Lead Learner Updates
3.12.12 - 3.23.12
Collaborative cultures, which by definition have close relationships, are indeed powerful, but unless they are focusing on the right things they may end up being powerfully wrong." (Fullan, 2001)
3.13-16 Spring Break
3.19 Peer Coaching and Peer Walkthrough
3.20 Secondary Cadre
3.31 LST visit - View
3.22 Elementary Cadre
3.23 Quarterly Conversation
Music/PE/Counselor Council (pm)
3.26 Cabinet Problem Solve (12:30)
3.27 TIA
3.28 Quarterly conversations
LST visit - Point
3.29 AIW (PHS and Crest)
Curriculum Tool Updates (by Ying Ying Chen)
Since the purchase order was placed in mid-March, we have been working with Atlas and the ESC team on a detailed roll out plan. Here are the action steps between April 1 - June 1. We will review the entire process with the administrative team on March 19.
- Design prototype/template on April 4 (12:30 - 3:30) and final revision on April 24 (4:00 - 5:30)
- Conduct “train the trainer” and leadership workshop on May 10 (7:45 - 3:45)
- Establish try out process (i.e.web-based training)
- Establish teacher rosters
- Establish unit transfer process (what part of the current map goes to what part of new map tool)
- Determine plans for additional training to start out the school year
PLP Recommendation Review (By Ying Ying Chen)
Several times a year, I bring out the document “PLP recommendations” for the administrative team to review. The recommendation was done by a PLP task force, and the intent of the document is to:
- Maintain consistency among all administrators
- To reinforce the concept that administrators set the tone for a culture of professional reflection
- To refresh what administrators can do to make the state mandate as meaningful as possible
How to prepare teachers for the end-of-year PLP closure?
There is plenty of flexibility in how school principals make the PLP process work in your building. The PLP task force discovered that teachers appreciate a clearly communicated process throughout the year. The following is one sample process to close the school year.- Review the process in a staff meeting in late April or early May. Invite one or two teachers to share their PLP reflection from the previous year. Review the end of year components (USE rubric, final reflection, artifacts, etc.) on PLP.
- Establish a timeline and offer guidance to teachers. A sample timeline:
- Team members brainstorm possible PLP end of year reflection points during the 1st week collaboration in May;
- Have teams invite administrators to have a 10-15 minute dialogue about their reflection during the 2nd week in May;
- Individually enter PLP reflection during the 3rd week in May;
- Principals review PLP by end of May.
- Note: The state guidelines require principals to conference with each teacher about their PLP annually. The suggested group process was brainstormed by administrators a few years ago with the intent to save time and still make the process meaningful to teachers. The administrators suggested the group dialogue process because most teachers work on similar goals in collaborative teams. One caution is that PLP is an individual reflection based on own learning. It is not appropriate that one teacher types the reflection and the team members copy it. We have found this to be an issue occasionally. When principals review the process with teachers, please clarify what is appropriate to collaborate (i.e. Brainstorm what the team worked on/the impact on student learning) and what should be done individually (the actual USE scale and PLP reflection).
School Goal Setting and C-Plan (By Ying Ying Chen)
Very soon, schools will begin to reflect on this year’s school goal and set new goals for the following school year. The overall district SMART goals will stay the same for many years. The Oversight team will continue to shape the details for implementation. As each school individualizes its improvement process, leadership teams are encouraged to set “reachable” goals by looking at where you are this year and where you want to be next year. Reviewing your school improvement plan and data collection process specified in your school plan will be important leadership actions for the last quarter of the year.
The new name for the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan is called the C-Plan. We will not be able to use the new plan till June 1, but we will have a template to guide schools in April. I anticipate that the change is only about the format, not the decision making process. As long as schools are using data and best practice research, the goal setting process will be the same as it was in the past.
Important Dates:
3.27 Book Study/Joyful Learning (4-7 PM Prairie Point)
4.02 Target deadline for Extended School Year decisions by IEP teams
4.02 PL Day- Special Education Teachers will meet from 2:30-3:45 at Creek in the Study Hall
Room- LeAnn Trana, GWAEA OT, will present information regarding Assistive Technology
4.10 Eastern Iowa Technology Conference, GWAEA-6th St. 8:00-4:30
5.01 Target date for all initial placement IEP meetings and other student IEPs needing to be
completed for the 2011-2012 school year.
Dates for Extended School Year have been set. Identified students will be provided services for 5 weeks, 4 days a week (M-Th) from 8:30-11:30 AM. The locations for the services are yet to be determined based on the number of students served. The dates include the following weeks: June 11-14, June 18-21, June 25-28, July 16-19, and July 23-26.
Elementary Principals-The dates/times will be set for transition observations and IEP meetings for incoming kindergarten students from inclusive Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classrooms. The transition observation dates will include April 18, 19 and 26. The IEP meetings will be scheduled on Fridays, including April 27, May 4 and May 18. Karen Gronemeyer, ECSE Facilitator, will be contacting you regarding specific dates/times. May 11 will not be used due to Track and Field Day. Each building will arrange for floating substitute teachers for these dates.
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