Adaptive Pause Procedures

Please note this is just an FYI in case it is needed this Winter and Spring.  Please see the adaptive pause procedures to prepare as needed.  Please remember this is just in case it is is needed at a school, department, or district level.  Please be sure to familiarize yourself with Google Meets and make sure you are posting daily work on Canvas for any students absent.  There are tips for both Google Meets and Canvas at the end of the linked document. 

Just In Case...Google Meet and Canvas Update

 As we all know COVID is still throwing an unknown factor in our planning for learning this Spring.  We would like to encourage all staff to be sure to explore and have knowledge of the following in case we need to do a short term adaptive pause:

1.  Make sure you grade span common Canvas Welcome page is updated and includes a current Google Meet link

2. Make sure you have been posting learning materials on Canvas and students know how to access them

3.  Make sure your students and families know how to access your Canvas welcome page with all key information

4. Be sure to practice using Google Meets and breakout rooms (practice with a peer)

5. Check out these great links created by the Coaches to assist you in knowing Canvas and Google Meets

Canvas Tips

Google Meet Resource

Google Meet Tips

K-5 Post Writing Guidelines

Please know the District Post Writing guidelines have now been updated.  Please feel free to use the link below to access the logistics of the post informational writing assessment.  If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact an Instructional Coach to support you in the post assessment process.  

Writing Guidelines (Be sure to use the bookmark at the top of the first page to access the post assessment) 

MTSS 2022-23 Timeline and Keys

 We are excited to purse the shift to MTSS next school year in all grade spans.  Please see this google slides to see the non-negotiables and timeline for the transition.  Over the course of the next few months we will be sharing more details as they become available.  Please contact any MTSS Steering Committee Member if you have any questions.  

Kaneland Featured in Institute for PL Blog!

 

We are excited to share that Kaneland's work within the area of personalized learning has been featured in the Institute for Personalized Learning's blog! The Institute seeks posts from across the country that detail relevant, research-based topics related to personalized learning. Submissions are chosen based on editorial criteria, as well as general usefulness and applicability to member districts in a variety of states. We are honored to have the collective work of our district recognized and thank each one of you for connecting and committing to increasing student ownership of learning. If you are interested in reading the post, it can be found HERE. 

Fun Fact:  Dr. Cory J. Steiner, Superintendent for Northern Cass School District in North Dakota, saw the post and has reached out seeking collaboration opportunities with Kaneland! How cool is that!?!

January Star Search

The first Kaneland Star Search of 2022 is here! Please consider nominating a staff member for the January drawing. The theme this month is 1:1 Learning. Take just a moment to recognize a colleague who excels at balancing face-to-face learning with technology-enhanced learning, recognizes and implements different levels of the SAMR model within instruction in intentional ways, or strives to support parent navigation of the tools within Canvas. Let's start the new year off with an abundance of nominations! As always, one nominee will be chosen at random to receive a Box o' Fun and all nominees will have their names added to the Wall of Fame at Meredith!  

        Don't hesitate, nominate!! Click HERE!!

All About Our Knights

  Let's take some time to share fun facts about our Knight Family.  Can you figure out which Knight each one of these clues are:

1. Who was born in Germany?

2. Who knows sign language and has been signing since they were 10 years old?

3.  Who first went to school for culinary arts for 2 years?

4. Who used to dance: Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop?

Here are a few hints to help:

Tracy Mazurkiewcz- KST

Rebecca Kennedy- KBK

Sean Herron-KBK

Rebecca Mann KBK

Kaneland Connects Meme Contest

Happy New Year!  We hope you are all off to a great new year start.  We know it is a difficult time of the year and transitioning back can be difficult this year, so we wanted to offer just a small bit of fun.  We continue to encourage all staff to try to balance work and fun.  This month we are asking anyone who wants to participate for a chance to win a great Kaneland Connects prize, to submit a meme that shows your reflection and excitement about Kaneland Connects or any of the Five Commitments.  Submit your meme with a brief description to Sarah Mumm at 10358@kanland.org.  Thank you

Personalized Learning Steering Committee Joint Statement

 The PL Steering Committee met on Thursday, December 16th from 3-5pm. As you'll recall, the committee is charged with the creation of the IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy AND infusing the tenets of personalized learning within all Kaneland schools. Please see below for an update on both areas of our work. 

Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy- Several key topics related to planning for the opening of IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy in the fall of 2023 were reviewed and discussed at our recent meeting. Topics included using the colors from the graduate profile image when designing the Academy spaces, potential staffing numbers, use of a student-generated 20 block schedule, specific room locations at Meredith, student/ staff start and end times, learner profile tools, exploratory structures, and how to structure the first 6 weeks of school to acclimate students/ staff to the personalized environment. We continue to work with Becky Greenlee from the Kaneland Foundation to identify and apply for grants to support the creation of IgKnight Academy.

Infusing Personalized Practices District-Wide

• Vlog posts related to student voice and strong teacher-student relationships were recently released in the Curriculum Connection. These two elements of PL are essential foundations when supporting students in taking a more active role in their learning. 
• PL 2.75 Co-Constructing Feedback small group sessions are continuing. Several teams at all grade spans participated in the training throughout December. If you originally selected to complete this required training as a self-paced module, please remember that the application products are due by the end of February 2022. If you'd like to switch to an in-person team or individual session, feel free to email Laura Garland at 10166@kaneland.org to set that up.
• Training on the CASEL framework, ISTE standards, and the SAMR model has been taking place at all buildings. These topics are all essential elements within personalized environments. 
• Instructional Coaches continue to be available to support staff as they seek ways to infuse student voice and choice within existing classroom structures. Don't hesitate to collaborate with a coach as you work to place students in a more active and engaged role within their own learning. 

Behavior Facilitators Newsletter

 Welcome back staff and students!  We hope everyone is off to a great 2022!  Check out the Behavior Facilitators' newsletter using this link!  Happy New Year!