Honey-Do List
5/3 Prioritize Students for Summer Learning and choose the appropriate program for them
5/15 Artifact Reflections due
Buzz in My Brain
I have always been a huge believer in the power in the power of self-reflection as a lever for change and growth. For years, in various roles, the use of self-reflection as a tool for evaluation both personally and for others has been powerful. I find that it helps us to realize our own journey of growth and self-development and set goals for where we want to go next. It has been a way to personalize and differentiate the professional learning journey. I hope that this year you will find it an equally powerful and helpful practice.
If you want, take a minute to read this blog by Tim Cavey that nicely summarizes the power of this approach to professional learning and growth.
Employment Opportunities
Summer and Before and After School
- Our new before and afterschool partner, Boston's Bridge to Excellence, is looking to hire program staff for our fall programming as well as their summer programming held at several schools in the city and the programs we will have in our school starting in the fall.
- They asked me to please send out these links to school staff who may be interested in working in the Summer program or before and after school programs in your schools with Boston's Bridge To Excellence.
- Please see the links below:
Summer-BPS
- The OSE (Office of Special Education) is actively recruiting for ESY.
- Unfortunately, this year they've seen a significant decrease in the number of applicants.
- While they are seeking teachers possessing a special education license, general education teachers are also encouraged to apply.
- It's OSE's understanding DESE is expediting licensure and waivers as most school districts are experiencing this issue.
- The OSE is kindly asking school leaders to encourage teachers and paraprofessionals to apply on TalentEd.
Family Liasion
- We have an open family liaison position here at Lee Academy.
- This is a BTU position and I know we have paras that are very qualified for this position both in professional experience and their own experiences navigating BPS and the city of Boston as a parent
- I encourage anyone that is interested to apply.
- In full transparency, this is a 223 day work year with some flexibility needed to work outside of the "traditional" school day.
- Candidates will be pre-screened by the central office
- Please let me know if you are interested
Professional Development-Wednesday
- Wednesday, May 5th will be our final Professional Learning session for this year. We will use the time to wrap our work for the year around Cultivating Genius. We will meet from 4pm - 6pm on Zoom (link below).Here's what's going on:
- The first 40 minutes will be grade-level time to review the work you've done together and plan for what you want to share with the whole group. Think about:
- Sharing a brief description of the work you have done and why you chose it for your grade level
- Explaining how it cultivates identity, skills, intellectualism, and/or criticality
- Sharing any next steps you are going to take
- The next 30 minutes will be grade-level group presentations with time for questions and reactions
- The last part of the session will be looking back and looking forward. We will look back through the book (so make sure you have your book with you!) and reflect on our learning and we will look forward to set goals for ourselves for next year.
- You will need: your Cultivating Genius book; something to write with/on
- Zoom link: https://k12-
bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/ 85810624230
- The first 40 minutes will be grade-level time to review the work you've done together and plan for what you want to share with the whole group. Think about:
Sharing Pictures with Families
- Thank you to those of you that have been sharing, with families, pictures of their children engaged in social and learning activities.
- This sharing is important as families have expressed regret at losing the window into their child's school day with the return to in person learning
- Many of our families have never been inside the school and I am unsure at what point they will be able to return.
- This is also a nice way to continually communicate and create connections with familes
Attendance Information
- We need to post attendance every day by 10:05 for our in-person classes so that we can provide Martisse with an accurate lunch count.
- For in-person learners please use the IP-P code and the IP-A codes for attendance. This is NOT the default code.
- For remote learners please use the P and A codes. P is the default.
- Students are not allowed to change from in-person to remote for reasons that are not COVID-related.
Summer Programming
- It is time to plan for summer learning opportunities and I need your help to prioritize students who are in need of intensive support in ELA, Math, or Science AND who would benefit from additional social-emotional supports.
- This year schools have the flexibility to prioritize as many as 30% of their student body.
- Please let me know by 5/1 if you prioritize the student for summer learning and what program you recommend the student for by using this spreadsheet.
The following are the summer learning opportunities that our students are eligible to participate in above and beyond ESY and ELD Programs.
STEAM Academy for Change
The STEAM Academy for Change (STAC) is for students interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics). The BPS STEM department is looking to develop young scholars who are innovators, inventors, and scientists who want to help create change within their communities and society using STEAM. These young scholars will work with their peers on developing a project that can support their community through STEAM. STAC's focus is to introduce students to STEAM professions where African Americans & Latinos are most underrepresented: Web Development, Robotics, Biological Scientists, Environmental Scientists, Mathematics, & Engineering. The program will wrap up with a workplace learning field trip, solutions pitch to professionals, and a portfolio presentation to their teachers and families.
- For: Grades 3-6
- Schools Served: All Boston Public Schools with students in grades 3-6
- Proposed Site: Perkins, Dorchester
- Dates: 7/6 - 8/6
- Days/Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am-3 pm
Summer Early Focus
The Summer Early Focus program builds on children’s learning during the school year. It is highly engaging and child-driven. Two BPS teachers support up to 20 students in each classroom with our Summer Early Focus curriculum. Students will continue to engage in high-quality instructional practices, take field trips, and have structured and unstructured play opportunities.
- For: Grades K1-2
- Proposed Site: Orchard Garden, East Boston EEC, Ellison Parks, West Zone ELC
- Dates: 7/6 - 8/6
- Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-2:30pm
Artifacts
- For your formative/summative artifacts I am looking for a brief self-reflection (no more than 2 pages)
- Please include things you tried this year that worked/did not work and lessons learned as you grew in your professional practice. You can use these questions to guide your thinking: (If you read the Buzz in my brain these questions will not surprise you!):
- What are you currently learning about professionally?
- What problem are you wrestling with within your practice?
- Which skills are you trying to master?
- How is that learning going? How do you know?
- What do you think are your next steps of professional growth?
- I am looking for this reflection to be in the following three areas:
- Curriculum design
- Instruction/Student learning
- Parent & Family Engagement
- This is all I need for artifacts. I am really looking forward to reading your reflections and having some rich professional conversations!
Something Fun
The Bowery, Lucy’s, and Cityside Tavern are offering up some teacher appreciation next week!
From May 3-7th, they are offering all teachers the following:
- 50% off 1 food item (some exclusions apply)
- Dine-in Only (not valid for takeout)
- Teacher ID or Pay Stub required