Friday, January 29, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Communications

Principals, please be sure to share this with staff and families.

Curriculum & Instruction

Elementary Principals/Counselors/3rd Grade Teachers/Instructional Coaches

Re: HGSS GVC Revisions, grading, and assessment

Third grade teachers attended training around the revisions in the social studies GVC and classroom based state assessment on Monday. Please see the linked slide presentation and Zoom recording for your reference. Feel free to access this Canvas course for more learning around Inquiry Design Models and the HGSS Classroom Based State Assessment. Also, for grading purposes in Infinite Campus, standards will not be completely updated until the 2021-2022 year. This year, 3rd grade teachers will enter their scores under Geography (for 3rd quarter) and under standard #3, Focus Standard: 3G3. Societies are shaped by beliefs, ideas, and diversity.  Fourth quarter grades will be entered for this same standard, but under Economics. Third grade teachers will not enter grades for any of the other 4 social studies standards under these quarters. For questions and support contact Cheryl Beyer cheryl.beyer@kckps.org.

ESOL

KELPA testing window is February 15th through March 31st and must be administered on site. Testing Plan templates and all information regarding KELPA testing can be found on the KCKPS KELPA Site. Deadlines and training can be found on the KELPA. The KELPA testing plans are due January 29th.

**Transportation and Nutritional Services for testing: Please provide a two week notice to allow for set up of both Transportation and Nutritional Services. Transportation will only be provided to students who would receive this during a normal school year.  Transportation requires headcount and exact dates that students are riding the buses. Nutritional Services requires a headcount and any dietary restrictions that students may have the days of testing.

Federal Programs

ALL SCHOOLS

SUBJECT: Family Surveys for KESA, District Strategic Plan, School Improvement Plans

Want an EXTRA $1,000.00 in your general supply budget to use for staff and student engagement incentives??? FOUR Schools will be awarded this amount for having the highest % of parent participation rates in our 2020-21 family survey!

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!

We’re PUSHING OUT our annual family survey between 2/1/21 and 2/28/21 to gather data on culture, climate, equity & inclusion, and instructional programs.  Surveys are for ALL SCHOOLS.  DATA will be used for KESA, District Strategic Plan, and in your School Improvement Plans. It’s important for all schools to have strong participation rates in order for the responses to be a valid data source.

Surveys will be made available through the following measures:

  • Principals should provide structured opportunities at virtual Family Advocacy conferences that will result in a strong response rate of families completing the survey.  (School Newsletter, classroom or department weekly/daily posts for parents can include the survey links.  Please note there is ONE link for 8 languages and a SEPARATE LINK for the Karen translation.)
  • Survey links will be posted on the district website.
  • The Communications Department will send out the survey link to all families through Flyer Connect and Bright Arrow messages.

A PDF that includes a short message (9 different translations) inviting families to complete the survey, followed by the survey link, is located in the Federal Programs shared drive. A copy of the Survey is also in the folder.

Title I Principals

Subject: Parents-Right-To-Know Letters for Long-Term Substitutes

A reminder that Federal Program guidelines require buildings receiving Title I funds to notify parents any time their child receives instruction for four weeks or more without a highly qualified teacher in the classroom.  Templates (English and Spanish versions) for these individual classroom situations are located in the Elementary/Middle Title I Schools – Required Documents 20-21 folder in the Federal Programs shared drive.

If you are starting the 2nd semester with a long-term substitute in any of your classrooms, you will need to provide a letter to your families. Please provide Bridgette DeSmet with a signed copy on your school letterhead to retain for the 2021 SY compliance report.

As these situations occur during remainder of 2021 SY, please use these Parents-Right-To-Know templates to inform families of long-term substitutes and provide a signed copy to Bridgette DeSmet.  Thanks for your help and let us know if there are questions.

Subject: Kauffman Grants for K-8 Buildings

Kauffman Foundation has a current grant opportunity for KC Metro individual schools.

