Friday Flyer

December 3, 2021

November 28 - Dec. 6 - Hanukkah

December 7 - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

December 24 - 31 - Winter Recess

December 26 - Jan.1 - Kwanzaa

School & Community Events - Superintendent Invites: If your school is hosting a weekend outdoor event, please let Dr. Cassellius know!

• Take 2 minutes to complete the google form here.

• Questions: Patti Feeney (pfeeney@bostonpublicschools.org

DESE & DCF Student Safety/Mandated Reporting Webinar - Tuesday, December 14 - 3:30p - 4:30p. This will be a joint informational webinar on recent updates to the mandated reporter guidance for schools and districts. The webinar will cover what is new in this guidance, including guidelines for sharing information with DCF social workers and other key topics for school teams.

• ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 819 0327 2823  Passcode: 216392
• Main portion of the webinar will be recorded and posted on the DESE website following the meeting.

BPS Moves Together Website Launch!

Health and Wellness is proud to share the BPS Moves Together Website as we continue to prioritize our community’s wellness. Find all-access resources around recess, movement in the classroom and more!  Sravanthy Neeraja, sgumidyala@bostonpublicschools.org

Using WIDA Screener Results

In response to stakeholder questions, OEL has issued guidance clarifying how schools should be using WIDA screener results this school year. Any questions contact oellinstructionteam@bostonpublicschools.org

Deadline for Arts Survey - December 6

This is a reminder to school leaders or designees to please complete the 14th annual BPS Arts Survey by December 6.  Four raffle-winning schools will receive $500 to be used for art supplies.  Julia Gittleman at Julia@MGAConsultants.com or Anthony Beatrice at abeatrice2@bostonpublicshools.org

Playworks Recess Remix Training for Grades 4-8!

Playworks is leading a comprehensive recess implementation training for school leaders, and school-based staff on January 3, 2022 for schools looking to build quality, safe, joyful recess for 4th-8th grade students. See Flyer. Sravanthy Neeraja, sgumidyala@bostonpublicschools.org

E

lementary Literacy Report Card Guidance

Educators have requested guidance for assigning elementary report card grades. Guidance can be found here. Elementary report cards will be revised this spring for use in SY22-23. Questions contact Christine Cronin, ccronin@bostonpublicschools.org

Join the Assessment Request for Proposals Committee

ODA is seeking educators to serve on a committee to review and purchase formative assessment products for BPS district-wide use. Stipends available, apply by 12/09/21. To apply, please complete this form. Questions contact sjay@bostonpublicschools.org

MCAS Parent/Guardian Reports Distribution Update

This week, Spring 2021 MCAS Parent/Guardian Reports were distributed electronically to BPS families. Please see the attached document with info when schools should expect receiving one paper copy. Ileana Gruia, igruia@bostonpublicschools.org  or Karyn Hall Redcross, klhall@bostonpublicschools.org

Waiver from the MCAS CBT Expectation

Schools are expected to administer the MCAS 2022 tests on computers. BPS does not plan to submit or approve school waivers from CBT. Paper-based accommodations remain available as required by an IEP. Contact Ileana Gruia @ igruia@bostonpublicschools.org with questions.

2022 5th Quarter Application

The 2022 5th Quarter application is now live! All application forms are due by 5pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021.  Questions contact Karissa Goff, kgoff@bostonpublicschools.org

Pre-Collab/Probable Org Invites

Invitations for pre-collab/probable org meetings have been sent out. These meetings will be virtual. For questions on your scheduled time, contact Salem Gebrezgi sgebrezgi@bostonpublicschools.org

REQUIRED Central Office Supervisor Training

Please see the LINKED MEMO on how to enroll in this required in-person training for all Central Office managers. Please bring your laptop to the training. If you have questions, email  eval@bostonpublicschools.org

Information About Evaluations SY21-22

Please go to https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/evalnews for information about evaluations.

PAR School Leader Panelist Nomination/Application

The Educator Supports Program (formerly Peer Assistance and PAR) is a BTU-BPS Panel seeking a School Leader Panel Member (stipend). Description and form below. Applications accepted until filled. 2021-22 Position Description and Application Form. Questions email esp@bostonpublicschools.org

Formative Assessments SY21-22 - Deadline JANUARY 15

January 15th is the deadline for Formative Assessments for educators on Developing and 1-Year Self-Directed plans. Find more information in the memo.  Contact eval@bostonpublicschools.org

UPDATE: Clarification Regarding Laptops4Learning (L4L) Course & Equitable Grading Course

School-based BPS staff have inquired about the Laptops4Learning program and the Equitable Grading Course and whether they are required to complete to receive a laptop (if eligible). Please see the descriptions below.

The Laptops4Learning (L4L) V5 Course is required to receive a laptop, only for eligible users,

by invitation only. Eligible users are emailed a link to join the course on a rolling basis. This email is sent by OIIT and contains instructions for taking the course. This course must be completed to get a laptop. Within this course, there is a module that references the Equitable Grading Course. The Equitable Grading Course is its own standalone course.

Equitable Grading Course - not required to receive a laptop. Anyone in BPS can take this course. This course is 30 minutes long and discusses BPS's changing policies around equitable grading. For more information about how to self-enroll in this course, click here. This course is outside of the L4L course because we wanted to broaden access to this content since not everyone who can take this course is eligible for a laptop.

Lynch Leadership Applications Extended

Interested in School Leadership?  The application for the Lynch Leadership Academy's BPS  Aspiring Principals Program has been extended to December 7, 2021. The application can be found here.

School Leader Recruitment Sessions 

We are having School Leader Recruitment sessions to provide interested potential leaders a space to hear about the application and screening process for SL’s. Come by yourself or share widely with others that you think may benefit from attending the session. Please see this flyer for information on the Recruitment Event and register here.

School Leader Pipeline Program

Help us find talent! Please fill out this form if you would like to refer someone who may be a great school leader or a great fit for one of our pipeline programs: Lynch (Prepares individuals for P/HOS roles), PSI (prepares individuals for AP roles), New Leader Foundations of Breakthrough Leadership (prepares individuals for AP and P/HOS roles).

Contact Megan Reed, mreed@bostonpublicschools.org with questions regarding any of these opportunities.  

ATM Professional Learning Opportunity

The Office of Leadership Development has partnered with Inspiring Educators to offer a virtual professional learning opportunity, Articulating Your "Why" For Sustaining Staff that will be held in two parts, January 12, 2022 and January 19, 2022 (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm each day). More information and registration form can be found here.

Latino/Latina Leader Opportunity

Do you identify as Latino/Latina and have interest in moving into a superintendency at some point? Consider applying to the Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Latino and Latina Leaders.  Find more information here, application deadline is Feb. 9th, 2022. There are other programs run through the Aspiring Superintendents Academy that can be found here.