Friday, September 3, 2021

Administrators' Desk logo

Action Items

For All Administrators (Action)

Family Advocacy

From Student Services

Please share this with staff.

Family Advocacy is rapidly approaching and we are pleased to announce that we will continue to provide interpreter support during FA scheduled for September 15 and 17. This year we are very excited to launch a new resource: Propio On, our new on-demand (live video) interpreter services. Teachers will now have access to live interpretation on their laptops during FA when they need it using the information below. This is the same resource we provide to all schools to be used at the front desk. How great is that?!? We do want to highlight that these services will be available during FA. For language support outside of FA, please follow the Langauge Guide provided in the Principal’s Handbook.

In addition, we will continue to provide interpretation services via over-the-phone for those who prefer it. Information is also attached.

If your school still wants to schedule an in-person interpreter for FA days, we do have a limited amount of interpreters available. Please fill out this FA interpreter request  and we will do our best to find an interpreter. We will accept requests until Monday, September 13. However, we do ask you to please encourage staff to use video live interpreters.

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

Propio One Instruction Card PDF

FA Week OPI Instruction Card PDF

Attendance Awareness Month

From Student Services

Please share with staff.

September is  Attendance Awareness Month!! The Attend to Achieve (A2A)  team is working with the communication team to provide a variety of  activities to increase attendance awareness at KCKPS. Please read and share the information we sent you early this week. Here are the  instructions on how to submit a student for the Attendance Recognition raffle:

Make it a goal to show up” Campaign:  Starting in September we will be collecting student nominations  from principals to recognize students that have demonstrated extra effort to improve his/her attendance and/or students who have perfect attendance. We will then draw a name by level (elementary, middle and High). That student will be recognized by the A2A team and will receive a Sporting KC jersey. Additionally, we will share their accomplishments with the community (social media, etc.). We will do this monthly until May. We ask you to please submit all nominations on the first Monday of each month using this link. Winners will be announced one week after. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jonathan Wilson via Jonathan.Wilson@kckps.org/913-981-3325 or with Naomi Tolentino via naomi.tolentino@kckps.org/913-568-0147. First nominations are due next week!

For additional resources during Attendance Awareness Month please visit the A2A Portal/Attendance Awareness month.

For Building Administrators/Principals (Action)

Re: FastBridge SAEBRS and mySAEBRS

From Multi-Tier System of Supports

Please share this information with your staff.

As part of our MTSS Framework, KCKPS developed a Comprehensive Assessment Plan/Schedule,  which includes screening our students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional (BSEL) needs. For this, KCKPS will be using the FastBridge SAEBRS and mySAEBRS screener assessments in conjunction with other relevant SEL data points to determine what supports may be needed to assist our students socially and emotionally and/or behaviorally. The mySAEBRS is a brief self-rating of student risk for emotional and behavioral problems. This year, teachers will administer the SAEBRS and the mySAEBRS using the FastBridge system. Teachers will need to ensure they complete the necessary certifications for these screeners. Social workers and counselors will also need to certify in these assessments as they will be analyzing the SAEBRS and mySAEBRS data. DERA has already entered social workers and counselors into the FastBridge system. Staff can find directions on how to access FastBridge in the Illuminate FastBridge Staff Guide​ .

Our goal this year is to use the data from these screeners to identify student strengths and areas of need to provide support to increase positive outcomes for all our students. Based on the data, some students may then need to be referred to the behavioral health teams for potential Tier 2 or 3 supports. As we continue to learn more about what the SAEBRS and mySAEBRS provide, we will be working on a plan for how the data supports what we do in Tier 1 instruction using our district-provided resources.

Horizon Award Submissions

From Human Resources

It is time to start submitting your nomination for Horizon Awards. Please see the attached document for more information. The deadline for submissions is September 24th. Please send completed submissions to Jared.Alexander@kckps.org.

Horizon Award Nomination Package PDF

SIT Coordinator Updates

From Multi Tier System Support

Each year, building leaders identify members of their school teams to be the building SIT Coordinator(s). Please use the following recommendations as you determine who will be your SIT Coordinator for this school year:
– Basic understanding of the SIT process to help lead others through the process in your building
– Credibility with all staff as an instructional leader with knowledge of evidenced-based instructional strategies
– Knowledgeable about the principles of Trauma Sensitive and —Resilient Schools and the ability to apply those when working with children and adults
– Ability to use and coach others on how to use Infinite Campus
– Schedule that allows for attendance at regularly scheduled SIT Coordinator meetings

Our first SIT coordinator meeting will be in September. The date and time are still TBD and will be communicated with you soon in an upcoming Administrator’s Desk.

