Friday, October 29, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Action Items

For K-5 Administrators (Action)

Science Core Leadership Team

from Curriculum & Instruction

The Curriculum Department is seeking administrators, teachers, and coaches to be a part of a Science Core Leadership Team to support the K-5 mission and vision for science instruction and make district-wide recommendations for successful implementation of the NGSS-designed Amplify Science. This team will help formulate a program implementation plan and continue to meet from year to year to further science instruction. This team will also meet to further refine the GVC to integrate SECD standards and refine it for cultural relevance. Please see this application link  for more details and criteria. Please review the link and forward it to staff who may meet the criteria and be interested in serving on this team. Contact Cheryl Beyer with any questions.

For Building Administrators (Action)

Equity Survey

from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Hello Principals! The DEI team would like to thank you for attending our session on Stereotype Threat. There was great conversation and learning and we hope you learned something new about your colleagues, got a little uncomfortable, and can bring tools and strategies back to your building.

We also want to thank you for your time taking the brief survey. In order to better serve and support you we would like to ask if you can take a few minutes to answer a few follow up questions.

If you were unable to attend or did not take the survey in person please take this survey.
The DEI team values your input, your vulnerability, and your openness as we continue to embark on this ever important journey.

We appreciate your time and please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us if you have questions.

Best,

Canise, Linda, and Zak

For EC-5 Administrators (Action)

EC-5 Canvas Site Training Sign Up

from Curriculum and Instruction

This is for EC-5 schools only. Wendy Elkins has provided multiple sign-up opportunities to come to your school for the entire day and collaborate with teachers and administrators on how to use Canvas. Sign-ups begin on Nov. 2 and run until Dec. 17th. Generally, schools have been using PLCs as the time for Canvas training with outliers dropping in when they have availability. However, if you have a different format in mind, please feel free to set up the time that will work best for your building.

Use this link to schedule your site visit. You will schedule a time using Calendly, and the link is provided below. There are two days per week where the time runs from 8:30-3:30 and two days from 9:00 – 4:00. Please include the name of the school and a contact person. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Elkins.

Informational Items

For All Administrators (Informational Item)

PFA and Subpoena Procedures

from Student Services

Please read this PDF on PFA and Subpoena Procedures for 2021.

Need Inventory Tagging? Contact Dennis Martine

from Risk Assessment
Do you have untagged items in your building or department ?
Contact Inventory Assistant: Dennis Martine at dennisdmartine@kckps.org or call: 913-279-2281.

When submitting your request, please be sure to include the PO Number, description and quanity of items to be tagged.

Trauma Informed Classroom PD

from NEA-KCK
Trauma-Informed Classroom PD webinar via Zoom provided by Kansas NEA, Wyandotte United, and NEA-KCK. Available for PD points for salary movement. Contact Dom.DeRosa@knea.org for details. Members must pre-register by Nov 10. (IDP forms submitted the week prior to the event for approval.
Trauma Informed Classroom PD Webinar PDF

FA Language Support

from Student Services

KCKPS Administrators, PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL STAFF important information about FA:

Family Advocacy is rapidly approaching, and we are pleased to announce that we will continue to provide interpreter support during FA scheduled for November 10th and 12th. Teachers will again have access to live interpretation on their laptops during FA when they need it using the information attached. Based on feedback, we added a new component: adding a third person to a video call using Propio One. This new feature will allow teachers to add parents to video calls (similar to zoom) using the Propio One live video interpreting services (instructions attached). Please take a moment before FA to look at the instructions attached. We do want to highlight that these services will be available during FA. For language support outside of FA, please follow the Language Guide provided in the Principal’s Handbook.

We continue to provide interpretation services via over-the-phone for those who prefer it. If your school still needs to schedule an in-person interpreter for FA days, we do have a LIMITED number of interpreters available. Please encourage your staff to use Propio One, but If for some reason an in-person interpreter is necessary, please have teachers fill out the FA interpreter request and we will do our best to support it. We will accept requests until Thursday, November 4th.

If you or anyone in your team has questions or needs additional information, please email Language.Support@kckps.org, contact Naomi Tolentino (913-279-2247), or Kourtney Rogers (913-627-5626).

FA Interpreter Request Form – November

Propio One Tutorial

OPI Instruction Card PDF
Propio One Instruction Card PDF

Propio One – Adding as a Third Party PDF

Naomi Tolentino | Program & Prevention Specialist
Student Services
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Office: (913) 279-2247
Cell: (913) 568-0147

Benefits Open Enrollment

from Human Resources
Important information regarding open enrollment. Please see PDF document.

Recruiting for 2022/2023 Fellows and Para-to-Teachers Has Begun!

from Human Resources

I am excited to announce that the recruitment of our newest cohorts of KCKPS Teaching Fellows and KCKPS Para-to-Teachers has begun! Please direct folks to our improved page on the KCKPS webpage.

Everybody who enters either of these Alternative Certification Pathways must have a Bachelor’s degree, and there are other required qualifications depending on the role they are interested in. I am always happy to visit with anybody who is interested, so please spread the word and invite people to reach out to me!

KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference

from Professional Workforce Development

Would you like to attend the KSDE Conference in November?

Great Ideas in Education Conference: Unfinished Learning
November 15-18, 2021
Held virtually each day from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Online registration ends after November 1.
PLEASE NOTE: All registered attendees will receive an invitation via email within the 1st week of November to select the sessions they would like to attend.
REGISTRATION FEE: $50

Registration Link

In an attempt to simplify the registration payment process and encourage participation, the Professional Workforce Development Department will cover the cost of registration for any USD 500 Administrators who choose to attend the conference.

You must individually complete the registration, using the link from KSDE by Monday, Nov 1. On the registration you will be asked the following billing information questions:

Please provide the Billing information.
Please provide an email for which your invoice will be sent.
Confirm Email Address:* (Enter your KCKPS email)
BILLING ADDRESS* (Enter your work address)
CITY* (Kansas City)
STATE* (Kansas)
ZIP CODE* (Enter your work zip code)
PAYMENT TYPE* (Mark “Check”)

After the registration is complete on Nov 1, KSED will send a list of all USD 500 administrators to Lindsey Schneider. Please DO NOT forward the confirmation email; that information will not be needed. The PWD department will work with purchasing to issue one check from USD 500.

Please note, if you have already registered and selected “Purchase Order” KSDE has agreed to send the invoice to the PWD department. If you have paid with “Credit/Debit” as your payment option, you can either cancel your registration and re-register, or go ahead and pay for the conference from your department’s budget.

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETE BY NOVEMBER 1, 2021

Electronic Reporting Forms for Injuries and Incidents

From Communications & Marketing

Just a quick reminder that many of the forms you need when it comes to incidents are now electronic.

Student injury forms have now been included to the list.

To find the reporting form for students go to this link: https://form.jotform.com/212366215525047

To make the reporting of workman’s compensation accidents less time consuming, the Supervisors Accident Report is now an electronic form.

Regardless of severity, immediate supervisors & directors are required to report all work-related injuries within 48 hours to Risk Management.

To do so, please use the following link: https://form.jotform.com/212304621025035

The Incident Report helps document any incident involving non employees.

This includes our students, visitors, parents and guardians.

The incident form is to be filled out for a number of situations including: a child is missing, if a student is injured in a way that could require medical attention in the future, police have to be called during an incident,  there is a fight,  or even to report property damage.

An example of a fight that needs to be recorded- a fight that breaks out that others are around and it may have been recorded. A fight that someone may not realize they are injured immediately but could later on in the day. Fights that do NOT need to be recorded: two kids on the playground hit each other in the arm over a ball.

There may be other incidents that could also require use of this form.

If you have questions about whether an incident falls into this category, please reach out to your IIO.

Here is a link to the Incident Report form:  https://kckps.org/incident-report/

For K-5 Administrators (Informational)

Diploma+ FA Monday, Nov. 1st

from Diploma+

November 1st is another opportunity for your students to learn about the exciting world of careers ahead of them. Please remind your teachers that they may select a recorded session about a career of their choice from the Connector website to share with their students. Remember the KS Career Flower can help guide their work. It is attached for your convenience.

Science Implementation

from Curriculum & Instruction
To support and showcase high-quality Tier 1 science instruction across the district, Curriculum and Instruction has put together this Wakelet to share ideas and resources with teachers. There are examples of science in action from schools across the district. This form will be updated and sent out once a month. Please share it with your teachers and encourage them to see examples of quality in science implementation around the district. Also please feel free to email pictures, videos, etc. to add and share from your classrooms. Contact Cheryl Beyer with any questions.

For Secondary Administrators (Informational)

Edgenuity Update

from Curriculum & Instruction

The Edgenuity Credit Recovery handbook has recently been updated. The new material has been flagged in the Table of Contents of the handbook. You can also see this updated information by accessing the google document link below. Please take a few minutes to look this document over as this pertains to some processes that need to be considered when doing your account clean-up as well as information on student transfer within the district. The topics for the updates are:
*Viewing student progress in a course if they were enrolled initially at another KCKPS school.
*How to change a student’s homeschool
*Gear-up Support Staff
*Edgenuity Contact list
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Suzie Legg or Wendy Elkins.

Edgenuity Update – October 2021

Alternative Service Flow Chart

from Student Services

Please see Alternative Services Flow Chart. This chart outlines the process for referring students to alternative services.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Action Items

For K-5 Administrators (Action)

Science Core Leadership Team

from Curriculum & Instruction

The Curriculum Department is seeking administrators, teachers, and coaches to be a part of a Science Core Leadership Team to support the K-5 mission and vision for science instruction and make district-wide recommendations for successful implementation of the NGSS-designed Amplify Science. This team will help formulate a program implementation plan and continue to meet from year to year to further science instruction. This team will also meet to further refine the GVC to integrate SECD standards and refine it for cultural relevance. Please see this application link  for more details and criteria. Please review the link and forward it to staff who may meet the criteria and be interested in serving on this team. Contact Cheryl Beyer with any questions.

