November 15, 2024
Volume 4, Issue 13
Teacher and Staff Climate Survey
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has partnered with Panorama Education to implement a Climate Survey for teachers and staff to gather valuable feedback from faculty.
Please complete the anonymous survey to help the district and your school consider how we strive towards making improvements for students, faculty, and families. The survey will be used by your school administration to implement and monitor their school improvement plan. In addition, district leaders will use the information to outline goals in various areas, including preparing for an equity audit and developing the district’s short-and long-term goals.
Please complete the anonymous survey to help the district and your school consider how we strive towards making improvements for students, faculty, and families. The survey will be used by your school administration to implement and monitor their school improvement plan. In addition, district leaders will use the information to outline goals in various areas, including preparing for an equity audit and developing the district’s short-and long-term goals.
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. We are grateful for your time and support in helping us gather important information and feedback.
Please use the links below to access the surveys, which will close on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Thank You, Everett Teachers Association!
Superintendent William Hart and Director of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Brian Wallace extend a big “Thank You” to the Everett Teachers Association (ETA) and President Kim Auger for facilitating a substantial donation that aids the district’s SEL efforts. Through the ETA’s generosity, the district took receipt of more than 400 Purrrbles, a cuddly, interactive tool that helps children find calm in moments of stress.
The Purrble’s heart races to show emotion; when a child holds the Purrble, the toy’s heartbeat slows and turns into a gentle purr. Thanks to the ETA, a donation collaborative it belongs to, and Providence-based Ember Labs, the Purrbles are being distributed to all EPS Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators to support students.
The Purrble’s heart races to show emotion; when a child holds the Purrble, the toy’s heartbeat slows and turns into a gentle purr. Thanks to the ETA, a donation collaborative it belongs to, and Providence-based Ember Labs, the Purrbles are being distributed to all EPS Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators to support students.
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In Our Classrooms
GLASS IS IN SESSION
After reading and taking notes about the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, Webster School fifth graders collaboratively developed written summaries of what they learned and created vases with symbols representing their identities. In the process, they learned that many indigenous communities have similar practices in their art. Thanks to the Webster School and the ELA team for sharing this photo!
After reading and taking notes about the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, Webster School fifth graders collaboratively developed written summaries of what they learned and created vases with symbols representing their identities. In the process, they learned that many indigenous communities have similar practices in their art. Thanks to the Webster School and the ELA team for sharing this photo!
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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Eighth-grade students at the Madeline English School honored Hispanic Heritage Month by researching famous Hispanic mathematicians and scientists. Students collaboratively researched information and created a one-page slide summarizing what they learned. They were then able to share their learning with each other and the school community.
Eighth-grade students at the Madeline English School honored Hispanic Heritage Month by researching famous Hispanic mathematicians and scientists. Students collaboratively researched information and created a one-page slide summarizing what they learned. They were then able to share their learning with each other and the school community.
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AN EXPERT FORECAST
Everett High School students enrolled in Mr. Callahan’s Integrated learning class participated in a multi-class project leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election. One of the objectives was to identify all 51 states/districts and their electoral count. Students entered the data into a spreadsheet and, after completing research on the different regions, they made a prediction of the results.
In addition to the engaging project, the students had fun knowing that a McDonald’s gift card was in store for the person with the closest prediction. That honor went to senior Jahvani Valbrun-Dennis, whose prediction was within six electoral votes of the actual outcome of the election! He is pictured above with his classmate, Antwon Bonnet. Thanks to Mr. Callahan for sharing this photo.
Everett High School students enrolled in Mr. Callahan’s Integrated learning class participated in a multi-class project leading up to the 2024 Presidential Election. One of the objectives was to identify all 51 states/districts and their electoral count. Students entered the data into a spreadsheet and, after completing research on the different regions, they made a prediction of the results.
In addition to the engaging project, the students had fun knowing that a McDonald’s gift card was in store for the person with the closest prediction. That honor went to senior Jahvani Valbrun-Dennis, whose prediction was within six electoral votes of the actual outcome of the election! He is pictured above with his classmate, Antwon Bonnet. Thanks to Mr. Callahan for sharing this photo.
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Partner Reading
What is it?
Students sit with a partner and take turns reading a passage or book. They take turns to read sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, or page by page. A good goal is 30 minutes of partner reading daily, meaning students read 15 minutes daily. Students can also discuss their reading and support each other in modeling fluency.
Why is it important?
Partner reading adds accountability to reading. Students are less likely to be off task when two students are reading. Partner reading is a research-based intervention that develops reading fluency. Partner Reading supports a gradual release of responsibility. Students become less dependent on the teacher and move towards independence for reading. Best of all, reading with a friend is much more fun.
