May 2017

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

Teachers, there is no greater calling than the job you do every day. While one week in May is nowhere near enough time to provide the recognition you deserve, this week we are excited to celebrate all you do to ensure that our students receive the support and love they need every time they enter your classroom. As the year winds down and you begin to make summer plans, I hope that you will take a few moments to reflect on the benefits of your hard work this year. That student who is a better reader, the one who gave a fantastic presentation, the one who discovered a talent he didn't know he had, and all of their classmates are so fortunate to have had you in their lives. Thank you for giving of yourself - the future is brighter because of all you do!


Important Licensure Information

Effective July 1, 2017, every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license shall complete awareness training, provided by the VDOE, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the Board pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.  See Superintendent's Memo 102-17 for additional resources, training, and information. Access the dyslexia training module here.



Good Read: Project Based Learning

Wondering whether the benefits of project based learning in your classroom really outweigh the investment? Harvard Ed's winter magazine explored the idea of student engagement - their findings show we're on the right path in HCPS!

Intrigued by the possibilities of expanding PBL in your classroom? Chat with your colleagues at Bengal Tech and Warrior Tech or touch base with one of our curriculum coordinators today.




Reflective Practice: Mindsteps' Robyn Jackson Examines Discipline Problems...Could YOU Be the Problem?

One of my favorite definitions of a discipline problem is “whenever a behavior interferes with the teaching act, interferes with the rights of others to learn, is psychologically or physically unsafe, or destroys property” (Levin and Nolan, 1996). That means, not only can students be discipline problems, but we can sometimes be inadvertent discipline problems as well.  Sometimes, we can interfere with students’ right to learn because we are unprepared, stray off topic, or interrupt them while they are working for something that could have waited. Other time, there is a legitimate discipline problem with students and how we handle that problem escalates things to the point where we become the discipline problem too.  We all get frustrated with our students, but how we handle that frustration may mean the difference between creating or escalating a discipline problem or refocusing the students on what’s really important – learning. Below are 20 signs YOU might be the discipline problem: If you answer no to one or more of the questions below, you might be a discipline problem. Do I start class on time? Am I prepared for the day’s lesson (materials, equipment, in place and ready to go)? Have I planned effectively for the full time (do I teach to the bell?)  Do I have procedures and routines in place to ensure the smooth, orderly flow of class?  Is the classroom environment physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe? Is the classroom arranged to minimize distractions?  Do I have procedures and routines in place to ensure the smooth, orderly flow of class?  Are my consequences logical and consistently applied?  Are my expectations for students clear and do I model the expected behaviors in my interactions with students?  Are my verbal interventions as brief and private as possible?  Do I address the person rather than situation or behavior?  Do I avoid sarcasm or other belittling behaviors when addressing inappropriate behavior?  Do I avoid the use of threats?  Is my response to student misbehavior proportionate? Do I have strategies to avoid arguing with students? Do I effectively control my own anger and frustration during an incident? Are my consequences redemptive instead of punitive? Do I prevent students from bullying and teasing each other in class? Do I avoid unintentionally reward misbehavior (i.e. laughing at inappropriate jokes, allowing students unearned privileges? Do I maintain appropriate boundaries with students? With the continuous rise of ransomware infections that are often instigated through phishing emails, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to help protect yourself and Henry County Public School’s security.    What is a phishing email?  It’s the act of attempting to acquire information such as username and passwords by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Example of a phishing email: Here are some of the ways you can spot and handle a phishing email.   1.     Don’t trust the display name of who the email is from.  Be sure to look at the email address to confirm the true sender. 2.     Look but don’t click.  Mouse over parts of the email without clicking on anything.  If the alt text doesn’t match what the link description says, don’t click on it. 3.     Check for spelling errors.  Attackers are often less concerned about spelling or grammar 4.     Consider the salutation.  Is the salutation to “valued customer” or “Dear [title here]? 5.     Is the email asking for personal information?  Legitimate companies are unlikely to ask for personal information in an email. 6.     Beware of urgency within the email. 7.     Check the email signature.  Most legitimate senders will include a full signature block at the bottom of their emails. 8.     Be careful with attachments.   9.     Don’t believe everything you see.  If something seems slightly out of the norm, it’s better to be safe than sorry.   10.  When in doubt, contact your IT department. What can happen if I get ransomware?  It can prevent you from accessing Windows, and/or encrypt files so you can’t use them, and/or stop certain apps from running (like your web browsers).  If I get ransomware should I change my passwords?  YES, YES and YES.  Once your computer is rid of the ransomware, please change all passwords (including the ones you have saved within your web browser).   There is no tech defense against phishing attacks that guarantees security because it’s a fallible human who decides to click the malicious link.  The more that people are aware of phishing and its risks, the less likely they are to take the bait and to avoid putting themselves and the whole district at risk.  From Our Community Partners

