September 22, 2022
Issue #5
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Message from Deputy Superintendent of Academics
Dr. Marion Smith Jr.
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| Hello, Colleagues!
It’s always a great day for learning and teaching in SLPS! As I continue to visit schools, I am energized and excited by what I see and hear. Each week, I spend at least 1 day in schools engaging in unscheduled and scheduled Learning Walks and check-ins.
Many schools are doing amazing work. Here are just a few ways in which our colleagues are continuing to deepen consistency and effective practices within their school buildings:
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Providing great PD, but struggling to build consistency across classrooms? School leaders are using their Learning Walks/classroom observations not only as a coaching opportunity, but to progress monitor effective implementation. Once staff receive training on a skill or strategy, school leaders are using the Learning Walk to gather data across the school and to support 100% implementation. For example, if a school has engaged in PD on articulating and posting clear, standards-based learning targets so teachers state what they’re teaching, scholars know what they’re expected to learn by the end of the lesson, and support staff know how to support scholars with interventions or enrichment, some school leaders conduct a daily “quick check” – going to every classroom to gather data on posted learning targets. Then school leaders share the Learning Targets that they are seeing with staff through their weekly letter to staff or during staff meetings. This helps to reinforce the learning and engages staff in personal and collective accountability around a school area of focus.
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The Power of Collective Learning & Individual Coaching—Many administrative teams that I have visited are engaging in Learning Walks together every week. They debrief in the hallway after each classroom visit or in the office where they calibrate and discuss next steps. After their Learning Walk, one of the administrators sends an e-mail to staff summarizing the themes/trends seen across classrooms—including ‘promising practices’ as well as ‘stretch areas’ in need of collective focus, based on the School Accountability Plan focus areas. This practice has provided opportunities for teachers to have individual coaching as well as an opportunity to see how their learning and teaching practices sit within the context of the whole school building.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Reflections
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Every year from September 15 through October 15, we celebrate and create awareness for National Hispanic Heritage Month. The day of September 15 was chosen because of its direct connection to the liberation movements that resulted in the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence the following two days. The spirit of these emancipatory historical moments are captured in the powerful murals of “los tres grandes” (the three great ones) Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozsco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Although focused on Mexico after the great revolution, the murals themselves speak to the Indigenous roots of the Hispanic/Latino/a/x/ community. They document the colonial (im)positions and later social transformations that continue to inform social activism today.
With their courageous, brilliant, and powerful voices on freedom and liberation, the Hispanic/Latino/a/x community has provided the world with messages of motivation, inspiration, and hope in building a better world. As we reflect on this month, let us decenter North America and contextualize the United States as part of a much larger, older, broader, and richer story that crosses real landscapes and imagined borders. We cannot deny that the entirety of the Americas are bound together institutionally, historically, and culturally, consisting of 18 million Indigenous peoples in South America alone (not counting North and Central America), approximately six million Afro-Latinos alone in the United States, as well as Asian peoples primarily from China, the Philippines, and India. As such, we must acknowledge that all of us are living in a state of ‘mestizaje’ that is represented in the rich tapestry of African, Asian, European, and Indigenous contributions to this hemisphere. We are all part of the borderlands, intimately tied together by blood, land, history.
Contributions to the learning and teaching field include many amazing activists, theorists, scholars, artists, and dreamers. Individuals such as social activist Dolores Huerta, and transgender activist Sylvia Rivera, as well as Indigenous Ecuadorian scholar- activist, politician and lawyer Nina Pacari. Contributions to the arts include the stylized classical works of Brazilian artist Heitor Villa-Lobos, followed by the beautiful and powerful poetry of individuals like Rubén Darío (Nicaragua), Gloria Anzaldúa, Eduardo Galeano (Uruguay), and Nobel prize winner Pablo Neruda (Chilean). Critical theorists and scholars such as Cherrie Moraga, Cristina Mora, and Manuel Zapata Olivella (Colombia) organized the first Pan-Africanist conference in Latin America, drawing attention to the history and lived experience of Afro-Latinos. These and many more contributions have brought about social change across the globe and inspired generations of freedom thinkers.
Additional resources to support awareness and to deepen individual and collective learning and teaching about National Hispanic Heritage Month:
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Keeping “The Work” of the Academic Office Front and Center
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The WHY of our work for School Year 22-23:
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To develop and/or deepen the habits of mind and adaptive leadership moves critical to disrupt and dismantle inequities in our systems, practices, policies and procedures so each scholar thrives.
