Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Contents

ESL Praxis Practice Classes – for All Administrators
STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th – for All Administrators
Hour of Code??? – for All Administrators
Kidzone Open and Close Dates (Winter Break) – for District staff and Kidzone Parents

ESL Praxis Practice Classes

From Kristen Scott

Principals,

Please forward this link to your staff. We are gathering information on when to specifically have Praxis Practice Classes and need to also know who is interested. We need this first step completed by December 11th.

http://goo.gl/forms/vMCoR91JVi

STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th

From Gail Taylor
Many thanks to all of you that have submitted your STAR Teacher nominations.

Requirements for STAR Teacher:
The teacher must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience, strong pedagogy, should have professional affiliations and be involved in the community through service or volunteer programs. The five years of teaching experience that we list on the application is a combination of USD#500 and the state of Kansas teaching experience.
The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and should play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
The award carries with it a number of public appearances; therefore, the nominee should be poised, articulate, and possess the energy to with stand a busy schedule.
The nominee must be committed to serving as a leader in efforts to improve schools, student performance, and the teaching profession in Kansas.
The state nominees must be classroom teachers; however, the district STAR teachers can be licensed professionals covered by the teachers bargaining unit (such as librarians, counselors, school nurses, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, etc.).

December 10th will be here before we know it; please remember we need only the names at this time.

STAR Teacher Nomination Form

Hour of Code???

From Julie Leach
Next week is the ‘Hour of Code??????! The ‘Hour of Code???’ is a worldwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming during the week of December 7-11.

I am excited to announce that KCKPS has over 125 teachers participating in ‘Hour of Code?????? sometime next week. We would love for you to get out, if time permits, go to a class and code with them! Feel free to take a laptop or iPad if you have one available.

Please click on the link below for a spreadsheet of participating classrooms. The spreadsheet will include school, teacher and time of event. Be aware, the list does not include all the teachers who have signed up via the ‘Hour of Code?????? website and list is constantly changing, so check back often.

KCKPS Participating Classrooms
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uuKsX1ccADroP1xkO1xbxL_QwRJYvcuzqx3Oe8LqBuA/edit?usp=sharing

Again, I am so excited so many of our students will be exposed to computer science this next week!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Julie

Julie Leach
21st Century Teacher Leader
Kansas City, KS Public Schools
Julie.leach@kckps.org

Kidzone open and close dates (Winter Break)

From Daryel Garrison
This notice is to inform district staff and Kidzone parents. Kidzone will be closed from Monday, December 21st, 2015 through January 1st. Kidzone will resume on Monday, January 4th, 2016.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Contents

ESL Praxis Practice Classes – for All Administrators
STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th – for All Administrators
Hour of Code??? – for All Administrators

ESL Praxis Practice Classes

From Kristen Scott

Principals,

Please forward this link to your staff. We are gathering information on when to specifically have Praxis Practice Classes and need to also know who is interested. We need this first step completed by December 11th.

http://goo.gl/forms/vMCoR91JVi

STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th

From Gail Taylor
Many thanks to all of you that have submitted your STAR Teacher nominations.

Requirements for STAR Teacher:
The teacher must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience, strong pedagogy, should have professional affiliations and be involved in the community through service or volunteer programs. The five years of teaching experience that we list on the application is a combination of USD#500 and the state of Kansas teaching experience.
The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and should play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
The award carries with it a number of public appearances; therefore, the nominee should be poised, articulate, and possess the energy to with stand a busy schedule.
The nominee must be committed to serving as a leader in efforts to improve schools, student performance, and the teaching profession in Kansas.
The state nominees must be classroom teachers; however, the district STAR teachers can be licensed professionals covered by the teachers bargaining unit (such as librarians, counselors, school nurses, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, etc.).

December 10th will be here before we know it; please remember we need only the names at this time.

STAR Teacher Nomination Form

Hour of Code???

From Julie Leach
Next week is the ‘Hour of Code??????! The ‘Hour of Code???’ is a worldwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming during the week of December 7-11.

I am excited to announce that KCKPS has over 125 teachers participating in ‘Hour of Code?????? sometime next week. We would love for you to get out, if time permits, go to a class and code with them! Feel free to take a laptop or iPad if you have one available.

Please click on the link below for a spreadsheet of participating classrooms. The spreadsheet will include school, teacher and time of event. Be aware, the list does not include all the teachers who have signed up via the ‘Hour of Code?????? website and list is constantly changing, so check back often.