  • Grants up to $125,000 per year, up to 2 years ($250,00 total)
  • Supporting projects for students in K-8
  • Project timeline can be 6-24 months, beginning July 2021
  • Designed to support improvement and/or enhancement, build/scale existing program, launch a new program, explore a strategic idea
  • Projects must be led by school level leader and their team (principal)
  • School principal must be the lead applicant
  • Past recipients include instructional tech integration, trauma informed restorative justice, STEM smart labs, redesigning teacher and learning process, increasing support in K and 1st with family-centered approach, Project Lead the Way
  • DEADLINE – February 12, 2021
  • Notification – March 21, 2021
  • Funds Distributed – July, 2021

Link to the rfp and application

Link to Information Session Slides

The application is straightforward and not as harrowing as others if you have a specific program or idea with clear goals in mind.

District Grant Writer Juli O’Mealey Simmons (juli.omealeysimmons@kckps.org) is available to offer support. However, these next few weeks she is occupied heavily with large program grants with impending deadlines, so this support is limited.

Additionally, Kauffman Program Director Lia McIntosh is available to assist applicants with questions at lmcintosh@kauffman.org.

Human Resources

Power Hour

We will be having our next zoom session February 11, 2020 from 9:30am – 10:30am.  During this time any questions that Building Administrators or IIO’s may have they can ask our HR Staff.  Also, from an HR Standpoint, we will share any announcements or updates we may have.  We also have notes available from our last meeting on Thursday, January 28th  here.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82283481476?pwd=U1V2b3BGSTZlc1ZSbmR2M2J0LzNGZz09

Meeting ID: 822 8348 1476
Passcode: qR19G0

Evaluations

This is just a reminder that the following evaluations are due February 15, 2021:

*Administrator Evaluation Year
*Teacher – Year 3
*Teacher – Evaluation Year
*Teacher – Off Cycle Evaluation

Please make sure that you get these completed in both iObservation and in TalentEd.  If you have any issues please reach out to Jared Alexander for iObservation and DeAndre Tuggle for TalentEd.

Student Services

Elementary Principals

​We are looking forward to supporting some students returning to buildings on February 22. Below is information that will be helpful as we consider additional resources or barriers that may prevent some students from returning on February 22. Kidzone provides before and after care services for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. Please be sure and read the important information below.

Kidzone Before & After school services will be available for students returning in person February 22nd, 2021.

·         Services include: homework help, tutoring, academic and character development activities in a safe and friendly childcare setting. Students MUST be on the return list for February 22 in order to enroll in Kidzone.

·         Applications will be at the Kidzone sites (see the Site Director) and accepted until February 19th.

·         We will adhere to the KCKPS Student Return – Safety plan.

·         All 28 elementary schools will be served through our 8 Kidzone sites via district transportation.

·         The Kidzone sites are: Emerson (AM/PM), Frank Rushton (PM only), Hazel Grove (AM/PM), New Chelsea (PM only), New Stanley (PM only), Silver City (PM only), West Park (AM/PM), Whittier (AM/PM).

·         There will be NO Kidzone services on Wednesdays at any site.

·         The fee structure for services are: $40 per week per child for both morning and afternoon services and $20 per week per child for either morning only or afternoon only. *scholarships and DCF assistance are available for qualifying families requesting assistance with fee.

Please  contact Mechelle.Wortham@kckps.org and at (913)669-0235  or Lia.McLoughlin@kckps.org with questions.

