The
Principal's Playbook
is a collaboration between the Office of Leadership Development 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.
Departments
should not directly email principals and must submit items
to the Playbook at
spps.org/principalsplaybook
by following these guidelines:
- Provide quick, key points in less than 200 words.
- Provide links to additional information or documents if needed.
- Limit attachments and use links to Google Docs when possible.
- Apply directly to principals/school leaders (other staff information should be submitted to The Bridge).
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MONTHLY CHECKLIST
Click on the link below for a list of important tasks for school leaders that affect students and families, budgeting, communications, professional development, building operations and more.
All checklists can be found in the
Administrator Handbook
.
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Have Your Portrait Taken at Administrators Academy
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The Office of Communications will be at Administrator Academy to take new portraits in the main hallway.
All new principals and leaders in new roles, or those with photos more than three years old, should have their picture taken.
Photos will be available:
- Wednesday from noon until the end of the day
- Thursday all day
Please wear clothing that reflects your preferred public image. Photos will be used on school and district websites.
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Elementary Scheduling Requirements and Guidelines
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Attention elementary administrators: It is critical to enroll students in Campus for all required coursework. Please review the
elementary scheduling guidelines
for more information. Elementary schedules should be completed by the start of the school year.
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Identify the Person in Important Roles at Your Building
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The Office of Teaching and Learning would like to know who in your building is the designated contact for roles related to technology, academics, testing and Campus.
Please review this
document and then complete this
form by
9 a.m. on Aug. 12.
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Review Your School's Direct
ory Listings
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Set Up Your Email Out-of-Office Messages
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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.
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Requirements for Email Signatures
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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
are available on the School Marketing Toolkit.
Please note: The SPPS logo changed in January 2019. Please ensure your email signature is similar to the one below.
Your preferred pronoun is optional.
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Ensure Your Contact Information is Correct
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You and your staff should ensure that your contact information is updated so that you receive important SPPS messages or emergency notifications by phone, email and text message.
You can easily update your primary phone numbers in PeopleSoft through
spps.org/payroll
. This is the same system you use to view your paycheck.
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Training for Blackboard Connect
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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.
Users
will not
receive access to Blackboard Connect until they complete training.
Thursday, Aug. 29 at 360 Colborne St., Room J
- 10-11:30 a.m.
- 1-2:30 p.m.
For assistance sending a phone, text or email message to your families or staff, contact
shawn.hogendorf@spps.org
at 651-744-5660.
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Review Leadership Changes
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Identify Your School's Website Editor
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Your school or department 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.
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Submit Stories of Student Success
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The Office of Communications will soon launch a campaign called #SPPSAchieves for social media and spps.org -- and we need your help.
We are looking for school leaders to share student achievement and success stories to be featured in the campaign. Please provide a couple sentences or paragraphs about the achievement, the names of student(s) and staff involved and a photo.
Our intent is to capture student achievement across the district. Please note the achievements do not have to be something students were previously recognized for or received an award for. The achievements can be based in academics, athletics, arts, school partnerships and community involvement.
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Please see this
document
with information regarding professional development during Opening Week and key SPPS Achieves professional development.
Note: This also includes information about school year prioritized professional development (pages 3-5) and a summary of professional development for the year (page 6).
If you have issues accessing this information please reach out to Leanne Crowley at
leanne.crowley@spps.org
or 651-767-8139.
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New Contract Purchasing System
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When processing contracts, PeopleSoft will no longer be used. The new system to use when creating, reviewing/approving, executing and cataloging all contracts is eRFP created by Sysoft.
Please review this
slideshow
to learn about the new contract management system.
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Name Change for Linwood Monroe Arts Plus
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Since the 2017-18 school year, the Linwood Monroe Arts Plus school community has been working toward creating a new identity for Linwood Monroe that does not recognize slave owner James Monroe. In June, the Board of Education approved the name change to
Global Arts Plus.
Global Arts Plus should be spelled out in all documentation. Do not use an acronym under any circumstance.
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Use the School Marketing Toolkit
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Visit the School Marketing Toolkit for a
Grade-level Back-to-School sign for families, students and staff to take photos on the first day of school. Other documents include:
- Light Rail Safety Flyer
- Meal Keypad Practice Sheet
- Bus Collisions - Minor, No Injury
- General Safety Letters
- Teacher Changes
Look for updates throughout the school year.
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School Bus Transportation Timeline
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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.
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Reasonable Suspicion for Drug and Alcohol Misuse
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Thursday, Aug. 15
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Washington Technology, Great Hall
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Rights & Responsibilities Handbook
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Thursday, Aug. 15
1 - 4 p.m.
Washington Technology, Great Hall
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Title I and Family Engagement Workshops
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Please refer to this
documen
t
to learn of monthly Title I and Family Engagement workshops throughout the 2019-20 school year.
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Important holidays, no school days, special religious days and family engagement events are available online at
spps.org/calendar.
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Aug. 7-8 - Administrators Academy
Aug. 12 - Eid al-Adha
Begins at the sunset on the day before the holiday. Muslim holy day known as the Feast of Sacrifice, marking the end of the Pilgrimage. *Please note the sighting of the moon may cause variation of the date for this and other Islamic holidays.
Sept. 3 - First Day of School (1-12)
Sept. 5 - First Day of School (Pre-K and K)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1 - Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year and holy days. Days of renewed responsibility. The first of the High Holy Days marked by solemn religious observance.
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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.
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Jada Wollenzien
Program Manager, Leadership Development
Office: 651-744-5074
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Communications Consultant
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