PKM HIGHLIGHTS: 6/29-7/10
Dear Bill, Todd, Darin, Michael & Pat:
SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT FRIDAY LETTER
This week we are trying a new format for Friday Letter. The format is changing to provide just a quick snapshot and highlights of activities and planning. You may also follow up with additional information and questions to me or members of the Sr. Staff. Hope you enjoy the new streamlined and concentrated version. Please note, this Friday Letter captures the last two weeks’ events and activities.
Charlie Johnson Retirement Celebration (June 30)
Congratulations to Charlie Johnson who retired after 42 years of service to the Print Shop here at BCS. Elaine Bobo, Tabitha Porterfield, Phoebe Brent, Sharon Kisner, Chelle Marpole and Jennifer Mason hosted a nice afternoon celebration for Charlie and his family. We wish him the best in his new adventure and thank him for 42 great years!
Sr. Staff Plus Pandemic Meeting - June 29 & July 6
Service and Professional Staff Weekly Conference Calls - July 1 & 8)
Dr. Schooley, Dr. Murphy and the Human Resource team hosted a meeting of service and professional representatives on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 that included Jana Woofter, Georgiana Lang, Mallory Painter, Debbie Sloat, Justin Mauck and Mark Weisenburg along with the Human Resources team of Dr. Justin Schooley, Karen Hensell and Lewis Mullenax.
Discussion Topics:
o The Berkeley County Schools Re-entry Plan and The Advanced Team Input
o Self-protection and Wearing Face Coverings / PPE and COVID Cleaning Staff Development
o EAP program
Dr. Schooley hosted a meeting of service and professional representatives was held on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 that included - Jana Woofter, Jessica Salfia, Georgiana Lang, Mallory Painter, Debbie Sloat, Ricky Mason and Mark Weisenburg along with the Human Resources team Karen Hensel and Lewis Mullenax along with Dr. Murphy.
Discussion Topics:
o Questions, Concerns and Suggestions about the state’s and Berkeley County Schools Re-entry Plan
o Virtual School
o COVID eFMLA Leave/ADA – Principal and HR
o COVID Cleaning Professional Staff Development for all employees but individualized
o Staff Recruitment both Professional and Service
Questions and/or additional information related to the content of the meetings can be followed up with Dr. Schooley.
Greater Berkeley Long-Term Recovery Committee (GBLTRC)
John Unger organized a meeting last week of community leaders here in Berkeley County to consider launching the GBLRRC – Pete Checkovich, Edward Grove, Penny Porter, Sandy Hamilton, Tina Combs, and Shane Farthing. John is concerned about the effect of the recent pandemic on the economic welfare of Berkeley County citizens and took the initiative to call this meeting. The work of this type of group is modeled after the CDC design for disaster recovery and is community based and driven. John stressed that is would be a community-based resource model to organize and deploy resources and support services and the group in attendance was a good place to start in considering such an initiative. Stay tuned!
Comprehensive Educational Facility Plan (CEFP – July 1)
The Full CEFP Committee met on July 1 at 6 pm via Zoom. The committee reviewed the list of prioritized projects from the subcommittee work that had taken place over the last few weeks. Each of the 4 subcommittees had been tasked with reviewing proposed projects within one of the 4 high school attendance areas. Projects were then prioritized by each subcommittee using the guidelines from the SBA. All of that information was sent out to the large committee and reviewed at the meeting on the 1st.
Our next whole group committee will be on July 15th. As this will be our final meeting prior to placing the CEFP out for public review, our goals will be to discuss and approve a prioritized list of projects for the county, review growth areas and discuss potential new building projects, and ask for the committee's approval of the document.
The following are dates coming up related to the CEFP process:
July 17 - Aug 16 CEFP out for public review
Aug 17 - Public Hearing
Sept 8 - Board Approval and Submission to SBA and WVDE
Interview with Talkradio WRNR Dave & Rob - July 2 & 10
The past two Fridays I have been a guest on WRNR with Rob and Dave to discuss the opening of school. Some of the highlights I shared:
o Re-examining 2020 - 2021 school year calendar
o Fulfilling staff contracts
o Prior to this week's Sept. 8 announcement, we were moving forward to 5-day in person opening
o Continuing with those plans along with continued monitoring
o Preparing to propose a plan but now going to use time to continue planning
o Staying in touch with staff and families with what is known and what we are thinking
Advance Team Planning Meetings (July 2 & 9)
I want to thank the 36 members of the Advanced Planning Team who have been meeting since late April. The 6 teams that comprise the group have continued to meet over the last two weeks focusing on teaching and learning and organizational management. The group meeting yesterday was shortened in light of the most recent announcement of school opening now on September 8. The teams are regrouping and we are scheduling a meeting later next week following a meeting with principals.
