Administrators Connection: May 15, 2012
Information for school and central administrators
REQUIRED ACTION
K-8 and Middle School Principals: New mid-level science curriculum, SEPUP
PPS is launching the new mid-level science curriculum, SEPUP, across the district starting this fall. SEPUP (Science Education for Public Understanding Project) is a dynamic, student-centered, equitable curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of all learners using rigorous, relevant situations. There are strong embedded supports for both teachers and students. It is also a complete curriculum (standards-based for both ODE and coming national standards; embedded assessments that are proficiency-based; best instructional practices that align with the Next Generation Science Framework; and most materials needed to teach the units).
Please review the SEPUP distribution information email and send back the order form to Heather Vinal by May 22nd for delivery in the summer.
Principals may request a waiver for the following conditions:
- if you have a majority of mid-level teachers who are teaching both science and math and this would add undo strain on those teachers; AND
- if the implementation may negatively impact your implementation of your SIP
If you need a waiver application, please contact Vân
Waivers should be submitted to RAs by May 21st who will review them with Office of Teaching and Learning for approval.
Thank you!
Vân Truong, Assistant Director, 6-12 Secondary Curriculum & Instruction
REQUIRED READING
Budget Director
We are actively seeking applications for the Budget Director position. If you or anyone you know is interested, please complete the Management online application. The position will close on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. If you have any questions please contact Bonnie Gray for more information.
Regina Stanton, Recruitment Specialist, x63818
Information Technology Guidelines for the End of the School Year
As the end of the school year approaches, the IT Department would like to highlight some important things to remember about preparing technology for the summer. For your convenience, the full text of the guidelines have been posted at the following link: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/information-technology/7466.htm
If you have any further questions about these guidelines, please contact the IT Service Desk at 503.916.3375 or itservicedesk@pps.net.
Stacey Partin, Customer Care Manager, x63294
Please Notify your Cafeteria for Field Trips and Year End Events
Nutrition Services requests that school offices remind teachers to notify the school cafeteria Lead when planning year end events or field trips that will impact lunch service. Our resource conservation goals include reducing food waste and accurate planning for the number of students eating in the cafeteria each day is an important part of achieving this goal. Thank you.
Shannon Stember, Assistant Director, x63365
Volunteer Celebration Dinner
Building Administrators and Secretaries:
On May 23rd at the Volunteer Celebration Dinner, we will present our Superintendent and Vacation Internationale Volunteer Awards. These awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions of the dedicated individuals who fulfill an important need in our school district and community. It is with sincere appreciation that we say “thank you” to the volunteers who make Portland Public Schools a beautiful place for students to learn and staff to work.
Who in your building deserves to be recognized for their dedication to our students, staff, and community? Please send your nominations using the attached form.
Questions: Contact Andre Jackson, Senior Manager for Partnerships and Development at 503-916-3078.
Improved Communication Tools for CCSS in PPS
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction and Communications Departments have updated the web resources supporting communication about the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in PPS. Resources for parents and teachers around the changes to 6-8 mathematics are included: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/common-core/index.htm.
In addition, questions can be sent via email to commoncore@pps.net.
Ewan Brawley, Director, RtI, x74247
OPPORTUNITIES AND HELPFUL HINTS
ODE wants to hear from you!
Districts around the state are working to prepare students to meet the new Essential Skills graduation requirements. What is your school or district doing? What level of skill do you think students should have before graduation? Take a short online survey to share your feedback on this important topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SMS53ZT. The survey will be open through May 25.
Vân Truong, Assisant Director, Secondary 6-12 Curriculum and Instruction
ResiliencePDX- A FREE Disaster Preparedness Expo in June
ResiliencePDX is a FREE event to connect Portlanders who want to gain knowledge and skills about disaster preparedness. At ResiliencePDX, experts from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, the Oregon Red Cross, Portland Public Schools, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, and more than 30 other groups from around Portland will inform you about resources for the community before, during, and after a major emergency. There will also be more than 20 skills workshops, where experts will share knowledge to help you prepare for and recover from a disaster. All ages are welcome and attendance at the entire event is free. Food vendors will be on site selling lunch, snacks, and desserts throughout the day.
Come to the workshop if you are interested in learning:
• How to safely drink water from the Willamette River or any other fresh water source
• What to do when your toilet no longer flushes
• Tips on buying and preserving food for long-term storage
• How to cook when the power goes out
• How to organize your neighbors
• Ways in which bicycles can be used to transport hundreds of pounds of cargo
• Information on using social media and other technologies in a disaster
• How to properly extinguish a fire
If you live, work or play in Portland, or merely care about preparedness, please come, learn, and share in this fun and FREE event!
Event Details:
ResiliencePDX – A Family-Friendly Disaster Preparedness Expo
Cost: Free to the public
Date: June 2, 2012 ; 10AM - 5PM
Location: King School and Park, 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland, Oregon
www.resiliencePDX.org
Contact:
Arif Khan , ResiliencePDX Coordinator
503-810-5247
contact@resiliencePDX.org
www.ResiliencePDX.org
For more information, please see the attached media release and/or event flyer.
Year End Cafeteria Account Balances
Please place this notice for families in June Newsletters:
Any remaining account balances (positive or negative) on students’ meal accounts at the end of the year will be automatically held for students at their current school or transferred to students’ new schools within the district.
If your student is leaving the district, then you may call the Cafeteria Lead to arrange for a refund. Donations to the district’s Pay It Forward Fund to help families who are not eligible for free meals are also welcome. Contact Patti Shafer at 503.916.3398 to make donations.
Shannon Stember, Assistant Director, Nutrition Services, 503.916.3365
Service-Learning Grant for up to $1,000
State Farm and Youth Service America are offering Good Neighbor Student Achievement Grants of up to $1,000 for programs that enhance student achievement through service-learning in K-12 public schools. Each grant engages teachers and students in a service and learning program that promotes academic achievement, workplace readiness, and stronger community and requires a 12-14 week Semester of Service™. The website includes a program overview, a Semester of Service Strategy Guide, and a detailed scoring rubric.
Due date: May 31
Website: https://www.wizehive.com/appform/login/ysa2012sf
Susan Jordan, Discretionary Grants, x63447
