Madison Middle School

By barsotti_p 　https://blogs.4j.lane.edu/madisonstaff/2021/04/23/april-23-2021/

Hi Monarchs,

The sun is out, spring is here, and 8 more weeks to go!

Here’s what’s happening this week:

This Week’s Schedule:

Quick Links: Please make sure you’re signed into your 4J Google Account to access many of these links. 

• SPED/Gen Ed Collaboration Log – Complete the full log at the beginning of each new math or ELA unit. Complete the last 2 questions weekly for students on IEPs who are not engaging or are not on track.
     

MADISON INFORMATION 

• Focus Slides 
  • Monday – Canvas Self Check
  • Tuesday –  Mindfulness and Flex Wednesday Planning
  • Thursday – Earthquake Drill Instruction
  • Friday – Team Building – Word Scramble

• Wednesday Climate Vision Work: We’ll be analyzing our data from the “Why” and begin a conversation about moving to the “How” and the “What”
      
• Student Supplies for Next Year: We just learned that schools will be provided with a pot of funds to purchase school supplies for next year. At a team meeting at a later date, we will discuss the items each grade level would like to have.
       
• Weekly Check In: Linked here is the staff weekly check-in. We’d like to know how you’re doing and be able to offer support for those who need it. This is also a great place to share a shout-out to a colleague in recognition of the great work that you’re all doing.

DISTRICT INFORMATION

• ACE Award Nominees: Congratulations to Madison’s 2021 ACE award nominees, Jason Erickson, Ken Walker, and Audrey Wiltz! We’re all so excited to celebrate you!
  • We will be holding a virtual awards presentation through Zoom and broadcast on Facebook on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. Watch for more details to come. I hope you will join us to honor and celebrate our colleagues!
  • Complete list of 4J nominees

• Summer School: There will be more summer school opportunities this year for students. We don’t yet have any information about when the program will be, when we can sign kids up, or how many students we can send.  They are currently hiring teachers. 
  • Application for summer school teachers (closes May 7)
• State Testing – Peter, Gina, and Christina will take Q and A on Wednesday at the staff meeting, about OSAS and easyCBM spring testing.  
  • Oregon requested a waiver of all state testing this spring, but this wish was not granted. Instead, the U.S. Department of Education approved a waiver for Oregon to greatly reduce the amount of testing conducted this year.
    The number of tests Oregon schools will administer this spring is reduced by nearly half, and the length of each test is significantly shortened. ODE estimates that the planned tests will take on average about 1–1½ hours total for students in grades 3–6 and 2–2½ hours total for students in grades 7, 8 and 11. 
    Our district has developed a plan for state testing to meet the state and federal mandates and not risk our federal funding, minimize the impact on teacher time and student learning, and provide options for families. 
    4J schools will conduct state testing on Wednesdays in May, outside of regular class times. To avoid taking up the limited time teachers have with students this spring, testing will not be conducted during regular synchronous (live) learning time. Tests will be proctored by guest teachers and classified employees. 
    Families have three options for their students in grades 3–8 and 11 (there are no summative assessments for students in grades K, 1, 2, 9, 10 or 12): 
    • Complete state tests as scheduled 
    • Opt in to complete additional tests for the other subjects normally tested at their grade level
    • Opt out and not complete state tests this year

What’s Coming Next Week: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Peter and Gina