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ITEF Catapult Grants
Please take a moment to review the technology grant information below. ITEF generously funded two SLPS Catapult Grant requests last year. If you have interest in bringing innovation and technology to your classroom, this is the PERFECT opportunity. The grant link is accessible here: https://innovteched.com/catapultgrant
EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY GRANT
- Annual grant opportunity for educators who want to innovate their teaching and student learning, but need basic technology or technological infrastructure (i.e., servers, devices).
- Grant is for basic equipment and/or technology only. Related PD can be included in the request.
- $30,000.00 is the cap for the Catapult grant.
- Optional: The successful application can include professional development (PD) that relates to the implementation of new technology. The Professional Development line item should not exceed 25% of the total request.
ELIGIBILITY
- You need to have a desire to increase innovation, but have a need for the fundamental/basic technology to bring your teaching and learning ideas into your school (SLPS).
- Teachers who have previously been awarded an ITEF Innovator grant cannot apply for a Catapult grant.
- Lean into Learning grant recipients are eligible to apply for a Catapult grant.
APPLICATION WINDOW
- The grant window to submit an application is Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2020: https://innovteched.com/catapultgrant
- Please call (314-345-2465) or email Ken Meyer, Office of Institutional Advancement, if you have interest/questions.
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How to Email Progress Reports to Families
Please review these links for instructions on how to use SIS to provide progress reports to our families:
We are extending the Progress Report Window through Sept. 30, 2020.
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District Lau Plan Committee
The ESOL Program is updating the district Lau Plan. If you are interested in serving on the Lau Plan Committee and contributing to the Lau Plan update, please complete this form no later than Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020.
It is anticipated that the Lau Plan Committee will meet twice: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 and Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, 3:30-4:30pm. Both meetings will be held virtually. Meeting information will be e-mailed to those who express interest in serving on the committee.
What is a Lau Plan? A Lau plan is a guidance document outlining how the district addresses the needs of English language learners. It is named after the landmark Lau vs. Nichols U.S. Supreme Court Decision of 1974.
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Escrow for 2020-2o21 SY
In years past, we have circulated paper cards for staff (10-month, 10.5-month and 11-month) to enroll in the escrow program. This year, we are moving to 100% electronic enrollment. Staff have until midnight on Oct. 2, 2020, to enroll at www.slps.org/escrow. You will need your employee ID number and the last four digits of your social security number.
As a reminder, when you opt in to escrow, you are authorizing the Board of Education of SLPS to withhold approximately 13% of your bi-weekly base pay. A total of 16 deductions (one per pay period) will be withheld beginning 10/16/2020 and ending 05/14/2021 to be deposited into your employee Escrow Account for distribution in five equal payments on 06/25/2021, 07/09/2021, 07/23/2021, 08/06/2021, and 08/20/2021.
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Spring Continuous Learning Kits
All Spring Continuous Learning Kits dated between March 2020 and May 2020 may be discarded or recycled.
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STAR Assessment Window
The STAR window has been extended through Oct. 2, 2020.
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Enrollment Update
Thanks for everyone’s hard work identifying projected students who had not yet shown up at schools.
By close of business today, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, Pupil Accounting will appropriately remove all projected students with a specific withdrawal code, so they can track those individuals for follow-up prior to core data submission. Your individual file sets will be in a good place on Monday morning, in preparation for the Official Membership Count on Sept. 30, 2020.
As a reminder, each year the school district is required by the state to collect enrollment data on the last Wednesday in September. These enrollment figures are submitted to the state and are used in the calculation of state monies to be allocated to the District. Click HERE for instructions and HERE for a special collection form for this purpose. If you have questions contact PupilAccounting@slps.org, or phone, Sue Salas at 314-345-2226 or Stacey Woolfolk at 314-345-2223.
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Assessment Training and Updates
- Click HERE for the schedule of upcoming training sessions for Scantron and Renaissance presented by the Assessment Department.
- There will be an ACT Testing Coordinator Teams meeting Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, from 12:30-1:30pm.
- There will be an ACT Testing Proctor Teams meeting Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, from 2-3pm.
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REMINDER: Meal Distribution
- We are currently providing seven-day meal kits to families.
- Mondays will continue to be the pick-up day.
- Existing sites will continue to distribute meals with pick-up from 9am to 1pm.
- Starting Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, we will extend hours at four sites to give our families evening pick-up options. These locations are: Mallinckrodt gym, Mullanphy gym, Nance gym and Lexington cafeteria. They will distribute from 9am to 5pm on Mondays.
- Please share this info with families and refer them to www.slps.org/meals.
