#18 Best Wishes, Jan/Feb Visits, ELA/Math Teacher Leaders, MCAS Resources

I'm looking forward to increased daylight in coming weeks and months! Wishing all of you time to disconnect to connect with loved ones and renew as 2018 closes and 2019 opens.

I recall some of my childhood Christmases as a red envelope (money), poinsettias, and a Chinese feast. There was no way I would return to school with that embarrassing story. To this day, I wonder if my teachers knew I made up the stories about my break. I share this to keep in mind that many of our students may not have a Hallmark card holiday experience. Thus, perhaps teachers can focus more on the New Year and new beginnings to help students like me from telling tales. 

My daughter had her last exam yesterday - the last day and last period at the university. I'm looking forward to having her home for a month 😍. It's tradition to travel to Baltimore to celebrate Christmas with my husband's family. I will be off for most of the break and hope that you will take time away from it all too. Remember to disconnect in order to connect.

January-February Visits

We just received invitations for Budget and Probable Org meetings. There are a few conflicts where schools overlap or where I have another commitment. I have entered a note into the calendar invite to keep the team informed. I am working to coordinate with the Operational Superintendent and others. I hope to publish a draft calendar for your review soon. My goal is to be able to visit at least once before February vacation.

Do you have a math/ELA content facilitator?

I apologize for the late communication on content facilitators. Below, please find applications for Math and ELA; they require your sign off and are due today or as soon as possible. Ideally, these facilitators are on your ILT so that information can be shared back to your school. 

Math Teacher Leader Application

ELA Teacher Leader Application

Network 4 Academic Superintendent

I'm excited to introduce you to my colleague Andrea Zayas, who has been appointed Deputy Chief Academic Officer under Dr. Charles Grandson. See announcement here. We are currently reviewing applications and aim for a transition on or around February vacation.

Your Evaluation

After vacation, I will send a communication regarding formative evaluations that I aim to complete mid-late February. This is due for those of you who are on Developing Plans. Please DO NOT think about this over break.

MCAS Training Sessions

Registration is now open for January MCAS training sessions for administrators. While these training sessions are differentiated by participants’ familiarity with computer-based testing, all are welcome at each session. All principals are encouraged to participate in one of the sessions on test security and administration protocols, and new high school principals are expected to participate. Principals who cannot participate in one of those sessions (held January 29 and 31) will be able to view a recording.

Resources

Last year I published a "getting ready for MCAS" document. I will update it and reshare it with you. Meanwhile, please see some of the resources below:

MCAS On-line and Paper Practice Tests

Resources to Get Students Ready for ACCESS

Graphic Organizers, Checklists, and Supplemental Reference Sheets, for use by students with disabilities

Schools are encouraged to familiarize students with these tools, since students should be comfortable using their graphic organizer or reference sheet during MCAS testing.

Approved ELA Graphic Organizers	Approved Supplemental Mathematics Reference Sheets	Sample STE Reference Sheets
MCAS Grades 3 and 4: Short Response	MCAS Grade 3	MCAS Grade 5
MCAS Grades 3-5: Essay	MCAS Grade 4	MCAS Grade 8
MCAS Grades 3-5: Narrative	MCAS Grade 5	Approval Cover Sheet for STE
MCAS Grades 6-8: Essay	MCAS Grade 6
MCAS Grades 6-8: Narrative	MCAS Grade 7
	MCAS Grade 8

#17 Budget, Science PD, BBPS

January Visits

I will publish a draft January 2019 visit schedule after the Budget Collab meetings are set. When visiting classrooms, I usually follow your priorities in relationship to the IF. I also look for explicit grade level learning expectations and tasks that are aligned and "worthwhile." Worthwhile means whether the task is aligned and requires student thinking and reasoning. 

Budget

By the time you read this, you will have your budget. For the second year, Budget Office has added some funding for sustainability and high needs programs. It offsets some of the budget concerns you may have. Declining enrollment is a factor that could be contributing to a smaller budget. Your school budget is due on January 10, 2018. You will have time next week on December 13 to work on your budget. 

Here is a presentation you can copy and tailor for your School Site Council. You must meet with your SSC five days in advance of due date to share budget summary. If you anticipate cuts, you should speak with staff who may potentially be cut. The SSC reviews the budget and approve discretionary funds. They sign off on Form B-6. SSC can submit comments/impact statement around the budget.

Webinar on evidence-based decision making: 

From 2:00-3:00 p.m. on December 12, the What Works Clearinghouse, part of the U.S. Department of Education, will hold a free webinar, “How Administrators Can Communicate the Need for Evidence-Based Decision Making.” The webinar will include an overview of What Works Clearinghouse resources, strategies administrators can use to select relevant sources, and recommendations for sharing research and resources with teachers and staff in easily understandable ways. Registration is open online.