First Call Video Resources- please share with your counselors, social workers 

In conjunction with our amazing communications department, First Call has created videos for our parents, caregivers and community members. These videos provide information on substance use, tips for speaking with youth, as well as resources. I encourage you to share these videos and use them to support our families and communities. These videos can be found under the Student Services tab on your website and the direct link is here:  https://kckps.org/first-call/

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week and Day – 

RAK Week is February 14th-20th and RAK Day is February 17th 

We encourage you to share this with your staff and participate in RAK Week/Day this February within your school communities. Even the smallest act of kindness can change a life! To sign up, access lesson plans, activities, and tools kits please visit:  https://www.randomactsofkindness.org 

International SEL Day- March 26th 

The Urban Assembly and SEL4US invite communities across the globe to celebrate the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) on the second annual International SEL Day on March 26, 2021. The theme this year is Building Bonds, Reimagining Community. To sign up to have your school community participate, receive toolkits and ideas go to: https://selday.org

Connect with @SELKCKPS and selkck.com – please share with staff 

One of the ways in which Student Services highlights the great things happening in our KCKPS community is through our social media (@SELKCKPS ) and website (selkck.com). We not only regularly share resources, events, and activities, but also highlight and feature what is happening in our schools. Please tag us on your social media and/or email tracie.chauvin@kckps.org  with activities you would like to be featured.

FA Language Support – 2nd reminder

KCKPS Administrators and Staff,

Family Advocacy is rapidly approaching and we are pleased to announce that we will continue to provide interpreter support during Family Advocacy scheduled for Friday, February 12. Due to  COVID-19, we are still unable to provide schools with student volunteers and/or on-site interpreters.  However, we will be providing interpretation services via over-the-phone,  and interpreters will be available for video calls upon request. 

Please share these  instructions to utilize Propio over-the-phone services with your building staff. We want to highlight that staff can add a propio interpreter to a Zoom, Skype, or Webinar Meeting (audio only). I have included the instructions on how to that.

We understand some conferences might happen outside of the designated date, so please know that the propio code will be active all FA week for additional support. For all video/zoom call requests be sure to fill out this Interpreter Request Form. It is imperative that interpreters are provided with the zoom information, Link and password prior to the meeting. Please make sure all interpreter requests for video calls are submitted by Friday, February 5th.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 OPI/Telephonic Interpreting  Frequently Asked Questions PDF

 

 

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Curriculum & Instruction

KCKPS Student Return – Safety Plan
ALL Administrators

All COVID-19 risk mitigations will be implemented and enforced when essential staff and identified students return in February. Please refer to the updated KCKPS Student Return – Safety Plan for this guidance:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C0l-p3ag7tsS04w13CxZfbJ988cuWXlo/view?usp=sharing

ESOL

Onsite pre-screening must be COMPLETED no later than February 12th.  We will continue to test students utilizing testing plan and guidelines. Please ensure that staff send scores weekly to Dasiel Suarez. This is a non-negotiable date as it has been set by the state and is required for compliance.

KELPA testing window is February 15th through March 31st. The KELPA scores from last year have been released from the state and have been uploaded to Infinite Campus.  As a reminder the KELPA assessment must be taken on-site. Testing Plan templates and all information regarding KELPA testing can be found on the KCKPS KELPA Site. Deadlines and training can be found on the KELPA site please note that the proctor assignment name for  KELPA testing are due January 28th, please send to Ben Price and Samantha Bradshaw. The KELPA testing plans are due January 29th.

Contact: Jacqueline Rodriguez or Ben Price for testing questions.

 

Friday, January 22, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Communications

KSHB is doing a new initiative to highlight amazing educators! It’s called “One Class At A Time” – people can nominate an educator and submit why they’re so great! The winner will receive a $500 gift card! Just wanted to spread the word to districts and their families!

Here’s a link to nominate and their promo for it !

Curriculum & Instruction

Elementary Principals

Re: Amplify Science Adoption Process/Material Distribution

In preparation for the new Amplify Science materials for the 2021-2022 school year which will be distributed this spring, Curriculum and Instruction has created a support document. This document has been prepared to explain the process of Amplify Science implementation, material distribution, as well as what to do with previous science materials. Linked within the document is a timeline of distribution, GVC revisions, professional learning, and other responsibilities for teachers, coaches, and administrators. There is also a National Geographic keep/discard document by grade level to assist in the science material organization.  If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Beyer cheryl.beyer@kckps.org

District Inservice

This is just a reminder that Monday, January 25th from 8:00 am to 11:00 am will be District Inservice.  The locations for district in-service can be found on the district website under the Staff Links.  Please let your staff know how to locate this information.

