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.

Local Podcast Highlights Mallory Jacobs, Whitson Counselor

An international educational podcast - Linkedup: Breaking Boundaries in Education. highlights Topeka’s very own school counselor Mallory Jacobs, and Washburn Auburn counselor, Hanna Kemble. They were recent guests on the podcast and shared some great nuggets of knowledge about the state of social emotional learning and insights they gained from the national conference in Las Vegas. These two counselor leaders were great guests.

Here is the link to their podcast: https://youtu.be/uTM7Nkbw8xQ

Teaching & Learning Updates

REMINDER ..... KSDE Kansans Can Success Tour: TPS will be host site for Dr. Watson's Listening Tour on September 8, 2021 from 1:00-2:30 at Bishop. That is tomorrow.

Data Consult Schedule: See here. The blank DC form has been dropped into the Administrator Shared Drive. It is also here.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://tps501.zoom.us/j/88609696181
Meeting ID: 886 0969 6181
Passcode: 446261

9/11 Lesson Ideas: There are lesson ideas at the attached link. #SHARE

Suicide Prevention Week: This week is Suicide Prevention Week. KSDE provides the following resources: Suicide prevention tip sheets are available at Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Adolescent Health - Behavioral Health (kdheks.gov). If you are concerned about yourself or a friend, text Crisis Text Line at 741741 or call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). These services are free, confidential and available 24/7.

MANDT Training Survey: Please complete the MANDT Training Survey. Complete the survey for each staff person you would like to have trained.

Autism Parent Resources: Family Service and Guidance Center is hosting a 12 session series for parents of an autistic child. The flyer is attached here. #SHARE

Constitution Day: Please share this link to the TPS Academic Holidays Website to find resources for the upcoming September holidays. Constitution Day is September 17. We are required by Kansas law to celebrate through learning about the U.S. constitution during the week of September 13-17. I am also attaching the Calendar of Recognition Days put together by Mrs. Nordyke. #SHARE

Hispanic Heritage Month: September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Teachers can find resources on the TPS Academic Holidays Website. Please share plans for how your school is celebrating this month in your school. #SHARE

Native American Day: September 24, 2021 is Native American Day. Resources will soon be added to the TPS Academic Holidays Website. Please share how your school is celebrating in your school. #SHARE

Building Visitors: If your school has an established community partnership with an organization (e.g., Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Foster Grandparents, The Bridge), you can have them in the school if they follow masking and social distance protocols..

COVID Safety Steps: Please see the list below. If you have a specific question related to an event, please email your supervisor.

No lunch buddies with adults or visitors (be mindful that no elementary students are vaccinated and we must protect them)
No indoor visitors or guest speakers without masks indoors
While vaccinated staff and students are exempt from quarantine, if there has been a close contact by the principal, we ask that when possible, you refrain from school wide exposure and stay within your office areas
No school wide assemblies given social distancing can be challenging
Please maintain your own confidentiality as it can be scary if you share information about health matters that are personal and those may be shared by staff with parents causing greater anxiety and fear
All safety and mitigation cleaning methods should be followed

After School Programs: As you plan for your after school program staff, please use the attached account strips to complete your FB 30s, leaving the project number blank.

When you complete your request for funds for materials, please be sure to record how your purchase is Covid-19 related. We need this information for our state report.

If you are requesting curriculum materials, please refer to the KSDE Approved Evidence Based Practices List or visit What Works Clearinghouse to ensure your requested resources have adequate evidence of effectiveness. Programatic requests will be reviewed by the District Ci3T Interventions Team. Questions? Please contact Stacey Kramer skramer@tps501.org, 235-7146.

TPS and NEA-Topeka have a signed MOU to pay after school program staff funded through ESSER dollars at the following rate:

Certified Staff - $25 an hour
Classified Staff - $18 an hour (not to exceed 40 hours per week)

Please submit FB30s to Mrs Wallace for secondary and Mrs. Sharp for elementary. These MUST be submitted prior to the after school program starting. Please add the rate of pay in the comments section on the FB30. Plan to start with items you have within your school.

