Learning Together
Office of Instruction Newsletter - Template
Message from Troy D. Olin, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
As we approach the February break, we want to take a moment to celebrate and express our gratitude to each of you. Your hard work and dedication throughout the district does not go unnoticed.
This break provides a valuable opportunity for you to recharge and reflect on the impact you've made on our students' lives. Your commitment to excellence is evident in the positive and engaging learning environments you create every day.
While you enjoy this well-deserved break, please know that your efforts are deeply appreciated. Behind the scenes, your dedication to continuous improvement plays a crucial role in the success of our district.
Thank you for your exceptional work. Wishing you a restful and enjoyable February break!
Literacy Professional Learning - LETRS Vol. 2
Consistent and comprehensive professional learning opportunities play an important role as we work to align our literacy program to reading research. We are excited to share that plans are underway for staff participation in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Volume 2. This volume specifically targets the Language Comprehension strands outlined in Scarborough’s Reading Rope. This encompasses components such as:
- Vocabulary: Understanding and teaching vocabulary effectively.
- Language and Reading Comprehension: Enhancing students’ comprehension skills.
- Writing: Developing strategies for effective writing instruction.
Further details regarding these sessions will be shared later this spring. Continuous learning is an integral part of our commitment to enhancing our literacy program and improving outcomes for students!
Winter Teacher Leader Meeting
Teacher leaders across the district play a critical role in supporting the work of the Office of Instruction. Three times each year, they take time out of their classrooms or away from their day-to-day responsibilities to come together and meet with us.
On February 7th, teacher leaders participated in a half day of learning and collaboration. They spent time in reflective conversations about our Strategic Plan for Equity and the role they play as leaders. We had an opportunity to learn about how we will be unifying and aligning our communication strategies with our upcoming implementation of Parent Square. Our instructional coaches provided strategies to focus on active student engagement through active participation. We also spent a portion of the time on our book study, by discussing equitable grading practices that are mathematically accurate, bias-resistant, and value student knowledge.
We encourage you to ask curriculum, department or content leaders about any of these topics, as well as the upcoming process for summer curriculum work.
We appreciate all of our teacher leaders for their continued dedication to Gates Chili, their colleagues and our students!
Equitable Grading Practices
Give us your input!
Click or scan the QR code for a quick agree or disagree form related to equitable grading practices!
Professional Learning Reminders
March 8 Superintendent's Conference Day
You will receive an email with more details about the day and your breakout session assignment during the week of March 8. You will also receive a printed schedule with a map by mid-week. Please remember to bring your schedule and map with you on conference day, as they will help you locate your breakout room.
Riddle Me This...
Congratulations to Anna Howard, Lilian Kim, and Janice Philips who were the first three to respond to last month's riddle correctly - A is D's uncle
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!
February Riddle: A rebus is a pictogram that represents a word, phrase, or saying. For example, "Ci ii" represents "See eye to eye." What word or phrase does the following rebus represent: O_ER_T_O_?
Look out for future issues of the "Learning Together" newsletter on the first Friday of each month this school year!
The Gates Chili Central School District is dedicated to fostering curiosity, growth, and diversity within our school community. The district celebrates and embraces differences and strives to dismantle exclusion, bias, racism, and prejudice of all forms.