K-12 Math teachers, Grades 6-12 STEM teachers, and K-8 teachers needing CEUs in Literacy,

Keep up with the newest standards.  Registrations for MELT Summer Institutes are coming in daily.  School districts are registering blocks of teachers.  Individuals and groups of teachers are registering independently.  We are already at a record high number of registrations for this early in the year.  You are encouraged to begin exploring and making your summer PD plans. 

Mathematics  Education  Leadership  Training

Since 1998, the Mathematics Education Training Program (MELT) at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC has provided cutting edge professional development opportunities for K-12 mathematics teachers and community college faculty through MELT Summer Institutes.  Last year, we had 150 teachers, curriculum personnel, and administrators attend MELT Institutes; this was a record high number.  This summer, MELT continues to provide week-long, residential, Summer Institutes focusing on the pedagogical content knowledge (K-12 Math, Grades 6-12 STEM, and K-8 Literacy) needed for teachers to assist their students to succeed.  Each MELT Summer Institute provides participants with the opportunity of earning either continuing education units (CEUs) or graduate credits. 

The MELT Institutes for Summer 2017 include the following: 

Week 1: June 26-30, 2017

Math 3 (3^rd high school math)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Integrating Technology into Mathematics (Grades 6-12)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Numbers, Operations, & Meaning (Grades K-5)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Numbers, Operations, & Meaning (Grades 6-8)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Week 2: July 10-14, 2017

STEM Leadership (Grades 6-12)  (3 CEUs, either Math, Science, or a combination)

Math 2 (2^nd high school math)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Literacy in Mathematics (Grades K-8)  (3 CEUs in Literacy)

Algebraic Thinking, Algebra, & Functions (Grades K-5)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Algebraic Thinking, Algebra, & Functions (Grades 6-8)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Week 3: July 17-21, 2017

Math 1 (1^st high school math)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Math 4 (4^th high school math)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Formative Assessment & Learning (Grades 6-12)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Fractions, Ratios, Proportions, & Geometry (Grades K-5)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Fractions, Ratios, Proportions, & Geometry (Grades 6-8)  (3 CEUs in Math)

Descriptions of these courses are available online. 

Last year we developed an amazingly successful Group Discount for teachers.  We are providing this again.  The group discount is simply a Buy-One-Get-One free on the Institute tuition.  Buy any seat in any MELT Summer Institute and get one seat in either that same Institute or another Institute tuition free.  Pairs of teachers do not need to be in the same institute or even in the same week.  This discount is even applicable to one teacher who wishes to attend two Summer Institutes for the price of one.  (This discount is only applied to MELT Institute tuition costs and not the costs for housing.)  Groups of teachers can organize this group discount or a school or district can organize this through the MELT program. 

Many school districts have stated that their district STEM leaders were working ferociously, but with minimal support and direction.  To meet this need, MELT is again offering a STEM Leadership Institute to investigate ways to enhance K-12 STEM programs.  This Institute is being offered in Week 2 (July 10-14).  For this Institute, participants will select to earn CEUs in either science, math, or a combination.   

MELT has contracted with some area hotels for room prices.  See the MELT Summer Institutes website for hotel information.

If you wish to earn graduate credits for Institutes, you must begin soon to complete the necessary paperwork.  Please contact Dr. Holly Hirst (hirsthp@appstate.edu); she will shepherd you through the process. 

If you are an administrator and interested in sending some teachers from your district or school to MELT, blocks of seats can be purchased to reserve slots and ensure the group discount.  Contact the MELT office as soon as possible.  If you are a teacher and want professional development, act quickly.  If you have any questions, please contact me through the information below.  

