Week of 3/18/24

 Something Personal

I was a big fan of the presentation on The Six Shifts last week. Not only did the content, and the shifts themselves, feel like something QUEST will absolutely knock out of the park, but I really appreciated how the presenter tied it to the human element. What does change feel like and what are the barriers of improving? 

If you've been in education long enough you know that change is inevitable. As tricky as change can be, there is such a human element to it and it is always accompanied with personal emotions, desires, values, and personal bias (a belief in doing things a certain way because it has worked in the past). In education, sometimes it feels like the pendulum swings and then comes back around. Anyone ever feel like we are in a constant state of change? Regardless of our experiences, we can all likely agree that shifting something, especially when it invovles instruction, is a muddy process. 

Check out the visual below. 

This illustration highlights what is known as the Kubler Ross change curve. No matter how excited you are for a given change, or how ready, it is likely that you will go through several emotions anytime something new is brought forth. This is natural and happens to everyone...myself included. 

I never skimp on expressing my respect for QUEST, and one of the areas I appreciate the most is how people here grapple with shifts. I experienced this during Covid when we had to completely reinvent what school is, and I continue to see it as new initiatives come our way. We feel our feelings, but we always go back to what is good for kids. And more than that, we ALWAYS do things together. For that, I am very grateful to be your leader. You all have created a special place for kids and one another, even when things are messy.

Thank you!  

Something Professional 

Staff Meeting (CBT Test Proctor Training)

When: 3/26/24 (that is next Tuesday!) 7:50-8:30 am

What: CBT Proctor Training for all

Where: Cafe

Who: Tracie Czebatol will be leading the charge

Schedule and Staffing Update 

For those that are unaware, our schedule is currently being developed as a school. More specifically, the special times and lunches have been completed, and now levels are creating their schedule. The last step, once levels are able to create their daily schedules, is to have interventionists overlay the intervention times. 

Next week we will have interviews at QUEST for our 2.0 FTE teaching positions. In addition to that, I am hoping to be able to add math interventions to primary as well--fingers crossed. The goal is to have the teaching positions figured out and BOE approved before placement is over. From there, we will hire for any TA openings in our building.

Placement Update 

After break you will start getting placement steps and the process for this year. We will make time for placement during mid-April through May. 

CBT 

HOT TOPIC Background Color/Reverse Contrast Tool Option is now available to all students. Students can choose from the background color choices of blue, green, pink, or yellow with black text; or students can select reverse contrast with white text and a black background to make text easier to read. For more information and an accompanying visual example, please visit the LINK: Background Color/Reverse Contrast Tool Option is now available to all students. – Computer Based Testing (nysed.gov)

Safety Reminder 

Doors:

• ü  If you see a door propped, please report it right away and close it.
• ü  When we leave our rooms during the day, make sure your door is closed. At the end of the day, make sure it is locked. Please be sure your windows are closed as well.
• ü  If you notice a door is not latching as weather changes, please report right away to the main office. 

From Tech: 

Hilton Central School District does not have a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) with SignUp Genius and, therefore, is subject to their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It has been brought to our attention that staff are entering, or asking others to enter, personally identifiable information (PII) into the site. After a review of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, SignUp Genius use by staff in Hilton Central School District will be discontinued on June 30, 2024.  Please see the chart below for some of the sections that caused us to reach this decision.

Throughout the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year, it will be important to transition to approved digital tools for any features of SignUp Genius that staff members may still be utilizing. The instructional techs will be available to help with this as needed. It is suggested during the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year staff begin to trial replacements that are approved for use in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

Thank you for understanding the importance of adhering to safety guidelines with our staff and students' personally identifiable information. 

 

Privacy Policy	"How do we use and share your information? Below is a summary of the categories of personal information we collect, where we get it from, why we collect it, and with whom we may share it."
Privacy Policy	In the chart of how information is shared and used, personal information types listed are used for various reasons, but all listed personal innformation types are used for marketing purposes.
Privacy Policy	"For our online advertisements, we do our best to avoid inappropriate or offensive ads. "
Privacy Policy	"We take precautions, but cannot provide guarantees. "
Terms of Service	"You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless SignUpGenius and its licensees and licensors, and their respective employees, contractors, agents, officers and directors, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees), resulting from or arising out of: (a) your use and access of the Services, by you or any person using your User Credentials; (b) a breach of these Terms; or (c) any User Content posted by you via the Services."
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information	"Certain third parties to which we sell or share personal information may re-sell or re-share your personal information for the purpose of delivering ads tailored to your interests."