Spring Fitness Challenge

The 2024 QUEST Spring Fitness Challenge starts next week! We will start the challenge on April 15th and end on May 3rd. Please remember to put your total number of steps into the spreadsheet at the end of your assigned day! You can find the link with team information and when you will be keeping steps here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ks3ojTNuk4M2E5rdlAWiyxd2mtnnlVDa811vhp-PASk/edit#gid=0

Learning Opportunity

 

Week of 3/25/24

 Something Personal

Something Professional 

Interview Updates    

We will be continuing the final rounds of interview after break for the 2.0 FTE at QUEST. The goal is to have two people recommended for the April 9th BOE meeting if possible. this allows us to know who we have on staff going into placement. 

From the Office of Instruction

Shared below is a video from the Office of Instruction with updates from the Superintendent's Conference Day kickoff on Shifting the Balance with Kari Yates. Please watch this video for updates on Professional Learning offerings as well as next steps. For those of you looking for early entry points to this work, you will find two resources below.

 

·                  WIN_20240327_09_11_03_Pro.mp4

·                  SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPTIONS FOR SHIFITNG THE BALANCE.docx

·                  NYS Literacy Briefs: https://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/literacy-briefs

·                  Dialogic Conversation Protocol: 

·                  Dialogic Conversations.pdf

 

HOT TOPIC Learn How to Use the CBT Equation Editor Drawing Tool now available to all students. This brief tutorial demonstrates the navigation features and functionality of the Equation Editor Drawing Tool. The Drawing Tool can be used by students to "Show your work" when responding to a constructed response math question in the Nextera Test Delivery System.  We hope this video helps educators and students understand how to use of the Drawing Tool within the Equation Editor during testing. Schools can practice using the Drawing Tool by accessing the drawing tool in the NY Question Sampler or using the Secure Browser practice tests. For more information and an accompanying visual example, please visit the LINK:  NEW 2023-24: Video Tutorial - Learn How to Use the CBT Equation Editor Drawing Tool – Computer Based Testing (nysed.gov)

 

HOT TOPIC Can students use scratch paper when taking the CBT exams? Yes. And it will now be provided in the Proctor Packet! CBT ELA and Science: each student should be given one sheet of lined paper, such as loose-leaf paper. CBT Math: each student should be given two sheets of scratch paper: one sheet of lined or plain paper and one sheet of graph paper.  For more information and an accompanying visual example, please visit the LINK: Can students use scratch paper when taking the CBT exams? – Computer Based Testing (nysed.gov)

Safety Reminder

 Creek

ü  If your class is going to the creek, please grab a walkie!

COMPUTER BASED TESTING UPDATES:

Thank you to everyone that attended Tuesday's staff meeting. The slides are available via our Staff Meeting Google Classroom and below along with other important information from our Reporting and Compliance Team:

CBT Proctor Resources 

The following material is required reading for all NYS 3-8 tests, upcoming CBT Proctors.  

 

Please, reach out to your building testing coordinator (Katie Jo) if you have questions or concerns.  

 

Proctor: Prior to Test Checklist

 

Proctor: Day of Checklist

 

HCSD PROCTOR TRAINING 2024 3-8 Testing CBT 

     Testing Dates & Times 

      Prior to Testing 

      Day of Testing 

      Pausing & Resuming a Test 

      Student Perspective 

      Administering a Test with an Accommodations 

2024 Teacher's Directions for Computer-Based Testing (CBT) (Read the grade level directions that pertain to your  work with CBT)

Thank you for your time and attention preparing for the first year of NYS Computer Based Testing in Hilton.  

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."

Spring Fitness Challenge

 Happy Spring QUEST, 

 

We are bringing back the QUEST team fitness challenge! We really enjoyed listening to all the friendly / slightly competitive conversations that were happening when we did this last year! We will start the challenge on April 15^th and end on May 3rd. Please review the spreadsheet and let me know if you don't see your name and would like to participate. I can also remove you from the challenge if you do not wish to participate this year.  Please remember to put your total number of steps into the spreadsheet at the end of your assigned day!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ks3ojTNuk4M2E5rdlAWiyxd2mtnnlVDa811vhp-PASk/edit#gid=0

Weekly Update for March 11, 2024

 Something Personal 

March, March, March...sometimes in the month of March, you just have to keep Marching forward. I've shared this video before, but recently I had to rewatch it to remind myself to stay above the line, and to be intentional about this during the wild month of March. 

Enjoy the video, and keep plugging. We got this! 

Something Professional 

CIA next Tuesday

When: 8:00 am

Where: QUEST Cafe 

What: IB Focus w/Greg and Nancy Leport (Hilton Alumni Association) 

Assembly on March 21st with Drumline! 

The Hilton Winter Drumline will be performing 2 shows at QUEST starting at 2:00 on Thursday, March 21. Winter Drumline is an athletic art that combines music and motion to create a theatrical production. It not only requires performers to be proficient in their instrument, but also to convey a story through movement and drama.

Our performers are students in grades 7-12. Their musicianship is evident when you see them perform with various instruments in Drumline, Marching Band, select bands and choruses as well as dramatic productions.  You will also see many of these names on lists for honor rolls and leadership groups throughout the district and community.

The countless hours required to put on these productions have created a hard-working, close-knit group. Their dedication and integrity have earned them the privilege of representing Hilton at the Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC. It is an honor to invite the Hilton Winter Drumline to QUEST!

