Words from Grace
Although it may seem like a distant memory, I hope you had a peaceful Thanksgiving and were able to disconnect. We celebrated on Saturday and just ran out of leftovers. Over the break, I reread Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; it felt great to become totally engrossed in a book even though it wasn't the first time.
Speaking of being engrossed, view this 15 minute video from Principal Bryan - sharing a beautiful book! It also includes a surprise at the end.
On Tuesday, we will conduct another round of observation/feedback session. Please find a volunteer in your group!
Important Dates
December 10 - All School Leader PD and PLCs
December 16 - Boston School Committee Meeting
December 20 - Fall Trimester Grading Window Closes (grades K-5, K-6, K-8)
December 24 - January 4 - Winter Recess
January 5 - students return to school
January 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Division of Academics
EL Module 2 - Week 1 Resources
ELA EL Curriculum teachers of grades 3-5 have access to curriculum lesson plan slides for the first 5 days of Module 2B, beginning December 7. Slides are available for both First and Second Editions of EL. These resources are meant to support teachers who are facilitating EL in a remote or hybrid setting by providing the curriculum with fidelity, with the expectation that teachers will adjust activities to support the needs of their students in either the slides or Nearpod formats.
The link to the slides is here:
Grade 4 First edition and Second
Please contact Stacie Withington swithington@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions.
Help us Identify Best Practices for EL Curriculum in the Remote/Hybrid Environment
The Telescope Network is seeking your help to identify teachers who are doing great work implementing the EL curriculum, so we can plan teacher-led professional learning opportunities. If you have a "bright spot" to recommend please send to Paul Tritter the:- Name
- Role
- School
- Brief description of the practice/the reason you are recommending this educator
In the Telescope Network, we call our bright spots “Humble Experts.” These are educators who:
- are demonstrating effective or promising practice
- are less focused on “the what” (the tech tools, the curricula, “do what I do”, etc.), and more interested in the “why” and “how” (putting the tools and practices together in context to support students, families and colleagues).
- are reflective, able to share with others the thinking behind the practice
- represent the diversity of our students and city
Math PD - Engaging Students Remotely Using Math Routines
Teachers will learn several rich mathematical routines that allow students to engage in mathematical thinking remotely. These routines provide entry points for all learners, allow students to build on each other's ideas and keep students thinking at the center of discussion allowing for an equitable mathematical experience.
Thursday, December 10th - 4:00-5:30p - Grades K-6
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5164884022?pwd=d3JjY3NmY2F2QnVTV3h6SVlUSUZXZz09
Tuesday, December 8th - 4:00-5:30p - Grades 7-12
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5164884022?pwd=d3JjY3NmY2F2QnVTV3h6SVlUSUZXZz09
Math Curriculum Resources
(All are available on the Academics Website - bookmark it if you haven't yet!)
- Investigation Student Activity Pages (SAB's) for all grades, all units, English and Spanish- Link
- Connected Math3 (CMP3) - Student Pages- All grades, Units 1-4- Link
- Condensing Documents- Suggestions from TERC Investigations on how to condense units based on priority learning in remote and hybrid instruction - Link
- List of great Math Online Resources- Link
Fundations - Levels K, 1, and 2
December 16th 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Teachers will learn about the instructional principles of Fundations, the materials teachers and students use, the activities at each grade level, the resources available to plan lessons, and the assessments to track students progress unit by unit. If you are teaching Fundations but have never been trained, or you received training a while ago and need a refresher, this PD is for you. Fill out the registration and survey ASAP. You will receive the Zoom link by December 15th.
Elevating Identity, Agency, and Belonging with the BPS Transformative SEL Action Guide
The Office of Health & Wellness invites you to a webinar designed to deepen your knowledge of transformative SEL strategies. During this session, we will release an online action guide focused on strategies that educators and school leaders can use to deepen Transformative SEL in remote and in-person instruction.This session will be offered on two dates:
- December 8, 2:00-4:00 pm
- December 16, 8:30-10:30am
See the flyer for more details and register on TeachPoint today!
NEW! SEL Signature Practices Calendar Resource
Please check out the new SEL Signature Practices Calendar on the SEL Instruction website! The purpose of the calendar is to provide a menu of SEL practices that can be modified and integrated into instructional planning each month for students to practice SEL skills while engaging in learning. Using these practices regularly provides opportunities for consistency, predictability and relationship building.This training series will focus on specific skills for lunch and recess monitors. Principals can sign up their staff members or staff can sign up themselves. Once they sign up via the Google Form, you will get an email from us. You can attend one, all, or a mix! Each week, you will receive an email and calendar invite with information.
See the flyer for more information and reach out to Molly Rosen with any questions!
The Division of Academics Resource Website is Up!
We are excited to announce the Division of Academics resource website has been launched! The website includes up to date information from each of our offices, which are Academics & Professional Learning (APL), Office of Special Education, Office of Teacher Leadership & Development, Office of English Learners, Office of Health & Wellness, and Office of Extended Learning Opportunities. Each office has provided a framework to address unfinished learning, including pacing guides, and asynchronous professional development opportunities. The site will also be used to post any additional resources and best practices from the field. We welcome your feedback for improvement and hope you will share this resource with every member in your learning community.Please contact Deandra Robinson if you have any questions.
OUT for Safe Schools Badge Training
The OUT for Safe Schools Badge Training provides concrete strategies to enhance awareness of LGBTQ+ bias, promote positive connections and ensure that LBGTQ+ students and families feel welcomed and affirmed in every school community. From this training, participants will understand what it means to be an LGBTQ ally.- Date: December 17, 2020, 3 - 4:30pm
- Presenters: DJ Rock, LGBTQ+ Student Support Manager, & Elijah Oyenuga, GSA Coordinator
- Please check out the flyer for more information! Register through TeachPoint or use this form.