Please use this Google sheet [SIT Building Coordinator Contact Sheet] to update the names of your building SIT Coordinators. Also, the current number of SIT Coordinators may change based on your building’s enrollment and the number of SIT plans on file in Infinite Campus.

For EC-5 Administrators (Action)

Susan Lambert & Natalie Wexler Zoom Event

From Curriculum & Instruction

ONE WEEK AWAY!!!
The Curriculum & Instruction Department is excited to welcome Susan Lambert, host of Science of Reading: The Podcast, and Natalie Wexler, author of The Knowledge Gap, to KCKPS on Friday, September 10th from 1:00-4:00pm via ZOOM.

To learn more about these incredible presenters and RSVP for the event, please view the UPDATED event flyer linked here. You will enter your email address to receive the Zoom link.

Please contact allison.rice@kckps.org with any questions.

For Secondary Administrators (Action)

Help with Canvas

From Instructional Technology

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 Sept.20th and run until Oct. 19th. Options on how to best utilize the time is determined by each site, some suggestions are:
*PLC’s could meet with Wendy for training and planning (central location).
*Teachers and administrators could come to a central location to get help when they are available.
*Other

Use this link to schedule your site visit. The appointment title you are looking for is Site Canvas Help. Make sure you are logged into your google calendar. In the title of the appointment, please put the name of your school and in the description, please provide the name of a contact person that Wendy can coordinate with.

Informational Items

For All Administrators (Information)

DEI Building REP INFO: This was sent to all DEI Building Reps

From Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We will be holding training after school on the third Tuesday of every month. There will be two training times offered: 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. You only need to attend one training session per month. If you need additional time for understanding and questions, we would suggest you set a time on a different day so we can respect everyone’s time. All learning material will be housed in Canvas and all training will be held virtually over Zoom.

The first DEI training will be Tuesday, September 21st at either 3:00pm or 4:30pm. A Zoom link will be sent soon. Please notify us to if when or if you cannot attend a meeting. We will work with you to make-up the missing time.

Admin Guide

From Human Resources

Hello All,

We have had some instances where Administrators are not able to get into the Admin Guide. The admin guide should be a first point of Reference for Human Resource related questions. The Admin Guide can be found under “Staff Links” from the kckps.org Home Page. Click here to fill out the form for access.

Evaluation Information

From Human Resources

HR is currently working with PowerSchool/TalentEd Support to get our evaluation information automated for the future. In the meantime, we are asking that if principals are missing staff or need staff added/removed from their list in TalentEd Perform to email those requests to deandre.tuggle@kckps.org In the email please provide the employees first and last name, employee ID#, and if they need to be added/removed. If you have any issues with your staffs list in iObservation please email tanya.selectman@kckps.org We will provide additional updates in the coming weeks.

Classroom Coverage

From Human Resources

I hope you are well. We wanted to make sure you were aware of some questions that have been coming into the HR office. We have had some questions about compensation for classified staff covering for a teacher’s absence. Although you might be aware of the protocol, below is some follow-up.

We are not utilizing classified staff to cover for a certified opening(s).
If a classified individual is the “classroom monitor” because another teacher is zooming from the other room (due to distancing/capacity), then they can be utilized as the “aide” and not the instructor.
The classified employee should be reassigned for the day to this new role and not expected to perform their normal duties. This would allow them to keep their daily rate without the expectation of additional pay for two roles.
If we have multiple sections of one class (i.e. 4th grade), then those other teachers who are 4th grade teachers should split the classroom and will be compensated appropriately.
65% or more of the classroom, teacher receives full hourly rate (per negotiated agreement)
Less than 65% of the classroom, teacher receives half the hourly rate (per negotiated agreement)

We are working hard to make sure that all positions are covered to the best of our ability, but as you know we are short in total. We are hoping we can maneuver and help with the absences and vacancies.

COVID-19 Dashboard

From Student Health Services

The COVID-19 Dashboard is now live and provides a weekly snapshot of new COVID-19 cases and new quarantines in the district, as well as information on current USD500 COVID-19 procedures. The Dashboard will be updated each Wednesday to reflect a snapshot of information for the previous week. Due to the volume of weekly cases, Dashboard reporting may be affected by Case investigation status and the availability of data at the time of reporting each Wednesday. If a school has 5 or fewer positive cases within a 7-day period, no cases will be displayed to maintain individual privacy.

