Principal Update

Principal Update Guidance

Principal Update Attachments:

The information shared in the Principal Update is for administrators.
Items within the Principal Update that can be shared with staff will be clearly identified.
Links to documents will not be shared with any staff requesting access from an outside TPS email address.
Attached items can be located in a Shared Folder entitled PU 2021-22.
If you have questions regarding the content, please email the appropriate supervisor of the department as stated in each section.
Please download the banners to use on your school social media or to add to your school newsletter.

Teaching & Learning Updates

SEG Assessment: To continue improving in the area of Social-Emotional Learning, we have created an opportunity to measure student social-emotional growth at all levels using the Kansas SECD standards. To collect our first data points determining students' current strengths and needs in social-emotional skills, we will be using the same format we use to collect SRSS-IE data. Mr. Winkler will be sending teachers the information they need to access the form. Please communicate to your teachers that their answers to each indicator should be quick and instinctual much like the SRSS-IE and is not meant to take a lot of time to complete for each student. Here is a brief presentation to use to introduce the "why" and the "how" of measuring social-emotional growth. At the elementary level, some of the indicators may already be familiar based on the current grade card. Please have your teachers complete the SEG Indicators for their students by Friday, February 25th. If you or your staff have any questions, please contact Nettie Johnson at njohnson2@tps501.org.

Anecdotal Note: One school shared that the passwords sent did not work, but the teacher's SRSS passwords did work.

MAP Pilot Testing: TPS will be piloting MAP as we recently learned that Scantron is going out of business. The pilot testing will occur between now and next Monday as we work to minimize testing in March. This will allow students some time away from testing just prior to KAP in April. If your school is selected, If you are a Title I School and want to volunteer to pilot the MAP with some students, please reach out to Dr. Kipp.

March BOE Meetings: As a reminder, March BOE meetings were rearranged due to spring break. They are scheduled on the second and fourth Thursdays, March 10 and 24.

2022-2023 Handbooks: The following statement should be added to all school handbooks: Parents can request the professional qualifications for their student's teachers anytime by contacting the building administrator.

Virtual Meetings: As the Community COVID indicator is out of the red, in person meetings may resume with social distancing and masks in place.

Closing of Schools Checklist: See attached.

Resources for Black History Month: Brown v Board Resources and the link to the TPS Celebrations Website.

Here's the story behind Black History Month-and why it's celebrated in February

Jonathan Franklin, Reporter, NPR, printed version

Video, The History of Black History Month, Youtube, Stanford, 3:46"

2022-2023 Academic Calendar

Ci3T Surveys and Observations: The window for Ci3T observations and surveys is open February 22nd-March 31st. As we did in the fall, we are asking that building principals send the Ci3T survey emails to staff. This will help ensure the staff know it is important to complete and that we truly value the feedback. If you haven’t already, please complete this google form to let the Ci3T leadership team know when you plan to send the surveys so we can send you the email narrative. Once the PIRS/TSR survey has been sent to staff, Ci3T observations will begin. Observations will be done by a team of observers, including some of your staff, over several days. You will be notified when the team begins observations and who is on the team. Please contact Nettie Johnson with any questions.

TopCity Teachers: The TopCity Teacher events are for new teachers hired at semester and student teachers.

Thursday, February 24th – 5:00 – 6:30 pm – Forge Young Professionals event. If you are not familiar with Forge, it is an organization that focuses on networking, community, social and professional development activities for professionals 40 and under. The Executive Director of Forge, Rhett Flood, will present on what Forge has to offer, and our events team will also share about all of the opportunities for fun and community involvement that we have in Topeka. This will be a fun event, and all ages are welcome, even if they don’t fit in the Forge demographic. We’re still working on the location for this event but will likely be at either Axe & Ale or The Tee Box downtown. #SHARE

Data Consult Schedule: The Data Consult schedule and form has been updated in the Administrator Folder or you can CLICK HERE to go directly to the Data Consult folder. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Mac.

March Health & Fitness Tip: See the attached and share with staff and students. It can be added to your school newsletter. #SHARE

EL Update

If you have questions about EL Services Updates, please contact Anita Curry, the Director of EL Services.

KELPA Testing Information

KELPA is part of the KAP and is an equally weighted ESSA Accountability Indicator; please remember to keep all-school interruptions to a minimum while your English learners are taking this assessment.
The KELPA testing window closes 3/11/22
The KELPA scoring window closes 3/31/22

EL Teachers and Substituting: Please do not utilize EL teachers as substitutes during the KELPA testing and scoring windows. This will allow them to maintain the schedules the Assessment and EL Departments have created.

