Springfield Local Schools

Dear PreK-5 Educators,

As we move closer to the end of the 19/20 academic year, please read over the updates listed below:

• Kindergarten Outreach Program: Due to the nature of this program, we are putting this program on hold until the 21/22 school year. We are concerned about the health hazards associated with sending families out into the community for outreach events.
• Handwriting Curriculum: Prior to COVID-19, we were ready to roll out a phase-in implementation plan of Handwriting Without Tears involving PreK-1 (20-21) and 2-3 (21-22). However, this plan is on hold for another school year. While we recognize that handwriting is an important part of the curriculum, we need to focus our efforts on other components at this time.
• Professional Development -ESC: There are several exciting PD sessions available for free through the ESC of Lake Erie West. Use the link below to sign up for updates pertaining to upcoming PD sessions: http://www.esclakeeriewest.org/NewsPD1.aspx
• Virtual Meetups - ODE: Representatives from ODE are hosting virtual meetups for all of the content areas. Check out this link for more information: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/OLS-Graphic-Sections/Resources
• Virtual Classrooms: Please let me know if you are interested in learning more about virtual classrooms via Google Slides & Bitmoji. These are so much fun to create and share with families:) Here's my virtual classroom/bookshelf: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSJtlB4KSY7vwvQwUw0654utzmEkRNDDGB0P72V_dLundnZInzk4910-tTKTsDBZzvrNX1B3t45cvrd/pub?start=true&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p

• Priority Standards: Thank you for collaborating as a grade level to identify priority standards in need of review for the upcoming school year.
• Online Learning Survey: Based on your feedback, I am compiling a list of online learning platforms for us to explore as options for the fall, whether we are face-to-face or virtual. More details will be shared in the near future.
• 4th Grade ELA Units: The original plan was to fully implement the 4th grade Digital ELA Units next school year. In consultation with the curriculum writers, we have made the decision to postpone implementation until the 21/22 academic year. An extra year will provide the team with ample time to enhance the units by adding additional digital components. In addition, the team was unable to pilot all of the units due to the pandemic.
• Summer Learning Menus: The learning team has developed OPTIONAL Summer Learning Menus for grades PreK-5. The menus will be available in each of the elementary buildings during learning packet drop-off. We are posting the menus online as well, here's the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rlYnHpWfTpe6gFHkN_xHAO0pkupP_cGo?usp=sharing

Kind Regards,

Taryn Miley

In collaboration with the Toledo Zoo, Kelly Kahmann and Kristy DiSalle, are serving as curriculum writers for the Project PRAIRIE science units. As stated by Kristy DiSalle, "The prairie life science 5E lessons are going to be aligned with the new standards and easy for teachers to take learning outside into their prairie classroom." Professional development will be provided during the 21/22 academic year. In the meantime, prairie installation is set to begin this summer at Crissey, Holland, and Holloway.

According to the Toledo Zoo, "the living labs, or prairies, are an inquiry-based education program that trains students and their teachers to use native prairie habits for citizen science projects that contribute to a larger body of global research." Mitch Magdich from the Toledo Zoo, has been instrumental in securing funds for the prairie sites in Springfield Local Schools. We are excited to watch our prairies sleep (year 1), creep (year 2), and leap (year 3).

As educators, we recognize that the social-emotional needs of our students will be even greater after the pandemic. As a result, we have decided to move forward in implementing "Second Step SEL." The Second Step curriculum kits are purchased and will be sent to buildings. Within each building, grade levels will share the kits. We've used Second Step for several years with great success. We have found that teachers love using Second Step SEL because lesson plans and activities are easy to implement and require little prep time.

• Select the button below to sign up for free webinars to learn more about the program.
• Please take a look at the Scope & Sequence documents provided below. I've also included an alignment chart so that you can see how Second Step SEL aligns with other programs such as RTI & PBIS. They have released an alignment chart for Ohio SEL Standards, but there are major font issues so I'll wait until they release a better version.
• Due to the pandemic, they have released on-demand lessons. Here's the link: https://www.secondstep.org/covid19support
• We are developing a plan to provide a 60-90 training session prior to implementation.

