Happy New School Year - 2025 - 2026

I wanted to review a few items that have been creeping up: 

1. Training - There are several training videos to view this year. Some of them are new to this year and have some requirements that previous videos did not. The M-1068 Safe and Supportive Schools Act: Module 1 LGBTQI+ Awareness and Support (California) video must be in one sitting, 60+ minutes. If you leave it unattended too long or stop, it will time you out and you WILL have to restart the video. There is one other like that, but I can’t remember; however, it does warn you prior to you taking it. 

   1. Principals have been instructed by ESC leadership to give two hours of time during the Thursdays for individuals. The minimum time length is 30 minutes, but they can give bigger chunks. They have until October to grant this time. 

   2. Tracy and I are asking for everyone to track their time. We will be sending out a survey at the end of October to gather data.  We plan to bring this back to the table and get language about training time if needed. 

   3. Here are the required videos for non New Hires (much more training required).

   
   

2. K-2 Testing Window - K-2 was granted until September to have early release time for testing. It is a lot; including a new CA required dyslexia screening for all students and a new platform for testing and recording all the results as well. These teachers don’t have the population of students who can be self-sufficient for 60 minutes a day until all testing is complete. 

A gentle reminder to all K-2 teachers: this time is for testing, collaboration with teams once the testing is done, so you can create your MTSS grouping, and also give yourself prep if you miss your 60 a week prep period because of early student dismissal. Please don’t leave campus early or use the time to copy unless it is your “prep time”. 

Other elementary grades have wondered why they can’t have this time as well. Three reasons: (1) K-2 has more tests and it is difficult to test 1-1 with the littles, (2) 3 - 5, only has two tests, which mostly can be done while students are doing independent work and (3) grades 4-5 are already maxed out for instructional minutes for the year and aren’t able to add early release days.

Please note: the invention coaches should be helping out in grades 3-5. They are NOT to assist K-2 until all of 3 - 5 teachers have finished their testing per MOU. 

To ALL, let’s give each other and ourselves grace for the start of the year. Everyone makes errors in this life, no one is perfect, and no one should expect perfection as well, including yourself. 

FCEA is here for you should you need assistance.