Feedback on Virtual Learning Day

Snow days are a part of Iowa and they often result in an unexpected change of plans.  For the first time, we adapted our snow day to a virtual professional learning format, providing an opportunity to fulfill the contract day through the completion of required tasks as well as engagement and reflection on our instructional framework. We appreciated the input, feedback, and support of the PD Steering Committee and building and teacher leaders while we navigated both the flexibility and challenges of virtual learning. 

As of today, 99% of teachers have completed the components of the virtual professional learning day! 

Now we would like your feedback on the this day.  How did the learning impact your thinking? What worked well in this format? What adjustments could be made if this format is considered in the future?

Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback on the form linked below.  The information will be summarized and shared with the PD Steering Committee as well as building and teacher leadership in order to continue to grow and strengthen the pathways for professional learning. 

SEP Virtual Learning Feedback Form

Thank you for your engagement, flexibility, and dedication to continuous growth.

February Newsletter and Virtual Professional Learning

 This month's Teaching and Learning Newsletter includes updates on:

• School Counseling and Social-Emotional Learning

• February Learning Opportunities
• Black History Month
• President's Day

• Sparking Innovation: Tech Tips, Tricks, and Resources
• Elementary
• Secondary

• iReady Winter Math Data and ISASP Projections

• Science Updates
• Outdoor Education
• Environmental Education

If you need further information or support, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Teaching & Learning Team.

Virtual Professional Learning

During our snow day on Wednesday, we implemented a Virtual Professional Learning model to fulfill the contract for that day.  A big thank you to the Professional Development Steering Committee and the Teaching and Learning team for the work and feedback needed to implement this model.  The overall response has been very positive, and we will review data and feedback to determine advantages, limitations, and future possibilities.  Below is the link to the Virtual Learning Plan. As a reminder, the work should be completed off contract and submitted by the conclusion of the day on Wednesday, February 19th.

Southeast Polk Virtual Learning Plan 

Improved Attendance at Southeast Polk!

We all realize that attendance has been a challenge since Covid, and we wanted to share some improvements in the data as we enter the month of February. 

Chronic Absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason.  Our chronic absenteeism for the month of January 2025 was 14%.  This is the lowest number we have seen since returning from Covid, as well as a 4% improvement from December, and a 7% improvement from this time last year!  

• All 11 buildings improved their attendance as compared to December of 2024. 
• All 11 buildings improved their attendance as compared to January of 2024
• No building had above 20% chronic absenteeism.
• 4 buildings had single digit chronic absenteeism
• We narrowed the difference between SEP and the state from 5% to 3%.
• Attendance improved for around 300 students as compared to last month.
• Attendance improved for over 500 students as compared to last year

While we are still focusing on narrowing the gap with subgroups, we saw:

• A 4% improvement for students receiving free and reduced lunch
• A 6% improvement for students with individual education plans

We can't control illness, ways of getting to school, alarm clocks, etc., but as buildings have demonstrated, we can create a school environment that is welcoming, productive, and supportive.  We have great teaching at Southeast Polk, and we appreciate your efforts to ensure that more students are able to experience this and advance their learning.  This has been a districtwide effort, and we thank all who are working hard each day to support student attendance.

Professional Learning Survey/Shirt Order

The Southeast Polk Professional Development Steering Committee met last Wednesday, and WE WOULD LIKE YOUR INPUT!  Please complete the survey at the link below.  There are 8 questions, and it should take no more than 10 minutes.  Your feedback will be used to plan future learning opportunities.

Southeast Polk Professional Learning Survey

*You are welcome to use your name, but it is not required.

**This survey presents as a quiz, but the 'points' are not calculated--just the responses. 

Thank you for your feedback. 

Yes We Can! Shirts

Yes We Can! shirts are available from Fully Promoted through February 9th.  Any shirts purchased after that timeline will be at a higher cost.  If you are interested, you may purchase at the link below. 

