Friday, September 7, 2018

Contents

New Items

Infinite Campus Parent Portal – for All Principals
PACT Referrals and Contract – for All Principals

Previous Items

Staff Use of Communication Devices – for All Administrators
Parents’ Right to Know – for All Principals/Administrators
Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses – for High School Administrators
A Reminder to Help Improve the KCKPS Website – for All Administrators
SRP Plan – for All Administrators

New Items

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

From David Rand
The purpose of this e-mail is to provide principals with guidance for supporting parents with the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Currently, there are almost 6,000 parent accounts and nearly 10,000 of our students have a parent with an account. When every student has a parent with an account, there will be over 15,000 total parent portal accounts. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to support this many accounts from a central location and as a result, each school will be responsible for supporting parents with setting up their account and navigating the portal.

We are asking each school to develop a plan that will outline how you plan to share the portal with families and support with log-ins and navigation questions. In an attempt to make this as easy as possible for schools, we are providing some recommended options for supporting parents and have created a set of step-by-step directions for parents. Please see the attached document and 3 recommended options for support below. We will be scheduling training sessions throughout September for the staff identified to support the portal, starting with sessions from 2:00-4:00 on September 11, 13 and 14 (click here for sign-up).

Please let me know what option you will select and send me the names of the staff members identified (you don???t need to send teachers names if you select that option) for support. Also, please let me know how you will share this information with parents. We don???t want this to be a burdensome process; an example of what you should send is below.

Hi David! We are so excited to support our families with the portal!!! We will be selecting option 2 and Alan King, Sara Reiter and Samantha Bradshaw will be on our team. We will be sending a letter home to parents along with these wonderful directions and will be planning a time before September 30th where parents can come in and get support with getting their accounts. Thanks for adding another thing to our plate!!! Just kidding!

If you could send me this information by Friday, September 21st, it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you very much!!!!

Recommended Options
Option 1 ??? Office staff provide first line of support for parents – In this option, the district would provide training directly to school office staff and they would support parents with creating their account, log-in issues and accessing student academic information. They would elevate any issue they are unable to resolve to the ic.support account.

Option 2 ??? Schools select staff members to form a parent portal team – In this option, the principal would select a 2-5 person team (depending on enrollment) to provide support to parents. The district would provide training directly to the team and they would support parents with creating their account, log-in issues and accessing student academic information. We would not recommend using classroom teachers for this role, unless there are enough other team members to ensure that there is someone available to assist parents by phone or in person across the school day. We would recommend involving any of your family engagement people that you may have at your building if you select this option.

Option 3 ??? Teachers provide first line of support for parents – In this option, the classroom teacher would be the first point of contact for parents, but the school would need to identify 1-3 people to be the data administrators with access to change passwords and edit accounts. The teacher would support parents with navigating the portal and accessing information and elevate any issue they are not able to resolve to the data administrators, who in turn would elevate any issue they are unable to resolve to the ic.support account. The district would provide training to the identified data administrators, who would then train the teachers in their school on how to support parents with creating their account and accessing student academic information. At EC-5, this would be the homeroom teacher(s) and at secondary it would be the family advocate.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal Instructions (PDF)

PACT Referrals and Contract

From Rosie Rodriguez
Please fill out this form?? and save the link for all PACT Referrals. Families should also have already signed the PACT contract (attached).

Let me know if you have any questions.

PACT Contract (English) PDF

PACT Contract (Spanish) PDF

Previous Items

Staff Use of Communication Devices

From Melissa Fears
As part of your monthly review of the school district policies with staff, it is a good time to review the school district???s policy regarding the use of cell phones, smart phones, iPads, tablets and other portable devices during work hours.
The district prohibits employees from using any communication device that interrupts or disrupts the performance of duties by the employee or otherwise interferes with district operations, as determined by the employee???s supervisor.
Please ask your staff to take the time to familiarize themselves with details about the use of portable devices in ???Staff Use of Communication Devices??? under Section G Personnel, Number (or subsection) GAT of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools??? Board Policies or click here. The school district???s polices are available on the BoardDocs website.
If you have questions about this policy, please speak to your supervisor or Human Resources.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Parents’ Right to Know

