January 29 Update

Happy Friday!

I hope you've had a great week of learning and relationships with our students!  

First-Person Language: 

Karen Thurnau shared a video that her daughter made to share about person-first language (thanks Karen and Annie!).  We talked yesterday about how when we put the person first in our language, we can see their identity as a person and not a label.  Specifically, yesterday we talked about services received.  For example, you would say a student who receives EL services.  This is also true when we talk about where a student is at in their learning.  Instead of saying, this is a "low student," try saying, this is a "student that is working on ____". When we talk about kids as kids first, that is going to affect our belief in them, which will affect our expectations for them, which affects what they will achieve.  Let's continue to hold each other accountable for shaping this language.  

Upcoming Events:

February 1 - Black History Month begins!

February 1- PLCs, 2:30pm

February 3-  Staff COVID testing available

February 5 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

February 9 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

February 12 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!

-Justin

January 22 Update

Happy Friday, Distance Learning Team!

The above quote is so true.  I would add staff to this, too.  Think about the past year. We've learned, grown, cried, and been pushed to do different things.  We continue to show up, even with these challenges.  That is true hope.  Keep being that hope dealer!  

February Conferences:

February conferences are approaching.  These are virtual and a great time for a formal conversation with a family about a student's progress.  Report cards are complete - and a great reference for families regarding a student's progress.  I'm asking you to think through what conferences will your format will look like.  What information will you share?  Will the student do any self-reflection and sharing?  

I know this could be a time to go over report cards.  I think this is important information, don't get me wrong!  I would like us to think about how else we can share learning.   I always think of things in an analogy manner - if you were to go to the doctor, they would share your results but also talk to you about your overall progress and your course of action.  I think we need to spend time on strengths, but also be brutally honest with families about where their child is at with the learning and what needs to happen next.   You have strong relationships with families - this can be done in a caring, compassionate way.  

Start doing some brainstorming - how will you format your conferences to highlight strengths, as well as areas of opportunity?  

Creating an Inviting Virtual Math Classroom:

Are you looking for ways to deepen your math block - including ways to develop student thinking, routines, and collaboration?  Check out this article!   Click here to read! 

Lighting Issues:

If you are experiencing any lighting control issues in your rooms, please email Orrie Anthony (district electrician) with a description of the problem(s) ASAP so I can address them individually.  

Upcoming Events:

January 26 - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

January 28 - Concerns Meeting - K, 1, and 2nd Grade

January 29 - Concerns Meeting - 3, 4, and 5th Grade

January 29 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

February 1 - Black History Month begins!

February 1- PLCs, 2:30pm

February 3-  Staff COVID testing available

February 5 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!  I hear there's snow on the way!

Justin

Jan 15 Update

Happy Snow Day Distance Learning Day!

Flexibility is really the name of this game - isn't it?   I hope you bundled in and ready for an exciting day!

Just a reminder - Monday is our MLK/Professional Learning Day.  Please make sure you know your schedule for the day. 

I thought you'd appreciate the humor below...

February Conferences:

February conferences are virtual.  Steph and Selena are working to set this up - we will let you know when PTCFast goes live.  More to come! 

Reading - The Pandemic Has Revealed What Really Matters in Education:

Below is a link to an article - it's a great read about the positive things that this pandemic has helped remind us about education.  Take some time to read through it - we will be doing some follow-up work around this in the near future!   https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-01-06-the-pandemic-has-revealed-what-really-matters-in-education-spoiler-it-s-not-tests

Staff Absences:

Please remember the following regarding staff absences:

Unexpected emergency or sick overnight (and you can't teach) - Please put the absence into AESOP (with no sub required) and email Justin.  We will check to see if our interns are available; if they are not, we will look for coverage.  

Planned Absence - we are recording lessons and posting work into Google Classroom.  Put your absence into AESOP with no sub required.

As always, feel free to reach out if you plan to be gone - I can walk you through what needs to happen.  

Upcoming Events:

January 15 - End of 2nd Quarter

January 17 - Happy Birthday Julie Bauer! 

January 18 - NO SCHOOL (PD Day); Martin Luther King, Jr Day

January 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

January 20 - Happy Birthday, Kim Lauwers!

January 20 - Grading Window closes at 8am

January 21 - Report cards will be mailed home (we may need help with this)

January 22 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend! 

-Justin

January 8 Update

Happy Friday! 

Welcome Back!  I hope you have a productive transition day today!

Upgrade - AESOP:

We’ve upgraded our Absence Management system to Frontline Education’s Insights Platform.  If you haven’t already logged into your account, you will receive a prompt to create a Frontline ID and Password the next time you login.

Tips for creating your new Frontline ID:

• Log into Absence Management (AESOP) using your old login credentials.  Once you click "login" you will be asked to create your new account.  
• Your new username must contain 1 alphabet character and at least 4 total characters. The password must have 1 alphabet character, 8 total characters, and 1 number or special character.   
• Once you create your new Frontline ID, an email will be sent to your school email to verify the new account that you created. Please check your email to verify your account.
• If you receive an error message that says "link has expired" when verifying your account, close down your internet browser and try logging in again at a later time.  The system takes some time to get your accounts linked. 

Creating your new Frontline ID will allow you to login to all Frontline programs.  You should see the different programs/apps in the upper left hand corner when you click the dropdown under Absence Management.

Now Accepting 761 Foundation Grant Applications
Deadline: January 15

Every spring, the 761 Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in mini-grants to Owatonna Public Schools teachers and principals. Grants are awarded based on the following criteria:

1. Benefits a large number of students.

2. Meets an important need, which is not likely to be funded in other ways.

3. Maximizes good cost to benefit ratio.

4. Shows creativity and innovation.

5. Needed funds to continue a past approved project.

Click here for the grant application

Application deadline: January 15

• Please itemize and prioritize requests that include multiple items/expenses.

• Applicants must discuss the feasibility and implementation of the proposal with the appropriate building administrator. Comments and a signature from the building administrator must be included on the application.

• Projects that include the purchase of technology also require a technology request form, which can be found at the end of the grant application.

• No incomplete or late applications will be accepted.

Note: this is an electronic application and approval process. After clicking the submit button on the application form, your administrator/supervisor will receive an email to review, comment on, and sign your grant application.

Questions about the grant application process can be directed to Sarah Hoffman, ext. 8610.

Upcoming Events:

January 12  - Staff Meeting, 2:35pm

January 13 - Resource Pick Up Day (please be at main door during your time)

January 14 & 15 - Justin at U of MN (virtual; here in building but in class)

January 15 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

January 15 - End of 2nd Quarter

January 18 - NO SCHOOL (PD Day); Martin Luther King, Jr Day

January 19 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Workday)

January 20 - Happy Birthday, Kim Lauwers!

January 20 - Grading Window closes at 8am

January 21 - Report cards will be mailed home (we may need help with this)

January 22 - Child Collaboration Team, 7:25am

Have a great weekend!  

-Justin