Pre-K and K Enrollment
Michelle Martin, Antoinette Funk and I met earlier this week to look at how we could more accurately calculate Pre-K enrollment in the future. We discussed establishing and documenting a system for monitoring registration starting in March and keeping a historical record of trends by year and month to get a better handle of staffing and budgeting. We also talked about the relationship between Pre-K and kindergarten and establishing a similar process of monitoring and recording. We are scheduled to meet later this July with Bev Hoffmaster and Dave Banks in establishing a similar plan.
State Board Meeting - July 8
David Dilly, Michele Tost, Kelli Duranko and I attended the West Virginia State Board meeting via Teams and presented an update on the recent special education review. I highlighted in my presentation the work that is being done to address the findings in the report. This work includes professional development on the SAT and IEP process, developing internal controls for monitoring our process, and finally periodic reviews (audits) of services provided in special education. David, Michele and Kelli along with the Special Education Team have also developed a robust professional development schedule that they are in the process of rolling out this summer and into the fall. The feedback and comments based on the actions report was positive and recognized the work being done in strengthening special education services to children and families.
Employee of Color Support Group
Dr. Walker recently led two facilitated discussions with employees of color regarding how we may best prepare to address concerns centering on current events, specifically as it pertains to addressing bias and racism. Several key focus areas of discussion included:
o Ensuring the district and employees are prepared to acknowledge with students and colleagues what's occurring, which is planned to be assessed via survey;
o Increasing education for employees and students centered on anti-racism by facilitating courageous conversation and implementing more curricular resources surrounding such;
o Implementing an accountability system to ensure equitable practices are measured across every aspect of the school system;
o Enforcing consistent disciplinary actions towards students and employees who may use overt of covert racial slurs overall and particularly via social media; and
o Offering support for educators who may feel isolated in their respective work locations.
Two additional facilitated discussions are scheduled to happen over the next several weeks and are open to all employees.
Department Strategic Planning Meetings
Robyn Lopez, Betty Anne Powell and I have started meeting with departments and offices in developing measurable strategic plan goals and strategies. The emphasis on how these goals focus on student achievement and support academic progress and growth is the priority. The realization that we all play a role directly and indirectly on student success in our roles.
In talking with Eric Keesecker and Patrick Ashton we talked about the importance of “up-time” for buses to be ready, safe and mechanically sound. Reduce the amount of time in the shop is a focus through parts inventory management and regular maintenance as two examples of strategies. Just like planes, they need to be in the air and filled with passengers.
In speaking with Dr. Walker who is in the process of developing an equity and inclusion framework we talked about how the design of the framework must provide a lens for us to look through that guides our decision-making and advocates for all students, especially diverse student groups. We discussed how the framework and principles would be the backbone for increasing students participating and performance in more academically rigorous courses as one example.
Next week has us meeting with the remaining departments and office in looking at how our work and use of data to guide and informing decision making puts all of us on a path of continuous growth and progress.
PKM Calendar for upcoming week: July 13-17, 2020
Mon.July 13th
Sr. Staff Mtg
Kindergarten Mtg
Special Board Mtg
Tues., July 14th
Routine Mtgs
Strategic Plan Mtgs
Wed., July 15th
Pandemic Mtg
Employee Group Mtgs
Thurs., July 16th
Advance Team Mtg
County Council
Fri., July 17th
Routine Mtgs
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
MEALS PROVIDED SINCE MARCH 16, 2020 = 338,240
Please view the following attachments and Pat's Picks:
Entry Plan Summary, July 6
Special Education Action Plan
Return to School Survey Results
MHS Update by Trent Sherman
Patrick K. Murphy, Ed.D., Superintendent
Email: patrick.murphy@k12.wv.us
Phone: 304-582-0880
Twitter: @PKMSupt