DERA

Federal Programs

This notice includes information for SCHOOLS and DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS.

INFO for ALL SCHOOLS

SUBJECT: Family Surveys for KESA, Strategic Plan, School Improvement Plans

We’re getting ready to conduct our annual family survey that will gather data on culture, climate, equity & inclusion, and instructional programs and support for students.  These surveys are for ALL SCHOOLS and the family feedback will be used for KESA, District Strategic Plan, and in your School Improvement Plans.

It’s important for all schools to have strong participation rates in order for the responses to be a valid data source. Please put plans in place to ensure that families attending your virtual February conferences, WILL COMPLETE a survey.

A reminder that the link for requesting translators to assist in facilitating conferences can be found in the Federal Programs shared drive.  Please consider asking translators to assist family members in completing the surveys at the conclusion of the conference.  This additional support can greatly increase input from our ESOL families, which is critically important to supporting the needs of all learners.

Again we will use several communication methods to ensure families are aware of the opportunity to provide us with important information.

  • Principals should provide structured opportunities at virtual Family Advocacy conferences that will result in a strong response rate of families completing the survey.  
  • Survey link will be posted on the district website.
  • TIS department will send out the survey link to all families through Bright Arrow messages.

Please start to make plans now and collaborate with colleagues about best practices for achieving strong results in obtaining this important feedback.  Survey invitations and survey links will follow soon!

INFO for Building Administration and District Department Teams

SUBJECT: Review Bullying/Harassment Reporting Structures with Staff and Students

Please put on your quarterly meeting agendas to review the bullying and harassment policies and reporting requirements with ALL staff and students.  Refer back to the mandatory training talking points for guidelines and be sure to include the following:

  1. Identify who the Title IX Building/Department Coordinator/Investigator is for your building/department.
  2. Remind staff/students that by policy, they are required to report any Sexual Harassment or Race Discrimination incidents they experience, witness, hear about, or receive a report on from a colleague or student.
  3. Remind staff/students the required process is to report incidents of any staff or student misconduct to Building Principal/Department Manager or the Building/Department Title IX Coordinator/Investigator.
    1. If the staff member/student doesn’t feel comfortable reporting to the building, they can contact Human Resources or any of the District Compliance Officers that were listed in the final video.
    2. Staff/students can also use the Bullying/Harassment Report button on the website/student devices to make a report. Reports go directly to central office leaders.
    3. Staff/students can also use the district phone line which is 913-627-2550.
  4. Remind staff/students that Board of Education Policies for Sexual Harassment (GAAC/JGEC/AH/KN), Race and Disability Discrimination (GAACA/JGECA; GAAB/JCE), Acceptable Use and Communication Policies (IIBF/GAT), Staff-Student Relationships (GAF) are posted in the school (identify where) for their review.
  5. Remind staff/students of IIBF, which is the Acceptable Use Policy for district technology devices and internet; GAT, which is Staff Use of Communication Devices; and GAF, Staff-Student Relationships.
    1. All communication should be school or instructional related and should never violate student-staff relationship or supervisor-staff relationship policies.
    2. At NO TIME, should a staff member EVER TEXT or MESSAGE an INDIVIDUAL STUDENT for ANY reason, even school related.
    3. Individual messages between supervisors and individual staff members should remain professional, related to school/work and support the development of a positive school or work climate.  Supervisors should maintain a professional standard for all communications, at all times.

Human Resources

We will be having our next zoom session January 28, 2020 from 9:30am – 10:30am.  During this time any questions that Building Administrators or IIO’s may have they can ask our HR Staff.  Also, from an HR Standpoint, we will share any announcements or updates we may have.  We also have notes available from our last meeting on Thursday, January 14th. .

