Word Up Newsletter
Important Items
Text Selection Considerations Guide for trade books
StudySync Trade Book School Selections (title list spreadsheet)
DPS Curriculum & StudySync 2023 Updates Summary (includes demo login for the new StudySync)
Make the benchmark a powerful learning experience!
**Your school testing coordinator will have a paper copy of the benchmark that you can use to make copies for classroom student use.
The day before administering the benchmark in class, share the Benchmark Self Eval & Error Analysis document with students.
Review the assignment and how they will complete it. (BONUS-The more they get right on the benchmark, the less they have to do for this assignment!)
Explain that their work on this assignment will be their grade for the benchmark items.
After the benchmark, plan class time and set a due date for the assignment.
CONSIDER-
Sharing the assignment with all parents as powerful EOC preparation and A GRADE!
Selecting a specific passage to model the Benchmark Self Eval & Error Analysis assignment.
Pairing or grouping students based on benchmark data and schedule time with each group to provide standard specific support as needed.
Additional Resources
Common Errors - English II MOY Benchmark Common Errors- English II EOY Benchmark English II EOC Review Notebook
English II Practice EOCs in MasteryConnect Practice EOC 1 Practice EOC 2
Teacher Feature: Katie Songey
Northern High School Why I Use StudySync
At first I was really hesitant because I was nervous that StudySync would limit my creativity when it came to presenting students with engaging and relevant texts, but after I learned how to upload and create my own texts and assignments I realized that StudySync provided me a foundation for consistency and routine. I could channel more of my time and effort into creating complementary activities that would bring the texts to life.
By building the reading routine, students already know, even if it’s not consciously, that they will be reading the same text multiple times, given vocabulary support, and provided guiding questions. It honestly makes introducing a new, perhaps more challenging, text less intimidating. While students are exposed to the text using a familiar platform to explore it, I am able to spend more time planning activities that are more creative to look at specific features or details that I want students to notice.
Durham Public Schools calendars for the 2024-2025 school year have been updated.
● June 11, 2025 is now the last day of school for year-round and traditional calendar students. The change was made to allow for planning and professional development for instructional staff at the beginning of the year. Students will still receive the required number of instructional hours for the year.
● Year-round staff will now begin the year on July 15 with a required workday on September 18.
● Traditional school staff will begin their year with required workdays on August 19 and 20.
● June 12 and 13 are now the required teacher workdays at the end of the calendar year for both traditional and year round calendars.
● Three optional work days on all calendars were converted to required work days.
○ For traditional and specialty high schools, the work days are September 23, November 5, and February 17.
○ For year-round school schools, the work days are September 18, November 5 and February 17.
View the updated calendars here. For details regarding the 2024-25 calendar, click here.
The updated calendars have been posted on the district website and shared with all schools and offices.
English II EOC Intervention & Preparation Support
30 minute zoom professional learning sessions
Intervention- Flex Unit Design
April 10 & 12 @
9:30am; 11:00am;
1:00pm; 2:45pm
EOY Data Analysis
April 16 & 17 @
9:30am; 11:00am;
1:00pm; 2:45pm
EOC Question Stems
April 23 & 24 @
9:30am; 11:00am;
1:00pm; 2:45pm
PIXAR EOC Review
April 25 & 26 @
9:30am; 11:00am;
1:00pm; 2:45pm
HS Curriculum Collaborative Revisions
30 minute zoom professional learning sessions
(If these times don't work for you, email me so we can find a better time to zoom.)
April 17 @ 10 am; 11:30am; 1:30pm, 3:30pm
April 23 @ 10 am; 11:30am; 1:30pm, 3:30pm
April 25 @ 10 am; 11:30am; 1:30pm, 3:30pm
Spring 2024 English I & II PLC
Join the Spring 2024 English I & II PLC to collaborate with high school English teachers from across DPS. Teachers that participate will receive a stipend of $40 per hour for meetings and for submitting artifacts (to be shared in DPS curriculum documents).
The PLC meets the following dates:
February 15 from 4:30-5:30pm ZOOM
March 14 from from 5-7pm
April 11 from 5-6pm
April 25 from 5-6pm
May 9 from 5-6pm
If you want to be a part of the Spring 2024 English I & II PLC cohort, just email me at heidi_perez@dpsnc.net.
Early Release Day 2/16 and Teacher Workday 2/19
(Info and zoom links are available in Sched)
Small bite professional learning sessions:
Reading Routine Mix Up- Join this collaborative session to explore ways to differentiate each part of the reading routine to keep your students engaged without sacrificing instructional focus.
