Oct. 3, 2018
MONTHLY CHECKLIST

Click on the link below for a list of important tasks that affect students and families, budgeting, communications, professional development, building operations and more. All checklists can be found in the Administrator Handbook .

ACTION ITEMS
COUNTDOWN TO NOV. 6 REFERENDUM
We are quickly approaching the Nov. 6 election where voters will decide on whether to increase SPPS school funding.

Please see the following items to consider:

DEADLINE TODAY:
UPDATE YOUR SCHOOL DESCRIPTION
If you have not yet updated your school description for the 2019-20 School Selection Guide, deadline is today.

Please review your school description as printed in the 2018-19 School Selection Guide . Think about what is new or unique about your school for the 2019-20 school year.

Please submit changes to your school description through this  Google form  by Today, Oct. 3.

If you have any questions, contact pepe.barton@spps.org
REMIND ALL EMPLOYEES:
OPT-IN (DON'T ROLLOVER) FOR 2019 HEALTH INSURANCE
Please remind your staff they MUST opt-in for health insurance this year . Human Resources is offering more benefit options, including a lower-cost health plan from SmartCare. Advise them to visit https://www.spps.org/benefits.

Please print out multiple copies of this flyer and post them where your staff are likely to see them.

Contact Benefits at benefits@spps.org or 651-767-8200 with any questions.

GOOD TO KNOW
DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
Extended Day for Learning (EDL) Cancellation Policy

Please see the important procedures that must be followed before attempting to cancel EDL at your school. Guidelines and information here .

Contact elizabeth.putnam@spps.org with any questions.
OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Educator Support Pathway for Probationary Educators with Projected Tenure Date of June 30, 2021

Educator Support Pathway professional development dates are set for this school year. The Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) will contact tenure-track educators to let them know about the dates available based on their job title and grade level of assignment. OTL will pay costs for substitute teachers.

These tenure-track educators will meet in cohorts. The first time they meet will be in October to early November. The morning will be dedicated to foundational training on positive climate and the afternoon to each educator's content area. Educators will also meet in January with the whole day dedicated to their content area.

Note for elementary principals:
SY 2018-19: Teachers in grades K-2 will focus on reading; teachers in grades 3-5 will focus on math
SY 2019-20: Teachers in grades K-2 will focus on math; teachers in grades 3-5 will focus on reading
SY 2020-21: Teachers in K-5 will focus on writing

For more information on Educator Support Pathway, please see the flyer shared with educators at New Educator Week in August.

Contact amy.steele@spps.org with any questions.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPAL MEETINGS
Wed., Oct. 10
8 - 11 a.m.
Elementary at 360 Colborne, Rooms D, E, F
K-8/Middle at 360 Colborne, Rooms J, K
6-12/High at Humboldt Secondary School, Auditorium

Wed., Oct. 24
8 - 11 a.m.
360 Colborne, Rooms A, B
OPTIONAL FOR PRINCIPALS:
TITLE I WORKSHOP
Tues., Oct 9
8 a.m. - noon
360 Colborne, Room J

Technical Assistance and Monitoring Changes​​ are the topics of this meeting. There will be a presentation from 9 - 9:30 a.m., but principals or a representative can drop in anytime for assistance.

If unable to attend the presentation in-person, you may listen via Skype with this link:  https://meet.lync.com/sppsorg-spps/william.ranieri/89I3BOYY

Contact ryan.fell@spps.org with questions.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MEETINGS
Wed., Oct. 10
1 - 4 p.m.
360 Colborne, Rooms D, E, F

IMPORTANT DATES
Important holidays, no school days, special religious days and family engagement events are available online at spps.org/calendar.
Oct. 9 - Indigenous Peoples Day
A City of Saint Paul resolution that honors Native American culture.

Oct. 10 - First Day of Navaratri
A nine-day Hindu festival to the glorification of the Hindu mother of goddess Shakti.

6-7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 360 Colborne St., Saint Paul

Oct. 11 - National Coming Out Day
Every year, on National Coming Out Day, people celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or as an ally.

Oct. 18-19 - No School: all grades
Teacher professional development. Statewide teacher meeting

Oct. 26 - No School: PreK-5 & PreK-8 schools
Conference preparation. 6-8 middle schools in session.
DATE TO AVOID
Nov. 6 - Election Day
No school events or meetings after 6 p.m.
The Principal's Playbook is a collaboration between the Office of Leadership and the Office of Communications. The Playbook is the main source for communicating with principals. This weekly newsletter includes department action items, professional development opportunities and other updates that directly affect principals and other school leaders. Each Playbook also includes communications and marketing content to help schools communicate with their families.
Jada Wollenzien
Program Manager, Leadership Development
Office: 651-744-5074