As a Special Education teacher (and the only one for only a short period of time longer) I am in a unique position to see Venture work and I am often reminded of this quote.  I see so many amazing things done by amazing teachers.  I see so much passion and desire, as well as frustration and angst that builds up.  Although we may seem disconnected at times, on our own islands trying to survive, we are all very much engrained to the fabric of this school year and to one another.  

To sum this up I see so much caring.

I also see some struggling.  I see learners not being able to complete given tasks, behaviorally not able to sit through a class, and a great many not care at all whether they make it, whether they become a success story or give in to the pressures either internally or externally to show up and care.  

To sum this up I see our juxtaposition.

With that being said, I struggle.  The main focus of my practice as an educator is to help kids normalize their behavior and most days, I fail.  Sometimes I fail miserably while others are a simple swing and a miss.  Then occasionally I knock one out of the park (well...at least hit a ground rule double).  Those days feel so good.  They help me wake up in the morning, they give me the strength to keep forging on, to lace up my spikes and step up to the plate once more.  So now, here are some things that have worked for me and hopefully help you as well.

OPR (Ownership, Plan, Repair)

 

We developed this process to take the “sting” out of correction, to help students look intrinsically at the issue and figure out what the ideal response is.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AIJVs3NUfQHLB5gqG7DevsmuzVfjCOgC1brH-YIGUu4/edit?usp=sharing

TBRI

TBRI Resources

The idea of connection before correction- for the ability to make change there has to be a relationship first.  The more depth the better.

Playful engagement-Lightening the moment and disarming the behavior

Structured Engagement-When disarming the situation doesn’t work, explicitly telling the student what needs to happen

I know that the day-to-day is a grind.  I know that sometimes it feels as though we are running in circles and some that we are banging our heads against a wall and some days feel like those ideas combined. Give yourself grace. Give yourself time. If you need to take away from your content and go back over your norms, do it. If you need support in a specific area, reach out to those who do it well. Take time to get kids excited about what they are learning. Help them understand what you are teaching them and why.

Education can be such a beautiful mess. Helping kids advocate for themselves, helping them find their voice, and letting them take ownership of their educational environment can be a cacophony of chaos. But take a deep breath, lean on each other, and do the best we can. 

Go forth and conquer 

For the earth is small

And you are a giant

And every step

You take

Will make the ground shake

As it rises

To meet you

-Atticus Poetry

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 10/18: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/19:  Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee

Wednesday 10/20:  Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/21: 

Friday 10/22: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 10/25: PD Day 

Tuesday 10/26: 

Wednesday 10/27:  

Thursday 10/28:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/29:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Bus/Parking lot duty: Mazhan and Posey

Monday 11/1: Non-Work Day 

Tuesday 11/2:

Wednesday 11/3  

Thursday 11/4:  

Friday 11/5: 

Week of October 11

 

I am filled with gratitude.  This is such a stressful time for so many and yet, as I visit classrooms it is clear that no corners have been cut in the delivery of quality instruction for students.  They are learning through PBL, protocol guided academic conversation, service based learning and more.  They are being challenged, stretched and coached.  I can scarcely imagine the hours of planning that have gone into creating these experiences through which young minds are nurtured to learn and grow.  Thank you.

The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us

Xello

Thanks to all of you who have your advisory students doing assignments in Xello.  If you haven't already, please assign a lesson from Xello in the next week.  They should all complete their own grade level lessons at the minimum and they can also work on previous lessons that would still be relevant for them.

Wellness Reminder

We will be offering Wellness on Fridays during second term.  This reminder is to give everyone a chance to think about what they want to do with students during that time.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 10/11: PD Day: Agenda

Tuesday 10/12: 

Wednesday 10/13:  Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee; MTSS meeting

Thursday 10/14: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/15: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 10/18: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/19:  Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee

Wednesday 10/20:  Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/21: 

Friday 10/22: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Baker and Doering

Monday 10/25: PD Day 

Tuesday 10/26: 

Wednesday 10/27:  

Thursday 10/28:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/29:  Kaiser out Baker is Admin Designee

Week of October 4

 

Dear Venture Educators,

Remember, regardless of what happens in the community, we are the ones that hold learning together for our Venture students.  We provide a safe place for kids to learn and grow despite individual beliefs about masks or mandates.  We're in this together.  Thank you for everything you do to help our students weather this storm.

Attendance

Gayle has graciously agreed to help us manage attendance make-up.  The gist of the plan:

• A roster of student absences will be created and maintained by Gayle
• At the third absence, she will send both student and parent an email (I have been calling home for students with 5 or more absences)
• An email will be sent home for each subsequent absences
• Students making up absences will need to report to her (in the health room)  
• They can either work with Gayle or go to teachers to make up their time and receive assistance.
• It is important for teachers to let Gayle know (by email) if students stay after school to work with them so they get credit for their time.
• Gayle will let teachers know when kids have made up hours.  Teachers should check with Gayle before assigning an Inc. for absences at the end of the term.

This is bound to have its bumps in implementation, but having one person oversee the management holds more promise for it working effectively to change attendance behaviors.  Gayle is managing the logistics; however, we all need to communicate to make it work.  Let's keep the lines of communication open and work together to improve attendance.

Bus/Parking lot duty: Eastman and Mahoney

Monday 10/4: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/5: 

Wednesday 10/6:  Kaiser @ SERP mtg.  Baker- Admin. Designee; Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/7: 

Friday 10/8: 

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hook and Fehling

Monday 10/11: PD Day

Tuesday 10/12: 

Wednesday 10/13:  Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee; MTSS meeting

Thursday 10/14: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Friday 10/15: Kaiser @ Conference  Baker is Admin Designee

Bus/Parking lot duty: Cooley and Smith

Monday 10/18: Non-work day

Tuesday 10/19:  Kaiser out @ AM Baker- Admin. designee

Wednesday 10/20:  Kaiser out @ AM Design Team Meeting

Thursday 10/21: 

Friday 10/22: 

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:

Welcome Back

I am excited to welcome each of you to the 2021-2022 school year!  I hope you found time this summer to rest and refresh and that you feel ready to return to students and learning.

This year we welcome Travis Walker to Venture as a math teacher.

We also welcome Christy, Adam, and Jessica as they return from the eSchool.

This summer, one of our parents phoned the office to express his gratitude for the changes he sees in his son. Previously he had been to public schools, a charter and a private school. But he said his son found what he needed in the caring staff at Venture. 

This is significant work we are doing at Venture High School. We are transforming teaching and learning in real time and in a way that fundamentally shifts how our students and community experience 'school'.  We have accomplished much.  What is possible for our Venture community in the coming school year?

 

Reflection point... 

What do you want to be possible for yourself and the young learners in your charge this year?

 

Rundown of dates and times:

8/25 - 10:00 - 6:00   Registration BBQ Open house- For all certified staff

8/30 -  7:30 - 9:30    District-wide Kick off at LCHS  - For all staff

           10:00 - 1:00  Staff meeting in the library- For all certified staff and instructional paras

           1:15 - 3:00    Plan for student orientation - All certified staff

8/31 -  8:00- 1:00    Classroom time

           1:00 - 2:00    Xello training - All certified Staff (bring a Chromebook)

           2:00 - 3:30   Classroom time

9/1 -    8:00 - 12:30  Work on student orientation/ classroom time

           12:30- 3:30  Student Orientation - All Certified Staff

9/2 -   8:00-10:00    Staff Meeting in Library - All Certified Staff

           10:00- 3:30  Classroom time and department meetings

9/7   First day of school