Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Update from Parent Canvas
We recently created a Canvas course for parents to engage in so they know what it is like to navigate Canvas as a student. Parents log on, accept the course, and have the opportunity to answer some questions about the strategic plan, personalized learning, 1:1, etc. A piece of feedback we received was that students are hesitant to share pairing codes with parents because they have not been instructed by their teachers to do so. Please encourage your students to share these pairing codes with their parents. The more we can communicate to parents what is happening the better.
Big 6 Bus Routes
We are THRILLED to share that our administrative team is also engaged in writing proficiency tables and plans of work for the school year. Our tables will focus on 6 areas that encompass almost all facets of learning, engaging, collaborating, and social-emotional growth. Our team has divided itself into the following areas (stated as We Can statements):
-We can utilize technology in a 1:1 learning format with students
-We can implement and monitor the effectiveness of an MTSS system that focuses on customized intervention for identified students
-We can create and utilize proficiency-tables for content area learning progressions
-We can develop a system of progress reporting (SBG) based on proficiency-tables
-We can build support for our staff and students' mental health in order to be most productive in learning
-We can create a community of leaders and learners that exhibit collective efficacy in order to best serve all students
When you visit Meredith for PD this year, you will see these routes posted on the North wall, along with our reported standards (depot stops!) for each of the 6 focus areas (bus routes). At any given time, you can see where we are with accomplishing these standards. As the proficiency tables are developed, this work will manifest itself into a variety of opportunities for PD, committee work, KLC work, etc. We will begin to collect work samples of what the proficiencies look like in practice at the different buildings, and you can always have individual conversations with your building administrative team as questions arise.
We are really excited to be engaging in this work. As I imagine is happening in your team discussions, we are having some very crucial and challenging conversations as we develop our work. These conversations are thought-provoking and meant to engage us all in deep conversation to improve our understanding. I am hopeful that all of our teams are having similar conversations as you all work on this. We grow the most when we are pushed beyond our comfort zone. Keep up the great work! We are all in the this together!
-We can utilize technology in a 1:1 learning format with students
-We can implement and monitor the effectiveness of an MTSS system that focuses on customized intervention for identified students
-We can create and utilize proficiency-tables for content area learning progressions
-We can develop a system of progress reporting (SBG) based on proficiency-tables
-We can build support for our staff and students' mental health in order to be most productive in learning
-We can create a community of leaders and learners that exhibit collective efficacy in order to best serve all students
When you visit Meredith for PD this year, you will see these routes posted on the North wall, along with our reported standards (depot stops!) for each of the 6 focus areas (bus routes). At any given time, you can see where we are with accomplishing these standards. As the proficiency tables are developed, this work will manifest itself into a variety of opportunities for PD, committee work, KLC work, etc. We will begin to collect work samples of what the proficiencies look like in practice at the different buildings, and you can always have individual conversations with your building administrative team as questions arise.
We are really excited to be engaging in this work. As I imagine is happening in your team discussions, we are having some very crucial and challenging conversations as we develop our work. These conversations are thought-provoking and meant to engage us all in deep conversation to improve our understanding. I am hopeful that all of our teams are having similar conversations as you all work on this. We grow the most when we are pushed beyond our comfort zone. Keep up the great work! We are all in the this together!
Collaborative Inquiry Data Dive is Open to All
This year we are expanding the collaborative Inquiry practices at EC-5. We would like to invite any and all staff to be part of the data dive portion of this team's work. Please see the data dive Canvas module to take part and share your insights and feedback. Input from all staff is encouraged. Please enter all feedback on your data by October 15th. We look forward to this collaborative review of our progress.
Be sure to join the class and remember to go through each of the side menu tasks: modules first, assignments next, discussion last.
https://kaneland.instructure.com/enroll/PY9B7H. Alternatively, they can sign up at https://kaneland.instructure.com/register and use the following join code: PY9B7H
Be sure to join the class and remember to go through each of the side menu tasks: modules first, assignments next, discussion last.
https://kaneland.instructure.com/enroll/PY9B7H. Alternatively, they can sign up at https://kaneland.instructure.com/register and use the following join code: PY9B7H
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Notes from the HR Office
Please see below for some important updates/information from Mr. Adkins and the HR office:
- TRS Informational Meeting - There will be an informational meeting on October 3rd at 4:30pm at Geneva High School. If you are contemplating putting in for retirement in the coming years, please consider attending this meeting. It is open to all TRS annuitants, and there is no RSVP needed. Flyer attached.
- GCN Modules - Please remember to complete your GCN modules by September 15th. The District would then plan to pay out the GCN Stipend in October. Thanks!
- Sub Preparation - Please be sure to update any 'sub folders' you may have with current rosters, IEP/504 expectations, Health Concerns, etc. Subs all attended a training this summer in preparation for the coming year, and this was the number one concern/question from them. Thank you for your help with this!
- Graduate Coursework - Please be sure to pre-approve any coursework that you are taking. The pre-approval form can be found here on our website. Thanks!
Attachment: TRS Flyer
SIP Team Data Collection Dates
It is that time of year already, SIP data collection is coming! Over the course of the next few weeks you will have SIP teams, Instructional Coaches, and Administrators coming around to your classrooms to interview and chat with students regarding the proficiency based progress use of I can statements and feedback associated with their lesson I can statements. This year, based on feedback from last year, we have assigned staff to collected data at a grade span that have experience or work at that grade span. The staff will be coming around to hold discussions and collected data from September 9th to September 20th. Thank you for taking the time to allow staff to visit and see samples of the great learning in your classrooms.
One Page Competition Last Call
This is the last week to submit a one pager to win Spirit wear! We have had some great submissions so far. Please remember to take time to reflect on what proficiency based table creation is and keys to this process. See this link for all details. Thank you again for amazing work on our proficiency tables.
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