Aug. 22, 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 August To-Do List

ACTION ITEMS

CREATE A REFERENDUM SITE TEAM

Principals and district staff play a key role in any referendum campaign. Review the Aug. 14 Principal's Playbook for all the details, instructions and deadlines.  Please be sure to complete the RSVP for referendum site team training .

GOOD TO KNOW

PARENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

Situations that happen at school can be unique. The decision about if, how and when families are notified is addressed on a case-by-case basis by the Office of Communications, Marketing and Development. Multiple factors and perspectives are considered before a decision is made to notify families. Please review these general guidelines.

REQUEST A STAFF "LISTEN AND LEARN" SESSION WITH SUPERINTENDENT GOTHARD

Superintendent Gothard continues to learn from school visits and he would like to hear from your staff. This is an opportunity for the Superintendent to meet colleagues, and listen to their ideas, thoughts and suggestions. He can come in for a regularly scheduled staff meeting or you may schedule an additional date and time with your staff. Please allow an hour of time in order to have a meaningful discussion. If you're interested, please submit dates and times that work for you to  mai.vang@spps.org .

PROMOTE THE MYSPPS APP

The MySPPS app is a great source of information for families. They can follow your school's news, view lunch menus, check sports schedules and much more. The news stories you post on your school website automatically feed the “Top Stories” section of the app if someone “follows” your school. Be sure to keep your website up to date for this purpose. Your school’s social media posts will also populate the app. Just search “MySPPS” and download the MySPPS app from Google Play and the Apple App Store . Promote the MySPPS app at school open houses, in school newsletters and by sharing the information with your families. Download instructional one-pagers in English, Hmong, Spanish, Karen and Somali at spps.org/myspps. The MySPPS App is also available to install on student iPads.   If you have questions, contact pepe.barton@spps.org .

Office of Early Learning

The Office of Early Learning has one substitute teaching assistant (TA) who will be used exclusively for pre-kindergarten TA's who need time off. Please follow these instructions to gain access to the pre-kindergarten substitute teaching assistant.

Office of Personalized Learning - Seesaw

All Seesaw administrator accounts were reset to reflect staffing changes. Your administrator account is now active for your school. You can login as an administrator to your building with your @spps.org email address. Student rosters will be imported to Seesaw in late August. Teachers can expect to see their list of students in Seesaw on or near Sept. 2. K-2 Teachers: Should NOT add students to their own classes in August SHOULD add new students with their Active Directory numbers to their classes during the school year K-2 co-teachers and K-2 specialists can be invited to join courses through existing teacher accounts If a teacher needs access to their school in Seesaw, have them submit a Technology Services ticket. Please direct questions to maijue.lochungvu@spps.org

Data Security and Privacy

In order to provide data security and privacy, access to the Active Directory, Campus and Schoology is limited to SPPS contracted staff. Exceptions are made on a limited basis to non-SPPS staff and includes student teachers, long-term guest teachers, immersion school language interns and representatives of selected partner organizations. Non-SPPS staff receive credentials through an SPPS administrative contact. Please see the SPPS Credentials Requests Contacts for a list of current groups and their SPPS contact.  To receive credentials, non-SPPS staff must review and sign off on SPPS Data Privacy Practices through this web site . There is a centralized process by which members of identified groups receive access -- restrictions on the level of access that can be granted. Principals should not submit requests for additional access. All SPPS educators need to support data security and student privacy by not sharing their credentials with others. Please direct any questions to heather.kilgore@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)

DATE TO AVOID

Nov. 6 - Election Day No school events or meetings after 6 p.m.

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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 jada.wollenzien@spps.org

Pepe Barton Communications Consultant Office: 651-744-5660 pepe.barton@spps.org