HR Power Hour

Time: Jan 28, 2021 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85608986246?pwd=TXVQekgvNU5oN0xmWFIzREptMTN3QT09
Meeting ID: 856 0898 6246
Passcode: vt7RRK

We would also like to share the link to our HR Admin Guide.  This is a useful resource for supervisors.  You must be logged into your google account to access the link.

*Link:    https://sites.google.com/view/kckpshrguide/home

*Link is available on the kckps.org website under staff links

Evaluations

This is just a reminder that the following evaluations are due February 15, 2021:

*Administrator Evaluation Year

*Teacher – Year 3

*Teacher – Evaluation Year

*Teacher – Off Cycle Evaluation

Please make sure that you get these completed in both iObservation and in TalentEd.  If you have any issues please reach out to Jared Alexander for iObservation and DeAndre Tuggle for TalentEd.

Student Services

With the leadership of Dr. Ervin and Lisa Garcia-Stewart a new counselor data tracking tool is about to be released. Counselors are working with our Infinite Campus team to create a way to replace the former tracking tool we had in Silk with Infinite Campus. On Jan. 25th we will be training all elementary and middle school counselors on the new tool.

Why do we need this:

  • This will help us achieve a Multi-Tier System of Support
  • This tracks counselor learning targets to ensure we cover them all
  • This allows counselors to ensure they support 100% of their students
  • This allows counselors to become more intentional and effective
  • This supports our Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Who benefits from the researched based Comprehensive School Counseling Program:

  • Students
  • Parents
  •  Administrators
  • Teachers
  • Counselors

**See this PDF for the detail explanation. 

What this tool will do is allow counselors to monitor their time to better align with the KSDE and the Am. School Counselor Assoc. suggested distribution of school counselor time.

**See this elementary info PDF and this middle school info PDF to find the time distribution details.

When this will begin is Jan. 26th for all elementary and middle school counselors. They will enter their time during the next several months. We will pull data at the end of April and take a look at what we learn. This information will be available for our counselors to use while they align their goals to the building goals, which are aligned with the district goals. The more counselors know about how they use their time the more they can meet the needs of their students, staff and administration. In August we will ask all counselors to begin using this tool for the 21-22 school year. Please let me know any questions you may have.

 

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Communications

Parents as Partners Workshops

Hello Principals,

We want to make you aware of the upcoming Virtual Parents as Partners Workshops we are hosting this year to address many of the questions parents have had about remote learning.

There will be a workshop in English and Spanish from 6:00 pm to 7:30 on Thursday, January 21st (English) and Wednesday, January 27th (Spanish).

We ask parents to register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpdeqtqDkiE9ck4jk03W2bzRGZpJBfU3UQ and to select the breakout sessions they want to attend in advance. After registering, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Communications Team is promoting the Virtual Parents as Partners Workshop through all of our communications platforms. We will be sending out another communication to parents this week through BrightArrow and want to make sure you all were aware of the upcoming workshops in case you receive calls from parents inquiring about the initiative.

Please feel free to contact the communications office if you have any questions.

DERA

As a reminder, the current KAP Interim Window goes from 1/13/2021-1/26/2021.

The FastBridge window will run from 1/25 – 2/12.

Pre-ACT (9th grade) materials ordering window is open in the CCRIS system; the testing window runs from 2/1 – 3/5.

Please refer to the Kansas Schedule of Events for all deadlines and further logistics concerning the ACT, WorkKeys, and Pre-ACT as we near testing dates: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/state-and-district-solutions/kansas/the-act.html.

Human Resources

We will be having our next zoom session January 28, 2020 from 9:30am – 10:30am.  During this time any questions that Building Administrators or IIO’s may have they can ask our HR Staff.  Also, from an HR Standpoint, we will share any announcements or updates we may have.  We also have notes available from our last meeting on Thursday, January 14th. .

HR Power Hour

Time: Jan 28, 2021 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85608986246?pwd=TXVQekgvNU5oN0xmWFIzREptMTN3QT09
Meeting ID: 856 0898 6246
Passcode: vt7RRK

We would also like to share the link to our HR Admin Guide.  This is a useful resource for supervisors.  You must be logged into your google account to access the link.

