PKM HIGHLIGHTS
June 1-5, 2020
Dear Bill, Darin, Michelle, Todd & Pat
Hanover Benchmarking Study Update
We are in the final stages of gathering information for the Hanover Benchmarking study that we began several months ago. Just a quick reminder that we will be looking at peer districts in West Virginia, the region (e.g., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia) and across the nation by comparable demographic factors (e.g., student enrollment, number of schools, median household income, pupil/teacher ratio, expenditures per student, student demographics). In selecting these peer districts then comparing performance and achievement and college and career readiness to learn how we might continue, adjust, and or strengthen our work. The timing of the report which should be completed in the next 2 to 4 weeks will then be made available to principals to share with their staff and integrate into the strategic planning discussion as we prepare for the start of the school year. More to come shortly on this front related to strategic planning and student academic performance.
Service and Professional Staff Weekly Conference Calls
Sr. Staff Plus Pandemic Meeting - June 3rd
End of Year Wrap-Up
This week we started to complete end of year evaluation conversation with principals, directors, executive directors, and assistant principals. I want to thank those we have met with to this point in time for very productive conversations and look forward to the upcoming conversations in the next two weeks. In addition, I have submitted my evaluation documentation and evidence to the school board for their review of my performance and will meet with them prior to the school board meeting on June 15. As part of my work plan and evidence that I provided them is the completion of my entry plan. I would also like to provide you with the summary “Elements of Moving Forward” that reflects the input, feedback, observations and activities that I have been engaged in over the past 10 months. I hope you will take the opportunity to read it and we will plan to discuss in more detail as we prepare for the upcoming school year (Attachment: Superintendent Entry Plan “Elements of Moving Forward”).
Legislative Wrap-Up
This morning I took the opportunity to attend the Zoom meeting with our local legislators hosted by our Chamber of Commerce. The topic of PK-12 public education and higher education was threaded through many of the legislator’s comments as well as reflecting on the work of the past session. The other topic that garnered a number of questions and comments surround the current Covid-19 pandemic related to providing broadband services, housing, work-from-home, and safely opening up our community and businesses. The big question that came at the end of the meeting was how will we respond at the state level with an economic downturn, with government services and resources? The general feeling that right now we are in good financial shape and move to reopen our economy is a responsible manner. There is still concern that we need to monitor this topic very closely and also think about the following fiscal year and how there could be possible short falls a year from now, especially in particular funding areas – casinos, road fund, and senior care.
Advance Team Planning for Next Year –
Mid-Friday morning our group of 28 strong representing a cross-section of staff met again to address the following key objectives: (1) Assess status of technology access from surveys; (2) Determine menu and level of technology access for all students and staff; (3) Review and evaluate mental health plans and communication approaches; and (4) Evaluate action team work and determine next steps. Each of the six action teams had met, provided updates in relationship to their particular areas and questions that were posed at the last meeting. As a result of that discussion the following actions for each group are being taken:
1. Family and Community Michelle/Betty Anne/Luke
The team recommended we move to one platform using Microsoft Teams and Schoology for consistency for staff and families. The team wanted to also identify partners in the community that we should connect with and continue to keep an open dialogue as we move to the start of school. This group also felt it was time to consider how we add more teachers and parents to each of the action teams. We agreed and will be planning how to take that action. Finally, there are a number of questions in the community about the start of school. The group will look at how these questions can be collected and we can create a running list on our website for frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Action Steps:
(1) Develop a parent survey
(2) Invite parents to be a part of these action groups
(3) Develop FAQ responses
(4) Create a way for volunteers to work with students in the digital environment
(5) Create a volunteer educated program on technology
2. Mental Health Veronique/Christi/Joni
This team pulled together a concept around the themes of Recovery, Resiliency and Renew as a lens to support students, staff and families as we prepare to return with the start of the school year.
Action Steps:
(1) Bring forward an outline with the concept of the 3 R’s
(2) Providing resources and support for students, staff, families and community through the 3 R’s concept
(3) Connect with the Family and Community team for future planning
3. Operations Antoinette/Tana/Tony
The work of this team uncovered the complexity of many of the options and alternatives that are currently being examined. Close and detailed planning will be important as we move forward.
Action Steps:
(1) Meet with each of the directors in the areas of operations and what is expected of each department and office
(2) Develop a plan with each possible scenario based on operations
(3) Develop a hypothetical bus transportation scenario for the A/B schedule
4. Teaching and Learning Robyn/Tyler/Bryan/Brent/Amber/Kelli
This team provide some excellent examples of clear and concise expectations for teaching online. Bryan Hott and Holly Kleppner displayed examples of lesson planning at their schools that provided an excellent outline for us to draw on. The consensus of the group was to develop examples of lessons at each level. Also provide professional development for teachers, especially new teachers who may need the additional support. The professional development model us for the Online Learning PD received great reviews. The request was to create a similar model for lesson planning and development online.
