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Message from the Superintendent |
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December 16, 2024 Dear Northshore Colleagues: News about a Northshore teacher’s arrest last week was very challenging. Many of us felt and are continuing to feel a range of emotions including disbelief, anger, and grief. These are normal feelings and expected when trust is broken. I want to make sure our staff receive any extra support that is necessary. As a reminder, counseling is available to Northshore staff through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Up to four free and confidential counseling sessions are available to each Northshore staff member. I encourage you to take advantage of this resource if needed. I also want to thank our Leota Middle School colleagues for helping our students navigate through this difficult situation. I recognize you are both supporting students while processing your own feelings. Since my last Monday Message, a lot has taken place including my final 2024 Listen and Learn Sessions: |
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To realize the commitments of our Strategic Plan, we need to be in community with and learn from our families and students. Since October, I have had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of families and students. In February, I will be sharing what we have learned during these Listen and Learn sessions and our next steps. Please take the time to review District Highlights below, including important updates. In partnership, Michael Tolley |
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Highlights from Around the District |
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Have a story you would like to see shared in the "Highlights from Around the District" section of this message and on our website? Submit using this form. |
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The web-based staff directory for locating a colleague’s name, email, phone number, or work location will look different the next time you look someone up. Microsoft is ending its Delve application, which has hosted the District’s staff directory since fall 2023. As of today, December 16, 2024, when you access https://staffdir.nsd.org/, you will see a new interface, supported by OneDirectory. You will be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account with your district credentials. This sign-in screen may look different than what you typically see, but this is a trustworthy sign-in, and it is OK to proceed. Once signed in, staff information will continue to include work location, phone number, email, and the individual’s position within the District as recorded in Human Resources. Tips on using the new staff directory:
As a reminder, contact information can also be found in Outlook. Information available in Outlook under the employee profile includes: Job title as it is recorded in Human Resources, work phone number (if a specific number is assigned to you), reporting structure, and work location. |
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The Administrative Center will be closed to the public during Winter Break from Dec. 23, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025, reopening to the public on Monday, Jan. 6, the same day school resumes. There will be limited staffing on Dec. 23, Dec. 26-27, Dec. 30, and Jan. 2-3, so if you have an appointment or meeting with someone in the Admin Center, they will plan to meet you at the front entrance to let you in. Thank you for your understanding as many Admin Center staff also take this time to spend with family and friends. |
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Important Dates |
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The following section features non-school days, Northshore School Board meetings, and religious and cultural observances, including dates listed on the Days of Highest Impact and Days of Fasting charts that are part of Northshore’s Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar. This aims to expand awareness about the multiple forms of diversity among our students and families, the days that students may not be at school due to religious observances, and the days that students may be fasting. *Begins at sundown of previous day/ends at sundown Dec. 18
Dec. 23 - Jan. 3
Dec. 24
Dec. 25
Dec. 26 - Jan. 2*
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Christmas Christmas is a Christian holiday on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. While many celebrate the holiday to honor Jesus' birth, it has also become a worldwide cultural holiday. Many celebrate by attending church, enjoying food together, and exchanging gifts. There have been many iterations of Santa Claus, as well, including St. Nicholas and Father Christmas, with the tradition often including the delivery of gifts. Merry Christmas to all students, staff, and families celebrating in our Northshore community! Hanukkah (Chanukah) From sundown of December 25 to January 2, Jewish people around the world will celebrate Hanukkah, or Chanukah, an eight-day holiday. This holiday is known as the “Festival of Lights.” Every evening at sunset, a candle is lit until the last night, when all eight candles are kindled on the Hanukkah Menorah (candelabra). Like many holidays, food is central to Hanukkah’s celebration. The foods at the heart of the holiday are sufganiyot and latkes. A sufganiyot is often described as a cross between a beignet and a jelly donut, and latkes are potato pancakes often eaten with applesauce or sour cream. Happy Hanukkah to all of our Jewish students, staff, and families celebrating in our Northshore community. |
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The following section features additional important dates, including those listed on the Full Religious and Cultural Observances chart three, which is part of Northshore’s Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar. Dec. 1-31
Dec. 16-24
Dec. 21
Dec. 26 - Jan. 2
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Northshore School District is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our District and community. Therefore, our District prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, cognitive, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Civil Rights and ADA Coordinator for Staff: Title IX Coordinator: The Northshore School District shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the District’s academic, activities, or employment programs without discrimination. In addition, the District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups in its programs and activities. Section 504 and ADA Coordinator for Students: Any Northshore School District staff and community member has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this policy without fear of retaliation. The above-listed employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination. |