Learning Together
Office of Instruction Newsletter - Template
While many of you may know me from previous roles, I also recognize that for many staff — especially at the secondary level — this may be our first opportunity to connect. One of the experiences that first inspired me to pursue a career in education was my involvement in dance growing up. The teachers and mentors who encouraged, challenged, and believed in me helped shape the path that ultimately led me into this profession. That experience continues to influence the way I think about teaching, learning, and the importance of creating spaces where students feel supported, inspired, and connected.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three children, who keep life busy, joyful, and full of perspective. I look forward to getting to know more of you and learning about the experiences and relationships that make our schools such special places for students and staff.
As I begin this transition, my focus will be on listening, learning, and building strong relationships across the district. In the coming weeks, I will begin a series of entry meetings and conversations with district leaders, building leaders, and teacher leaders. I look forward to hearing your perspectives, learning more about the incredible work already happening across our schools, and identifying ways we can continue to grow together.
Finally, I am grateful for the warm welcome I have already received and look forward to continuing to partner with all of you in support of our students, staff, and school community.
The overall goal is to make grades more accurate, consistent, and aligned to student learning, while reducing practices that unintentionally distort grades or mix academic achievement with behaviors. While the recommendations establish district-level consistency, several decisions will still be made at the department, course, or teacher level.
As we move forward, departments and course teams will be asked to make several important decisions about grading practices within a consistent district framework. This will include expectations related to formative and summative grading categories, common assessments, reassessment opportunities, late work, extra credit, and how behaviors such as participation and effort are communicated separately from academic achievement. More detailed guidance will be shared with staff in the coming weeks, including what will be consistent across the secondary level and where departments, courses, or teachers will have flexibility.
This work is closely connected to our ongoing focus on assessment alignment. As departments prepare for summer curriculum work, the creation and refinement of common formative and summative assessments will be especially important. Strong assessment design, clear alignment to standards and learning targets, and consistent expectations across common courses will help ensure that grading practices support accurate, meaningful communication about student learning.
Following a year-long review process that included staff feedback, collaboration with elementary math and grade level teacher leaders, the elementary program will transition to new math screening tools beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Kindergarten: Acadience Math
Grades 1–5: Amplify mCLASS Math
These tools were selected to provide more targeted and actionable information to support instructional decision-making and student learning in mathematics. Additional implementation support and professional learning will be provided throughout the fall, including overviews and data review learning opportunities.
We appreciate the collaboration and thoughtful feedback from staff throughout this process.
Our ongoing work with the SchoolTool comment bank is focused on strengthening how we communicate student learning with clarity, accuracy, and equity. Drawing on three years of comment data, staff feedback, and input from the Equitable Grading Committee, we are revising comments to better reflect evidence-based learning and emphasize student growth over time.
We value your input—are there comments you would like to see included in the comment bank? Staff will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback through the Microsoft Form linked below.
Together, we can build a system that accurately reflects student learning, supports growth, and promotes clear and equitable communication for every student.
Please note the following important updates based on the new GCTA agreement language:
- Compensation Rate: Summer professional learning will be compensated at $39/hour beginning July 1, 2026 (increasing to $40/hour on July 1, 2027), provided the experience is related to your specific job responsibilities, is between 1–15 hours, and does not require a fee or tuition to attend.
- Compensated Hours: Staff may participate in as much professional learning as they would like; however, compensation is limited to up to 20 hours, unless additional hours are required (ex: mentor training/CRSE), pre-approved (LETRS) or requested (Equity Collaboration Day). Any hours completed beyond 20 during the summer will not be compensated or carried over for credit.
- Completion Requirements: Compensation is only provided for fully completed experiences. Staff must complete all required steps in Frontline (evaluation, mark complete, and submit) within 30 days of completion.
- Payment: Approved professional learning hours will be submitted to Human Resources for processing. Payment is provided via direct deposit and may take several weeks to appear.
In addition, several Gates Chili professional learning opportunities will be offered this summer and will be available for registration in Frontline beginning June 1.
If you have questions about eligibility, approval, or tracking your hours, please reach out to the Office of Instruction. We appreciate your commitment to ongoing learning and growth.
Congratulations to Lynnette Gall, Emily Reale, and Richelle Ritz who were the first three to respond to last month's riddle correctly.
If you know the answer to this month's riddle, click HERE to submit your answer. The first three (3) people who answer the riddle correctly will receive a special prize in their mailbox next week!
Good luck!
May Riddle:
The more you participate in me, the more everyone benefits.
I support growth, alignment, and stronger instruction.
In the summer, I may be compensated at $39/hour for up to 20 hours when tied to your job responsibilities.
What am I?