Alt Ed Week January 30, 2012

Welcome back for the January-February transition, and another exciting week in Alternative Programs that will conclude in grand celebration! Thank you for a good PCT on Friday and a healthy mix of evening events, mid-year meetings and interviews all last week. All the while you, instructional staff, kept steadfast with good teaching and semester change. We press on through these mid-winter days…

Bravo Zulu! 

This week Bravo Zulu goes to Ms. Nicole Starkey for her demonstrated commitment to good teaching, assessment and relationship building. To begin with, Nicole embarked on training and preparation to start Math Benchmark Assessments (MBA) in her middle school math classes. I am excited she has stepped into partnership with the district to implement MBA. MBA will be an ongoing, near real-time assessment which will give Ms. Starkey rich data on student progress with essential math skills. Bravo Zulu Nicole, you have added to your professional tool belt. We all know that takes extra time, more work and added responsibility. Excellent professionalism by you. I am proud of you!

I’d like to add to my BZ’s this week. I am recognizing CHOICE staff who have gone above and beyond working hours to participate in some very important evening events last week. As you all know, evening work cuts some into our home and family lives, but is an incredible relationship builder with the families and community we serve. Nicole Starkey and Jennifer Browning get extra kudos for participating in several evening events of last week. In addition to the Marvista PTA meeting, CHOICE PSO Meeting and CHOICE Information Night, I saw Nicole Starkey, Kay Greenberg and Dolly Knuth at the Highline Drama production of “The Pregnancy Project” this week. I was so pleased to see staff at the PAC to support one of our very own performing CHOICE Students! What a wonderful showing of support for one of our kids (it was Kelsey). Bravo Zulu and thank you all for the giving of your personal time. Your attendance and participation last week was appreciated by many.

Instructional Note: Instructional Frame PCT Recap
Thank you for your attention and participation at PCT last Friday. Your professionalism and sincere interest in becoming a better teacher was evident in our discussions. Feedback from evaluations suggested deeper content could have been had, but overall I think our collaboration time to discuss issues around instructional frame was valuable to us all.

I want to quickly recap our meeting and provide you with some promised initial information around the Charlotte Danielson work.

We began PCT coming around the recent joint communiqué letter from the District and Teacher Association. We made good collective sense of the news our evaluation systems are changing.  We learned that over the next few years (beginning with a pilot group next year) we will be moving to a stronger multi-tiered model which is best for all. We all understood and agreed our work is much more complex than to simply grade our work Satisfactory, or not. We don’t do that for our student’s growth, why not us?

There were expected concerns about the unknown of how student data and performance will play into an assessment of principal and teacher performance. Fair enough, but have now started a process, and it is clear there is more to be learned ahead for us all.  

I reviewed with all, for your understanding, of how the instructional frame plays into new evaluation (which we will learn about at a later PCT). As a staff, we all now have some context for these changes. We connected to the district priorities, and our Five Dimensions work last year. We saw how this naturally grew into district wide equitable practices. Now, we have a promise of immersion into Danielson. The history makes sense to me, and I hope to all of you!

We wrapped up our time talking a little closer to our classrooms. We saw and shared how communicating teaching point and purpose is a critical component to instruction. We connected to the 5D’s, Equitable Practices and Danielson. What is important that we ensure our students have a clear sense of purpose as to what we are teaching, and why they are learning. With such clarity, our students will connect and learn better.  How we communicate this is vital for our ability to do so. We talked about “a bigger idea” and tying our daily teaching to something larger.

Thank you for this important meeting. As promised, here is a link to the Danielson information upon which I based our instructional framing discussion. http://www.lhup.edu/evalerio/Danielson's%20Framework.pdf
It’s a starter. As we learned there will be more information and materials coming from the district. For now, let us keep the Big Idea in mind and how that relates to our student’s learning while communicating teaching point and purpose in our instructional frame.

The Week Ahead…
This week brings more mid-year and pre-observation meetings. I soon hope to have a Registrar for our programs in place. Friday PCT is a site specific Team Time. New Start meets around Master Schedule, PBIS and an upcoming curriculum night for our community. At CHOICE, we begin interviewing prospective families and students to join us in the fall with a new year.

My Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
CH/NS/CH/ACE/NS	NS/ERAC/SPU	New Start	ERAC/CHOICE	CH/NS/CH/NS/SPU
Jan 30	Jan 31	Feb 1	Feb 2	Feb 3
CHOICE Assembly NS Office Weekly NS Fire Drill CH PSO President Meeting ACE ALE Training Counselor Weekly	NS Mid Year Meetings NS Manifest Meeting Principal Planning Meeting (ERAC) Guest Speak at SPU	Becca Update Meeting World Vision Visit NS Mid Year Meetings Session 5 Class Planning	Contract Planning Meeting (ERAC) CH Mid Year Meetings	CHOICE Weekly M/Kati S CHOICE Interviews NS PCT PBIS SPU Class Golden Apple Awards KCTS (Evening)

!!! The Highlight of this Coming Week:

This week rounds out with a very special evening ceremony. You all have been invited. Our own Mrs. Beverly Mowrer will receive the well deserved Golden Apple Award on Friday night. The ceremony will be taped for broadcast by KCTS Channel 9 at the Intiman Theatre at Seattle Center. The doors open at 6:30 for the show to begin at 7:00! I am pleased a good number of you already have tickets, and I look forward to seeing you there! (If you have not RSVP’d, and would still like to attend please let me know immediately.)

I want to thank you in advance for your support of one of our most revered colleagues. I believe The Golden Apple is an incredible honor to Bev’s fantastic work, but also to you. I know Bev would tell you this too. The Golden Apple is a nod to all of us, district and community included. Mrs. Mowrer is a natural collaborator, and therefore, her award speaks to our entire program. Bev gets the trophy (a well deserved golden apple) because she’s out front of it. But I am equally proud of all of you, and your work on the same team. I sincerely hope you can all be there to share in celebration. (And I know Bev does too.) Congratulations Bev! We are truly proud of you and the righteous honor you are about to receive. Have a great evening, and everyone have a wonderful week.   
- Mike

Alt Ed Week January 23, 2012

Some say “Summers & Snow Days” are a perk of working in education, so I hope you experienced as such. With an unplanned break of nearly a week, there is much ground to make up. May Monday find you well rested, warm and itching to get out of the house, because we have a full week ahead…

Bravo Zulu!

With a mere four or five school hours accomplished last week, my Bravo Zulu goes to all of you for showing flexibility and adaptability to the ever changing weather and work conditions last week. It is very difficult to plan and carry out mission when the most unplanned events, at such scale, intrude upon our work for students and families. You have all accepted this last week with professionalism by strong communication through our phone tree and the daily planning and rethinking for the unknown (which was a day by day occurrence last week). Bravo Zulu and thank you for a job well done.

Instructional Note: Equitable Practices in our Instructional Frame: Teaching Point and Purpose
Our Professional Collaboration Time this week is an important one.  We will be focused on the Equitable Practices of our Instructional Frame in Alternative Education. I will first conduct a review of the processes we have gone through in the last two years in support of this District Priority for our students.

We will revisit the Five Dimensions of Teaching and Learning, the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching, and our own District Equitable Practices. These three bodies of work, and the sense we make of them, gives us our own instructional frame in Alternative Education (and indeed, the rest of our district)

Domain 3 (instruction) of the Danielson framework, like the Five Ds, describes the importance of communicating clearly and accurately to our students. Furthermore, the Five D’s pushes us to clearly communicate our Teaching Points and Purpose. On Friday we will look at how we do this in our classrooms and daily practice. We will discuss the ways we may, or may not, be doing this, and how we can better communicate our learning objectives to our students.

In reviewing the Danielson framework this snowy week, I was reminded why a common instructional framework is so important (and a District Priority).

(From Danielson)
The Benefits for ANY Framework for Teaching:

·         Common Language

·         Development of Common Understanding

·         Self-Assessment and Reflection on Practice

·         Structured Professional Conversation

These four ideas are the reasons (benefits) of our work to develop an instructional framework for ourselves and the district. Without a framework (or at least one in the making) we would not have the common language and understanding of our work in teaching. A framework forces professional reflections on our practice, and gives us a structure to talk about our work with each other.

I share this to set context for our professional growth on Friday. Keep these ideas in mind as the week progresses and we work toward our own professional conversation about Communicating Teaching Point and Purpose.

Mid-Year Meetings
I intended to begin our mid-year meetings last week, but those did not occur. I am now in the process of maneuvering my schedule to begin again this week. I want to share (again) the protocol for our short discussions and pre-observation meetings this week.

