Libby's Letter
Week of March 11, 2024
Shout Outs
"True leadership is about lifting others up, helping them discover their own power,
and enabling them to reach greater heights." - Unknown
The power of gratitude is immeasurable! By shifting our focus from what we lack to what we have, promoting a positive mindset, enhancing our overall well-being, fostering stronger relationships, and even impacting physical health by reducing stress and improving sleep, showing appreciation fosters a positive work environment, boosts morale, and strengthens relationships among colleagues. It enhances productivity and overall job satisfaction.
Let's show gratitude and appreciation for ourselves and each other! Use this form to submit Shout Outs for nexts week's Libby's Letter!!
Weekly Message from Dr. Libby
Educating, Inspiring, and Empowering Every Student, Every Day!
Check out the linked article. As it rightly states, "if principals are to take the role of instructional leader seriously, they will have to free themselves from bureaucratic tasks and focus their efforts toward improving teaching and learning." As instructional leaders, our primary focus is to improve teaching and learning within our schools. It is crucial that we prioritize this role above bureaucratic tasks. Let's commit to
- Delegating administrative tasks to capable staff members, allowing principals to focus more on instructional leadership responsibilities.
- Implementing streamlined processes and procedures to minimize time spent on bureaucratic tasks, thus maximizing time for improving teaching and learning.
- Utilizing technology and automation to simplify administrative workflows, enabling us to dedicate more time and energy to instructional leadership initiatives.
freeing ourselves from administrative burdens and dedicate our efforts to enhancing the educational experiences of our students. Together, we can create environments where teaching flourishes, learning thrives, and every student is empowered to pursue their passion, purpose, and path.
As always, thank you for your unwavering commitment and please reach out if there is anything I can do to support you.
Upfronts
Testing Date Collection Window
- Spring Keystone Testing Date Collection Window: March 18-29th, 2024
Supervision Reminders
All formal observations should be complete by March 15. Below are some PAETP reminders to ensure you remain on track to finish the year strong.
Complete Semi-Annual 13 Rating Forms for Temporary Professional Employees (Non-Tenured)
According to Act 13, Temporary Professional Employees should have two Semi-Annual 13 Rating forms completed each year. Learn more
Remind Educators to Submit Mid-Year Updates
Teachers should submit mid-year updates for:
- Student Performance Measures (SPMs)
- Differentiated Observations/Supervision
- IEP Goals Progress
Complete all Formal Observations by the end of March
Focus on iReady Stretch Goal
As we are creating the systems and relationships to support students toward their stretch goals, it is important to remind teachers and guardians that the Stretch Growth Goal indicates the growth a student needs to be on the path to grade-level proficiency. Having data conversations around Stretch Goals fosters transparency around the work needed to support student growth goals and promotes higher-expectation settings that students deserve.
Reading Stretch Growth Progress by Grade
Math Stretch Growth Progress by Grade
Assessing EACH student through F&P
Beginning with the January 31st assessment window (and beyond), EACH students across EACH tiers of instructional support (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3) will be assessed using the Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment.
Traditionally, the winter Fountas & Pinnell assessment has focused on students receiving Tier 2 and Tier 3 support, providing us valuable insights into our curriculum and instruction at those levels and informing targeted interventions to support their reading progress. Our shift to include EACH student in all three assessment windows is based on careful consideration, and ensures we have the necessary information to provide our students the supports and opportunities to succeed and reach their full potential
Including EACH student in the winter Fountas & Pinnell assessment will supports instructional practice in several ways:
Empower Your Teaching: Provides us with powerful insights into each student's reading journey, empowering you to tailor your teaching strategies precisely to their needs and accelerate their progress.
Every Student Counts: By testing all students with F&P, we ensure that every voice is heard and every learner receives the support they deserve, fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Be a Data-Driven Superstar: The assessment provides us with the data you need to make informed decisions about instruction, interventions, and resource allocation, amplifying our impact as educators and maximizing student success in our classrooms.
Please remember the tenants of Inclusion with Dignity - EACH student includes our students receiving English Language Support, Autistic Support and Life Skills Support. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns
Compensation Plans
Ensure your Compensation Plan is complete and reflects the discussions you have had with Dr Hess and Dr Libby -remember they are a place for your to showcase your leadership and the impact it has on your school community!