Friday, 2/16 from 2:30-3:30pm
Monday, 2/19 from 9:00-10:00am & 3:00-4:00pm
Reading Routine Level Up- Join this collaborative session for a deep dive into the writing and inquiry resources available to extend your students' critical thinking and give them opportunities to exercise agency.
Friday, 2/16 from 3:00-4:00pm
Monday, 2/19 from 10:00-11:00am & 1:00-2:00pm
6-12 ELA/English Curriculum Collaborative- Join this session to participate in review and discussion to revise and update Durham Public Schools' 6-12 ELA/English Curriculum documents. The new StudySync updates include new units, formative assessments, novel study units, and COMPLETE CANVAS INTEGRATION! DPS educators will explore the StudySync 2023 updates and consider what and how DPS curriculum supports show grow and adapt for teachers and students.
Monday, 2/19 from 11:00am-12:00pm
Engage Students with Stations
Check out this comprehensive guide on ways to use differentiated stations to keep your classes fresh and STUDENT CENTERED! Tips on grouping, student choice, and learning sequence.
English I & II PLC Teacher Feature: Dr. Michele Hicks
Jordan High School
Dr. Michele Hicks participated in the English I & II PLC in the fall semester. The English I & II PLC is a collaborative group of teachers from across DPS that meets several times a semester to explore strategies and resources to meet the needs of their students in a timely manner. In the video, Dr. Hicks shares her favorite learnings from the collaborative experience.
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Teacher Institute
Grades 6-12 humanities teachers are invited to apply for the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Teacher Institute to learn about the 1898 coup and massacre. The Institute will occur at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington July 8-19, 2024.
This two-week residential workshop for middle and high school teachers will focus on the November 10, 1898 Wilmington coup and massacre, the only successful coup d'etat in our nation's history. Reconstructing the historical memory of this event, in which scores of Black Wilmingtonians were murdered or exiled, has always been a contested endeavor. The white supremacist regime that replaced the duly elected biracial government characterized November 10 as a race riot and used it as a pretext to exclude Black citizens from political participation.
Institute participants will meet leading scholars, filmmakers, descendants, and authors and learn not only about the 1898 Wilmington massacre and coup, but also it centrality within the broader national discourse on democratic values. In addition, they will tour a variety of relevant locations throughout the Port City and design curricula to implement in their own classrooms.
Chosen participants will receive a $2200 stipend and a certificate for ~80 contact hours. Additionally, weekday breakfasts and lunches will be provided, and there is an option to stay on campus at the rate of $32.50 per night.
For more information and to apply for the Institute visit www.wilmington1898geographices.org. The deadline to apply is March 5.
Reading Plus Combo Challenge
February 1-28, 2024
Click on the flyer to the left and check out how you and your students can be entered into drawings for gift cards!
TEN $25 gift cards will be given away to 6-12 students.
TWO $50 gift cards will be given away to 6-12 teachers.
Winter break is for READING!
SORA
ALL DPS students, teachers, and administrators have access to thousands of ebooks, audio books, magazines, and graphic novels FOR FREE on the SORA app. It's easy!
Log into DPS Google account with single sign-on
Go to https://soraapp.com/
Find what YOU WANT to read!
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/SoraDPS
and see screenshot directions HERE.
Please share this information on your Canvas page!
(You can also download the SORA app on your phone!)
English I & II PLC Teacher Feature: Kimberly Morgan
Southern School of Energy & Sustainability
Kimberly Morgan participated in the English I & II PLC in the fall semester. The English I & II PLC is a collaborative group of teachers from across DPS that meets several times a semester to explore strategies and resources to meet the needs of their students in a timely manner. In the video, Kimberly shares her favorite learnings from the collaborative experience.
English II Benchmark Assessments
YR/Specialty High Schools- EOY November 3-13
Traditional Calendar High Schools Block- MOY October 16-20 & EOY December 4-8
Traditional Calendar High Schools Year Long- MOY December 4-12
2023-2024 DPS Assessment Calendar
Case 21 Benchmark Part 2 Constructed Response Rubric
Please connect with your school testing coordinator/teaching & learning coach for directions on creating trackers and administering the benchmark in Mastery Connect.
Make the benchmark a powerful learning experience!
The day before administering the benchmark in class, share the Benchmark Self Eval & Error Analysis document with students.
Explain that their work on this assignment will be their grade for the benchmark items.
Review the assignment and how they will complete it AFTER the benchmark. (BONUS- The more they get right on the benchmark, the less they have to do for this assignment!)
Provide some class time and set a due date for the assignment.
**Your school testing coordinator and/or coach will have paper copies of the benchmark for you and your students to have access.
