December 1, 2022
Issue #10
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Message from Deputy Superintendent of Academics
Dr. Marion Smith Jr.
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Goal + Purpose + Mission = Focus
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| Hello, Colleagues and welcome to December!
We have a GOAL: To educate children. We have a PURPOSE: To teach scholars requisite academic and life skills. We have a MISSION: To demonstrate, by aligning what we say with what we do and what evidence reveals, how to work collectively to best support each other in our efforts to best serve children each day.
As a community of learners and teachers, our goal is the what of our work. The goal is not the place we begin. It is the place we end up. Our purpose is the why of our work – why we as individuals are moving toward the goal, the end result. Our mission is the how of our work. Once we are clear about the what, the why and the how, we have a clear focus.
Our transformative journey in the Academic Office started in July 2021 when I began as Deputy Superintendent of Academics. In Year 1 of our work together, we focused on the concept of supporting all in the district to learn, unlearn and/or relearn.
During this time, we accomplished many things; however, I would like to name a few items of impact during this time:
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- The implementation of central-office led school learning walks with a focus on scholar learning and providing real-time, digital feedback to staff: Focus on Scholar Learning (FOSL) – Learning Walks.
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The identification of key instructional strategies to improve learning and teaching. Since last Spring, we have cultivated a districtwide awareness and a professional learning focus on what we call “The Key 3.”
- Adoption of new PK-8 core literacy curricula resources and textbooks, along with a multi-year implementation plan of professional development and supports.
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Utilization of DESE grant funding to create Reading Intervention Teacher positions in Title I elementary schools. Afterwards, we designed, implemented and monitored a districtwide Tier II reading intervention program focused on the use of Individualized Reading Success Plans (IRSP) starting in grades 3-5.
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Our transformative journey continues in Year 2 this academic school year. We continue to create the enabling conditions and resources across each Academic Office Department and program for district staff to build their WILL, SKILL and CAPACITY to impact scholar learning and growth.
In the end, we are a team working together. Our collective, transformative journey continues and as an Academic Office we remain unapologetic and unflinching in supporting each of you around our core business: learning and teaching.
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Evidence of Impact | Academic Office Focus on Scholar Learning (FOSL) - Learning Walks
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Last school year, close to this time, we began implementing a new type of school Learning Walk, led by central office leaders. Information about the WHAT and the WHY of these Learning Walks was shared in a previous AON. Check it out HERE for a reminder.
Since this time, the Focus on Scholar Learning (FOSL) Walk process has been refined and calibrated, as part of our continuous improvement cycle and to meet the needs of schools.
FOSL Walk additional resources / information provided for your review and reference:
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SY 23-24 Calendar Committee
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It’s that time of year already, when we come together to discuss and to propose ideas for next school year’s calendar. Next week, members of the SY 23-24 Calendar Committee will meet to begin this process. We will follow BOE Policy P6111 as we work together to develop a minimum of two (2) different calendar options that will be recommended to the Interim Superintendent of Schools in late January 2023. It is anticipated that the BOE will review and provide final approval in February 2023.
Committee Members:
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- Central Office & School Leadership: Cheryl VanNoy, Dr. Marion Smith Jr., Karen Jones, Dr. Crystal Gale, Dr. LaTisha Smith, Dr. Kimberly Moody, Laura Owca, Angelia Rougeau
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AFT Local 420 Reps: Scharad Hutchins (CAJT), Denise Porter (Ashland), Stephen Pipitone (Woerner), Dr. Deborah Schmidt (McKinley)
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Cognitive Coaching Leadership Cohort 2
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Every leader is a coach! To continue to support this shift in our thinking as a school district, and in efforts to create a common language, common understanding and common practices as we coach for impact, the inaugural Cognitive Coaching Leadership Cohort is scheduled to complete sessions 5-8 of this training series by the end of January 2023. If you are a school-based leader or central office leader and are interested in participating in the next Cognitive Coaching Leadership Cohort, send an e-mail to Dr. Latisha Smith (Latisha.Smith@slps.org). Learn more about Cognitive Coaching HERE.
