Week of September 20

 

According to researcher John Hattie, Collective teacher efficacy or the belief in our ability to positively affect students, "is beyond three times more powerful and predictive than socio-economic status (0.52). It is also greater than three times more likely to influence student achievement than student motivation and concentration, persistence, and engagement (0.48)." 

Extended Learning and Wellness: In talking to teachers, I think it would be prudent to begin Wellness during our second trimester.  That gives everyone an opportunity to think about how they want to use that time with kids. We will begin extended learning this week on September 23.  Tony will have the Gym open for students who are eligible.  If you are you able to offer an alternative activity for students during that hour, please email me ASAP.

Assessment Completion

Our current window for our fall screening assessments closes on September 30th. The percentage completed by building is regularly updated at any time on MyCDASchools > Assessments.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Gonzalez and Gaynor

Monday 9/20: Non work day

Tuesday 9/21: 

Wednesday 9/22:  2:30 MTSS meeting

Thursday 9/23: Picture day, staff picture @7:30am

Friday 9/24: Happy Birthday, Caryn!  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy

Monday 9/27: PD day for certified staff

Tuesday 9/28: 

Wednesday 9/29:  

Thursday 9/30: 

Friday 10/1: Flex Day No School

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 10/4: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/5: 

Wednesday 10/6:  Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/7: 

Friday 10/8: 

Week of September 13

 

Teaching and learning are inherently vulnerable processes.  Powerful experiences in teaching and learning involve leaving our comfort zones; being open about our struggles; showing our humor, enthusiasm and passions; and admitting our faults. These leave both teacher and learner open to the potential for ridicule or mocking; and yet, they are also the foundation upon which the relationships that make learning possible are built.  

The classroom is my favorite place to be.  Whether as a teacher, a learner or an observer, I am captivated by the teacher moves that prompt student responses. The dynamic interplay amongst the actors is a study in courage and resilience.  Teachers routinely pour their hearts into lessons with guarded hope that students will receive them with open hearts ready to learn.  But, learning is risky business and the emotional wounds from previous vulnerability may still be a bit raw.  And wounded hearts seek to wound other hearts.  Upon this stage Venture teachers practice their craft.  

Thank you for your courage to model for students the vulnerability that makes relationship and learning possible.  Thank you for your willingness to risk the emotional pain that comes with vulnerability.  Thank you for nurturing your own resilience and modeling that for students.

“As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subject, and our way of being together.”  Parker J. Palmer

Reflection Points:  

• How are you nurturing your own resilience as you work with students?
• In what ways can we support one another as a team?

Canva: Has now been set up for district use. Here's a teacher onboarding guide with teachers and staff. Please take note especially of the login directions (here's a separate copy with the login pages only, if that's helpful) - there are a few steps that are crucial for folks who already have pre-existing Canva accounts.

Canva is also linked to Schoology and can be found in your course on the left-hand menu or in “Add Materials.”

From Kate Keinert:  Would you like to serve on the POG indicator team?  A stipend is available.  If so, let me know ASAP.

From Jeff Voeller:  Cleaning Protocol: We will be using the same cleaning protocol as we used last year for classrooms. The custodial team will use a heavy-duty disinfectant that requires a 30 minute dwell time, so it must sit on the surface at least 30 minutes and then be wiped. We will continue to ask teachers to use the food-grade sanitizer to wipe the desktops and counter surfaces each morning in their classroom to complete this second step of wiping. If you have any questions about this process or need supplies please check with Autumn.

Bus/Parking lot duty:  Pavlik and Penske

Technology wasn't quite what we'd hoped for last week, so FastBridge testing continues this week.

Monday 9/13: Non work day

Tuesday 9/14: 
Wednesday 9/15: Kaiser out of building @am (Diana Baker is admin designee when I'm away) 2:30 Design Team meeting

Thursday 9/16: Kaiser out of building@am (Diana Baker is admin designee when I'm away)

Friday 9/17: Kaiser out of building@pm (Diana Baker is admin designee when I'm away)

Bus/Parking lot duty: Gonzalez and Gaynor

Monday 9/20: Non work day

Tuesday 9/21: 

Wednesday 9/22:  2:30 MTSS meeting

Thursday 9/23: 

Friday 9/24: Happy Birthday, Caryn!  Picture day, staff picture @7:30am.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Higgs and Levy

Monday 9/27: PD day for certified staff

Tuesday 9/28: 

Wednesday 9/29:  

Thursday 9/30: 

Friday 10/1: Flex Day No School

First Week of School

 

Points for reflection:

One thing I love about the field of education is that each new school year brings with it an opportunity to experience the world through a fresh lens.  As you think about the year ahead with students, what new perspective, idea, or practice are you embracing?

As we greet new and returning students this week, what is your hope?

A survey for Portrait of a Graduate is in each of your boxes.  Please complete and return to my box by 3:30 Wednesday

Schoology:  Another school year begins with students in quarantine.  Please be sure to post lessons in Schoology.  If you want to use the SWIVL to record any portion of your lesson to post for absent students, I have it.  We've tried to purchase more SWIVL's, but they have been out of stock since last spring.

Observations and Evaluations: As with previous years, observations, evaluations, and Professional Learning Plans will be accomplished through Homeroom.  Reminder: It's the blue house in MyCDASchools.  For certified staff, the first task that needs to be completed is the Teacher Professional Learning Plan.  A copy of the form can be found in Helpful Links---->  This is just for your use to jot down what you want to say.  The information needs to be entered into homeroom.  If you need help with this, come and see me.

For classified staff, the first task is the Professional Growth Plan.  If you have any problems accessing it, come see me and I will help you find it.

The first observation will be in person, but I will also use the SWIVL to record the session.  A schedule will be coming out next week for you to sign up for an observation time and a pre-observation meeting.  Your work with students to facilitate their learning is the reason Venture High School exists and our conversations around that process is the most exciting aspect of my job.  I look forward to meeting with you and spending time in your classrooms.

Bus/Parking lot duty:  Walker and Posey

This week students in English and Math will be FastBridge testing

Tuesday 9/7: 

Wednesday 9/8: Turn in POG surveys

Thursday 9/9: 

Friday 9/10: 

Bus/Parking lot duty:  Pavlik and Penske

Monday 9/13: Non work day

Tuesday 9/14: 
Wednesday 9/15: Kaiser out of building (Diana Baker is admin designee when I'm away)

Thursday 9/16: 

Friday 9/17: