PKM HIGHLIGHTS
April 27-May 1, 2020
Dear Bill, Darin, Michele, Todd & Pat
Update on Meal Distribution
Service & Professional Staff Conference Calls
We continue to meet with our service and professional representatives – Jana Woofter, Mallory Painter, Justin Mauck, Jessica Salfia, Georgian Lang, Debbie Sloat, Ricky Mason, and Mark Weisenberg along with our Human Resources Team – Dr. Justin Schooley, Karen Hensell and Lewis Mullenax. Topics and discussion resulting from meeting twice this week included mid-day bus runs and driver compensation during this time for those runs, posting of service jobs which began on Monday, April 13, and the status of the sick leave bonus which was addressed in the FAQs from the WVDE and not affected by the recent school closing, the Employee Assistance Program bid, update on the budget for FY 21 and completing personnel evaluation procedures this year. The group thanked us again for the consistent and timely communication of information that they feel is helping in responding to employee requests and also facilitating their work as representatives in getting back to members.
WEPM Radio with Anne Laskey
Technology Planning Meeting
Earlier this week Dave Banks, Don Dellinger, David Kenney and I met to talk through the current Instructional Technology Plan and how at this time we would update it. The timeliness of us addressing this item is related to several factors tied to our budget and the current pandemic situation that has students not attending schools.
The current use of devices such as iPad and laptops has been in place for a few years and it is time for us to consider updating our approach and philosophy about using technology and how it is integrated into our instructional planning and delivery. While our meeting was intended to begin to look at all the aspects of our planning process and how the plan would be developed it is going to require a cross-functional team coming together to develop a complete document to involve principals, teachers, staff, students and parents. We will begin to expand on this planning to be more and be more inclusive to involve others and many voices in the plan development.
The other element we discussed is how we can diversify our technology. We are currently exploring the option of television with the franchising agreement with Comcast and the public education channel we have available. David Kenney has been very successful in learning more about the access channel that is dedicated to us – Channel 18. This is a developing front, so more will be coming forward on how we can leverage television that is far more reaching and available in our community. I am excited about the possibilities here and hope we can begin with some pilot lessons in the near future.
Interview Processes (Screening and Panel Interviews)
Sr. Staff Plus Pandemic Meetings
· This week during our regularly scheduled meeting, we checked on the status of many of the systems we have in place (e.g., meals distribution, lessons, grading) and began to shift our focus to forecast to the future. This included, if we do or don’t return before the end of the year, how we might provide summer school instruction and how we will begin to prepare for the upcoming school year. Topics covered included: getting buildings cleaned and ready to go when we return, allowing students access to buildings to empty lockers, distributing year books and retrieving personal possessions, and how we might proceed with end of year culminating events and activities, most significantly graduations, adding that none of this can happen until we receive notice that it is safe for us to begin to social interaction. Right now, this group is trying to begin the planning process and think through all of the issues, so when we can begin to move we are ready and have processes in place to facilitate a safe transition back to school at some future point in time.
West Virginia Department of Education Special Education Review Debrief
As previously discussed, we requested a review of our Special Education Department to gain insight into how we can advance our programing for all students, families, and staff. On Wednesday, the Office of District and School Advancement met with each of the six schools that were part of the study and reported their findings. As each school’s findings were reported, the review team noted areas of strength along with areas for improvement. It was evident from the report there are certain themes that can be addressed very quickly and other areas that will require staff training and professional development. The main areas identified for improvement included communication protocols, continuity of programing, compliance, and integration of services.
The principals, along with Mr. Dilly and I, will be summarizing and sharing the state report with all the staff. We will not get an official report from the WVDE until after they present it to the State Board of Education on May 15th. Additionally, The Office of District and School Advancement will be presenting this information to the BCS Board of Education in early June. As we continue to prioritize the information presented, BCS remains committed to ensuring that every effort is made to ensure our programming is meeting the needs of our exceptional students. Furthermore, Mr. Dilly and his staff have already started to work on a model of continuous improvement, which will provide guidance and assistance to our schools.
Principal Meeting Updates
We had three level principals meeting this week along with meeting with the principal advisory group. A wide range of topics were discussed relative to the current situation (e.g,. continue learning, grading), end of year activities (e.g., graduation, end of year celebration, collecting materials from students), planning for the summer (e.g., summer school, reading programs, mathematics programs) and thinking about the start of the upcoming school year (e.g., addressing the gaps in students learning) It was recognized that we need to begin preparing plans for how we may begin to re-enter in the short- and long-term for students and staff. We also recognize that summer will provide us with the opportunity to provide extended learning for students and professional development and training for teachers. One of the focus areas that I see critical is for us to have contingency plans in the event we need to go out again after returning to school and how we continue instruction through remote and distance learning.
