Month: January 2021

The Principals’ Office newsletter has a new name:

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

Elementary Principals

Re: Amplify Reading Pilot

The publisher for CKLA, Amplify, has offered our district a free trial of their adaptive reading program, Amplify Reading. This is available for all students K-5 and is already set up in Clever. Teachers and students should look for the orange Amplify tile. All students will begin with a diagnostic. Then, their first task is to create a “curioso” character to interact with the program. Once established, this program functions much like Moby Max or Freckle where students work independently and asynchronously. Teachers are able to monitor student progress in their teacher dashboard and can also access instructional resources. Please see the Google Doc below for additional information: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I5p2ZU_e8K2T5ml1OihzDo4ip8zF329qEmSETVw8_bA/edit?usp=sharing

Please contact allison.rice@kckps.org if you need additional information.

DERA

• The KAP Interim Window will run from 1/13 – 1/26.  Please see the email from Samantha Bradshaw that contains information pertaining to logistics, and other details on this Interim testing.  Please email samantha.bradshaw@kckps.org with any questions.
• The FastBridge screening window will now run from 1/25-2/12.  Please see the FastBridge PD Folder link from this fall that was also shared in Thursday’s meeting for general information, and training materials from the October principal’s meeting.  Nathan Harris also sent out documents related to this winter administration last week.  Please email nathan.harris@kckps.org with any questions.
• Please note that ACT, WorkKeys, and Pre-ACT tests will all need to be conducted on-site.  Enrollment verification lists for ACT and WorkKeys tests were sent out last week.  Any corrections (additions, deletions) are due Wednesday, 1/13 to Ben.  Please see the Kansas ACT web-site at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/state-and-district-solutions/kansas/the-act.html for more information pertaining to testing, schedules, deadlines, and additional links to the WorkKeys and Pre-ACT sites. Emails have also been sent out from ACT concerning this administration.  Please email benjamin.price@kckps.org with any questions.

Human Resources

Virtual Interview Day

Principals, Assistant Principals, and Supervisors!

Our KCKPS Recruitment Team is pleased to announce our next monthly Virtual Interview Day which will be held on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  We will interview teachers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, special education, and other immediate openings for the Spring 2021 semester and for the 2021/2022 school year simultaneously. If you are willing to assist in the interviews around your work schedule, please call Aaron Watkins, HR Recruiter at 913.706.5283 or Eric Tyler, HR Recruiter at 913.549.0153 and we can confirm the appointment times you may be available for our applicants. Thank you in advance for your assistance with these applicants.

Power Hour Reminder

Thank you for attending our 3rd HR Power Hour.  We would encourage anyone who was able to attend to share with your colleagues that this is an available resource for them.  We will be having our next zoom session January 14, 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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88158392580?pwd=aytwQUFhcUw2aWcySlF3SDYwMDArZz09

Meeting ID: 881 5839 2580
Passcode: 9DSMYt

Instructional Technology

KCKPS Mobile Minute – Live learning sessions, Edulastic Common Assessments, Designing Learning Module and much more!

Student Services

KCTC Updates – MS/HS 

Thank you to each of you and your amazing staff as you continue to administer the KCTC survey through January 29th. We currently have 288 responses to the KCTC Survey, with 183 of those being from Wyandotte High School. If you have any questions or need support in implementing the KCTC in your school, please contact Tracie Chauvin.

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunity 

KDHE is offering free, virtual Mental Health First aid training! MHFA is a skills based course that teaches about mental health issues. It focuses on how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health concerns. The Youth MHFA training is on February 2nd with registration required. Details for registration can be found here: Mental Health First Aid Training Flyer More information on the course can be found here: Youth Mental Health First Aid overview 

Resources for Discussing Current Events 

Please review and if you believe that these will be helpful in supporting our community, please feel free to share these with your building teams.

Responding to the Insurrection at the US Capitol How can I reflect on this and create a space to support students in reflecting on this event? 

Resources for Teachers on the Days After the Attack on the US Capitol What should I do if…. Is a question that is often asked when we are put in positions that we may not feel fully equipped to manage. There is no one answer, but these resources may be useful in providing guidance. 

10 Tips for Talking about News Politics and Current Events in Schools How might teachers facilitate a classroom discussion that allows students to express their perspectives and work through emotional distress?

