Facilities staffing shortages and partly to allow staff wanting to come in early to do so. For now they’ll just do a quick summer cleaning.
If you do come in early and outside of regular work hours, be sure to remember to sign-in on the sign-in/sign-out sheet, which will ensure the building is armed if you’re the last one out.
• Report Back Dates, CLASSIFIED DATE CHANGE – Please note HR made a mistake on the Classified Work Year Calendar and you now report back one day later than what was originally on the calendar. Here are the report back dates:
• Elementary Secretaries – Monday, August 15
• Licensed Staff – Friday, August 26
• Classified Staff – Tuesday, August 30 (196-day on 8/24)
• Inservice Week Schedule – Linked here is a Draft Inservice Week Calendar downtown shared with principals, which has dates, times, and locations for teachers. It’s still in draft form because they need to confirm host schools can accommodate their plans (I just found out on Thursday Holt is hosting Sheldon Region elementary teachers the 26th and 29th). A final draft will be sent soon. Counselors, Librarians, Music, PE, and SSD licensed staff will have PD different from what’s on the Holt Staff Calendar, so see the above link and watch for additional information from your district admins.
Classified Staff are scheduled to have a district led PD the first day you report back on Tuesday, August 30th, but principals do not have any details on that yet.
For the one day on Inservice Week I’m in charge, I’ll try to keep things useful but succinct, so staff can maximize what little prep time you have (Candace gave me a gentle nudge over the summer and tagged me on the meme below).
I’ll add Zoom links, locations, and other details to the Staff Zimbra Calendar as I get them, but here’s the inservice week calendar as it currently stands:
August 23 (T)
New Teacher Welcome Event (Time & Location TBA)
August 24 (W)
New Teacher Welcome Event (Time & Location TBA)
August 25 (H)
New Teacher Welcome Event (Time & Location TBA)
August 26 (F)
8:00-9:00, Time to Pick-Up Wit & Wisdom Materials
9:00-4:00, Wit & Wisdom ELA PD – Day #1 (Holt)
August 29 (M)
8:00-3:00, Wit & Wisdom ELA PD – Day #2 (K-3 @Zoom, 4-5 @Holt)
August 30 (T)
Protected Teacher Planning
Classified Staff Report Back
Educational Assistant PD (Location & Time TBA)
8:30, Welcome Back Burritos, Coffee, & Supplies! (School Garden)
August 31 (W)
8:00-12:00, Holt Back to School Meeting (Cafeteria)
September 1 (H)
7:30-10:00, 4J Back-To-School Gathering (Tentative)
1:00-4:00, Health for Grades K-2 (Zoom)
1:00-4:00, Math for for 3-5 (Zoom)
4:00-5:00, Kidnerzone Meeting (TBA)
September 2 (F)
9:00-12:00, Universal Design for Learning PD (SEHS)
1:00-4:00, Math for for K-2 (Zoom)
1:00-4:00, Health for Grades 3-5 (Zoom)
September 5 (M)
Labor Day – No School
September 6 (T)
Collaborative Planning Time for Lang Arts Adoption
8:00-10:00, Staff Meeting (if needed)
10:00-11:00, Optional New Staff Orientation and Q&A (Cafeteria)
2:00-3:00, Meet Your Teacher
3:00-4:00, Kona Shave Ice Fundraiser (Hard Play)
September 7 (W)
Classes Begin – First Day of School
• Wit & Wisdom Material Available – The new reading curriculum, Wit & Wisdom, has been delivered and classroom sets of materials are labeled and waiting outside each teachers’ classroom. However, K-2 still had a few items in Portland, so they’ll probably get delivered later this week. Also, downtown is having Unit Zero printed and bound for all teachers, but they are not done yet.
• Wit & Wisdom Online Access – All staff have digital access to Wit & Wisdom Online. Just visit the website and log on using the password: elafororegon
• Wit & Wisdom PD Notes – Katie Stiles, K-3 Literacy TOSA, had a few suggestions and notes regarding the PD on August 26th and 29th:
• Print Module #1 – It is available online, but she suggested printing the first model and bringing it to the PD.
• Review Student Text – She also said reading over the student text ahead of time will make staff feel more prepared.
• August 26th PD, In-Person – Friday, August 26th, all Sheldon Region elementary teachers grades K-5 will meet at Holt, 9:00-4:00. 8:00-9:00 is time for teachers to collect your teacher guide and other materials.
• August 29th PD, In-Person and Zoom – Monday, August 29th, K-3 will be on Zoom and grades 4-5 will be in-person at Holt, 8:00-3:00.
