Staff Bulletin |June 25, 2020
          
     
Over the past several week's USD 253 staff members have performed site visits to every facility to discuss safety measures as the district looks to opening buildings. This team effort checked nurses space, HVAC flow, hand washing availability, plexiglass divider placements, and many other safety precautions as they toured each school. 
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District News:
Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year opens online Monday, July 20:
Enrollment can be completed from any location with internet access on a students' district-issued Chromebook or any other device as long as it is submitted on or before August 5.  For the safety and well-being of our staff and district families, parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to enroll their students online.  A limited number of appointments will be available at the Flint Hills Learning Center, 1624 Industrial Rd, located at the Flinthills Mall for those who do not have a computer, access to the internet, or need enrollment assistance.

Reminders from Human Resources:
As a USD 253 employee, you have the opportunity to utilize resources provided by New Directions through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  If you or a family member are experiencing any stress or heightened emotions due to events going on in our world, please contact the EAP support line at 833-848-1764 or log onto the  New Directions website and use the code usd253.

Returning to Work On-Site:
If you are concerned about returning on-site this fall to work due to health issues impacted by Covid-19, please contact Kelly Bolin at [email protected] or Amy Larson at [email protected] in the Human Resources office as soon as possible and no later than June 29. This will allow us to work with you and all applicable local, state, and federal laws available to employees. It will take time to work through the ADA Interactive Process to adequately create the individualized workplace accommodation for each employee.

Important Dates:
July 1
  • certified staff members resigning on July 1st shall pay the district $2000
  • certified staff members resigning after July 1st shall pay an additional $50 per day until the written resignation is received in the central office
August 1
  • certified staff members resigning on or after August 1st and thereafter shall pay the district $5000
Reminders from Payroll:
  • employees requesting lump-sum checks, payments will be made June 30
  • if you are needing to update your direct deposit account, please contact payroll at [email protected]  or by calling Erica Markley 341-2428 or Stephanie Morgan 341-2228 if you have any questions
  • new annual statements for KPERS are available 
Appointments:
Sharae Slater
speech paraeducator, Logan Avenue, August 2020

Resignation:
Benjamin Schubert
bus driver/bus maintenance, Transportation

Retirement:
Denise Stauffer
teacher aide, Emporia High School



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Superintendent Kevin Case tries out several demo temperature scanners earlier this week in Mary Herbert Education Center. This is just one of the precautions USD253 is looking into for the approaching Fall semester to help keep our students and staff safe.
 
Board Approvals:
  • minutes from June 10, 2020
  • treasurer's report for May 2020
  • Teaching and Learning software agreements
  • Memorandum of Understanding between USD 253 and JAG-Kansas for 2020-2021
  • payment of $29,994.00 for necessary security updates and support to keep the current VOIP phone system
  • dispose of district surplus via internet auction
  • grant of $80,000 over the next three years from Lifetime Foundation for Food Service
  • grant from The Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush for $10,320.00 for student summer meals during COVID-19
  • purchase of iPads to be used by 4-year-olds at Maynard Early Childhood Center
  • movement of one year to all staff salaries effective July 1, 2020
Board Updates:

Update on plans for August 2020:
Kevin Case, Superintendent, provided updates regarding plans and dates as the district prepares for the 2020-2021 school year.  Case said there are two themes that consistently are at the forefront of every conversation.  How do we keep students and staff safe as we make plans for fall and that students will be in school in August but school will look different.  As a district, there are a number of people working together to make those decisions.  The options for returning to school include:
  • on-site for a majority of our students on a daily basis
  • a hybrid model that is blended between on-site and remote learning where the majority of students are learning in school
  • a hybrid model that is blended between on-site and remote learning where the majority of the students are remote learning
  • remote learning for our students on a daily basis
Transition between these models of learning will be different for each district.  The change in our individual community matrics regarding COVID-19 will determine how the district moves between models if necessary. 

Additionally Case shared the following updates:
  • Mary Herbert Education Center will reopen to the public and resume full-time on-site work beginning July 27
  • district professional development will transition to in-person and/or blended opportunities
  • district facilities will continue to be closed to outside groups until further notice
  • Extended School Year (ESY) opportunities will begin on July 6 for students who qualify, the delivery method will include packets, remote, and in-person
  • school board meetings beginning July 22 will be offered in-person and remotely 
  • enrollment for 2020-2021 will begin July 20, parents/guardians are encouraged to enroll their students online, a limited number of in-person opportunities will be available by appointment only
  • ESU student teachers will be allowed on-site for the 2020-2021 school year
  • the district is continuing to have conversations regarding Rec Extra and what that might look like when school starts
Future Board Calendar Dates:
  • Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center



Members of The Emporia Board of Education

  Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801