PKM HIGHLIGHTS: July 20-24
Dear Bill, Darin, Todd, Michael & Pat:
It's National Peach Month-Delivering Juicy News of Friday Letter/PKM Highlights!
Boy Scout (July 21)
Don Dellinger, Elaine Bobo and I met with the new executive for the Boy Scout in the Shenandoah Area region Robert Garrett. Robert and his family are moving here to Berkeley County from Asheville, North Carolina where he recently served as assist Scout Executive. Our meeting was a chance for us to connect with Robert’s about his interest in working with the school community to promote scouting. Robert is interested in how we can help him in getting information out to our school age children and families through Peachjar and other possible venues consistent with our work with other non-profits.
Custodian Supervision (July 20)
I met with Scott Mathias, Ron Stephens and Karen Hensell earlier this week to establish a centralized role for the management and support of custodian services. Over the past several months with the pandemic it has become apparent there is a need for a centralized role in supporting and coordinating custodial services and also supporting school principals. Principals will continue to be the direct supervisors of custodians along with a centralized support system lead by Scott Mathis our new executive director for Facilities Operation. Scott has hit the ground running and has already held a virtual training with Weiss Brothers for secondary custodians on proper cleaning and sanitizing of the athletic department areas on Thursday, July 23.
President Robin Capehart from Bluefield State College (July 21)
I had the pleasure of meeting President Robin Capehart earlier this week and a conversation that was facilitated by former school board member Michele Barnes-Russell advocating for us to work with Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU). President Capehart and I explored several topics to include:
o creating an educational pipeline of sending and receiving future and current educational graduates (our graduates’ interest in education and their graduates interested in working in BCS);
o facilitating student athletes who are interest in continuing their athletic careers in college (currently, BSC has 10 intercollegiate sports and expanding to 22 in the next year)l
o new 2-year associate degree program in Engineering Technology with starting salary of $ 60,000 (these types of jobs are in high demand and we could possibly start a program here in the Berkeley County.)
Stay tuned as we will talk about next steps and how we proceed with each of these opportunities. Ultimately, President Capehart and I are interested in creating opportunities for our diverse students with particular focus on Black males that could benefit from each of these initiatives.
Sr. Staff Plus Pandemic Meeting - July 22
This week the meeting focused on some key topics as we move forward with the start of school on Tuesday, September 8 to include:
o Completing the CARES budget funding proposal for our allocation of $ 3.8 million dollars due on Thursday, July 30
o Completing the state grant opportunity of up to $ 1 million dollars in three areas of technology access, social and emotional support and addressing learning gaps
o Finalizing the re-entry plans, responding and updating FAQs on the webpage and preparing to send out the family pathways survey.
EOC Employee Support Network (July 22)
The 3rd of 4 scheduled discussions with employees of color occurred on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, with Dr. Murphy, Dr. Veronique Walker and 10 staff members. The meeting provided an opportunity for employees to ask more questions and provide their input on how we can best address and respond to concerns. Key inquires included plans to recruit more employees of color and establishing a more formal network for employees to offer support to one another. Dr. Murphy provided additional insights on district plans related to each of the topics discussed, for which several attendees thanked him for his attention and commitment. The priority as we move forward is providing our staff with the tools and professional development to respond to issues connected to equity, racism and creating positive school and community environments. Often when individuals don’t respond it is because they may not have the background and experiences. Being honest, clear and setting the expectations with how we must address issues when they arise with staff and students was identified as essential part of how we work in the future.
Service and Professional Staff Weekly Conference Calls - (July 22)
· Dr. Murphy hosted the weekly meeting of service and professional representatives Wednesday, July 27, 2020 that included: Jana Woofter, Jessica Salfia, Georgiana Lang, Mallory Painter, Debbie Sloat, Justin Mauck, Ricky Mason, and Mark Weisenburg along with the Human Resources team of Dr. Justin Schooley, Karen Hensell and Lewis Mullenax.
Discussion Topics:
o Introduction of Scott Mathis and his role as Executive Director with custodian oversight
o Staff pathway survey questions and preliminary data received
o A review of the FAQ for personnel from State Superintendent call
o Some of the questions that were brought up included temperature checks and PPE (face shields)
o It was emphasized that by employee associations they were not seeking to strike
o Employee childcare options, such as before/after care – Little Eagle
Contact Dr. Schooley (jschoole@k12.wv.us or ext. 13267) with related questions.