SEMILLA: Grant funded classes leading to an ESOL Endorsement:

Cohort #2 for ESOL Endorsement classes will start next fall 2022 (not this summer). Details will come out soon. If anyone in your building is interested in getting their ESOL endorsement through this grant, have them contact Anita Curry for details. #SHARE

IEP/504 Interpreter Services: If you need an interpreter for an IEP or 504 meeting, all requests must be submitted through the district’s IEP Interpreter Request Form . Spanish interpreters for an IEP or 504 meeting need an advanced notice of at least 2 weeks. Languages other than Spanish will need advanced notice of at least 4 weeks. #SHARE

Professional Learning Opportunities

Conferences: Travel is not approved at this time for conferences.

MANDT Training: Please see this schedule for Mandt training sessions in the upcoming weeks. Certified staff are paid a stipend of $20 for half day/evening sessions and $40 for full day sessions. Classified staff may attend for professional development points. Questions or to sign up, contact Nettie Johnson njohnson2@tps501.org.

KSDE Summer Academies: See the attached Save the Date flier.

February 23: Motivational Interviewing: Learn how motivational interviewing techniques can be used to intervene and help school age children become motivated to change addictive behaviors that are preventing them from making healthier choices. Dr. Elly Leavens, Research Assistant Professor in Population Health at Kansas University Medical Center, who serves as the chair of the Youth Vaping Task Force, Discipline and Cessation subgroup and whose research investigates mechanisms that contribute to tobacco use and tobacco-related health inequities will be joined by Alicia Jackson, School Counselor at Olathe West High School in the Olathe School District and 2018 Kansas Counselor of the Year to present the fourth and final wellness Wednesday session. Register to attend here.

Elementary Update

If you have any questions related to the Elementary Update, please contact Mrs. Sharp, General Director of Preschool and Elementary.

Symphony Field Trip Transportation: Here is the finalized schedule to be distributed to principals for Feb 24th TSO Trip to TPAC for 4th Grade. There is inclement weather in the forecast for Thursday. Even if school is in session, there may be delays in transportation due to weather.

Bus Lists

Schedule

Student Handbooks: Due date for student handbook changes for Elementary is April 25th. Use this worksheet for changes.

Kindergarten Orientation: You will receive learning kits to pass out to each student the evening of Kindergarten Orientation. You should receive them by March 30th at the latest.

5th grade middle school visits and Orientation:

April 26th 9:30-10:45: Jardine/Landon/Chase will host

April 27th 9:30-10:45: French/Robinson/Eisenhower will host

April 28th Parent Orientation will be held at all MS 5:30-6:30pm.

Group Pictures: Please schedule group pictures in April or May and plan to have them outside without masks.

KAP Dates: Please plan to utilize the following dates for KAP testing at the elementary level:
Science: March 29th and 30th
Math or ELA: April 12th and 13th
ELA or Math: April 19th and 20th

Secondary Updates

If you have questions regarding the Secondary Update, please contact Billie Wallace, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning.

High School Class Sizes: There should not be classes of less than 15 students. As we look at course offerings and pre enrollment numbers, this is a hard line. We will be a topic of discussion at the next Data Consults.

Living the Dream Scholarship: Living the Dream, Inc. will be awarding college scholarships this year to graduating high school seniors who meet the eligibility requirements. Please be aware the Scholarship and Awards Banquet will be held on May 7th at the Ramada Inn Convention Center. Attached is the 2022 MLK Application form. This form is also posted on the Living the Dream, Inc. website at: www.ltdtopeka.com. The application deadline is March 10, 2022.

Please share his information with graduating high school seniors that meet the eligibility requirements who plan to enroll in a four-year or two year college or university in the Fall 2022 semester.

High School SS KAP: The current window for the 11th grade Social Studies Classroom Based Assessment has closed, but due to the snow days and the mental health day, the window will be extended. Please have the assessment completed by February 16 and scored by March 4.

Social-Emotional Learning C&A Team: As we work on SEL CDMs, we are looking for secondary teachers who would be willing to support in the area of designing curriculum for SEL. This will incorporate Second Step and other support resources. This team will be responsible for writing our Curriculum Design Maps for Social-Emotional Learning and continuously improving our instruction to meet the needs of our scholars. Please share this application with interested, qualified candidates. If you have any questions, please contact Nettie Johnson.