For Building Administrators (Action)

Equity Survey

from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Hello Principals! The DEI team would like to thank you for attending our session on Stereotype Threat. There was great conversation and learning and we hope you learned something new about your colleagues, got a little uncomfortable, and can bring tools and strategies back to your building.

We also want to thank you for your time taking the brief survey. In order to better serve and support you we would like to ask if you can take a few minutes to answer a few follow up questions.

If you were unable to attend or did not take the survey in person please take this survey.
The DEI team values your input, your vulnerability, and your openness as we continue to embark on this ever important journey.

We appreciate your time and please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us if you have questions.

Best,

Canise, Linda, and Zak

DGSR due Today

from DERA

Today is the last day to sign-off on the Dropout Graduation Summary Report via KansasCAN and review your building’s data. See the emails sent by Dr. Yen To for more information. This is the last time to certify your building’s data which has implications for graduation rates and accreditation.

Student ILP Completion

from ESOL

Students who are coded as ESL will need a 2021-2022 Individual Learning Plan (ILP) completed. The window for ILP has now opened and all ILPs are due November 26th. As a reminder, the process to complete ILPs has changed and is now done in Infinite Campus. This purpose of the ILP is to aide the teacher with their instruction and goal set for student growth in proficiency.

Questions regarding ILP process contact: Jacqueline Rodriguez
Questions regarding Infinite Campus and ILP process contact: Connie Thao

For EC-5 Administrators (Action)

EC-5 Canvas Site Training Sign Up

from Curriculum and Instruction

This is for EC-5 schools only. Wendy Elkins has provided multiple sign-up opportunities to come to your school for the entire day and collaborate with teachers and administrators on how to use Canvas. Sign-ups begin on Nov. 2 and run until Dec. 17th. Generally, schools have been using PLCs as the time for Canvas training with outliers dropping in when they have availability. However, if you have a different format in mind, please feel free to set up the time that will work best for your building.

Use this link to schedule your site visit. You will schedule a time using Calendly, and the link is provided below. There are two days per week where the time runs from 8:30-3:30 and two days from 9:00 – 4:00. Please include the name of the school and a contact person. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Elkins.

Informational Items

For All Administrators (Informational Item)

KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference

from Professional Workforce Development

Would you like to attend the KSDE Conference in November?

Great Ideas in Education Conference: Unfinished Learning
November 15-18, 2021
Held virtually each day from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Online registration ends after November 1.
PLEASE NOTE: All registered attendees will receive an invitation via email within the 1st week of November to select the sessions they would like to attend.
REGISTRATION FEE: $50

Registration Link

In an attempt to simplify the registration payment process and encourage participation, the Professional Workforce Development Department will cover the cost of registration for any USD 500 Administrators who choose to attend the conference.

You must individually complete the registration, using the link from KSDE by Monday, Nov 1. On the registration you will be asked the following billing information questions:

Please provide the Billing information.
Please provide an email for which your invoice will be sent.
Confirm Email Address:* (Enter your KCKPS email)
BILLING ADDRESS* (Enter your work address)
CITY* (Kansas City)
STATE* (Kansas)
ZIP CODE* (Enter your work zip code)
PAYMENT TYPE* (Mark “Check”)

After the registration is complete on Nov 1, KSED will send a list of all USD 500 administrators to Lindsey Schneider. Please DO NOT forward the confirmation email; that information will not be needed. The PWD department will work with purchasing to issue one check from USD 500.

Please note, if you have already registered and selected “Purchase Order” KSDE has agreed to send the invoice to the PWD department. If you have paid with “Credit/Debit” as your payment option, you can either cancel your registration and re-register, or go ahead and pay for the conference from your department’s budget.

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETE BY NOVEMBER 1, 2021

HR FAQ is Live

from Human Resources

HR FAQ is now live. Please use this tool to assist in answering your HR questions.

KCKPS Open Enrollment Notice

from Human Resources
Please see the attached files.
KCKPS Flyer Options PDF
KCKPS Flyer Options – Schedule PDF

HR Power Hour

from Human Resources
We would like to host an HR Power Hour Thursday, October 28th from 3:45pm – 4:45pm. During this time HR will share updates and announcements. This is also a time for building administrators to ask HR questions they may have. We look forward to seeing you!!
Join the Zoom Meeting<
Meeting ID: 879 5150 8872
Passcode: 4PkQeF

Electronic Reporting Forms for Injuries and Incidents

From Communications & Marketing

Just a quick reminder that many of the forms you need when it comes to incidents are now electronic.

Student injury forms have now been included to the list.

To find the reporting form for students go to this link: https://form.jotform.com/212366215525047

To make the reporting of workman’s compensation accidents less time consuming, the Supervisors Accident Report is now an electronic form.

Regardless of severity, immediate supervisors & directors are required to report all work-related injuries within 48 hours to Risk Management.

To do so, please use the following link: https://form.jotform.com/212304621025035

The Incident Report helps document any incident involving non employees.

This includes our students, visitors, parents and guardians.

