Greg King, SC Department of Education auditor, visited our district office and East Point Academy on Tuesday, November 2nd to conduct the Consolidated Monitoring of Title I, II, III, and IV. The district received an all clear audit!

Each school contributed to this huge accomplishment! A huge thank you goes out to the staff of East Point Academy, especially Mr. Andrew Hart, school leader, and Sarah Pryor, Federal Programs Coordinator. They rocked their monitoring visit! I would also like to thank our district staff for working so hard to prepare for the audit and ensure on a daily basis that schools and the district are in compliance with federal programs! Everything we do in federal programs ultimately goes back to ensuring that we make a difference in the lives of children! Kids First!

Click here to view the SCDE's monitoring close-out letter.

November 16th: Federal Programs University Session #3 - virtual - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Click here to join the conversation!

November 20th: Submit reimbursement requests in Epicenter for federal grant expenditures from October. Don't forget to collect PARS on a monthly basis for any employees paid with federal funds who have multiple job descriptions.

Annual Title I Meetings: Title I Schools ONLY - If you haven't already held your Annual Title I Meeting, please schedule that as soon as possible. Documentation is due in Epicenter November 16th. Be sure to include all of the following on the agenda:

• School's participation in Title I
• Requirements of Title I
• Parents' right to be involved in their child's education
• School performance profiles
• Description of curriculum/assessments
• How parents will receive their child's individual assessment results and an interpretation of such results
• Parent and Family Engagement Policy
• Home-School Compact

November 16th - Title I Schools ONLY:

• Annual Title I Meeting Documentation (Submit notice to parents, agenda with above items listed, sign-in sheets, PowerPoints or other handouts, parent feedback, and meeting minutes.)
• Procedure for Processing Parent Suggestions
• Home-School Compact
• Parent and Family Engagement Policy
• Notice to Parents Regarding Teacher Certification Status

*See Title I section in the newsletter for more information and samples.

November 16th - Title II:

• Parents' Right to Know
• Screenshot from Most Recent School Report Card - Must be listed under Parent Resources or About on the school's website.
• Hiring Procedures/Policy

December 8th: 2022-2023 Academic Recovery Plans Due in Epicenter

Questions about Epicenter tasks? Contact the following:

• Title I, II, IV, ATSI, CSI, Homeless, Foster Care: Tracie Sweet, Director of Federal Programs, tsweet@sccharter.org or Tatiana Velez, Federal Programs Assistant, tvelez@sccharter.org
• Title III, IDEA: Susan Howard, Chief of Special Programs, showard@sccharter.org

• ESSER II, ESSER III: Becky Huggins, COVID Impact Coordinator, rhuggins@sccharter.org
• Federal Programs Inventory: Destiny Grant, director of Operations, dgrant@sccharter.org

Application Status Updates

• FY23 Title I and II revised applications are currently being reviewed at the district level.
• FY23 Title III, Title IV, and IDEA are awaiting final approval from the SCDE.
• Note that schools MAY NOT submit claims until the district has received FINAL approval from the SCDE based on final allocations.

September Amendment Status Updates

• FY22 Title I and FY22 Title IV amendments were approved by the SCDE.
• FY22 Title II, FY22 Title III and FY22 CSI amendments are awaiting approval by SCDE.
• ESSER II is awaiting approval by the SCDE.
• ESSER III is currently being reviewed at the district level. Submission was delayed due to awaiting Public Input documentation from schools that is required for any changes.

We are excited to introduce you to the Kid's First Podcast. This is a podcast where educators, school leaders, policymakers, and others can share their stories and experiences. We always begin with "Why” because it isn't about a specific job, field, or occupation. It's all about why you do the things you do.

We would like to encourage you to share this link with your stakeholders. You can listen to the Podcast on multiple Podcast channels. Here are links to those available right now.

