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2024-2025 Staff Newsletters » October 4, 2024

October 4, 2024

Volume 4, Issue 7
A Message from the Technology Office

Dear Everett Public Schools Team,

As we recognize October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, I want to reaffirm my commitment to protecting our district's assets from cyber threats.Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and each of us plays a crucial role in safeguarding our district. I understand that the MFA enrollment process may seem like an inconvenience, but it is a vital step in enhancing our security posture. By working together to complete this enrollment, we can better protect our sensitive information and reduce the risk of cyber incidents.

I’m happy to share some important updates:
  1. MFA Enrollment: We are focusing on achieving 100% enrollment in Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) by October 31. Your support is crucial in reaching this goal.
  2. Revised Resources: I’ve attached an updated job aid, along with a schedule of in-person IT support available across the district throughout the month. We’ve staggered the support across schools to ensure everyone has access.
I truly appreciate your partnership in this initiative. Together, we can significantly reduce our security risks and create a safer environment for our students and staff. Thank you for your continued support! 

Joseph Patuto 
Chief Technology Officer
Everett Public Schools
 
IT representatives will be in buildings on the following days and times to help with MFA:

Schedule, days, dates and times
October is Disability History and Awareness Month
October is Learning Disabilities (LD) and Dyslexia Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan initially designated October as LD Month in the United States in 1985 through a proclamation.  

Some resources:
  • See slideshow for information on several well-known people with disabilities. Print these out to post or share the stories of one person a day with students.
  • Resources from Reading Rockets, including book lists for various ages.
  • Beautiful stories in their own words from Story Corps.
  • LDOnline includes resources for educators and families. Scroll down to the bottom and sign up for their newsletter with resources for working with learning-disabled students all year.
  • A long set of resources from Seattle Public Schools.
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Teaching Strategy
Think-Pair-Share or Turn and Talks
Let's get students talking in the classroom. It will help develop oral language, strengthen academic vocabulary, and increase engagement. 

What is think-pair-share?
Think-pair-share is a collaborative learning strategy where students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This strategy requires students to (1) think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and (2) share ideas with classmates. Discussing with a partner maximizes participation, focuses attention, and engages students in comprehending the reading material. 

Why use think-pair-share?
It helps students to think individually about a topic or answer to a question.It teaches students to share ideas with classmates and builds oral communication skills.It helps focus attention and engage students in comprehending the reading material.

Resources
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Putting Students' Needs First During
Parent-Teacher Conferences
In this moving blog post, educator Martha Paz-Espinoza, a resource teacher and former English Learner herself, shares her memories of attending parent-teacher conferences with her father. She reflects on what she wishes her teacher had known about her family and imagines how the conference might have gone differently if the teacher had taken time to get to know her father a little bit. She also offers some practical suggestions for educators working with multilingual families today.

For additional ideas, see these related Colorín Colorado resources:
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Professional Development
The Social Emotional Learning team is kick-starting a series of professional development in October. You can sign-up on TeachPoint for any of the following sessions:
  • Calming Corners — Visit the Lakeshore store and use $750 to develop a calming corner in your classroom.
  • Wayfinder — Learn how to navigate the Wayfinder system
  • Reconnect — A year-long, four-session course designed to help you develop skills and that will help you and your students.
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Students in a classroom, seated at tables that have pushed together
Inside the Classroom
Lafayette School third-grade teacher Erin Dill recently conducted a CKLA UNIT 1 lesson entitled, “Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Snack Time!” This fun activity nicely concluded the culmination of UNIT 1. Ms. Dill says that her students love the engaging new curriculum! This unit, entitled “Classic Tales,” introduced students to several classic stories, including “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wind and the Willows.” These stories are filled with rich language and vocabulary to help build students' comprehension skills.
FREE
MTEL Vouchers
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has free vouchers for staff members who are planning on taking an MTEL test in 2024-2025. To obtain one, simply email Michael Minucci with the name and cost of the MTEL you are scheduled to take.
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