MOY Benchmark Standards Analysis & Support EOY Benchmark Standards Analysis and Support
Common Errors - English II MOY Benchmark Common Errors- English II EOY Benchmark
English II EOC Review Notebook Pixar EOC Prep Lesson
English II Practice EOCs in MasteryConnect Practice EOC 1 Practice EOC 2
NOVEMBER
Nov 9, 2023 03:00 PM
How can digital magazines change your approach to lesson planning? What kinds of magazines can you even get digitally? (Spoiler alert: A lot!) And just how many students can read them at one time? For answers to all these pressing questions and more, don’t miss this presentation from the Sora app’s digital reading experts. You’ll get a peek at all the different possibilities with periodicals, including:
• New and always-available titles that can keep your students reading over breaks.
• Classroom ideas to help you cut back on paper (and save you from paper cuts!)
• Success stories from educators like you who are making the most of their digital magazines.
Join us live to chat with the experts and participate in real-time Q&A, plus get bonus tips for promoting magazines across your school district. https://overdrive.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kmrji2MRTd2lGY3gBJqpew#/registration
OCTOBER
Book Sharing Requests
Join our MS Teams Group and post your requests!
Please Post- Title, Author, number requested, and dates needed.
Reply- If you/your school are able to share books for a request.
Don't miss the Monthly Updates for English Learners
High School Spoken Word Contest
How Can Students Enter the Contest?
Create a three-minute or less video of an original piece and submit application by October 27, 2023.
Are There Prizes?
Cash prizes in the amounts of $500, $300, and $200 will be awarded to the top three student submissions and nine additional students will receive honorable mentions and a $50 Amazon gift card. The winners will be celebrated at a reception at the North Carolina Executive Mansion on December 12, 2023.
This program is open to grades 9-12 in Durham, Orange, and Wake County schools. Here is full information and a video of Dasan describing the program to students at South Garner High recently https://unitedarts.org/programs/high-school-spoken-word-contest/
Links:
Google Slides (to show students during class): https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BbbkQHvgBMAv8Ng0c51BkC8DI_7q9cPN1LN5jHisEQU/edit?usp=sharing
Website (also accessed through QR code on flyer): https://unitedarts.org/programs/high-school-spoken-word-contest/
Video of Dasan Ahanu explaining the contest (also embedded in the slides and accessed through QR code on flyer): https://youtu.be/xJjk-jP6Kno
Application (also accessed through website): https://unitedarts.submittable.com/submit/1e992cc8-3c75-45c3-82d4-b1f862e24045/2023-high-school-spoken-word-contest
The deadline is October 27.
Sync Up Zooms On Demand
Due to delayed device distribution at many secondary schools, many were not able to participate in the Sync Up Zoom-A-Thon on September 12th.
Teachers can schedule zoom sessions with their classes to get all students comfortable
navigating their tabs
retrieving their app code
downloading the StudySync app in their DPS Chrome account
logging on to StudySync from Chrome App
Syncing their StudySync account for offline work
Just email heidi_perez@dpsnc.net to schedule a date and times.
NC YOUNG AUTHORS' K-12 WRITING CONTEST- HELP YOUR STUDENTS' STORIES GET PUBLISHED
All Durham Public Schools’ students have the opportunity to participate in “Reflections: Celebrating the Me I See” the 2023 NCRA Young Authors’ Writing Contest. Each DPS school can submit 10 student entries to the Bull City Literacy Council (BCLC) local contest. Schools with BCLC members can submit additional student entries. Student entries may be selected to be published in the North Carolina State anthology. Contact Heidi Perez with questions.
Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest
Don't let your school go without student representation!
Information ZOOM- Wednesday, October 11 @4:30
BACK TO SCHOOL
StudySync Zoom-A-Thon- Tuesday, September 12th
On Tuesday, September 12th, teachers and students across DPS can join the Sync Up Zoom-A-Thon to get connected to their StudySync online account, download the StudySync app, learn how to use the built-in student scaffolds, and explore the online library.
Teachers can sign up for their classes to join 30 minute sessions scheduled throughout the day to ensure all DPS middle and high school classes can join and learn together. Teachers will login to the zoom and project it for their classes. Heidi Perez or Beth Spataro will guide students through
logging in to StudySync
navigating their tabs
retrieving their app code
downloading the StudySync app in their DPS Chrome account
logging on to StudySync from Chrome App
Syncing their StudySync account for offline work
There are prizes for school, teacher, and student participation. ELA/English teachers are strongly encouraged to sign up to have their classes participate in this district wide support event to ensure equitable access to student literacy resources. Contact Heidi Perez or Beth SpataroBeth Spataroif you have questions.
Universal Screener
9th grade students are required to take the InSight Universal Screener at the beginning of the school year.
ALL 9-12 students can take the InSight Universal Screener.