In consultation with your building principal, please plan on incorporating the curriculum into your lesson plans for the fall of 2020. Lesson times vary. K-2 (up to 20 minutes), 3-5 (up to 30 minutes). Buildings may provide a set time similar to the Olweus class meetings. In years past, we have tried to begin the program as early as possible to help set the tone for a positive and safe classroom environment. The school counselors and SEL coaches are available to assist you in the implementation process.

The lesson photos, videos, and songs from the Second Step SEL Program are available on SecondStep.org as a service. You can stream the lesson media right to your classroom - no CDs or DVDs needed. One person per grade level will need to register the kit to receive free access for that program and grade. You will find activation codes listed below. The lesson scripts from the lesson cards and notebooks are not included online.

• Kindergarten: SSPK X2F5 0K0D
• Grade 1: SSP1 LS52 54HT
• Grade 2: SSP2 5D5R A83F
• Grade 3: SSP3 P9W8 TZ25
• Grade 4: SSP4 8SL6 6ZB0
• Grade 5: SSP5 KM51 TN88

We are holding a virtual PD session on Friday, May 29th. Elementary sessions will be held from 8:00 AM - 3:15 PM. There will be breaks built into the sessions.

• The sessions will be recorded in case you are unable to participate on that particular date/time. Please watch the recorded session(s) by June 5th.
• Please contact me if you need a chromebook to use at home.
• Virtual meeting links will be sent via email.
• ARC/IRLA Training: We are training all of our K-5 Intervention Specialists and Special Units. You will be assigned a specific grade level - more details will be shared soon.
• Grades 4-5: In the fall, you will receive a hard copy of the book, "Launching the Writing Workshop" (Smekens). For the PD session, please download a copy of the book by following the directions listed below. Thanks:)

After careful consideration, we are hosting a full day of ELA Training through the American Reading Company (ARC). Please have your IRLA (Independent Reading Level Assessment) available during the sessions. Prior to the session, you will receive an email with a few important resources to build your background knowledge. In addition, please download/view the IRLA Training documents below this section.

AGENDA
8:15-9:00 Overview

9:00-11:00 IRLA: Understanding and Dig into Color Levels

11:00-11:45 IRLA (breakout sessions)

• Kindergarten: Amanda Schlageter
• 1st Grade: Emily Graham
• 2nd Grade: Kelly Hartbarger
• 3rd Grade: Kelly Kahmann

11:45-12:45 Lunch

12:45-1:00 Debrief

1:00-2:45 Foundation Toolkits/Power Goals/Explore SchoolPace

2:45-3:15 Application- Foundational Toolkits/Power Goals

Grades K-3: The mini-lessons from the book, "Launching the Writing Workshop" will support the new ELA curriculum when we implement the core. In the meantime, please feel free to access the appropriate book using the links below. We have ordered hard copies as well. Our goal is to provide a PD session in the fall similar to the 4-5 session outlined below. In the meantime, please feel free to jump in and get your feet wet if you so desire:)

Grades 4-5: We are excited to continue our work with Shona Lansell from Smekens. She will work with grades 4 & 5 on May 29th. The session will focus on launching a writer's workshop and planning the first 25 days of instruction for both typical and remote learning modes. Please use the links below to obtain a virtual copy of the book, "Launching the Writer's Workshop" which will be referenced throughout the PD session. Hard copies of the book will be available in the fall.

FOR K-2 TEACHERS:

To download your personal digital copy of Launching the Writer’s Workshop:

1. Use this link to order the K-2 Launch from The Literacy Store.
2. Complete the checkout process. (With the custom link, your final cost will be $0)
3. After checkout is complete, look for an email from The Literacy Store with the subject line “Your downloads are ready.”

NOTE: This is a secure link for Springfield Local Schools K-2 educators only.

FOR 3-12 TEACHERS:

To download your personal digital copy of Launching the Writer’s Workshop:

1. Use this link to order the 3-12 Launch from The Literacy Store.
2. Complete the checkout process. (With the custom link, your final cost will be $0)
3. After checkout is complete, look for an email from The Literacy Store with the subject line “Your downloads are ready.”

NOTE: This is a secure link for Springfield Local Schools 3-12 educators only.