This institution is an equal opportunity employer.
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GOOD NEWS: Bryan Hill Enjoys a Virtual Visit with a Documentary Photographer
Bryan Hill 4th and 5th graders and staff had the great pleasure of talking with artist Vanessa Charlot about her powerful documentary photography, which has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Vogue, New York Magazine and other prominent publications. Ms. Charlot is from Miami but now lives in St. Louis. Her recent work has focused on protests in St. Louis. Ms. Charlot enjoyed answering questions from the students, who are the same age as her son.
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FOCUS ON: Culture and Climate
This Week’s Virtual Strategy: Create Virtual Norms through Classroom Contracts
Students feel a greater sense of investment if they have had the opportunity to share their ideas and beliefs regarding certain topics that interest them and they are absolutely interested in their classroom’s rules! In an effort to increase engagement, try creating a Virtual Classroom Contract with students by asking how they feel they should be treated in their virtual classroom, as well, what rules and consequences they think should be included. It is always interesting to hear their thoughts! This activity is guided by the teacher and negotiated to be what is needed to build a positive classroom environment, but it includes their input. This strategy along with other resources can be found in the Culture & Climate Resource Toolkit below!
Culture & Climate Resource Toolkit
Are you looking for resources for managing behavior virtually, assisting teachers with class discussions on difficult topics and social and emotional learning strategies? If so, please take a look at the Culture & Climate Resource Toolkit as it lists various resource links.
Questions? Contact Casetta Brown, Culture and Climate Coordinator, 314-345-4434 (o), 314-532-6582 (c)
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Jason Reynolds’ “Write. Right. Rite.” Authentic Writing Video Series for Young People
In January 2020, The Library of Congress appointed Jason Reynolds as Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. This program raises awareness of the importance of young people’s literature in their education and development. As ambassador, Mr. Reynolds will travel around the country with “GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story”, the initiative he developed to encourage young people to read.
A component of “GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story” is “Write. Right. Rite.” In this video series, Mr. Reynolds engages in storytelling and speaks directly to young people about authentic writing on a number of topics. Each video contains a prompt that is designed to inspire students to express themselves on an idea or topic through authentic writing.
Jason Reynolds is a favorite author among our secondary students. A number of his books are included in the ELA curriculum, and most of them can be found in our secondary classroom libraries.
Suggested Activities: Do Nows, Quick Writes, Journal Writing, or Pictorials
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Curriculum Specialists:
- Dr. Esther Palsenberger, Elementary ELA, 314-779-5939
- Judine Keplar, Secondary ELA, 314-532-6427
- Zehra Khan, K-12 Math, 314-532-3574
- J. Carrie Launius, Elementary Science, 314-934-5258
- Dr. Valentina Bumbu, Secondary Science, 573-544-6835
- Dr. Glenn Barnes, Social Studies, 314-934-5267
- John Grapperhaus, Visual Arts, 314-934-5320
- Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts, 314-934-5445
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Curriculum Corner: Visual Arts with John Grapperhaus
SMART Goals for Visual Art in the 2020-2021 school year:
♦ Schools will implement the SLPS Visual Art Curriculum with fidelity, leading all students to create and display one artwork for every 2 weeks of instruction throughout the 2020-21 school year.
Each artwork will exemplify the 21st Century Skills of critical thinking, creating, communicating, and collaborating and will demonstrate understanding of the art medium, technique, and the elements and principles of art.
Instruction units will be accessible virtually and in schools and use student friendly, clear, and appropriate directions.
♦ Schools will provide all students with at least two opportunities for community engagement in their schools, neighborhoods, and city through student art displays, contests, supports of businesses and non-profit institutions, or field trips (virtual or brick and mortar) to arts institutions by the end of the 2020-21 school year.
♦ Weekly Booster-Open Office Hours for Lesson Planning, Content Support and Q/A: Every Wednesday, 3:15-4:15pm, meeting link
♦ Art PD Booster – Art Instruction in Teams: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 3:15-4:15pm, art teachers will get to troubleshoot specific issues regarding art instruction in Teams with members of the SLPS technology staff, meeting link
♦ “The 4 C’s”: 21st Century Learning for Art (and all contents!) No matter what standard is being taught, I’ll be looking for this kind of learning and engagement with students.
