Professional Learning Essentials

Many of the links in this newsletter take you to the Professional Learning Website.

You must be logged into your Google Apps for Education Account in order to access that site.

Click here for a quick tutorial on how to access your GAFE account.

Please note, it is possible that when clicking a link the site may try to open in a different browser. You can "right click" the link and copy the URL into a preferred browser.

Please note: the following schools or groups have approved variances and will have different schedules for January 3 and/or January 6 than what is reflected in this newsletter and on the

Professional Learning Calendar:

Bentwood, Millbrooke, Cedar Creek, Clearwater Creek, Arbor Creek, Harmony, Heartland

All SPED (January 6)

Please follow guidance from your administrator or department.

AM- Building Focused Professional Learning

• Elementary 8:15-11:45am
• Middle School and PLC 7:40-11:10am
• High School 7:15-10:45am
• Harmony and Heartland 8:00-11:30am

• Elementary 12:45-4:15pm (Grades exported no later than 4:00pm)
• Middle School and PLC 12:10-3:40pm (Grades exported no later than 3:00pm)
• High School 11:45am-3:15pm (Grades exported no later than 3:00pm)
• Harmony and Heartland 12:30-4:00pm

AM- District Focused Professional Learning (Click here to access locations and topics)

• Elementary 8:00-11:30am
• Secondary 7:30-11:00am
• All SPED 8:00-11:30am

ATTENDANCE FOR THE AM DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WILL BE TAKEN THROUGH YOUR COMPLETION OF THE FEEDBACK SURVEY. LINK TO THE SURVEY AND TIME TO COMPLETE IT WILL BE PROVIDED AT YOUR GRADE LEVEL/DEPARTMENT SESSION. PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY TO HAVE YOUR ATTENDANCE RECORDED.

• You will be able to access the survey with the QR code provided at your session using your District provided Surface Pro.
• Click here to access instructions.
• The new district guest wifi password will change on Jan. 2. This will only affect you at the Jan. 6 Professional Learning if your device isn’t connecting and you need to connect to the guest wifi or if you are completing the feedback survey with your cell phone and you do not have cellular service inside schools. You will receive information about the new guest wifi from Technology.

• Elementary 1:00-4:00pm
• Secondary 12:30-3:30pm
• All SPED 1:00-4:00pm

ATTENDANCE FOR THE PM JOB-EMBEDDED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WILL BE TAKEN BY YOUR LEADERS FOR LEARNING REPRESENTATIVE AT YOUR HOME BUILDING. PLEASE BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE SIGN IN PROCEDURES FROM YOUR L4L REP TO HAVE YOUR ATTENDANCE RECORDED.

• You may want to consider restarting your computer once or twice over winter break- not doing any work- just restarting your computer! Technology has shared that we are regularly receiving updates pushed out by others such as Google and by restarting your computer, you’ll activate those updates and will minimize delays when you return in January.

Summer Conference is undergoing a REVITALIZATION and our planning committee is hard at work determining our topics and developing the schedule.

Click here to access the Summer Conference Website to learn more about:

• The NEW structure (2 in-person days and 1 virtual, self-paced day)
• Dates and times of the in-person days
• The benefits of why you should attend Summer Conference!
• The session strands
• Options for earning college credit or professional development points
• Other features we are exploring!

• Educators in the field provide great learning for their peers
• Need support? Want to earn college credit or points for developing a session?
• Contact Jenna Kuder with questions.
• We will have a call for proposals coming soon!

Details will be added to the Summer Conference page of the Professional Learning Website

as they become available and

shared in future editions of the Professional Learning Essentials Newsletter.

ADDITIONAL SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• We are exploring options for a...
• Build Your Own Summer Learning Schedule
• Select from in-person, virtual, and self-paced sessions available June 7- June 30
• College Credit or Professional Development Points Available
• Select from in-person, virtual, and self-paced sessions available July 1- July 31
• Professional Development Points Available
• Session options may include:
• Mini-Conferences
• Learning Cafes (Coffee & Collaboration or Lunch & Learn)
• Educator Meet Ups
• Self-Paced Learning Modules
• Virtual Planning Sessions
• Complete the survey at the following link to let us know what kinds of sessions you might be interested in joining https://forms.office.com/r/jwfasa8G9f

This course will explore behaviors of self while expanding to provide a foundation promoting appropriate student behavior through a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) lens. Participants will engage in research and guided implementation practice of evidence-based behavior support strategies that can be applied immediately to support personal and student needs.

Participants may elect to earn 4 college credits (for $360.00) or professional development points (through the Action Plan Process).

Please note the session dates/times/locations

• January 16/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center
• January 30/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center
• February 6/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center
• February 20/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center

Participants in this course will examine individual cultural identity and its impact on professional practice. They will develop their capacity to recognize, navigate, and bridge individuals and groups intercultural competency to ensure all feel valued and included. Defining key components and strategies for cultivating a culture of belonging in the school environment is also a focus of the course. Culturally responsive pedagogical strategies will be explored as participants design an implementation plan for their roles in our district.

Participants may elect to earn 4 college credit (for $360.00) or professional development points (through the Action Plan Process).

Please note the session dates and times:

• January 28/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center
• February 4/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center
• March 4/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center
• March 11/ 4:30-6:30pm/ Instructional Resource Center

Want to Attend an Out of District Professional Learning Activity?

• If you are requesting professional leave:
• Use the CERT: Out of District Professional Activity Request form in Frontline
• Please allow at least 4 weeks to complete the request

Are you Presenting at an Out of District Professional Learning Activity?

• Please note policy GBRGA of the Negotiated Agreement regarding professional leave and compensation.

Though designed for educators who are new to Olathe, anyone is welcome to attend.

Educators will earn professional development points for participating. Options for earning college credit through our on-site masters program are also available. Please reach out to Dr. Ann Addison for more information.

Elementary sessions are from 4:30-5:30pm and Secondary sessions are from 4:00-5:00pm on the following dates:

• January 21
• February 25
• March 25
• April 29

Our Digital Workplace and Advancement Team is offering a variety of sessions to support using technology in your classrooms. All of the events will be offered at the IRC on the dates listed beginning at 4:30pm.

Please be sure to log into Frontline Professional Growth and sign up for sessions through the District Catalog.

• January 14- Nearpod Basics: Making Learning Engaging for All
• January 28- The Power of Animation: Designing with PowerPoint 3D Models Workshop
• March 4- From Passive to Active: Creating Interactive Video Experiences with Nearpod Workshop
• March 11- Adobe Express: Dive into Basics
• April 1- Lights, Camera, Learn: Video Editing with ClipChamp
• April 15- Adobe Express Show & Tell Workshop

You can find session descriptions in Frontline and on the Professional Learning Website!

The Action Plan process allows you to design your own professional learning path with a side benefit of earning points for movement on the salary schedule.

Want to learn more?

Email the Action Plan Coach for your feeder pattern:

OE Feeder Pattern: Natasha Roseberry

ON Feeder Pattern: Dawn Mercer

ONW Feeder Pattern: Phyllis Clark

OS Feeder Pattern: Patty Mulligan

OW Feeder Pattern: Tiffany Cross

You can also check out the Action Plan page on the Professional Learning Website at this link: https://sites.google.com/students.olatheschools.com/olathe-professional-learning/action-plan-process

Be sure to bookmark the link to the Professional Learning Website

You will need to log into your Google Apps for Education Account to access the website. Use your district username and password to access. Click here to learn how to access your account.

Jenna Kuder- jkuderirc@olatheschools.org

5006-8180