KCKPS Participating Classrooms
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uuKsX1ccADroP1xkO1xbxL_QwRJYvcuzqx3Oe8LqBuA/edit?usp=sharing

Again, I am so excited so many of our students will be exposed to computer science this next week!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Julie

Julie Leach
21st Century Teacher Leader
Kansas City, KS Public Schools
Julie.leach@kckps.org

Friday, December 4, 2015

Contents

ELPA Professional Learning for ESL Staff – for All Administrators
Releve’ Dance Ensemble Accepting New Members – for All Admins to Share with Teachers
ESL Praxis Practice Classes – for All Administrators
STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th – for All Administrators
Coats for Kids – for Principals and Counselors
Family Advocacy Schedule in February – for All Administrators

ELPA Professional Learning for ESL Staff

From Kristen Scott
This is a heads up to all building principals that we will be pulling ESL staff on specific Wednesdays to provide training on the ELPA test (the new KELPA test).
High school ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, February 24th from 1 to 3.
Middle school ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, March 2 from 1:30 to 3:30.
EC5 3:30 release buildings ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, February 24th from 2 to 4. And EC5 4:00 release buildings ESL staff will be pulled on Wednesday, March 2 from 2:30 to 4:30.

This information will come out again in mid-January.

Releve’ Dance Ensemble Accepting New Members

From Jodie Lin
KCK Dance Classes Open-

Placement for dance classes in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop for second semester will be on Monday, Jan. 4 and Monday, Jan. 11 at Wyandotte High School Auditorium.

Grades 2-5 are from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and grades 6-12 are at 5:30- 6:30 p.m.
A parent or guardian must attend with the students. Have your student wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
Releve’ Dance Ensemble meets in the Wyandotte Auditorim every Monday that school is in session with a dance recital on Saturday, May 7, 2016.
Dancers will need ballet slippers and tap shoes. The fee for the semester is $30.00.
Feel free to call 913-963-6551 and speak to Ms. Melonee Cason if you have any questions. You may also reach out to Mrs. Van Dine at 816-356-9551.
See Mrs. Van Dine, Ms. Cason or Ms. Marks when you come to the auditorium for placement in the classes. Boys and girls are welcome to participate from the public, parochial or private schools in Wyandotte Co.
We are so excited to have these classes continue to be an opportunity for our students to be introduced to the art of dance since the 1986-87 school year.
If there is no school due to inclement weather we will plan to see you the next Monday.
Thank you~ Let’s Dance!!!
Mrs. V ( MaryAnn Van Dine) & Ms. Cason, Directors

ESL Praxis Practice Classes

From Kristen Scott

Principals,

Please forward this link to your staff. We are gathering information on when to specifically have Praxis Practice Classes and need to also know who is interested. We need this first step completed by December 11th.

http://goo.gl/forms/vMCoR91JVi

STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th

From Gail Taylor
Many thanks to all of you that have submitted your STAR Teacher nominations.

Requirements for STAR Teacher:
The teacher must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience, strong pedagogy, should have professional affiliations and be involved in the community through service or volunteer programs. The five years of teaching experience that we list on the application is a combination of USD#500 and the state of Kansas teaching experience.
The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and should play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
The award carries with it a number of public appearances; therefore, the nominee should be poised, articulate, and possess the energy to with stand a busy schedule.
The nominee must be committed to serving as a leader in efforts to improve schools, student performance, and the teaching profession in Kansas.
The state nominees must be classroom teachers; however, the district STAR teachers can be licensed professionals covered by the teachers bargaining unit (such as librarians, counselors, school nurses, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, etc.).

December 10th will be here before we know it; please remember we need only the names at this time.

STAR Teacher Nomination Form

Coats for Kids

From Valerie Anzicek
The Coats for Kids distribution for all schools sites will begin Monday, December 7th. The following steps outline the distribution process for staff when picking up coats.

1) Check In and have District ID
2) First Come, first serve basis (a reminder: there is a limited number of coats for youth/infant coat sizes)
3) Check out will be the number of coats per school

Hours of Operation will be from 8:00 am until 10:00 am and Noon until 2:00 pm.

Location: North Central Office: 2220 North 59th Street

Week of December 7th:
Monday, 12/7
Tuesday, 12/8
Wednesday, 12/9
Thursday, 12/10
Friday, 12/11 – MORNING ONLY

Week of December 14th:
Monday, 12/14
Tuesday, 12/15
Wednesday, 12/16
Thursday, 12/17
Friday, 12/18 – CLOSED

Family Advocacy Schedule in February

From Executive Directors

It is the expectation that principals will use one of the seven days they can schedule after hours to schedule an evening, so that we can accommodate for parents??? attendance during FA.

    • In addition to the regular FA hours during the day on Wednesday and Friday,
      • EC5 will schedule a Tuesday or Thursday evening.
      • Middle and High schools will schedule Wednesday evening.
    • All schools will hold regular report and end times on Friday.
    • In order to meet the high demand, and to the extent possible, please be strategic when scheduling parents who need interpreters.