• Student Supplies (don’t help yourself just yet) – School supplies have started to be delivered, but teachers should hold off on gathering items. Office staff need to first take inventory to make sure we got everything we ordered and will let teachers know when we’re ready to distribute.
• Welcome Back Burritos, Coffee, & Supplies! Tuesday, 8/30 @8:30! – Join us for burritos, coffee, school supplies and socializing with work friends! Brought to Holt Staff by the amazing group at The Hope Project on Tuesday, August 30th at 8:30 in the School Garden!
• Optional New Staff Member Orientation and Q&A, 9/6 @10:00 – I’ll be available 9/6 at 10:00 in the cafeteria to share some Holt nuts & bolts logistics, answer questions, and provide any assistance for new folks. I can get busy during inservice week, so I like to set aside a time when I’ll be available for new staff. You can also always text, call, or email.
• Meet Your Teacher, 9/6 @2:00 – In-person “Meet Your Teacher” is allowed this year and looking at past staff calendars, it was the Tuesday before the first day of school from 2:00-3:00, so that’s what I’ll send out to families, but let me know if that’s incorrect. I’ve also scheduled Kona Ice to come at 3:00, so hopefully that’ll make it easier to chase families out of your classrooms when the event is over.
• 2022-2023 Class Lists – Here’s the link to the 22-23 Class Lists that were created last spring. As usual, there are quite a few new move-ins and move-outs, so some adjustments will need to be made.
• 2022-2023 District PD Calendar – District admin shared the linked 2022-2023 DRAFT PD Calendar with principals if you’re interested. It’s changed a few times already, including (after input from principals) changing some of the SEL and Curriculum Friday PD days into building based or teacher choice days instead, so we have those at least once or twice a month. All dates are also on the Holt Staff Calendar.
• Work Hours, 7:30-3:30 – For full-time staff, we are back to our regular work hours of 7:30-3:30, and we are going back to students entering the building at the 7:50 morning bell.
• School Hours – Even though the school board approved counting PD, lunches, and recesses towards state required instructional minutes, elementary school hours are staying the same for this year, which are:
Monday – Thursday: 7:55-2:25
Friday: 7:55-1:10
• Holt Meeting Calendar – I stuck with the same meeting rotation as last year, with the exception of PBIS meetings. Downtown wants schools to hold a monthly SEL Meeting, which they suggested for elementary schools to roll into the PBIS Team, which will now meet twice a month:
• Staff Meeting (1st & 3rd Tuesday each month, 2:45-3:25)
• PBIS/SEL Meeting (2nd & 4th Tuesday each month, 2:45-3:25)
• IPBS Meeting (same week as second Staff Meeting, 2:45-3:25)
• Leadership Meeting (same as second PBIS Meeting, 2:45-3:25)
• Classified Meeting (Monthly on “Staff Choice” Friday PD dates)
There’s a few months where adjustments had to be made because of non-school days, but this is the plan for most months.
• COVID Protocol Updates – We’re pretty much back to normal this year, with in person meetings (parent groups, Title 1 Family Nights, Meet Your Teacher, Book Fairs, etc.), field trips, and volunteers back in buildings. If you saw the most recent CDC recommendations for schools, 4J implemented most of those back in the spring. Principals are supposed to get a copy of the HR presentation we received today, but here’s the scoop on what was shared with us:
• Visitors & Volunteers – Volunteers are allowed in schools, but casual visitors who want to each lunch with their kids, walk them to class in the morning, or just want to stop by to visit are not allowed. Visitors are allowed to come in for IEP meetings, Parent Group Meetings, or enrolling new students, though Zoom continues to be an option for meetings, which I think a lot of families now prefer for convenience.
All volunteers (even your friends and family helping to set up your classroom) need to check in through the Raptor Sign-In System in the main office.
• Doors Will Remain Locked – Partly for safety and partly for COVID, all school doors will remain locked, just as we did last year. All volunteers will need to be let in through the main office.
• Vaccination Requirements – The state is continuing to require staff to have on file a proof of vaccination or an approved exemption. District employees who are unvaccinated will be given a choice of weekly testing or wearing a mask full-time while at work.
• Outside Groups – Kidsports, YMCA, City of Eugene and other outside groups are allowed to rent space at schools again, although they are required to provide proof of vaccination of all their employees if any part of their program overlaps with the regular school day.
• No Fabric Furniture, Stuffed Animals, or Shag Carpets – The ABC area rugs 4J purchased for teachers are still allowed and vinyl furniture is allowed, but long shag carpets, classroom stuffed animals, and fabric couches, chairs, or furniture are not allowed since they are harder to clean if your class were to have a COVID (or lice) outbreak.