Critical thinking (analyzing, problem solving, evaluating)
Creating (imagining, improvising, innovating, creating)
Communicating (speaking, writing, listening actively)
Collaborating (team building, decision making, goal setting, resolving conflict, brainstorming)
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Curriculum Corner: Social Studies with Dr. Glenn Barnes
SMART Goals For Social Studies:
1) Elementary: Schools will implement the SLPS Elementary Social Studies Curriculum with fidelity for 30 minutes daily as evidenced by 100% of students scoring greater than 75% or above on quarterly assessments in the social studies units by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
2) Secondary Goal 1: Schools will implement the SLPS Secondary Social Studies Curriculum with fidelity in all middle schools as evidenced by 100% of students achieving a passing score of 60% or greater on the Missouri and United States Constitution tests by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
3) Secondary Goal 2: Schools will implement the SLPS Secondary Social Studies Curriculum with fidelity through on-going support with planning, pacing, and intervention to increase the number of students in grades 9-12 averaging a minimum of 3% growth between common formative / summative assessments in Government by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Assessment Reminders
1) The CSA for 1st Quarter will take place the week of Oct. 12-16.
2) Elementary: The Engaging scenario at the end of the grade level units is the CSA. This is a performance based assessment and will require time for students to complete and for you to score. Use the proficiency scales to score, as they are aligned to the priority standards being assessed. Also, be reminded that at the start of each unit, the pre-assessment is the CFA.
2) Secondary: Government will need the CSA to be scored on some components, so scoring guides will be included in the assessment for the teacher of record.
3) All: Be reminded that CFAs are to see what students know prior to learning. CSAs assess learning over time. You want to see growth between assessments.
Assessment Prep Tips
1) Be sure to keep the standards as your focus and assess them. Use the exit slips and create questions and opportunities which reflect the requirements of proficiency.
2) It specifications also hold quality information in showing what a student needs to know and be able to do.
PD Reminders
General Announcements
1) The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 7. If you have a student who will be 18 by Nov. 3, please direct them HERE so they can register.
2) The St. Louis Board of Elections is looking for student poll workers for the November election. Students can be between the ages of 15-18 to work at the poll and make a little money on the side. They will be required to attend a training and be ready at the polling site by 5am on the day of the election. Please email Glenn Barnes for the form to share with students. Forms need to be returned within the next two weeks.
3) MOCHE is having their annual conference online this year and will be held outside of school hours. Conference attendance costs $50 and includes membership in the National Council for History Education. Keynotes include Dr. Kevin Gannon, Dr. LaGarrett King, and Dr. Laura Westhoff. Looking over the sessions, they are quite thought provoking and focused on areas that many of you are passionate about. Register HERE.
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Curriculum Corner: ELA, Secondary with Judine Keplar
Assessment: Scantron Diagnostic (Performance Series) for Reading and Language Arts
Assessment Tips: Did you know that central idea and main idea are used interchangeably in the Missouri Learning Standards for ELA? Make sure your students know that these mean the same thing and use both terms in your instruction. [Priority Standard RL.1.D / RI.1.D]
PD Booster Sessions: Collaboration Session: Moving Beyond Call and Response in the Virtual Environment − How to Leverage Student Engagement, Monday, Sept. 28, 3:30-4pm, Microsoft Teams meeting
General Announcements: Access the SLPS ELA District-Wide Tracker HERE! Check your ELA Teams page for a tutorial video on how to use the tracker.
SMART Goal Reminder: By the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year, 70% of students in grades 6-12 will meet their performance growth target (established by their ELA teacher) as measured by a comparison of their scores on ELA common formative assessments (CFAs) and common summative assessments (CSAs) that integrate high priority standards (RI.1.A/RL.1.A, RI.1.B/RL.1.B, RI.1.D/RL.1.D, RI.2.A/RL.2.A, RI.2.B/RL.2.B, W.1.A).
Important Links
This workbook is updated regularly, so be sure to check back frequently for new resources!
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Focus On: The Instructional Cycle in Virtual Learning – Check for Understanding:
We have finished our first month of Virtual Learning and are getting the hang of all of the technology tools and platforms -- at least some of them, right?!, ;-)
We can now shift our focus from “installation” and “operation” of our technology tools to how these tools actually support instruction.
We are continuing our virtual pedagogical journey as we start to look more specifically at key components that create an effective instructional cycle in virtual learning. This week’s focus will be: checking for understanding as part of the daily and weekly virtual instructional cycle.