If there is any conflict, please contact your ED.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Contents

ELPA Professional Learning for ESL Staff – for All Administrators
Releve’ Dance Ensemble Accepting New Members – for All Admins to Share with Teachers
ESL Praxis Practice Classes – for All Administrators
STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th – for All Administrators
Coats for Kids – for Principals and Counselors
Family Advocacy Schedule in February – for All Administrators

ELPA Professional Learning for ESL Staff

From Kristen Scott
This is a heads up to all building principals that we will be pulling ESL staff on specific Wednesdays to provide training on the ELPA test (the new KELPA test).
High school ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, February 24th from 1 to 3.
Middle school ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, March 2 from 1:30 to 3:30.
EC5 3:30 release buildings ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, February 24th from 2 to 4. And EC5 4:00 release buildings ESL staff will be pulled on Wednesday, March 2 from 2:30 to 4:30.

This information will come out again in mid-January.

Releve’ Dance Ensemble Accepting New Members

From Jodie Lin
KCK Dance Classes Open-

Placement for dance classes in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop for second semester will be on Monday, Jan. 4 and Monday, Jan. 11 at Wyandotte High School Auditorium.

Grades 2-5 are from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and grades 6-12 are at 5:30- 6:30 p.m.
A parent or guardian must attend with the students. Have your student wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
Releve’ Dance Ensemble meets in the Wyandotte Auditorim every Monday that school is in session with a dance recital on Saturday, May 7, 2016.
Dancers will need ballet slippers and tap shoes. The fee for the semester is $30.00.
Feel free to call 913-963-6551 and speak to Ms. Melonee Cason if you have any questions. You may also reach out to Mrs. Van Dine at 816-356-9551.
See Mrs. Van Dine, Ms. Cason or Ms. Marks when you come to the auditorium for placement in the classes. Boys and girls are welcome to participate from the public, parochial or private schools in Wyandotte Co.
We are so excited to have these classes continue to be an opportunity for our students to be introduced to the art of dance since the 1986-87 school year.
If there is no school due to inclement weather we will plan to see you the next Monday.
Thank you~ Let’s Dance!!!
Mrs. V ( MaryAnn Van Dine) & Ms. Cason, Directors

ESL Praxis Practice Classes

From Kristen Scott

Principals,

Please forward this link to your staff. We are gathering information on when to specifically have Praxis Practice Classes and need to also know who is interested. We need this first step completed by December 11th.

http://goo.gl/forms/vMCoR91JVi

STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th

From Gail Taylor
Many thanks to all of you that have submitted your STAR Teacher nominations.

Requirements for STAR Teacher:
The teacher must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience, strong pedagogy, should have professional affiliations and be involved in the community through service or volunteer programs. The five years of teaching experience that we list on the application is a combination of USD#500 and the state of Kansas teaching experience.
The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and should play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
The award carries with it a number of public appearances; therefore, the nominee should be poised, articulate, and possess the energy to with stand a busy schedule.
The nominee must be committed to serving as a leader in efforts to improve schools, student performance, and the teaching profession in Kansas.
The state nominees must be classroom teachers; however, the district STAR teachers can be licensed professionals covered by the teachers bargaining unit (such as librarians, counselors, school nurses, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, etc.).

December 10th will be here before we know it; please remember we need only the names at this time.

STAR Teacher Nomination Form

Coats for Kids

From Valerie Anzicek
The Coats for Kids distribution for all schools sites will begin Monday, December 7th. The following steps outline the distribution process for staff when picking up coats.

1) Check In and have District ID
2) First Come, first serve basis (a reminder: there is a limited number of coats for youth/infant coat sizes)
3) Check out will be the number of coats per school

Hours of Operation will be from 8:00 am until 10:00 am and Noon until 2:00 pm.

Location: North Central Office: 2220 North 59th Street

Week of December 7th:
Monday, 12/7
Tuesday, 12/8
Wednesday, 12/9
Thursday, 12/10
Friday, 12/11 – MORNING ONLY

Week of December 14th:
Monday, 12/14
Tuesday, 12/15
Wednesday, 12/16
Thursday, 12/17
Friday, 12/18 – CLOSED

Family Advocacy Schedule in February

From Executive Directors

It is the expectation that principals will use one of the seven days they can schedule after hours to schedule an evening, so that we can accommodate for parents??? attendance during FA.

    • In addition to the regular FA hours during the day on Wednesday and Friday,
      • EC5 will schedule a Tuesday or Thursday evening.
      • Middle and High schools will schedule Wednesday evening.
    • All schools will hold regular report and end times on Friday.
    • In order to meet the high demand, and to the extent possible, please be strategic when scheduling parents who need interpreters.