Action Steps:
(1)Establish clear and concise expectations for teachers related to responsibilities and online teaching protocols
(2) Create a format of expectations for online learning at each level with professional develop and models like those shared by the action team members.
5. Technology Sharon/Dave
Dave Kenney and Sharon Dove are waiting to receive the final information from WVDE technology survey and looking at our Berkeley County Schools technology survey information. Based on the feedback we get from the survey a tiered system of technology access solutions will be developed for students, families and staff who may have limited or no broadband access.
Action Steps:
(1) Finalize survey information
(2) Design a tiered system of technology access solutions for students, families and staff who might now have broadband access.
(3) Based on those proposed solutions create a budget based on the resources and funds available.
6. Co-curricular and Athletics Amber/Christi/Andi
This team looked at the spectrum of activities from athletics, band, chorus, cheerleading and clubs as examples of the different activities they discussed. The sense of the team and the group was that guidelines are already coming forward from Berkeley County Health Department, WVDE, WVSSAC and CDC that are providing direction to date. The team will begin to forecast ahead with plans to return to school in the fall as related to co-curricular and athletics.
Action Steps:
Continue to develop global plans based on today and the current conditions and possible adjustments to those plans with the start of school.
The work completed to date by the teams has proven to be very successful and I want to say thank you for all of the good thinking and work that has been done. We will plan to meet again on Tuesday, June 16 at 3 pm. The action steps outlined above will be part of the agenda along with additional items brought forward by the action team members.
Thought for the Week
As this school year winds down we are already gearing up and thinking about the start of next year with many of the challenges and decisions that need to be made in relationship to the Covid-19 pandemic and keeping us all safe and healthy. Connected with that work we have started and are completing the initial annual strategic planning work at the school district and school level. Thank you to our principals and instructional leaders who are playing a part in that work. I too want to recognize Robyn Lopez and Betty Anne Powell who have led and facilitated regional and programmatic level discussion and the principal leaders who have led those groups. The conversation is proving to be very fruitful and reflecting on the meetings that I sat in and participated got me thinking about a couple of “essential questions”. I pass these questions along and ask you to think about them and also share them with your school strategic plan teams.
- What, ultimately, can we control and not? WHAT IS WITHIN OUR CONTROL? Public education has taken on a number of responsibilities that are blurring the lines between school, home and community. While we are mandated care takers and responsible for the health and well-being of children, we recognize we are in a partnership with families with a shared responsibility. Remember what we can control lies directly inside our classrooms with the teaching and learning process. It is within our control to ensure that students are making academic progress. We have the greatest degree of control in teaching the standards and making sure that the curriculum and content is delivered, and instruction is appropriate, so student do learn.
- Can we do better? Of course, we can. All of us can always to better. The question might be better stated, are we tapping into the full potential of ALL kids? I believe that there is a whole lot more potential and ability that we can see in ALL of our students. Part of that is setting high expectations for all students. As I often say a wonderful and easy sound-bite statement. To be successful in believing in high expectations, are we providing the support systems so students will achieve? How do we tap into and communicate high expectations and provide the opportunities and choices that all students stretch themselves to achieve?
- What do we believe is the next step on this journey of continuous growth and progress? The conversations and discussion around alignment of curriculum, vertical alignment across and between programmatic levels and the focus placed on transition between grades and programmatic levels are proving to be very productive and on target – thank you for that work. Staying focused on those priorities will need to be the main diet on our plate as we return to school. Ensuring that we know the curriculum content and monitor that the standards are being taught will allow us to establish a system to evaluate student learning through assessment and performance tasks. To strengthen this system, we are going to need to look at how we increase the knowledge and capacity of our teachers, administrators and district leaders to know the content and recognize when it is and is not be delivered. How might we shift our walk-through protocols to focus directly on evidence and data that ensure the curriculum content and standards are being taught?
I hope these thought provoking questions have encouraged us to think further on as we develop and monitor our strategic plans. This will be a regular and ongoing planning. The conversation and consideration to moving to 90-day plans is a good step for us to take in keeping our strategic plan as the front and center of our work. This will ensure students are making progress and academic growth. The key is the linkage between the curriculum, instruction and assessment – CIA!
PKM Calendar for upcoming week: June 8-12, 2020
Mon.June 8th
Sr. Staff Meeting
Principal Evaluations
Tues., June 9th
Election Day - Offices &Schools Closed
Wed., June 10th
State Board of Education
Service/Professional Rep Mtg
Thurs., June 11th
Principal Meeting
Fri., June 12th
Routine Mtg
Friday Letter
Summer Meal Program
June 1: 15,670 (One location)
MEALS PROVIDED SINCE MARCH 16, 2020 = 237,670
Please view the following attachments and Pat's Picks:
Berkeley County Polling Locations
Revenue Collections by Senate Finance Committee
Covid 19 Screening Guide
Superintendent's Entry Plan Elements Moving Forward
Patrick K. Murphy, Ed.D., Superintendent
Email: patrick.murphy@k12.wv.us
Phone: 304-582-0880
Twitter: @PKMSupt