• COVID Positive Staff Protocol – If staff test COVID positive, you’re to notify your administrator (me). HR will let you know your official quarantine dates. The protocol for COVID positive students is coming soon according to this HR Email. 4J is working with Bethel and Springfield to so that all three districts are doing something similar for students. But the main message for staff and families is, if you are feeling sick, STAY HOME!
• COVID Testing Partnership with UO – 4J is continuing their partnership with the UO, but are scaling back what schools are asked to do. Students will get a trimester worth of test kits and will have an unsupervised dropbox to return their kits for the UO to pick up.
• ArtSpark Artist in Residence Survey – Holt will get two Artist Residencies again this year funded by ArtSpark. I want to get your preferences early, so we can lock in an artist and date before the good ones are taken. Please fill out the linked Artist in Residence Survey to help start the conversation when we make a decision at our Back-to-School Staff Meeting.
• Holt Staff Handbook – For new staff, the Holt Staff Handbook includes most every relevant building policy and procedure. Please take time to review the handbook and let me know if you have questions or if you spot anything that possibly needs revised.
• Conscious Discipline PD for EAs & K/1/2 Teachers, New Date Option – EAs and K-2 teachers have an opportunity to participate in a yearlong Conscious Discipline PD. This was shared in the spring, but downtown added a September kickoff meeting date for anyone wanting to join who is not able to attend the August 22nd or 23rd kickoff meeting. See the linked Conscious Discipline Email for details.
• Student Teacher, Anyone? – Western Governors University is looking for a placement for a student teacher this fall. See the linked email and let me know you are interested.
• Morning Arrival Plan – This is a repeat from last year, but now that we are no longer cohorting, the morning arrival plan for this year will have students eating breakfast back in the cafeteria. Here’s how it will go (depending upon the bus arrival times once we get them):
7:25, buses arrive and students are supervised in the cafeteria.
7:35, students are release to line up at the same grade level entrances we used this year and K/1 going out to hard play (they like to run).
7:35-7:50, students arriving later who want breakfast can go to the cafeteria until 7:50.
7:50, first bell rings and students to go to class.
7:55, tardy bell rings and all doors close.
I’ll review this plan with supervisors at the Classified Staff Meeting on Wednesday, August, 31st for input and any tweaks we might want to make. Here’s my initial plan for where supervisors will be stationed:
Cafeteria (Alex, Ashley C., Levi, Jackie, Lisa G. after buses)
A Wing Doors – 5th Grade (TBA HIRE & Iris)
B Wing Side Doors – 3rd & 4th Grade (Annie & Kelly)
C Wing Doors by Gym – 2nd Grade (Julie, Lisa P., Marilyn)
D Wing Doors – KG & 1st Grade (Cheryl & Wendy)
Crossing Guards (Darren & Ben)
Buses (Lisa G. & Molly)
• Rainy Day Arrival Plan – If get a downpour (kids can be tough if it’s light rain), we will use the same rainy day plan as last year. This would also apply to days with poor air quality, with the exception of moving the 5th graders outside into the gym. :
Cafeteria – (Levi, Jackie, Ashley C., Lisa G. after buses)
5th Grade – Covered Area (TBA HIRE. & Iris)
3rd and 4th Grade – Gym (Annie & Kelly)
• Enter through gym doors on blacktop
2nd Grade – Library (Julie, Lisa P., Marilyn)
• Enter through 2nd grade door and walks to library
• Robbie in Library, Annie at door, Jackie at K-2 intersection
KG & 1st Grade – K-1 Hallway (Cheryl & Wendy)
*Outside – Kim, Allan, Darla directing traffic flow
AT BELL, all stations stay in area to avoid traffic jams. Use radios to coordinate release.
• K-1 and 2nd graders in Library released first
• 5th grade enters through A Wing exterior doors
• 3rd & 4th released down main hall.
• Reimbursement Reminder – Two reimbursement reminders:
• Get Approval Before Purchasing – If you’re purchasing anything, you need to get purchases pre-approved by your principal (me). This is mostly to make sure you’re buying something Finance Dept. rules will allow us to reimburse you for. Food items are particularly tricky.
• Save Original Receipts – The Finance Dept. requires original receipts for reimbursements, so make sure you save those since bank records, credit card invoices, and such will not work.
• Tech Support Requests – Staff can submit tech support requests to our TSS (Technology Support Specialist), Rob Geerling, by emailing 4jdesktop@4j.lane.edu, but you can now also use the new 4J Freshservice for technology help requests. At this site you can search the Solutions area of the customer portal, or the system will auto-suggest knowledge articles based on what you have typed in the Subject of the new ticket. You can also call the Tech Support Hotline at (541) 790-7777.