SOUTHEAST POLK YES WE CAN! SHIRTS

January Teaching and Learning Newsletter/All Means All Institute Update

January Teaching and Learning Newsletter 

In this month's issue:

• Resources to Support Literacy

• Teaching Gifted and Higher Level Learners

• SEP College and Career Readiness

• Sparking Innovation Tech Tips
• Elementary
• Secondary

• Math Updates

If you would like additional information or support, please reach out to a Teaching & Learning Team member. 

Thank you for all you do to ensure ALL students learn at high levels!

-Southeast Polk's Teaching & Learning Team

All Means All Institute

Our 200 seats to the All Means All Institute were filled in LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!  What a tremendous response and commitment to ALL students at Southeast Polk.  We secured 50 additional seats, and of those seats,  around 15 seats remain.  If you would like to attend, please complete the form as soon as you are able.  

ALL MEANS ALL INSTITUTE SIGN UP

Your dedication to this work is very much appreciated! 

Teaching Resources to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we prepare to celebrate MLK Day, today's blog has some resources to help learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, his impact on the Civil Rights Movement, and his significance to American culture and history.

"I Have a Dream"

While Dr. King had many accomplishments, perhaps he is best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech that was given at the 1963 March on Washington for jobs, freedoms, and civil rights. The link below is a primary source resource and includes the entirety of this famous speech.

 

"Virtual Visits"

Our expanded technology can help students understand the context of King’s life with virtual tours of the MLK memorial in Washington, D.C. and King’s childhood home in Atlanta, GA.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: A virtual tour of the memorial with simple English narration.

• The National Park Service, which administers the national MLK monument and MLK birthplace, share a number of digital resources around historic sites, both in the life of Dr. King and the American struggle for civil rights at large, including the Selma to Montgomery National Historical Trail and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

• National Geographic Kids shares a full outline of the advocate’s life and times in this simple presentation, ideal for covering the basics.

• The National Archives shares sources, discussion questions, and more.

--@TCEA

Teaching Resources

PBS Classroom Resources

Lesson Plans

The March on Washington and its impact

Black American civil rights leader Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) addresses crowds during the March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, where he gave his 'I Have A Dream' speech. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 'I Have a Dream' speech as a work of literature

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 'I Have a Dream' speech as visual text

Music and speeches at the March on Washington

Lesson Plans from the National Education Association

Dr. King's Dream
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., listen to an excerpt from his “I Have a Dream” speech, and create picture books about freedom for Americans today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., record information on a KWL chart, and keep a journal of thoughts and ideas.

How Big Are Martin’s Big Words? Thinking Big about the Future
Students in grades 3-5 listen to a reading of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and then analyze excerpts from King’s speeches for "big" words, words not necessarily as large in length as they are in importance: Freedom, Peace, Love.

Students in grades 6-8 create found poems based on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1968 obituary published in The New York Times.

Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Power of Nonviolence
Students in grades 6-8 investigate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolence and the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi that influenced King's views.

Lesson Plan: The Children's Crusade & the Role of Youth in the African American Freedom Struggle

Students in grades 9-12 learn about the role of youth in the Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Alabama and Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech as a work of literature
Students (9-12) analyze the rhetorical influences on and the oratorical devices used by King.

Background Resources

I Have a Dream: Celebrating the Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.
A source of activities, lessons, and websites.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy of Racial and Social Justice: A Curriculum for Empowerment

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WEBSITES

• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Online

Videos

• Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream"
• The History Channel provides a collection of 49 short videos on Martin Luther King, Jr. and his career.

Relationship Building Resources: Goal #4-Climate and Culture

Another of our district school improvement goals this year is a focus on school climate and culture.  

As we continue to work on building relationships and school connectedness, below are some resources from CJ Reynolds.  Whether you are starting with a new group 2nd semester, continuing to build relationships this year, or adding ideas for next year, these resources can provide ideas to further a positive classroom climate.

Resource to Build Relationships

Life Odyssey Project