Learning Together

Message from Troy D. Olin, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

As the holiday season unfolds, we are filled with immense gratitude for your dedication to the instructional areas of focus this school year. During our classroom visits, it's been great to witness the strides being made in these areas:

1. Empowered Learners: Students are demonstrating a deep understanding of their learning targets and success criteria. It is truly inspiring to see students holding themselves to high expectations for their personal growth and achievement.
2. Engaging Classrooms: The classrooms are alive with active student engagement! Through interactive participation, collaboration, thoughtful questioning, and authentic learning experiences, our students are becoming active contributors to their education.
3. Tailored Support: Tier I instruction is a shining example of our commitment to supporting the diverse needs of each student. It's evident that our educators are going above and beyond to ensure that every learner receives the personalized attention they require to thrive.

These successes are a testament to your hard work and dedication. As we celebrate the holidays, let's take a moment to revel in these accomplishments and the positive impact we're having on the lives of our students.

May your holidays be filled with joy and well-deserved relaxation. Looking forward to another year of collective achievement and growth!

As we have developed and implemented our strategic plan for equity, we also recognize that each student's unique background, experiences and talents should be valued and supported has been at the center of our work.

This year, our focus has extended to our grading practices—a fundamental aspect of the educational experience. Grades are the main criteria in almost every decision we make about students. They have a significant impact on a student's view of themselves as a learner, which ultimately impacts how engaged students will be in their own learning.

Thoughtful discussions about grading are essential, especially when considering the impact on historically underserved students. We appreciate the conversations that you have been having, and encourage you to continue to reflect on how our grading practices are connected to our equity work.

The article linked below will give you some additional points to consider as we continue to learn together throughout the year.

Take a look at some of the upcoming offerings in our district professional learning catalog! Some have a few spots left, and some are new to the catalog. Be sure to check back regularly for new additions!

From Concept to Classroom *6-12 Instructional Staff Only*

Dates: 1/10/2024 to 2/7/2024

Master the art of designing lessons that meet the goals and standards of your units while also engaging your students. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching career, this course offers valuable insights and practical strategies. Throughout this course, you'll discover how to create cohesive curriculum units, craft engaging lessons, and assess student learning effectively. You'll be guided through each step of the planning process, honing your ability to tailor your teaching to your students' needs. By the end, you'll be better equipped to plan, teach, and reflect on your teaching practices, ultimately enhancing your students' learning experiences. This course is open to 6-12 Instructional Staff only.

Middle School Civics Capstone Collegial Circle - *Secondary Social Studies and SPED teachers only*

Dates: 1/10/2024 to 1/31/2024

This Collegial Circle intended for Social Studies or SPED Middle/High School teachers will focus on learning about and creating the civics capstone project for Middle School students to earn 1 credit towards the Seal of Civic Readiness.

Unpacking the Annual Review Guide - *6-12 Special Education Teachers Only*

Dates: 1/22/2024 to 2/12/2024

This course will provide time to "unpack" the Annual Review guide to explore the necessary components of IEP development focusing on present levels of performance, goals, accommodations and transition. This course will provide practical tools and insights to enhance teacher's ability to write effective and personalized education documents aligned with the most current state guidance. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring connectedness throughout the document to ensure that students with disabilities receive personalized and meaningful educational plans that support their academic and personal growth.

LETRS Volume One Manual Book Study

Dates: 1/23/2024 to 2/27/2024

**PREREQUISITE: Must be currently enrolled in or have completed LETRS Vol. 1 training in order to register for this collegial circle.** During the collegial circle, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of literacy knowledge and professional practice. The course will also provide an opportunity for participants to collaborate and ask questions as we take what we learn from LETRS Volume One and put it into practice in the classroom. Participants will be required to read the LETRS Volume One Manual provided during initial LETRS Volume One professional learning course.

CRSE - Cohort 7 Training

Dates: 1/31/2024 to 6/13/2024

The purpose of this foundational training is to provide all existing and future Gates Chili instructional staff with a common experience that builds their background knowledge of culturally responsive education and creates the space for staff to examine their own identities and personal histories and the impact these have on their role as an educator in Gates Chili. Please note the dates, times and locations of all sessions as they will be a mixture of four (4) after-school virtual sessions, two (2) full-day in-person sessions, and one (1) after-school in-person session.

The Restorative Journey book study - K-12 Instructional Staff

Dates: 2/27/2024 to 3/26/2024

The Restorative Journey is a framework for understanding and applying social principles to prevent and heal harm and restore relationships. This framework challenges the punitive system of discipline which is the norm in our current society. This book explores the key aspects to Restorative Practices, including emotional vocabulary, restorative questions, and restorative circles. This book will start you on a journey to transform your approach to authority, discipline, and community building. Each in-person meeting will be 1.5 hours, with 30 minutes of time built in for outside reading.

Congratulations to Amber Ake, Katrina Keefe and Sarah Klinczar who were the first three to respond to last month's riddle correctly - 4 Sisters and 3 Brothers

If you know the answer to this month's riddle, click HERE to submit your answer. The first three (3) people who answer the riddle correctly will receive a special prize in their mailbox next week!

Good luck!

December Riddle: The first two letters signify a male, the first three letters signify a female, the first four letters signify great qualities, while the entire word signifies a great woman. What is the word?