Mid Year Meeting Agenda:

1.       Celebrations for your work this year

2.       Review your progress on goals set in the Fall

3.       Discuss problems to date and support needed

4.       Talk about the Big Idea(s) of your teaching

5.       Pre-Observation Discussion:

a.        Date/Time:

b.       Lesson Plan:

c.        Teaching Point to look for:

d.       Assessment to look for:

e.       Student Talk to look for:

f.         Teacher Actions to look for:

6.       Review timeline for observation, observation meeting & evaluation

7.       Review my expectations for second semester

Still, I look forward to our meeting this month (and maybe next month). Please come prepared to talk about your teaching and planning this year. These meetings are always inspiring to me, and reminding of the most important facet of our work, our teaching practice, and student learning. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

The Week Ahead: End of Semester news
In light of the unfortunate timing for snow and the End of Semester, Superintendent Spicciati has extended the Semester to Wednesday. Semester Two begins on Thursday. You may have received the email already, but here is the official word, and direction for semester transition this week:

·         “In collaboration with HEA, a decision has been made to modify the first semester end date due to the impact of weather-related school closures.

·         The first semester will be extended through Wednesday, January 25. The second semester will begin on Thursday, January 26. Teachers will have until Monday, January 30 to turn in grades. Report cards are to be sent shortly after that.

·         To reduce the number of school days that need to be made up later, there will be no day off for secondary schools between semesters.

·         Thank you for your flexibility throughout this weather event.”

PCT Details: Friday, January 27, 2012. For all ALL Alt Ed Teaching Staff:
“Our Instructional Frame”, at CHOICE/Woodside at 12:30 – 2:00
This Friday we meet at CHOICE at Woodside. Please come prepared with examples, artifacts or stories of how you have been Communicating Teaching Point or Purpose. Other components of the frame will be discussed also, such as new Talk Structures or Weekly Assessments that have been working for you. We will revisit some of our team instructional goals and share what we have been working on in the development of “Our Instructional Frame”.

My Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
NS / CH / ERAC	NS / ERAC / NS	CHOICE	New Start	NS / CH / NS
Jan 23	Jan 24	Jan 25	Jan 26	Jan 27
Morning Meetings CH Mid Year Meetings M/ A. Love M/ C. Jackson Present  at Marvista (Evening)	NS Mid-Year Meetings M/ Tukwila SD M/ C. Jackson NS Mid Year Meetings	CH Mid Year Meetings HP Mid Year Meetings CHOICE PSO Meeting (Evening)	Avanza Meeting NS Mid Year Meetings Class Planning w/A. Magyar Registrar Interviews CH MS Info Night (Evening)	NS PBIS , MDT and Midyear Meetings PCT – Instructional Frame Woodside NS Mid Year meetings

Well, back at it. Enough about snow and wintery weather in this note! I look forward to seeing you in the halls, classrooms and at mid-year meetings this week. Hope for rain, and make it a good one! - Mike

Alt Ed Week January 16, 2012

Happy MLK Day and welcome back for a short week. I want to thank both staffs for good meetings last week, and a successful administration of the Math EOC. In our small environments it is critical we all jump in to help. And you did.

Bravo Zulu!

My Bravo Zulu this week goes to Ms. Andrea Love, our esteemed Counselor for Alternative Programs. Though many helped, Andrea was the key coordinator for Math EOC last week. Her leadership and thoughtful planning allowed our team to give the make-up exam for state math proficiency, which leads to graduation for a number of our students. What makes Andrea’s work in testing so remarkable is her working in an environment of regularly changing state directives and quick district coordination turnarounds. To first identify which of our kids need the test, and to then lay out a plan for administration, and then promulgate a test that is aligned with state and district timelines is a lot of hard work! Andrea goes above and beyond her call of duty as a counselor to ensure all of our students get the chance to demonstrate proficiency for the state and ultimately for their graduation. For many years now, Ms. Love has represented, and continues to demonstrate our universal value of Dedication. I want to publically recognize Ms. Love for her work that frankly, is not recognized often enough. Thank you, Andrea. Bravo Zulu!

Instructional Note: Assessment and Teaching Point
Assessment is a major part of Communicating Teaching Point and the purpose of any lesson. If you are not regularly checking student learning as it progresses through the teaching period, you may be missing the teaching point altogether. Good planning involves multiple formative assessments throughout the lesson to make sure all of your students are “with you” as you carry out instruction.