*Link:    https://sites.google.com/view/kckpshrguide/home

*Link is available on the kckps.org website under staff links

Unlimited Possibilities

Hello All,

In partnership with the Communications Department, the KCKPS Human Resources Department is happy to introduce you to our new podcast titled:  UNLIMITED POSSIBLITIES. This podcast is designed to inform, educate, and inspire those within our district and potential future employees. Our first topic on “Winter Depression and Coping Mechanisms” has been completed and is ready for streaming. Each month we will deliver at least one new topic with a variety of special guests to communicate their expertise. Some topics to look forward to:

  1. Organization Tips & Tricks
  2. Working & Connecting  with Colleagues
  3. Building on Personality Traits
  4. Setting Long- & Short-term Goals
  5. What Makes Someone Artistic
  6. Love What you are Reading

These podcasts will be varying in length and are meant to be consumed easily during your daily commute, snack/lunch time, or when you just have a few minutes of downtime. We have made it easy for you to gain access to the content by utilizing popular streaming services. We are still working on connecting to I HEART RADIO and AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE at this time. If you do not have a designated service to listen to your Podcast, please select a streaming service below. 

Some of the podcasts will also be available in video form on the KCKPS Youtube Channel and KCKPS-TV (Spectrum Cable Channel 18, Google Fiber channel 145, and the front page of kckps.org).

 Please do not forget to like and subscribe to our channel so that you can be notified when a new episode is uploaded. 

Spreaker logoPodchaser logoPodcast Addict logoJiosaavn logoDeezer logoSpotify LogoApple Podcast logo

IARC (Fine Arts)

Elementary Principals
Principals, please share with the music, art, PE and strings staff.
The Curriculum and Instruction Department will be hosting a customized dyslexia training for the elementary music, art, PE and strings staff.  Attendance is required.
The session will be offered two different dates/times.  Teachers shall select the session that causes the least disruption to the students’ synchronous classes.
If both options conflict with synchronous class times, the teacher shall simply select one of the two training times and post asynchronous lessons for the students.
Training options:
2/11
2 – 4 p.m.
2/17
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Teachers have until the end of this month to complete module one in Frontline.  They will then be ready for this customized session with our IARC instructional coaches and with Tracy Cooper.

Student Services

Education in Neuroscience Training Opportunities – please share this with your staff

The Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) School Mental Health Initiative (SMHI) is

proud to provide this four-part Neuroscience in Education eCoaching Series to accompany the Neuroscience in

Education eLearning Modules. With scheduled online coaching sessions led by Dr. Lori Desautels, Assistant

Professor at Butler University, participants will receive supplemental coaching to improve implementation of

the concepts within the Neuroscience in Education eLearning Modules. For more information and to register please see the linked flyer here: Neuroscience in Education Training Series

KCTC Updates – MS/HS 

We currently have 699 total responses to the KCTC Survey, with a special shout out to the following schools for having the highest return rate to date: Wyandotte (206)Argentine (163)Sumner (109), and Rosedale (105). Thank you so much to each MS and HS school team for working hard to ensure that we have a great turnout for this survey.  If you have any questions or need support in implementing the KCTC in your school, please contact Tracie Chauvin.

Family Advocacy (Propio)

Family Advocacy is rapidly approaching and we are pleased to announce that we will continue to provide interpreter support during Family Advocacy scheduled for Friday, February 12. Due to  COVID-19, we are still unable to provide schools with student volunteers and/or on-site interpreters.  However, we will be providing interpretation services via over-the-phone,  and interpreters will be available for video calls upon request. 

Please share the attached instructions to utilize Propio over-the-phone services with your building staff.  We understand some conferences might happen outside of the designated date, so please know that the code will be active all FA week for additional support. For all video/zoom call requests be sure to fill out this Interpreter Request Form. It is imperative that interpreters are provided with the zoom information, Link and password prior to the meeting. Please make sure all interpreter requests for video calls are submitted by Friday, February 5th.