Teacher Leadership Fund - Mid-year Grants
The Teacher Leadership Fund is happy to announce a new mid-year grant opportunity for this year only. We know that now more than ever educators are innovating and creating to address the immense challenges that our students and schools are facing, especially those that have been created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of up to $5000 will be awarded to teams of educators. Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Initial deadline is December 15th. For more information, please click here.Division of Accountability
Transformation Strategy Update - Dec. 4
New in Data Digest Dashboard: Staff Attendance
Staff Attendance has been added to the school-facing The 20-21 Data Digest Dashboard, as well as the Central Office version.- Follow this link with your BPS email address.
- [School version] Select “Allow” in the “Grant Consent” pop-up to see your school’s data.
Interim Assessment Announcements
1) Interim 1 Data Dive PD Opportunities
- ODA is hosting virtual PD sessions for teachers or school administrators to practice the steps for effectively utilizing Interim data to inform instruction. The session will cover
- how to view and analyze assessment results in Illuminate
- how to utilize Interim data to plan for instruction
- guided practice analyzing Interim data and using action planning tools
- More information and a link to register for a session can be found here.
2) Grading Constructed Responses
- It is essential that teachers score any constructed responses on the Interims. Constructed Responses default to a score of '0', resulting in artificially lower scores, when left unscored.
- School Leaders can check for unscored constructed response items in Illuminate:
- Find the CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE tile on the homepage. If you see the little red notification bubble, that means there are assessments that have constructed response items that need to be graded.
- Click on the CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE tile to pull the list of assessments with constructed response items that need to be graded. Follow up with teachers and share this guide with those who need help with Grading Constructed Responses Anyone who needs support or has questions should reach out to Dana Pulda-Acone at formatives@bostonpublicschools.org.
The Behavioral Health Services Team is hosting virtual events on Dec. 8, 10, and 17 to offer families resources and support with remote learning. The topics include Parent Mindfulness, Managing Anxiety, Goal Setting, and Balancing Screen Time.
For more information and to register, please use the following link.
Student, Teacher, and Family Surveys are Now Open!
Please ensure that your school community is well represented. Homeroom teachers should administer the 10 minute student survey during class time. Teachers and Families have been emailed links to the survey. In order to support family participation, response rates, completion lists, and more are included in the Leader/Coordinator Guide.Please reach out to: rc069@bostonpublicschools.org or support+bps@panoramaed.com if you have any questions.
Office of Leadership Development
Please join us or share with others who may be interested in joining us at a School Leadership Information Session on December 9th at 5:30p. Please register and find information about future dates here.
We would like to recognize and give thanks to SY20-21 Recruitment Fellows: Derrick Ciesla, Bethy Verano and Nora Vernazza. We are excited to be working with this team to perform the district- based screening of all candidates for the Principal, Head of School and Assistant Principal (and other similar positions) pool. Please find out more about our fellows and their schools here!
Do you know someone who is interested in school leadership? Do you see promise in someone with whom you work? Would you like to learn more about leadership yourself? Please fill out this referral form for folks interested in our pipeline programs or building level leadership.
We look forward to seeing school leaders at All Leader PD and PLCs on Thursday, December 10th at 8:30a. A more detailed agenda will be available closer to the day.
Panorama Weekly Update
Division of Human Capital
Incentive for Early Notification of Termination for Boston Teachers Union - Teachers Unit
In order to assist hiring for SY21-22, the Boston Public Schools is offering a one-time incentive for early notification of termination to members of the BTU Teachers’ Unit. An individual must be a permanent BTU Teacher, have a minimum of ten (10) years of continuous service in the Boston Public Schools, and must meet the minimum age requirement of fifty-five (55) years. Applications must be filed with the Office of Human Capital by the close of business on Friday, January 8, 2020. If accepted, a one-time payment of $1,500 will be made by Friday, February 19, 2021. Individuals planning to retire must also file an “Intent to Retire” form with the City of Boston Retirement Board. Form Link: APPLICATION FOR INCENTIVE FOR EARLY NOTIFICATION OF TERMINATION
Pre-Probable Org
It's December, which means budget and staffing season are underway! You and your school's liaisons should have already received an invitation to a Pre-Probable Org meeting from your HC Manager. Agendas and staffing spreadsheets will be sent for those meetings in the upcoming weeks. For a helpful introductory guide to Probable Org, or a refresher for returning school leaders, please see our Probable Org 101 Guide.
Outreach to Unlicensed Hires
In the coming weeks, OHC will be sending a notice to all Provisional Teachers who are teaching on waivers or emergency licenses to ensure they understand that they must obtain valid DESE licensure in order to be retained for the following school year. We encourage you to please have proactive conversations with your staff letting them know these letters are coming and to support them with next steps in obtaining the correct license for their positions.
UPCOMING DEADLINE - Fall/Winter Pathway Programs
The upcoming Pathway Programs offer professional development and licensure preparation in three areas - English as a Second Language, Severe Disabilities, and Moderate Disabilities. The programs should be of particular interest to teachers with emergency licenses or waivers in these areas, as well current and prospective inclusion and ESL teachers, as well as grade and content teachers in SEI program schools. The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, December 14. Click here for program information and application. For questions, please email pathwayprograms@bostonpublicschools.org.
Division of Student, Family, & Community Engagement
Exam School Information Sessions
We will have an info session for BPS School Leaders only on Monday, December 7 at 4pm. School Leaders should use the following link: https://k12-bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/88273850767
Additional dates for remaining info sessions open to the public can be found here: https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/6594
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