TCS Leadership Weekly
May 1, 2023
April 15, 2024
FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE
TCS Leaders,
Have an AMAZING week as you move your school and system to becoming premier.
md
Note: TCS Weekly Leadership must be read in its entirety by all TCS administrators. These weekly messages provide reminders and new information that are essential. These also serve as formal documentation that all TCS administrators have received the information and therefore are responsible for its content.
✅2023-24 PRIORITIES
Our FOCUS for 23-24 as aligned with the vision of the TCS and the TCS Strategic Plan is clear:
K-12 Literacy and Numeracy Achievement
Extra and Co-Curricular Participation
TCS Graduates with CCRI and a Post-Secondary Plan
Optimal Teaching and Learning Environment
Measurement: AIMS, ACT, ACAP, ACAP Reading, CCRI, Culture and Climate Survey, Verified E3 Plans, verified student participation in extra-curricular activities, school report cards
GENERAL INFORMATION - DARIA
Student Tragedies
As you may be aware, we had another incident of violence impacting our students this weekend. This is in addition to the loss we experienced last week. Our student support teams have been and will be occupied a good bit this week.
Please send your thoughts to these families and to the educators who serve them.
Job Descriptions on BOE Meeting
If you see the agenda for Tuesday, you will see a series of job descriptions. These are for developing our program to replace Brewer Porch. This is moving fast and may include changes at your school. We will keep you as informed as we can.
Principal Meeting, Wednesday
The principal meeting this week is a "business/operations" meeting. We will cover a lot of operational items, mostly to prepare for school year 24-25.
As always, please arrive 15 minutes early, disconnect from text/email/phone/etc, and we will do all we can to end the meeting before lunch.
Every student connected to at least one extra-curricular (TCS strategic plan)
Each student must be connected to at least one extra-curricular activity in your school.
The TCS is emerging in so many ways in academic competitions, art/music competitions, and athletics competitions.
Click HERE for the UA robotics competition results where you see that the TCS was strong at all levels.
Do you have 100% of your students wearing your school shirt for at least one extra-curricular activity? We will talk more about this at our leadership meeting this week.
Out-of-Office (Friday)
I will be in Montgomery judging the Alabama teacher of the year this Friday.
TEACHING AND LEARNING - POPE
Average Daily Attendance
Our district's Average Daily Attendance for the week of April 8th was 93.92% . Our goal is to have an average rate of 95% or higher. All schools should have an ADA of 95% or higher. To reach our goal, we have to monitor attendance daily. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Attendance Office.
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic attendance is identified by the state as 18 or more excused or unexcused absences. Chronic absenteeism is an indicator on the school report card that the district and local schools are graded on. The Attendance Office will provide a weekly update on attendance categories for each school. The report is attached in the link below. YTD absences report
Regular Early Warning
Early Warning meeting is Monday, April 15, 2024. We have 49 families invited. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Attendance Office.
Pre-k and Kindergarten
Pre-k and Kindergarten early warning is Thursday, April 18, 2024. We have 30 families invited. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Attendance Office.
Returning Students Registration
Returning students registration will open Monday, April 22, 2024. Snapcode information was sent to all schools Tuesday, April 9th. Snapcode letters will go home with students Friday, April 19, 2024 with their progress report. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Attendance Office.
TCS 2024-2025 Off Campus Request Forms due June 7, 2024
TCS 2024-2025 Off Campus Events Request.pdf
Library Closing Procedures
All school libraries must close early enough this semester to permit sufficient time to complete required tasks such as annual audits, inventory, and collection management. In order to work as one, the following dates are set at the district level.
Libraries where librarian is also school's Resource Manager, must close to class visits and suspend circulation not later than April 30.
- All other libraries must close to class visits and suspend circulation not later than May 9.
Please work with your librarian to set your actual date based on your school's unique situation.
Note that students retain access to all digital collections (including Sora and MyOn) through the end of the semester (and into the summer). Keep the culture of reading going!
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning
Principals, please share with your classroom teachers.
Hey, TCS Teachers! Wanna get away? Consider an engaging, fun, and practical learning opportunity in June, 2024! Funding is available for these interdisciplinary workshops! Contact Jeff Schultz, Coordinator for Arts in Education to inquire.
Kennedy Center Arts Education Conference (act fast - very popular and sells out quickly, targeting K-8 academic teachers and administrators)
Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts (Keep it local in Montgomery, AL! great for K-12 academic teachers, website not yet updated)
Expectations for Positive Student Behavior
Make sure that your expectations are clearly defined daily. This information should be shared on your social media platforms as well as your weekly SMORE. We must finish strong.
Discipline Errors
Please ensure all errors are corrected by April 22, 2024. The OSS is required to certify the SIR by June 7th.
STARS Academy
Students in grades 2-8 are allowed to enter STARS. They must be back on the homeschool campus for the ACAP summative testing. Principals must contact Dr. Morgan in a timely manner with the testing dates.
SPAN
Students attending SPAN should also be on campus for testing. Please ensure that all students are tested.
