Message From Deputy Superintendent of Academics
Dr. Marion Smith Jr.
|
|
|
| Hello, Colleagues!
First, I want to say “Congratulations” to our Class of 2023 graduates!
It’s difficult for me to believe that today is the last day of school for our scholars for school year 22-23. This academic school year has been filled with challenge, change, success, tragedy and resilience.
As I begin to reflect on our collective work together this school year, I remain excited and energized because I work alongside each of you: Dedicated educators who, in the midst of it all, are unwavering and place scholar learning, growth and achievement first!
Click HERE for our year-in-review in pictures.
|
|
|
Looking ahead to June, we bring awareness and celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, African-American / Black Music Appreciation Month, Immigrant Heritage Month and Gun Violence Awareness Month.
|
|
|
Pride Month | In honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan - considered the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States - each June people throughout the United States come together to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. More information may be found HERE from the Library of Congress.
|
| |
|
|
African-American / Black Music Appreciation Month | June is African American Music Appreciation Month. Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, this month celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage. Click HERE to learn more from the National Museum of African-American History & Culture.
|
|
|
Immigrant Heritage Month | Immigrant Heritage Month is an initiative put forward by the I Am An Immigrant foundation that seeks to celebrate our shared heritage as an immigrant nation and the important contributions to our economy, culture, and common identity by immigrants from all around the world. The celebration formally began in 2014 and seeks to give immigrants and refugees in our country the opportunity to explore and celebrate their background as well as to create awareness on how diversity and immigration are both essential elements of our social fabric. More information may be found HERE.
|
| |
|
|
Gun Violence Awareness Month | Gun Violence Awareness Month is a month-long campaign to raise awareness on the severe impact of gun violence in our communities, while promoting conversation and action. In April 2022, both the CDC and the University of Michigan's Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention declared guns as the leading cause of death among youth and teens. In fact, between 2019 and 2020, our country saw a "relative increase in the rate of firearm-related deaths of all types (suicide, homicide, unintentional, and undetermined) among children and adolescents was 29.5% — more than twice as high as the relative increase in the general population." More information may be found HERE.
|
|
|
3 R’s of Summer Break
As educators your resilience (and tolerance for turbulence and change) was put to the test, yet again, this academic school year. Thank you for everything you did (and continue to do) on behalf of our scholars!
During the Summer Break, I do hope each of you take time for wellness and reflection. I invite you to engage in what I call the “3 R’s” during the break:
|
- RETREAT: Physically and Mentally from your work site and your work.
-
REFLECT:After a few weeks, reflect on the school year. A few prompts that may be useful:
- What did I learn about myself or my role this school year? How will I use this knowledge or experience next school year?
- What is one (1) shift in my professional practice I will make for next school year? Why? What data supports this?
-
What is one thing I must STOP / START / CHANGE doing to push my professional practice to the next level?
- REJUVENATE: Do things that bring you joy and passion outside of your role as an SLPS educator. Reconnect with this part of you and with those who know and love you.
|
|
|
Keeping “The Work” of the Academic Office Front and Center
|
The WHY of our work for School Year 22-23:
|
-
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.
|
The WHAT of our work for School Year 22-23:
|
-
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’
-
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
|
*teachers’ knowledge and skills; scholars’ engagement in their own learning; academically challenging content
|
The HOW of our work for School Year 22-23:
|
- (Re)Frame our individual and collective thinking:
|
"Life is very short. What we have to do must be done in the now.” – Audre Lorde
|
I wish each of you an enjoyable, restful and safe summer break!
|
Your partner in education,
Marion Smith Jr., EdD
|
|
|
For more information, please contact Dr. Marion Smith Jr., Deputy Superintendent of Academics– Marion.SmithJr@slps.org
|
|
|
Network Spotlight: Learning Network 3
|
| |
|
Nance Elementary students who met or exceeded their STAR Reading and Math goals for the year were celebrated with an outdoor celebration that included games, activities, and the Kona Ice truck!