From Bridgette DeSmet
The District is required to notify parents any time their child has gone four weeks without a highly qualified teacher in the classroom. To assist us with this reporting obligation, please send the attached template letter out to your families anytime a long term substitute has served four or more consecutive weeks in a classroom. Once you send the letter out, please provide Bridgette DeSmet with a signed copy on school letterhead. Please do not hesitate to contact Bridgette if you have any questions.
Parents’ Right to Know Letter (Word Document)
Parents’ Right to Know Letter – Spanish (Word Document)

Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses

From Sara Reiter
Teachers interested in teaching dual credit college courses need a master’s degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in the content area. PREP-KC is offering a scholarship for teachers with a master’s degree to obtain the additional 18 graduate credit hours needed to teach dual credit courses. This is a great opportunity to expand the number of dual credit college courses that we offer so students can earn a Diploma+ endorsement. Please share with your teachers who meet the criteria.

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q5Nm3tQtlM1-cHPiDTCdwZrBsE7O_zvdDzWv3PRXg6U/edit

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgEfYXFox7x9QjgrosNk3E6b0SOz3ksG0QlfVK-SnGdpSalA/viewform

A Reminder to Help Improve the KCKPS Website

From Mike Keener
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is embarking on a project to redesign its website (kckps.org) to enhance the user experience. Your input on the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Website Survey will help us improve our site and provide the information you want and need in a user-friendly format. Click here to take the brief survey. The website survey deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Additionally, look over the public site (as well as the staff site) to ensure that any information regarding or from your specific department is up-to-date and current. Email any changes, additional pages and/or documentation, or page removal requests to Mike Keener.

Thank you for helping us improve your future experience on kckps.org, the district???s website.

SRP Plan

From Raquel Ayala
If you haven’t done so already, please turn in a copy of your 2018/2019 SRP or Emergency Operation Plan. Please note a new section was added this year titled, “Missing Student”.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at 279.2218.

SRP Emergency Operation PlanPlan (Word Document)

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Contents

New Items

Parents’ Right to Know – for All Principals/Administrators
A Reminder to Help Improve the KCKPS Website – for All Administrators
SRP Plan – for All Administrators

Previous Items

Staff Use of Communication Devices – for All Administrators
Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses – for High School Administrators

New Items

Parents’ Right to Know

From Bridgette DeSmet
The District is required to notify parents any time their child has gone four weeks without a highly qualified teacher in the classroom. To assist us with this reporting obligation, please send the attached template letter out to your families anytime a long term substitute has served four or more consecutive weeks in a classroom. Once you send the letter out, please provide Bridgette DeSmet with a signed copy on school letterhead. Please do not hesitate to contact Bridgette if you have any questions.
Parents’ Right to Know Letter (Word Document)
Parents’ Right to Know Letter – Spanish (Word Document)

A Reminder to Help Improve the KCKPS Website

From Mike Keener
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is embarking on a project to redesign its website (kckps.org) to enhance the user experience. Your input on the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Website Survey will help us improve our site and provide the information you want and need in a user-friendly format. Click here to take the brief survey. The website survey deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Additionally, look over the public site (as well as the staff site) to ensure that any information regarding or from your specific department is up-to-date and current. Email any changes, additional pages and/or documentation, or page removal requests to Mike Keener.

Thank you for helping us improve your future experience on kckps.org, the district???s website.

SRP Plan

From Raquel Ayala
If you haven’t done so already, please turn in a copy of your 2018/2019 SRP or Emergency Operation Plan. Please note a new section was added this year titled, “Missing Student”.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at 279.2218.

SRP Emergency Operation PlanPlan (Word Document)

Previous Items

Staff Use of Communication Devices

From Melissa Fears
As part of your monthly review of the school district policies with staff, it is a good time to review the school district???s policy regarding the use of cell phones, smart phones, iPads, tablets and other portable devices during work hours.
The district prohibits employees from using any communication device that interrupts or disrupts the performance of duties by the employee or otherwise interferes with district operations, as determined by the employee???s supervisor.
Please ask your staff to take the time to familiarize themselves with details about the use of portable devices in ???Staff Use of Communication Devices??? under Section G Personnel, Number (or subsection) GAT of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools??? Board Policies or click here. The school district???s polices are available on the BoardDocs website.
If you have questions about this policy, please speak to your supervisor or Human Resources.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses

From Sara Reiter
Teachers interested in teaching dual credit college courses need a master’s degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in the content area. PREP-KC is offering a scholarship for teachers with a master’s degree to obtain the additional 18 graduate credit hours needed to teach dual credit courses. This is a great opportunity to expand the number of dual credit college courses that we offer so students can earn a Diploma+ endorsement. Please share with your teachers who meet the criteria.