The incident form is to be filled out for a number of situations including: a child is missing, if a student is injured in a way that could require medical attention in the future, police have to be called during an incident,  there is a fight,  or even to report property damage.

An example of a fight that needs to be recorded- a fight that breaks out that others are around and it may have been recorded. A fight that someone may not realize they are injured immediately but could later on in the day. Fights that do NOT need to be recorded: two kids on the playground hit each other in the arm over a ball.

There may be other incidents that could also require use of this form.

If you have questions about whether an incident falls into this category, please reach out to your IIO.

Here is a link to the Incident Report form:  https://kckps.org/incident-report/

For Principals (Informational)

Teacher License Help – Sat., Nov. 6th

from Human ResourcesEmails were sent this week to all of the teachers in the district who currently have expired teaching licenses. Instructions were provided on how to renew their licenses, and I included an invitation to come to the Central Office on Saturday, Nov. 6th from 10:00 – 11:00 to get personalized help if they need it. If you’d like a list of your teachers’ licensure status please feel free to email Liz Meitl  and I will be happy to send you your list.

Mentor Training in January

from Professional Workforce Development
I wanted to let you know we have a few slight changes for the Mentor Training scheduled in January. All sessions will be virtual. A Zoom link and training materials will be sent to the Mentors a week prior to the training. Again, this training is only for Mentors; mentees do not attend. The 21-22 KCKPS District PD Calendar has been updated to reflect these changes and I have emailed all the mentors.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022
High School Mentors 1:00-3:00
Middle School and Sumner Mentors 1:30-3:30
8:30 Elementary School Mentors 4:00-6:00
9:00 Elementary School Mentors 4:30-6:30

Wednesday, January 19, 2022
High School Mentors 1:00-3:00
Middle School and Sumner Mentors 1:30-3:30
8:30 Elementary School Mentors 4:00-6:00
9:00 Elementary School Mentors 4:30-6:30

For K-5 Administrators (Informational)

Science Implementation

from Curriculum & Instruction
To support and showcase high-quality Tier 1 science instruction across the district, Curriculum and Instruction has put together this Wakelet to share ideas and resources with teachers. There are examples of science in action from schools across the district. This form will be updated and sent out once a month. Please share it with your teachers and encourage them to see examples of quality in science implementation around the district. Also please feel free to email pictures, videos, etc. to add and share from your classrooms. Contact Cheryl Beyer with any questions.

Friday, October 22, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Action Items

For All Administrators (Action)

Bullying Prevention Site Action Plans

From Student Services

Bullying Prevention Site Action Plans are due to the Office of Student Services by October 29th, 2021. Within the Bullying Prevention Site Action Plan Folder, you will find a plan labeled with your building name. On the right hand column, you enter your building’s specific information for each section. When completing your action plan, think what protective factors do we have in place to reduce bullying? How do we include all members of our community in this? How do we consistently respond to alleged instances of bullying?

Please also include any supporting documentation, which can be linked in your document. If you have questions or would like to walk through your document with someone from Student Services, please contact Tracie Chauvin.

For EC-5 Administrators (Action)

EC-5 Canvas Site Training Sign Up

from Curriculum and Instruction

This is for EC-5 schools only. Wendy Elkins has provided multiple sign-up opportunities to come to your school for the entire day and collaborate with teachers and administrators on how to use Canvas. Sign-ups begin on Nov. 2 and run until Dec. 17th. Generally, schools have been using PLCs as the time for Canvas training with outliers dropping in when they have availability. However, if you have a different format in mind, please feel free to set up the time that will work best for your building.

Use this link to schedule your site visit. You will schedule a time using Calendly, and the link is provided below. There are two days per week where the time runs from 8:30-3:30 and two days from 9:00 – 4:00. Please include the name of the school and a contact person. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Elkins.

Informational Items

For All Administrators (Informational Item)

Upcoming IC PL Sessions ~ MTSS and Reading

from Curriculum & Instruction

The Kansas MTSS Team will be working with our CSI schools to provide literacy training for select members of their BLTs. The goal is to build capacity in our school and teacher leaders to help lead the literacy work at each of your sites.

To support this work, the TASN team will be facilitating trainings with ALL Elementary and Secondary Instructional Coaches on the dates noted below. All trainings noted below will be in the afternoon. Please ensure that your ICs’ schedules on these dates allow them to be present for these trainings:

Friday, October 29th
Friday, December 3rd
Friday, February 4th
Friday, April 22nd
Friday, May 27th

HR FAQ is Live

from Human Resources

HR FAQ is now live. Please use this tool to assist in answering your HR questions.

KCKPS Open Enrollment Notice

from Human Resources
Please see the attached files.
KCKPS Flyer Options PDF
KCKPS Flyer Options – Schedule PDF

HR Power Hour

from Human Resources
We would like to host an HR Power Hour Thursday, October 28th from 3:45pm – 4:45pm. During this time HR will share updates and announcements. This is also a time for building administrators to ask HR questions they may have. We look forward to seeing you!!
Join the Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 5150 8872
Passcode: 4PkQeF

Contracts and MOUs

from Purchasing

Administrators –

Please submit for review, all agreements/contracts and memoranda of understanding (MOU) to wayne.correll@kckps.org, especially those that obligate the District financially.

