Aug. 14, 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.

ACTION ITEMS
PREPARE YOUR REFERENDUM SITE TEAMS
Principals and district staff play a key role in any referendum campaign. You are trusted sources of information. That’s why all principals are charged with creating a referendum site team at their school. Your team’s time commitment will be a two-hour training session and about 1-2 hours per week from late September until Election Day on Nov. 6. Site teams are trained as a group in a two-hour workshop. Two options are available: 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19 or Sept. 20 at Washington Technology Magnet.

Please review and complete the following:
  • Review the Guidance on Activities Related to Upcoming Elections 2018 (including the referendum). For example, staff cannot advocate during work time, but they can share any of the factual information and materials provided by the District.
  • Review all referendum materials located at spps.org/referendum2018 including the most frequently asked questions. Share the information with your school communities: staff, parents, students, volunteers, partners and neighbors.
  • Follow the steps listed below to begin creating a site team.
STEPS TO CREATE A REFERENDUM SITE TEAM
Please complete these steps no later than Tuesday, Sept. 11

  1. Review the Site Teams Overview and Instructions to begin creating a site team.
  2. Identify a few staff and a few parents to invite to your team. Your goal is to have a team of 4-6 people, plus you as the team leader.
  3. Use this email template to invite your staff and parents who may be interested in joining your site team.
  4. Attend a two-hour training in September. Site teams are trained as a group in a two-hour workshop. RSVP by selecting the date you prefer for training. Two options are available: 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19 or Sept. 20 at Washington Technology Magnet. You should pick one date for your team to attend. Please bring a laptop and charger. A light meal and child care will be provided.
  5. During site team training, you will log in to your SPPS Google account and fill out your site’s Site Team Communications Plan to be shared at a later date. 

GOOD TO KNOW
NEW STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND ADVISORY BOARD (SEAB) MEMBERS
Several of your students are members of the 2018-19 Student Engagement and Advancement Board (SEAB). Please welcome the following:

  • Anaa Jibicho (Como Park Elementary, Washington Technology Magnet)
  • Anindita Rajamani (Capitol Hill and Highland Senior)
  • Cesar Osvaldo Mendez Portillo (LEAP and Hubbs Center)
  • Cheng Vang (Hancock/Hamline, Linwood and Creative Arts)
  • Diamond Thlang (Capitol Hill and Harding)
  • Mai Soua Vang (Phalen Lake, Capitol Hill, Central Senior)
  • Malachi Raymond (Open World Learning)
  • Miski Omar (Obama, Ramsey and Central Senior)
  • Quanisha Hill (Jackson and Washington Technology Magnet)
  • Rajni Schulz (Como Park Senior and Central Senior)
  • Sarah Henry (Maxfield and Washington Technology Magnet)
  • Tabu Henry (Maxfield; Hamline and Washington Technology Magnet)
  • Zoua Vue (World Cultures, American Indian Magnet and Harding)

For more on the Student Engagement and Advancement Board visit spps.org/seab 
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POSTERS FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

These are great way to market your school on the first day.

  • Download and print these pdf documents.
  • Take photos of students and staff holding the signs (check that students have a signed media permission form in Campus)
  • Share the photos on your website, social media and with communications@spps.org.

Look for updates to the School Marketing Toolkit throughout the school year. If you have any questions, contact  pepe.barton@spps.org .

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