This is all #Joy
Only kindergartners can challenge Ms. Josette to a dance battle in South End. pic.twitter.com/uRRr9lUDJg
— Countdown2Kinder (@Countdown2K) September 15, 2020
Words from Grace
The first day of school is finally upon us, but it will look and feel different from any other... on Monday, we will miss the excitement of buses arriving and meeting students as they disembark... children (or guardians) experiencing separation anxiety... entering the newly set up classroom and seeing old friends... the surprise of how much children have grown over the summer.... This year, we need to recreate that excitement for our students and make the very best of teaching and learning remotely. We want our students to look forward to signing into zoom each morning. As you can see in the video above, we can make it a great start!
Becoming an anti-racist institution is hard work and the slide below from the Office of Opportunity Gaps describes why.
Differentiated Scheduling Demands:
Some/many of our schools have created a schedule that has been collaboratively designed with meeting the needs of students as the number one priority. However, if a staff member is using the MOU to demand differentiated scheduling leaders can respond using the exact language from the MOU (Section II. B. 3). Creative scheduling is NOT something staff members can demand; they must be in a prioritized group as quoted below.
BPS agrees to continue to discuss the issue of differentiated work options and creative schedules... If the Task Forces are able to propose a cost effective and logistically operational plan for such prior to November 1, 2020, BPS will in good faith consider inclusion of these recommendations in an altered learning model plan, to be implemented no earlier than November 16, 2020.... [additionally, these proposed creative measures] will prioritize the assignment of fully remote teaching as available to members in the following groups, in order of priority
(i) Educators in a high risk group as defined by the CDC and would be eligible for leave under Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.(ii) Educators with a household member that is at high risk as defined by the CDC and as a result the household member would have qualified for leave under FFCRA.(iii) Educators with a verifiable child care issue due to COVID-19 related closures, per the FFCRA.
Message from PandA on procedures to follow to identify space capacity for high priority students to attend school four days per week - due September 23, 2020. You have been given three different options to complete this task. Our PandA liaison is Daniela Reyes for all schools (except Carter and Quincy who have Karen Book.)
Update on School Leader PLCs
As many of you are aware, the benefits of a Professional Learning Community are in abundance: a collaborative environment, increased trust among colleagues and a willingness to share new ideas and resources—all in support of deeper learning. Based on the feedback received from last year, the PLCs were seen overwhelmingly as a space to learn from, grow with and support one another.
We understand the urgent and consistent request/need to maintain focus on school reopening. If you have not already shared your preferences, please do so here. We are excited to re-engage in this professional learning and ground ourselves in the work we started in ALI. We will send out a PLC Choice Form on September 24th in our next Thursday Memo. We will also share a description of PLCs, a one-pager outlining the role and support that will be provided to all PLC facilitators and an application to lead a PLC.
If you have any questions, need support in ranking your PLC options or are interested in learning more about leading a PLC, please reach out to Tommy Welch, Natalie Diaz Ake, Lindsa McIntyre, Geoff Rose, or Shahara Jackson.
Thank you for your commitment to continuous professional learning and collegial support.
As many of you are aware, the benefits of a Professional Learning Community are in abundance: a collaborative environment, increased trust among colleagues and a willingness to share new ideas and resources—all in support of deeper learning. Based on the feedback received from last year, the PLCs were seen overwhelmingly as a space to learn from, grow with and support one another.
We understand the urgent and consistent request/need to maintain focus on school reopening. If you have not already shared your preferences, please do so here. We are excited to re-engage in this professional learning and ground ourselves in the work we started in ALI. We will send out a PLC Choice Form on September 24th in our next Thursday Memo. We will also share a description of PLCs, a one-pager outlining the role and support that will be provided to all PLC facilitators and an application to lead a PLC.
If you have any questions, need support in ranking your PLC options or are interested in learning more about leading a PLC, please reach out to Tommy Welch, Natalie Diaz Ake, Lindsa McIntyre, Geoff Rose, or Shahara Jackson.