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Keeping “The Work” of the Academic Office Front and Center
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The WHY of our work for School Year 22-23:
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To develop and/or deepen the habits of mind and adaptive leadership moves critical to disrupt and dismantle inequities in our systems, practices, policies and procedures so each scholar thrives.
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The WHAT of our work for School Year 22-23:
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Strengthen the *instructional core, so each scholar has access and targeted supports to achieve Standards and to engage in deeper learning through the ‘Key 3’
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Use multiple sources of data (qualitative, quantitative and perceptual) to inform decision-making
- Apply “best we know right now practices” to educate the Whole Child
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*teachers’ knowledge and skills; scholars’ engagement in their own learning; academically challenging content
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The HOW of our work for School Year 22-23:
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" Looking at the past must only be a means of understanding more clearly what and who they are so that they can more wisely build the future.” – Paulo Freire
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Your partner in education,
Marion Smith Jr, EdD
Deputy Superintendent of Academics
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For more information please contact Dr. Marion Smith Jr., Deputy Superintendent of Academics– Marion.SmithJr@slps.org
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Network Spotlight: Learning Network 3
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A Culture of Literacy - Lyon @ Blow
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Lyon @ Blow teachers and scholars are building a culture of literacy by making time for reading every day and through special monthly school-wide literacy activities. So far this year, Lyon has implemented Buddy Reading, where older scholars are paired with younger scholars; a Monthly Learning Showcase where scholars can show off what they have learned each month; and several schoolwide Drop Everything and Read days.
Each month there is a special literacy event to get scholars excited about reading and writing. In October, Lyon scholars participated in a Vocabulary Parade to share the new words they had been learning. Scholars and staff members dressed up as one of their vocabulary words and got to march through the halls. In addition, scholars who are on pace to achieve their end-of-year Star Reading goals got to attend a special pizza party.
Lyon is a proud recipient of the five-year Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). As part of the grant, teachers have received professional development on how to foster a culture of literacy in the school and classroom. They have also received extra training on evidence-based literacy strategies so that they can most effectively teach reading and writing to all scholars in all content areas.
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Elementary scholars show a class of older scholars how to complete a Science vocabulary activity they created for their Monthly Learning Showcase.
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Second-grade scholars show off their costumes for Lyon’s Vocabulary Parade
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| Kindergarteners get ready for the Vocabulary Parade.
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Principal Dr. Ingrid Iskali and Assistant Principal Tim Craig read alongside scholars during Drop Everything and Read time.
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Scholars work with a trainer from the Missouri Reading Initiative who is doing a model lesson on small-group instruction using decodable readers.
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Kindergarteners showing off the books they checked out during their field trip to the Carondelet Library.
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Adams Elementary School Students are feeling the joy that creating music provides by learning to play the piano. Thanks to our music teacher, Ms. Mik, our Gators are learning everything from chords, scales, and basic notation. They will get the chance to perform the first song they are learning, Jingle Bells, at the Winter Program.
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How does the food we eat travel through our body? How do our bones move? Why do we need to blink? Pre-school students at Adams Elementary are developing an awareness of and appreciation for their bodies through learning about the remarkable functions of their body parts and about the many different things their amazing bodies can accomplish.
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The rooms of Walbridge are being transformed and exciting things are happening. Recently Walbridge opened a special STEAM Lab designed for classrooms to have another learning space full of exciting opportunities to extend their lessons beyond the traditional classroom. This week Ms. Anderson’s Kindergarten classroom got to preview the room after the installation of the Lego Wall and the Green Screen were installed. Teachers and Students will use this room as an extension of their classroom with chances to design, build, create, experiment, and much more. The possibilities are endless and this room will truly be a space for our student’s imagination to take flight.
