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WSESU Staff Update
June 7, 2024
WSESU VISION AND MISSION
Our Vision:
Engaging hearts and minds for a limitless future
WSESU - where students want to learn, staff want to work, and families want to live
Our Mission:
WSESU is a diverse community of learners where:
Every learner has the potential to be a leader
Students have a strong voice in shaping their school experiences
Learning is personal, connected, and relevant
High expectations exist in caring, nurturing environments
Individuals grow into larger communities, while also broadening a sense of self
Positive relationships define the interactions between school and the community
Students get better at making decisions by making decisions
Everyone is able to bring their full selves to the learning experience
Last Day of School
The last day of school for students will be June 13th. The last day of school for teachers will be June 14th (teacher prep day).
FY25 Collaborative Practices Schedule (2:40 - 3:15)
After some feedback about the Collaborative Practice schedule (our 2:40 - 3:15 time), we have made a few adjustments for next year. Mondays and Fridays will continue to be used for team/Pod time, ChildFind, IEP/504 meetings, and SU level meetings for team leaders. Tuesdays will continue to be used for MTSS/Data meetings. We have decided to dedicate Thursdays for staff meetings next year. Some Thursday Staff Meeting time next year will be facilitated by your building based equity coaches. The 2nd Wednesday of each month will be used for Lighthouse Team meetings and the 3rd Wednesday of each month will be used for Action Team meetings. All staff members will be asked to join an Action Team next year. The 1st and 4th Wednesdays of the month will be used as follow up MTSS/Data meetings for planning based on your regular classroom data dives.
We are excited about the consistency that this schedule will bring to our schools/teams. We have also worked to create some efficiences in our systems and have morphed our LiM teams into what makes the most sense for us.
- The MTSS Coordinators/Team Leaders/Instructional Coaches will become what was the Academic Action Team. This 'new' team will be called the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT).
- Our Culture Action Team (CAT) will morph a bit and expand the work of building positive and safe school cultures by incorporating equity coaches. Equity coaches will help us to create the cultures we all want in our schools - cultures where everyone has a sense of belonging and where everyone feels welcome, included, and represented.
- Our Leadership Action Team (LAT) will continue to focus on new and ongoing staff and student learning, with a new focus on ensuring that our new staff have the LIM training needed to be successful.
Student Led Conferences for FY25
Based on the parent and staff feedback regarding Student Led Conferences, we have made some decisions for next year.
Fall Conferences: (can be Parent/Teacher or Parent/Student/Teacher):
At the Fall Conference, the expectation is that student goals will be shared with parents in whatever format makes the most sense for your grade level. The goals can be shared by the classroom teacher or the student. If you are choosing to have students share goals, it can be done via paper, leadership portfolio, videos, or in a student led conference (your choice). Sharing the student goals in the fall will allow students to share progress on their goals at the Spring Student Led Conference.
Spring Conferences: (Parent/Student/Teacher)
At the Spring Conferences, the expectation is that students will have time to present their growth via their Student Leadership Portfolio or Personalized Learning Plan (middle and high school).
If you are planning to offer remote conferences, you will need to plan how to have students present their Student Leadership Portfolio or Personalized Learning Plan remotely. This might mean that students make some sort of presentation that can be shared in a google meet, take their portfolios home for the conference, or some other method.
We also heard that some parents wanted to be able to spend some of the Spring Conference without the student present. This could mean that you ask the student to step outside the classroom during the conference while you meet with just the parent, create a plan to invite all parents in for more of an open house type sharing of portfolios (I know some K and 1 classes did this this year) and then schedule time to meet with parents at a different time.
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HELP NEEDED: Continuous Improvement Plan and Data Inventory Feedback
This is a requirement for federal grants funding. Please consider taking some time to look over the webpage and offer your feedback.
Here's a link to a web page that gives you all the information you need to participate in the Continuous Improvement Planning Process. In my role as Federal Grants Manager, I am inviting you to share your voice, offer some feedback, and be a part of the process that helps us reach our goal to serve ALL students in Windsor Southeast. If you have any questions please reach out to Angie Ladeau, aladeau@wsesu.net.
Cell Phone Survey Results
If looks like there is a lot of interest (at least at the high school level) to pilot something like Yondr Pouches for repeat offenders. If you are interested in helping to write a grant to purchase the pouches, please email me.
Staff Shout Out!
I wanted to email you with a shout out for our interventionists here at Windsor. They have been such an incredible support this year. Testing season is brutal and they have provided snacks and drinks to both the teachers and the students. Though Amber is technically my coach, Jessi and Mike have both shared resources with me that have helped me become a better teacher. Classroom teachers get a lot of recognition from students at the end of the year and I just wanted to send along an email highlighting what incredible resources they are! :)
Another Shout Out
National Honor Society Sponsored Staff Member of the Month
Congratulations to our final faculty member of the month, Suzanne Ambrose. Suzanne has been working at the school for 13 years. Throughout the years Suzanne has helped so many students thrive at Windsor. She works so hard to help all students succeed... from letting the seniors know about any scholarship information to providing snacks for so many students to help get us through the day. Suzanne fills in whenever teachers are absent by subbing or organizing people to cover classes. She helps plan many activities and events throughout the school. She also helps organize and volunteers whenever anyone asks her for help. Suzanne truly represents what Windsor's soul is and she is the glue and backbone that holds our school together. Congratulations Suzanne!!
Leadership Day at Weathersfield
On May 24th, Weathersfield School put on a Leadership Day. Much of the day was planned and run by students. During the day, students had opportunities to share some of the learning and projects they have completed this year. The event was truly inspiring and demonstrated how much we are sharing leadership with our students. Below is the speech that was given by Principal Martes to start the day.
