|
|
|
ICYMI: SLPS Educator Among Best In The State
Kristen Dowling, 2021 SLPS Educator of the Year and Carnahan High School chemistry teacher, is a finalist for the 2022 Missouri Teacher of the Year. DESE will announce the winner in the coming weeks. Congratulations Kristen and best of luck! We're rooting for you.
The full press release can be found here.
| |
|
Under the Umbrella: Innovative Approaches to Literacy At Bryan Hill Elementary
Sound Garden & Outdoor MakerSpace
Scholars can take learning outdoors in our Sound Garden & Outdoor MakerSpace. which is outfitted with a stage, a variety of alternative seating, a puppet stage, and special equipment to take their reading, writing and language to the next level while experiencing all that green spaces have to offer. Scholars at Bryan Hill Elementary can document observations, perform plays and poetry readings, or just enjoy a good book from the Free Little Library in an outdoor space designed to fuel creativity.
Collegial Walks
Here at Bryan Hill, we work hard to make sure that our scholars are growing academically and working to their fullest potential. Our teachers work with their grade-level team to create meaningful lessons, share resources, and collaborate during collegial walkthroughs. During walkthroughs, teachers observe colleagues implementing engaging and rigorous instruction, meet and discuss the instructional strengths and areas of growth from the observation, and debrief with the teacher the findings from the observation. Teachers work with the Academic Instructional Coach and the principal to strengthen the instructional practices that are best for the scholars we serve.
Digital MakerSpace & Junior Journalism
Bryan Hill scholars use their voices in unique ways to share stories about the wonderful things that go on at Bryan Hill and in the College Hill Community. They use this biweekly scholar-led news broadcast (BHTV) to be photographers, reporters, videographers, anchors, scriptwriters, directors, and video editors. Scholars decide what topics will be focused on for each show and create skits to demonstrate character skills, study habits, and problem-solving techniques. This school year, the Junior Journalism Project hopes to create a scholar-led newsletter, yearbook and social media team.
Click here to visit the Bryan Hill Elementary YouTube page to see our scholars in action.
| |
|
Virtual Learning with Natasha Mitchell
A HUGE shout-out to our amazing teachers who have led this first two weeks of instruction with grace, joy, and intentionality. This year is shaping up to look like no other (and we already navigated through 18 months of Pandemic virtual/hybrid/concurrent teaching!) Many of our scholars and teachers have already been impacted by quarantines and teachers have had to pivot quickly to provide uninterrupted instruction for every scholar every day. We recognize the unique challenges these various and ever-changing scenarios bring and want to ensure we stand ready to provide continuity of instruction. Click here to access the 2021-2022 Blended Learning and Virtual Learning Guidance Document, which was shared in the August 20th Academic Office Newsletter.
A quick accountability metrics checklist
Have you:
- set up your Microsoft Teams classes and assignments
- updated your webpage with pertinent information (including a link to your Teams page(s))
- set up the digital platforms and scholar accounts for all curriculum and instruction resources
- provided scholars (and families) with login information for key resources
- informed your scholars (and families) of the procedures for instruction in the event of a quarantine
Important Note: Please remember – the Blended Learning Teacher Expectations & Accountability Metrics are not just in case there is a quarantine or closure. These expectations are best practices for implementing Blended Learning in one-to-one learning environments. By implementing these strategies not only are we innovating our learning spaces; we are also ensuring in the event of a quarantine or closure, we stand ready to provide uninterrupted quality and effective learning and teaching.
Microsoft Teams and Technology Support
If you have not already done so, join the technology resources team! The code to join the team is DMM14AB. There are several recorded webinars and PD sessions on every imaginable technology topic you may be interested in! Additionally, there are two Teams trainings coming up:
Teams for Education L100 - Sept. 14 from 4:30 - 5:30
Reading Progress in Teams - Sept. 21 from 4:30 - 5:30
Links to join these sessions are posted in the Technology Resources Team. Register in my learning plan.
Click here to access resources for getting started with Microsoft Teams.
| |
|
myView Literacy
Over the summer, Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) selected 35 elementary reading teachers to serve as interventionists specializing in cutting-edge, teaching and learning strategies. These experienced teachers are now assigned to our Title I elementary schools. In support of scholar success in the newly adopted, progressive reading program called, myView Literacy, the reading teachers provide intervention supports beyond core classroom instruction to ensure that scholars master grade-level reading/literacy standards. The new reading program is grounded in the "science of reading" and is aligned to the Missouri Learning Standards and grounded. All scholars will receive grade-level (Tier I) instruction in the core literacy program, myView.
The major focus of the reading teachers is to provide targeted reading instruction intervention. These teachers will utilize myView and the Star Reading Assessment to identify scholars who are reading one or more years below grade level (Tier II). In collaboration with the families, scholars, classroom teachers, and school leaders, an individual reading success plan will be developed for each Tier II scholar. The reading teacher will provide additional support beyond Tier I classroom reading instruction in a small group setting of 2-5 identified scholars for approximately three-week continuous improvement cycles. Tier III is the setting where scholars will receive more in-depth, one-to-one instruction. A reading plan will be developed for Tier III scholars as well.
For many teachers, the key to this new reading program is data collection and collaboration including regular meetings with reading teachers across the district and team meetings with classroom teachers and academic coaches. Now in the third week of school, reading teachers are conducting one-minute, cold reads with scholars in third through fifth grades to help assess where each scholar is now and where he or she wants to go. Shawna O’Brien, at Mason Elementary, is a veteran teacher who jumped at the chance to take on this new role as a reading teacher. She explains, “Teaching reading is a passion of mine and something I have wanted for quite some time as I worked toward my master’s and reading certification.” O’Brien added, “I enjoy meeting with scholars in small groups to give intervention and support as needed. Also, I wanted to take the time to look at the data and specifically break it down to what our scholars need to bridge the gap and to get them reading on grade level. I believe that we can do it, especially if we are all working together (academic coaches, reading interventionists, and classroom teachers). We have a very strong group of teachers so; I think it’s definitely within our grasp.”
Please stay tuned to academic news and watch our website for more from a few reading teachers, Ms. Shawna O’Brien, Ms. Lisa Talarski, and Ms. Katherine Munoz, and their journey with our scholars.
For more guidance please contact Dr. Kay Royster, Literacy/Reading Specialist - Kay.Royster@slps.org
| |
|
Seamless Summer Option Program
SLPS is participating in the Seamless Summer Option Program for the 2021-2022 school year. Saint Louis Public Schools operates the Community Eligibility Provision Program, which allows all SLPS school scholars to eat a free breakfast, lunch, and snack. This year, the school district is operating the Parent /Guardian Pick-Up and Non-Congregate Feeding Waivers.
| |
|
Standards-Based Learning Corner
Click here to explore past topics related to Standards-Based Learning and Grading in SLPS.
For more guidance, please contact Dr. Kimberly Moody, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Kimberly.Moody@slps.org
| |
|
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
| |
|
Resource Reminders
TECH TIPS:
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
FOR STAFF:
| |
|
Miss an Issue?
Past issues are uploaded on a regular basis.
| |
|
|
|
