Thursday, February 15, 2018

Weekly Communication from Central Office - 2/15

Wink’s Weekly Words

Click here to read my Blue Ridge community blog

February 19 PD Day
On Monday, February 19, we will have our PD day.  
WE WILL HAVE BREAKFAST FOR YOU at 7:30.  Come hungry to eat and to learn.  
Also, you will have lunch on your own, so you can eat with your friends
or your team.  Below Amy will have information on what you need for learning that day.

My Podcast on Excellence in Every Classroom
Last week I had the opportunity to lead a Twitter chat on Tuesday night under the hashtag, #DivergED.  In addition I had a 25 minute podcast with Dr. Chris Weber, national renowned author on RtI and Professional Learning Communities.  I hope you will take a minute to listen.  This will give you a better idea to what our district is attempting to do to ensure that every employee is equipped with the skills to help every student learn, grow, and excel.


Your Vote = Your Voice
Early voting begins on February 20, and election day is March 6.  
If you are a registered voter in the BRISD area, you can vote at the BRISD Admin Building.


Amy’s Announcements

May 30-31
We’re having training on May 30-31. This will help you get 2 of the 5 flex days for 18-19
knocked out right at the beginning summer!
* May 30 - Vertical teams
* Alignment of 8-12 essential standards
* R10 content experts will be here
* May 31 - Rigor and Mastery Training
* If you’re PLP focuses on differentiation, questioning strategies, extensions,
interventions, etc. -  THIS DAY IS FOR YOU. Region 10 will be here to lead
these break-out sessions!


MAP
Below are Data Trainings for each campus. Make plans to attend.
* ES - Thursday, February 15 @ 3:45
* MS -  Tuesday, February 20 @ 7:15
* HS -  PD Day - February 19 @ 3:00


Allowable Accommodations
Are you logging the accommodations you are using with students? Links to
spreadsheets are found here - http://www.br-impact.com/p/blog-page.html


2/19 Staff Learning Day
Another Staff Learning Day is coming up on 2/19. We’ll continue our work with:
* Purposeful Lesson Planning
* Vertical Alignment of Supplemental Aids and other allowable accommodations
We'll start the day in the elementary cafeteria with BREAKFAST, then move
to Central Office to start our learning and collaboration.
See the agenda for the day HERE - https://goo.gl/G3eeMA
Make sure to bring your Chromebook and materials for lesson planning.


Celebrate Engineers Week February 18-24
How can we use this week to interest kids in science and engineering?
Tweet your insight and pictures to @blueridgeisd.



Weekly #TeacherTruth
Just a teacher...

Professional Learning

** If you identified Differentiated Instruction as your MOY PLP Goal,
you’ll want to sign up for this R10 training. I’ve signed up and I’m excited
to go through it! K-12 online training, Design for Differentiation, featuring
short, weekly lessons revolving around the five areas of differentiation.
This is a great training for any teacher looking to improve in differentiation.
6 CPE GT Update Hours over a one month  http://gg.gg/differentiation2018  


FREQUENTLY UPDATE YOUR EDUPHORIA WORKSHOP PORTFOLIO
Be sure you are frequently updating with any ‘outside the normal workday’
professional learning. The district always wants to keep a record of all
learning taking place by BRISD staff. Remember that when you
attend a BR offered class and do the survey, it automatically
grants credit to your portfolio.

Special Programs Announcements
Blue Ridge ISD Dyslexia on FB - https://goo.gl/dPkJiE


Business Office Announcements

Texas maximum mileage reimbursement rate for travel occurring on or after
January 1, 2018 is 54.5 cents per mile.  Please use this rate from this point
forward on any mileage reimbursements.

Amanda will be out February 26 - March 2 for a Conference.  Please submit all PO's and Travel Expenses Request by  February 21 for processing.