Summer Forecast #3
I had ever intention of getting this out earlier this afternoon, but attended a memorial service for one of my husband's middle school teachers and it went on much longer than anticipated. My husband was a wiley middle schooler who really needed mentorship. His PE teachers Ron Hudson and Mike Reed took him under their wing and truly made a difference for him. When he graduated from college they attended a party we held and ultimately were the final push he needed to pursue his teaching certification. It was bittersweet to attend the memorial today for Coach Hudson. It was also a reminder of the real difference we can make in our student's lives.
I am looking forward to seeing some of you on Tuesday and all of you on Wednesday. Below are some details of what to expect this coming week.
- There is a frenzied rush to get the building ready for student's next Tuesday. As went out in a previous email we understand several of you want to get into your rooms to ASAP to get things ready. Unfortunately, it is an very active construction zone and when people enter the hallways, etc. work has to stop for safety reasons. I am aware of the contract, but have been told that, "If there is an instance where a project is not completed on time, and it is not safe to enter a building or room, then access will not be provided." This is where we are at. Water has been turned off intermittently, heavy equipment is still in use and hard hats have to be worn. We will be providing staff with as much time as possible to work in rooms.
Agenda:
Breakfast
District Virtual Meeting
Circle & Centering
Building Wide Vision & Focusing
Lunch & Self-Care (Lunch is on your own and will be an hour and 15 minutes)
MTSS Climate & Culture
Assigned Reading
End @ 3:30 for Optional Social onsite
8:15-9:15 Working Breakfast, Deepen Ties
9:15-9:30- Q & A Session (Optional)
9:30-10:00- Building Tour (Optional)
9:15-11:45 - Parent Communication Time
11:45-12:15 - Lunch
12:15-4:15 - Teacher Planning
Building open until 8:00
Sunday the 25th
Building open from 10:00-2:00 (clearly optional)
Monday the 26th
8:15-4:15 Teacher Planning/WorkDay
6:00-7:30 Open House
Tuesday the 27th
First Day for 6th Graders! Details soon
- Teachers do not have to feel obligated to have their rooms ready to share with families at Open House on the 26th. You are welcome to stand outside your room in the hallway to speak with families and students. There will be additional time for getting your room ready on the 27th.
- We will not hold content PLCs, Grade Level Team and committee meetings the first week of school in order to provide as much unpacking, planning time as possible. Grade Level team meetings will take place on September 5th. We will not begin committee meetings and content PLCs until the week of September 9th-13th.
- Thought I would share this district information: As the 24-25 school year begins, this memo serves as communication to make you aware of a change in terminology the Portland Public Schools will begin using when referencing the English Learner (EL) student group. As part of our asset-based belief system, PPS will now use the term “Multilingual Learner” (ML) in place of English Learner. This shift in language takes an asset-based approach to 1) avoid labeling students in terms of the language they have yet to acquire; 2) acknowledge students' home languages and cultures as strengths that support academic success, and affirm their multiple assets; and 3) reiterate the importance of literacy and proficiency in multiple languages.
The Office of Teaching and Learning Multilingual Services recognizes that various terms are used to describe Multilingual Learners. The term ML was selected because it highlights the cultural and linguistic assets our students bring, and the fact that students in this group are not only developing their skills in English as an additional language, but also are becoming bilingual and biliterate, or, multilingual and multiliterate. Additionally, MLs are also expected to learn grade-level academic content at the same time– a formidable task that highlights their intellectual capacities to learn at high levels when provided the right tools and services.
In terms of services, we are now using ELD Services, and should no longer use “ESL” terminology to refer to students or services going forward. When referencing and/or citing state and federal law and/or obligations under these laws, including associated data collections, guidance, and other resources, the terms English Learner (EL), and other legal terminology may continue to be used until it is completely phased out by the state/USED. We aim to lead in this area and influence the state and others in this asset-based shift to serving our culturally and linguistically diverse students.
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