Remote After School Tutoring: If you have not planned to provide an online tutoring support, please add this component to your plan. This will support students who do not have transportation and also those students on quarantine.

Trip Requests: Please see the attached directions when you want to make a request for busses. This includes requesting busses for field trips.

Principal Meeting: The Principal Meeting will be September 9 at 7:30. We will also provide an opportunity that same afternoon with Michael Fullen. More details will follow. APs will meet following the schedule created by Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Hoffman.

Zoom: https://tps501.zoom.us/j/86776217737 (Passcode: 401870)

COVID Letter: See the attached COVID Letter from Mrs. Vawter.

OCR Guidance: Attached is the latest guidance from OCR and OSERS that added Long Covid as a condition entitled to protection under IDEA (OHI category) and Section 504. If a student has Long COVID, they could qualify for an IEP or 504 plan if they need additional support or services.

ASQ3 Screening: Our goal is 100% completed by Sept. 20. Please be aware of your school completion data. Mrs. Sharp has shared it and will continue to share it weekly. The ASQ3 is KSDE Outcome data for Kindergarten Readiness and is a part of our accreditation.

COVID Incidents Reporting 2021-2022 for staff reporting: COVID Incidents Reporting 2021-2022

Report Card Distribution Schedule: See attachment.

SRSS-IE Screening: The window for the SRSS-IE and the new SRSS-EC (Early Childhood) is open.

Elementary Principals:

Please email Robert Winkler the date and time of your screening.

Secondary principals:

Please choose one hour for the screening and email Robert Winkler which hour you choose. This is not the hour during which the screening will happen, it simply helps us create the list of students. You will want to choose the hour with the greatest number of students in attendance that hour.

Resources for Additional Information:

Accessing Screener Files

SRSS-IE and SRSS-EC Information for Principals 2021-22

Screening Coordinator Training Manual: A Guide for Installing the SRSS-IE in your School or District

For more information or questions, please contact Nettie Johnson, njohnson2@tps501.org or Robert Winkler, rwinkler@tps501.org

District Property Checkout Form: It was requested at the TA meeting that this spreadsheet be shared with principals. This spreadsheet shows the staff member who has filled out the district's property checkout form. This form must be filled out by any staff member who is taking TPS equipment/technology out of their building. Anyone not listed has not filled out the form. #SHARE

PSU Distinguish Staff Award: The College of Education Distinguished Service Award goes to a teacher and an administrator whose careers have been characterized by exemplary service. To be eligible for this award, the educator must be employed in a school system and be a Pittsburg State University alumnus. You may nominate both a teacher and an administrator by accessing the forms in PDF format at the following link.

We will select the distinguished service award recipients this fall. Nomination instructions may be found on the form and the deadline for nominations for the Distinguished Service Award for fall 2021 is Friday, October 15, 2021. Nominations may be sent by email to klasota@pittstate.edu in place of mailing paper form. Nominations for distinguished service this fall will remain active until Fall 2023.

Service to the Community Awards: United Way Volunteerism Volunteerism is woven into the fabric of our community and of United Way of Greater Topeka. It brings strength, color and texture to everything we do. When you and those around you serve, the impact goes beyond the agencies and individuals in our community, but it makes a better place for all to live when we work together. Ad Astra Honors will recognize community members who continually go above and beyond the call to support our neighbors in need.

I wanted to encourage you to consider nominating deserving individuals for the Ad Astra Honors for the Service to the Community Awards. There are two categories, one for individuals 21 and under (Youth), and one for individuals over the age of 21 (Professional), please consider making a nomination. There is an application that the nominee will receive and need to complete to be considered.

Service to the Community – Youth or 21 and under Nomination Link -
Service to the Community – Professional or Over the age of 21 Nomination Link

Professional Learning Opportunities

BTS Spark Upcoming Webinar: Our next free webinar is on New Beginnings – New Normal, New Paradigm, New Drivers with Michael Fullan, Jason Glass, and Tiffany Anderson and will be held on September 9th 4-5pm ET USA. Join us for an engaging discussion around what our new normal for education brings - both in terms of issues and opportunities. This year schools are reopening once again under the cloud of Covid-19 and the uncertainty and apprehension that it brings. Yet while great strides have been made by schools in adjusting and transforming their processes, many schools are still looking backwards to focus on what was lost as opposed to what has been gained.

At BTS Spark, we are committed to helping you support your school leaders and their wellbeing. Starting Friday, September 17th, our Wellbeing Program is a four-session virtual small group program that uses our research-backed, award-winning process specifically designed to improve Wellbeing for educators and school leaders. Content includes:

Managing People: learn how to listen to others concerns and be present without taking on their problems as your own
Balance: learn to balance the increasing demands on your time while maintaining your personal happiness, confidence, and wellness
State of Mind: gain a clear understanding of what influences your state of mind so that you can respond with resourcefulness, authority, and empathy
Finding your Spark: reconnect with your passion for education so that you feel renewed and energized to continue to do this important and critical work

This four-week Open Cohort is open to anyone. We’re currently offering this cohort for $450 which is $100 off the regular price to support those who are committed to wellbeing from the start of the year.

Click here to learn more and share this link with your Principals, Teachers and peers. Space is limited.

Our programs are unique; we focus on long-term change by uncovering and shifting the mindsets that impact your wellbeing.

BSEL Training: MTSS is sponsoring a series of webinars on Behavioral Social Emotional Learning. See the attached flyer.

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

Tyler SIS Training: Do you have new teachers or substitutes that need to know more about usng Tyler SIS for attendance and grading?

Breakouts at Bishop: We are hosting virtual one-hour Breakouts at Bishop on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month beginning September 9 from 4:30pm until 5:30pm. See the flyers for Breakouts at Bishop and September 9th Breakouts! We will randomly give out door prizes. Enroll on Frontline.

Breakout at Bishop Session: More Than Just Learning Intentions and Success Criteria

Who’s ready to move on in their Teacher Clarity journey? A workshop-model Teacher Clarity series, hitting on all elements of teacher clarity, will be offered during Breakouts at Bishop starting on September 9. This series will offer teachers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and receive one-on-one feedback to improve their practice in teacher clarity.

Each of the four series cycles will:

Introduce a Teacher Clarity Playbook Module
Provide a workshop session for one-on-one feedback on authentic classroom practice
Follow up with a classroom visit for additional feedback

Please consider recommending this series to teachers who are ready to move forward in their Teacher Clarity practice and to those teachers who could use some support in making classroom instruction more clear and cohesive.

Start with Why Book Study: Some of you have read or are currently reading Simon Sinek's book, Start with Why - How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. The leadership team is currently reading this book as part of its ongoing book study series. You may already know this because you may have mistakenly received a link to the chapter assignments the leadership team uses to stay on track. As we continue to explore our why, we would like to know yours too! If you are interested, please join members of the leadership team to discuss the first 5 chapters of Start with Why during professional development in October. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

EdPuzzle: Do you have teachers who are new to the platform?

Here is a short video playlist of tutorials to get started.
Google Classroom How to video playlist

Looking for innovative ways to utilize Edpuzzle in your classroom?

-Check out our Live Mode feature!
-Station rotation is a great way to maximize instruction

Be sure to check out the newest features, such as Audio Responses! These will completely change the way that students can interact with their teacher(s).

Kansas World Language Conference: The conference has sessions on Saturday, September 24. Please share the information with World Language teachers. TItle IIA funds can be used for registration. Kansas World Language Association Conference

Building Level Preservice PD Sign-In Sheets: Please submit these to Ms. Young as soon as possible. She needs them to award PD points for your staff.

Learn Spanish: Are you looking to learn some survival words in Spanish or just to refresh your skills? Then this session is for you. Mrs. Iris Bridges will be offering a Live Zoom Survival Spanish 101 beginning August 31st at 4:30pm. Please see the attached flyer. #SHARE

Orchestra & Band PD Opportunity: KSDE is sponsoring a professional learning opportunity on September 21 from 4:00-6:00. See the attached flyer. #SHARE

KSDE Webinar Series: Dean Ballard will present our fall 2021 webinar series. Dean is the Director of Mathematics at Consortium on Reaching Excellence in Education (CORE). For the last decade, Dean has expanded his professional experience in education by working on curriculum development, state, and national test development, pioneering new products for professional development with organizations such as Lesson Lab, and working with teachers and school leaders in diverse settings throughout the country. Dean believes as much as there are untapped riches of learning in math there are infinite lessons to learn in helping other educators. #SHARE

Additional PD:

9/15/2021

Building Fluency and Number Sense Together Techniques, Access, and Sustainability for All Students

10/13/2021

Techniques to Increase Access to Solving Word Problems

11/3/2021

Five Favorite Strategies for Making

#SHARE

KPIRC Family Engagement Sessions: The Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) is excited to resume this year’s monthly Family Engagement Professional Learning Network (PLN).

The first date is September 20th at 1:00 p.m. through a Zoom format.

For those who would like to participate in the Family Engagement PLN, please send your email address to Jane Groff at jgroff@kpirc.org. #SHARE

Instructional Technology Updates

Building Technology Assistants: 2021/2022 Building Technology Assistants Lists

Please review the list of building TAs for the 2021/2022 school year and let Travis True know of any changes. Here is the current list.

Approved Software Lists: You will find the approved software lists here on the Teaching & Learning Website. #SHARE

Software Approval Process: If there is a specific software that a teacher is requesting, please check the approved software list to see if it has been previously approved. If it is not an approved software, staff can complete the appropriate request form:

Software & Website Approval Request

Requests are reviewed by a committee that includes teachers, administrators, information technology staff, and teaching & learning staff. #SHARE

EL Update

State Required Testing: Please be patient as EL teachers and paras complete state mandated IPT testing. This may mean they will not be able to fulfil their usual teaching schedule for parts of this and/or next week.

State Requires re-screening of ELs by September 20: The state has notified us that EL students who opted out of taking the KELPA last spring will need to be re-screened by September 20, 2021, we will be utilizing the IDEA Proficiency Test (IPT) for this. Students under quarantine will be tested remotely via Zoom. Please let your test coordinators know we will be reaching out to them for assistance. #PLEASE SHARE

If you do not have bilingual staff in your building

Consider setting up a Spanish line on your school's phone system. Contact the EL Office at 295-3741 to help arrange this.

Spanish Interpreter Assistance (not for IEP or 504 meetings): If you need assistance from a Spanish/English interpreter please call: 785-295-3951, 256-661-0020, 785-295-3950, or 785-295-3741. #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 meeing need an advanced notice of at least 2 weeks. Languages other than Spanish will need advanced notice of at least 4 weeks. #SHARE

TylerSIS Clarification: Students who have not been assigned to a school may show that they are assigned to Quinton Heights. If they inquire about this, please let them know they are in the process of being assigned rather than sending them to Quinton Heights. #SHARE

Migrant Services: TPS Title I Part C Migrant Services are provided through KSDE. Schools with migrant students will get an email from Mayte Fuentes. She works through Ft. Scott Community College.

Wondering if a student should receive EL services or EL busing? This info will help: EL TylerSIS Icons with Busing Info #SHARE

Revised Info on how to pay for interpreters, MUST have prior approval from Anita Curry, EL Director: Instructions: How to pay for interpreters used other than for IEP or 504 Meeting #SHARE

Special Education Update

If you have a student that enters quarantine, or has an extended absence that receives Special Education Services, please alert your Consulting Teacher and they will coordinate making an outreach to discuss with parents what Special Education and Related Services will look like for each child during their absence.

Special Education Services will be provided by Classified staff (under the supervision of certified staff) during the school day. If direct teacher services are needed, they will need to occur outside of the duty day and arrangements for pay will need to be made through Pam Reiman at 295-3089. Related Services are also to occur outside the duty day if a Certified therapist is providing them. Our Speech Language Paraprofessionals and our Certified Occupational Therapists Assistants can provide service during the day under the direction of the certified staff member. We are exploring options to allow for direct services during the say with a contract agency as well for related services.

Elementary Update

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

Late Buses: Please make sure you are completing this form for any bus that arrives after 8:30 M-Th and 9:20 on Friday.

Remote Learning for Quarantine: Please utilize this letter beginning on Thursday, September 7th for students in quarantine who are wanting remote instruction.

Footsteps2Brilliance : (F2B) is a Pre-K through 3rd grade literacy solution that utilizes mobile technology to connect school, home, and the community for academic success. Its innovative Mobile Technology Platform allows comprehensive literacy apps to be accessed online or offline from any mobile device (Apple or Android) or traditional computer.

Teachers can access F2B through Clever and begin using it with their students. Below are introductory videos that should be shared with teachers:

Intro to Footsteps2Brilliance - https://forms.gle/X2aXPGzRDWVJWf9V9
Intro to CKU: I Can Read for Teachers - https://forms.gle/JRQFWoWuuRKXhqkp8
Intro to CKU: Prereader for Teachers - https://forms.gle/YatbdpEmkm8NebQ87
Intro to Footsteps2Brilliance for 3rd Grade - https://forms.gle/JRQFWoWuuRKXhqkp8

There will be additional required Professional Development on our October 12th District PD day.

Families can also use this resource for free at home, even without an internet connection, once they have the app downloaded. Please share these flyers and this video (Spanish) with your families to help them get connected.

ASQ-3 Screener: As a reminder, the ASQ is a KSDE required screener for the outcome Kindergarten Readiness. Our goal is 100% completion.

Chart Sense Books: There will be an optional choice session for professional development on using anchor charts on October 12 District PD. Please complete this Google Form link as we ensure all elementary teachers have access to the professional text that will be referenced. Thank you to Dr. Mejia and Mrs. Sonderegger for completing the Google Form.

Device Checkout for Remote Learners: If you have a student who is out for an extended illness or close contact (meets the criteria for remote learning), you will need to checkout a device and charging cord to them. You will want to put in a track-it for charging cords so you have some on hand. See above in the T&L section for information on remote learning.

Toys For Tots LITERACY PROGRAM: FREE FREE FREE books for elementary schools. Please read and take advantage of these resources from the TFT Literacy Program. The FREE books can be used for several purposes. Please let Mrs. Wallace know if you participate and get FREE books. We want to be sure to let the board and others know.

4-H Enrichment Program: Please see the attached booklet and ordering form for the 4-H programs.

Secondary Updates

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

College & Career Newsletter: September Newsletter. #SHARE

SRSS-IE: Middle School and High School Principals, Be sure to email Bob Winkler which period you want to use for the SRSS screening.

Schoollytics: Schoolytics is a Google Classroom analytics program that is free for teachers to use. We have purchased a district license of Schoolytic for Principals (Middle and High school) to view their building Google Classroom usage and student engagement. Travis True will be adding you and your instructional coaches to the Schoolytics system. Be on the lookout for an invite from Schoolytics. Reach out to Travis to schedule a brief (30 mintues) training on how to use Schoolytics. This slide deck has more information about Schoolytics: https://bit.ly/3mP09IO

Secondary FastBridge Update: Secondary FastBridge Information: Fastbridge accounts are set up for teachers and building Fastbridge teams. Teachers and students can access Fastbridge through Clever. Building teams can find their Fastbridge credentials on the Teacher Roster Spreadsheet. Please distribute this FastBridge Certification Training Video to PLCs to lead them through their certification modules.

Please refer to the Q&A Document for answers to questions asked during the Secondary FastBridge Q&A meeting. Several questions asked at the secondary FastBridge Q&A have been answered, and we are working to answer the remaining questions. You may also add additional questions to the document.

You may want to refer to this flowchart which outlines the screening and intervention process. The KSDE Dyslexia Initiative Handbook contains lots of information, but we will keep passing on information most pertinent to buildings, and answering your questions as they occur.

Presidential Scholars Program: The Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors high school seniors who have demonstrated high achievements academically or in the arts — some having to overcome special challenges or hurdles to do so.

