Professional development was the district’s priority in preparation for a smooth opening of the 2015-16 school year. On August 5th and 6th, the Los Nietos teaching and support staff took part in two-days of professional development designed to enhance the District’s instructional program this year. On August 5th, teachers and instructional assistants learned the foundation principles of the Safe and Civil Schools program. The program is a research-proven positive behavior approach designed to help students understand adults’ clear expectations and respond in a respectful manner. The program uses the acronym S.T.O.I.C. to describe the steps necessary for student success: Structure for success; Teach behavioral expectations to students; Observe and supervise; Interact positively with students; and Correct fluently. Each school this year will have a team of 6-8 staff members who will participate in four days of training this year to identify problem areas at each school, make suggestions for improvement, and prepare staff to proactively manage student behavior in a positive, consistent, and calm manner.
Additionally, on August 5th, teachers attended a 3-hour professional development opportunity designed to introduce i-Ready Diagnostic and Instruction from Curriculum Associates, the district’s new online student diagnostic system and with online teacher resources. The online component measures growth and provides personalized instruction aligned with the Ready Common Core materials that teachers and students currently use in the classroom. The final 3-hours of the day were dedicated to training on mandated child abuse reporting, safety procedures, and monitoring and reporting of bullying and harassment behaviors on campus.
On August 6th classified instructional staff attended a 6-hour professional development training on the following topics: Crisis Prevention Institute (C.P.I.) refresher, data collection of student behavior to create effective behavior plans, and effective strategies to improve instruction and student behavior. Professional development for the school nutrition teams occurred on August 10th and 11th. All faculty and staff anticipate welcoming students’ and their families back to school on August 13th.
A special thank you to our team of professional development presenters for engaging our faculty and staff in new learning:
• Hovan Zadourian (Apple Professional Development)
• Wendy Wells (Apple Professional Development)
• Sharon Kravitz (Curriculum Associates)
• David Mounie (MJD Associates)
• Toni Brady (Keenan & Associates)
• Mei Alcalay (LNSD School Psychologist)
• Kenna Thomas (LNSD School Psychologist)
• Kurt Chou (Director of Nutrition Services)
Additionally, on August 5th, teachers attended a 3-hour professional development opportunity designed to introduce i-Ready Diagnostic and Instruction from Curriculum Associates, the district’s new online student diagnostic system and with online teacher resources. The online component measures growth and provides personalized instruction aligned with the Ready Common Core materials that teachers and students currently use in the classroom. The final 3-hours of the day were dedicated to training on mandated child abuse reporting, safety procedures, and monitoring and reporting of bullying and harassment behaviors on campus.
On August 6th classified instructional staff attended a 6-hour professional development training on the following topics: Crisis Prevention Institute (C.P.I.) refresher, data collection of student behavior to create effective behavior plans, and effective strategies to improve instruction and student behavior. Professional development for the school nutrition teams occurred on August 10th and 11th. All faculty and staff anticipate welcoming students’ and their families back to school on August 13th.
A special thank you to our team of professional development presenters for engaging our faculty and staff in new learning:
• Hovan Zadourian (Apple Professional Development)
• Wendy Wells (Apple Professional Development)
• Sharon Kravitz (Curriculum Associates)
• David Mounie (MJD Associates)
• Toni Brady (Keenan & Associates)
• Mei Alcalay (LNSD School Psychologist)
• Kenna Thomas (LNSD School Psychologist)
• Kurt Chou (Director of Nutrition Services)