Take Action - Archives

Take Action Archive—May

Spring ECAS Collection

Pre-k and kindergarten principals, please ensure that the appropriate Early Childhood Accountability System (ECAS) data is collected for your students who receive special education and related services. Collection must be completed between May 9 and May 27.

The spring collection of Early Childhood Accountability System (ECAS) data takes place between May 9 and May 27. The spring exit data include all kindergarten students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) who had entry checklists. ECAS fulfills mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), which requires states to report the progress of preschool children with disabilities receiving special education and related services. Using the Work Sampling System (WSS) assessment, teachers must provide status at entry data for preschool special education students with an initial IEP. In addition, progress at exit data are collected at the end of a child’s kindergarten year or sooner, if the goals on the IEP are met. Teachers must complete the appropriate age level WSS developmental checklist for each child as they enter and exit preschool special education services, including children receiving a single service (such as speech and language therapy). During the spring collection period, Ronald Boozer, ECAS facilitator, will notify each school of the children for whom ECAS data must be collected. If you have questions regarding this data collection process, please contact Christine Crouch, Preschool Coordinator, or Ronald Boozer, ECAS Facilitator, at 443-642-3035.

Principal and Charter Operator Budget Satisfaction Survey

On May 11, the school support networks and the office of the Chief Academic Officer distributed the principal or charter operator satisfaction – budget survey. Every principal and charter operator were e-mailed a unique link for the bi-annual principal or charter operator satisfaction survey and budget survey. The satisfaction survey and the budget survey are now combined for your convenience. Your feedback is essential to continuous improvement of the budget process. Please take time to complete this survey with the input from your school staff who interact with the network team. Please complete the survey by May 23. If you do not receive the survey link, please email Angela Mackel (AMacke01@bcps.k12.md.us).

CAO's Leadership Academy

Principals, please review the agendas for the CAO's May Leadership Academies.

The Office of the Chief Academic Officer looks forward to seeing principals at the May Leadership Academy at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center (101 W. Fayette St.) on May 19 and May 20. Principals without school teams are scheduled to attend the Thursday morning session. School teams, district office staff and assistant principals who have attended all the Common Core trainings are scheduled for the Thursday afternoon session. On Fri., May 20, review sessions continue for assistant principals. Please note that on-site and overflow parking is available, however, there are a number of events and graduations in the downtown area on these date so,—carpooling may be a good transportation option. For details about the May meeting, please view the tentative agenda. If you have additional questions, contact Laura Hiatt (lcancellieri@bcps.k12.md.us or call 410-396-8810).

Grand Prix of Summer Learning

Principals and teachers, please distribute student brochures for the Grand Prix of Summer Learning to all eligible students by Fri., May 20. The brochures should arrive at your school by no later than Tues., May 17.

The Grand Prix of Summer Learning is open to students in the middle grades who attend a Title I school or a student who receives services at a targeted assistance school or a student who scored basic on any mathematics benchmarks or a student who scored the 2010 mathematics Maryland State Assessment (MSA). This summer learning opportunity operates from July 5 through August 5 for students. For additional information, please see the Grand Prix brochure , which is also available in Spanish. If you have questions, please contact Charlene Footman (cfootman@bcps.k12.md.us or call 443-642-4088).

Library Media Center Reports

Principals, please complete the MSDE Public School Annual Library Media Centers Report for your school by May 20.

COMAR requires that all schools complete the Maryland State Department of Education's (MSDE) Public School Annual Library Media Centers Report. The deadline for completing this report is May 20. The data collected from this report will assist with examining the Baltimore City Public Schools library media program, according to the guidelines outlined in Standards for School Library Media Programs in Maryland. The data will also assist MSDE with collecting and communicating information about the School Library Media Programs in Maryland. This report is completed online. A paper copy of the report is available to view here. If you have questions contact Sheila Grap (sgrap@bcps.k12.md.us).

Performance Evaluations for Non-Teaching Staff

Principals, administrators and supervisors, please review this important information on the required submission of your 2010-11 performance evaluations for all non-teaching staff.

One of the key City Schools objectives in meeting the City Schools requirements for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of all employees around supporting schools and student needs is to ensure that all City Schools employees receive a performance evaluation. This fiscal year begins a new emphasis on performance management, a process for establishing a shared understanding with our employees about what is expected of them during the year. It involves meeting with employees to ensure their understanding of their performance goals and objectives, having ongoing dialogue with them regarding their performance and any professional development needs, and conducting a final evaluation based on their progress or completion of their performance objectives. The process has already begun for our teachers. We must also fully include our non-teaching staff.

Principals, administrators and supervisors, please click here for a letter from Shawn Stokes, Chief Human Capital Officer, explaining the process, and click here for the timeline and steps of the evaluation process.

After School Supper Program

Principals, if you have an after-school program and would like to offer your students meals, please complete the survey of interest for the After School Supper Program.

The After-School Supper Program has an opportunity for schools that have robust after-school programming and wish to offer students meals along with their enrichment activities. The free After School Supper Program is available to schools who serve school-aged students 18 or younger. The program is interested in learning about schools' interest in this opportunity. Principals and teachers, if you are interested in the supper program, please read the information sheet and submit your survey of interest. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Food and Nutrition at 410-396-8768.

FY12 Community Budget Forums

Principals, please begin hosting your FY12 Community Budget Forums, and use the guidance and sample materials provided in this post to help you prepare.

Schools should begin hosting their FY12 Community Budget Forums. Please reference this guidance document and use the following sample materials (also accessible at the bottom of the guidance document) to help you prepare:

Sample budget priority grid
Sample meeting agenda
Sample parent input form

If you have questions or need additional support, please contact your Family and Community Engagement Specialist at 410-545-1870.

