Principal Wyatt's Update/Actualización del Director Wyatt

We are fast approaching the close of the listening campaign. Info regarding next steps in the visioning process will be shared soon. As we move towards Spring, we will begin examining if we've met our goals.

We are also welcoming families who have already been assigned as well as those who may be interested in our little community. Letters inviting them to a few of or upcoming events will go out from the admissions office within the next week.We are inviting them to:

3/26/20: Longfellow Middle School Open House:

3/19/20: BUSD District Oratorical Festival @ Longfellow, 5-8:30pm, Longfellow impresses!

April, TBD: Please check in for our Makerspace Interactive Open House

5/27/20: LMS Spring Concert, 6-8:30pm

INSTRUCTION:

• Instructionally we are exploring another of our 'PBIS Domains 0-8, Classroom Essential Features' strategies: BBC-Blackboard Configuration. Technically it is Whiteboard Configuration, lol. As a strategy, I would have liked to have begun this in the beginning of the year, but it is a practice that is strategic in providing both students and teachers with a higher level of consistency. Although this practice will be shared schoolwide, we are zooming in on our Humanities classes. Each student should be able to walk into a humanities classroom and see the standards, learning target, essential question, agenda, and homework they are working on. Each aspect of the BBC is also an opportunity for teachers to understand and examine their instruction on a deeper level as the components of the BBC should be directly connected to the curriculum and instruction.
• Teachers will continue to utilize the Task Analysis process with Constructing Meaning, to help them identify directed supports and clear learning expectations as they plan for instructing our incredibly diverse environment.

COMMUNITY:

• We are aware, that while the vast majority of Longfellow students are having a wonderful experience, some students have experienced some level of unkindness to bullying at school. We encourage a few of helpful steps from parents as we build our community together:
  • 1st recognize that all students are in various phases of development and we want to create young people who have practiced skills of empathy, partnership, and resolution. So, we have no monsters at Longfellow, only children who all need levels of guidance and support.
  • If your student has had any difficulties at school, be sure to encourage them to speak with: their teacher, someone from our counseling team: RJ Coordinator (Mr. Lechuga), Ms. Rosina (Health & Wellness/Mental Health Counselor), Ms. Henderson (Academic Counselor), or our School Safety Officers: Mr. Younger or Ms. Guin, or School Administrators: Ms. Wyatt or Ms. Bracamontes. Utilize these varied points of supports to help them resolve their issues is the first step in making a small misunderstanding a big problem.
  • Really need to speak with Ms. Wyatt? I have set parent meeting times each week: Tues & Thurs, 7:30-8:30 am. If for some reason those times don't work, please email me at staceywyatt@berkeley.net (cc: rocquaelbaham@berkeley.net) so we can figure out a time that works.

Things you should know:

• TWI Teacher Leaves:
  • Ms. Roa, has begun her maternity leave as of 3/4/20. We have a sub in mind and are working with HR to make sure all goes smoothly in the process. The sub will begin 3/10/20, unfortunately, her schedule would not allow for her to start on 3/4/20. Ms. Roa's class was covered by our site TSA for 3/5/20 and 3/6/20. 3/9/20, will be covered by a credentialed teacher as we have students share their expectations/hopes for wrapping up the year. Letters have gone out to parents on 3/5/20. Regular updates will be emailed to parents via Illuminate.
  • Ms. Patterson will go out on a short medical leave next week. We have a sub secured for her entire leave, expected to last two weeks. Letters to parents have gone out.

I have high hopes for both subs and we have engaged with each to ensure instruction is disrupted as minimally as possible.

• Wyatt will be attending the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators' 2020 Professional Development Summit from 3/11-3/13. This will be a great opportunity to learn from others and will instrumental in the planning of our Professional Development for the 2020-21 school year.
• As we move into Spring, every thing that naturally comes with Spring time will happen. We are working to provide students with a variety of ways to engage. Thank you to parents who have already signed up to be volunteers, I will work with teachers to get you in the building. The goal is to provide families with a list of volunteer opportunities that will include both in class and out of class opportunities.

Highlights from Longfellow Parent Groups

PTA: Longfellow Online Auction 3/26 – 4/17 The Longfellow Online Auction starts Thursday 3/26 and runs for three weeks. Can you donate to the auction to help raise money for the PTA? We are looking for donations or services from parent-owned businesses, Disneyland tickets, sporting event tickets, restaurant certificates, vacation homes, and gift cards. Please contact us with any leads or offers at Longfellow.pta.busd@gmail.com.

Subasta en línea Longfellow 26/3 - 17/04 La subasta en línea de Longfellow comienza el jueves 3/26 y dura tres semanas. ¿Puedes donar a la subasta para ayudar a recaudar dinero para la PTA? Estamos buscando donaciones o servicios de negocios propiedad de los padres, boletos de Disneyland, boletos de eventos deportivos, certificados de restaurantes, casas de vacaciones y tarjetas de regalo. Póngase en contacto con nosotros con cualquier cliente potencial u ofertas en Longfellow.pta.busd@gmail.com.

SSC: Next meeting will 3/18/20 @ 6-7:30pm. The team has worked together to identify key priorities needed to help lead towards continued Longfellow success. These priorities where shared, vetted, and added to by the Longfellow Leadership Team, finally this list was reviewed by the Admin team and given bigger picture consideration. Admin then shared its thinking with Dr. Stephens. When/if Longfellow is given additional funding for the 2020/21 school year, this finalized list is what the Supt. will work from in partnership with Ms. Wyatt, to decide the most beneficial course of action. Great job, teams! Thank you. The next SST (3/18) will review this final list as well as a current update of funds spent on special programs, hourly, and other SPSA items.

SSC: La próxima reunión será el 3/18/20 @ 6-7: 30pm. El equipo ha trabajado en conjunto para identificar las prioridades clave necesarias para ayudar a conducir hacia el éxito continuo de Longfellow. Estas prioridades fueron compartidas, examinadas y agregadas por el Equipo de Liderazgo de Longfellow, finalmente esta lista fue revisada por el equipo de Administración y se le dio una consideración más amplia. Admin luego compartió su pensamiento con el Dr. Stephens. Cuando / si Longfellow recibe fondos adicionales para el año escolar 2020/21, esta lista final es lo que el Supt. trabajará en colaboración con la Sra. Wyatt, para decidir el curso de acción más beneficioso. ¡Buen trabajo, equipos! Gracias. El próximo SST (18/3) revisará esta lista final, así como una actualización actual de los fondos gastados en programas especiales, por hora y otros artículos de SPSA.

ELAC: Update coming soon.