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The WHAT of our work for School Year 22-23:
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Strengthen the *instructional core, so each scholar has access and targeted supports to achieve Standards and to engage in deeper learning through the ‘Key 3’
- Use multiple sources of data (qualitative, quantitative and perceptual) to inform decision-making
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Apply “best we know right now practices” to educate the Whole Child
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*teachers’ knowledge and skills; scholars’ engagement in their own learning; academically challenging content
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The HOW of our work for School Year 22-23:
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Year 2 Academic Office Focus on Scholar Learning (FOSL) Walks
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Academic Office-led classroom observations have begun for this school year! Click HERE to see the scheduled Focus on Scholar Learning (FOSL) Walks for Semester 1. The FOSL Walk observation /data collection form, process, structure and participants have been updated and revised based on feedback from Year 1 implementation last school year.
In a separate communication, the revised Year 2 FOSL Walk structure will be shared, so each of you are aware of what to expect when a FOSL Walk takes place in your school. In the interim, click HERE to view the revised FOSL form being used.
Thank you to Dr. Tyler Archer (Principal, Nance Elementary School), Mr. Jonathan Griffin (Principal, Carnahan High School of the Future) and Dr. ChanTam Trinh (Principal, Soldan International Studies High School) for hosting members of the Academic Office Team in your schools as we engaged in discussions and (re)calibration work to refine the FOSL Walk structure for this school year. Also, thank you to the Network Superintendents and Academic Office FOSL Walk Leads for your targeted feedback, insights and perspectives and participation in the ‘practice’ sessions in schools prior to full implementation next week.
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"The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” - Peter Drucker
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Network Spotlight: Network 4
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Team Carnahan High School of the Future is "Embracing Change While Transforming Lives!" The Carnahan family welcomed a new group of 6th graders to start the transition to Carnahan STEAM Middle School! Over 60 middle school scholars joined the family, excited to be part of the unique tech-enhanced learning focus. Carnahan's model includes infusing Project Lead The Way (PLTW) with the core curriculum to continue the school's focus on academics, character and high values that was established with high school students. While the middle school scholars settle in, the remaining juniors and seniors are preparing to make their mark on the world. Team Carnahan continues to maintain a focus on providing each high school scholar with an internship and plan for graduation.
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NCNAA @ Roosevelt High School - Day One
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On September 10th, representatives from NCNAA at Roosevelt High School participated in a screening and panel discussion of "Day One," the 2018 documentary following a group of teenage refugees from war-torn countries attending the newcomer high school in St. Louis Public Schools. The screening was held at the Carpenter Library and was open to the public. The panel answered questions about the issues facing teenage immigrants and refugees and discussed the unique supports put into place by NCNAA at Roosevelt in order to help these students be successful.
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Yeatman Scholars in Jefferson City
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The Scholars at Yeatman Middle School traveled beyond the classroom to extend their learning on an educational adventure to the state capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri. Scholars voiced their advocacy in the Senate chambers for equity in youth education. While there, they visited the Governor, Secretary of State, and Senate offices. Additionally, the scholars made their own state seal. The Great Seal was originally designed by Judge Robert William Wells and later adopted by the Missouri General Assembly on January 11, 1822. In addition to touring the Governor’s Mansion garden grounds, the Supreme Court (exploring the 3 Branches of Government), and the Missouri State Museum. The Yeatman scholars ended their visit with a campus tour of Lincoln University (an Historically Black College & University) where they met in the President’s Cabinet. The scholars returned with college & career readiness, a wealth of knowledge (policy), and recognition certificates from Senator Steve Robert’s office. An extended thank you to our hosts: The 5th Senate Office, SLU Trio, UMSL NLF 2022, O’Fallon Community Developing Organization, and Y-L’s FSS.
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Roosevelt High School Student of the Week
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Roosevelt High School recently introduced Student of the Week. Teachers submit nominations based on good behavior, academic success, and peer collaboration.
Our first student spotlighted is sophomore, Elijah Foster. Here is what Roosevelt math teacher Ms. Cassidy Blanchard says, "Elijah is a joy to have in the classroom! He tries to the best of his ability to answer every question, even if he thinks it may be wrong. He never fails to go above and beyond when completing assignments. His behavior and work ethic are something all of us should strive for, especially in a class this challenging."
Great job, Elijah. We are so proud of you!
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Subject Area Spotlight: English Language Arts
(ELA)
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ELA in grades PK-12 is off to a strong start for the 2022-2023 school year! Following the successful implementation of new curricula resources in grades PK-8 last year, new resources have been adopted for high school English. ELA resources include resources to support Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction. In grades K-8, SuccessMaker is available to meet the needs of scholars needing Tier 3 instructional support.