|
|
|
Nance Elementary students were recognized for their academic achievement, attendance citizenship, and extracurricular participation at the annual Red Carpet Awards program which was well-attended by parents, families, and community members!
|
|
|
Through the generosity of the school community, students with exceptional growth on STAR Reading were entered into a drawing and received bicycles, scooters, and gift cards!
|
|
|
According to STAR, Shenandoah grew over a year in both math and reading!! We celebrated our STAR Growth STARS on Wednesday with a popsicle party! Pictured below are our 3rd-5th graders enjoying their cool treats.
|
Our Shenandoah chess players participated in the annual chess tournament on Wednesday, May 17th. George Bell won first place.
|
|
|
For more information please contact Dr. Jeanine Zitta, Learning Network 3 Network Superintendent – Jeanine.Zitta@slps.org
|
|
|
Department Spotlight: Professional Development
|
| |
|
Inter-District Summer Learning Event 2023
In partnership with EdPlus and Other Metro St. Louis School Districts
|
The Professional Development Department is excited to announce a summer learning opportunity to district leaders and teachers/instructional staff, Culturally and Historically Responsive Leadership (Leadership) and Culturally Responsive Education for Equity and Excellence (Educator).
|
Culturally and Historically Responsive Leadership (Leadership)
|
Dr. Gholdy Muhammad will share practices in support of creating a culture that honors the identities of youth and teachers. Leaders will explore an equity model of education that aligns with district goals and curriculum. This session is focused on leaders.
Friday, June 16 - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Ritenour High School, 9100 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis MO 63114
|
Culturally Responsive Education for Equity and Excellence (Educator)
|
Dr. Gholdy Muhammad will explore culture and how this understanding can help create learning opportunities that honor and draw upon the strengths of all students. Unit and lesson plans will be shared and discussed. Participants will gain practical considerations for creating equitable unit and lesson plans. This session is focused on teachers.
Friday, June 16 - 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Ritenour High School, 9100 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis MO 63114
|
|
|
Department Spotlight: English To Speakers of Other Languages
|
| | |
Seal of Biliteracy & Pathways to Biliteracy Awards 2022-2023
|
|
|
This year, nine (9) graduating seniors earned Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Awards:
|
- Mariana Ramirez-Villalvazo (CSMB) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
-
Nina Orihuela (CSMB) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
- Fatima Al-Khuzai (CSMB) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
- Lena Pham (Metro) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Vietnamese
- Morgan Greenbury (Metro) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
- Clarady Brooks (Metro) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
- Ayana Kelley (Metro) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
- Angela Banuelos (Clyde C. Miller) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
-
Tuan Anh Ngo (Gateway STEM) – Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in Vietnamese
|
|
|
Seal of Biliteracy Award Recipients at CSMB
|
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award available to native English speakers studying a foreign language and English language learners acquiring English and maintaining their heritage language. To earn this award, students must meet three (3) criteria:
|
- Proficiency in English
- Proficiency in a language other than English
- Socio-cultural competency
|
Many universities have incentives for the Seal recipients and award up to 12 credit hours of coursework. The Seal can also benefit students as they apply for jobs as more and more employers support the Seal of Biliteracy.
Congratulations, to our Seal of Biliteracy recipients!
|
|
|
In addition, our district has two (2) Pathways to Biliteracy awards to recognize our younger students working towards biliteracy:
|
- Emerging Bilingual for Pre-K 4 scholars
- Developing Bilingual for 5th and 8th grade scholars
|
Pathways to Biliteracy Award Recipients at Oak Hill
|
This year, St. Louis Public Schools awarded 461 Pathways to Biliteracy awards to scholars from Betty Wheeler, Dewey, Gateway Elementary, Mann, Mason, Mullanphy, Oak Hill, Sigel, Woerner, Woodward, AESM, Busch, Carr Lane, Compton Drew, McKinley Middle, NCNAA K-8, and Long.
Congratulations to all of our Pathways to Biliteracy award recipients!