High-achieving students who demonstrated excellence in career and technical education also can now be recognized through the Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education Program. This new program started in 2016. These are two separate programs and require separate nomination forms.

To nominate a student for the Presidential Scholars Program or the Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education Program, a nomination form must be completed and submitted to the address indicated. Nomination forms may be accessed here:

Schools may only nominate four students from their school, two for each program.

Nominations must be postmarked by Oct. 4, 2021. Please let Mrs. Wallace know the names of the four students your school is nominating by September 1, 2021.

United States Senate Youth Program: The Kansas State Department of Education invites public and private high schools to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program.

The goal of this program is to identify outstanding high school juniors and seniors who are interested in government, history and politics. Students also must have a desire to serve others in a leadership role, have high academic achievements and high aspirations for college. The program is merit based and highly competitive. Each delegate will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship, subject to scholarship rules.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Who can apply? Junior or senior high school students who demonstrate leadership through public service in elected or appointed positions where they are actively representing a constituency in organizations that relate to government, public affairs, history and/or community service.

Requirements: Attendance during the Washington Week program is required to receive the financial scholarship. Each student must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the United States at the time of application. The attached brochure describes the development and purposes of the Senate Youth Program and its activities, rules and scholarship awards.

Application process: Complete the 2022 application and return it to the address listed on the application form by October 8.

Applications are available online. Upon receiving the completed application, the Kansas State Department of Education will send a Qualifying Examination to the designated school official listed on the application. The school official is responsible for administering the test to the student.

Preparing for the exam: Each year, the USSYP has a selection examination prepared by a college professor of political science and Constitutional Law. The exam is designed to test knowledge of the United States government and the Constitution, American history and knowledge of public affairs and current events in politics. The exam is broken into several sections, including multiple choice, True and False and essay writing.

To prepare for the examination, students are advised to study the Constitution, review general knowledge about American history, the U.S. government and political processes and know the current elected and appointed official in each branch of government as well as key historic figures who have served in each branch.

Selection process: Two delegates and two alternates will be selected. The two student delegates selected will represent Kansas from March 5-12, 2022, at the 2022 program in Washington, D.C. In addition, the alternates and delegates selected will be invited to a recognition day sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education in early spring 2022.

Notification of applicants? All applicants will be notified in early December 2021.

Assessment & Demographics Updates

The following updates are from Dr. Kipp, General Director of Assessment & Demographics:

Count Day: 9 school days until our funding count day. Please ensure your students are in attendance to the best of your ability.

Fall Writing Assessment: The Fall writing assessment is being moved to October/November. More details will follow soon.

At-Risk and Free-Reduced: Since all students receive free lunches this year, the only measure of at-risk is the household economic survey. It is an e-form in the parent portal that needs to be completed 1 per family. Reach out to Dr. Kipp if you would like a paper version, but it is highly recommended the family complete this through the tyler parent portal.

Please view who has and who has not completed the Household Economic Survey for your building at the following links below. The recommendation is to contact parents directly about registration. Let Dr. Kipp know if you have any questions.

Secondary and Elementary

Enrollment: We are currently at 13,090 students.

Middle School and High School Principals: Be sure to email Bob Win

Information Technology Updates

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

Google Authentication with TylerSIS: Please share with your teams that we plan to turn on Google Authentication for students getting into TylerSIS on Tuesday, September 7th. We will not yet force them to do so; however, we do encourage them to use their Google credentials from that point forward.

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.

Student Logins: As you enter a new student, please make sure that the email address is updated in TylerSIS so that the student can have access to instructional software. You may also enter a Track-IT to inform our team of the new student, but the only followup that is usually required is updating that email address in TylerSIS.

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.

FCC's Emergency Broadband Benefit: Please share with your teams that the district-provided internet services through Cox will be winding down. The FCC has announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide eligible families who apply a credit of up to $50 per month to cover the cost of Broadband services with various providers, including Cox. Click here for information from Cox in either English or Spanish.

Hotspots: Please share with your teams that IT will be issuing hotspots to our libraries in preparation for students who may need to check one out for internet connectivity in the home, in the event the student must quarantine. As was the case previously, we are asking that administrators or librarians reach out to sgowan@tps501.org before issuing the hotspot.