About this year's show:

The 2024 show is titled The Tin Man. We begin in a happy town in the woods with our lead lumberjack. Suddenly, all is not well when the Wicked Witch appears! Falling under her evil spell, the people of the town fight against the witch. However, our lead lumberjack is not so lucky and is cursed to become Tin Man for the rest of his life. What happens next is only discovered when we follow the yellow brick road…

To prepare students:

This show is LOUD. If you have students who are sensitive to noise, you may wish to bring noise canceling headphones. The witch might be frightening to some, and may need to be described ahead if time. There will be an explanation of the show and instruments, so our students can get an understanding of the production and put the story in perspective.  The actual run time of the show is just over 5 minutes.

Thank you for supporting these students. They are excited to share their show with younger Cadets and future members of the Hilton Winter Drumline!

Which show does my class go to? 

K-2:  2:00-2:30

3-6: 2:35-3:05

Classroom teachers: you also were sent a calendar invite! 

Safety Reminder

When you leave your classroom, say to drop kids off or to go take your lunch, please be sure you shut your door. That way, if there ever were an emergency and a room was vacant, all doors would be closed. 

At the end of the day, please shut and lock your door.

COVID Update  

On March 1, 2024, the CDC adopted new guidelines for COVID-19, which can be found here: CDC Guidance for Respiratory Virus. This new guidance compares precautions and procedures for COVID-19 to those for other respiratory illnesses, and removes the requirement of mandatory isolation. The CDC reiterated that when individuals become sick with a respiratory virus, it is recommended that they stay home and away from others. For individuals who test positive specifically for COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The new CDC recommendations suggest that an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 can return to normal activities when overall symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours and, if a fever was present, the fever has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication. You can find more information on the CDC's website: CDC: What to do when you are sick.

 

What this means for students who test positive for COVID:

• Mandatory isolation is no longer required.
• It is recommended that students with any respiratory illness stay home and way from others until their symptoms are improving and they are fever free.
• Students can return to school and extracurricular activities when their symptoms are improving and they are fever-free without using fever-reducing medications. 

Little Cadets Carnival

 

QUEST Teacher of the Year Applications

 

Week of 3/5/24

 Something Personal

I learned this week about the passing of Harry K. Wong; he passed away peacefully last week. For those of you who have never heard of Harry Wong, for a long time he was the essential reading and thought provoker for any in-service teacher. Specifically, his book The First Days of School was one in which most new teachers have been exposed to. 

Education has changed drastically since that book was first published, but so many of the ideas he shared are timeless and still can be applied today. Below are a few of his main ideas and quotes from his lifetime in education. 

 

Something Professional

Women's History Month

March brings Women’s History Month. Below is a resource Michelle shared. Similar to black history month, I’d encourage you to use this month to celebrate, but also to use it as an audit of the work you do all the time. What text are in front of kids all year? How do you ensure your daily instruction is providing windows and mirrors for our students?

 From Michelle: 

Excellent resources here for women's history month! We also have many wonderful biographies available to borrow- let me know if you want some!

 https://libguides.monroe2boces.org/womenshistory/ebooks

LibGuides: Women's History Month: eBooks LibGuides: Women's History Month: eBooks libguides.monroe2boces.org

Morning Meeting

The next two weeks there will be no morning meeting on Wednesday. 

Bus Drill Sign Up 

If you are a classroom teacher, please sign your class up for a bus drill; these are set for 4/26. The link is on the hub or found below: 

CLICK HERE!

Hot Topic: CBT Pratice Exams

Question Samplers, and Teacher Created CBTs offer an opportunity for students to become familiar with the test format, the question types, and the tools they will experience during testing. For more information, please visit two LINKS: NEXTERA Practice Exams  and  HCSD's eDoctrina CBT Tool Kit Items (scroll to bottom of page)   

From then Office of Instruction

As you may know, Hilton's subscription for both Math Investigations (grades K-5) and CMP3 (grades 6-8) concludes in the 25-26 school year. We want to utilize this opportunity to evaluate our current programs and explore other possible programs for math at grades K-8. The first step in this process is to gather staff feedback on our current programs. On Monday, March 18th, there will be a survey sent to all K-8 Classroom teachers, 7-9^th grade math teachers, math interventionists/AIS providers, K-8 Special Education teachers, and K-8 ENL teachers. This will be an opportunity to rate your experience with either Math Investigations or CMP3 and offer insights in an open-ended format as well. The survey will close at the end of the day on March 22nd, so it is a quick turnaround time. Your feedback on the programs is important to us, so we hope that you will take a few moments to complete the survey. 

A draft timeline for the math programs review is below for your reference. The Office of Instruction will work with the math PC and Grade Level Leaders throughout the spring to finalize the details. 

• Spring 2024
• Survey staff on current programs (qualitative data)
• Analyze NWEA and state assessment data (quantitative data)
• Generate a list of what all Monroe County school districts use for math programs K-8
• Create a crosswalk of non-negotiables and "nice to haves" in a math programs
• Research potential math programs and complete crosswalk for how each program meets the non-negotiables and "nice to haves"
• Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
• Share all findings from Spring 2024 with Grade Level Leaders, Math interventionists, Math PC, Math liaison and MW Math Department
• Choose program(s) for potential pilots
• Design pilot and determine pilot teachers/classrooms
• Fall 2025
• Selected teachers pilot chosen programs
• Spring 2026 
• Evaluate pilots and determine program(s) for implementation in 2026-2027
• Spring/Summer 2026
• Training for program(s), if new program(s) selected
• Fall 2026
• Implementation of new program(s), if new program(s) selected

Casino Night