 

Friday, January 15, 2021

The Principals’ Office newsletter has a new name:

Administrators' Desk logo

Communications

Parents as Partners Workshops

Hello Principals,

We want to make you aware of the upcoming Virtual Parents as Partners Workshops we are hosting this year to address many of the questions parents have had about remote learning.

There will be a workshop in English and Spanish from 6:00 pm to 7:30 on Thursday, January 21st (English) and Wednesday, January 27th (Spanish).

We ask parents to register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpdeqtqDkiE9ck4jk03W2bzRGZpJBfU3UQ and to select the breakout sessions they want to attend in advance. After registering, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Communications Team is promoting the Virtual Parents as Partners Workshop through all of our communications platforms. We will be sending out another communication to parents this week through BrightArrow and want to make sure you all were aware of the upcoming workshops in case you receive calls from parents inquiring about the initiative.

Please feel free to contact the communications office if you have any questions.

Curriculum & Instruction

All Administrators
Attached/Linked are the locations for the District Inservice on Monday, January 25th from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.  Please share this with your staff.  Also, please note:  the locations for district in-service may now also be found on the Staff Links page of the district website AND on the scrolling calendar on the main district web page near the bottom.

Grading Window Open and Second Quarter Grade Adjustment Extension
re: ALL School Administrators
 

The Grading Window for Second Quarter is now open and will close at 11:30 pm on Monday, January 25th. Therefore, all grades must be entered by then. Reports cards will be printed at Central Office and sent to families. Principals will be notified when Report Cards have been sent out. 

We will continue to post grades on January 25th for the second quarter, and those grades will appear on the students’ report cards. However, to help ensure students have an opportunity to make up missing work or to allow for more time to master content standards, we are allowing for assignment/activity grades to be adjusted starting on January 26th. At this time, we will extend that adjustment window to 4-weeks (Monday, February 22nd, 2021). Students who return missing work or improve their grade/score on a previous second quarter assignment can have the second quarter grade/score adjusted to reflect that change. Teachers will need to ensure that they are not creating a new assignment but modifying the assignment/activity grade in the second quarter window on Infinite Campus.

Elementary Principals

Re: Elementary GVC Survey

The Curriculum and Instruction Department is seeking input from elementary staff in order to improve our current elementary GVC to ensure that it is accessible for all stakeholders and determine needed adjustments. Please forward the survey to all elementary staff. 

To access the survey, use the following link: https://forms.gle/o4R6hWL7xaWPZ2mG9

Thank you in advance for your participation. If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact the Elementary C & I team (allison.rice@kckps.org– ELA, marica.rhone@kckps.org– Math, and cheryl.beyer@kckps.org– Science/Soc. Studies) for additional support.

DERA

High Schools Only:  -Corrections to ACT and WorkKeys enrollment lists were due to Ben on Wednesday.  There is still time to add any new students who might still enroll in your buildings, but they won’t have bar-code labels.  To verify your lists are correct, and all corrections have been posted, please login to testadmin.act.org. Select reports, operational reports, and students.  The “student org enrollment report” is best, but you can choose any number of reports to run.  Please see the Kansas ACT website, which contains the schedule of events, and additional information: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/state-and-district-solutions/kansas/the-act.html.  This website also has links to WorkKeys testing schedules, and instructions for ordering Pre-ACT materials also.

Equity and Inclusion

Knowing that adult social emotional wellness is just as important as student social emotional wellness, we would like to offer space for KCKPS employees to process, have discussions, and gather resources around current events from members of the Student Services team and our Coordinator of Equity and Inclusion on Wednesday January 20th and Thursday, January 21st from 7:30am-2:00pm. This will in the format of an open office: come when you have time, leave when you are ready, no appointments necessary. Here is the Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/4966668660?pwd=Z0FjbDlXOGIzTEpPV3ZoZ1JTNks1QT09.
Please share with all staff.
Equity and Inclusion Building Rep Meeting Monthly Meeting Recap:
For the month of January, we focused our conversation on 3 things. First, we spent time processing our own emotions related to the events at the capitol. Secondly, we discussed how we did or did not address the events in our classrooms. And thirdly, we discussed ideas around how to better equip teachers to have these conversations in their classrooms and how to have these conversations among all staff. You can find their ideas here.
February we will be meeting on the 8th at 4pm or the 9th at 7:30 am to discuss intersectionality. As a group we are currently focused on self-exploration and self-growth.

