April 2023 Lighthouse

Welcome to the April Edition of the PL Lighthouse!

​This monthly email blast and webpage has been designed to serve much like a lighthouse, to serve as a way forward and help in navigating through the busy school year. Nothing else speaks of safety in the face of adversity and challenge quite like the lighthouse. ​

April Design Studio Update | Team-Paced Work Plan

In response to the demands we know your campuses are facing as we ramp up for testing, we have decided to rethink the April 4th design studio. Instead of meeting in-person at the admin building, we will flip the content and team tasks to provide a team-paced work plan with opportunities to opt in for support from our team. Teams will receive access to this plan via email on Thursday, April 6th, and all action items will be due no later than Thursday, April 27th. Throughout the month of April, our team will host office hours as well as open our Calendlys for team support. 

We hope that this adjustment provides more space and time for your team to reflect on all the year’s success as well as plan for the upcoming year. 

Modern Classrooms Project | Summer Cohort Accepting Applications Now!

We have partnered with the Modern Classrooms Project to offer scholarships for Dallas ISD PL educators to their teacher-created, classroom-tested Virtual Mentorship Program. During the 12-week Virtual Mentorship Program, teachers create content to use in their Modern Classroom through a virtual, asynchronous, and self-paced course. They are guided through creating mastery checks, instructional videos, self-pacing tools, and systems for student engagement. An Expert Mentor in a similar content or grade level provides feedback and guidance to help teachers build a unit they are confident in using in their classroom. Scholarships are limited; complete this form to learn more and apply by April 29th: www.modernclassrooms.org/dallas

If you haven't registered to attend a PL Educator Tour yet, don't miss your chance! The following campus will be hosting in May:​

• Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary | Monday May 15th, 8:30-11:30 AM

PL QB Appreciation Week

We're using this week to celebrate and show gratitude for all our PL Quarterbacks! We treated each quarterback to an appreciation choice board at the March 23rd huddle which they'll receive in the month of April. Stay tuned to our social media for even more shout outs this week!

Please share this opportunity with other schools  or nominate 3-5 teachers on your campus who are be ready to innovate in their classroom. Click here to access a quick nomination form or to share use, bit.ly/nominatefellows. Once a teacher has been nominated, they will receive an email regarding the opportunity, application, and submission deadline, which is Friday, April 14th.
For additional information about the Innovation in Teaching Fellowship and the application process, check out www.thepltoolbox.com/fellowship. 

Raising Blended Learners Grant Updates

Note, these updates are specific to the five PL schools involved in the Raising Blended Learners grant.
RBL QBs + Pilot Teachers | Reminder that you will each present your Presentation of Learning [POL] at our last meeting on Wednesday, May 17th from 4:30-6:00 PM at Solar Preparatory for Boys [1802 Moser Ave, Dallas, TX 75206]. Pilot teachers received the template at our last Student Agency Workshop and QBs you should have received the template at your last check-in. If you need help or have any questions please reach out to Nicolette Luna [email protected].