Please note that there are only 4 persons authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the District.
President, Board of Education (Over $20,000)
Superintendent (Under $20,000)
CFO/COO (Under $20,000)
Director of Purchasing (Under $20,000)

All others do not have authority to sign agreements on behalf of the District, doing so could create personal financial responsibility for the engagement.

If you have any questions, please contact Wayne Correll by email, or call at 913-279-2270.

Electronic Reporting Forms for Injuries and Incidents

From Communications & Marketing

Just a quick reminder that many of the forms you need when it comes to incidents are now electronic.

Student injury forms have now been included to the list.

To find the reporting form for students go to this link: https://form.jotform.com/212366215525047

To make the reporting of workman’s compensation accidents less time consuming, the Supervisors Accident Report is now an electronic form.

Regardless of severity, immediate supervisors & directors are required to report all work-related injuries within 48 hours to Risk Management.

To do so, please use the following link: https://form.jotform.com/212304621025035

The Incident Report helps document any incident involving non employees.

This includes our students, visitors, parents and guardians.

The incident form is to be filled out for a number of situations including: a child is missing, if a student is injured in a way that could require medical attention in the future, police have to be called during an incident,  there is a fight,  or even to report property damage.

An example of a fight that needs to be recorded- a fight that breaks out that others are around and it may have been recorded. A fight that someone may not realize they are injured immediately but could later on in the day. Fights that do NOT need to be recorded: two kids on the playground hit each other in the arm over a ball.

There may be other incidents that could also require use of this form.

If you have questions about whether an incident falls into this category, please reach out to your IIO.

Here is a link to the Incident Report form:  https://kckps.org/incident-report/

For Elementary Principals (Informational Item)

Arts Partners Programming

from IARC

Our Fine Arts Department is ready to begin scheduling our annual arts integration programming in our elementary schools. Our formal Arts Partners Plan brings the arts integration opportunities to every school. Below is a summary of the programs for each grade level. The Kansas City Young Audiences (KCYA) will be in touch with you to schedule the programs. They will work with you to schedule the programs for K, 1, 3 and 4. Our 2nd grade program will be scheduled directly with the classroom teachers, and the 5th grade program will be coordinated with the PE teachers.

SUMMARY:
• K – Letters, Numbers, Shapes and Colors
• 1 – Sum of Our Favorite Numbers
• 2 – Reader’s Immersion
• 3 – Tales With a Point – character, setting, plot and morals
• 4 – KS Cultural History
• 5 – Alvin Ailey Dance

With the approval of the IIOs, we are able to bring an entire grade level together (with as much distance as possible) for the K, 1, 3 and 4 programs. Second grade reader’s immersion will be done in each homeroom classroom, and the 5th grade dance experience will be done in the PE class.

For Principals (Informational)

Mentor Training in January

from Professional Workforce Development
I wanted to let you know we have a few slight changes for the Mentor Training scheduled in January. All sessions will be virtual. A Zoom link and training materials will be sent to the Mentors a week prior to the training. Again, this training is only for Mentors; mentees do not attend. The 21-22 KCKPS District PD Calendar has been updated to reflect these changes and I have emailed all the mentors.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022
High School Mentors 1:00-3:00
Middle School and Sumner Mentors 1:30-3:30
8:30 Elementary School Mentors 4:00-6:00
9:00 Elementary School Mentors 4:30-6:30

Wednesday, January 19, 2022
High School Mentors 1:00-3:00
Middle School and Sumner Mentors 1:30-3:30
8:30 Elementary School Mentors 4:00-6:00
9:00 Elementary School Mentors 4:30-6:30

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Action Items

For All Administrators (Action)

Bullying Prevention Site Action Plans

From Student Services

Bullying Prevention Site Action Plans are due to the Office of Student Services by October 29th, 2021. Within the Bullying Prevention Site Action Plan Folder, you will find a plan labeled with your building name. On the right hand column, you enter your building’s specific information for each section. When completing your action plan, think what protective factors do we have in place to reduce bullying? How do we include all members of our community in this? How do we consistently respond to alleged instances of bullying?

Please also include any supporting documentation, which can be linked in your document. If you have questions or would like to walk through your document with someone from Student Services, please contact Tracie Chauvin.

Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day

From Student Services

October is Bullying Prevention Month! To recognize this, we will again be celebrating Unity Day 2021 on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 by wearing orange across the district. Lesson and activity ideas have been shared with counselors. Parent information and flyers can be found here.

Follow @SELKCKPS for resources and tips on preventing bullying in our KCKPS schools.

For Building Administrators (Action Item)

Mentor Program

from Professional Development

By this point in the KCKPS Mentor Program, we would anticipate our New Teachers will have completed at least one Module within their Canvas course and are working towards completing the first Observation Cycle with their Mentor. Our first-year teachers must complete three Modules and two Observation Cycles by Dec 15. Our Second-year teachers must complete two Modules and one Observation Cycle by Dec 15.

