#34 Preliminary MCAS, JLI, PD for Arts, History, World Lang & Library

June 6 Principal PD Reflection

Thank you for attending the All Principal PD at Bolling on Thursday. It was perfectly bookmarked beginning with Dr. Cassellius, who shared her inspiring story/why and ended with Laura Perille expressing her closing remarks and recognizing retirements and transitions. Both of our outgoing and incoming leaders are fiercely committed to providing equitable opportunities and attaining improved outcomes for all students. Both women spoke from the heart, always putting those we serve in the center. Laura's message made me tear up 😢 because she has worked tirelessly to keep our district afloat and set the stage for us to keep focused on our why so the "what" of our work has greater meaning. Brenda filled me with hope for the years to come.

Here is the video Gene Roundtree showed in case you wish to use it in the fall.

Tavia Mead and Olga Frechon were presented with their silver bowls to honor their service and retirement from the Boston Public Schools. Congratulations to both! 👏👏👏

Winship at the Statehouse Being Honored as a 2018 School of Recognition on 06/07/19

2019-20 PLC Assignments

Jodi and I were going to communicate PLC assignments last Friday and decided to delay the announcements until we are more certain about the new superintendent's expectations. I am truly excited about the partnership with Boston College, the principal leads, the continuum, and the potential of achieving improved outcomes for all students. 

Dr. Cassellius was grateful to all of the principals who took the time to participate in the ALL PD in spite of the busy-ness of the job. She framed this time as super important to learn with and through one another. Please prioritize Thursdays next year.

Preliminary MCAS Results

Your preliminary ELA results that include third grade is available in your school's ODA folder. 

1. The preliminary data are embargoed. These reports can be used internally and for educational planning purposes and are not to be made public.
2. The analysis includes only machine-scored items for online testers. Full results (MCAS-Alt, paper-based accommodations) will become available after July 1. 
3. The released Grades 4-8 ELA items from the online administration are available on the MCAS Resource Center.
4. Open the file using Excel in order to achieve the most functionality of looking at the graphs to visualize results by school, district, and state. 
5. See Post #33 for highlights on how the state plans to calculate targets and percentiles.

June Leadership Institute (JLI)

JLI looks really interesting! Here is the link for easy access.

2019-2020 PD Offerings for Arts, History, World Language, and Library

The heads of these departments worked with Jodi and me to create professional development opportunities in the above content areas. Traditionally, the day after New Year is a PD day for specialists. This year, January 2 will probably not be well-attended. Instead, our thinking was if you were given these dates and topics now, you might be able to plan ahead so that these staff could avail themselves of these learning opportunities. See offerings here.

Message on Curriculum for 2019-20

Here is access to the memorandum from Andrea Zayas about the curated curriculum for next year, information on pilots, and circular from 2008.

Sickle Cell Disease Teacher Training

Your staff will receive an email with a link to a webinar on Sickle Cell Disease. We know it is the end of the year with many other competing requirements. Teachers will be asked to acknowledge that they have viewed the webinar by June 19th (per voluntary agreement with Office of Civil Rights). View flyer.