Pocket Translators for your Main Office
If you have not yet purchased your translator ensure you do so ASAP. Both Cumru and the Intermediate school have shared that they have had the opportunity to use their devices and are more than willing to share their exeriences and provide some pointers.
Finally, here is a Pocketalk Setup/User Job Aid that Gregg created:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ps6MOSgG3JMFg-itMry_1Y83zbIp9gEQRae0djeh35o/edit?usp=sharing
Conditions for Success posted in ALL Classrooms
All classrooms should have the Total Experience Learning Conditions for Success posted and we should see them as a part of every classroom and every lesson every single day. If you need more posters, please reach out to Ashley Shannon.
Message to ALL Staff Regarding Classroom Window and Door Coverings
Please ensure that all permanent classroom window and door coverings are removed immediately.
In a recent session with law enforcement at the Keeping Kids Safe Symposium, we were informed that window coverings should not be in place at ANY time, including during an emergency situation. In a SECURE situation, covering the window inhibits your situational awareness related to what is going on in the hallway. In an emergency such as when a building is in a LOCKDOWN, you and your students should be OUT OF SIGHT as part of the protocol. A LOCKDOWN sterilizes the hallway for the police to find the intruder. Based on law enforcement's training, they will want to be able to see inside each room when it is time to clear the rooms. In the lockdown scenario, you are locking the classroom door, turning out the lights, moving away from sight, maintaining silence, and not opening the door for anyone - even if they say they are law enforcement or an administrator. The only person who can enter is law enforcement or an administrator and they will do so with a key. The safety of our staff and students is paramount. During an emergency, your personal safety hinges on your situational awareness, not on window coverings. Your safety also lies in your understanding of the recommended emergency Standard Response Protocol and the procedures and actions listed within that protocol; therefore, we will continue to review those with you on a regular basis. If you have any questions about this topic, please reach out to your building principal.
Tracking staff support
As the school year takes off it is important to consistently hold our staff and ourselves to the high expectations we have set. Linked here is a Sample Staff Performance Tracker -note in an actual tracker the memo or communication would be linked to the date cell.
Keeping a tracker of memos written to employees provides you with a documented history of communication, ensuring clarity and accountability. It also aids in performance management, enables more accurate feedback during reviews and aids in legal protection by demonstrating fair and consistent actions based on facts and expectations. It also makes communication more efficient as patterns can be referenced, and improvement plans can be tracked for better decision-making. Because positive feedback can be recorded alongside areas needing development such a tracker aids in recognizing employee strengths and areas for improvement while helping you foster growth through effective staff management.
Please be sure to maintain such a tracker throughout the year and link it to our individual 1:1 documents so I can better support you in supporting your staff. Feel free to make a copy of the linked tracker or create your own.
Organizing Shared Resources
As we lead through this school year remember
- Your priorities must be aligned to our district plan, clear, and explicit. This means not just identifying the priority, but also defining success.
- All school wide systems and routines should be leveraged to drive your priorities. This requires clarifying expectations, while planning aligned supports and modes of accountability.
- Identifying lead and lag measures helps you intentionally drive your priorities, via high impact moves, and measure success.
Important Info from the Office of the Superintendent
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! There is a lot going around and many of you have been sick - please take care of yourself and do not push yourself so hard in a way that makes your health worse! We need you, so if you need us to cover your building or help out in any way, please reach out!
BUILDING SUPPORT: Due to sickness, out of district meetings, or conferences, there may be times when your building is short in terms of admin., counselors, secretaries, etc. Please let the central office know about those times so that we are aware and extra vigilant about supporting your building, especially in an emergency.
STAFFING: Thank you for being present at the staffing meetings. It was a great opportunity to learn exactly where we are and use the data to identify what we need. I will be reviewing all the information and prioritizing the “asks” as I reflect on the big picture of the needs of the district.
Historically over the last 10 years, superintendents have not asked the board for more than one additional contracted position. We currently have 7 professional contracted positions that are being asked for to be added in the 24-25 school year. This does not even include paraprofessionals.
Also, taxes have not been raised more than .5 mills over the last 10 years. The board will have to consider an increase to that this year based on the needs in special education alone.