COVID-19 Student and Staff Flowcharts (New)

Also located on the Dashboard are a Student Flowchart and a Staff Flowchart. Each flowchart contains a decision tree that provides parents, staff, and supervisors with guidance and action steps if a student or staff member experiences symptoms, is exposed, or is diagnosed with COVID-19. Staff and parents with questions about District protocol can be directed to the Flowcharts and the Dashboard.

Change to KCKPS Quarantine Period (effective September 7, 2021)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, CDC, and the Unified Government continue to recommend a 14-day quarantine following exposure to COVID-19, as the incubation period for this disease is 14 days. CDC has released modified guidance allowing for shorter quarantine periods. Effective September 7, 2021, USD500 will follow a 10-day Quarantine period:

-After exposure, monitor yourself for symptoms daily for 10 full days.
-If you have no symptoms during the 10 days, you can be released from the quarantine without a test on Day 11.
-KDHE recommends all exposed people should self-monitor for fourteen (14) days from exposure and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms develop. Disease can still develop through day 14.

Supervisors: Please review and edit any District templates or letters you may have saved prior to September 7th, 2021 that may reference a 14-day quarantine. Household exposures that were previously quarantined for 24 days will now be quarantined for 20 days.

For students and staff currently in quarantine for 14 days:
To avoid parental confusion, students who are currently in quarantine and were advised prior to September 7th to quarantine for 14 days will NOT be notified individually of this change in District protocol. Students who were advised to quarantine prior to September 7th have a “Do Not Admit–See Nurse” flag in Infinite Campus and their absences have been pre-excused in Infinite Campus for the duration of the 14-day quarantine. Any students who are allowed to return after 10 days due to this change will need to have their attendance updated by the attendance secretary and the flag will have to be removed by the building nurse. Students may return to school or activities after 10 days provided they have met criteria for return. If a student develops symptoms during the 10-day quarantine period following exposure, they do not meet criteria for early return and should be directed to speak with the building nurse.

Supervisors with staff who were advised to quarantine prior to September 7th may request that staff return after 10 days of quarantine, provided they have met criteria for return. If a staff member develops symptoms during the 10-day quarantine period following exposure, they do not meet criteria for return and should be directed to speak with the building nurse. Supervisors may need to adjust timesheets or contact HR Leave if staff return sooner than originally planned.

Electronic Reporting Forms for Injuries and Incidents

From Communications

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/

Hotspots

From Superintendent’s Office

KCKPS IT Department has done it again! Additional hotspots have been delivered to school sites as determined by student enrollment and need. It is important to recognize that no additional hotspot devices will be provided following this rollout. Therefore, principals please communicate this with your staff and families and your building creates a strategic plan on how hotspots will be disbursed. As families use devices as needed, put in a process for those devices to be returned to the school site to assist other families who may also need to technology support.

For Building Administrators/Principals (Information)

TalentEd Perform

From Human Resources

Human Resources has updated TalentEd Perform for the 21-22 evaluation for certified staff. Due to a technological glitch, we had to manually change each person in the system. To the best of our abilities, we have aligned the right employees to the correct schools. We understand that there might be some mistakes. We ask that you send an email to Ronald.Knight-Beck@kckps.org and DeAndre.Tuggle@kckps.org stating the following:
Who needs to be added to your list that is missing.
Who needs to be removed from your list that is still remaining.
Let us know if they resigned or transferred within the district.
If you know the school building of transfer, please let us know.
If you have someone on your list that you are not evaluating this year, rather one of your colleagues within your building or district, please reassign the evaluator inside of TalentEd. Under My Staff>>>Staff>>>Evaluation. Find the person who you would like to Assign and click “view” on their account. Once in “view” click the “assign” button. Search for the person they need to be assigned to. Additionally, if you need to shift a bunch of people. You may select the checkboxes next to their names, scroll down to the bottom and select “assign evaluator” from the drop down.

Constitution Day Info and Resources

From Curriculum and Instruction

Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Each year, on September 17, Americans celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. In addition, September 17-23 is also recognized as Freedom Week. Publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies celebrate the day by providing educational programming about the history of the Constitution.

Here you can find a list of resources and activities that teachers may choose from to celebrate with their students.