AVMR Summer Virtual Training Opportunities

This summer, there will be an opportunity to receive training in AVMR Course 1 or AVMR Course 2 virtually.  The training will be spread out over two weeks including asynchronous learning and team meetings.  We will meet for three hours (8:00 - 11:00) on eight separate days (July 27, 28, 29, 30, August 3, 4, 5, and 6) 

Add+VantageMR® give teachers tools and assessments to use with students in order to identify their current understandings of number concepts and then provides activities to help support data-driven instruction. It is one of those professional development opportunities that changes how you look at students mathematically and how you can better meet their needs.

AVMR Course 1 involves teachers learning about Math Recovery® assessments and focusing on a continuum of learning in relationship to the Learning Framework in Number. Teachers learn to use a series of three assessments to develop a profile of number knowledge for children: number words and numerals, structuring, and addition and subtraction. The profile then assists teachers in making informed instructional decisions to advance students' knowledge and skills. (Recommended for Kindergarten on up)

AVMR Course 2 is a continuation of the numeracy continuum of learning in regards to the Learning Framework in Number. You will learn about place value and multiplication/division assessments that can be administered to your neediest students to know exactly where they are in their numeracy development so you can make instructional decisions that will help to move the students along in their learning. (Recommended for first grade on up)

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the Google Form and indicate which course you would like to join. You NEED TO take course 1 before attending course 2 and must attend all of the dates/times for each particular course.

If you have any questions about this training, please contact Rose Palmer.  (rpalmer@waukesha.k12.wi.us)

We See You, We Hear You and We are Listening to You: Stronger Together

As we approach day 11 after the heinous crime which contributed to the death of George Floyd, now causing our country to be in a very unsettling state and even more divided than before, change is on the way.  Although we are facing COVID-19 and the police brutality of a black man, this is our opportunity as educators, leaders in the community and role models to connect, and become even closer with our students of color and their families.  It is time to take action as for too long, we have witnessed over and over again injustice, discrimination and racism that has been unchecked and not dealt with.  The only difference now is that these crimes are being recorded and broadcasted to millions.

I can attest that the School District of Waukesha shares the community’s anger, frustration and uncertainty with the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor to name a few Black Americans.  We as a district must come together with our parents and community partners in a peaceful manner to show that we will stand in solidarity with them to get through these disturbing events that are taking place across the nation.   As educators in this district, it is our duty to create a system, with a foundation built on equity allowing everyone to feel safe regardless of the color of their skin.  We will continue to work to eliminate institutional racism and break down the lifelong barriers that have impacted students and people of color for years.   

We as educators have a civic duty to confront racism when we see it, address it head on and hold each other accountable to prevent this epidemic from spreading throughout our district, community and nation.  As a district, we will continue to expand our learning on cultural competency, dig deeper into culturally responsive teaching strategies and continue to recognize our own implicit biases.  We will continue to have professional development around race and equity while getting students and parents involved in this process.  

The School District of Waukesha should be proud and encouraged by the diversity our district offers and we will continue to build from this great asset.  We are Stronger Together! 

Demetri Beekman

Director of Equity and Educator Development

Important TDP Process Update

In order to be more supportive to our teaching staff, we have decided to end our partnership with Virtebo because the value of an outside agency accrediting our program is no longer beneficial to teachers.  We are able to continue to offer what we have always offered without an outside agency dictating our contact hours. The School District of Waukesha will continue to lead our own professional development program as it was in the past while also decreasing the cost for credits by more than 50%. Beginning now, the registration process will remain the same:  the only difference is that payments will be made to the School District of Waukesha versus Viterbo College.  

How is this different from before?

* Payments will be due at the end of each course (typically at the end of each month but may vary with collegial studies).

*. Payment cost has been decreased to $100 per credit (check payable to SDW).

*. Completion certificates will be administered upon course completion (instead of a transcript).

*. You can finish your 9 credits and immediately apply for your step increase instead of waiting for the semester to close.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Demetri Beekman or Sara Orcholski.

On Solid Rock We Stand

"On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand"....this song came into my head this week because it reminds me of ROCK-esha! As a Christian, I will celebrate this upcoming Easter as a remembrance and a renewal of daily hope that those who believe in Him shall have eternal life.

And as we take pause and reflect on our teaching and learning from our homes over the past few weeks, I am so proud that we have such a solid foundation to stand on in Waukesha.
Our equitable access to learning for ALL students is strong.
Our commitment to making decisions on what is best for students is unwavering.
Our dedicated teachers and administrators have strong communication, collaborative teams, and structures that allow us to not have to overreact and change so many things, like a lot of other districts have.
This has been an example of thoughtful and intentional systems and structures that are able to withstand the ever changing and fluid situation that we have been tested with.

You display hope daily in your words, thoughts and deeds.
You are courageous in the outrageous love you show not just your own family but your school families.
May each of you take pause this weekend and allow yourself to be proud of all you have accomplished! This work we do with humans is so complex and yet there is no better profession, in a time when the world needs us more than ever, on solid rock we stand!

Leading with Empathy

This sentiment got some great legs on Twitter this weekend and I wanted to reiterate its importance as we start back up with digital teaching and learning this week.

Relationships before Rigor.

How are you connecting with your students outside of office hours?

How are you setting up opportunities for students to connect with other students?

Relationships win above all else. Every. Single. Time.

Grace before Grades.

Our standards based grading system should allow teachers to make a fair and accurate judgement of learning based on the student's body of evidence through the first 8-9 weeks of face to face instruction. How can you practice grace and use the final 7-8 weeks to augment their already existing learning evidence?

What really is the purpose of "same day deadlines" right now? Grace. Live it.

Patience before Programs.

Thank you for being patient and helpful to students and their parents with the technology end of learning as well as the actual rate of work completion. Be patient during these first few weeks both of yourself and of your expectations.

Love before Lessons.

Are you able to offer afternoon office hours as well? We talked about 9-11 being the minimum expectation but with everyone on a new learning curve, are you checking back with students in the later afternoons of each day?

Thank you for leading with empathy!

2020 Summer School Information!

Please see our Summer School website for more information!

Great Schools Partnership

I am happy to let you know that Great Schools Partnership has just published their National Guide to Grading and Reporting for Educational Equity.

The School District of Waukesha, is featured as a model of thoughtful practice in the sections on:
Communicate Information About Learning,
Report Grades Consistently and Clearly, and
Provide Low Stakes Practice and Feedback,
and is mentioned as a contributor in the acknowledgements.

They were so grateful for our generosity in sharing Waukesha's approach to educational equity and allowing us to share it with others. 

I want to personally thank each of you for all the great work that you do and your dedication to sharing your journey, collaborating with one another and living out our mission to develop in ALL students the capacity and skills to be community, college, and career ready! 

#KnowThyImpact