the RAH
Aug 6-10, 2018
Here we go!
As we continue to make communication clear, the RAH will resume as a weekly newsletter will be one consistent medium to keep you in the know. Various Executive & Senior Leaders will provide information through this format as to save umteen emails. As this is a open source web-based newsletter, sensitive information will not be included, or it will be linked into Canvas.
Thank you for your commitment to making this year your best ever. Insist upon excellence. Be who you said you would be.
-J
from Mike-
This past month has been a whirlwind as we transition to a new role and get to know our talented group of leaders across the district. I am looking forward to working alongside each of you this year as we support our teachers and students in another year of learning. It hasn’t taken me long to assess that the pool of talent and resources is deep here at SPS. Perhaps only surpassed by the passion for kids that is evident as I have been able to visit with each of you. Thank you for your warm welcome to the team and for everything that you do to ensure that our students have a positive and safe place to learn each day. You are a difference maker.
Here’s to a great year!
ActivateSPS
7:30-8:00 Check-in
8:00-8:30 Opening with Learning Executive Director & Superintendent
(Keynote & Logistics - Auditorium)
8:45-9:25 Session 1
9:35-10:15 Session 2
10:25-11:05 Session 3
11:05-11:45 Lunch
11:55-12:35 Session 4
12:45 - 1:25 Session 5
1:35 - 2:15 Session 6*
2:25 - 3:05 Session 7**Sessions 6 & 7 will be combined Ele Principals
An app has been developed for ActivateSPS that will provide helpful information about the event including specific information about each session and facilitator. You will also have access to a map of Kickapoo and Glendale High School, the social media feed about ActivateSPS and links to presentations. Please use the QR code below to download the app on your smartphone or tablet.
Thursday, Aug 9, 2018, 08:00 AM
Kickapoo High School, South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO, USA
Know it.
Live it.
Love it.
Please let me know if you have them.
Transfer Requests-
As a general rule of thumb, transfer acceptance isn't reviewed until Aug 1. Now that we are at that point, you are welcome to accept transfers...but proceed with caution. Accepting transfers will not increase your FTE support. So should you accept a number of transfers, and then on the first few days of school get a number of new students who are registering with you as their home school, you will simply be dealing with larger classes. Before any new(er) FTE is hired/reassigned from other sites, a review of how many students are on transfer from other sites.
The attempt to honor the transfer of younger siblings should be honored, but not guaranteed. Please work with parents to make such requests happen, but not at the expense of other families who have followed the transfer request process.
A general practice, that is disliked by parents but effective, is to sit on transfers the first few days of school until your are confident the students who live in your attendance boundary are in. This confidence window should not extend beyond two weeks after the first day of school.
To determine a general rule of thumb if your building is at capacity, take the number of classroom (not incl/ specialty teachers) FTE x 23. Multiply that number by .9. That number is approximately 90% of your capacity based upon teacher count, and the number your building is closed to transfers. If you have a specific grade level with substantially lower numbers, you may (and should) accept transfers at that grade level even if the remaining grade levels won't accomodate transfers. Please know that that "closed for transfer" final word needs to come from J or Mike.
We will be working with Ann White as she fields calls about building transfers. We will providing her the numbers your building will be closed to transfers based upon our FTE count. Please connect with Mike or J for any transfer questions.