As you are meeting with your first- and second-year teachers during their evaluation conference, please ask them about what they have learned in the New Teacher Mentoring Canvas course. Throughout the course, we have made intentional connections to our Focused Model of Instruction, as well as direct ties to iObservation. The information they are learning directly connects with their evaluation in iObservation.

During your meetings with New Teachers, how might you help them plan backwards from Dec 15 to ensure they meet the requirements of the mentor program for the first semester?

Please look over the documents linked below for more information about the Mentor Program.

Thank you for all the EXTRA work, time, energy, and effort you are putting into supporting our New Teachers!

For EC-5 Administrators (Action)

EC-5 Canvas Site Training Sign Up

from Curriculum and Instruction

This is for EC-5 schools only. Wendy Elkins has provided multiple sign-up opportunities to come to your school for the entire day and collaborate with teachers and administrators on how to use Canvas. Sign-ups begin on Nov. 2 and run until Dec. 17th. Generally, schools have been using PLCs as the time for Canvas training with outliers dropping in when they have availability. However, if you have a different format in mind, please feel free to set up the time that will work best for your building.

Use this link to schedule your site visit. You will schedule a time using Calendly, and the link is provided below. There are two days per week where the time runs from 8:30-3:30 and two days from 9:00 – 4:00. Please include the name of the school and a contact person. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Elkins.

Informational Items

For All Administrators (Informational Item)

Fall 2021 Praxis Study Sessions

from ESOL

We are excited to announce that the Department of ESOL will be offering two ESOL Praxis study sessions this year. The first will be in November. These sessions are available to any certified teacher seeking to add their ESOL endorsement to their license. This is a 5 part paid professional development with three in person and two asynchronous sessions. In person sessions are an hour and will be offered either 3:30-4:30 and 4:45-5:45.
Session dates:
November 2
November 16
November 30
Teachers may register through this link.
For more information contact Jacqueline Rodriguez.

UPCOMING Association Sponsored PD

from NEA-KCK

Please share with your buildings the following Association Sponsored PD:
* Social Media & The Law Presented by Kimberly Streit Vogelsberg (KNEA Staff Attorney) and Marcus Baltzell (KNEA Director of Communications) (Virtural Event) October 28, 2021, (5:00 pm – 6:30 pm). Register here. 

Mid-TESOL Conference

from ESOL
We are excited to announce that for the second year we will be sending KCKPS staff to the Mid-TESOL virtual conference. Through our partnership with KU STEP-UP we are able to fund registration costs. We are offering this opportunity to any ESOL teacher and aide. We also want to extend this opportunity to other certified staff. Please share out to teachers that would be interested in attending. Please note all ESOL aides who sign up and attend will receive a stipend for attendance for the Saturday session.
STEP_UP Conference Email

To sign up you will:
Complete KCKPS Conference Form
Register by visiting bit.ly/MIDTESOL21

Electronic Reporting Forms for Injuries and Incidents

From Communications & Marketing

Just a quick reminder that many of the forms you need when it comes to incidents are now electronic.

Student injury forms have now been included to the list.

To find the reporting form for students go to this link: https://form.jotform.com/212366215525047

To make the reporting of workman’s compensation accidents less time consuming, the Supervisors Accident Report is now an electronic form.

Regardless of severity, immediate supervisors & directors are required to report all work-related injuries within 48 hours to Risk Management.

To do so, please use the following link: https://form.jotform.com/212304621025035

The Incident Report helps document any incident involving non employees.

This includes our students, visitors, parents and guardians.

The incident form is to be filled out for a number of situations including: a child is missing, if a student is injured in a way that could require medical attention in the future, police have to be called during an incident,  there is a fight,  or even to report property damage.

An example of a fight that needs to be recorded- a fight that breaks out that others are around and it may have been recorded. A fight that someone may not realize they are injured immediately but could later on in the day. Fights that do NOT need to be recorded: two kids on the playground hit each other in the arm over a ball.

There may be other incidents that could also require use of this form.

If you have questions about whether an incident falls into this category, please reach out to your IIO.

Here is a link to the Incident Report form:  https://kckps.org/incident-report/

For Elementary Principals (Informational Item)

Arts Partners Programming

from IARC

Our Fine Arts Department is ready to begin scheduling our annual arts integration programming in our elementary schools. Our formal Arts Partners Plan brings the arts integration opportunities to every school. Below is a summary of the programs for each grade level. The Kansas City Young Audiences (KCYA) will be in touch with you to schedule the programs. They will work with you to schedule the programs for K, 1, 3 and 4. Our 2nd grade program will be scheduled directly with the classroom teachers, and the 5th grade program will be coordinated with the PE teachers.

SUMMARY:
• K – Letters, Numbers, Shapes and Colors
• 1 – Sum of Our Favorite Numbers
• 2 – Reader’s Immersion
• 3 – Tales With a Point – character, setting, plot and morals
• 4 – KS Cultural History
• 5 – Alvin Ailey Dance

With the approval of the IIOs, we are able to bring an entire grade level together (with as much distance as possible) for the K, 1, 3 and 4 programs. Second grade reader’s immersion will be done in each homeroom classroom, and the 5th grade dance experience will be done in the PE class.