Do you, your PLC, or your department want to use the Reading Plus screener results to take action in your classroom? I can help with that! Book Me: You can schedule time with me online!
Only teachers who have been assigned to use Reading Plus lessons with students should make a class in Reading Plus.
Reading Plus screener results are available from school MTSS coordinator or Teaching & Learning coach after all students have completed the screener.
Teachers who would like additional school Reading Plus support or training can join a live Zoom on
Additional Supports are available below:
Schedule support zoom with Heidi Perez by using this booking link.
Equitable Access for ALL Students
Reminder- All students enrolled in English I, II, III, or IV must be provided access to both print and online resources for the StudySync core curriculum. within the first 20 days of their English course. I can help distribute books and provide classroom support for student access to online accounts (face-to-face or on Zoom.)
StudySync Equitable Access Plan & Support Guide
All high schools have enough books to provide each student a book to take home and for each teacher to have a classroom set.
Classroom teachers should have students sign when they receive their books. Teachers can record student signatures using
a printed copy of their class roster from PowerSchool.
a printed or electronic copy of the StudySync Student Book sign Out (students can type in their name on one electronic copy on the teacher's device)
All students should also be shown how to access and use the basic features of the online StudySync platform including:
CCRG English IV
CCRG is NC State legislation that requires identified high school seniors to have consistent, supported access to an online learning platform called NROC. NCDPI has created an informative FAQ document.
All English IV teachers who have CCRG identified students in their classes have received emails with directions to claim their CCRG account and links to information and training resources for CCRG and EdReady (the platform required by the state).
All English IV/CCRG teachers who have claimed their CCRG account have been assigned the instructor role and have a class created for them.
English IV/CCRG teachers who feel comfortable getting their students into the CCRG/EdReady platform from NCEDCloud are able to do so. HERE is a walk through document to help students enroll in your CCRG class in the EdReady Platform. There are also helpful webinars available.
ANY English IV/CCRG teacher who would like live support and training can book a support zoom with Heidi Perez.
2023–24 Humanities in Class Webinar Series
Each webinar is a live, interactive professional conversation led by a scholarly expert addressing a compelling topic through the lens of the humanities. Appropriate for educators at all levels, from K-12 to collegiate classrooms, each session features research, source documents, and readings to support the discussion. Participants receive a certificate of completion to document five hours of professional development to meet continuing education requirements. All webinars are free. Register today!
2023–24 webinar topics include:
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Media History and Freedom of Speech
Hip Hop and Youth Culture as Pedagogy
Indigenous Center, European Other: Teaching Indigenous Histories of the Americas
Civic Engagement 101: Connecting Your Classroom to the Community
How Will Students Learn to Write Now That We Have ChatGPT?
Teaching Chaucer
Exploring Women and Girls of African-Descent in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Speculative Fiction
F.B. Eyes on Langston Hughes and Martin Luther King, Jr.
What The Fact?!: Finding The Truth In All The Noise
Get ready for anything...
Please take 20-30 minutes a day over the next 2 weeks to make sure you are ready to handle sick days, hurricanes, quarantines, Martian invasions, or any other curve ball that may come our way.
Here are some concrete steps to take to make sure you and your students are prepared for whatever lies ahead quarantine, closure, inclement weather, and galactic worm holes.
CANVAS- Teachers are required to create, use, and keep their Canvas courses up to date for all classes. Canvas is DPS's LMS. Consistent use of Canvas is a powerful strategy to build consistent access to class information and materials for all students and parents/guardians. If you haven't already gotten Canvas up and running this year, there is no need to start from scratch. You can use all your hard work from last year! Click HERE for directions.
CANVAS Buddies- Team up with two or three department members and add each other as teachers in your Canvas courses. If you have to be out for any reason, you have department members who can help out.
Connect with a parent/adult for each student- Make a concerted effort to reach all students' parent/guardian email or phone. This will help ensure each student has accurate contact information in PowerSchool, and open two way communication for the whole year, no matter what happens.
StudySync books distributed to all students- The DPS Student Literacy Bill of Rights clearly outlines DPS expectations and resources to support teachers and departments as they work to get every English I-IV THEIR StudySync Reading & Writing Companion.
StudySync online access and use- The DPS Student Literacy Bill of Rights clearly outlines DPS expectations and resources to help teachers ensure all students have access and know how to use their StudySync online accounts.
Google drive use/organization- My Google Drive is still OUT.OF. CONTROL. It needs an intervention. Don't be like HEIDI. Take some focused time to organize your most recent back to school work in Google. Make some focus time in class to ensure students know how to share permissions with you, find and organize their work according to your directions, and collaborate with classmates in a common Google doc/slides/spreadsheet.