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Saint Louis University (SLU) Fall Literacy Institute
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On October 8th, Mahogany L. Browne joins St. Louis area educators for a free event devoted to Literacy for Joy & Justice. Browne is an author whose work ranges from board books for babies to fiction and poetry for young adults, the founder of a media literacy organization for community justice, and the first-ever poet-in-residence at New York's Lincoln Center. Following Browne's morning keynote address, area teacher leaders will share small group workshops on children's and young adult literature, writing, and anti-bias curriculum. While the event is free of charge, space is limited and registration is required. Visit this website to register and for more information.
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Partnering with the St. Louis Public Library
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If you have not taken a peek at all of the resources and services offered by the St. Louis Public Library lately, there is so much to explore!
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National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Student Writing Awards
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Each day, literacy educators strive to create powerful and lasting opportunities for their scholars to grow their critical thinking and communication skills through writing. For decades, teachers have taken advantage of NCTE’s Student Writing Awards as an opportunity to encourage and recognize thoughtful and evocative writings in their classrooms.
Prompts are now available for the 2023 Achievement Awards in Writing and Promising Young Writers contests! NCTE encourages educators and administrators to share information on these school-based writing awards across the middle and secondary levels.
The 2023 contests feature key changes to contest guidelines, eligibility, and scoring designations. Details are available on each contest’s webpage, and a breakdown of the changes can be found here. We ask teachers who have submitted student writing in previous years to review the changes carefully.
Here are key dates for the 2023 contests:
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- November 2022: contest opens for submissions.
- February 15, 2023: submission window closes.
- May 2023: winners are announced.
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Department Spotlight: Saint Louis Plan (Peer-to-Peer Assistance)
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The Consultant Teachers and Induction Coaches of the Saint Louis Plan (StL) had the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Annual Visible Learning Conference in Denver Colorado this summer. This experience will inform professional development in the coming months.
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Interim Learning Associate (ILA) Professional Development
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Former Consultant Teachers and current Induction Coaches teamed with 20+ master teachers to design and deliver 90 hours of introductory professional development to more than 100 ILAs this summer. Stay tuned for more information from the Academic Office Team regarding continuing support for ILAs.
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The Consultant Teachers and Induction Coaches teamed with their new interns and responded to the call from KMOV 4 to help make a 9 year-old-boy with autism have a wonderful birthday. The scholars from these classes responded and sent Austin more than 100 cards for his birthday. Well done to the teachers and scholars who participated!
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Consultant Teachers and Induction Coaches provide individual support to fully certified teachers in their first year with the St. Louis Public Schools. If those teachers have no prior public school experience, they will be assigned a Consultant Teacher. If the fully certified new teachers have less than two years of prior public school experience they will be assigned an Induction Coach. If you have a fully certified new teacher with less than 2 years of prior public school experience email Wanda.Clay@slps.org for information regarding this support.
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Principals may request support for new teachers with more than 2 years of public school experience. These teachers can start receiving support in week 6 of the 2022-2023 school year. More information will be coming your way via email next week.
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Please remember, the STL Plan Des Peres building site is available for small group professional development. You are invited to come and see what is possible at 450 Des Peres, St. Louis MO 63112. For more information or a short tour, please contact Wanda.Clay@slps.org.
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| For more guidance please contact Dr. Wanda Clay, Coordinator, St. Louis Plan - Wanda.Clay@slps.org
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Free Educational Resources
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Free Back-To-School Resources
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Here are some free educational resources that may be of interest to you and our families to help make this fall a little easier for everyone.
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Free Educational Resources:
Math at Home: Pre-K to 5th-grade worksheets with interactive problems, organized by topic, like measurement, geometry, division, etc. No login or sign-up is required for this one!
Khan Academy: Probably the most famous of the free resources. You can sign up on their website to get access to different courses, including math, reading & language arts, ACT/SAT/LSAT/MCAT prep, history, social studies, economics, AP classes, and even life skills like personal finance. You get more resources if you create an account, but you can watch YouTube videos even without an account.
Free Tutoring:
Learn to be is a non-profit bringing free, 1-on-1, online tutoring to underserved youth in the U.S. To sign up, a parent or guardian can fill out an online form to match a child with a tutor.
Enrichment (aka fun computer games your kids won't notice are educational):
Funbrain is a website for enrichment for grades 1-8, and resources are separated by grade. They have everything from online books to games like chess and sudoku, videos, a virtual playground, a math zone, and much more — like a virtual game to explore the different planets.
PBS Math Games offers fun games featuring many beloved characters from PBS kids' shows, like Curious George, "Odd Squad" agents, and the gang from "Dinosaur Train."
National Geographic Kids has games and real-world videos and articles about fascinating topics, ranging from the three branches of government to women heroes, crafts, animal LOL and much more.
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Citywide Plan for Education
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Maryville University Doctor of Education – Teacher Leadership Virtual Low-Residency Program
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Curriculum Specialists:
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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
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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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