Human Resources Update

HUMAN RESOURCES: If you have questions related to Human Resources Updates, please contact Deborah Ramberg, General Director of Human Resources.

Performance Evaluations: The deadline for the Goal Setting step for certified performance evaluations is due September 30, 2021. Please go to Talent Ed and schedule those meetings as soon as possible.

The Group Orientation Acknowledgement step for certified staff performance evaluations was due August 24, 2021. Certified staff should all have this step completed by now. Please communicate to your staff to mark this step complete on Talent Ed once it is done.

Recruitment Events: Job Fair, Wednesday, September 15, 2021 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at Heritage Hall, 17th and Topeka Boulevard.

COVID-19 related Quarantines: Employees on a COVID-related quarantine may be eligible for a leave of absence. Please notify Brenda Vaughn if you have an employee out for this reason. She will research the leave status available to the employee and communicate directly with them. The district is legally required to notify all employees of their eligibility for Family and Medical Leave. #SHARE

Quarantine related work from home requests must be approved through Human Resources, just as they were last school year.

FREE After School Snacks

If you have questions, please contact Leigh Ann Wilbur in Child Nutrition Services at extension 3097.

FREE after school snack program.

I will fill out the application and explain the recording of the attendance/meal portion of the program once I get the information back.

Please Provide the following answers:

School Name:

Address:

Mailing Address if different:

Phone Number:

Site Manager- ( who will be overseeing the program?)

email:

phone number

Months of Operation:

(Oct. - May)

Start Date: Sept 28, 2021

Days of Week:

Start and end times

Capacity

Meal type: Snack (2 items) or Supper Meal (4+items)

Enrichment Activity :

example: after school tutoring , art etc-

Name and Email address of any additional staff who will be recording attendance/meal counts:

Calendar of Events

September 2021: Hispanic Heritage Month
September 8, 2021: KSDE Listening Tour, Bishop, 1:00-2:30
September 12, 2021: Grandparents Day
September 15, 2021: Family Fitness Fun Night at Hummer Sports Park
September 16-October 8, 2021: SRSS-IE Fall Screening Window
September 17, 2021: Constitution Day
September 20-October 1, 2021: MyIGDIs Testing Window
September 21. 2021: National IT Professionals Day
September 22, 2021: Family Fitness Fun Night - Rain Date
September 23, 2021: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
September 24, 2021: Native American Day
September 24-October 1, 2021: 7th Grade Kanza Field Trips
September 30, 2021: Goal Setting for Evaluation
October 5, 2021: District Funded ACT
October 11, 2021: Report Cards Due in Tyler SIS by 6:00 pm
October 4-8, 2021: 5th Grade Kanza Field Trips
October 12, 2021: District PD Day
October 13, 2021: PSAT
October, 13-15; 18-19, 2021: 4th Grade Kanza Field Trips
October 28, 2021: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
November 9, 2021: Summative Conference for Evaluation
November 11, 2021: District Parent SEL Night, Virtual
November 11, 2021: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
December 1, 2021: Improvement Plans Due
December 1-17, 2021: SRSS-IE Winter Screening Window
December 9, 2021: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
January 3, 2022: Report Cards Due in Tyler SIS by 6:00 pm
January 4, 2021: District - am/Building - pm Professional Development Day
January 24-February 4, 2022: MyIGDIs Testing Window
January 27, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
January 27, 2021: Mid-Year Graduation
February 24, 2022: Fourth Grade Symphony Field Trip
February 24, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
March 21, 2022: Report Cards Due in Tyler SIS by 6:00 pm
March 30, - April 15, 2022: SRSS-IE Spring Screening Window
March 31, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
April 5, 2021: District Funded ACT
April 18 - 29, 2022: MyIGDIs Testing Window
April 28, 2022: Equity Council, 5:30-6:30, Zoom
May 4, 2022: Adaptive PE Field Day
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 25, 2022: Report Cards Due in Tyler SIS by 6:00 pm