https://blogs.4j.lane.edu/chinn/?p=13311
Hello Bolts,
The best conference advice I have is to convey to parents that you know their child (share a story or two) and that you care about their child (speak well of them and that you believe in them), which makes it far easier for parents hear about areas for improvement. My other favorite tip is to start conferences by asking parents, “How do things look from your end?” which ensures you have enough time to talk about anything on their mind.
Fourteen items of note for this week:
• PTO Conference Pot Luck – The PTO is providing meals for staff Monday and Tuesday. They will load up food at lunch and then leftovers for dinner. Looking at the PTO Potluck SignUpGenius it looks like a Taco Bar Monday and Soup & Salad Tuesday.
• Fire Marshall Re-Inspection, WEDNESDAY – The Fire Marshall will be back this Wednesday to make sure all areas of concern have been fixed. The three main areas cited were:
• Twinkle Lights – Unless they are special models that meet fire code, they are not allowed.
• 3-D paper Decorations – Fold-out snowflakes or paper lanterns and such, which is a new rule to me, are no longer allowed. In the past, it was only if these were hanging from the ceiling or lights they would cite us, but the new rule is all combustibles (i.e. paper, cloth, etc.) need to be flush with the wall.
• 3-Feet Egress – Make sure there is no furniture blocking doors. You should have a clear path where you can easily walk while holding a yardstick.If Jeremy or I spoke with you earlier, make sure your areas have been corrected.
• Wednesday PD, 11/29: Conferences Feedback – Principals were asked to dedicate some time for staff to provide feedback regarding conferences, which were somewhat different this year. We’ll plan to do this Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 1:30 in the library during our Wednesday PD time.
• Erin’s Law & Second Step Child Safety Unit – All classroom teachers should use the Second Step Child Protection Unit for meeting the state Erin’s Law requirements. For each grade level, there are six lessons, which are to be covered at three points in the school year, with lessons 1-4 before winter break, lesson 5 right before spring break, and lesson 6 right before summer break. Each grade level has their own kit, but linked here are Child Protection Unit Scans of the teacher guides (here’s a District Link that has additional files) if that makes things easier.
• Erin’s Law Parent Notification – Not this week, but next week I will send the following notification to families about Erin’s Law:
Erin’s Law and Child Abuse Prevention Lessons
Oregon law requires all students are educated about child abuse and what to do if it is happening to them or someone they know. All students participate in 4-6 developmentally appropriate lessons each year regarding personal safety. This includes lessons in general safety and specific information about recognizing, responding to, and reporting child sexual abuse. The lessons are spread out across the year to ensure students consistently receive messaging about keeping themselves safe. See the linked Erin’s Law Parent Information for additional informaiton.
• Second Step Pacing Guide – Related to the above, I wanted to re-highlight the Second Step Pacing Guide, but don’t fee bad if you’re behind. The guide is good to make sure you’re hitting each topic area.
• Data Team Meetings – Data Team Meetings are coming soon and this year downtown is having them focus on Tier 1 classroom whole group instruction and Tier 2 classroom level groups. We’ll have roving subs on the following dates:
Tuesday, Dec. 5:
4th – 10:55-11:55
2nd – 12:05-1:05
KG – 1:15-2:15Thursday, Dec. 7:
1st – 8:00-9:00
5th – 9:10-10:10
3rd – 10:45-11:45
• Computer Science Education Week Dec. 4-8 – Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code is in a couple weeks, Dec. 4 – 8. This is an annual call to action to inspire students to learn computer science and here are a few resources you could use with kids that week:
• The Hour of Code Games
⁃ Minecraft
⁃ Star Wars
⁃ Frozen
⁃ Angry Birds
⁃ The Grinch
• Google Hour of Code Activities
• Microsoft MakeCode Arcade
• Minecraft Education Edition Hour of Code Escape Estate
• Khan Academy
• Holt PBIS Incentive Programs – A reminder, linked here is an explanation of Holt’s Positive Incentives, which includes ZAPs, Orange Tickets, Spirit Tickets, the ZAP Fairy, and prize explanations. See the Holt Staff Dashboard Behavior Column for more info, including the ZAP Prize List, the ZAP Drawing Nomination Sheet, and others. There’s also Incentives info in the Holt Staff Handbook.
• Spanish Versions of Major Referrals – It’s not a frequent occurrence, but know that we have Major Referrals in Spanish in the office if you have to write a referral for a student where the home language is Spanish.
