The Superintendent Scoop #6
December 8th, 2024
Job-Embedded Professional Leaning in Action 💪
This past Tuesday evening, PLT leads from across the district came together for the monthly PLT Lead meeting. The focus of the evening was for each school site to share their school-wide instructional focus to address an OSAS ELA target, developed during the November 15th Professional Development session. The PLT Leads and principal teams did a fantastic job presenting their plans, highlighting strategies designed to address the OSAS target data. With this shared focus, schools are now aligned to support student success more effectively, fostering a sense of clarity and collective purpose.
A key takeaway from the evening was the importance of using data to drive instructional decision-making. The OSAS target data pinpointed where students need the most support, allowing schools to approach their work with intentionality. Data-driven decisions ensure that efforts are targeted and meaningful, allowing educators to adjust their approaches to ensure success. Our work in this area aims to lay a foundation for district-wide goals, which will be developed in collaboration with the school board. It’s exciting to see how these efforts at the school level will contribute to a broader vision, creating a unified plan to support all students across the district.
Strong instructional leadership is at the heart of this process, and we are incredibly grateful to those who have stepped up to help lead this work in their buildings. Their dedication and expertise are essential to driving these school-wide efforts forward and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
With Gratitude,
Matt Ellis
Question #2 of the PLC Process - How will we know if the students have learned?
Using formative assessments is a key strategy in addressing Question #2 of the PLC process: "How will we know if students have learned?" These assessments help teachers monitor student progress in real time, ensuring instruction is responsive and meets the needs of all learners. By integrating formative assessments regularly, educators gain valuable insights into what students understand, what they are struggling with, and how instruction can be adjusted to support mastery before moving on to new content.
The beauty of formative assessments is that they don’t have to feel like traditional tests (nor do they have to be graded). Fun, interactive approaches such as Kahoot quizzes, classroom games, or quick digital polls can engage students while still providing meaningful data. These methods create a more dynamic and engaging classroom environment where students feel encouraged to participate and demonstrate what they know without the pressure of high-stakes testing. Activities like whiteboard challenges, think-pair-share discussions, or even hands-on learning checkpoints can provide valuable insights while keeping students motivated and involved.
Incorporating creative, non-paper-and-pencil assessments can help students see learning as an enjoyable and collaborative process rather than a rigid task. It also allows teachers to collect various evidence that reflects the diverse ways students demonstrate understanding. These formative assessments not only enhance teaching and learning but also reinforce the collaborative nature of the PLC process, ensuring teams have the data they need to make informed decisions about instruction and intervention. By leveraging these tools, we can make learning more engaging and effective for every student.
Excellence Across the District
It’s truly impressive to see our students engaging in such a wide variety of activities, showcasing their talents and dedication in so many areas. Whether they’re exploring new concepts in the classroom, giving it their all on the athletic fields, or shining in artistic and extracurricular pursuits, our students demonstrate hard work, creativity, and passion every day. From academic achievements to teamwork and perseverance, there’s so much to celebrate and be proud of in our schools. These moments remind us of the incredible potential within our students and the supportive community that helps them thrive.
As the weather changes with more rain and lower temperatures, it is a good time to remind everyone about school procedures for inclement weather.
When temperatures drop, and we are concerned about icy roads, several staff members drive the roads within the school district. After gathering input, we decide on a late start or a school closure if needed.
We constantly communicate with and take input from the local authorities and emergency management when road conditions change.
We will do our best to communicate with staff and families by 6:00 am at the latest should we need to adjust the day’s schedule. This information is shared as early as possible through the district's Facebook page, website, and Remind app.
If you feel uncomfortable traveling to work due to road conditions, please communicate immediately with your supervisor.
Please note:
We do not consider conditions outside the school district boundary when making decisions. If you travel from out of the area, it will be important for you to monitor the weather and make plans accordingly.
When the waters begin to rise, it is not uncommon for Highway 101 to close and for water to go over the Wilson River Loop bypass. You may have to drive through high water to get to school if you live north of town. If the road is open and drivable (even with water over the road), we will keep our doors open but may adjust start and end times based on high tides. This may mean that you have to drive through high water to get to work. If you don’t have a high-clearance vehicle, you will need to plan accordingly.
If you live up one of the rivers or out near the beach, landslides happen. Please ensure you are aware of alternative routes so you can travel safely.
Join Us for the "Fall Into the Holidays" Winter Carnival
Mark your calendars for December 15th, 2024, and bring the family to Tillamook High School for an afternoon of fun, food, and games! The Winter Carnival, hosted by Senior Abby Blackburn & the PTC, supports TSD9 K-6 schools and features activities like a cakewalk and exciting games. Entry is just $15, with tickets available online starting December 1st or at the door. Don't miss this festive community event!
The Joy of Music🎶 Celebrating Our Band and Choir Performances
Celebrating Our Band and Choir Performances
This holiday season, our students have numerous opportunities to share their musical talents with the community. From festive band concerts to joyful choir performances, these events highlight their hard work and dedication.
Junior High/High School Band Concert @ THS: December 11th @ 7:00 pm
Junior High/High School Choir Concert @ THS: December 17th @ 7:00 pm
Liberty 1st grade Holiday Concert: December 20th @ 1:15 & 2:15 pm
South Prairie 3rd Grade Holiday Concert: December 16th @ 1:30 pm
Winter Break is Almost Here
No School: December 23rd, 2024 - January 3rd, 2025
As we approach the winter break, we hope your family enjoys this special time together to relax, recharge, and celebrate. While it’s a time for rest, we encourage families to keep the learning going by engaging in fun and educational activities. Reading a favorite book, playing games that build critical thinking skills, or exploring creative projects together are great ways to stay sharp and curious during the break.
We will be excited to see you back at school on
Monday, January 6th, 2025.
