We are looking forward to our professional learning in January. Part of the day will offer district trainings and the other half will be dedicated to our district focus of Response to Intervention. Based on your feedback from the survey on September 23 and the work of the Professional Development Steering Committee, we will be providing some differentiated opportunities on how Tier 2 interventions and enrichments are being provided in the core classroom.
Elementary
District Level Trainings (please choose 2 sessions)
Session 1 Options
At-Risk Plan/Identification of Homeless Students 8:15-9:15 - HS Multipurpose Room
This session will focus on the identification and supports for homeless and at-risk students. What exactly does ‘at-risk’ or ‘homeless’ mean? Who is at-risk in our district and why? What makes a student homeless? This session will present the criteria established for Southeast Polk students as required by the Iowa Department of Education (at-risk) and the Federal McKinney-Vento Act (homeless). Included will be the early warning system developed through Infinite Campus, identification of students, associated interventions, and outcomes to determine the effectiveness of interventions to support homeless and at-risk students.
Parental Custody Issues and Schools 8:15-9:15 HS Auditorium
Shannon Woods, Attorney at Law with Whitfield & Eddy will provide information and answer questions related to custodial issues and the obligations of schools.
Cultural Competency 8:15-9:15 JH Orchestra Room
Did you know there are more than 24 languages other than English spoken among families whose children attend Southeast Polk schools? Our district is becoming increasingly multicultural and multi-ethnic. Cultural competence is a key factor in enabling Southeast Polk educators to be effective with students from cultures other than their own. Join us for an opportunity to learn about the cultures represented by the students in your classroom.,and effective ways to support student success. A panel of community members, ESL educators, classroom teachers, and students will share their experiences and answer your questions.
Session 2 Options
Mental Health First Aid 9:30-11:30 - HS Band Room
What are the mental health issues that affect our students and what can you do to assist these students as they work their way through your class? These are some of the things that we will discuss during this Mental Health and the School refresher. If you find that you are having difficulty with understanding students who are struggling with a mental health diagnosis and would like to know what you can do to help them be successful then come and learn a few ideas that may help.
Green Team 9:30-11:30
Green Team Scenarios
Location: Green Teams will meet at their respective buildings
During this session, Green Team members will practice at least four health emergency scenarios and walk through what these situations may look like within their respective settings. There will be an opportunity to examine and evaluate Iowa Emergency Guidelines for Schools. Participants will conduct a debriefing of each scenario and simulation.
Co-Teaching Model-HS Multipurpose Room 9:30-11:30
This training session will further participants’ understanding of the six co-teaching approaches that can be implemented in classrooms as well as providing information on when each approach may be most appropriate to use. The effective implementation of collaborative consultation will also be covered during this training. To maximize effectiveness it is recommended that co-teaching teams of both general education and special education teachers attend this training.
12:30-4:00: Response to Intervention
For PK-5 grade level RTI meetings, please bring your laptops and 8 copies of one math or ELA example on how you differentiated instruction with interventions or enrichment.
As you are sharing your differentiation examples with your team, you will consider the following information:
*To what standard is it linked?
*In what unit is it taught?
*What has been the impact/response with students?
Locations-Grade Level Teams
PK-Altoona Elementary--Media Center
Kindergarten-Four Mile Elementary
1st grade-Willowbrook Elementary--Media Center
2nd grade-Delaware Elementary
3rd grade-Clay Elementary
4th grade-Runnells Elementary--Library
5th grade-Centennial Elementary
Job-Alike Teams
Counselors - Centennial Elementary Guidance Office Room 110
Level III Special Education - Delaware Elementary Room 1
Music - Willowbrook Music Room
PE - Four Mile Gymnasium
Art - Willowbrook Art Room
Nurses - The Homestead, Altoona
Nurses - The Homestead, Altoona
Secondary
8:00-11:30: Response to Intervention
For 6-12 content level RTI meetings, please bring your laptops and one example on how you differentiated instruction with interventions or enrichment.
As you are sharing your differentiation examples with your team, you will consider the following information:
*To what standard is it linked?
*In what unit is it taught?
*What has been the impact/response with students?
Locations-Spring Creek and Jr. High
All SPRING CREEK and JR. HIGH (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc.) staff (except secondary job-alikes) initially report to the JH Auditorium for further information on team location. *Those who have breakout meetings at the High School do not need to report to the Jr. High first--you may go directly to your job-alike meeting.
High School
ELA - N248
Math - N375
Science - N325
Social Studies - N362
CTE - N165
World Language - N148
Secondary Job-Alike
Counselors - Jr. High Library 158
Art - High School Art Room 108
Music - High School Room 122
PE - High School Conference Rooms N124 H and J
Level III Special Ed - High School Room 132
Nurses - Jr. High
District Level Trainings (please choose 2 sessions)
Session 1 Options
At-Risk Plan/Identification of Homeless Students 12:30-1:30 HS Multipurpose Room
This session will focus on the identification and supports for homeless and at-risk students. What exactly does ‘at-risk’ or ‘homeless’ mean? Who is at-risk in our district and why? What makes a student homeless? This session will present the criteria established for Southeast Polk students as required by the Iowa Department of Education (at-risk) and the Federal McKinney-Vento Act (homeless). Included will be the early warning system developed through Infinite Campus, identification of students, associated interventions, and outcomes to determine the effectiveness of interventions to support homeless and at-risk students.
Parental Custody Issues and Schools 12:30-1:30 HS Auditorium
Shannon Woods, Attorney at Law with Whitfield & Eddy will provide information and answer questions related to custodial issues and the obligations of schools.
Cultural Competency 12:30-1:30 JH Orchestra Room
Did you know there are more than 24 languages other than English spoken among families whose children attend Southeast Polk schools? Our district is becoming increasingly multicultural and multi-ethnic. Cultural competence is a key factor in enabling Southeast Polk educators to be effective with students from cultures other than their own. Join us for an opportunity to learn about the cultures represented by the students in your classroom.,and effective ways to support student success. A panel of community members, ESL educators, classroom teachers, and students will share their experiences and answer your questions.
Session 2 Options
Mental Health First Aid 1:45-3:45 - HS Band Room
What are the mental health issues that affect our students and what can you do to assist these students as they work their way through your class? These are some of the things that we will discuss during this Mental Health and the School refresher. If you find that you are having difficulty with understanding students who are struggling with a mental health diagnosis and would like to know what you can do to help them be successful then come and learn a few ideas that may help.
Coaches' PLC 1:45-3:45 - Jr. High Vocal Music Room *New Session*
During this session, participants will revisit the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of the Southeast Polk Community School District as they pertain to Activity Programming. Participants will revise and finalize the Activities Department culture contract. We will begin to examine what it means to provide activity participants with a "preferred experience". This session is open to all athletic coaches as well as sponsors for Band, Vocal, Speech, Drama, Cheer, and Dance.
Green Team 1:45-3:45
Green Team Scenarios
Location: Green Teams will meet at their respective buildings
During this session, Green Team members will practice at least four health emergency scenarios and walk through what these situations may look like within their respective settings. There will be an opportunity to examine and evaluate Iowa Emergency Guidelines for Schools. Participants will conduct a debriefing of each scenario and simulation.
Co-Teaching Model -HS Multipurpose Room 1:45-3:45
This training session will further participants understanding of the six co-teaching approaches that can be implemented in classrooms as well as providing information on when each approach may be most appropriate to use. The effective implementation of collaborative consultation will also be covered during this training. To maximize effectiveness it is recommended that co-teaching teams of both general education and special education teachers attend this training.
