4 EDCAL March 20 , 2017
EQUITY
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significant increase in parent participation and involvement since beginning the program . At several Parent University events this year , parents have packed the multipurpose room at record numbers .
At a recent event this month , parents received breakfast and attended a workshop on reading strategies . Each student received three books to add to their home library . We anticipate that parents who participate in PTHVP are becoming more engaged in their child ’ s academics , have increased trust and communication with teachers , and exude higher confidence in helping their child succeed .
Omar Field-Ridley , principal of Charles Mack Elementary , shared his experiences in leading the work and he stated , “ the biggest thing we ’ ve learned is that our parents are ready and wanting to be engaged , they just want to be invited . Once we made connections and invited them , they showed up .”
Additionally , some of the student data sets we are looking to impact through this work include increased student engagement , increased attendance , improved behavior , and higher test scores . Finally , by participating in this program , educators in EGUSD are seeking to yield results such as increased connection with students and families , collaboration with colleagues , cultural competence , less stress and burnout .
In closing , Paul Gorski defines Equity Literacy as the knowledge and skills that enable us to recognize , respond to , and redress conditions that deny some students access to education and other opportunities enjoyed by their peers . As we begin to invest in professional learning and implement strategies to assist us in erasing the prevailing opportunity gaps , the focus should be on supporting equity warriors in building the skills necessary to be a threat to the existence of inequity in their spheres of influence to create authentic systemic change .
Sonjhia Lowery Director , Learning Support
Services Elk Grove USD
COURT
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community activist claimed that the city ’ s failure to provide certain records regarding a downtown redevelopment project and other city business violated the CPRA . The city had provided certain records , but declined to provide all communication sent and received by city officials on personal devices using personal accounts .
In 2013 , a trial court judge ruled against the city . The city appealed the decision , and in 2014 , the Sixth District Court of Appeal reversed the decision . The appellate court ruled that the CPRA ’ s definition of public records as communications “ prepared , owned , used , or retained ” by a public agency did not include messages sent or received on individual city officials ’ and employees ’ private devices and accounts .
In its ruling , the Supreme Court disagreed with the appellate court because records “ prepared ” on private devices could still qualify as public records . The high court observed that the agency itself is not a person who can create , send and save communications ; rather , any such communication would come from or be received by an individual . As such , the city ’ s elected officials and employees were , in essence , acting as the city , and to the extent that their emails pertained to city business , they were public records .
The court did narrow the type of records that are subject to disclosure , holding that records containing conversations that are primarily personal in nature are not subject to disclosure under the CPRA . The court also acknowledged that determining whether particular communications constitute public records is a heavily fact-specific process , meaning decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis .
The court also addressed the practical challenges around retrieving records from personal accounts , including ways to limit the potential for invading personal privacy . For guidance , the court offered examples of methods for retrieving records from personal accounts including procedures applicable under the Federal Freedom of Information Act and followed under the state of Washington ’ s records law that allow individuals to search their own devices for responsive records when a request is received and to submit an affidavit regarding potentially responsive documents that are withheld .
The decision means that public agencies must now carefully consider how to retrieve business-related public records that may be located in employees ’ and officials ’ personal accounts .
“ The key for school districts moving forward will be to have policies and practices in place that address use of personal email accounts in relation to district business and how the districts will respond to CPRA requests for emails on such accounts ,” Freiman said . meetings master
For Principals and Central Office Administrators
June 13 Butte COE , Oroville
June 14 ACSA Ontario Office
register online today ! https :// www . regonline . com / meetingsmaster2017
June 15 Santa Clara COE
Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach Hotel www . lead3 . org
How to get your next job in educational leadership
I remember one interview I had for an assistant principal position in a prominent school district like it was yesterday . I still wince when I remember the oblong table , the heads of the interviewers peering at me over piles of paperwork and how very hot the room was . I was professionally dressed and even trying to look the part by carrying a briefcase . The easiest part of that interview was the introductions . The first question they asked me instantly made me feel like I had been transported into a top secret interrogation —“ Tell us a little about yourself ,” they queried . “ Tell us about your experiences and background and share why you are applying to our school district .” Pretty simple questions , right ? Then why did they send me spinning ? Why did the entire interview only last about five minutes ? I had prepared for some of those questions in advance and I really believed I was ready . I still get just a little angry at myself every time I remember that horrific day . – Marilou Ryder , author of Rules of the Game .
Pain turned to passion after many similar personal experiences and stories of experiences from friends and co-workers which fueled Ryder ’ s passion and avocation to help school leaders succeed in the job interview . Aside from her top selling book , Ryder regularly presents career workshops throughout the country , resulting in many gaining new job opportunities . In these workshops , participants work on developing their own unique career plans , practice the opening interview question , and roll up their sleeves to craft out accomplishments to showcase their knowledge and skills in the interview . Participants also learn how to express their “ soft skills ” to help interview panel members learn more about their heart and soul – that which informs their leadership skills ( not always an easy feat , especially in a stressful job interview ).
Ryder currently serves as an associate professor for the Brandman University doctoral program . She has served in all leadership roles beginning as a teacher , moving on to become an assistant principal , principal , assistant superintendent and finally , superintendent .
Do you desire to move up to the next rung in the career ladder yet have some trepidation about the job interview ? Have you had a few interviews that you thought were successful , yet you came in second ? Are you prepared to answer the wide range of questions asked in an interview ? Ryder has created a workshop especially for ACSA entitled “ How to Get Your Next Job in Educational Leadership ”. This engaging and hands-on workshop will address the above questions and more ! You will learn smart strategies to help you build your job-seeking skills and gain confidence as you prepare for upcoming career opportunities . This workshop is designed for teachers desiring their first administrative position and assistant principals , principals , district office leaders , classified leaders , assistant superintendents and others who are ready to move on to the next level in their careers .
Participants will learn how to :
• Strategically plan for their next career move .
• Write letters of application .
• Design resumes that stand out in the crowd . • Learn the subtle art of self-promotion .
• Develop scrimmage notes in preparation for the wide range of questions asked in an interview .
• Establish smart habits before and after the job interview .
• Prepare for the high-stakes interview by practicing common interview themes .
• Begin to work on their professional brand and build a winning image .
• Develop courage and resiliency throughout the job seeking process .
• Persevere when the going gets tough .
Workshops will be held :
April 1 : ACSA Sacramento April 22 : Brandman University , Irvine May 13 : ACSA Ontario June 3 : ACSA Burlingame