Thank you for your commitment to continuous professional learning and collegial support.
Putting on your radar for later: School Improvement Plan Timelines
For those who have the bandwidth to review this document with guidance on the timeline for 2020-21 School Improvement Planning.
Important Dates
September 21 – 1st day of school – all grades start remotely
September 30 – School-based staff complete Tech & Wellness Check entries in Panorama
September 30 – School Committee Meeting @ 5p
October 1 – Enrollment snapshot for reporting students to DESE
October 1 – In-person Priority students report to school buildings
October 12 – Columbus Day
Division of Academics
CRIOP Asynchronous ModulesThe first two CRIOP asynchronous modules are available. The flyer linked here includes links to the modules on Classroom Relationships and Family Collaboration. - Karen White
STEM Survey
Please help the STEM department identify the STEM Specialists in the district by filling out this survey. The STEM department would like to use this information to help us plan targeted professional development, seek funding for classroom materials and curriculum, and to use schools with specialists to help develop and implement a STEM mission and vision for the district. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Milewski: ekenney2@bostonpublicschools.org
Division of Accountability
The “Why” Behind the BPS Comprehensive Assessment SystemIn Boston Public Schools, we are building a comprehensive and balanced assessment system. This system has the fewest assessments possible, each with a clearly defined and understood purpose, that will allow educators to make informed, culturally-responsive instructional decisions. There is an acknowledged tension that educators are experiencing with the need to break down systems of oppression and the fact that assessments can be tools of those systems. We need to both upend systems of oppression and at the same time ensure students receive the skills, knowledge and understandings that will allow them to become who they want to be.
Therefore, we seek to balance standardized formative assessments, like the BPS interims, with adaptive assessments, like the MAP assessments, and classroom assessments, like authentic assessment, lesson-embedded assessment and performance tasks. Student performance on these different types of assessment allows for insight into who the student is as a learner. Given the varied academic experiences students have had during school closure, it's important now more than ever that we have a clear picture of what each student knows and is able to do. A comprehensive assessment system is integral in the development of each student's "academic portrait." -Office of Data & Accountability
All Administrative Team Members PD
The Department of Leadership Development is excited to offer 10 professional development sessions for Administrative Team Members (Assistant Principals, Directors, and similar roles). These virtual sessions will be designed to support administrators as they lead in the hybrid/remote learning environment. Topics will range from coaching, staff evaluation, and school culture to name a few. The first session will be 9/24/20 from 8:30 am - 10:30 am. Administrators are welcome to attend any sessions. Please register through TeachPoint. More information can be found here. -Dr. Monica Hall
Division of Equity, Strategy, & Opportunity
Campus Without Walls
School Leaders of Grades 8-12, as promised, The Campus Without Walls presentation you can share with members of your team is here: Campus Without Walls Presentation. For next steps, please complete the School Leader Interest Form. We will follow up with the Teacher Nomination Form to nominate Lead Teachers at your school. Stipends are available for both the Partner School and Lead Teachers who are selected for the program.
Division of Student, Family, and Community Engagement
Start of School Assignment and Did Not Report (DNR) ProcessSchool Leaders of Grades 8-12, as promised, The Campus Without Walls presentation you can share with members of your team is here: Campus Without Walls Presentation. For next steps, please complete the School Leader Interest Form. We will follow up with the Teacher Nomination Form to nominate Lead Teachers at your school. Stipends are available for both the Partner School and Lead Teachers who are selected for the program.
Division of Student, Family, and Community Engagement
The attached memo contains guidance on accepting new students onto your school's roster as well as important information about the Did Not Report (DNR) process run at the start of every school year.
The DNR process is tied to the student's attendance. Any students that have not enrolled in BPS within the first eight days of school will be withdrawn from the district. With the first day of school on Monday, September 21, the date for the DNR process will be the following Wednesday, September 30. Unfortunately, we are unable to extend the DNR timeline this year as the enrollment snapshot for reporting students to the state still needs to be taken on October 1. As a result, it is very important that schools conduct outreach to all families to ensure they report for school before October 1.
