Taking the Pulse and Important Reminders

Making Progress

It is wonderful to see the progress students and classes are making as we move through this school year.  Classroom communities are evident in many rooms and students are learning at high levels.  As we continue to grow, we will strengthen all classroom communities, implementing PATHS with fidelity.  Staff, thank you for being risk-takers and embracing the district initiatives of the backpack of skills, racial equity, and culture and climate.  I have seen great collaboration with homeroom and special area teachers, as well as, tremendous flexibility with the changes to staff and absences without enough substitutes.  Our cafeteria and custodial staff are working hard to keep the building beautiful, in proper working order, and bringing food variety and fast service to students.  Thank you all for being professionals and putting in the time and effort to plan effective lessons, greet every student, and being an advocate for students and families.  Our office staff greatly supports the work of everyone and I am excited for the work we all are doing this year throughout the building.

Student Grades

As you are posting grades for students and reflecting on the first cycle, it is crucial that you are collaborating with ECE and ESL teachers and assistants.  Students who receive ECE and ESL services complete work in both classroom and resource room settings.  As you are compiling grades, be inclusive of the work in both settings.  At no time should an ECE or ESL student receive anything lower than a "D" or "NI" on their report card.  With the additional support they receive based on IEP and PSP goals and accommodations, students should not even get to a "D".  Be mindful that language acquisition is not a deficit, but a growth need.  Together, homeroom and ECE/ESL teachers should use data (work completion, quality, assessment, and participation) to decide grades.  If you have questions about grading or need assistance, see Jones or I.

Professional Learning Communities

Tomorrow, PLCs will discuss the trends you noticed with your students' narrative writing pieces.  As a teacher, you have already read them and provided feedback at various points as students were working on them.  PLC tomorrow is a time to discuss quality, the effectiveness of the rubric used, and next steps to assist students with writing evidenced from their performance on this assignment.  Please be sure to record PLC minutes and turn them into White by the end of the day.

Safety

This week, Dr. Pollio included the following safety reminders in his weekly address to principals.  I am putting them below for your review and adherence.

       Last month, we had the Kentucky Center for School Safety select 8 of our schools to do an assessment of our schools for safety.  We will be providing some more training around what they found, but I wanted to share with you some things that you can do immediately to address safety issues in your school.

·         There were inconsistencies in how staff addressed visitors before allowing them to enter the school.  Any staff member who is responsible for questioning a visitor through the camera/speaker should follow the script that is provided in the safety handbook, whether they feel they know the person or not.

·         There should be a complete protocol for visitors when they enter the building.  This protocol should be followed every time. This is state statute.

·         Doors were propped open in several instances around schools, often after school.  Doors must remain locked at all times.

·         Classroom doors should always be closed and locked.  This includes when students are in the classroom.  Teachers should not have their doors open during classroom instruction.  This is state statute.

Faculty Meeting

Faculty meeting this week with be a training for KPREP administration.  We have a few of these trainings each year so that we are knowledgeable and compliant with administration guidelines.

Thoughts and Prayers

Please keep Granny J and Ms. Covington in your thoughts and prayers.  Granny J lost her brother this past week and Ms. Covington lost her father.

Reminders

• Report grades are due on Infinite Campus by Tuesday, October 23rd
• A copy of your printed report cards are due by Wednesday, October 24th to White
• Please check the living calendar and daily updates