Edwin is Getting a New Look!

Edwin Analytics, a tool available to district and school leaders on the DESE’s security portal, is getting upgraded the week of December 10. This new version will look different but offers new features that DESE hopes will be useful to districts. Reports will run the same, but it will be easier to find reports that may be of interest, access recently viewed reports, and search reports by keyword. The older version of Edwin will still be available throughout December under the “Edwin Analytics Legacy” link. The Edwin Analytics Legacy version will be retired in January 2019.

For more information about the Edwin upgrade, please download this guide to Using Edwin.

Introducing School Leaders to the Shifts in 2016 STE Standards

This professional development will be held on December 20th and is taking place at Bolling. Hold the date for professional development on the Science Shifts on December 20, 2018 from 8:30-3:00 at Bolling. Below, find the objectives. Please fill out this brief survey ahead of time. 

Build BPS

The full phase 2 report is now available, with a section that addresses each of the neighborhoods.  

Diversity Recruitment Fairs

Kelly Hung kindly put all of the opportunities from the Recruitment Events Registration link into one document: Diversity Recruitment Fairs - please mark your calendars!

Fifth Quarter Portfolio

The deadline for the 5th Quarter Portfolio written application is next Friday, December 14, 2018.

BPS Arts Survey 

Each year EdVestors administers the annual BPS Arts Survey on behalf of the district. This survey, now in its 12th year, helps us better understand the availability and distribution of arts education in the BPS and guides investment of external funds to support the BPS Arts Expansion goal of increasing access to quality arts education for all BPS students. In addition, the survey data is used to document successes, identify areas of investment, and communicate effectively with potential funders.

The survey includes questions that will inform your network schools’ School Arts Index, a tool developed for all schools to measure school arts offerings in their buildings. Developed with the input of school leaders, teachers, and arts partners, this tool will connect with current and future BPS tools for sharing school information such the BPS School Quality Framework. The Index also determines a school's eligibility to apply for specific BPS Arts Expansion grants. 

The survey link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BPS1819artssurvey and should take approximately 25 minutes for each school to complete. 

Post #16 How to Use TeachPoint for Your Evaluation

Welcome James Michael Carney!

Congratulations to the Carneys!

November 20, 2018

7 lbs 8 oz

20 inches long

Budget

Budget office hopes to send you your school's budget on December 10 in preparation for December 13 All Administrators Meeting.

Upcoming Fundations Training

There will be a Fundations training on Saturday, January 26th (with a snow date of 2/2/19). This is a great opportunity for K2-2 classrooms who still need materials and training.  Please use this LINK to sign up.

Quick Tutorial on TeachPoint

Below, is Grace’s interpretation of how to use TeachPoint this year. Sign off on the documents that are uploaded.

Once you are there, this is an example of what you will see when you click on the user icon.

Click on Goal/Action Plan Document and scroll down. There will be nothing in the boxes, only your QSP linked in.

Action: Scroll towards bottom and sign-off on your QSP in Teachpoint. You may add comments if you wish.

I have been uploading follow-up notes as observations and signed off on them. In general, you will see no writing in the boxes because the information is in your QSP.

Action: Scroll towards bottom and sign-off to acknowledge it. You may add comments if you wish.

Another way to see what still needs to be done is to click on the Calendar Icon under the User Icon on the left. You will see where signatures may be required.

That should be it!

Post #15 Thanksgiving Wishes & Fun News/Photos

    

Disconnect!!!

Please fill your hearts by connecting with loved ones during these few days off, and give your brains a break by disconnecting from technology. You will have more mind space to tackle the tasks waiting for you upon our return on Monday. Wishing all of you a well-deserved break! 

See below for some fun news and pictures.

Principal Soo Hoo Featured in the News

Cynthia was recently featured in the Boston University News Service. See article at this link.

Carter Thanksgiving

See article from the Boston Herald at this link.

Listening to Musical Performance Quincy
Upper Orchestra

Grace and Jeshma

Carter Professional Development

Susan Norwell has spent her career demonstrating that students can communicate in spite of disabilities and major health issues. Her work is grounded in literacy. It is how we approach the learner's communication needs, our beliefs, persistence and consistency. She spent almost two days at Carter working with students and staff and also presented before parents and staff from multiple schools on students' abilities.

 

Mayor Walsh Visits Winship

School on the Move Prize Reaction Captured for All Time!

Click here to view Jordan's speech.