Making the Most of Hot Moments in the Classroom A “hot moment” is a sudden eruption of tension or conflict in the classroom. How might you handle such a moment? How can it be used as an opportunity to advance our students’ learning?

Caring for Students in the Wake of a Traumatic News Event How can we help students unpack emotions in the wake of troubling news events in a way that clears space for learning?

The Principals’ Office newsletter has a new name:

Curriculum & Instruction

ATTN: All Principals

Re: Student-Centered Coaching Reminder

Just a reminder that instructional coaches will participate in session 4 with Leanna Harris on Thursday, January 14 from 8:30 – 10:00. Principals are encouraged to attend. 

SESSION 4: Goal Setting and Using Learning Targets

• Learn how to set goals and develop success criteria for coaching cycles
• Understand how to use student evidence to drive coaching conversations

Homework for coaches: 

• Before the session, read chapter 2 fromThe Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching
• After the session, practice developing a goal and set of learning targets. 

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88529477019?pwd=SGZPSFptT1k5RXc4SzBackN6d3ArUT09

 Passcode: kckps

CANVAS course information:  NOTE:  you must have logged into your Canvas account at least once before enrolling in this course.

• All resources, slides, dates, zoom links, etc. can be found here in this Canvas Course.
• Go to this link and then select enroll on the right side of the page:  https://kckps.instructure.com/enroll/WEHA47.  Alternatively, you can sign up at https://kckps.instructure.com/register and use the following join code: WEHA4
  • You may be asked to log into Canvas first
    • To get to Canvas, you must go to your clever account and then select the Canvas icon.
• If you have an issue logging into Clever or Canvas, feel free to contact Wendy Elkins at wendy.elkins@kckps.org

ATTN:   EC – 5 Administrators 

Re: Elementary Module 1 Mandatory Dyslexia Training Attendance Update 

General education teachers, special education teachers, and administrators should have Module 1 completed.  Each participant must complete the exit slip at the end of the module.  We are providing an update to the  link to the Exit Slip Google form spreadsheet to show the staff members who have completed the training since we last shared the attendance. Teachers who completed the training between December 8 and January 7 are highlighted in red.    

We are also providing the Canvas link to the Module 1 training resources for those who still need to complete the process. 

We will provide the attendance based on exit slips for Module 2A and 2B at the end of January.  

Please contact Tracy Cooper (tracy.cooper@kckps.org) with any questions.

ATTN: K-5 Administrators

RE: Elementary ELA Cadre

The C&I Department is seeking K-3 Classroom Teachers, Reading Interventionists/Specialists, and/or Instructional Coaches to engage in a cadre that will explore comprehensive core ELA resources. This cadre will meet for multiple two hour work sessions (maximum of 24 hours) from 4:00-6:00pm beginning the first week of February and ending in late April 2021. Participants will be compensated at the negotiated hourly rate. Only 12 members will be selected. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, January 13th. The application can be found here https://forms.gle/ekrF7Rvzggfj1umS9  and has been shared directly with Instructional Coaches as well.

ATTN: K-5 Administrators

RE:  Third Grade Social Studies GVC Revision and HGSS Classroom Based State Assessment

Please share the following information with your 3rd grade teachers.  

The Social Studies GVC is in the process of being revised for grades K-5 to align with new standards and will include new Inquiry Design Models. Third grade teachers will be implementing this new GVC starting January 25th. Additionally, all 3rd graders will be participating in a field test of the History, Government, Social Studies Classroom Based State Assessment during the third quarter. The third quarter GVC has been revised to incorporate this classroom based assessment into instruction. The assessment is embedded into the unit, What Impacts My Community the Most?, which will be the first unit of the third quarter. Third grade teachers will receive an hour introduction to the revised GVC and the assessment on January 25. Further PLC support will be available as needed. Coaches will have more in depth training on January 22 to support 3rd grade teachers this year, as well as all K-5 teachers with this shift for the 2021-22 school year. This year is only a field test for 3rd grade only and information will be forthcoming as to how scores will be reported.  Please see the timeline for projected dates of further implementation.  Please contact Cheryl Beyer with any questions. cheryl.beyer@kckps.org

ATTN: 6-12 Secondary Principals 

RE:  Managing Attendance Documentation for Dyslexia Module 1 

English language arts teachers, reading/ reading intervention teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, and teachers of English language learners should complete Module 1 before Monday, January 25.   Each participant must complete the exit slip at the end of the Module.  By January 27, the Curriculum and Instruction department will provide the link to the exit slip Google form spreadsheet for your reference to determine if all required staff members have completed the training. At that time we will also provide the Canvas link to the Module 1 training resources for those who still need to complete the process. 