Click HERE to access part 1 of the digital series: The Instructional Cycle in Virtual Learning
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Curriculum Corner: Science, Elementary with Carrie Launius
Today more than ever science needs to be taught daily. SLPS’s current requirements for science are:
- Grades 3, 4, 5 – a minimum of 45 minutes 5 days a week
- Grades K, 1, 2 – a minimum of 30 minutes 5 days a week
Why is this important? The importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) employment in the U.S. economy has been steadily increasing during this century, and experts expect this trend to continue. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts overall employment in the economy to grow by 7.4% between 2016 and 2026, while jobs in STEM fields are expected to grow by 10.8%. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, college-educated STEM job holders earn between 29% and 39% more per hour than non-STEM employees with equivalent educational attainment.
To see the National Science Teaching Association's position on science teaching click the link: Elementary Science
We owe it to our students to give them every opportunity to be successful in science, so they are able to choose a STEM field if they desire!
Current SMART Goal:
- Schools will implement the SLPS Elementary Science Curriculum with fidelity for 30 minutes daily in grades K-2 and 45 minutes daily in 3-5 to increase the number of students scoring above 70% on the district assessments
- mySci PD for schools in the grant Saturday, 9/26 and 10/10 from 8:30-11:30am
- Tuesdays with Carrie: 7-8am every Tuesday for support.
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Curriculum Corner: K-12 Math with Zehra Kahn
Strengthen implementation of Mathematics Curriculum with emphasis on blended learning model, SLPS grades K-12 students will demonstrate an average proficiency at the same level or better than the district average as measured by CSA assessment by the end of school year 2020-21.
If you need support in planning lessons you can always join me during Math Lesson Planning every Wednesday (K-5) , Thursday (6-8) and Friday (9-12).
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Curriculum Corner: Science, Secondary with Dr. Valentina Bumbu
Science Assessments:
SMART Goal for 6-12 Science: Schools will implement SLPS 6-8 Science Curriculum with fidelity by applying the learnings from professional development and on-going support on planning and pacing, to achieve an average proficiency at the same level or better than the district average or 20% growth as measured by common formative and summative assessment by the end of 2020-2021 school year.
Assessment Reminder:
Common Summative Assessment for quarter 1 is fast approaching and is scheduled for the week of Oct. 12-16 in Scantron. Data tracking for Common Formative Assessment is due Sept. 25, end of the day. Reach out to your curriculum coordinator if you need any support with that or have any concerns.
Assessment Prep Tips:
To prepare students for 3-dimensional assessment, use the pool of formative questions and proficiency scale for each standard hyperlinked into your respective grade/subject curriculum plan.
Science PD Announcements:
Booster Sessions: Grade/Content Specific Classroom Tracker and District Quarterly Data on Thursday, Oct. 1, 3:30pm
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Curriculum Corner: Performing Arts with Kaye Harrelson
SMART Goals for Performing Arts In the 2020-2021 school year: 100% of performing arts teachers will integrate instruction with objectives in the Respond, Create and Connect strands of the Missouri Fine Arts Standards.
Weekly Booster-Open Office Hours for Lesson Planning, Content Support and Q/A
Reminders:
Add a smile to your face online. Really! If you don't project interest and energy, you'll lose your students before getting started. Watch your videos for 10 minutes to see if you would tune in, or tune out.
Use the Performing Arts Teams groups to communicate with each other and then blatantly STEAL those good ideas! Not only is it acceptable, it is recommended!!
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Curriculum Corner: ELA, Elementary with Dr. Esther Palsenberger
SMART Goal: Schools will implement the Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum with on-going assessment using Common Formative Assessments focusing on high priority standards. By the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year, 70% of students in grades K-5 will meet their performance growth target (established by the teacher) as measured by a comparison of their quarterly scores on the ELA common formative assessments (CFSs) that integrate high priority standards identified within the current curriculum plan.
Upcoming Assessment Reminders:
- ELA Elementary CSA: Oct. 12-16, 2020 (K-5)
- ELA Elementary CFA: Oct. 26-30, 2020 (K-5)
- ALL assessments will be on Scantron
Assessment Prep Tips: Follow the Pacing Guide found within the curriculum plan to keep you on target for the upcoming CSA assessments.
Upcoming PD opportunities:
- Oct. 6 - Writing Performance (K-2) 3:15-4:15pm
- Oct 7 - Writing Performance (3-5) 3:15-4:15pm
- Oct 12 - CSA Q&A Sessions for all levels
General Announcements:
Don't forget to schedule your virtual classroom visits using the online calendar. Every elementary school needs to sign up every month for a minimum of 2 classroom visits. You can also include any PD and PLC meetings for your building.
Any questions? Contact Dr. Palsenberger: email
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Resource Reminders
TECH TIPS:
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES:
FOR STAFF:
FOR STUDENTS:
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Past issues are uploaded on a regular basis.
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