Advance Team Meeting (July 23)
As we move toward the September 8 opening of school, the group of 36 members engaged in a robust and passionate conversation about Brick and Click planning, deployment, implementation, and monitoring. The key is the development of systems that can work, provide consistency and meet the three priorities of safety, social emotional support and continue learning. The Advance Team along with our principals, teachers and central office leaders are working diligently at how all these pieces will connect and work in a coordinated fashion for staff, families and students. While the discussion at times can be challenging, I see us working through some difficult choices. I continue to emphasize, we have not been here before, take it slow, we can make it work and most of all make the best decision with the information we have now and be prepare to make a better decision when more information becomes available. Along with this thinking we are also considering contingency plans for students and staff. I want to thank Dr. Schooley and the Human Resource Team – Lewis Mullenax and Karen Hensell as they work with staff who are asking questions and expressing concerns. We need students, staff and families to stay connected to BCS and work to make that our ultimate goal!
Martinsburg Noon Rotary (July 23) & Chamber of Commerce Meeting (July 24)
This week I took the opportunity to attend the Martinsburg Noon Rotary meeting in person and then the Chamber of Commerce Meeting on Friday morning via Zoom. I was also joined by Elaine Bobo and Judy McCune. At both meetings there was a good turnout of members with the Rotary with 35 attending and 10 attending by Zoom and for the Chamber over 50 participants. The information I shared with the two groups centered around a summary of my entry plan and an update on the start of the school year. Many of the questions from the group centered on the start of the school year regarding the Brick and Click instructional environments, student technology devices, internet access (especially in some of the regions not served by providers), volunteer opportunities for the upcoming year and steps we are taking to provide safe learning environments at our schools. Judy McCune spoke to many of the health issues and practices we are going to put in place along with how we are working with the Berkeley/Morgan County Board of Health in the event of a contact. A great opportunity to get the message out to the community about the work being done to start the school year.
Thought for the Week - I'm Back!
In talking with a group of staff about modifying the design of the Friday Letter several weeks ago there was a suggestion that as part of the TOTW recognizing the work and achievement of staff be a consideration. Reflecting on the idea it is a nice way of recognizing the work being done and the individuals and groups behind making it happen.
Then just yesterday, I received the following article from one of our constituents in the community https://www.mountainstatespotlight.org/kids-west-virginia-going-hungry. It had me reflect on how fortunate we are here in Berkeley County and the team that we have working to provide meals to our students, families and caregivers since mid-March. It is very powerful to see how our Child Nutrition Team and supporting members have provided over 386,000 meals since March 16thhere. As well we have our summer team who have provided over 164,000 meals since school ended. Please join me in thanking them and showing our appreciation for how they have helped our community and children.
The summer meals team include:
Meal Delivery: Kelli Duranko, Chris Wuest, Karena Lopez, Rebecca Gayhart, Katie Worthington, Noelle Spickler, Teri Wilson, and Jennifer Burroughs.
Curbside Service: Adam Starliper, Barbara Duke, Barbara Newlin, Susan Casey, Alicia
Early-Dunham, Sarah Bass, Desire’ Crim, Jennifer Leake, Emily Sine, Janice Hess,
Sherry DeHaven, Lewis Harden, Susan Henry, Dreama Smith, Debbie Carter, Nicole
Krause, Penny Houck, Jackie Files, Karen Bartgis, Liz Grunseth, Chris Moore, Kim
Welch, Deana Barrick, Frank Wills, Crystal Warner, Melissa Davis, Dawn Messick,
Connie Rohrbaugh, Mike Green, Susan Stanley, Eva Butts, Kimberly Byrd, Roselyn
Joseph, Amber Boeckman, Kelli Duranko, and Kristie Randall.
We truly are fortunate here and a big special thank you to the leader of this
wonderful team, Tracy Heck!
PKM Calendar for upcoming week: July 27-31
Mon.July 27th
Sr. Staff Mtg
CARES Meetings
Tues., July 28th
Routine Mtgs
Wed., July 29th
Pandemic Mtg
State Sup. Mtg
Thurs., July 30th
Advance Team
Berkeley County Council
Fri., July 31st
Talkradio WRNR @835 am
Friday Letter
Summer Meal Program Continues
June 1: 15,670 (One location)
June 8: 16,930 (4 locations)
June 15: 19,620
June 22: 19,300
June 29: 22,260
July 6: 22,460
July 13: 24,180
July 20: 24,370
MEALS PROVIDED SINCE MARCH 16, 2020 = 386,790
Please view the following attachments and Pat's Picks:
Anti-Racism Forum featuring Dr. Walker
WVDW & WVVS FAQ's
Patrick K. Murphy, Ed.D., Superintendent
Email: patrick.murphy@k12.wv.us
Phone: 304-582-0880
Twitter: @PKMSupt