Subscribe on Spotify
Subscribe on Apple

If you have any feedback or if you’re interested in being a guest, please reach out to us at kidsfirst@sccharter.org

• Butler Academy - 2021-2022 Title I School
• Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School
• East Link Academy
• GREEN Greenville - 2021-2022 Title I School
• High Point Academy - 2021-2022 Title I School
• Legacy Early College - 2021-2022 Title I School
• Pee Dee MSTA - 2021-2022 Title I School
• Tall Pines STEM Academy
• York Preparatory Academy
• Youth Leadership Academy

As a recipient of ESSER funds in response to COVID-19, the district is required to submit Academic Recovery Plans annually. Each school submitted their most recent plan in the spring of 2021. SCPCSD submits a thirty-thousand-foot overarching district plan, and each autonomous charter submits their school plan. The district plan is submitted via the state Formstack. The school plans will be submitted via the Google Form link provided below. Upon receipt of school plans, the district will compile all data and reporting to SCDE on the school's behalf.

DEADLINES

The school deadline for 22-23 Academic Recovery Plan submissions is Thursday, December 8th. The state deadline for 22-23 Academic Recovery Plan submissions is Thursday, December 15th.

RESOURCES

Here are links and resources to support this work. Schools are encouraged to draw their attention to the guidance for carry-over of previous goals vs. the creation of new goals. Please prioritize as needed.

• Link to School Academic Recovery Plan Google Form: https://forms.gle/9tbc8w9QfggzdCxLA
• Link to SCDE MEMO: https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/school-district-memoranda-archive/district-academic-recovery-plan-update-202223/district-academic-recovery-plan-update-202223-memo/
• SMART Goal Support: https://ed.sc.gov/instruction/early-learning-and-literacy/read-to-succeed/reading-plans-state-district-and-school/creating-a-smart-goal/
• Annual Growth, Catch-Up Growth SCDE Resource: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qWci1eByq2LmyAuajbktEIuTk065-1a3/view

Questions? Contact Emalee Baker at ebaker@sccharter.org.

Update - Tier 2 schools will have quarterly Federal Program check-ins instead of monthly. Tatiana Velez will send out emails with quarterly check-in dates soon. Please note that if the date and time is not convenient for you, we are happy to schedule at a more convenient time.

Click on the link below to access the Epicenter tasks due in Epicenter for Title I, II, IV, ATSI, CSI, and ESSER Grants.

Quarterly due dates for claims in Epicenter as discussed during the 10/6/2022 Penny Patrol:

• These dates will only apply to active grants that have been approved (example-FY23 Title I will not be approved until November at the earliest so we will accept Q1 expenditures for this program after the 11/15 deadline, but not after the Q2 deadline of 2/15/23). Also, items like conference travel may be submitted after the deadline if the conference took place at a later date. - Nick Michael, SCPCSD Chief of Financial Services

Click here to access the new Quick Reference Guide. Review the requirements for each type of submission prior to hitting that submit button!

Please plan to join us online for Federal Programs University session #3 on November 16th at 9:00 am. Click here to join the conversation!

November Agenda:

• Parent and Family Engagement
• Evaluation of Federal Activities – Determine tools used to measure outcomes to prepare for mid-year evaluations

Check out the recording from session #2 below.

SME Education Foundation Scholarships

The Foundation awards millions of dollars annually to students pursuing manufacturing or engineering related degrees, at community colleges or 4-year universities. The Foundation offers scholarships for all students including women, minorities, and those with financial need. By completing one application, students are considered for all Foundation scholarships!

To learn more about the Foundation’s scholarship opportunities visit here. Questions? Contact Kathy Carter at kcarter@sme.org or Phillip Hang at phang@sme.org.

Please be sure to submit monthly reimbursement requests for federal grant expenditures from the previous month! Pay special attention to the SCDE claiming requirements listed below for Title I, Title II, and Title IV.

• Title I schools MUST spend at least 85% of allocations within year 1 of the grant. The district is only allowed to carryover 15% to year 2.
• Schools receiving Title II or Title IV MUST spend at least 50% of allocations within year 1 of the grant.

Click here to access financial resources for federal programs, such as cover sheets, time and effort templates, etc.

UPCOMING DEADLINES

• Continue to spend down FY22 Title I funds.
• Continue to claim monthly for the previous month's expenditures.
• Review Title I tasks due in Epicenter and note due dates. Click here to access all tasks and their due dates, instructions, and samples.