The following information is available online:

Fuller descriptions of the MELT program;

Descriptions of the Summer Institutes curriculum and costs;

A convenient Printable Curriculum with information regarding Graduate Credits and CEUs;

The Summer Institutes Daily Schedule;

A brief Promotional Brochure;

The Summer Institutes Registration Form; and

Housing Information for the Summer Institutes

Hoping to see you this summer,

Mike

Michael J. Bossé

Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education and MELT Program Director

Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, 243 Walker Hall, 121 Bodenheimer Dr.,

Appalachian State University, Boone NC 28608-2092

Office Phone: (828) 262-2862    Cell Phone: (252) 902-7536    Skype address: Michael.J.Bossé

April 2017

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

I've spent a great deal of time reflecting on the legacy of School Board member and retired HCPS educator Betsy Mattox recently. If you knew Mrs. Mattox personally, the mention of her name leads you to automatically think of her straightforward manner and passion for students. We will certainly miss her unshakable desire to do what's best for children (even if it meant adults were a little uncomfortable in the process). A model to us all, Mrs. Mattox lived each day to improve the future of Henry County by positively influencing the lives of all within her reach. My challenge to each of us as our school year begins to come to a close is to adopt Mrs. Mattox's philosophy of stepping outside of our comfort zones to challenge ourselves and our colleagues as we seek to support our students in reaching their dreams.



Important Calendar Update

Because we have had a very mild winter and experienced far fewer snow days than is typical, the 2016-2017 school year calendar is being adjusted to make May 25 a 1⁄2 school day (vs. a full school day) and May 26 a teacher work day so that teachers have the opportunity to complete grades and prepare for graduation in our high schools. Additionally, May 31 will now be a flex day, which is an optional day to work, for teachers who have completed all necessary end-of-year procedures and met the time obligation for that work day. Teachers should use the Flex Day form to document time worked for 3 Flex Days and 1 inclement weather day. This will adjust our May 30 Teaching and Learning Conference at Magna Vista High School to 1 day. A copy of the adjusted calendar is included below. 

Share Your Input

Each year, staff members are asked to participate in an anonymous climate survey powered by K12 Insight so that important feedback can be used in the continued work to make HCPS an even better place to work and learn. It is important to share your thoughts so that practices that impact you can be improved. A link will be shared via email so that you have the opportunity to share your thoughts during the month of April. Have questions about the staff survey? Email mhatchet@henry.k12.va.us today.

Food for Thought From Our Favorite Pirate

Interested in some inspiration from convocation speaker Dave Burgess? Check out his latest blog post on a current hot topic, homework: http://daveburgess.com/empty-kids-into-the-gift-shop/







Did You Know?

The American Legion Homer Dillard Post #78 in Martinsville provides several annual events for HCPS students. Interested in learning more about how you can help facilitate these activities for your classes? Email mhatchet@henry.k12.va.us today.

1. Scholastic and military excellence awards to JROTC students at Bassett and Magna Vista High
2. Two scholarships annually (Homer Dillard & Talmadge Dixon Scholarships)
3. American Legion High School Oratorical scholarship program
4. American Legion Boys State of Virginia program
5. American Legion Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Academy
6. American flag etiquette classes for elementary students
7. American flag retirement services in conjunction with local Boy Scout troops

Interested in Teaching Summer School?

Teach English and Math in summer school from June 5- June 22 (Monday-Thursday).  Teacher hours are 7:30-12:30. Student hours 8:00-12:00. The pay is $20.00 per hour.  Email jhylton@henry.k12.va.us for more details.

Practice good password management. Use a strong mix of characters, and don’t use the same password for multiple sites. Don’t share your password with others, don’t write it down, and definitely don’t write it on a post-it note attached to your monitor or computer.