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Along with opening a STEAM Lab for the student the Walbridge Staff Wellness Room officially opened, and staff are thrilled to have a peaceful place for a break. Walbridge opened in 1924 and was named after Cyprus P. Walbridge. This year his descendants reached out to Walbridge and offered a generous gift to support the school. Staff now have a relaxing place to practice self-care during the day that offers massage chairs, exercise machines, and more!
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Subject Area Spotlight: Performing Arts
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GOOD TO KNOW--SLPS Performing Arts classes are required to include a minimum of one performance per semester. Teachers have been instructed to add and continue updating school performance dates and times to a shared document that may be found here: 2022-2023 Performance Calendar. A performance is NOT necessarily a "formal" show/concert and might include, but not limited to, the following: in-person or recorded concerts, school assemblies, sporting events, community performance, in-class solo/ensemble recitals.
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Author - Danny Gregory April 1, 2017
In short, every child starts out with a natural interest in art, but for most it is slowly drained away until all that’s left is a handful of teens in eyeliner and black clothing whose parents worry they’ll never move out of the basement.
Here’s a modest proposal: Let’s take the “arts” out of “arts education.”
“Art” is not respected in this country. It’s seen as frivolity, an indulgence, a way to keep kids busy with scissors and paste. “Art” is an elitist luxury that hard-nosed bureaucrats know they can cut with impunity. And so they do, making math and science the priority to fill the ranks of future bean-counters and pencil pushers.
Imagine if creativity became a core part of K-12 education . . . So, I propose we get rid of “arts” education and replace it with something that is crucial to the future of our world: creativity. We’d teach creative process, how to come up with ideas, how to find inspiration, how to steal from the greats. We’d teach kids to work effectively with others to improve and test their ideas. We’d teach them how to realize their ideas, how to get them executed through a supply chain, how to present and market and share them.
For more about encouraging students to become great artists who are also problem solvers, presenters, fabricators and entrepreneurs, click HERE for the full article.
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For more information please contact Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist – Kaye.Harrelson@slps.org
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DepartmentSpotlight: Professional Development
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Professional Development: Leadership Development
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In December 2022 and January 2023, our Assistant Principal & Dean Academy participants have been invited to take part in a two-part virtual workshop with Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy. This year, the APD team was challenged with creating an action project focusing their efforts on a specific group of teachers and a cohort of students to lead to improved academic outcomes through literacy engagement. The goal is to understand the nuances of change that they can build on in the next school year. Their learning has been centered around instructional and change leadership. Participants from all academies are invited and encouraged to attend.
Leadership Development will also host The LinkedIn Pros with Adrienne Simpson in January and February 2023. They will hold two workshops, for the Level-Up Aspiring Leaders Academy, centered on elevating your individual personal leadership skills, building your professional network, and making progress in your career. Participants from all academies are invited and encouraged to attend.
For more information please contact Vanessa Hopkins, Professional Development Leadership and Content Coordinator – Vanessa.Hopkins@slps.org
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After a PD activity is complete, teachers are responsible to complete the Activity Evaluation in Frontline. The feedback helps the Professional Development Department to use the data to plan for future PD sessions and activities as well as give feedback to presenters.
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As a reminder, all observations and evaluations are entered in Frontline. Teachers should be checking their accounts regularly to review and acknowledge any forms for feedback. Acknowledging Forms in Frontline.docx
- Individual Professional Development Plans were due on September 30. Please ensure your IPDP is entered in Frontline for your principal’s approval.
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PD Activity Owners/Presenters and Attendance
If you are the owner or presenter for a PD activity or Cohort, you are responsible for taking attendance for that activity in Frontline. This is how teachers and staff get credit for attendance on their Frontline Learning Plan. Please see the Frontline Training TEAMs page for support.
