Thank you to Staff
I want to start my September report with a video that was shared at our all staff gathering in August. The video captures the dedication of our staff and the rich diversity of our district. I am proud of the work that is taking place in all of our buildings and appreciate each and every employee’s contribution.
School Year Kick-Off
The start of a new school year is always exciting. I want to highlight several key investments that we have prioritized for this school year.
We have introduced our new elementary reading curriculum, Collaborative Classroom. Staff received professional development during August and are now using these new materials in their classrooms. The curriculum adoption includes a strong professional development component utilizing the lesson study model, in which staff developers from Collaborative Classroom teach modeled lessons for our staff, and discuss the strengths and areas for improvement from the lesson. The lesson study model will be utilized throughout the school year.
At the middle school level the new science curriculum, Amplify Science, has been introduced. This curriculum is a robust, multi-modal, hands-on program made to fulfill 100 percent of the Next Generation Science Standards as well as a number of common core English language arts and math standards. Staff from across our middle school level came together to develop a scope and sequence creating continuity across our schools.
At the high school we have developed a course required for all 9th grade students called “Freshman Success.” This class is the combination of freshman health and a curriculum focused on the skills students need throughout their high school career and the world of college and career.
We now have Chromebook carts at our high schools. This access to technology will allow our students, who have utilized technology throughout a portion of elementary school and all of middle school, to have access to this important digital tool. Staff participated in professional development sessions at our PD Fair in August that offered a self-paced online tutorial focused on Google Fundamentals, Device Fundamentals, and Digital Citizenship for Educators.
Finally, we have implemented additional Career and Technical Education courses at our high schools. New offerings include Autos 1 at CV, Computer Science at CHS and CV, an expanded Health Occupations class at CV and Forestry at CHS. These classes provide additional relevance and real world learning for our students.
Sustainability Plan Development
We have started work with Brendle Group, a sustainability consultant, to facilitate the development of a district Sustainability Plan. The plan will focus on energy and water conservation, food and waste, transportation, and construction. In addition cross-cutting themes such as student engagement, community partnerships, equity and inclusion, and improved learning environments will be applied.
Earlier this week district staff met via video conference with Conor Merrigan, the project manager and proud OSU graduate and Becca Stock, Lead Analyst on the project. The first task is underway which involves creating a sustainability baseline assessment. District staff and Brendle Group are collecting data such as district-wide energy and water use, fuel costs for district vehicles, and waste management. The next task will be the development of a staff/community survey as part of the assessment process. The baseline assessment and data gathering are expected to be completed by December.
The district has created a planning group, facilitated by Assistant Superintendent Kevin Bogatin, that will meet with the Brendle Group project team via video conference every other week. In January a larger team will gather to analyze the assessment information and work on a sustainability vision, focus areas, and goal setting.
Health and Wellness: Mental Health Support
September is national suicide prevention month. We are committed to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and removing the stigma about the need for mental health support. At our back to school professional development day, more than 500 district staff attended suicide prevention trainings based on QPR (Question, Persuade,Refer), a proven suicide prevention intervention. Increased awareness of the warning signs of mental health issues is a critical way that our district supports kids. I am pleased that so many of our staff participated in this training and are learning to recognize the warning signs of a crisis that could lead to suicide and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. If someone you know is in crisis, there are many resources available. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or in Spanish: 1-888-628-9454.
Meritorious Budget Award Received
I am pleased to share that the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is has recognized Corvallis School District for excellence in budget presentation with the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2018–2019 budget year.
ASBO International MBA award and Pathway to the MBA promote and recognize best budget presentation practices in school districts. This recognition highlights our commitment to budget documents that are accurate, easy to read, and that communicate the district’s goals and objectives. We are committed to continually improve our budget presentation process and I am proud of the work of our business services staff, led by Finance and Operations DIrectors Olivia Meyers Buch.
Shared with the Corvallis School Board during the September 13, 2018 meeting.