Empower yourself with the technology available to you - Google for Education Training Center is a free, interactive, online platform that teaches educators about our tools and how to use them. You can even earn certifications online. Learn More Free, in-app G Suite Training G Suite Training is a Chrome extension that offers simple and interactive training lessons to get users comfortable with G Suite. Get up to speed fast with available PD on demand. Get Suite Training

From Our Community Partners

Greetings from the VCU School of Education!  In the Department of Teaching and Learning, we have created an online version of our Reading program, both the M.Ed. in Reading and Post-master’s Certificate for Reading Specialists degrees. For licensed teachers with three years of teaching experience, both degrees lead to the endorsement as a Reading Specialist K-12 in Virginia. Please learn more about our online program at this link: http://www.soe.vcu.edu/programs/vcu-reading-specialist-online/.  

We are recruiting to begin a cohort in August 2017 with TEDU 561: Reading Foundations for all Reading candidates and EDUS 607: Advanced Educational Psychology for M.Ed. in Reading candidates only. We are also offering an elective, TEDU 526: Word Study, in the summer, starting on May 22. 

Candidates may apply to graduate school this spring for Summer or Fall 2017 admission, but must apply before finishing 6 credit hours in the program. Go to this link for information on applying to graduate school at VCU:  http://graduate.admissions.vcu.edu/apply/

Please share this information with any colleagues who may be interested in pursuing these degrees. Contact me, Dr. Valerie Robnolt, Reading program chair, at vjrobnolt@vcu.edu or 804-827-2649 with any questions. 

March 2017

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

Several administrators had the opportunity to shadow a student this month  as part of the national Shadow a Student Challenge. We are especially grateful to those of you who welcomed us into your classrooms as we learned more about the students' experience in our schools. You already know this, but we have GREAT students and staff members in HCPS! We are excited to use what we have learned to make our schools even better in the coming school year. Interested in shadowing a student? Contact Monica Hatchett at mhatchet@henry.k12.va.us to coordinate participation and be part of this eye-opening movement.


And the Winner Is...

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in providing feedback on the elementary laptop purchase. This summer, elementary schools will welcome Macbook Airs for teachers. Learn more about the device here: http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs.html


From Our Favorite Pirate

After the smashing success of the first #IMMOOC, George Couros and Katie Martin are back with an all-new course on educational innovation. The course starts on February 27th and is based on ideas from George's amazing book, The Innovator's Mindset. 

This book has taken the educational world by storm and is currently the #1 best-selling book on Amazon in Education Administration.

This is a HIGHLY interactive experience that will incorporate multiple channels of participation from YouTube Live videos, a Twitter chat component, a Facebook group, and blogging.

Simply put, this course could be just what you need to take your educational innovation game to the next level. I HIGHLY recommend participating and encouraging others in your system to join along with you.

Imagine a fully developed and collaborative professional development experience created by two of the top educational thought-leaders in the world and designed to move your system from pockets of innovation to a culture of innovation...and then imagine that it was COMPLETELY FREE! This is an absolute no-brainer.

How could this get any better? You can win prizes!! Participate in the #IMMOOC Selfie Giveaway and possibly win your choice of 3 books from our DBC Inc. line. Currently 22 choices!! Learn how to get in the contest on my blog post: http://daveburgess.com/immooc-is-back/

Join #IMMOOC and get as many people from your system as you can to jump in with you. This could change the whole conversation and transform your school and district. See you inside #IMMOOC! Join here now!  http://immooc.org/sign-up-for-the-innovatorsmindsetmooc/


Curious About the New Math SOLs?

An overview of the  2016 Mathematics SOL are available in a series of videos from the VDOE Office of Mathematics. Topics addressed include the curriculum framework, crosswalk comparing the 2009 and 2016 standards, and the timeline for implementation.

Unable to participate in our Evening Technology Academies? Beginning this month, the Technology Department will be sharing monthly tips to help make integration of technology easier in your daily work.

1.  Check your email spelling:  Within your email (GMail), compose your new email. At the bottom right, click the DOWN ARROW(More Options) and select CHECK SPELLING.  Click a highlighted word and select the correct spelling from the list or click Ignore. When you're done, click SEND.