• Make Sure Your Voicemail is Set-Up – All teachers should ensure your 4J voicemail is set up and working. See the linked 4J Phone Voicemail Manual or this Quick Start Voice Mail User Guide for how to set it up, as well as for info on phone functions. If you have questions, please contact our TSS, Rob, at 4jdesktop@4j.lane.edu or call (541) 790-7777. And if you are moving classrooms, do not move your phone to your new room. Phones are connected to a particular port, so moving them would cause you issues.
• Preptime for EAs – A reminder for teachers that the Classified Staff OSEA collective bargaining agreement obligates EAs assigned instructional responsibilities prep time and for building admins to notify teachers of the District’s expectation that EAs who provide instructional support to be provided the opportunity to discuss scheduling prep-time. See the linked email for details.
• SELCO’s Educator Grants, Due 9/30 – Super easy grant for free stuff! SELCO’s SPARK! Creative Learning Grant Program is now accepting applications for projects up to $1,000 that inspire curiosity, make learning accessible, and spark something new. Applications are open August 15–September 30. Visit the above link for details and to apply.
• YMCA is Hiring – For any staff wanting to supplement your hours, the Y’s Youth Development team is hiring for before and after school care program Aides, Teachers, and Site Directors. For any questions reach out to rachel@eugeneymca.org or APPLY HERE
• 2021-22 ODE School Report Cards – These linked State School Report Cards (link on email, not on blog) are embargoed for anybody outside the district until October 16th. For the first time in five years, these report cards are going to be used by ODE to determine the level of state support (comprehensive or targeted) that each school will receive in 2022-23. Overall, Holt scored better than other higher needs schools and better than lower needs schools than Holt, but I haven’t dug into the subgroup data yet.
• District Admin Updates – Linked here is the complete list of 4J Admin Updates (email and webpage), but highlights include:
• Chief of Staff: Rob Hess – Kerry Delf took a job in Beaverton and Rob Hess, who was the the HR administrator in charge of licensed staff, is taking her place. Downtown is hiring a separate Director of Communications, which is a duty Kerry also filled.
• Human Resources Administrator: Mike Ingman – Mike Ingram, former principal at Sheldon High School, is taking Rob’s place in HR as the licensed HR Administrator.
• Sheldon High School Interim Principal: Kay Graham – Kay Graham, former assistant principal at Sheldon, has been named interim principal for the year.
• Director of High Schools: Greg Borgerding – Greg Borgerding, who was the principal at Churchill High School, is taking Superintendent Andy Dey’s position as Director of High Schools.
• Schedule of Upcoming Events – See the Holt Staff Calendar for future events, but here are the events of note for the next few weeks:
August 18 (H)
KITS Last Day
August 23 (T)
New Teacher Welcome Event (Time & Location TBA)
August 24 (W)
New Teacher Welcome Event (Time & Location TBA)
August 25 (H)
New Teacher Welcome Event (Time & Location TBA)
August 26 (F)
Licensed Staff Report Back
8:00-9:00, Time to Pick-Up Wit & Wisdom Materials
9:00-4:00, Wit & Wisdom ELA PD – Day #1 (Holt)
August 29 (M)
8:00-3:00, Wit & Wisdom ELA PD – Day #2 (K-3 @Zoom, 4-5 @Holt)
August 30 (T)
Protected Teacher Planning
Classified Staff Report Back
Educational Assistant PD (Location & Time TBA)
8:30, Welcome Back Burritos, Coffee, & Supplies! (School Garden)
August 31 (W)
8:00-12:00, Holt Back to School Meeting (Cafeteria)
September 1 (H)
7:30-10:00, 4J Staff Back-To-School Gathering -Tentative
1:00-4:00, Health for Grades K-2 (Zoom)
1:00-4:00, Math for for 3-5 (Zoom)
4:00-5:00, Kidnerzone Meeting (TBA)
September 2 (F)
9:00-12:00, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Strategies PD (SEHS Auditorium)
1:00-4:00, Health for Grades 3-5 (Zoom)
1:00-4:00, Math for for K-2 (Zoom)
September 5 (M)
Labor Day – No School
September 6 (T)
Collaborative Planning Time for Lang Arts Adoption
8:00-10:00, Staff Meeting – If Needed
10:00-11:00, Optional New Staff Orientation and Q&A (Cafeteria)
2:00-3:00, Meet Your Teacher
3:00-4:00, Kona Shave Ice Fundraiser (Hard Play)
September 7 (W)
Classes Begin – First Day of School
7:00-9:00, School Board Meeting (Zoom)
September 8 (H)
Regular Day
September 9 (F)
1:30-2:30, Friday PD – Staff Choice