• Due November 16th - Annual Title I Parent Meeting: Title I schools must hold an Annual Title I Parent Meeting in the fall of each year and give all parents an opportunity to participate in the meeting. Most schools hold this meeting in conjunction with other parent and family engagement events, such as Open House, Back to School Night, etc.

• Agenda items must include the following: school’s participation in Title I, requirements of Title I, parents’ right to be involved in their child’s education, school performance profiles, description of curriculum/assessments, how parents will receive their child’s individual assessment results and an interpretation of such results.

• Documentation required from Annual Title I Meeting: meeting notice, sign-in sheets, agenda, PowerPoints or other handouts, parent feedback, and meeting minutes.

• Suggestion: Schools can also use this opportunity to invite parents to serve on the school’s Federal Programs Planning Committee in the spring. The planning meetings in the spring will consist of a smaller group of stakeholders to form a committee, but now is a good time to gather information from parents who may be interested in serving on this committee.

• Due November 16th - Required Documents Provided to Parents: Schools must provide parents with a copy of the following documents at the beginning of each year:

• Parent and Family Engagement Policy

• Home-School Compact

• Procedure for Processing Parent Suggestions

• Parents’ Right to Know

• Notice to Parents Regarding Teacher Certification Status (This notice is only provided to parents of children being taught four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not properly certified. This applies to all teachers teaching core academic subjects.) Click here to access a sample letter.

• Click here to access additional samples and checklists for the required parent documents.

The district purchased books for Title I classroom libraries using leftover funds from expiring Title I grants. Classrooms can never have too many books! Check out the creative way that Spartanburg Preparatory shared the books with teachers!

UPCOMING DEADLINES

• Continue to spend down FY22 Title II funds.
• Continue to claim monthly for the previous month's expenditures.
  
• Review Title II tasks due in Epicenter and note due dates. Click here to access all tasks and their due dates, instructions, and samples.
  

• November 16th - Parents’ Right to Know Due in Epicenter: Provide parents with a copy of the school’s Parents’ Right to Know at the beginning of the year. The school will submit a copy in Epicenter, along with a brief statement describing how the document was disseminated to parents (examples include beginning of year packets, parent handbook, student agenda, website, newsletter, etc.). Click here to access a copy of the district's Parents' Right to Know.

• November 16th - Screenshot from Most Recent School Report Card Due in Epicenter - Must be listed under Parent Resources or About on the school's website.

• November 16th - Hiring Procedures/Policy Due in Epicenter

• Continue to spend down FY22 Title III funds.
• Continue to claim monthly for the previous month's expenditures.
• For programming tasks due in Epicenter, refer to your Multilingual Learner Program Coordinator at the school.

UPCOMING DEADLINES

• Continue to spend down FY22 Title IV funds.
• Continue to claim monthly for the previous month's expenditures.
• Review Title IV tasks due in Epicenter and note due dates. Click here to access all tasks and their due dates, instructions, and samples.

• Continue to spend down ESSER II and III funds.
• Continue to claim monthly for the previous month's expenditures.

• Amendments are in the process of being reviewed. Schools will be contacted you as soon as approval is received by the SCDE.

ESSER II or III questions? Please contact Becky Huggins, COVID Impact Coordinator, at rhuggins@sccharter.org.

• Continue to spend down FY22 Title III funds.
• Continue to claim monthly for the previous month's expenditures.

For programming tasks due in Epicenter, refer to your Special Education/IDEA Coordinator at the school.

Please use this form to request access to Epicenter. Emily Paul will respond to requests for assistance in the order they are received. Time is set aside on Monday and Thursday to work through the requests.
*Please note, only a school leader or board member can ask for another staff to have access to the 'staff secure data' role.

SCPCSD Mission Statement

The South Carolina Public Charter School District authorizes, champions and supports the creation and advancement of innovative K-12 public charter schools that provide access to academic opportunities for every student in South Carolina to reach their fullest potential.

1824 Barnwell Street

Columbia, SC 29201

803.734.8322