Words from Grace
It has been a hard week; I am proud of each of you for walking the fine line between district demands and figuring out how to continue to nurture the culture in your schools. You've had to hold the line, worry about low morale and fear, while also expecting that students are provided the opportunity to grapple with grade level content.
All I can say is "Thank you."
Please take time this weekend to disconnect - our brains can only handle so much; after long periods of overload, there's no room left. So, go disconnect in order to better handle challenges that will inevitably arise next week. đź’•đź’•
District Office Reflections
Avoiding Racial Equity Detours
by Paul Gorski
Racial Equity Detour #1 - Pacing-for-Privilege
Pacing-for-privilege occurs when an equity approach coddles the hesitancies of people with the least racial equity investment while punishing people with the most investment. In too many school districts, the pace of equity progress prioritizes the comfort and interests of people who have the least interest in that progress. Professional development in these school districts appears designed to accommodate the feelings and fears of white educators in “difficult” equity work while cementing, or even exacerbating, inequity. They can be more devastating than explicit racism because they do racism’s work while consuming resources ostensibly earmarked for racial equity. They are the quintessential anti-anti-racism.
For example, people who study equity initiatives in school districts have tracked educational leaders’ tendencies, in the name of equity, either to implement deficit-oriented strategies, such as “grit” initiatives that obscure inequity (Kohn, 2014) or, worse, to build equity efforts around debunked approaches that create more inequity, like the “mindset of poverty.” Some educational leaders inexplicably continue to embrace the “mindset of poverty” even though it reinforces racialized stereotypes (Redeaux, 2011)—and despite the fact that research clarified that there is no such thing as a mindset of poverty 50 years ago (Valentine, 1968).
The hard truth is, racial equity cannot be achieved with an obsessive commitment to “meeting people where they are” when “where they are” is fraught with racial bias and privilege. Students, families, and educators experiencing racism cannot afford to wait for us to saunter toward a more serious racial equity vision. They cannot afford to wait, in particular, for all white educators to ease into racial equity commitments at a pace of our choosing while they suffer the consequences of our casualness.
Important Dates
October 12 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day - no school
October 21 - School Committee Meeting @ 5p
October 29 – All School Leader Meeting
November 11 – Veterans Day – Remote School Day
November 25 - half-day of school
November 26-27 - Thanksgiving - no school
Division of Academics
E
Early Childhood Fall Literacy Assessment Memo
There are two key literacy assessments that you will begin administering over the next few weeks. Please see below for information regarding PALs for Prek and MAP Fluency for K2-2nd. Please review this memo.
Reminder: ESL Services data entry due 10/9 in Aspen SIS
Currently, only about 35% of all ELs have any ESL services reflected in Aspen SIS. Please help us accurately report your school's services to US DOJ/OCR. All data entry is due 10/9. OEL will send a courtesy notification of students missing ESL services (minutes, instruction type) in Aspen. Click here for Apsen How To or sign up for office hours support.
There are two key literacy assessments that you will begin administering over the next few weeks. Please see below for information regarding PALs for Prek and MAP Fluency for K2-2nd. Please review this memo.
Reminder: ESL Services data entry due 10/9 in Aspen SIS
Currently, only about 35% of all ELs have any ESL services reflected in Aspen SIS. Please help us accurately report your school's services to US DOJ/OCR. All data entry is due 10/9. OEL will send a courtesy notification of students missing ESL services (minutes, instruction type) in Aspen. Click here for Apsen How To or sign up for office hours support.
LATF Newsletter October 2020
OEL has emailed LATFs our first newsletter of the school year with links to recordings from last week's LATF PD meeting along with other resources. School leaders who wish to also receive this newsletter directly can sign up here.
Division of Accountability
Transformation PD Calendar
The Transformation Professional Development Team has gathered all currently published required professional learning for School Leaders, Family Liaisons, Transformation Coaches and Social Workers and has created this Transformation PD Calendar. This resources is intended to help leaders develop the balcony view of professional learning for Transformation positions this school year.
Transformation Coach Role Description and PD Calendar SY 20-21
Data Guide for School Leaders
The Office of Data and Accountability has created a data guide for school leaders, which includes how to access critical data points such as daily attendance, online learning, and assessment participation at the student and school levels. This document will grow over time.
Please contact Stephanie Marek (smarek@bostonpublicschools.org) with questions.
School Leadership Recruitment Information Sessions
Do you or someone you know want to learn more about leading in our schools as a principal or assistant principal? Now is the time to register for one of the upcoming School Leadership Recruitment Information Sessions to hear about the hiring process, have questions answered, and speak with current school leaders about their leadership path. These Zoom sessions are scheduled for 10/28/20, 11/18/20, 12/9/20, 1/13/21, and 2/24/21 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Register for an upcoming session here. Please spread the word!
Leadership Development Opportunities
The Office of Leadership Development (OLD) is excited to share upcoming leadership development opportunities! If you or someone you know would be interested in finding out more about Lynch Leadership Academy, BPS/PSi Aspiring Leaders Fellowship, and other leadership opportunities, please complete the Leadership Opportunities Recommendation form. The OLD Team will follow up with recommended educators to provide additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Reed, mreed@bostonpublicschools or Monica Hall, mhall4@bostonpublicschools.org.
Panorama Thursday Memo Blurb 10.8.20
Division of Human Capital
Contracts for Long Term Sub to Provisional Teacher
Please review any subs in your building who are filling long term vacancies. On December 1st, OHC will conduct a review of these positions, and Long Terms Subs will be moved into a Provisional Contract for the remainder of the year. If you need to make a change (i.e. you have a substitute covering for a leave that will go through the end of the year, but you do not want this employee to continue working in your school), please do so prior to 12/1.