Incentives to Add ESOL Certification

Teachers, please consider submitting your application and affirm your willingness to take two courses in ESOL and pass the PRAXIS II (ESOL) exam to receive your reimbursement grant as an incentive to improve your skills with English Language Learners.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will issue grants to reimburse general educators as incentives to improve teacher skills in working with English Language Learners. This project targets those teachers working in schools with a significant number of English Language Learners and obtain an additional certification (endorsement) in ESOL. This project is funded by The Race to the Top grant. In order to participate, teachers must complete and return the application and affirm their willingness to take two courses in ESOL as well as pass the required Praxis II (ESOL) examination.This application is due by May 13.

Title I Parent Involvement Conference

Title I school principals and teachers, please register by Fri., May 13 for the Title I Parent Involvement Best Practices Mini-Conference taking place on May 17.

The Office of Partnerships, Communications and Community Engagement (PCCE) hosts the Title I Parent Involvement Best Practices Mini-Conference on Tues., May 17 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys (5100 Falls Rd. Baltimore, MD 21210). The event includes a keynote speaker, multiple sessions focused on innovative approaches to Title I parent involvement and best practices presented by Title I schools and outstanding community partners. Principals, please register for the conference by Fri., May 13. You may send up to 2 representatives to the conference. For details about this event, please see the conference invitation. Please register for the conference with Monique Roumo (mroumo@bcps.k12.md.us). If you have any questions please contact the PCCE Office by calling 410-545-1870.

REPI Behavioral Scale

Teachers, please complete the Primary Talent Development Cumulative Behavioral REPI Scale by Fri., May 13.

Primary Talent Development Scales are now available on Data Link. Teachers, please complete the scales by Fri., May 13. To complete the scales:

Go to "assess" then "test central".
Type in the name of the test.
- Pre-k Primary Talent Development
- Spring Kindergarten Primary Talent Development
- Spring Grade 1 Primary Talent Development
- Spring Grade 2 Primary Talent Development
Click the name of the test
Enter the results by clicking on the "actions" link
Click "score".
Find your section and enter the results for each student.

Data entry will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Please note, if you have already formed your responses, it is important that you select the correct test.

Voluntary Transfer Registration

Teachers, if you meet eligibility requirements for voluntary transfer, please register online by May 16.

The Voluntary Transfer (VTF) registration is now open to all employees who meet the eligibility requirements. All teachers who meet the eligibility requirements for voluntary transfer can register online from April 20 through May 16. The VTF is on Weds., May 25. Once registered, employees are e-mailed further information confirming registration, location, time and specific job opportunities. If you have questions, please contact Winifred Winston (wawinston@bcps.k12.md.us or call 410-396-8885).

Bus Evacuation Drills

Principals, contractors and school personnel, please ensure that you inform students about school bus evacuation drills prior to May 16. Drills will take place from May 16 through May 20.

The Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR) requires school bus evacuation drills twice each school year—in the fall and spring. This spring, the evacuation drills take place from May 16 through May 20. Bus contractors will ensure that their staff are prepared for the upcoming drills. Principals, contractors and school personnel should read the memo describing the evacuation procedure. At the conclusion of each drill, the principal (or designee) and bus driver must complete the certification form and return it to the Safety Office in the Department of Pupil Transportation via fax or inter-office mail. Please feel free to contact Steven James (410-396-7440 or e-mail sajames@bcps.k12.md.us) if you have questions or concerns.

MSDE Technology

Principals, please complete the MSDE technology inventory by May 2 to allow sufficient time for the district to review the information for accuracy.

Each year, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requires all schools to complete a technology inventory. This inventory reports data related to the access and use of technology in the schools. Completion of the annual online inventory is necessary to ensure that the information reported in the Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) online system is current and accurate. To access the survey, schools should click here. Principals, please complete the inventory by May 2. For complete details and instructions for inventory completion, please click here. If you have any questions regarding this technology alert, please contact City Schools Connect (43-984-2000, Option 2 then Option 7 or e-mail helpdesk@bcps.k12.md.us).

Claiming Our Future: Career Exploration Day

Middle and high school principals and teachers, please submit your application specifying how your classroom would benefit from participating in the Career Exploration Day, a full day event.

Baltimore City public middle and high schools are invited to Career Exploration Day on Mon., May 9 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. During this full-day event, world-renowned Neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson, gives a lecture that includes excerpts from the made-for-TV motion picture and book, "Gifted Hands, The Ben Carson Story." Other young adults will share success stories about their success in college and in their professional careers. Students in attendance also participate in a series of life skills workshops on topics such as reducing violence and bullying and career preparation. This event is free and transportation for the event is provided at no additional cost.

A total of 20 classrooms will be selected—10 middle and 10 high schools. Each classroom must have a minimum of 25 and maximum of 30 students. Only one classroom will be selected from each school. Principals and teachers, please submit your application by April 26. For more information, including criteria for your application and other activities offered throughout the event, see the Career Exploration Day guide. If you have questions, please contact Courtney Conner (cdconner@bcps.k12.md.us).

2011 EGATE Award Applications

Principals or designees, please prepare for the EGATE awards program and consider attending a May 4 informational meeting.

The Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) awards program recognizes pre-k through 12th grade public schools that have GATE programs aligned with Maryland's criteria for excellence. Applications are now open for the 2011 EGATE Awards. Schools that achieve EGATE status receive a Governor's citation, are recognized at a state reception in February, display the EGATE school banner and receive many other honors. To assist with the completion of applications, there are two meetings offered—May 4 and Oct. 21. Principals and school designees, please complete your application and submit it by Fri., Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. For details about the application process or to register for the assistance sessions, see the EGATE Awards Guidelines. If you have further questions, please contact Bertha Knight (bknight@bcps.k12.md.us or call 410-396-8538).