School Showcase 2018

Thanks so much for giving of your time to represent your school the Saturday before Thanksgiving at City Hall.

#14 Thank You, MCAS Practice Tests, TeachPoint, Projections

Thank you for all you do in service of Boston's children and families. I hope you will have time to disconnect from technology and truly connect with loved ones next week.

December Visits

I will be sending individual invitations for December by the end of this week. I have been waiting to see if there might be meetings at Bolling on projections/budget. I am still aiming for the proposed schedule on the Coaching Calendar tab of this blog. Don't put these dates in your calendar yet! My goal is to see each of you at least once between now and December 20th. Note: District dates such as No School, School Committee, and Build BPS are included on this calendar for your convenience.

Updated 2019 Practice Tests in Grades 3-8

Updated 2019 practice tests in MCAS Resource Center for grades 3-8 in ELA and mathematics. Science practice test for grades 5 and 8 are still from 2018.

TeachPoint

I have attached your QSP in TeachPoint to serve as documentation of your student learning and professional practice goals. I have also been attaching notes from my visits under the Instructional Leadership section of an observation form. 

Priority Indicators for Administrator Evaluation

Find example artifacts for the priority indicators for evaluation here. Many of you used a template similar to to provide rationale for your artifacts. Instead, use the Artifact upload in TeachPoint for the Priority Indicators below: 

I-A Curriculum, I-D Evaluation
II-A Environment, II-B Human Resources 
III-B Sharing Responsibility
IV-D Continuous Learning

Projections

The projections you received in Aspen are the beginning of a conversation starting now and through the budget season. This year, I feel more equipped to address concerns with you. Please text/email if you would like to discuss.

Overview notes from Projections and Analysis Office:

• District-wide enrollment is down about 1200 students compared to October of last year.  Last year, we projected a decline of roughly 200 students, so this decrease was larger than we anticipated. This is the first time in the last 7 years that we have seen 2 consecutive years of October enrollment declines.
• Enrollment declines are widespread and consistent across neighborhoods, grades and programs. However, it is worth noting particular declines in the following areas:
• The largest regional declines were amongst students living in East Boston and Northern Dorchester. The decline in East Boston has a more direct impact on the schools in that neighborhood, given its geographic isolation.
• We also saw significant decreases in K1 and K2 enrollment.
• A few larger cohorts of students are moving from elementary grades (3-5) into the middle grades (6-8). Those cohorts have been getting smaller as they move through the system, as we tend to lose a large number of students in the transitions to grades 5 and 6. In addition, those larger cohorts have been replaced by smaller cohorts of students that are now moving through all elementary grades. The combined result is a decline in elementary enrollment, which is concentrated in grades 3 to 5. We are projecting an increase in 6-8th grade enrollment.
• Our enrollment losses are concentrated in general education. Enrollment in English Learner programs is down slightly, and the number of special education students served in inclusion and substantially separate programs has increased.

Post #13 Highs and Lows, Chronic Absenteeism, ACCESS

What a week!

This past Wednesday was both joyous and disheartening. In the morning, McKay was named the School on the Move Prize winner and Tynan's school facility was defaced with hate speech. I watched the McKay team jump for joy at the Boston Harbor Hotel and then observed Leslie Gant lead with great strength and poise. I am proud of all of you for your leadership during the best and worst of times. 

Solidarity at Tynan Friday morning

Welcoming Students to
Tynan

  

Coanan Harris, Leslie Gant, and Thaddeus Miles

Board of Ed Meeting

Geoff Rose spoke at this past Tuesday's Board of Education Meeting to feature STEM Week activities. Thank you for representing BPS!

New arrival!

Congratulations to Carter School Principal Mark O'Connor. His second child Kayleigh Emma was born on October 14.

Chronic Absenteeism, continued

The OSs and I consulted with the DESE's accountability and data offices to ask questions about chronic absenteeism. The bottom line is that the ESSA/State are measuring whether students are attending school and accessing educational opportunities. The reason why they are not in school is irrelevant. A student is absent whether s/he is homeless, due to transportation issues, or suspended and if tardy, must be in school at least a half day to be equivalent to a full day. 

Regardless of ESSA and accountability, it is a good thing for students to be in school and for us to pay attention. I can't emphasize enough to you: The aim is to reduce chronic absenteeism. We are looking for improvement NOT perfection!

Please refer to Post #12 for directions on how to check live stats on absenteeism using BPS DataWarehouse.

Professional Development Happenings

I should have informed all of you about Carter's upcoming PD on low/high tech augmentative communication systems. I plan to attend and will share information in my next post.

