- Strong Family Partnership
- Proactive Communication
- Opportunities for engagement (circus, library nights)
- Conferences
- Consistent communication from school to home
- Adult Culture
- Clear Communication
- Intentional Relationship Building
- Cohesion of tamwork
- Student Belonging
- Routines
- Structures
- Executive Functioning Work
- I wanted to share a quick reminder about cafeteria expectations. We've seen an uptick of students wanting to leave because of volume.
- Students need the reminders and modeling that their job in the cafeteria is to eat food! Reminder of the Bobcat 3 in the Cafeteria.
- Reminder to all duties that circulation and talking with students is the most productive way to eliminate behavioral problems. Please work as a team with the folks around you to make sure everyone is safe and cared for.
- Both the Bargaining Unit contracts have been ratified. We are expecting new contracts before the end of the week.
- Here are the reminders about when to expect your new pay rates and retroactive checks.
- ESP/Teachers--- All new pay rates will be effective in the 10/30/26 payroll
- ESP will receive their retro pay checks on 11/6.
- Teachers will receive retro checks on 11/20.
- Run, Hide, Fight (Year 4). Classroom Teachers Please Start to review these talking points with your class this week. We will talk about time at staff meeting on Wednesday.
Options-Based Drill #1: Lockdown Drill (year 4)
Vermont schools are required to practice our Options-Based Response procedures once per semester. Our first drill will occur in September/October. We will let everybody know the exact day and approximate time with at least two days' notice. Please see below for the details about this drill. We believe that the next natural step for students is to continue to practice the “run” portion of the lockdown drill in a non-emergency manner.
Prior to the Drill:
Make sure to refamiliarize yourself with the rally point map linked below.
Please be sure you understand the rally point location that would be most appropriate for you during the day/time of the drill.
Please reach out to ____if you have any questions or concerns about your rally point.
Choose a time prior to the drill to review “Run” procedures (see talking points) and bring students to the rally point for a no-pressure “field trip.”
Although we do not want to share the exact date and time of the drill, we want students to have some context so they do not worry unnecessarily. Suggestions such as “late next week”, “in a few days,” etc.
As a general safety rule, staff should carry their emergency bag, swipe card, radio, and cell phone for any emergency evacuation. We may use our school messenger platform as a supplemental communication tool.
Drill Outline and procedure:
An administrator will make an announcement to the school,
“Hello, this is _______. We have practiced and discussed what to do if you hear the word “Lockdown” over the intercom in your classroom. Practicing this helps us all stay safe if something unexpected happens at the school. In a few minutes, we are going to practice what to do when we hear the word “lockdown” and the adult in the room decides that the best way to stay safe is to leave the building. Adults, please take a few moments to review drill procedures with your students.”
(3-minute wait time - this is when teachers will remind students what to do and await the “Lockdown” command)
An administrator will then announce:
“This is a practice (pause) Lockdown.
This is ___________, This is a practice (pause) Lockdown.
This is ___________, This is a practice (pause) Lockdown. I will make an “all clear” announcement when our practice is over.”
The lockdown period will be approximately 10 - 15 minutes. Safety team/administrators will make sure everyone has returned to their classrooms before announcing on the intercom:
“This is _______, ALL CLEAR. This is ___________. ALL CLEAR. I would like to thank everybody for mindfully participating in this important practice today.”
Post Drill:
Staff will receive a feedback document or survey after the practice.
Prompts to use in optional post-drill discussion:
How are you feeling right now? (thumbs up, middle, down - or 0-5 fingers)
What did you notice the adults do to help keep you safe?
What did you do to help keep yourself and everybody safe?
What do you need from your classmates to help you feel safe during a practice like this?
Is there anything the adults could do differently the next time to help you feel safe?
How can we help each other all be safe and calm during a drill?
What is one thing that may help you feel better after a drill the next time we have one?
Resources: Tinyneans - How to talk to your kids about school lockdown drills or Parents together - an age by age guide
Communication with Families:
This letter will be sent home to families prior to the drill (the law requires notice at least one day in advance, but schools may choose to send it earlier): Parent Letter: Options Based Drill Year 4, #1.
- Here's a resource about supporting students with hearing loss. I see the suggestions here as a great way to support listening for all students.
- Family Conferences--Please make sure that you've sent out information about how/when to sign up. There will be NO staff meeting on November 4th as extra time for conferences.
- I am going to ask that everyone share their conference sign-up/completion data with me this year. Please keep track of that.
- K-3 will meet on Wednesday morning. 4-6 will have their regular team meetings.
- Reminder: On your "off week" you can use your team meeting time to connect with interventionists, plan with your colleagues, host a student meeting or work on something of your choice.
- We will have an All School Meeting on Friday at 2:55.
- Jessica and I will present the much awaited Den Group Plan on Wednesday at staff meeting.
What's happening at BES?
Where is Celia?
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