​2. Turn on 2-Step Verification for your email (GMail):  When you enable 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication), you add an extra layer of security to your account. You sign in with something you know (your password) and  something you have (a code sent to your phone).  Go to the 2-Step Verification page (https://myaccount.google.com/security/signinoptions/two-step-verification). You might have to sign in to your Google Account. Select GET STARTED and follow the step-by-step setup process.  Once you're finished, you'll be taken to the 2-Step Verification settings page. Review your settings and add backup phone numbers. The next time you sign in, you'll receive a text message with a verification code. ​

From Our Partners

10^th 11^th and 12^th grade math, science and technology teachers:

The Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) at Virginia Tech would like to invite you to join us in a unique professional development activity. We are looking applicants for eight high school (10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade) math, science and technology teachers to take part in a collaborative effort to improve the teaching of STEM.

The program will take place on the Blacksburg campus of Virginia Tech and is open to all math, science and technology teachers in your middle and high school programs. Participants will attend a two-day training session June 5-6, and then spend one week teaching in the CEED’s Imagination summer camp (https://www.eng.vt.edu/imagination) for middle school students, either July 10 – 14 or July 17– 21. During this week participants will spend half of their time teaching the “Game Changineers” coding program, and the other half of the day observing activities and presentations led by Virginia Tech engineering faculty, staff and graduate students and touring lab facilities.

The Game Changineers is a free, English-based coding language that allows students to create Pacman-like games. It can be used from 4^thgrade up and was developed by Dr. Michael Hsiao, a professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech.

In collaboration with CEED, the College Access Collaborative will cover travel and accommodations for teachers who are selected to participate. Additionally, Participants will receive 40 professional development points and a $500 stipend for the week of teaching. Upon completion of the camp, teachers will be required to write up and implement two lesson plans in their classroom based on either the Game Changineers Program or the activities they observe.

Apply online at http://tinyurl.com/hd3us4s.

For more information about our programs, please see our web page at https://www.eng.vt.edu/ceed.

Contact Information:

Dr. Kim Lester

Coordinator for Pre-College Outreach

Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity

College of Engineering / Virginia Tech

(540) 231-7337

https://www.virtualeduc.com/direct_accounts/index.php?uid=3

February 2017

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

Do you have questions about procedures in the division or the reasons behind decisions that are made? I would like to ensure transparency when it comes to any questions you may have by providing the answers. Website administrators are in the process of creating an FAQ section on the HCPS website's staff page so that you will have access to the information you need most. Share your questions through Let's Talk (anonymously or with your information attached) and we'll respond so that you have the information you need to support student learning in our schools. 


Website Accessibility

Providing your community with a website that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their cognitive or physical abilities, is a top priority at your district.

Over the next month, you'll hear a lot about website accessibility and adjustments that are being made to our web pages. The support team at Blackboard is working to ensure the accessibility of your web pages. Here's a tip from them on how to make your page even easier for the school community to use:

Choosing the right apps for your pages can help you create accessible content. That's why we're bringing you Pro Tip #2!

Start using the Content App rather than the Flex Editor App. The Content App makes it easier to create accessible content by eliminating tags that typically contain content that is not accessible.

Discover how to use the Content App today!

PD Points in One Place

School and division professional development activities are being tracked in the Edivate Catalogs section of the system this year. Users can register for professional learning opportunities offered by the district or their school, track the activities they participated in and monitor the credits they have earned on their Catalog Transcript. 

• Log in to Edivate using your username (SPS email) and password. You can recover your password by clicking Forget Password?

• Click Resources> Learning Targets > Catalogs.

• Click the Catalogs tab on the left.

• Click the Catalog Title  to access the available trainings. The professional learning opportunities available will display in the catalog table, including: type, title, credit (STAR/renewal point) value, and number of seats available.

• Click the training title to view additional training details such as: audience, description, date, and location. Then, click Register to be added to the training unit.  You can also click the Register button for the training unit you want while viewing the full catalog list.

• Catalog training units for which you have already registered for will NO LONGER DISPLAY in the catalog. Click Transcript to view your registered and completed training units. You may also print your full transcript of completed and/or registered units.

• To unregister, click  Resources > Learning Targets > Catalogs > Transcript. Click the Remove button in the status column for the unit from which you want to remove from your transcript or unregister.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Looking for some great PD but don't have lots of time? EdWeb webinars may be just the answer! At one hour each, they offer excellent professional learning. Accumulate five certificates and send them to mhatchet@henry.k12.va.us for PD points to be added to your Edivate transcript for 2016-2017.

In the Community