ESOL

Onsite pre-screening testing will resume January 11, 2020. We will continue to test students utilizing testing plan and guidelines. Buildings MUST have pre-screening assessments COMPLETED no later than February 12th. This is a non-negotiable date as it has been set by the state and is required for compliance.

KELPA testing window is February 15th through March 31st. The KELPA scores from last year have been released from the state. ESL and DERA are working to get these uploaded to Infinite Campus.  As a reminder the KELPA assessment must be taken on-site. We are still working through different plans for on-site testing. KELPA Test Training is scheduled for January 21st 2020 at 1:30. All admin and Test Coordinators are required to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89812420131?pwd=OWRyNVpOVDFLQ0kwZVBCYTFMa0NkZz09

Meeting ID: 898 1242 0131
Passcode: 168975

Student Services

First Call 

KCKPS has partnered with First Call to bring their prevention services to our KCKPS community!  For a list of services provided, scope and sequence of their school based educational programs, and a permission form that can be used to gain parent permission prior to implementing a program visit this folder: First Call School Based Programs

Additionally, they have a great resource finding tool on their website: https://www.firstcallkc.org/resources. Please share this information with your school community for their own resource bank.

KSDE Safe and Secure Schools Conference

KSDE is hosting a FREE virtual Safe and Supportive Schools Conference January 25th-29th featuring  keynote speakers Adam Holden, Brian Mendler, and Dr. Randy Watson. Breakout Session descriptions and presenter bios can be found here. To register for the keynotes and breakout sessions please go here.

Kansas School Social Work Association 

KSSWA is accepting nominations for School Social Worker of the Year and Champion for Children. The Champion for Children Award recognizes a non-school social worker, who supports the school social work profession and has demonstrated dedication promoting social work services in the school. You and your schools are encouraged to nominate as many people as you believe deserve recognition for these awards! To nominate please use the following linked forms: Champion For Children Nomination and School Social Worker Nomination.

Attend to Achieve – for All  Administrators

A2A is committed to support your school with any attendance needs. Please see some important updates below:

  1. Attendance Meetings and ongoing support
    • Mandatory Attendance Clerk training will take place soon. Please know that anyone who supports attendance is welcome to attend, including all principals. Access information to the meeting is below:   We also are sending it directly to all Attendance Clerks.  Please share with any additional staff:

Attendance Clerk Meeting

Time/Date: January 25th, 1:00pm

 Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85755844641

Meeting ID: 857 5584 4641 / Passcode: D1MG6X

 

  • We will continue to host a biweekly check-in with Attendance Clerks and anyone who supports attendance (anyone is welcome!). During this time, we will share important updates on attendance, answer any questions, as well as provide ongoing support. Information is below;

 

Attendance Clerk Bi-Weekly Check-in

First and Third Wednesday of the month 

Secondary: 10:00 am

Elementary : 11:00 am 

 

  • We are also available to meet with any building that needs additional support. If you want us to facilitate a meeting about attendance at your building, please contact me (naomi.tolentino@kckps.org) to coordinate.

 

  1. A2A Team
  • Last semester we welcomed a new staff member to our team and we are getting ready to welcome another one. Jonathan Wilson joined our team as our first Full-Time Truancy Monitor.   He will be the point person for any question related to truancy. Soon we will be welcoming our new Social Worker, also Full Time! More information about that coming soon. Feel free to reach out to Jonathan Wilson or me if you have any questions related to attendance. Please know that Brynn Wardado is no longer part of our team.