Resources
Reaching Rocket: Partner Reading, including several videos of the strategy in action
A Teacher Guide for Implementing Partner Reading
Students sit with a partner and take turns reading a passage or book. They take turns to read sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, or page by page. A good goal is 30 minutes of partner reading daily, meaning students read 15 minutes daily. Students can also discuss their reading and support each other in modeling fluency.
Why is it important?
Partner reading adds accountability to reading. Students are less likely to be off task when two students are reading. Partner reading is a research-based intervention that develops reading fluency. Partner Reading supports a gradual release of responsibility. Students become less dependent on the teacher and move towards independence for reading. Best of all, reading with a friend is much more fun.
Resources
Reaching Rocket: Partner Reading, including several videos of the strategy in action
A Teacher Guide for Implementing Partner Reading
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SEL Skill of The Week: Creating Connection
What is it?
Creating connections refers to the process of fostering strong, positive relationships among students, as well as between students and educators. Ultimately, creating connections is about nurturing a community where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Why is it important?
This aspect of SEL emphasizes the importance of building an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel valued, understood, and connected to their peers and teachers. By creating these connections, students develop essential social skills such as empathy, communication, and collaboration.These relationships help students feel more engaged and motivated in their learning, while also providing a sense of belonging and emotional security.
Resources
Video: Creating Connections
Strategies to help create connections in the classroom
Creating connections refers to the process of fostering strong, positive relationships among students, as well as between students and educators. Ultimately, creating connections is about nurturing a community where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Why is it important?
This aspect of SEL emphasizes the importance of building an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel valued, understood, and connected to their peers and teachers. By creating these connections, students develop essential social skills such as empathy, communication, and collaboration.These relationships help students feel more engaged and motivated in their learning, while also providing a sense of belonging and emotional security.
Resources
Video: Creating Connections
Strategies to help create connections in the classroom
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From the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Media Literacy Survey
Media Literacy Now, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit advocacy organization, is working with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to produce a landscape report on media literacy education in Massachusetts.
We are asking you to be a part of this project by completing an online survey. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and this research has been approved by the University of Rhode Island Institutional Review Board (IRB). Individuals and their responses will be kept confidential.
You will be asked about your understanding of media literacy, digital literacy, information literacy, or AI literacy, and they will estimate the prevalence of various instructional practices in their workplace. If there are others in your school or district who you think might be well positioned to take this survey (teachers, librarians, etc.), please pass it on to them as well!
Classroom Science Performance Assessment Development Panels
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is seeking educators to serve as members of the Classroom Science Performance Assessment Development Panels. There will be four panels that contribute to the development of classroom science performance assessments for different grade bands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
This is an exciting opportunity to have a voice in the creation of classroom science performance assessments for educators to use across the Commonwealth. Panel members will be directly involved in assisting DESE with the process of developing and refining classroom science performance assessments for their panel’s grade band over the next two school years. Stipends, PDPs, and substitute reimbursement will be available. DESE is looking to select from a diverse pool of candidates.
Click HERE for more information about the program and the application. Applications are due by Friday, December 13, 2024.
Questions: Contact [email protected]
We are asking you to be a part of this project by completing an online survey. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and this research has been approved by the University of Rhode Island Institutional Review Board (IRB). Individuals and their responses will be kept confidential.
You will be asked about your understanding of media literacy, digital literacy, information literacy, or AI literacy, and they will estimate the prevalence of various instructional practices in their workplace. If there are others in your school or district who you think might be well positioned to take this survey (teachers, librarians, etc.), please pass it on to them as well!
Classroom Science Performance Assessment Development Panels
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is seeking educators to serve as members of the Classroom Science Performance Assessment Development Panels. There will be four panels that contribute to the development of classroom science performance assessments for different grade bands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
This is an exciting opportunity to have a voice in the creation of classroom science performance assessments for educators to use across the Commonwealth. Panel members will be directly involved in assisting DESE with the process of developing and refining classroom science performance assessments for their panel’s grade band over the next two school years. Stipends, PDPs, and substitute reimbursement will be available. DESE is looking to select from a diverse pool of candidates.
Click HERE for more information about the program and the application. Applications are due by Friday, December 13, 2024.
Questions: Contact [email protected]
FREE
MTEL Vouchers
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has free vouchers for staff members who are planning on taking an MTEL test in 2024-2025. To obtain one, simply email Michael Minucci with the name and cost of the MTEL you are scheduled to take.
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