April 29, 2021 RCSD Educator Blog
Message from Jamey Schrey
#LearningGains
There has been much talk around the state and country around children’s “learning loss” during the pandemic. Every time I hear this, I cringe. Most educators know that starting from a deficit model is detrimental to a child and makes for a poor mental image. Plus, and I know I am not saying anything we have not all thought about, but...Ummm...we were, and still are, in a pandemic.
So “learning loss” is not something we say at the district level because that is not how we sum up the year. The only time we may say it is connected with a state or federal grant because the money is tied to this kind of language. How about if we all just talk about the learning gains of our students during the 2020-2021 school year? And, let’s be sure to include academics, behavioral, and social-emotional improvements in the conversation.
As a principal, I always tried to be a pirate. What I mean by that is that I spent my classroom walks on treasure hunts. When I went on treasure hunts, I put myself in the position of looking for the positives in classrooms. This perspective allowed me to look for the quality, growth, and capabilities of students and staff. When the state says there is learning loss, it feels like there is blame on the education system. I believe in the Roseville City School District; we have not only championed our students this year but have allowed them to make impressive gains in a challenging year.
Treasures in our district have included students learning to read through masks and shields, make something in woodshop classes, be online with live RCSD teachers and staff, and be greeted by our office staff’s smiles since November. Students have played with friends, had virtual field trips, and hundreds of students have run cross country. And while our students with instruments maybe six feet apart on grass, or students have had to sit further away from peers, RCSD students have had experiences that have led to learning gains.
It is almost May. A year ago, I was glued to the TV for pandemic information and banging on my computer, trying to make plans for every pandemic scenario that would come at us in August. Today I sit and think about how staff pivoted to distance learning in August and how our excellent special education staff led the way to in-person instruction, coming back in September. And then think about having other staff and 8000 students coming back on campuses in November, while almost 100 staff members continued to provide quality distance learning instruction to practically 3000 students. In my nearly 30 year career, there was nothing that has compared to this year.
So, to the other pirates around the state that may not have a trunk full of gifts, Roseville City School District is unique. We have filled our children’s chests full of learning and memories that are treasures and skills that will last a lifetime. Our students will look back and know that they are stronger, wiser, and more appreciative of simple gifts because the educators and support staff cared enough to give their all in 2020-2021.
Happy Thursday!
Pirate Jamey
Teacher Sharyn Rainey: #Connectionsbeforecurriculum Twitter Link
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Report Card Reminders
We know report cards are not due for a few more weeks, but we are getting a lot of questions so we figured we would answer them now.
Information for TK-8:
- Report cards are run at the site level other than TK or Champions. Your site admin will give you additional information about report card previews and dates.
- A Reminder that in Trimester 3 Report Cards, all domains should be scored (unless a student recently arrived in your class). The Trimester 3 report card shows how students did on the year-long standards and therefore all domains should have a score since all domains should have been assessed throughout the year.
- A student that comes in the middle of a Trimester receives a Domain score on anything that they have had: Sufficient Practice (practice aligned to the learning target), Feedback (timely, specific, aligned to the learning target), Opportunity to improve learning based on feedback from the teacher. If a student has received that for a domain then it is appropriate to give them a summative score on a specific domain.
- If a student is not going to receive any scores the teacher should contact the parent put the comment below on the report card (or something similar): Student enrolled on (date) and there was not adequate time for the student to be assessed before the end of the Trimester.
- You can find previous PDF Report Cards in the Google Drive folder shared at your site. Or you can also find scores (not report cards) within 3rd Party data within Otus. Here is a video showing how to find scores within Otus.
Information for K-5 Only:
- Report card rubrics are now in your Assessment Shared With Me folder under Tri 3 Elementary Report Card
- Tri 3 Report Card Rubric Guide Here is the guide showing how to assign rubrics in Otus. This guide shows you how to enter comments for the report card, and how to assign the report card rubrics and grade the rubrics.
- Even if you used the grade book feature in Otus, we are still asking that you use the Rubric for a final grade.
- A reminder to assign the rubric to the specific class. Example the Math rubric should be assigned to your Math class.
- When you assign the report card put the due date of 5/27/21. This is the same even if your site is printing it earlier than that date.
- Right now the highest level is Target. On May 6th we will change it to Proficient. Even if you assign the Rubric now, the highest level will still change from Target to Proficient on may 6th and Proficient is what will show on the report card.
RCSD Report Card Comment Bank- Optional Comment Bank teachers can use to copy and paste comments into Otus.
Participation Scores for science, social studies, and PE are now comments, not rubrics (this is different from the 1st Trimester)
- You do not need to enter the comment 3 times just 1 time. You can add it in your "homeroom" class or under where you put comments for ABC Standard comments. Do not put the comment in Science, Social Studies, and PE, just put the comment once. Please add one of the following comments:
- Your child participated in Science and Social Studies. Physical Education lessons were provided for students to complete at home.
- OR
- Your child did NOT participate in Science and Social Studies. Physical Education lessons were provided for students to complete at home.
If you have questions please reach out to the following people:
Megan Spears- OR, Spanger, Fiddy, Junction, Thomas Jefferson, Champions K-2
Brandon Blom- Sargeant, Diamond Creek, Crestmont, TK, Champions 3-5
Jennie Ruvalcalba- Kaseberg, Woodbridge, Blue Oaks, Stoneridge
Julie Murdaugh- Cirby, Brown, Riego Creek, Gates
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Ed Services Updates
Professional Development Survey
A reminder that if you have not already done so already, to please take a moment to give your input using the form below. It is important for your voice to be part of this process. This information gathered in the survey will be used by the Professional Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) to put together a professional learning plan for the next three years. The deadline to submit the form is May 5th.
K-5 Science
Browse what is new with Discovery Education for the month of May!
RCSD May Discovery Education Newsletter
K-5 Math PD Opportunity
Monday, May 10th at 5:00pm
Shannon Kiebler is hosting a free webinar on 3 Secrets to Transforming Your Lesson Plans. In this free 75 minute webinar you will discover the 3 secrets behind effectively transforming your textbook lessons into highly engaging learning experiences that leave all students engaged, invested, and confident. Register here, seats are limited.
CUE’s fifth BOLD Symposium will take teachers, administrators, and district leaders on a deep dive into the world of hybrid teaching and learning with specific programming to meet your needs and to meet this moment. Choose from more than 50 sessions, from practicing educators and experts, on Hybrid Lesson Design.
CUE BOLD
There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing
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