Winter Dances and Social Events: Thank you TWHS and THS for sending in your plans for Winter Royalty Dances. This allows us to proceed in ways that put student safety first.

Student Handbooks: Due date for student handbook changes for HS and MS is April 25th. Use the worksheet for changes.

Vaping Education Resources: The E-Cigarette/Vaping Task Force has developed both English and Spanish language versions of several educational resources. Attached are pdfs of “The Do’s and Don’ts of Talking to Teens about Vaping” and “Teen Vaping What to Watch For” in both English and Spanish. For additional resources to help address vaping in schools, go to the following link on the Kansas Department of Health & Environment website.

March 1, 2022 ACT: Please ensure that the attached spreadsheet is updated and that students are participating in some type of ACT Prep (juniors only).

Overnight Travel for Students: The following forms will be used for any overnight student trips within the region, for example the KMEA event in February:

Assessment & Demographics Update

If. you have questions related to items in this section, please contact the General Director of Assessment and Demographics, Dr. Aaron Kipp.

MyACT is open for students to create their accounts to answer the non-test questions and request that their scores be sent to colleges. They may send to up to four schools for FREE but must complete the requests in MyACT by two days after they test. The link below provides some tips for working with MyACT. MyACT Resources: Tips for Schools and Students

KAP Resource Sheets: Just a reminder that students can use these resource sheets while they are taking the KAP assessment. If you need some printed out and ponied over, please let Dr. Kipp know. Click here to view.

Mandatory Test Security/Ethics Training Video: Please follow this link to the pre-recorded youtube video for the 2022 test security training. There will be a sign off link and form at the end of the video.

Student Transfers for 2022-2023: The window for student transfer requests opened 1/1/22 and will run until 3/31/22. The link can be found here or on our TPS website.

Information Technology Update

If you have questions regarding Information Technology Updates, please contact Mr. Scott Gowan, CIO.

Software Committee Reminder: Please share with your teams the reminder that all Software or Internet requests, including those used for enrichment programs, must be approved by the software committee. We started the process because a lot of software was being purchased that does not work with our network or system.

Increase in CyberSecurity Threats: Please share with your teams that cybersecurity threats against school districts are on the rise, again. We have discussed these threat types before, but make sure that members of your teams do not open emails, attachments, or files unless they are certain about the person who sent them. When in doubt, call or email (do not reply) the person you believe sent it to you to confirm that is the case. With our recent loss of data on the U: Drive, we cannot be too careful.

New Students: Please share with your teams the reminder that all new students must be registered through the online registration process in TylerSIS. If an existing family needs to add a student, please reopen their registration and add a student to the "Student Information" form in online registration. Once the student is added and that form is marked complete, additional online registration forms will be generated for the student. Once all of the online registration is complete for all members of the family's household, the registration must be submitted and approved before the new student will show in the TylerSIS database. When the new student is assigned to a school, then additional optional e-Forms will be available for the family to complete. Don't forget that the student's email address must be entered into TylerSIS before the student will be rostered in any of our assessments or instructional software.

Google Drive Storage: Please share with your teams that Google will begin limiting the amount of data that the district can store in GMail, Google Drive, and Google Classroom. All students, faculty, and staff should begin reviewing their files to see what they need to keep and what can be deleted or stored elsewhere. We have begun reaching out to students and staff with higher amounts of data stored, beginning first with a warning message to reduce the amount of data stored. Principals will be copied on any student who receives this warning message in order to reinforce the importance of complying with our request to reduce this storage. If students do not comply with a required reduction in storage, then parents will be contacted and ultimately large files may be deleted to reduce consumption of space. Here is an infographic you can share with your team.

FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program: Please share with your teams that the FCC has announced a permanent affordable connectivity program that will provide eligible families, who apply, a credit of up to $30 per month to cover the cost of Broadband services with various providers, including Cox. Eligible families include those who qualify for free & reduced school lunch, SNAP, WIC, or those with an income level at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline for family size. Click here for information from Cox in either English or Spanish.

Password Changes: Please share with your teams that complex passwords that are changed periodically can often be our best defense against cybersecurity attacks. We have encouraged our secondary students to demonstrate good digital citizenship by updating their passwords, but we should also demonstrate that behavior ourselves. We encourage everyone to update their passwords at least quarterly.

Track-IT: Please share with your teams that all requests for IT support should go through Track-IT so that the IT Managers can assign your request to the person who is best prepared to solve that problem. This person may not always be the person you expect it to be, so please use the system we have in place to manage these requests. You are always welcome to follow up with us via email after the problem has been reported through Track-IT, but our team and their supervisors need that information in Track-IT in order to collaboratively solve this problem.

