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ASSOCIATION UPDATES
OASSP / OMLEA Will Parker, OASSP/OMLEA Executive Director
As we look back on the first semester, Oklahoma secondary and middle level leaders have worked tirelessly during a global pandemic to provide meaningful learning for their students across the state. Our state is a unique blend of rural, suburban and urban communities. And the approaches to hybrid, in-person, fulltime virtual, and blended models have been just as varied.
Throughout the semester, communication among association members has also shifted. Instead of traveling across the state in visits to Oklahoma regions, we attended more virtual meetings or visited with OASSP/OMLEA members by phone or via text messaging. In the OASSP/OMLEA weekly newsletter, readers have been receiving updates from principals as well.
Here are a few highlights from OASSP/OMLEA executive committee members checking in during September and October: “The smaller class sizes have given teachers and students the opportunity to build deeper relationships and given the teachers the opportunity to really get to know students. I have a population of full time virtual students who are so far behind and will not earn credit - it is a challenge not having them at school to help them structure their time. Our numbers are still good, kids and staff are doing a great job keeping themselves and others safe at school. Challenges come with students who have figured out the system of having to quarantine.” — Kim Coody, OASSP Past President, Glenpool High School
“Our teachers have completed two common formative assessments, and we have students that have been enrolled for RTI the next few weeks. We have found that the number of students needing RTI for these first two CFA’s has dropped significantly from the previous year. This month is also National Bullying Month, so our STUCO and counselor are leading the charge. Tension is running with everyone including parents, faculty, and staff. With the CARES Incentive Act, we are offering free counseling to all of these people… We are going to set ACT achievement goals for our district and then vertically align our curriculum by taking a deeper look at our essential standards that line up with our ACT goals.” — Kyle Hilterbran, OMLEA Northwest Region Director, Clinton Middle School
“On a positive note, we had good participation at parent/ teacher conferences. We offered a choice of face-to face meetings, Zoom calls or telephone conferences. Our teachers felt additional options garnered more parent contacts. This is yet another unintended consequence of COVID-19. We may continue with conference choices moving forward. Finally, since we instituted a mask mandate for students and staff, our number of positive cases at the school has significantly decreased. The data supports the need to wear face coverings.” — Chris LeGrande, OASSP State Coordinator, Guthrie High School
