Aug. 8, 2018

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 school leaders. Each Playbook also includes communications and marketing content to help schools communicate with their families.

Beginning with this edition, the Playbook will be archived at the website listed below.

Staff who wish to provide content for the Principal's Playbook must review the submission guidelines and deadlines, and use the submission form. Submissions should apply directly to principals/school leaders (other staff information should be submitted to The Bridge).
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 which will be shared next week.

ACTION ITEMS
GET A NEW PORTRAIT AT ADMINISTRATOR ACADEMY
The communications team will be at Administrator Academy to take new portraits in the main hallway. All leaders in new roles and those with photos more than three years old should have their picture taken.

The photo area will be available all day on Wednesday and until 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Please wear clothing that reflects your preferred public image. Photos will be used on school and district websites. 
SET UP YOUR EMAIL OUT-OF-OFFICE MESSAGES
Small things can have big impact. That includes the email out-of-office message you leave when you're away.

Before setting up your email message, select one of the template options   available here on the School Marketing Toolkit and edit as needed.
 
These messages will help provide better customer service by offering an alternative point of contact in your absence.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMAIL SIGNATURES
All staff should incorporate the official SPPS email signatures into their Office 365 email settings.

This will help provide consistent branding when communicating with colleagues, families and partners. Instructions available on the School Marketing Toolkit here.
TRAINING FOR BLACKBOARD CONNECT
Blackboard Connect is the district's system for communicating with families through automated phone calls, email and text messages. You may review the guidelines for use at spps.org/toolkit under "Blackboard Connect" .

Please designate two staff members to be your school's Blackboard Connect managers. If they are not familiar with the system, two training sessions are available.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 360 Colborne St., Room J
  • 10-11:30 a.m.
  • 1-2:30 p.m.

To RSVP, contact   jerry.skelly@spps.org   at 651-767-8107.

For assistance sending a phone, text or email message to your families or staff, contact   shawn.hogendorf@spps.org  at 651-744-5660.
REVIEW AND UPDATE YOUR SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Please review the 2018-19 School Contact Directory to ensure that your school leadership and lead clerk information is up-to-date.

This Google spreadsheet is visible and available to the public at
spps.org/directory.

If you wish to make corrections, please contact communications@spps.org.
TITLE I FEDERAL PROGRAMS
NEW DOCUMENTATION SYSTEM
Saint Paul Public Schools Title I Federal Programs has a new documentation system called Title I Crate .

Title I Crate will:
  • Replace the current folder system developed in Google Drive.
  • Be accessible in early September
  • Have features such as “single sign-on”
  • Eliminate redundancy of documentation

Changes to the documentation requirements will be found in:
 
Request for Information from Principals
Please complete this  Google Survey  by Aug. 24 to indicate which staff members should have access to Title I Crate. Principals are encouraged to think of multiple staff members who could be assigned to specific areas such as family engagement and student support.
 
Professional Development Opportunities
  • Four technical assistance training webinars will be offered by SPPS Title I Federal Programs and Title I Crate in late September. Principals and key staff are strongly encouraged to participate in one of the webinars. Information to sign up will be available in September.
  • Optional monthly training and Title I work sessions will be offered in-person and via Skype every second Tuesday of the month beginning Oct. 9 through May. More specific information regarding these trainings will be released in the coming weeks.
IDENTIFY YOUR SCHOOL'S WEBSITE EDITOR
Your school's website and social media platforms are the sources of information for many families. Keeping these digital platforms up to date is critical for successful communications. 

Please designate a staff member to serve as your website/social media editor and contact for the Office of Communications. Current site administrators are listed on this document.

Please contact shawn.hogendorf@spps.org to update your website editor.

GOOD TO KNOW
LEADERSHIP CHANGES

TRANSPORTATION TIMELINE

See when you'll have access to E-Link to generate lists of student transportation data and when families will receive their bus stop postcards.
CONTACTS FOR THE OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
The communications team is always ready to help with school marketing needs and crisis communications work.  
For marketing, contact:
Pepe Barton
Office: 651-744-5660
Cell: 651-592-4243
For crisis support, contact:
Shawn Hogendorf
Office: 651-744-5207
Cell: 612-214-0422
  • School marketing support
  • MySPPS app
  • Crisis letters and communications support
  • School website updates
For all media requests, contact:
Toya Stewart Downey
Office: 651-767-8104
Cell: 651-334-9675
For all other communications requests, contact communications@spps.org at 651-767-8110.
BACK-to-SCHOOL TOOLKIT
Visit the  School Marketing Toolkit  for  Back-to-School  templates and more, including: 
  • Welcome Letter
  • Light Rail Safety Flyer
  • Meal Keypad Practice Sheet

Visit the "Letters and Communications" section for draft communications regarding important school situations, including:
  • Bus Collisions - Minor, No Injury
  • General Safety Letters
  • Teacher Changes
  • Letter - Knife at school (no intent)
  • Letter - Knife on bus (no intent)
  • Lockdown with warning
  • Trespass

Look for updates throughout the school year. If you have any questions, contact  pepe.barton@spps.org .
BACK-to-SCHOOL CALENDAR MAILED LAST WEEK
The Back-to-School Calendar has been mailed to all SPPS families. You can see it now in all languages at  spps.org/backtoschool.

The Back-to-School Calendar features: 
  • Important district dates
  • Major holidays and special religious days that may impact school attendance.
  • Notes for Crossroads families who follow a year-round calendar.
'NEWS YOU CAN USE' MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The News You Can Use email newsletter can help you update your school website and social media accounts.

Each month, the communications office will send a News You Can Use email to school website editors and principals. Each newsletter includes story templates that you may highlight and copy, customize for your school and then post or share.
The templates are posted in this google folder and archived on the News You Can Use website, s o you can see what the story will look like on your school website news fee d.

If you have questions, would like help with your school website or have tips and content you’d find helpful in this toolkit, contact Shawn Hogendorf at shawn.hogendorf@spps.org or 651-744-5207.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Office of Early Learning is offering professional development opportunities for administrators.



IMPORTANT DATES
Important holidays, no school days, special religious days and family engagement events are available online at spps.org/calendar.
Aug. 20 - New Educator's Week

Aug. 27 - Opening Week
Staff return to schools.

Aug. 28 - Summer Graduation
6:30–7:30 p.m.
O'Shaughnessy Auditorium
2004 Randolph Ave.

Aug. 30 - SPPS 25-Year Employee Recognition Luncheon
Please allow time for your participating staff to attend.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
DeGidio's Restaurant
425 7th St. Saint Paul

Sept. 3 - Labor Day
Offices Closed

Sept. 4 - First Day of School (1-12)

Sept. 6 - First Day of School (ECSE, Pre-K and K)
DATES TO AVOID
Aug. 14 - Primary Election Day
No school events or meetings after 6 p.m.

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