• WREN Newsletter & Paid Zoom PDs – The latest Western Regional Educator Network (WREN) Newsletter has some new Zoom PDs. I signed up for one titled “Regulate, Relate, Reason” in January that’ll pay you $260 to attend all three 2-hour Zooms. See the above linked newsletter for how to sign up!
• Schools “Can’t Sit Out” AI – Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Education Roberto Rodriguez emphasizes that school districts should integrate artificial intelligence into education because avoiding it could disadvantage students in a future dominated by technology. Rodriguez highlighted the importance of teacher-led decision-making and collaboration between AI developers and educators. See this EdWeek Article for details.
•Repeats & Reminders – See prior announcements for details:
• Fall Conferences Reminders – Several conference-related items:
• Share w/Families “Conscious Discipline Parent Nights” – If it comes up at conferences that parents are struggling with behavior at home, share with them the parent education series, “School to Heart to Home – Conscious Discipline Parent Nights.” It will be every Tuesday for 8 weeks, Jan. 9 – Feb. 27. Parents should reserve a spot by contacting Jenny at (541) 790-6173 or potter_je@4j.lane.edu or teachers can pass parent contact info to Jenny as well.
• Items to Review at Conferences – Teachers should review the Title 1 Compact, the Annual Permissions Form, the Student Tech Contract (K-2 and 3-5) if you haven’t already, and if you would like, you can also use the Synergy Family Report, which has attendance, benchmark, and OSAS info.
• Language Link Phone Translations – See the 4J Language Link Interpreting Service webpage for step-by-step directions on how to do translations for in-person meetings, phone meetings, or Zoom meetings. The “cost center number” for Holt is 270.
• EA Assistance During Conferences Sign-Up – If teachers could use any help with prep or other tasks, add your name and the task to the EA Assistance Spreadsheet. EAs should also add your name to the tasks you’d be willing to take on
• Staff Not in Conferences – Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are regular work days for all staff who are not part of conferences and should work their regular hours at school. However, if you pre-arrange trade time with me to not work Wednesday, email me your plan ahead of time. HR Emailed principals they are also making a one-time exception to allow personal days on Wednesday for classified staff.
• Resources for Families – Should any families request assistance with food, clothing, housing/rental assistance, hygiene products, SNAP (food stamps) Benefits, Insurance, counseling, and such, please have them fill out the linked Helping Hand Online Form or contact Holt Family Resource Coordinator, Felicia LaCuesta, at lacuesta_f@4j.lane.edu or call her at (541)790-6174.
• Mandatory Bus Training – The Annual Bus Safety Training is due by the end of December. Teachers should review the following two handouts:
• Riding the School Bus Safely in English and Spanish
• Emergency Exits HandoutLet me know the date you reviewed the handouts, so I can add it to the completion form I need to submit downtown. There are videos teachers can show in addition to the handouts.
•Schedule of Upcoming Events – See the Holt Staff Calendar for future events, but here are the events of note for the next two weeks:
November 20 (M)
ALL STAFF, Staff Room Duty
8:00-8:00, No School – Conferences
11:00-11:40, K-2 Lunch
11::20-12:00, 3-5 Lunch
5:00-5:40, 3-5 Dinner
5:20-6:00, K-2 DinnerNovember 21 (T)
8:00-8:00, No School – Conferences
11:00-11:40, K-2 Lunch
11::20-12:00, 3-5 Lunch
5:00-5:40, 3-5 Dinner
5:20-6:00, K-2 DinnerNovember 22 (W)
No School – Conference Comp DayNovember 23 (H)
No School – Thanksgiving HolidayNovember 24 (F)
No School – Thanksgiving HolidayNovember 27 (M)
1st Grade, Staff Room Duty
8:00, Morning Announcements (Zoom) Pledge Sign-Up
2:45, IPBS Meeting (Calming Room)
3:00-5:00, Allan to All Admin Meeting (Ed Center)November 28 (T)
11:00-12:00, 4th Grade Garden
12:00, Student Council (Reich’s Room)
1:00-2:00, 4th Grade Garden
2:45-3:30, Grade Level Team MeetingsNovember 29 (W)
1:30-2:30, Wed. PD – Upbeat Survey ResultsNovember 30 (H)
8:50-10:35, Book Nook (Cafeteria)
2:45-3:30, Equity & Inclusion Team Meeting (Kelsey’s Room)December 1 (F)
Dental Sealants (time is TBA)
Happy conferencing and enjoy the holiday weekend!
Allan