There may be situations where a student is unable to enroll in BPS during the first 8 days of school, even while school is being conducted in a remote setting. In these instances, schools can apply for a DNR exception for that student. Please click here for more information about what does and does not qualify as a DNR exception and a link to the Google form to submit an exception request.
Please contact welcomeservices@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions.
BUILD’s Citywide COVID-19 Virtual Design Challenge, Grades 8-12
https://build.org/virtual/
BUILD is providing a free immersive online experience for students, complete with a facilitators guide and trainings for school districts, nonprofit organizations, and teachers who are seeking engaging, culturally responsive, project-based digital content that inspires entrepreneurial innovation particularly among Black and Latinx youth. The Challenge, which can be completed via a smartphone, aims to empower youth to build a more just and equitable world. Cash prizes are available for winning teams.We invite teachers and youth workers serving grades 8-12 to participate with us in using entrepreneurship to unlock the potential of youth across Boston through experiential, social and emotional learning. Click here to register for an upcoming Educator Training Session.
Division of Finance
BAIS Financials Training
The Business Services Office will be providing virtual training sessions for BPS staff members in need of BAIS Financials access. These training sessions are required by the City of Boston in order to approve access to the Financials system.
The Business Services Office will be providing virtual training sessions for BPS staff members in need of BAIS Financials access. These training sessions are required by the City of Boston in order to approve access to the Financials system.
The training will be split into two required sessions:
Part 1: Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2020, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Part 2: Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Register here before Thursday, 9/24 at 12pm. Priority will be given to school-based staff at this time, but we will do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible. We will be holding another training session in October for those with scheduling conflicts.
Please contact Atheena Arasoo (aarasoo@bostonpublicschools.org) for more information.
Division of Human Capital
Employee AttendanceMonitoring employee attendance is critical for minimizing disruptions to student learning. Did you know? When teachers are absent for 10 days, the decrease in student achievement is the same difference between having a brand new teacher and one with two to three years of experience! Potential attendance patterns requiring further investigation:
- Absences closely following a layoff notification, contract non-renewal, or poor performance evaluation
- Four or more sick leave absences before or after a weekend, holiday, or vacation
- Scattered sick leave absences exceeding or projected to exceed 15 days
- Tardiness of two or more days within a 1-2 week period
HRS PP-13 Absence and Leave Policy
HRS-PP05 Attendance Monitoring System
When in doubt, please contact: Office of Labor Relations olr@bostonpublicschools.org
Leaves of Absence ohcleaves@bostonpublicschools.org
AWOL Form Please use this form to provide documention of anyone who is not showing up to work.
DESE Change: Increase in the time allowed to be teaching “out of field.”
Last week DESE released new guidance related to the amount of time teachers are allowed to teach outside of their licensure. OHC encourages school leaders to work with staff to find mutually agreed upon assignments that leverage licensure and teaching strengths to best meet student needs! From DESE: "Under an emergency regulation, licensed educators can teach up to 50 percent of their time outside of their license area (up from 20 percent), except in a role requiring a Special Education, School Nurse, or English as a Second Language license."
Excess Only Hiring
Positions that were subject to excess only hiring (Elementary, ESL, Moderate, History/Social Studies, and Spanish) are all now eligible for open hiring. External candidates can be considered and hired. Please remember, however, to prioritize strong excessed (SPC) teachers. Additionally, teachers who have already secured positions for SY20-21 are not eligible for lateral transfers.
Operations Link for Communications Hub This link houses documents shared with school leaders to date and will be updated as needed moving forward.
Facilities
Please ensure a meeting has been set up with your senior custodian and/or your area manager to review your cleaning schedule and expectations and how they may be impacted by your meal service plan. If you have questions about who your area manager is, please reach out to John McIntosh.
Custodians will be positing cleaning logs in each restroom for daily review.