Long Term Paraprofessional Vacancies
If a paraprofessional position is expected to be open for 3 or more months due to a leave or vacancy, please reach out to your HC Manager to post the position. Per-diem substitutes should not be covering long-term leaves for paraprofessional positions.
Long Term Substitutes - Time Reporting
When submitting a substitute for an absence, remember to use the correct position number for the position they are covering for, so that we have an accurate record of the substitute's time.
First-Year Provisional Teacher and Newly Hired Paraprofessional Probationary Period Terminations (RE-POST)
In order to seek the dismissal of a first-year provisional teacher (within 90 day workday period) or newly hired paraprofessional (within the 60 day school day period), the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) requires that the principal or heads of school provide an OLR attorney with a memorandum outlining the reasons for seeking dismissal. This memorandum should be sent to OLR@bostonpublicschools.org. Upon review, if appropriate, OLR will forward a recommendation for dismissal to the Superintendent. If the Superintendent approves the dismissal, the principal or heads of school will be provided with a dismissal letter to be given to the teacher or paraprofessional.
Please be advised that the Superintendent must approve the dismissal of any teacher. Teachers are not to be dismissed or told to leave their assignment prior to your receipt of a dismissal letter from OLR. Principals and heads of school can contact OLR for guidance on this process. You can reach OLR at OLR@bostonpublicschools.org.
Please review any subs in your building who are filling long term vacancies. On December 1st, OHC will conduct a review of these positions, and Long Terms Subs will be moved into a Provisional Contract for the remainder of the year. If you need to make a change (i.e. you have a substitute covering for a leave that will go through the end of the year, but you do not want this employee to continue working in your school), please do so prior to 12/1.
Long Term Paraprofessional Vacancies
If a paraprofessional position is expected to be open for 3 or more months due to a leave or vacancy, please reach out to your HC Manager to post the position. Per-diem substitutes should not be covering long-term leaves for paraprofessional positions.
Long Term Substitutes - Time Reporting
When submitting a substitute for an absence, remember to use the correct position number for the position they are covering for, so that we have an accurate record of the substitute's time.
First-Year Provisional Teacher and Newly Hired Paraprofessional Probationary Period Terminations (RE-POST)
In order to seek the dismissal of a first-year provisional teacher (within 90 day workday period) or newly hired paraprofessional (within the 60 day school day period), the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) requires that the principal or heads of school provide an OLR attorney with a memorandum outlining the reasons for seeking dismissal. This memorandum should be sent to OLR@bostonpublicschools.org. Upon review, if appropriate, OLR will forward a recommendation for dismissal to the Superintendent. If the Superintendent approves the dismissal, the principal or heads of school will be provided with a dismissal letter to be given to the teacher or paraprofessional.
Please be advised that the Superintendent must approve the dismissal of any teacher. Teachers are not to be dismissed or told to leave their assignment prior to your receipt of a dismissal letter from OLR. Principals and heads of school can contact OLR for guidance on this process. You can reach OLR at OLR@bostonpublicschools.org.
Division of Operations
Reminder: The Operations Links for School Leaders lives on the communications hub and contain links to items in the COVID materials folder.
Athletics
School Leaders are encouraged to refer students to get involved in the Scholar-Athlete- Student Ambassador Program
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMgvnqGC3wLlyd1HscQSuPdKNrLYRRRo/view?usp=sharing
Facilities
Please read the Mandatory Asbestos Notification for Contractors. All AHERA binders must be available in your Main Office.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14WsJ6wW02ipoSKw11kuv_9G4Z2HsiZbX/view?usp=sharing
The custodial bid move happens Tuesday October 13th. Where applicable, we encourage all school leaders who receive a new custodian to meet with them around their expectations for performance and maintenance of the building.
Food and Nutritional Services
Please ensure you have confirmed your meal plan with your site coordinator. - 3 day meal packs will now be available in bags with handles; we are removing the bulky boxes.
Safety Services
Please read this memo regarding the roles of Chief of Safety Services and the Executive Director of Safety Services.
As of last week, 27 schools still need to submit a Safety Plan. Please ensure this is submitted. This is a friendly reminder that your safety plans are due. 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 in a timely manner to allow for proper review and support by Director Deraney. All plans need to be reviewed by Safety Services prior to the DESE district submission deadline of September 1, 2020.
IMPORTANT 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.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMgvnqGC3wLlyd1HscQSuPdKNrLYRRRo/view?usp=sharing
Facilities
Please read the Mandatory Asbestos Notification for Contractors. All AHERA binders must be available in your Main Office.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14WsJ6wW02ipoSKw11kuv_9G4Z2HsiZbX/view?usp=sharing
The custodial bid move happens Tuesday October 13th. Where applicable, we encourage all school leaders who receive a new custodian to meet with them around their expectations for performance and maintenance of the building.
Food and Nutritional Services
Please ensure you have confirmed your meal plan with your site coordinator. - 3 day meal packs will now be available in bags with handles; we are removing the bulky boxes.
Safety Services
Please read this memo regarding the roles of Chief of Safety Services and the Executive Director of Safety Services.
As of last week, 27 schools still need to submit a Safety Plan. Please ensure this is submitted. This is a friendly reminder that your safety plans are due. 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 in a timely manner to allow for proper review and support by Director Deraney. All plans need to be reviewed by Safety Services prior to the DESE district submission deadline of September 1, 2020.
IMPORTANT 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.
Division of Student, Family & Community Engagement
Staples gift cards were provided to schools based upon projected enrollment. This means there are many schools who have received a few more than they need, and just as many schools who are a few short. If you have more cards than you have students, please connect with Margaret Farmer in the Office of Student, Family, and Community Advancement at mfarmer2@bostonpublicschools.org.
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