Additionally, I'm excited about the Harvard GSE and ODA Institute that launches next week on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Harvard Portal. Teams from the Lyon K-8, Russell, Quincy, and Warren-Prescott are attending.

Get Students Prepared for ACCESS

How do your ESL/staff use ACCESS results to accelerate English language acquisition? At the Warren-Prescott, staff reviewed ACCESS results and are targeting instruction based on the domains. Additionally, they found the test itself is extremely challenging. Go to Preparing Students for ACCESS from the WIDA website for advice and practice. Thanks for sharing your best practice, Michele! It is expected that all schools will administer ACCESS (and MCAS 2.0) online this year.

Watch for...

• Build BPS community meetings are included in red on the Coaching Calendar tab. You are encouraged to attend one of the meetings in your area.
• Reconciliation emails this weekend from the budget office.
• Projections will be available on Aspen next week for comments.
• I started your plans in TeachPoint. Please let me know if I messed anything up. I will be adding your QSP links as part of your goals and action plans and uploading PDF notes from our meetings as observations. I am getting to it slowly but surely; thank you for your patience.

Post #12 Chronic Absenteeism, ClassForward, Your Evaluation

via GIPHY

Who does this remind you of? (heh, heh) 

Congratulations on entering the 8th week of school! 

School on the Move

School on the Move EdVestors Event 10/23/18

Next Wednesday morning the School on the Move Prize will be unveiled. I am honored to be the Academic Superintendent of two schools: McKay and Perry. Regardless, the finalists McKay, Snowden, and Perry are all winners! Good luck to all!

Your Evaluation

You will receive a notice from me this coming week on this year's evaluation and/or notices from TeachPoint when I upload the meeting visit notes as observations. Below, find this year's focus indicators. I will be adjusting the form I use for our visits to include these.

I-A Curriculum, I-D Evaluation
II-A Environment, II-B Human Resources 
III-B Sharing Responsibility
IV-D Continuous Learning

Reminder: Your QSP priorities/big rocks serve as your student learning and professional practice goals. Let's keep this aligned and simple!

Chronic Absenteeism

I met with Brian Marques, Director of Opportunity Youth under SELWELL. His office oversees Attendance, Homelessness, and Home/Hospital Programming. The OS/AS team will be consulting with DESE about attendance for students who miss school due to homelessness, religion, or who are medically fragile. Meanwhile, there is an attendance dashboard that is a practical tool you can use to track your attendance anytime.

• From Aspen, you can go right to the Attendance Dashboard and obtain a list of 2017-18 students who missed 18 or more days and any student this year who is on his/her way to being chronically absent. It may be useful for you or your designee to explore this site.

On the dashboard you will see several tabs across the top.

Click on "Chronic Absenteeism" tab. You can view
absenteeism by grade and subgroups. To see students,
click on the number above School Level (in this case 33.52%)

When you click on the percentage, this list specific list of
students will appear.

To get last year's students, go to the top right corner and
click on SY 2017-2018.

Chronic Absenteeism, Part II

Are you checking attendance on a daily basis? Are students inadvertently being marked absent when they may have gotten to class without checking in the office? 

Introducing Molly Peters

Assistant Director, ECE, Science

Molly is one of Network 6's academic liaisons. She and I have been working on a plan to support and bring together science specialists in our network. Molly has worked in BPS since 2012. She was a Science Specialist at the West Zone ELC in Jamaica Plain, a Science Teacher Leader, and the Wipro Science Teacher Fellowship through UMASS Boston. Molly holds Bachelors Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Science and a Masters in Ecological Teaching and Learning.

Lots of Deadlines...

Educator Evaluation: Goals Due November 1, 2018; at least one observation by November 15th.

Title I Budget/Family Engagement, Wellness Action Plans, etc... Share your plans with me and I will create a folder for you if you have not already shared one with me.

Here is the link to Mary Driscoll's email with dates.
Here is the link to the October page of the Operations Center.

ClassForward: Video Platform Available 

Do your teachers use video to share instructional practices for reflection? Do you wish to create "How to" or "Infomercials" for your staff? ClassForward is a  a video sharing platform that facilitates a collaborative, online space for teachers, administrators, school leaders, and central office personnel to leverage video as a tool for improvement. Anyone in BPS is now able to go to ClassForward's website and set up their own private account and here is a "how to" guide that explains that process. This is a tool available for all to use if it fits into your school's goals (i.e. peer observation, CPTs, ILTs). All uploaded videos are only accessible to those who upload them, and can only be shared if initiated by the owner of the video. 

Pumpkins from Russell School

Zeroing in on Math PD at Guild

Data Walls at Mason ILT

Eliot's Principal Traci and students greet the school
community at the beginning of the day