Curriculum & Instruction
Secondary Building Principals
Equity and Inclusion
As you know, Monday was the first day of February which means Black History Month has begun. Black History Month actually started as a week by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. He chose the second week of February because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays both fall during this week. In 1976, President Ford officially recognized Black History Month. Since 1976, every president has chosen a theme for the month. 2021’s theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity”. One could see this as how far we have come, while others will see this as a misconception of progress (History.com).
We know that Black History is American History. We will acknowledge and celebrate the significance of this month while also ensuring that Black history is taught the other 11 months of the year. To not acknowledge this month or to be passive about this month (and all other heritage months/days) sends a message to our kids that we do not see them or value their lived experiences.
Classroom ideas to consider:
- Use this year’s theme as a starting point.
- Use student voice and experience to guide discussions.
- Students, even young ones, are aware of the roles that race, gender, and identity play in America.
- The role other communities of color play(ed) in Black History.
- Present events and figures as more than one dimensional
- King’s commitment to civil rights yet his opposition to the Vietnam War.
- Talk about history in context of today.
- Presenting three light system developed by Garret Morgan along with what life would be like with only stop and go. How does the yellow light help?
- Talk about Race, power, privilege, oppression, and the systemic nature of them all.
As administrator, have these conversations with your staff.
This month the Office of Equity and Inclusion is going to challenge you as a leader to reflect each week on the Black trailblazers in your life. How has this person impacted your life? Write a letter of appreciation to this person and send it to them, be sure to tell them the impact that they have had on you. Feel free to share your thoughts here about this experience with the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
Further reading and resources on the topic can be found here:
https://www.tolerance.org/the-moment/january-28-2019-teaching-black-history-month
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/black-history-month-teaching-the-complete-history
https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-black-history-culturally-responsive-ways
Federal Programs
ALL Building Administrators & Department Directors
Subject: 3rd Quarter Title IX Coordinator Training Coming Your Way!
Our District Title IX and Legal Teams have planned another round of Title IX Coordinator training for BUILDING & DEPARTMENT Title IX Coordinators for 3rd quarter. (HS/MS principals and other department leaders are not required, but can choose to attend.) This training will provide more time for dialogue around Title IX procedures and documenting investigations, as well as real-world scenarios to practice processing student and staff employee misconduct. Additionally, updated and new Title IX forms will be reviewed. A calendar invitation with Zoom link has been sent to all School Title IX Coordinators.
Department Title IX Coordinators can click on the link below to sign up for the training session you wish to attend. (Please note the sign-up sheet has the Zoom link to place on your calendar for the training session you select. Please be sure to note the date/time of training on the bottom of each sheet, to ensure you sign up for the correct training!
3/2/21: 9:30AM – 11:00AM – Elementary Title IX Coordinator (Wash/Wyan) /Department Director
3/3/21: 9:30AM – 11:00AM – Elementary Title IX Coordinator (Harm/Schla) /Department Director
3/11/21: 8:30AM – 10:00AM – HS/Alt Title IX Coordinator (Wash/Wyan) /Department Director
3/11/21: 1:00AM – 2:30PM – MS/Alt Title IX Coordinator (Wash/Wyan) /Department Director
Subject: Grants, Donations, Funding Opportunities and Requests
The Federal Programs Department has developed new, streamlined procedures to support staff members seeking funding from outside of the district for projects that enhance learning.
Click the link below if you wish to view the guidelines, procedures, and forms for accepting donations, applying for grants, posting donation requests on Donors Choose, or researching grant opportunities.
Please reach out to KCKPS Grant Writer, Juli O’Mealey Simmons, at juli.omealeysimmons@kckps.org or by phone at 816-863-4353 with questions or to discuss funding applications.
To view the procedures and forms, click the link below.
Guidelines and Procedures for Seeking External Funding
Human Resources
Kansas Leadership Center Cohorts
The Kansas Leadership Center is starting more cohorts for KCKPS. There are three sessions that will occur in the following order:
- Your Leadership Edge – 2 days
- Lead for Change – 6 weekly sessions
- Equip to Lead – 2 days
There are ten cohorts that will begin this year, beginning with Your Leadership Edge. Participants may select when to begin from the following dates:
- February 3-4 (too late for this one)
- March 3-4
- April 14-15
- May 5-6
- June 2-3
- July 7-8
- August 4-5
- October 6-7
- November 3-4
Any administrator or teacher leaders are invited to participate. This leadership workshop is being offered for free to KCKPS staff, and the books will also be provided at no cost.
Anyone interested should send an email to Sherrie Piedimonte. Please include your name, school and the date of the first session you want to attend.
913.235.8902
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
KCKPS Administrators and Staff,
After careful discussion and review, it has been decided to continue the Infinite Campus automatic process to change all ‘unknown’ or pending absences to ‘unexcused’ absences. This means that:
- All current ‘Unknown’ absences will change to ‘Unexcused’ after three daysof pending status. This will be changed automatically by our IC system.
o Any changes after the 3 day window can be updated by Attendance Clerks when needed.
- BrightArrow automated voice-message system will continue to be deactivated.
Hope this automated process will help to alleviate some of the work. Attendance Clerks will NOT have to do this manually. We conduct a further discussion during our next check-in scheduled for- Wednesday, February 3rd.