Jim Butts, Don Dellinger and I also provided an update on the proposed budget and status of the process. Jim provided an overview of the process to date and how funds have been designated to this point in time. Don Dellinger provided an update on the staffing process, how we have managed many of the budget proposals and what we have identified as particular needs right now as our school district grows and we address various academic, emotional and social needs. Once we have finalized the budget documents, this information will be part of the upcoming work session at the next school board meeting on April 27, at 6 pm. I finally, wanted to thank our principals for the collaborative process we used this year to consider staffing, budget proposal, and make decisions using consensus and hearing from multiple voices that enable us to arrive with a very reasonable and responsible budget proposal.
CEFP Summary
State Superintendent Conference Call & Update
Covid-19 website is a great resource of materials and being constantly updated https://wvde.us/covid19/. Amy Willard spoke about personnel issues for day-to-day substitutes and eligibility for unemployment. Carla Warren addressed the move of the June 9thPrimary Election date and how this may take place with making calendar dates switching the May 12 time on the school calendars to June 9thand the designation of those dates for employees. Jan Barth updated the group about the learning framework, Educator HUB (see web link above to access) and online discussion groups that are occurring keep educators in the loop and passing along instructional ideas. We are encouraging our teachers to participate and have a number of Berkeley County Schools submissions that have been posted – so that is great news for our staff to be contributing.
The WVDE is continuing to explore and provide opportunities for school lesson on public television and wants to keep teachers at the center of this programing. Michele Blatt talked about the update of teacher evaluation for this year adjustments and how-to wrap-up the year in completing evaluations this year. We received preliminary guidance on foster care and how we can keep students in their current school environment and setting for the purpose of providing stability at this time and avoiding transitions to new home and school environment. This precautionary step is deemed appropriate because given the safety and well-being of foster care students.
Melanie Purkey talked about how timelines for federal and state funding were being adjusted as we near the end of this fiscal year. As a consequence, this is good news about the funds that will be available over the course of the upcoming year. It will require us to make adjustments with program planning and implementation that will ultimate provide a wealth of academic services for students, especially those who are the most in need. Finally, Jan Barth and Kathy D’Antoni spoke to graduation, the formation of a graduation task force, scholarship, national testing (e.g., Advanced Placement, dual credit, certification).
Dr. Perry who is heading up the graduation task force is thinking along the same lines as us in BCS in respecting and honoring our graduates. Superintendent Burch wrapped up the phone call by thanking the group of 55 superintendents and their staff for the work being done.
Aspiring Leaders Session #3
· Aspiring leaders participated in the third session of the Berkeley County Schools Leadership Series, which was conducted via Zoom. The goal of the April 16th session was introspective in nature, providing participants an opportunity to explore their leadership style, including areas of strengths and opportunities for growth.
Dr. Murphy welcomed participants and shared updates relative to the group. Dr. Walker then led a discussion surrounding a strengths assessment that participants completed prior to the session, an assessment that was recommended by Dr. Murphy to Senior Staff members during our fall retreat. Dr. Walker suggested that, as leaders and professionals, it is helpful to pause and evaluate one’s strengths and weaknesses, mainly to develop and maximize their strengths.
Aspiring leaders were divided into breakout groups where they were able to have a richer experience by sharing their top 5 themes of talents, of which there were a possible 34 themes. They then answered questions pertaining to their thoughts, impressions, and how they may apply their assessment results to educational leadership standards that were shared in a previous session.
Last, Dr. Murphy led a discussion surrounding developing resumes, preparing for interviews, and how to align such with identified strengths. This was all in preparation for the next Aspiring Leaders session were participants will have an opportunity to share their resumes and take part in mock interviews with some of current school-based and central office administrators.
Graduation Meeting with Seniors and High School Principals
· Today, the four high school principals, Trent Sherman, Holly Kleppner, Ron Lyons, and Jason Kamlowsky along with their Student Government faculty sponsors and officers met with members of the Senior and Central Office staff to discuss ideas and plans for upcoming graduation options. We had a total of 34 participants on the call. Some of the main themes coming from the students and faculty sponsors was the desire to be back together and at the schools. One of the students mentioned in recognition of Senior Skip Day this year, the students want to organize a Senior Come to School Day. So you can see the students are missing their peers, friends and teachers. Prioritizing the options, the group felt very strongly about waiting for a traditional ceremony. The other options such as drive-in and virtual might be a reality. These options were much less desirable. The group also mentioned the need to recognize students for outstanding achievements and provide the opportunities to be honored.
