Communications
Click below to download graphics regarding the Remote vs. In-Person Sign-Up. (right click on any images below that you wish to use, and save images as needed).
Curriculum & Instruction
ATTN: Early Childhood and Elementary School Principals
RE: Fountas & Pinnell Classroom Text Review Cadre – still seeking applicants
We are still seeking applicants for this important work. Please share this application for cadre work with ALL EC – 3rd grade teachers. The scope of the work is outlined in the application along with information regarding compensation. Applications are due Wednesday, March 3rd.
ATTN: EC-5 Principals
RE: Upcoming Optional Free Science of Reading PD Opportunities
- Wednesday, March 3rd, 11:00-11:45 ~ Amplify Reading K-5 Pilot, Getting Started
- Thursday, March 4th, 10:00-4:00 ~ Amplify Virtual Symposium 2021
- Friday, March 5th, 8:00-10:00 ~ Literacy Instruction for ELL, Dr. Elsa Cardenas-Hagan
- Friday, March 5th, 10:00-12:00 ~ Spelling & Morphology, Dr. Malt Joshi
- Wednesday, March 10th, 11:00-11:45 ~ Amplify Reading K-5 Pilot, Dashboard & More
Feel free to email allison.rice@kckps.org with any questions.
ATTN: K-5 Principals
RE: Elementary Social Studies Curriculum Update for 2021-22 School Year
Please share the following information with all K-5 teachers. Cheryl Beyer, elementary social studies and science curriculum coach, is presenting open educational resources, at no cost to the district, as the adopted core resource for elementary social studies. The process for adoption is outlined in the provided document. Currently, there are few resources that can be purchased that align to the newly revised Kansas Social Studies Standards. The KCKPS elementary social studies teacher cadre vetted these resources and made the final decision.
Elementary Social Studies Curriculum Resource Information for 2021-22: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SgzSk3j6G7CAnTB6Kg-OikB9GaOqJOkUzkorMlA-tz8/edit?usp=sharing
ATTN: High School Principals
RE: High School Science (Biology & Physical Science) Curriculum Update for 2021-22 School Year
Please share the following information with all Biology and Physical Science teachers. Spencer Martin, secondary science curriculum coach, is presenting open educational resources, at no cost to the district, as the adopted core resource for high school science. The process for adoption is outlined in the provided document. Currently, there are few resources that can be purchased at the high school level that align to the Next Generation Science Standards. Teacher cadres vetted and field tested these resources in order to make a final decision.
High School Science (Biology and Physical Science) Curriculum Resource Information for 2021-22:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EEenINzBlwe4K8PN3V5lkz3oLTiqOF1NxbyGQICIsxo/edit?usp=sharing
Diversity & Inclusion
Administrator’s Meeting
During the February administrators’ meeting we began discussing the Anti-biased Curriculum Checklist tool. We will continue to discuss this tool and other ideas surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, but would like to know where you need more support. Please complete this survey by March 2.
Federal Programs
ALL PRINCIPALS
Subject: Donors Choose Matching Grants
Donors Choose announced a special match offer for all KC projects (both for KC, MO and KC, KS) thanks to their partnership with Phillips 66. You can see the qualifying projects in your district and read more about it here. Teachers only need to make sure that their project costs less than $2,000 in order to qualify for this special incentive funding, so feel free to spread the word to your teachers.
A reminder that teachers must get PRE-APPROVAL before posting their Donors Choose project. To view the procedures and forms, please reach out to KCKPS Grant Writer, Juli O’Mealey Simmons, at juli.omealeysimmons@kckps.org or by phone at 816-863-4353 or click on the following link: Guidelines and Procedures for Seeking External Funding
Human Resources
March Board Policy Review- Certified Staff
GAQ
March Board Policy Review- Principals
*The following signage should be posted in your building:
· Employee Rights/EEOC
· COVID Related Signage
· KN, AH, HAE, IC, IJ, JCDAA, JQKA, KMA, KN, CF, DFE, GAAD, GAOC Policy Signage
· No Smoking Signage
· COVID-19 Mask and Social Distancing Protocol (This is new. We are asking that this is printed off and posted at each building location. Please see attached entitled Mask and Social Distancing Protocol Employee Communication) Please note that you can find the disciplinary form for this on the KCKPS Administrator’s Guide Website – COVID-19 Section – Under the Mask and Social Distancing Protocols Title
Evaluations
*This is a reminder that the following evaluations will be due April 10, 2021. Also as a reminder Classifed Staff Evaluations will be due on May 1, 2021
· Teacher – Year 1, Semester 2
· Teacher – Year 2, Semester 2
· Administrator – Year 1, Semester 2
· Administrator – Year 2, Semester 2
HR Power Hour
Thank you for attending our HR Power Hour on February 25th. I have the notes from the meeting attached as well. 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 March 11, 2021 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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83608279086?pwd=R0s0V3ZqeXRSZEVjYlZyMXkwNVl6UT09
Meeting ID: 836 0827 9086
Passcode: gfvBA0
Unlimited Possiblilities
Hello All,
UNLIMITED POSSIBLITIES has launched a new episode on their channel. This podcast is designed to inform, educate, and inspire those within our district and potential future employees. Our topic this month is “Making Goals SMART” is available 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:
- Organization Tips & Tricks
- Working & Connecting with Colleagues
- Building on Personality Traits
- What Makes Someone Artistic
- 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 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 in one of the streaming services below so you can be notified when a new episode is uploaded.
IARC (Fine Arts)
Greetings!
The Kansas City Symphony is now accepting applications to bring the Mobile Music Box to your school this spring for FREE! As of now, this offering is available to public, private and charter schools only. Schools interested in hosting the MMB must complete an application: https://kcsymphony.formstack.com/forms/schoolmmbrequest.
Factors to be considered include available outdoor space, school location, receipt of application, etc… (There must be enough space for a semi-truck-size vehicle to pull in and out without backing up. The MMB itself requires ~70’x30’ in addition to space for an audience.) Performance times are ~30 minutes and we can schedule two performances back-to-back. If more performances are desired, it may be possible to schedule an additional set of back-to-back performances the same day if time, weather and schedule permit.
Performances are all weather and temperature dependent. Canceled performances will be rescheduled if possible.
Please let me know if you have any questions! I’m excited to get this started and see you and your students again!
Best,
Stephanie Brimhall, Education Manager
sbrimhall@kcsymphony.org | (816) 218-2639
Informational Technology
KCKPS Mobile Minute – Important iPad Information, Canvas learning, Minecraft EDU and more!