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q5Nm3tQtlM1-cHPiDTCdwZrBsE7O_zvdDzWv3PRXg6U/edit

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgEfYXFox7x9QjgrosNk3E6b0SOz3ksG0QlfVK-SnGdpSalA/viewform

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Contents

New Items

Staff Use of Communication Devices – for All Administrators

Previous Items

Extra Code of Conducts and Spanish Parent Handbooks – for All Principals
Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses – for High School Administrators

New Items

Staff Use of Communication Devices

From Melissa Fears
As part of your monthly review of the school district policies with staff, it is a good time to review the school district???s policy regarding the use of cell phones, smart phones, iPads, tablets and other portable devices during work hours.
The district prohibits employees from using any communication device that interrupts or disrupts the performance of duties by the employee or otherwise interferes with district operations, as determined by the employee???s supervisor.
Please ask your staff to take the time to familiarize themselves with details about the use of portable devices in ???Staff Use of Communication Devices??? under Section G Personnel, Number (or subsection) GAT of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools??? Board Policies or click here. The school district???s polices are available on the BoardDocs website.
If you have questions about this policy, please speak to your supervisor or Human Resources.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Previous Items

Extra Code of Conducts and Spanish Parent Handbooks

From Valerie Anzicek
If there are extra English/Spanish Code of Conducts or Spanish Parent Handbooks that is not needed at your building, please return to Central Office to the attention of the Shop.
Your assistance is appreciated in managing the overprinting of books along with filling the requests for extra Code of Conduct and Parent Handbook.

Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses

From Sara Reiter
Teachers interested in teaching dual credit college courses need a master’s degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in the content area. PREP-KC is offering a scholarship for teachers with a master’s degree to obtain the additional 18 graduate credit hours needed to teach dual credit courses. This is a great opportunity to expand the number of dual credit college courses that we offer so students can earn a Diploma+ endorsement. Please share with your teachers who meet the criteria.

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q5Nm3tQtlM1-cHPiDTCdwZrBsE7O_zvdDzWv3PRXg6U/edit

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgEfYXFox7x9QjgrosNk3E6b0SOz3ksG0QlfVK-SnGdpSalA/viewform

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Contents

New Items

Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses – for High School Administrators

Previous Items

Attendance Awareness Month – for All Administrators
Extra Code of Conducts and Spanish Parent Handbooks – for All Principals

New Items

Teacher Scholarship Opportunity to Teach Dual Credit College Courses

From Sara Reiter
Teachers interested in teaching dual credit college courses need a master’s degree plus 18 graduate credit hours in the content area. PREP-KC is offering a scholarship for teachers with a master’s degree to obtain the additional 18 graduate credit hours needed to teach dual credit courses. This is a great opportunity to expand the number of dual credit college courses that we offer so students can earn a Diploma+ endorsement. Please share with your teachers who meet the criteria.

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q5Nm3tQtlM1-cHPiDTCdwZrBsE7O_zvdDzWv3PRXg6U/edit

Dual Credit Adjunct Fellow Scholarship Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgEfYXFox7x9QjgrosNk3E6b0SOz3ksG0QlfVK-SnGdpSalA/viewform

Previous Items

Attendance Awareness Month

From Rosie Rodriguez
September is Attendance Awareness Month! Let’s raise awareness about the importance of attendance in all of our buildings. Involve OUR students, parents and staff in making your building a place a student wants to come to everyday!

Extra Code of Conducts and Spanish Parent Handbooks

From Valerie Anzicek
If there are extra English/Spanish Code of Conducts or Spanish Parent Handbooks that is not needed at your building, please return to Central Office to the attention of the Shop.
Your assistance is appreciated in managing the overprinting of books along with filling the requests for extra Code of Conduct and Parent Handbook.