If there is any conflict, please contact your ED.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Contents

ELPA Professional Learning for ESL Staff – for All Administrators
Releve’ Dance Ensemble Accepting New Members – for All Admins to Share with Teachers
ESL Praxis Practice Classes – for All Administrators
STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th – for All Administrators
Coats for Kids – for Principals and Counselors
FOCUS and Priority Funds – for All Administrators

ELPA Professional Learning for ESL Staff

From Kristen Scott
This is a heads up to all building principals that we will be pulling ESL staff on specific Wednesdays to provide training on the ELPA test (the new KELPA test).
High school ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, February 24th from 1 to 3.
Middle school ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, March 2 from 1:30 to 3:30.
EC5 3:30 release buildings ESL staff will be pulled Wednesday, February 24th from 2 to 4. And EC5 4:00 release buildings ESL staff will be pulled on Wednesday, March 2 from 2:30 to 4:30.

This information will come out again in mid-January.

Releve’ Dance Ensemble Accepting New Members

From Jodie Lin
KCK Dance Classes Open-

Placement for dance classes in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop for second semester will be on Monday, Jan. 4 and Monday, Jan. 11 at Wyandotte High School Auditorium.

Grades 2-5 are from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and grades 6-12 are at 5:30- 6:30 p.m.
A parent or guardian must attend with the students. Have your student wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
Releve’ Dance Ensemble meets in the Wyandotte Auditorim every Monday that school is in session with a dance recital on Saturday, May 7, 2016.
Dancers will need ballet slippers and tap shoes. The fee for the semester is $30.00.
Feel free to call 913-963-6551 and speak to Ms. Melonee Cason if you have any questions. You may also reach out to Mrs. Van Dine at 816-356-9551.
See Mrs. Van Dine, Ms. Cason or Ms. Marks when you come to the auditorium for placement in the classes. Boys and girls are welcome to participate from the public, parochial or private schools in Wyandotte Co.
We are so excited to have these classes continue to be an opportunity for our students to be introduced to the art of dance since the 1986-87 school year.
If there is no school due to inclement weather we will plan to see you the next Monday.
Thank you~ Let’s Dance!!!
Mrs. V ( MaryAnn Van Dine) & Ms. Cason, Directors

ESL Praxis Practice Classes

From Kristen Scott

Principals,

Please forward this link to your staff.?? We are gathering information on when to specifically have Praxis Practice Classes and need to also know who is interested.?? We need this first step completed by December 11th.

http://goo.gl/forms/vMCoR91JVi

STAR Teacher Nominations ??? Due December 10th

From Gail Taylor
Many thanks to all of you that have submitted your STAR Teacher nominations.

Requirements for STAR Teacher:
The teacher must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience, strong pedagogy, should have professional affiliations and be involved in the community through service or volunteer programs. The five years of teaching experience that we list on the application is a combination of USD#500 and the state of Kansas teaching experience.
The teacher should be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
The candidate should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and should play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
The award carries with it a number of public appearances; therefore, the nominee should be poised, articulate, and possess the energy to with stand a busy schedule.
The nominee must be committed to serving as a leader in efforts to improve schools, student performance, and the teaching profession in Kansas.
The state nominees must be classroom teachers; however, the district STAR teachers can be licensed professionals covered by the teachers bargaining unit (such as librarians, counselors, school nurses, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, etc.).

December 10th will be here before we know it; please remember we need only the names at this time.

STAR Teacher Nomination Form

Coats for Kids

From Valerie Anzicek
The Coats for Kids distribution for all schools sites will begin Monday, December 7th. The following steps outline the distribution process for staff when picking up coats.

1) Check In and have District ID
2) First Come, first serve basis (a reminder: there is a limited number of coats for youth/infant coat sizes)
3) Check out will be the number of coats per school

Hours of Operation will be from 8:00 am until 10:00 am and Noon until 2:00 pm.

Location: North Central Office: 2220 North 59th Street

Week of December 7th:
Monday, 12/7
Tuesday, 12/8
Wednesday, 12/9
Thursday, 12/10
Friday, 12/11 – MORNING ONLY

Week of December 14th:
Monday, 12/14
Tuesday, 12/15
Wednesday, 12/16
Thursday, 12/17
Friday, 12/18 – CLOSED

FOCUS and Priority Funds

From Bob Young
As a reminder to all Budget Administrators & Treasurers:

The next (and last) Board meeting for this calendar year is December 8th. All Focus and Priority funds from last year need to be paid on this date. Your invoices must be received in the Purchasing Office no later than noon on Wednesday, December 2nd. Any invoice received after this time will be paid in January (and funds may be lost). As a reminder, we are now asking you to scan your invoices (where feasible) to purchasing@kckps.org to save time with inter-office mail.

This is also a reminder that ALL PO???s issued prior to September 1st expired on November 30, 2015. After invoices are approved on the 12/8 Board, any purchase orders created before the first of September will be closed.