Every school leader will receive two boxes of disposable masks which are a total of 100 disposable masks from Facilities Management this week. As a reminder, these are to be used as replacements for damaged or broken masks, not daily use. Reusable masks are on track to be delivered to Campbell September 24th. A distribution plan is being created.
Operations is working with the Offices of Special Education and Health Services on their distribution plan. We will share once it is finalized.
Food Services
69 schools have confirmed their meal plan. Please confirm your meal plan with your site coordinator. Please reach out to Laura Benavidez or Deb Ventricelli with any questions.
Athletics
At this time, athletic opportunities and/or physical activity being led by partner organizations in the community cannot take place during school hours or on school property. If you have any questions please reach out to Avery Esdaile.
Safety Services
This is a friendly reminder that your safety plans were due for submission by August 26, 2020. Your plans are in a google doc that you should have. If you need your plans shared with you please reach out to Rick Deraney, Director of Safety Services, at rderaney@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-212-2397. Please submit your plans to allow for proper review and support by Director Deraney. All plans were to be reviewed by Safety Services prior to the DESE district submission deadline of September 1, 2020.
Please note:
When you are completing your plan, please DO NOT COPY AND MAKE THE CHANGES. Make all changes in the original document so Rick can see changes in the file. Please make sure you update section 4 student enrollment. After all your updates are complete, please change the school year in the title section from SY19/20 to SY20/21.
AWOL Form Please use this form to provide documention of anyone who is not showing up to work.
DESE Change: Increase in the time allowed to be teaching “out of field.”
Last week DESE released new guidance related to the amount of time teachers are allowed to teach outside of their licensure. OHC encourages school leaders to work with staff to find mutually agreed upon assignments that leverage licensure and teaching strengths to best meet student needs! From DESE: "Under an emergency regulation, licensed educators can teach up to 50 percent of their time outside of their license area (up from 20 percent), except in a role requiring a Special Education, School Nurse, or English as a Second Language license."
Excess Only Hiring
Positions that were subject to excess only hiring (Elementary, ESL, Moderate, History/Social Studies, and Spanish) are all now eligible for open hiring. External candidates can be considered and hired. Please remember, however, to prioritize strong excessed (SPC) teachers. Additionally, teachers who have already secured positions for SY20-21 are not eligible for lateral transfers.
Division of Operations
Operations Link for Communications Hub This link houses documents shared with school leaders to date and will be updated as needed moving forward.
Facilities
Please ensure a meeting has been set up with your senior custodian and/or your area manager to review your cleaning schedule and expectations and how they may be impacted by your meal service plan. If you have questions about who your area manager is, please reach out to John McIntosh.
Custodians will be positing cleaning logs in each restroom for daily review.
Every school leader will receive two boxes of disposable masks which are a total of 100 disposable masks from Facilities Management this week. As a reminder, these are to be used as replacements for damaged or broken masks, not daily use. Reusable masks are on track to be delivered to Campbell September 24th. A distribution plan is being created.
Operations is working with the Offices of Special Education and Health Services on their distribution plan. We will share once it is finalized.
Food Services
69 schools have confirmed their meal plan. Please confirm your meal plan with your site coordinator. Please reach out to Laura Benavidez or Deb Ventricelli with any questions.
Athletics
At this time, athletic opportunities and/or physical activity being led by partner organizations in the community cannot take place during school hours or on school property. If you have any questions please reach out to Avery Esdaile.
Safety Services
This is a friendly reminder that your safety plans were due for submission by August 26, 2020. Your plans are in a google doc that you should have. If you need your plans shared with you please reach out to Rick Deraney, Director of Safety Services, at rderaney@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-212-2397. Please submit your plans to allow for proper review and support by Director Deraney. All plans were to be reviewed by Safety Services prior to the DESE district submission deadline of September 1, 2020.
Please note:
When you are completing your plan, please DO NOT COPY AND MAKE THE CHANGES. Make all changes in the original document so Rick can see changes in the file. Please make sure you update section 4 student enrollment. After all your updates are complete, please change the school year in the title section from SY19/20 to SY20/21.
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