Contractor Accounts: As a reminder, contractor accounts are all set to automatically expire a year after they are requested. Each year, administrators need to request those accounts to be reset for the following year. Here is a link to request or to renew any district network and Google accounts. This link is for any temporary employee such as Contractors or Student Teachers.

Business Office

If you have questions related to information in this section, please reach out to Shawnett Mansfield, Director of Budget and Grant Fund Accounting.

Lump Sum Summer Payment: ATTENTION: CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES

State statute (K.S.A. 74-4940) requires that any certified employee who wants to change to summer lump sum payment must provide written notice to the TPS Business Office no later than April 1st.

Authorization agreement forms are available in the Business Office at the Burnett Center or just below this section they are attached.

If you are a certified staff member considering KPERS retirement this year, we recommend that you sign up for LUMP SUM payroll payments.

If you are currently signed up for the lump sum summer payments and wish to discontinue it, please notify Payroll in writing by April 1st.

Lump Sum payments are scheduled for June 18, 2022.

Please call the main payroll number – 295-3069 or Linda Anguiano – 295-3043 if you have any questions.

Calendar of Events

February 24, 2022: Fourth Grade Symphony Field Trip
February 24, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
March 1, 2022: KSDE ACT (Juniors Only)
March 9, 2022: TPS/KSU Academy 6 Information Mtg., Bishop 4:30-5:30
March 14-18, 2022: Spring Break
March 21, 2022: Flex Day - Report Cards Due in Tyler SIS by 6:00 pm
March 29, 2022: TPS/KSU Academy 6 Information Mtg., Bishop 4:30-5:30
March 30, - April 15, 2022: SRSS-IE Spring Screening Window
March 31, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
April 2, 2022: National ACT Testing Day
April 5, 2022: District Funded ACT
April 5, 2022: Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30-6:30
April 15, 2022: No School for Staff or Students
April 18 - 29, 2022: MyIGDIs Testing Window
April 25, 2022: District PD Day
April 26, 2022: 5th Grade Orientation Jardine/Landon/Chase, 9:30-10:45:
April 26, 2022: Distinguished Staff Awards (DSA), 5:30 pm.
April 27, 2022: 5th Grade Orientation, French/Robinson/Eisenhower, 9:30-10:45
April 28, 2022: 5th Grade Parent Orientation will be held at all MS 5:30-6:30pm.
April 28, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
May 2, 2022: Chase and Jardine, 8th Grade HS Visits
May 3, 2022: Robinson and Eisenhower, 8th Grade HS Visits
May 4, 2022: Adaptive PE Field Day
May 5, 2022: Landon and French, 8th Grade HS Visits
May 11, 2022: Hope Street Academy Graduation
May 11, 2022: Adaptive PE Field Day - Rain Date
May 14, 2022: High School Graduation
May 12, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
May 12, 2022: Sheldon/PRP Promotion, 2:00
May 13, 2022: Sheldon?PIP Promotion, 2:00
May 18, 2022: PIP Promotion, 2:00
May 19, 2022: PIP Promotion Rain Date, 2:00
May 20, 2022: State Preschool Promotion, 2:00
May 23, 2022: State Preschool Promotion Rain Date, 9:00
May 23, 2022: 5th Grade Promotion, 2:00
May 24, 2022: 5th Grade Promotion Rain Date, 9:30
May 24, 2022: 8th Grade Promotion, 8:00
May 25, 2022: Report Cards Due in Tyler SIS by 6:00 pm
May 27, 2022: Administrator PD Day
May 31, 2022: Administrator PD Day
June 2-3, 2022: Adaptive Schools Foundations, Bishop (REQUIRED for 11 Schools on Improvement - BLT)
June 1, 2022: Twenty-Eighth Annual Foundation Golf Tournament
June 11, 2022: National ACT Testing Day
July 18-19, 2022: Adaptive Schools Foundations, Bishop (REQUIRED for 11 Schools on Improvement - BLT)
July 12, 2022: 10 1/2 Month Administrators ON DUTY
July 16, 2022: National ACT Testing Day
July 21, 2022: In-Person Enrollment, 7:30 am - 7:00 pm.
September 13, 2022: Thirteenth Annual Foundation Community Breakfast

Principal Update

February 22, 2022

Principal Update Guidance

Welcome New School Board Attorney

Congratulate Mrs. Kopp

Services for Dr. Gordon's Mother