The synthesis of the meeting discussion appeared to be that the group would like to have a two-part plan. The first part is that on the date scheduled of the graduation to host a drive-in graduation followed by a parade in the community. The second part would follow later in the summer and schedule the traditional ceremonies for late June and schedule a second date for late July as a rain date if we are not able to return in June. There are still many details that we are going to need to work through at the point and I think we have a great starting point. Most importantly, it involved our kids shaping the plan.
Communication Update
I want to recognize our Communication Team of Elaine Bobo and Tabitha Porterfield along with members of Sr. Staff, our principals and staff across the school district who have contributed to our robust and proactive systems of communication.
As you have seen Elaine and Tabitha with assistance from our principals are getting regular updates and stories about what is happening out in the field and how our teachers are providing continuing learning – which is fabulous.
I want to also provide you with a snap shot of the communication that has been provided to date since March 10 to April 10;.
- For Staff: 12 messages, with the highest number of viewership on March 15, with 10, 995 views;
- For Families/Staff: 18 messages with highest viewership on March 11, with 53,852 views and March 15, with 47, 462 views.
That is at least one message a day for that time period which I believe has served our community in keeping the lines of communication open, providing timely information and keeping us connected- an important piece to keeping all of us healthy and remaining optimistic! Thank you all for contributing to “staying connected” it is making a difference in fueling our spirit!
Thought for the Week:
There is an old adage in the world of education that when you are feeling down and over-whelmed with your work, the best medicine is to get out and visit classrooms and see what is happening “where the action is” and provide you real perspective of what is important. I believe that remedy has served me and others well over our careers – it provides balance and a check on what is really important. Well, you can’t really do that in todays environment, but I was presented with another opportunity that offered me that same experience and insight through a virtual meeting.
I am sure, we are getting an increase in the number of emails from families, students and staff all expressing concerns along with advice about how to move forward – all well intended in the interest of all of us. So, earlier this week I get an email and in the subject line is: PLEASE READ!!! I'm not a telemarketer I promise. Of course, I am initially intrigued but have some caution. Turns out, it isfrom one of our middle school students. She wrote me expressing many concerns about our current situation, her desire to return to school, concern about others in the community, such as restaurants, small businesses, families who may be experience difficult financial times and her need for interaction with her peers and teachers.
She also expressed sadness about missing a number of culminating activities as she is graduating and moving on to the high school next year. But she turns midway through her email and says that she can look at all of this and feel defeated. She draws on her theatrical background and a character in a recent school play from Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory, who expresses “You’ve nothing to lose, so why not choose, to think positive!” She proceeds to talk about the power of positive thinking and how it can influence all of us and how it is changing her outlook.
So, being intrigued first by the subject line, then all that she has conveyed in her message, I am thinking I need to meet this kid – she is a force field of positive energy and a middle schooler personified. Ron Branch, Elaine Bobo and I, set up a Zoom with her early this week with the help of her dad. She shared many of the same sentiments with us as in her email about others and conveyed the positive influence her parents are having in her life now being at home. She felt a real responsibility echoing a comment from her mother who said, “A good cook serves first and eats last,” feeling a responsibility to how she can serve our community and her role as member of the community.
The energy, attitude and perspective from this young person I hope brings us all back to center in asking ourselves… are we making a difference. I hope you enjoyed hearing about my recent experience, and I am sure you have similar ones to reflect on. Enjoy and share.
I will leave you with her salutation, that speaks volumes, From your best buddy you’ve never met. I think that about says it all – thank you.
PKM Calendar for upcoming week: Apr. 20-24, 2020
Mon. Apr. 20th
Staff Meeting
Routine Meetings
Video recording
Tues., Apr. 21st
Board Meeting
Interviews-ED Facilities
Wed., Apr. 22nd
Sr Staff Pandemic Myg
Routine Meetings
Thurs., Apr. 23rd
James Rumsey Meeting
Strategic Planning Meeting
Fri., Apr. 24th
Routine Meetings
Meal Count to date - 96,940
Week of March 16: 10,266
March 23rd: 31,354
April 1st: 34,810
April 13th: 20,510
Please view the following attachments and Pat's Picks:
- Superintendent Announcements, April. 13, 2020
- Grading Guidelines
- Letter to Superintendents from Debra K. Sullivan, Member, WVBE
Patrick K. Murphy, Ed.D., Superintendent
Email: patrick.murphy@k12.wv.us
Phone: 304-582-0880
Twitter: @PKMSupt