1st and 2nd year Teachers and Mentors
DESE requires all 1st and 2nd year certified teachers to complete 30 hours with a building mentor. We track those logs in Frontline by semester. Mentors coach, collaborate, and consult with their mentees to support their professional growth. Please read the following document for information and updates specific for Mentors and Mentees. If you have any questions or support in completing your Mentee/Mentor Logs, please reach out to Kimberly.Swenson@slps.org
Mentor_Mentee information and updates.docx
Principal and Asst. Principals: Frontline Updates for School Leaders.docx
AICs: Frontline Update for AICs.docx
Data Literacy Modules 1 and 2 as well as the Module Assessments are in Frontline for staff who have not completed them from the previous year in Vector. Go to the Activity Catalog and search for Data Literacy. Reach out if you need support locating and accessing these modules.
For more information please contact Kimberly Swenson, Professional Development Research and Data Specialist – Kimberly.Swenson@slps.org
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The Culture & Climate Department is continuing to offer support to partnership schools in the form of behavioral data analysis and support, Student Support Team development, coaching and feedback cycles with teachers as requested and whole staff or PLC professional development.
For more information and bullying resources, please see the culture and climate website which can be found on the Academic Office page: https://www.slps.org/Domain/14715.
For more information please contact Casetta Brown, Director of Culture & Climate – Casetta.Brown@slps.org
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Seeking Nominations for 2022-2023 Educator of the Year Program
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The mission of the Saint Louis Public Schools Educator of the Year Program is to honor, promote and celebrate excellence in education. The District strives to acknowledge the people behind some of the most robust learning experiences occurring in the District and rewards them through a public celebration and year-round career progression opportunities to scale impact across classrooms and/or schools. Do you know an outstanding educator? If so, it is time to nominate them for the 2022-2023 Educator of the Year. In order to be eligible, applicants must:
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be currently employed, full-time with Saint Louis Public Schools
- have completed their second full year of experience (unless otherwise specified) in an award-eligible content area
- have met experience requirements while employed with Saint Louis Public Schools and be in good standing with Parsons Blewett
- be fully certified and appropriately credentialed
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The nomination period closes on Close of Business, Friday, January 6, 2023 (No Exceptions). Please submit the nomination to this LINK
Nominate an outstanding educator TODAY! The categories include:
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- Early Childhood Educator
- Kindergarten Educator of the Year
- Elementary Math Educator of the Year
- Elementary Reading Educator of the Year
- Elementary STEM Educator of the Year
- Health, Wellness and PE Educator of the Year
- Special Education Educator of the Year
- Specialty Area Educator of the Year
- Visual & Performing Arts Educator of the Year
- Secondary English Language Arts Educator of the Year
- Humanities Educator of the Year
- Secondary Math Educator of the Year
- Secondary Science Educator of the Year
- College and Career Readiness Educator of the Year
- Elementary Principal Leader of the Year
- Secondary Principal Leader of the Year
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Supporting School Leader of the Year
- Retired Educator of the Year
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Would you like to be paid to host an extracurricular activity?
Are you interested in pursuing National Board Certification?
We can help!
Join the Career Ladder Salary Supplement program! Sign up and see the requirements here: https://forms.office.com/r/HkdT6mY5z8
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MoDESE Invitation for Public Comment
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The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is seeking public comment on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections grant program. This program focuses on meeting the mental health needs of students.
Link to access the invitation for public comment --> HERE
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Curriculum Specialists:
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Dr. Esther Palsenberger, Elementary ELA, 314-779-5939
- Judine Keplar, Secondary ELA, 314-532-6427
- Zehra Khan, Secondary Math, 314-532-3574
- J. Carrie Launius, Elementary Science, 314-934-5258
- Dr. Valentina Bumbu, Secondary Science, 573-544-6835
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Dr. Glenn Barnes, Social Studies, 314-934-5267
- John Grapperhaus, Visual Arts, 314-934-5320
- Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts, 314-934-5445
- Dr. Taresa Wright-Fraser, Elementary Math, 314-943-5266
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