Friday, October 15, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Action Items

For All Administrators (Action)

Public Information Updates

From Communications and Marketing

In order to keep information for the public as up to date as possible, please go to the pages below and review them to make sure everything about your department is up to date:

https://kckps.org/directories/central-office-directory/ (if applicable to your dept.)

https://kckps.org/directories/directory-for-other-buildings-in-kckps/ (if applicable to your dept.)

https://kckps.org/about-us/departments/ (find your department and review your related pages)

If there are changes to be made, or if everything is up to date, we need to know regardless. Respond either way to michael.keener@kckps.org no later than Tuesday, October 19, at 5 p.m. with your public information status.

ALSO NOTE: Any recent update requests from departments prior to this request for information are being dealt with currently; this is specifically for any other non-addressed, but needed updates.

Bullying Prevention Site Action Plans

From Student Services

Bullying Prevention Site Action Plans are due to the Office of Student Services by October 29th, 2021. Within the Bullying Prevention Site Action Plan Folder, you will find a plan labeled with your building name. On the right hand column, you enter your building’s specific information for each section. When completing your action plan, think what protective factors do we have in place to reduce bullying? How do we include all members of our community in this? How do we consistently respond to alleged instances of bullying?

Please also include any supporting documentation, which can be linked in your document. If you have questions or would like to walk through your document with someone from Student Services, please contact Tracie Chauvin.

Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day

From Student Services

October is Bullying Prevention Month! To recognize this, we will again be celebrating Unity Day 2021 on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 by wearing orange across the district. Lesson and activity ideas have been shared with counselors. Parent information and flyers can be found here.

Follow @SELKCKPS for resources and tips on preventing bullying in our KCKPS schools.

For Building Administrators (Action Item)

Mentor Program

from Professional Development

By this point in the KCKPS Mentor Program, we would anticipate our New Teachers will have completed at least one Module within their Canvas course and are working towards completing the first Observation Cycle with their Mentor. Our first-year teachers must complete three Modules and two Observation Cycles by Dec 15. Our Second-year teachers must complete two Modules and one Observation Cycle by Dec 15.

As you are meeting with your first- and second-year teachers during their evaluation conference, please ask them about what they have learned in the New Teacher Mentoring Canvas course. Throughout the course, we have made intentional connections to our Focused Model of Instruction, as well as direct ties to iObservation. The information they are learning directly connects with their evaluation in iObservation.

During your meetings with New Teachers, how might you help them plan backwards from Dec 15 to ensure they meet the requirements of the mentor program for the first semester?

Please look over the documents linked below for more information about the Mentor Program.

Thank you for all the EXTRA work, time, energy, and effort you are putting into supporting our New Teachers!

Mandatory & Refresher IC Trainings for School Secretaries

from TIS

TIS is conducting various mandatory and refresher trainings between October 11 and November 19th. Please work with your building staff to ensure they have registered. Email notices were sent to current staff on 10/5/2021. These trainings are essential to the integrity of our district data and effect how your building functions. Staff will need to be relieved from all other duties during this time and have a quiet, undisturbed space to participate with a computer, working camera, and microphone.

Staff who do not attend the mandatory trainings will lose rights to functions in Infinite Campus and not be able to perform their duties in your building.

Sign ups are available here.  You must be logged into your m.kckps.org account.

Questions can be sent to Michelle Gould or Kimberly Kirschenbaum.

For EC-5 Administrators (Action)

EC-5 Canvas Site Training Sign Up

from Curriculum and Instruction

This is for EC-5 schools only. Wendy Elkins has provided multiple sign-up opportunities to come to your school for the entire day and collaborate with teachers and administrators on how to use Canvas. Sign-ups begin on Nov. 2 and run until Dec. 17th. Generally, schools have been using PLCs as the time for Canvas training with outliers dropping in when they have availability. However, if you have a different format in mind, please feel free to set up the time that will work best for your building.

Use this link to schedule your site visit. You will schedule a time using Calendly, and the link is provided below. There are two days per week where the time runs from 8:30-3:30 and two days from 9:00 – 4:00. Please include the name of the school and a contact person. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Elkins.

Informational Items

For All Administrators (Informational Item)

Fall 2021 Praxis Study Sessions

from ESOL

We are excited to announce that the Department of ESOL will be offering two ESOL Praxis study sessions this year. The first will be in November. These sessions are available to any certified teacher seeking to add their ESOL endorsement to their license. This is a 5 part paid professional development with three in person and two asynchronous sessions. In person sessions are an hour and will be offered either 3:30-4:30 and 4:45-5:45.
Session dates:
November 2
November 16
November 30
Teachers may register through this link.
For more information contact Jacqueline Rodriguez.

Benefits Open Enrollment

from Human Resources

Important information regarding open enrollment. Please see attachment.