Questions to ask to center BELONGING in our work
- Who are my students? What are their needs, lived experiences, etc?
- What does belonging look like? How does belonging show up in my classroom?
- Whose voices am I centering in the classroom, curriculum, visual representation?
- Whose voices and experiences are missing in the curriculum & classroom culture?
- How do I see my students and what assumptions might be operating as I get to know them as learners?
Student Engagement/Leader in Me
Other Important Information
Graduation Dates:
Hartland 8th Grade June 12 @ 4:00
Windsor 8th Grade June 12 @ 6:00
Weathersfield 8th Grade June 10 @ 6:00
ABS 6th Grade June 12th @ 9:00
Windsor High School Graduation is June 7th @ 7:00
Resources and Opportunities
WSESU Book Club
We wanted to provide an update & put out a last call for participation...
The book selected is Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School
Instead of reading/meeting over the summer, we'll plan on meeting up to discuss after we return in the fall
If you are interested in joining in, please email Traci by next Wed 6/12 to request a book (we'll order them by the end of next week)
Opportunity to incubate a curricular redesign or school improvement project through a Dartmouth College program.
Hi, I’m Rafe. I’m an assistant professor at Dartmouth teaching design, design thinking, and education. I’m hoping to start a “Upper Valley Education Design Clinic” this coming academic year in which small teams from Upper Valley public schools work on projects to improve their curricula and/or schools with the help of Dartmouth students and support, learning and utilizing design thinking methods. Here’s a draft overview of the “Clinic Model” that I hope will double as a wonderful professional development opportunity. If interested, email me at rafe.h.steinhauer@dartmouth.edu or sign-up for a time to chat.
Windsor JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Committee is seeking a student rep!
If you know of any students who might be interested in serving on this town committee, please direct them to this link to learn more and have them email Karen Lipinczyk, Community Liaison for JEDI & cc Traci Price, WSESU's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator. The official role of the committee is:
(a) To decide upon recommendations to the Selectboard regarding measures that will address and challenge systemic instances of racism, misogyny, transphobia, ableism, ADA non-compliance, ageism and or any oppression or marginalization.
The JEDI committee will provide recommendations for racial diversity, cultural awareness and privilege with actionable and evidence-based training program(s) for attendance by the Selectboard and others for the purpose of supporting respect and dignity for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in our community; ensuring that Windsor is a safe and welcoming place.
(b) To decide on recommendations to the Selectboard regarding actions Windsor can take to respond to incidents of racism, misogyny, transphobia, ableism, ADA non compliance, ageism and or any oppression or marginalization, such as but not limited to, the implementation of policy regarding ethical standards for comportment and accountability of elected officials and how the Town will respond in the event that they are not adhered to.
(c) The JEDI Committee will evaluate the language of municipal documents, reports, public postings, signage, and online materials to suggest possible changes (as needed). This will be in an effort to ensure accessibility, inclusion and respect for all people in those documents and foster an inclusive community within the town.
June 2024 - LBGTQ+ Pride Month (& Juneteenth)
So many things to acknowledge this month…like making it through (almost) another school year! We are highlighting LBGTQ+ Pride for the month of June and wanted to share local and national resources to learn more…
Gender Spectrum's mission is to create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth. To accomplish this, we help families, organizations, and institutions increase their understanding of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us.
As GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, we knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ+ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, we believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more. Find lesson plans, professional development, networks, etc.
Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to protect all that has been accomplished and helps create a world where everyone can live the life they love.
Out in the Open connects rural LGBTQ+ people to build community, visibility, knowledge and power. We are a multiracial, majority working class, grassroots movement and capacity building organization based in Wabanaki territory in Windham County, Vermont and Waldo County, Maine.
Vermont's only queer youth service organization. Its mission is to build a Vermont where all LGBTQ+ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) youth have hope, equity and power. Find zines, tools, parent & caregiver group, toolkit for parents & caregivers, online learning modules
PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
Rural Outright partners with the LGBTQ+ community to promote health and wellness through connections to community resources and strong social networks. Based in Claremont & Lebanon NH
Trans Student Educational Resources
Youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender non-conforming students through advocacy and empowerment. Founded in 2011, it is the only national organization led by trans youth.
Additional Resources:
A Map of Gender Diverse Cultures - Explore PBS's interactive map to learn about thriving cultures that have recognized, revered, and integrated more than two genders.
Creating Safer Spaces for LGBTQ Youth - toolkit for education, healthcare, and community based organizations
Hope in a Box - LGBTQ-inclusive curricula, training, and mentorship for K-12 educators. Together, we use literature to cultivate empathy and ensure every LGBTQ student feels safe, welcome, and included at school.
Opening the Door To Your LGBTQIA+ Students - 9-min video created by Teaching Tolerance & Outright VT
The Safe Zone Project - Free online resource for powerful, effective LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops
Rights, Respect, Responsibility - teacher's guide supplement for students with disabilities
Some Common Myths About Gender - one page overview
Trans-Affirming Schools Project Resource Guide - The purpose of this guide is to equip K-12 educators with resources to build safer, more affirming school environments
Understanding the Complexities of Gender: Sam Killermann at TEDxUofIChicago - 15-min
Additional June themes:
June 5: World Environment Day
June 12: Loving Day
June 16: Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
June 19: Juneteenth
National Museum of African American History and Culture - Juneteenth, digital toolkit
On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all.
From VT Digger: In 2007, Vermont designated the third Saturday in June as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day.” If approved, the bill under consideration in the Senate would set the date on June 19.