When watching a class I will look for how you assess your kids and see how it is aligned to your teaching point. Maybe you will ask related, open ended questions that allow students to articulate their learning. Perhaps students will make mini-presentations to the class, or they can talk in small groups while you go around and listen to them.

Formative assessment in the lesson can be as explicit as using white board slates to have students write and display their learning to the teacher as the class moves along. When I taught, this was a favorite method of mine because you could check on all kids in an instant, leaving no one out. I am heartened to see the practice is still used at our CHOICE Academy and at New Start too!

Exit tickets are formative assessments as well, but may not deliver the data a teacher needs until it is too late. Assessing our students along the way, almost minute to minute, in multiple ways is the best way to identify if your teaching is effective for your students throughout the period. It is also the best way to determine if you have actually communicated the Teaching Point and Purpose that you have posted on the wall.

Mid-Year Meetings
Our Mid-year meetings begin this week. I have scheduled a 30-minute discussion with each of you this month. Last fall I strayed from my usual practice of laying out a protocol for these meetings, and it was not as helpful in observations as I had experienced in the past. Therefore, at this mid-year, I hope to re-coup some of our goal setting energy by going back to a printed agenda format for our discussions. So you are not surprised by my line of questioning in our discussion I will share with you the outlay of our chat.

Mid Year Meeting Agenda:

1. Celebrations for your work this year
2.  Review your progress on goals set in the Fall
3. Discuss problems to date and support needed
4.  Talk about the Big Idea(s) of your teaching
5.  Pre-Observation Discussion:
1.  Date/Time 
2. Lesson Plan:
3.  Teaching Point to look for:
4. Assessment to look for:
5. Student Talk to look for:
6.  Teacher Actions to look for:
6.  Review timeline for observation, observation meeting & evaluation
7.  Review my expectations for second semester

I look forward to our meeting this month and hope you come prepared to talk about your teaching and planning this year. These meetings are always inspiring to me, and reminding of the most important facet of our work, our teaching and student learning. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

The Week Ahead…
As stated above, our short week ahead kicks off Mid-Year Meetings. I will also share focus with a few of our colleagues to find and select a new “Registrar” to join our team. A true-blue Registrar for Alternative Programs is a long awaited, and much needed, addition to our programming. I am very excited to know our Registrar is soon coming.

I am also excited to announce our latest addition to the Alt Ed Family: Mrs. Ann Carlson. Ann has been around for the last several weeks, and even before the winter break. She has subbed in our Office Attendant position at New Start at Salmon Creek. Ann Carlson’s excellent enthusiasm, smart work, organization and commitment to building positive relations with staff, students, and the community has earned her selection for the position of Office Assistant at New Start. I am very happy to have her aboard. Please make sure and stop by the Alternative Programs Office at Salmon Creek to introduce yourself and welcome Ann to our team.    

Friday, January 20, 2012. No PCT this week.  
For Teaching Staff, Friday is a contractual “grading day” to be self-directed for the purposes of catching up on grading and planning lessons for next semester. Friday is a non-student day and can be done from home. Teachers are not paid for this day and not required to report to school. However, district and school offices will be open for normal working hours.  

My Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
MLK Holiday	NS / CH / NS	NS / CH / NS	CH/NS/PSESD/NS	Tukwila SD / NS
Jan 16	Jan 17	Jan 18	Jan 19	Jan 20
Off	Office Weekly Student Discipline Meeting NS Mid-Year Meetings CH Mid-Year Meetings IEP/Sped Meeting Registrar Tech Screening Results	NS Mid-Year Meetings Re-Entry Meeting Mrs. Power’s Student Photo Exhibits CHOICE PBIS & SOC Meeting Registrar Interviews	CH Mid-Year Meetings NS Brag Day Assembly Regional Dropout Prevention Meeting (Renton) Weekly Meeting W/Ms. Love	Non-Student Day Meeting with Tukwila School District Re: Gateway to College Meeting with NAVOS for intake of new CD/DA Counselor at New Start

While writing this I am witnessing yet another snowfall on this holiday weekend. If freezing and snow conditions persist through the night there is a good chance of district closure for Snow Days this week. Please keep your Emergency Phone Tree handy, printed at home and in your car. You may monitor district weather conditions and closures at www.schoolreport.org and www.highlineschools.org

Reminder – Snow Days must be made up at the end of the school year so don’t book your summer vacation too closely to the last day of school.

Have a wonderful, wintery week! - Mike