Teachers will not enroll for the training module through Frontline.  We will provide the same spreadsheet to your building IDP representative to use to document those who have completed the exit slip once the training is completed. 

Please contact Tracy Cooper (tracy.cooper@kckps.org) with any questions.

ATTN:  6-12 Secondary Principals

RE:  MyPerspectives Resource Overview

Thank you for the time to present a brief overview of the instructional routines and materials found within our new literacy program, myPerspectives.  

Slide Presentation 

Updated log in credentials to access materials in myPerspectives: 

Go to:  Savvas Realize

Username: KansascityKansas

Password: Kansascitydemo1

Diploma+

Connector Winner!!

Quindaro reached 25% FIRST! Congratulations. Not only did Quindaro reach 25% first, they are already at 45%. Close behind them is Silver City with 43%, Welborn with 23% and Lindbergh with 22%! Way to go! Let’s see who can reach 50% first.

If you have not scheduled a training for your building there is still time. Simply reach out to Renee Freers and she will get that arranged for you. Students are benefiting all over the district. Don’t let you students miss out.

Money, Money and more Money

Thank you to the Professional Engineers of KS, MO, IL, IA for the awarding KCK with $3,000 to promote STEM education in our elementary schools. This money will support the PLTW Launch program happening at Frances Willard, Hazel Grove, ME Pearson, McKinley, New Chelsea, and Stony Point South. This fantastic curriculum is offered by the Librarians at each school. Hats off to the recipients of the money!

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 12^th. This is a non-negotiable date as it has been set by the state and is required for compliance.

KELPA testing window is February 15^th through March 31^st. The KELPA scores from last year should be release by the end of January from the state. As a reminder the KELPA assessment must be taken on-site. We are still working through different plans for on-site testing. More information to come.

Federal Programs

Title I Building Principals

(K-8) – Evidence-Based Requirements for Title I Funds

The ESEA Reauthorization (12/10/2015) requires all curriculum resources purchased with Title I funds to meet the Evidenced-Based Practices standards. The ESEA Reauthorization requires resources to meet this standard via tests conducted by 3rd party evaluators, not evaluations conducted by the actual curriculum vendor or their associates. Resources on the district’s GVC approved adoptions list that do not meet the ESEA standard will need to be purchased with general budget funds. Evidenced-Based Practices lists and websites links (constantly updated) can be found in the Federal Programs shared drive. These lists include MANY excellent resources that have high effect sizes for moving student achievement levels. If needed, we can consider updating the approved adoptions lists. Call/email Lisa or Bridgette with questions.

National ESEA Conference – February 8-11, 2021 ONLINE EVENT Our very own Dr. Heather Calvert will be presenting at the #ESEAconference and you will not want to miss her session! The National ESEA Conference is fast approaching and so please take steps to register and plan to attend, if you’ve not already done so. Attending the national conference was discussed during Spring 2020 Budget Meetings and most buildings have funding available to cover these costs, especially since it will be an online event this year. If you do not have funds in your site level allocations, please call/email Lisa and Bridgette so we can procure other resources to cover your costs. Also, please CLEAR YOUR CALENDARS so you can be fully engaged in these valuable sessions that will support your School Improvement Plan goals, as well as the District KESA and Strategic Plan goals!

Human Resources

Thank you for attending our 3rd HR Power Hour.  We would encourage anyone who was able to attend to share with your colleagues that this is an available resource for them.  We will be having our next zoom session January 14, 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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88158392580?pwd=aytwQUFhcUw2aWcySlF3SDYwMDArZz09

Meeting ID: 881 5839 2580
Passcode: 9DSMYt

Student Services

Trauma Sensitive Tuesdays- please share with all staff 

The next Trauma Sensitive Tuesday will be Tuesday, January 12th at 12pm. We will be taking a deeper dive into Restorative Circles with an amazing panel of speakers from across the district sharing their knowledge, tips, and guidance. Staff can register via Crowdcast and it can be found on Frontline. All sessions are recorded for staff to view on-demand as well. If staff need help navigating Frontline, here is a great tutorial on how to find Trauma Sensitive Tuesdays, accessing the Crowdcast from Frontline, and completing the program evaluation form.