For more information about the Seal of Biliteracy and Pathways to Biliteracy, CLICK HERE.
|
|
|
New Spotlight: MTSS Corner
|
| |
|
Shifting the Framework: “MTSS and Gifted Education”
|
The Academic Office continues to define the shift from RTI and explain the why, what, and how of MTSS. Our gifted learners are a unique group of scholars who will greatly benefit from equitable practices that are tailored for their cognitive abilities. According to DESE, a gifted learner:
|
- Exhibits advanced development of mental capacity and learning potential
-
Has been evaluated by a trained professional
- Needs an academic environment that supports beyond standard grade level curriculum
|
Since our gifted learners flourish in an academic environment tailored to their needs, implementing equitable practices guarantees success. Intentional curriculum planning, responding to diversity, and personal competence are the three domains that should be included in lesson planning and embedded in teaching practices for our gifted scholars.
|
Intentional lesson planning that includes assignments, questions, and learning opportunities will automatically incorporate these strategies. The term MTSS is a shift from RTI; however, the Tier 1 practices listed are already taking place in some of our gifted classrooms throughout SLPS.
|
|
|
As we continue the transition to the MTSS framework, it is important to remember the ‘Why, What, and How of MTSS.” Below is a one pager to support our collective work moving forward.
|
For more information regarding MTSS and resources for each tier, please contact Ravetta Jackson, MTSS Specialist - Ravetta.Jackson@slps.org
|
|
|
Camp SLPS 2023 will be held from Monday, June 5th through Friday, June 30th at sites across Saint Louis Public Schools (no summer learning on Monday, June 19th in recognition of Juneteenth holiday).
|
Professional Development for Staff
Camp SLPS staff must save the date for the following professional development dates leading up to Camp SLPS beginning on Monday, June 5th. Staff are expected to participate in all scheduled professional development:
|
- Wednesday, May 31st- Full day district professional development
-
Topics and locations by staff member role are available at this link.
- Thursday, June 1st- Site-based professional development (AM) & Classroom preparation time (PM)
-
Friday, June 2nd- Classroom preparation time (PM) & Camp SLPS Open House (time established by Summer Site Leader)
|
The Camp SLPS staff professional development sessions previously scheduled for after school on Wednesday, May 4th, May 11th, and May 18th have been canceled. This was communicated in the April 13 and April 27 issues of the Academic Newsletter.
|
Open House
Each Camp SLPS site will hold an Open House on Friday, June 2nd. The times and locations of Camp SLPS Open House events are below:
|
Transportation
We currently have more than 6,700 SLPS students registered for Camp SLPS 2023! Students and families have received bus letters via students’ home schools and the Transportation department has also sent individual bus letters to parents.
|
- After May 10th, there is no guarantee of transportation for students.
-
If there are new summer enrollees after May 10th, schools will need to send the demographic information for the student to slpstrans@slps.org
|
School Leader Support at Camp SLPS
Principals are expected to provide support at their students’ Camp SLPS site from June 5th through June 7th, as well as two additional days in the month of June. Feeder school principals will be assigned to complete an Ambassador form for their site during the first three days of Camp SLPS.
|
Registration for students is now available!
Please register online at https://www.slps.org/summer or use the QR codes below! A list of site assignments is also posted on the SLPS website.
|
|
|
2023 Belfer National Conference for Educators |
Secondary Holocaust Education
|
Free Virtual Summer PD Opportunity!
Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, districts across Missouri will be required to incorporate Holocaust education into their annual middle school and high school curriculum. SLPS is already ahead of the game in this area, but we are carefully watching the requirements of SB 681 and SB 662, which outline details for this requirement.
If you are interested in furthering your own professional learning around Holocaust education, the 2023 Belfer National Conference for Educators is a great opportunity. This free, virtual conference will be held June 26-28 and is designed to support accurate, meaningful teaching about the Holocaust. You do not need to engage in real-time attendance. You can register for the conference and view the sessions on-demand for up to six months after the event - and still get the PD credit and free books and resources!
|
|
|
Curriculum Specialists:
- 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, , 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
- Dr. Taresa Wright-Fraser, Elementary Math, 314-943-5266
|
| |
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
801 N. 11th Street | St. Louis, MO 63101 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|