UPCOMING Association Sponsored PD

from NEA-KCK

Please share with your buildings the following Association Sponsored PD:
* Social Media & The Law Presented by Kimberly Streit Vogelsberg (KNEA Staff Attorney) and Marcus Baltzell (KNEA Director of Communications) (Virtural Event) October 28, 2021, (5:00 pm – 6:30 pm). Register here. 

Mid-TESOL Conference

from ESOL
We are excited to announce that for the second year we will be sending KCKPS staff to the Mid-TESOL virtual conference. Through our partnership with KU STEP-UP we are able to fund registration costs. We are offering this opportunity to any ESOL teacher and aide. We also want to extend this opportunity to other certified staff. Please share out to teachers that would be interested in attending. Please note all ESOL aides who sign up and attend will receive a stipend for attendance for the Saturday session.
STEP_UP Conference Email

To sign up you will:
Complete KCKPS Conference Form
Register by visiting bit.ly/MIDTESOL21

Electronic Reporting Forms for Injuries and Incidents

From Communications & Marketing

Just a quick reminder that many of the forms you need when it comes to incidents are now electronic.

Student injury forms have now been included to the list.

To find the reporting form for students go to this link: https://form.jotform.com/212366215525047

To make the reporting of workman’s compensation accidents less time consuming, the Supervisors Accident Report is now an electronic form.

Regardless of severity, immediate supervisors & directors are required to report all work-related injuries within 48 hours to Risk Management.

To do so, please use the following link: https://form.jotform.com/212304621025035

The Incident Report helps document any incident involving non employees.

This includes our students, visitors, parents and guardians.

The incident form is to be filled out for a number of situations including: a child is missing, if a student is injured in a way that could require medical attention in the future, police have to be called during an incident,  there is a fight,  or even to report property damage.

An example of a fight that needs to be recorded- a fight that breaks out that others are around and it may have been recorded. A fight that someone may not realize they are injured immediately but could later on in the day. Fights that do NOT need to be recorded: two kids on the playground hit each other in the arm over a ball.

There may be other incidents that could also require use of this form.

If you have questions about whether an incident falls into this category, please reach out to your IIO.

Here is a link to the Incident Report form:  https://kckps.org/incident-report/

Career Expo

from WyCo Unified Government

We invite KCKPS schools to sign-up for the region’s fourth Public Service Youth Career Expo which takes place Nov. 3-4, 2021. This free, virtual event will help middle and high-school students explore high-demand and rewarding career opportunities in local government. Cities and counties across the Kansas City region have joined forces to co-sponsor this high-impact event giving students the opportunity to interact with local public sector employees in 10 different public sector career areas. To date, there have been more than 2,000 registrations and we hope to have a strong representation from KCK!

Join one or many of the interactive sessions that will be available over two days. Each career area will present two times the first day and two times the second day. Four simultaneous sessions will run each hour. Each session will last 45 minutes, with a 15 minute break between each. Schedules have been reversed for the second day to give schools maximum options to attend sessions that fit their schedules. Register by October 15.

For All Principals (Informational Item)

Benefits for Substitutes

from Human Resources

Principals, if you have potential employees who would like to be hired as a building substitute or long-term substitute, the Recruitment team would like to have their names, emails or phone numbers to provide updated information on how to get a substitute license. Additionally, substitutes who are willing to become full-time and work daily at one building until the end of the school year in May 2022, may qualify for district benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and other voluntary benefits. Just think, they can be assigned to your building every day. If you need more information, contact Cynthia Fulks at Cynthia.fulks@kckps.org or Aaron Watkins at  Aaron.Watkins@kcksp.org.

Requirements with Kansas Department of Education:

  • 60 college credit hours
  • Complete application and fingerprints
  • Pass background check

For Elementary Principals (Informational Item)

Arts Partners Programming

from IARC

Our Fine Arts Department is ready to begin scheduling our annual arts integration programming in our elementary schools. Our formal Arts Partners Plan brings the arts integration opportunities to every school. Below is a summary of the programs for each grade level. The Kansas City Young Audiences (KCYA) will be in touch with you to schedule the programs. They will work with you to schedule the programs for K, 1, 3 and 4. Our 2nd grade program will be scheduled directly with the classroom teachers, and the 5th grade program will be coordinated with the PE teachers.

SUMMARY:
• K – Letters, Numbers, Shapes and Colors
• 1 – Sum of Our Favorite Numbers
• 2 – Reader’s Immersion
• 3 – Tales With a Point – character, setting, plot and morals
• 4 – KS Cultural History
• 5 – Alvin Ailey Dance

With the approval of the IIOs, we are able to bring an entire grade level together (with as much distance as possible) for the K, 1, 3 and 4 programs. Second grade reader’s immersion will be done in each homeroom classroom, and the 5th grade dance experience will be done in the PE class.

Connection Goal Reached

from Diploma+
Joe Graham and his team at John Fiske have already met the first Connector goal and blown right by it with 55% of his staff holding live Connector sessions with their students. Way to Go Joe!!

We know the principals’ support makes all of the difference. Please remind your staff about the goal to hold 1 live Connector session before winter break.