JCISD LEARNING SERVICES UPDATE
Volume 1, Issue 8
MKEO/KRA UPDATE
Beginning in the fall of 2018, Jackson County, among 21 other ISDs in Regions 4,5, and 9, will begin the phased-in implementation of the Michigan Kindergarten Entry Observation (MKEO). By 2020, all publicly supported kindergarten classrooms (including Young 5s and DK) will be utilizing the Kindergarten Entry Observation (KEO) tool at the start of the kindergarten experience. The purpose of the MKEO is to support and advance children’s early learning and academic achievement. The data collected from the assessment can inform instruction and decision making that benefits children, assists teachers, informs families, advises school leaders and early childhood programs, and instructs community leaders and policymakers.
The KEO (or otherwise known as the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment) is a developmentally-appropriate tool to measure school readiness of incoming kindergarteners across four domains: language and literacy, mathematics, social foundations, physical well-being and motor development. It was developed for the Maryland and Ohio Departments of Education in partnership with WestEd and Johns Hopkins University. It is a research-based, valid and reliable assessment that is designed for all students, including children with disabilities and English learners. Assessing children across multiple domains helps kindergarten teachers gain a better understanding of the whole child—of each child, including areas of strength and areas of need. The KEO uses two assessment methods, direct performance and observation, and a developmentally appropriate mix of items.
If you are interested in hearing from some teachers and administrators about the KEO, use the link to watch a five-minute video.
A high-quality professional development approach that promotes the fidelity of the KEO administration is used to train and support teachers. This approach utilizes:
a training-of-trainers model with a community of practice that prepares certifies, and supports state and district trainers to equip and coach teachers to administer the KEO. Jackson County Intermediate has identified Melissa Bulgrien and Jean Allison as the trainers.
If you are a kindergarten or a young fives teacher that works in a publicly supported school, please go to JCISD WisdomWhere and register online for the two-day face-to-face training in the administration of the Kindergarten Entry Observation. The training has MKEO or Kindergarten in the title. You can also use the link to register: https://www.solutionwhere.com/ww/jcisd/.
POVERTY SIMULATION
The JCISD Poverty Simulation took place April 13th at the Jackson Area Career Center. This was an opportunity for participants from different community agencies and backgrounds to step into the real-life situations of others. Poverty is often portrayed as a stand-alone issue - but this simulation allowed individuals to walk a month in the shoes of someone who is facing poverty and realize how complex and interconnected issues of poverty really are.
After the experience, individuals had the opportunity to discuss what they learned with their peers. During this debriefing, participants shared how the experience made them rethink the challenges that millions of low-income individuals must face each and every day. More importantly, participants were able to identify areas of change that can directly impact the effects of poverty on individuals, families, and communities.
Participants included staff from JCISD, Community Action Agency, DHHS, Circuit Court, GoHungry4Hunger, Hillsdale ISD, Jackson Community Foundation, LifeWays, Nonprofit Network, Jackson Public, Michigan Center, East Jackson, Northwest, Western and Springport schools.
Future Poverty Simulations are being planned for the 18-19 school year. If you have questions or are interested in participating in a future Poverty Simulation, please contact Caitlin Williams at caitlin.williams@jcisd.org.
THE MICHIGAN SCHOOL INDEX SYSTEM
The second link directs you to the Michigan School Index System Resources for Schools page where you'll find numerous other links related to the School Index System.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY NEEDS COALITION
The JCISD Learning Services Team seeks to increase our involvement in the Community, and enhance the lives of our local students and families “outside of the box - walls of the school buildings”.
In doing so, a team member is attending the monthly meeting of the “Jackson Emergency Needs Coalition”. These meetings take place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the United Way building at 536 N. Jackson St., Jackson, MI., 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. This meeting is open to anyone interested in becoming aware, and/or involved in the needs of the community.
Link to see what is happening at these meetings, and what needs you may be able to help meet to improve the lives of those in need, right here in Jackson.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND . . .
Service doesn't just happen from 8-5 during the week. A successful ISD serves beyond the teachers and administrators and is visible in the community. The JCISD Learning Services Team has committed to volunteering 2 Saturdays in the month of April to the Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity ReStore, the "Walk Around the Park for Autism", May 12th, "The Big Seed" garden promotion, May 19th, along with collecting boxes for the "First Fruits" program, quarters for "Laundry Angels" and books for the Great Start Book Drive. We care and serve our community ...
ADDITIONAL LINKS
LEARNING SERVICES TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Director of Instruction and Learning Services
- Tovah Sheldon, tovah.sheldon@jcisd.org, (517) 990-3612
Data and Assessment
- Jennifer Fox, Jennifer.Fox@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5212
- Deb Spencer (Support), Deb.Spencer@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5175
Early Childhood (Birth to Grade 3) / Great Start Collaborative / GSRP Preschool
- Jean Allison, Jean.Allison@jcisd.org, (517) 990-6710
- Wendy Bell, Wendy.Bell@jcisd.org, (517) 990-8046
- Christina Blackwell, Christina.Blackwell@jcisd.org, (517) 990-8015
- Catherine Brubaker, Catherine.Brubaker@jcisd.org
- Deb Spencer (Support), Deb.Spencer@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5175
- Kelly Sheppard, kelly.sheppard@jcisd.org (517) 768-5281
- Kelly Friedland, Kelly.Friedland@jcisd.org, (517) 990-3625
Literacy
- Melissa Bulgrien, Melissa.Bulgrien@jcisd.org, (517) 990-8077
- Maeghan McCormick, Maeghan.McCormick@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5191
- Tammy Minder (Support), Tammy.Minder@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5158
- Sandy White, sandra.white@jcisd.org, (517) 990-6718
Mathematics / Science
- Heather Holshoe, heather.holshoe@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5151
- William Montgomery, william.montgomery@jcisd.org, (517) 990-6717
- Ronda VanStempvoort (Support, SCECHs), Ronda.VanStempvoort@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5251
School Improvement
- Jessica Bucklin, Jessica.Bucklin@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5759
- Jennifer Fox, Jennifer.Fox@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5212
- Dan Luciani, Dan.Luciani@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5238
- Deb Spencer (Support), Deb.Spencer@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5175
Whole Child / School Health / Project AWARE / Attendance and Homeless Programs
- Janelle Buchler, Janelle.Buchler@jcisd.org, (517) 787-5903
- Kara Klotz, Kara.Klotz@jcisd.org, (517) 990-3623
- Tammy Minder (Support), Tammy.Minder@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5158
- Ravenn Moore, Ravenn.Moore@jcisd.org, (517) 936-2836
- Caitlin Williams, Caitlin.Williams@jcisd.org, (517) 768-5264