Over 70% of our budget comes from our taxpayers. Any increase we need to make will be a burden to them.
The AFSCME and Act 93 Support Contracts are up and being discussed. GMEA is up next year. These will all have a significant impact on our budget both now and for years to come.
PRINCIPAL SUPPORT: It is that time of year when the school year gets difficult - February and March always seem to weigh heavier on us for some reason. If you feel overwhelmed and need support, do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. We are here to make sure you are able to do your best work every single day for our teachers, staff, students, and families! We have an amazing administrative team and I want everyone to feel supported and successful! Thank you for everything you do each day! We appreciate you!
Please know that we realize that what you need in your building is important to you and your staff. Not being able to fill your needs does not mean that we do not want to provide you with what you ask for, but it may not be right now. We need to also consider the following:
I will follow up with more information as I make decisions
around staffing.
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” -Washington Irving
Important Info from the Office of Teaching and Learning
- In this week’s Coach’s Corner, Have you ever heard a student ask, "Why are we learning this?" It's a common question and a valid one. When students don't see the connection between what they're learning in the classroom and their lives outside of it, their engagement and motivation can suffer. Learn more about making Real World Connections here.
Important Info from the Office of Student Support Services
- Be certain to include the Supervisors of Special Education and the BCBA when creating your building schedules for the 24-25 school year. There are special education considerations that need to be discussed.
If you are considering moving special education physical classrooms, you MUST advise Kerri and Bill prior to making the change. There is an approval process the district must abide by with PDE. Without official PDE approval, the classroom change cannot be made.
Brian sent an email on Thursday, Feb. 22nd regarding summer hours for school counselors and psychologists. Please read it and let him know if you have any questions.
Resources to Share
Certification, Act 45, and Act 13 Resources
- Certificate Status Circular for Educators (pa.gov) (Link and attached)
- Certificate Status Circular for LEAs (pa.gov) (Link and attached)
- Act 45 Information (attached)
- Act 13 Resources - Educator Effectiveness - SAS (pdesas.org)
Upcoming Dates
3/15: 81-135 Informal Observations Completed per Principal/Associate Principal
3/15: In-Service Day - No School (Departmental Curriculum Work)
3/15: All formal observations should be complete
3/18: DRC Testing Dates Collection Window (Spring Keystone) Opens
3/18: Approve Payroll by Noon for 3/4/24 to 3/18/24
3/18: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/18: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/19: TExpL Course 2
3/19: Gifted PD at MCIU
3/19: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/19: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/20: Q3 Marking Period Closes
3/20: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/20: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/21: Q4 Marking Period Opens
3/21: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/21: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/22: 84-140 Informal Observations Completed per Principal/Associate Principal
3/22: MP - OSOB Family Night
3/22-24: Spring Swing - HS Auditorium
3/22: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/22: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/25: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/25: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/26: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/26: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/27: In-Service Day
3/27: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/27: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/28: In-Service Day
3/28: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/28: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/28: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
3/29: DRC Testing Dates Collection Window (Spring Keystone) Closes
3/29: No School (Holiday)
3/29: K-8 Ready Math Winter Diagnostic Window
3/29: K-8 Ready Reading Winter Diagnostic Window
3/29: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
4/1: No School (Holiday)
4/1: Approve Payroll by Noon for 3/18/24 to 3/31/24
4/1: the Business Office will not be accepting any Purchase Orders after March
2024 for the 23-24 school year. Anything that comes in starting April 1, 2024 must
be for the 2024-2025 school year and will be charged to your 2024-2025 budget
4/1: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
4/2: BE - Open House/Art Show/Book Fair (Grade K-1)
4/2: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
4/3: Be - Open House/Art Show/Book Fair (Grades 2-4)
4/3: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
4/4: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
4/5: 87-145 Informal Observations Completed per Principal/Associate Principal
4/5: Review iReady Reading and Math Data
4/9: Start Date - PA Testing Date Post-Testing - Pre-Reporting Data Validation - LEAs in WIDA AMS
4/10: MP - Open House/Art Show/Book Fair (Grades K-1)
4/11: MP - Open House/Art Show/Book Fair (Grades 2-4)