Aesop Service Upgrade

Please know that Aesop is upgrading their software and website over the summer.  When you return in August, you will receive an email asking you to log in and confirm your password.  Please be sure to click on the link and follow the directions.  It should only take a minute the first time you log in.  If you have any questions, or encounter any issues, please contact Linda Ross at x71113.  

Summer Canvas training options

We are still waiting for the details of our contract with Canvas to be finalized.  As soon as they are, we will share login information with all staff.  We are hopeful that we will be able to do that before you all head home for break.

In the meantime, please check out this Google Slides presentation for more information on potential (optional) training options for Canvas over the Summer.  Please remember that at this point the tool is a pilot, but in an effort to get the best feedback possible we want to offer training for folks that might be interested.  Some of these training options are tied to earning in-district credit.

If you have any questions, please talk to Mike or Sarah!

1st-5th Grade Parent Preview

This past week we hosted the annual Parent Preview for the incoming 1st through 5th grade parents.  The link shared below was the presentation shared.  It was a great discussion with the community.  Please feel free to the link for this presentation with all of your families.  Thank you!

https://www.emaze.com/@AOLCQLWRF/parent-roadshow-2018

TIC Update

The Teacher Initiatives Council met for their last meeting of the year this week. The following was an update from the topics discussed:

• The power half hour structure that will be used next year will be to do SEL lessons 1 PHH per week in September, December, January, and May. Reading PHH Reading will only be 4 days per week on those months. The first three weeks of September will be SEL every day. All other months will be 5 days Reading PHH per week with SEL embedded in other content areas the rest of the day. Will need to communicate to staff that the expectation is that SEL lessons still take place 1x/week all year, but they will need to embed in their instruction on “off” months. Over the course of the summer the Social Work staff will revise the lesson calendar based on feedback from the council. 

• Progress report 

• The Exploratory staff is looking into some edits to their maps for next year. They will also be looking at common assessments next year. 

Please be sure to apply for TIC next year. At this time we only have 4 members returning. Here is the link Application




Thank you all members this year! It has been a pleasure working with all of you this school year.

Micro-Credentialing & In-District Credit

What is micro-credentialing?

Micro-credentialing is the act of completing a sequence of professional development opportunities designed to increase your expertise on a specific topic.  The opportunities that lead up to earning a micro-credential can take many forms.  You might participate in a book study, take an online “class,” read a book and implement an idea in your classroom, do some focused research on a topic, or a plethora of other experiences that may come up throughout the year.  Our hope is that some of you may even propose your own micro-credentials and pathways toward meeting them!

Microcredentials are designed to equate to 10 hours of work and include a reflection or example  how the knowledge you’ve gained will be applied in your own classroom with your own students.

Why earn a micro-credential?
Micro-credentialing allows you to focus on the elements of Kaneland 2020 that are most appealing to you and applicable to your work.  It allows you to narrow your focus and hone in on the pieces of the puzzle that will help you grow most as an educator or be most meaningful to your students.  In addition, by earning a micro-credential you can gain 1.0 hour of in-district salary advancement credit!  You can earn up to 12 credits in this manner on the salary schedule bachelor lanes and another 12 credits in this manner in the master’s degree lanes.  More information on this type of advancement can be found in the current KEA Agreement in section 5.10B.

How can I start earning?
The first opportunity to begin earning micro-credentials is planned to come as part of some optional Canvas training sessions over the summer (more news to come as this is finalized!)  After that, more opportunities will come on the heels of Personalized Learning Academy 2.0.  After completing the required components of Academy 2.0, you will have the opportunity to expand your learning by completing pre-determined pathways of study (or creating one of your own choosing).  Each of these pathways will consist of 5 experiences designed to take no longer than 2 hours each and will culminate in an opportunity to demonstrate your learning in order to earn the microcredential.