https://blogs.4j.lane.edu/madisonstaff/2020/09/25/september-25th-2020/
Hello Madison Staff! As we head into this second week of school, the things you’re being asked to do might border on impossible, so do what you can do each day, focus on the things you have control over, and remember that your well-being is incredibly important. We get to see our kids and I hope their faces continue to bring you the joy we all need.
Word for the Week: This one doesn’t really need explaining. We’re all being asked to do something that’s never been done before on this grand of a scale. Grace, patience, and flexibility will be our anchors in the coming weeks.
Attendance – Teachers, we know there are many questions right now about the nuances of attendance. We know that it’s going to take some time to get the hang of it and nail down all of the “what about this” situations. We will be taking questions at Wednesday’s staff meeting, which will be perfect timing because Wednesday attendance will be a little different, with no Zoom classes. For now, though:
- Remember that students are absent only if they have done no Zoom, no activity on Canvas, AND no communication from or with the student.
- Use the attendance one-pager that Gina created to measure attendance and make note of any helpful hints for the staff meeting.
- New to Synergy? – check out this video of how to record attendance in Synergy
Staffing Update – Please welcome Stephanie Miller to the Madison staff! Stephanie is joining us from the transportation department beginning on Monday. After helping her get up to speed on everything Zoom and Canvas, she’ll be working with students served in the CLC program, attending classes along-side students to provide academic support.
EasyCBM/Assessments for Fall: Christina has created a great plan for administering easyCBMs in the next few weeks. However, the decision was made, today, to slow the rollout of assessments in order to really prioritize relationship-building in class AND to give ed-center folks time to create some thoughtful resources for supporting teachers with Zoom-based administration. Long story short – update coming on Wednesday – Don’t worry about it for now, yay!
Open House: Next Thursday 10/1 – More to come during the staff meeting – we’re researching the option of a webinar format.
New Process for 504 Requests – 4J is seeing an uptick in the amount of parents requesting 504 evaluations. In response to this, all requests for NEW 504 evaluations will be routed through the District 504 Coordinator. If you receive a call from a parent for a NEW 504 evaluation, explain to the parent we are centralizing the referral process and ask them to call SSD (541-790-7800). If you receive the request in an email, forward it to thomas_de@4j.lane.edu and indicate “New 504 Request” in the subject line. Please also let Anne know so he can follow up if needed. SSD staff have been trained on the procedures to complete child-find obligations and will work with the District 504 coordinator to that end. In addition, district-initiated referrals are also being routed through the District 504 coordinator. The linked Centralizing New 504 Request Process Document articulates the process for both parent-initiated and district-initiated 504 requests.
4J Student Services Newsletter – Linked here is the latest 4J Student Services Newsletter that was sent to SSD staff and principals. You must be in your 4J google account to access.
How to Make Remote Lessons More Inclusive – To build on our learning around UDL (Universal Design for Learning), this article from Education Dive details key ways to make lessons more inclusive. We’ve long used the word “access” to describe how many SPED students engage in an inclusive education model. We provide “access” to gen ed. But “access” can mean so many things to people. For some kids access meant simply they’re in the room while the content is taught, but little is asked around their engagement. For others, they’re provided with alternative assignments, while other kids experience general education just like their peers with strategic options that allow them to fully engage in learning. The bonus is that these strategic options – the article focuses on presentation and choice – benefit all students.
Schedule of Upcoming Events:
September 28 (M)
A Day
September 29 (T)
B Day
GLT during 10:45-11:45
September 30 (W)
Flex Day
GLT 9am
Staff Meeting at 10am
October 1 (Th)
A Day
Open House 6:30-7:30
October 2 (F)
B Day
Here’s to a great Second week of school!
Peter and Gina