Frontline: https://www.mylearningplan.com/LearningPlan/ActivityProfile.asp?I=3699487

Crowdcast: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/tst1122021

The Principals’ Office newsletter has a new name:

Curriculum & Instruction

6-12 Secondary Principals 

KSDE and KCKPS Dyslexia Mandatory Training Module 1

As part of the KSDE and KCKPS Dyslexia Implementation Plan, we are providing three mandatory training modules across this school year.  Based on the KSDE guidelines, educators in the following instructional roles are required to receive this training: English language arts teachers, reading/ reading intervention teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, and teachers of English language learners.  

The first module, presented to 6-12  instructional coaches on December 18, is now provided in an asynchronous format for all required educators.  The video of the presentation and the related interactive Google Slides are provided through the Secondary Dyslexia Training Canvas Course at the link below.  Each teacher will be prompted to make their own copy of the Google Slide deck and it must be accessed through the district Google (m.) account.  As teachers watch the video they will engage in the learning as prompted through the slide deck.  All the guidance for the learning process is provided in the slides, including the required exit slip. The exit slip data will be provided to IDP reps for Frontline attendance submission.   For the purpose of state reporting, the exit slip and Frontline will be used to keep a record of those who complete the training.

Teachers need to complete the asynchronous training for Module 1 by Monday, January 25, in preparation for subsequent training.  This training lasts between 60-90 minutes. 

Modules 2 and 3 will be provided during district professional development on January 25 and April 2.   

Teachers need to use this URL( https://kckps.instructure.com/enroll/R9Y9EX) to enroll in and access Module 1 for Secondary Dyslexia Training in Canvas.  All information and materials are provided. Teachers will NOT be submitting any work through Canvas.  Canvas is just providing all of the resources they need.

Please contact Tracy Cooper if you have any questions about the dyslexia training modules.  Contact Wendy Elkins with questions or concerns regarding the Canvas course. 

DERA

The Winter Universal Screener in FastBridge window begins January 25^th thru February 5^th.  Please have your building provide Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment your targeted start and end dates using the following link:  https://tinyurl.com/KCKPSWinter21FB.

High Schools only: As a reminder, requests for ACT accommodations are due in the https://success.act.org system by January 8.  Please see the ACT Schedule of Events, and other information at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/state-and-district-solutions/kansas/the-act.html as we continue to approach the Feb. 23 date.

Diploma+

KCKPS Diploma+ Winning Wednesday Workshops

High School Principals,

The College and Career Readiness Diploma+ Department, Lead CCCs and College Advisers are excited to share a new virtual experience we have planned for our students in January and February: KCKPS Diploma+ Winning Wednesday Workshops. These workshops are designed to ensure our students have all of the information necessary to successfully complete applications, understand the eligibility requirements, and meet the expectations of a variety of opportunities available, including scholarships, internships, and special programs.

We are excited to once again partner with Prep-KC to utilize the Connector. Students will register in advance for the workshops and then login to the Connector during Advocacy to interact with a representative to learn more about the specifics of the opportunities. In addition, each 25-minute live session will be recorded and then archived.

Call to Action:

• Please share information about the Winning Wednesday Workshops with your students, teacher advocates and parents.

• Encourage students to complete the Winning Wednesday Workshops Registration Form during advocacy.

• Encourage students and teachers to attend the workshops during advocacy.

Calendar of Winning Wednesday Workshops:

Lindsey Schneider

Link to information in Google Doc

Human Resources

Thank you for attending our 3rd HR Power Hour.  We would encourage anyone who was able to attend to share with your colleagues that this is an available resource for them.  We will be having our next zoom session January 14, 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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88158392580?pwd=aytwQUFhcUw2aWcySlF3SDYwMDArZz09

Meeting ID: 881 5839 2580
Passcode: 9DSMYt