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Learn. Unlearn. Relearn.
These three words will embody our collective work as we prepare for our scholars to return to learn for school year 21-22. More specifically, what must we LEARN, UNLEARN and/or RELEARN this school year to create the enabling conditions for each of our scholars to thrive?
As an Academic Office, we stand ready to collaborate and partner with all in the district to be leaders of learning. In efforts to best support this work, I would like to share with you a brief overview of “THE WORK” – the WHY, WHAT, and HOW – of the Academic Office this school year.
The information provided in this newsletter is a forecast, a type of ‘heads-up’, provided to all staff about what is coming from the Academic Office in a few areas: 1. Virtual Learning, 2. Culture Camp, and 3. Literacy Professional Learning. More detailed information on each of these topics, with links to resources, documents and calendars will be included in the next Academic Office Newsletter on Friday, August 20, 2021.
Academic Office Core Work
The WHY of our work for SY 21-22
To develop and/or deepen the habits of mind and critical learning, leadership, and teaching (coaching) moves to disrupt and dismantle inequities in our systems, practices, policies, and procedures so each scholar thrives.
WHAT is our work for SY 21-22?
1. Strengthen the academic and social-emotional core through tiered supports (Foundational, Targeted, Comprehensive), so all scholars access and have targeted/responsive supports to achieve Standards
2. Use multiple sources of data to surface and address inequitable practices and outcomes
3. Content Area Focus: Literacy. Apply research (science of reading) and “best we know right now practices” to educate the Whole Child
HOW will we accomplish our work for SY 21-22?
More to come. In the meantime, I invite you to take 10 minutes to view THIS video interview with Dr. Jeff Duncan Andrade to (re)frame our collective thinking around our work.
“People keep saying, ‘We just need to get back to normal.’ Going back to normal for the kids who are most vulnerable is not a solution, because normal was where the problem was.” (Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings, 2020)
Here’s to a learning-focused, collaborative and transformative 21-22 school year!
Your partner in education,
Marion Smith Jr, EdD | Deputy Superintendent of Academics
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Virtual Learning
As we transition back to in-person instruction and continue to reimagine what "school" looks like, we want to continue empowering our learners and educators to use technology in innovative ways. Our role as leaders of learning and teaching is to ensure that our scholars are digital learners and have access and targeted tiered support to innovative and equitable instruction.
Blended Learning Expectations and Resources:
Next week, after meeting collaboratively with the Academic Office, school leaders will share a guidance document that outlines expectations and provides resources to support educators in implementing Blended Learning instructional practices and creating learning environments in which we stand ready to pivot to virtual instruction if and when necessary. The 2021-2022 Blended & Virtual Learning Plan and Teacher Expectations & Accountability Metrics were developed collaboratively with the Academic Office, other district leaders[MNR1] , and was vetted by the Principal Advisory Group. The team is excited to share this information with you, as we embark upon this new school year. We are mindful there will be unique situations that will require us to remain flexible and in a space of continued readiness to mitigate the impact of our continued navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the event of quarantine or closure, we will stand ready to provide uninterrupted quality and effective learning and teaching.
The Opportunity Ahead:
Our talented educator team pivoted and adapted to the ever-changing learning and teaching landscape that marked the 2020-2021 school year. We are proud of our “virtual teachers” who were responsive and innovative for our students. The Academic Office encourages educators to get excited about the possibilities ahead in one-to-one learning environments that can truly transform learning and teaching.
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Culture Camp: 1st Weeks of School
What – During the first two weeks of the 2021-2022 school year, we are asking school-based staff to engage in “Culture Camp” where principals, teachers, and other staff members explicitly teach and engage in learning activities that prioritize social and emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed practices, and team and relationship-building practices to establish a positive school and classroom culture and climate that fosters a sense of safety, inclusivity, and belonging for scholars returning to school after and during COVID.
How – School-based staff will be provided a repository of resources, lesson plans, and activities to assist in making connections and building relationships with scholars, and establishing systems, procedures, and routines to explicitly teach concepts and skills that support creating the conditions for all scholars to begin the school year in a positive and supportive school and classroom environment. The repository of resources will be made available in the Academic Office Newsletter next week (8.20.2021).
Why – There may be nothing more important in a child’s life than a positive and stable relationship with a caring adult. For scholars, a positive connection to at least one SLPS adult – whether a teacher, counselor, sports coach, or other school staff member – can have tremendous benefits that include reduced bullying incidents and out-of-school suspensions, lower dropout rates, and improved social-emotional capacities. One of the best ways to build healthy relationships with scholars is to build trust with them by taking an interest in and supporting them; when scholars feel supported, they are more eager to engage in learning. For these reasons, it is important to establish connections by engaging in team-building activities, and explicitly stating, (re)teaching and practicing school and classroom systems, procedures and routines during the first few weeks of school. This process creates opportunities for positive interactions and explicit teaching of expectations, allowing scholars to feel motivated, aware, and physically and emotionally safe to learn. Our ultimate goal is to create safe learning spaces where scholars feel connected, included, challenged, reassured, and accepted. Studies support that creating safe and nurturing school and classroom environments is vital for scholar success.
Please note, as a result of the first two weeks of school being dedicated to Culture Camp, the Academic Office will be extending the closing date for first quarter CFA to September 15, 2021.
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Curriculum & Instruction
On Friday, 8.13.2021, school-based staff engaged in our second full day of professional development and professional learning programming designed to support SLPS staff in implementing our newly adopted literacy resources in grades Pre-K through 8. We hope that you were able to access and explore the new materials over the summer months and that you found today's professional learning programming engaging and informative.
The professional learning opportunity experienced today is not the end of our support to you in this shift in our learning and teaching practices as we implement a new Pre-K through 8 literacy curriculum. We are excited to partner with Savvas Learning to offer staff an opportunity to engage in ongoing, multi-tiered, professional development experiences throughout the school year. Our educators and leaders will have access to digital "on-demand" professional development services provided by Savvas Learning, pre-recorded district-wide professional development sessions accessible via the district intranet server, and over 70 Live Professional Development Events designed to support us as we engage SLPS scholars in this exciting new literacy program. Live access to the 21-22 Savvas Professional Development Plan will be made available in the Academic Office Newsletter next week (8.20.2021).
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Save The Date
Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The District and the Urban League will host a “Back-to-School” drive-through event at the Urban League’s headquarters - 1408 North Kingshighway St. Louis MO, 63113.
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Standards-Based Learning Corner
Click here to explore past topics related to Standards-Based Learning and Grading in SLPS.
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Curriculum Specialists:
- Dr. Esther Palsenberger, Elementary ELA, 314-779-5939
- Judine Keplar, Secondary ELA, 314-532-6427
- Zehra Khan, Secondary Math, 314-532-3574
- J. Carrie Launius, Elementary Science, 314-934-5258
- Dr. Valentina Bumbu, Secondary Science, 573-544-6835
- Dr. Glenn Barnes, Social Studies, 314-934-5267
- John Grapperhaus, Visual Arts, 314-934-5320
- Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts, 314-934-5445
- Dr. Taresa Wright-Fraser, Elementary Math, 314-943-5266
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Curriculum Corner: Visual Arts with John Grapperhaus
ART AND LITERACY
As the school year is upon us, this is a great time to plan to connect the arts with literacy in your school or classroom. This can be done by setting up an art content library in the classroom and regularly starting an art project off with a read-aloud.
Here are a few helpful websites to get you started:
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Resource Reminders
TECH TIPS:
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
FOR STAFF:
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Miss an Issue?
Past issues are uploaded on a regular basis.
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