Restraint Training
Staff must attend two (2) full days in order to receive credit and certification. Please do not make an appointment on the days of training. Professional Development leave forms must be signed and approved by the school administrator and submitted to Dr. Pope's office. Training facilitators must return the restraint training box that includes the written assessment and test to the OSS the same day after the final training session. This will ensure participants receive their certification and test scores in a timely manner.
The next training session is April 18-19. This will be the last training session for the 2023-2024 school year.
There are 10 seats available. Click here to register.
Social Services
TCS, TPD, and TFD are working the National Children's Advocacy Center to start the Handle with Care Program in Tuscaloosa. Dates for trainings and implementation will be forthcoming.
Please send extra help for Early Warning and HELP if you have multiple students and consider that if your social worker has 2 schools, they will need assistance to cover both schools.
Please ensure your faculty/staff are knowledgeable about mandatory reporting and TCS suicide protocol. A short refresher presentation could be done by your school social worker during PD or faculty meeting, if needed.
FINANCE and FACILITIES - DUKE and SMITH
Finance Manual
You can always find the TCS Financial Manual online at the TCS Website.
Your Superintendent's Report -
Are you looking at it every week?
- Go over with your bookkeeper
- Look for negative amounts
- Compare to the prior month's report
Ask questions
Please continue to send summer requests to Facilities (Custodian Leads – Erica Thomas/Sherry Williams) This is crucial for planning summer cleaning and supporting summer school in 95% of our schools.
Summer Standard Projects (Please finalize preferred dates)
- Gym screen/recoating
- Carpet cleaning
Ongoing Projects (The following projects will be provided as assessed. We are inputting work orders proactively.)
- Painting (Will continue to paint as needed and per assessed work order)
- Pressure washing (Will continue to pressure wash as needed and per assessed work order)
- Playgrounds (We are currently making repairs/mulching per assessments and work orders) Please continue to put in work orders for any disrepairs.
- Parking Lot Repairs/Stripping (Currently assessing) Will coordinate on any projects.
Support Services
- App/Alarms – Please ensure that your app is working and your emergency staff contacts are currently updated.
- Power Outages – We are in the process of signing you up to receive outages for your school from Alabama Power. (More to come)
- Trash will be ongoing throughout summer
- Pest Control will be standard throughout summer. (Please put in a work order for any pest control issues)
- Mail will be standard throughout the summer.
- No Students – Coordinate pre-plan cleaning projects with custodians. (Bathrooms/Stairwells/Cleaning-Organizing Closets/Cleaning-Burnishing Hallway Floors etc.)
- Facilities Use – Please ensure all outside building use goes through Facilities Use Policy/Procedures.
(Contact Casey Cowart Office Phone: 205-759-3505, Email: ccowart@tusc.k12.al.us)
Facilities Services Support Work Orders (Follow up)
Please call Facilities Maintenance Office: 205-759-3585
George Randy Tyra email: gtyra@tusc.k12.al.us
Custodian Summer Training
Location: Old TCT (Facilities Annex) 1301 James I. Harrison Pkwy
Date: May 29, 2024
Time: 7:00am – 3:30pm
Please stop by to see our teams in action!
HR and OPERATIONS - CAMERON
Health Services
Wellness Screenings
4/16/2023-Southview Elementary 9:00-2:00
4/18/2023-Tuscaloosa Magnet Elementary 9:00-2:00
Field Trips
Reminder Last day for field trips is 5/10/2024.
Nurses are unable to accommodate any other field trip request requiring a nurse on 5/3 ( unless it is for Special Olympics).
Health Heroes
5/15/2024- Spring Immunization Clinic. This will be for students 11 years old or older by 5/15/2024 needing ( TDAP/HPV/MCV4). Per Health Heroes each school must have a minimum of 10 participants for the school to be able to participate. Nurses will send a consent form home with students who qualify. **Health Heroes has agreed to administer the MMR vaccine, with parent consent, to students who are not in compliance regardless of age.**
Human Resources
April 18: Intern Social Event (4:30-6:00 at Central Office)
School Safety News, FYI
Mother of Virginia boy who shot his teacher pleads guilty to felony child neglect
Ebony Parker was indicted by a grand jury on charges related to the day of the 2023 shooting at
Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, court records show.
Athletics
Athletic Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the Children's Theater at the Central Office. All Athletic Directors, Please plan to attend.
Safety
All personnel should wear their ID badge.
Only one entry point after morning student arrival.
TCS IMPORTANT MEETINGS AND DEADLINES
IMPORTANT DATES
Click HERE for the PD/MEETING calendar with all system meetings/dates/etc for SY 2023-2024.
Click HERE for the recognition days by each day/month for SY 2023-2024.
Click HERE for the 23-24 principal monthly checklist provided by the ALSDE
NOTE: All TCS admin. must block out required principal/AP/CST meetings for the entire year. Missing these required meetings can only be done in emergency cases or pre-approved absences (by Daria in advance of the meeting, preferably a reasonable request of a month).
Amazing Things Happen in TCS Each and Every Day!
Visit the Tuscaloosa City Schools' social media channels to get a closer look. Share your own good news by sending us NewsTips.
Twitter: @TCSBoardofED
Visit the archive of Leadership Reminders.
As always, if you need something, please don't hesitate to give me a call.
(205) 759-3560