January 29, 2021

 This week there were multiple meetings: Student Achievement Committee, Policy Committee, Safety and Security Committee, and the Board Advisory Council (BAC) Meeting for District 9. There was an UNPRECEDENTED event that occurred at the BAC. Please make sure you read about it below.

At the Monday, January 25th Student Achievement Committee Meeting:

• Emily Mountford, Senior Director, Office of Professional Learning; and Phillip Echols, Senior Administrator, Office of Professional Learning, provided an update to the Board on multiple issues: Departmental Collaboration, Online and Blending Learning Courses, Professional Learning Teams (PLTs), Instructional Assistant Empowerment, and Adult Social and Emotional Learning Courses. Their presentation can be viewed here.
  
  
• Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics, and Alicia Miller, Director for Curriculum and Instruction, shared information about the Virtual Academy: enrollment for second semester, lessons learned, responses to lessons learned, Virtual Academy planning for 2021-2022, and future plans to engage stakeholders through focus groups and surveys. You can access their slideshow at this link.
  

Click here to view the recording of the January 25th Student Achievement Committee Meeting.

At the Tuesday, January 26th Policy Committee Meeting:

• Emily Mountford, Senior Director, Office of Professional Learning, presented a new policy: 3150 Professional Learning Teams. This policy can be accessed here.
  
  
• Dr. Lloyd Gardner, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning; and Dr. Julie Crain, Director, Strategy and Policy, shared a new policy: 6000 Support Services. To read more about the policy, visit this link.
  
  
• Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, provided an update on Board Policy 4400: Attendance and factors tied to attendance record keeping. To access the policy, click here.
  
  
• Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; Brian Pittman, Senior Director for High School Programs; and Crystal Reardon, Director for School Counseling, shared information about Board Policy 3460: Graduation Policy, credits required for graduation, and supports available for high school students. The policy can be viewed here.

The recording of the January 26th Policy Committee Meeting can be accessed at this link.  

On Tuesday, January 26th, I also attended the School Information Session and Virtual Tour of Farmington Woods. The event was very informative. There was even a student present to answer questions. He did an amazing job.

At the Wednesday, January 27th Safety and Security Committee Meeting:

• Dr. Sonya Stephens, Senior Director for School Accountability; and Dr. Brad McMillen, Assistant Superintendent for Data, Research, and Accountability, provided an overview of the focus group sessions being facilitated to gather additional feedback from stakeholders about SROs.
  
  
• Paul Koh. Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services; Dr. Marrius Pettiford, Senior Director for Counseling and Student Services; and Colleen Fitzpatrick, Restorative Practices Coordinator, Counseling and Student Services, shared high-level information about the Peacebuilders Program. You can view the supporting document here.
  
  
• Maura O’Keefe, legal counsel from Tharrington Smith, reviewed issues pertaining to the SRO program identified by Board members as areas for further discussion and, should the SRO program continue, for potential revision in the SRO Memorandum of Understanding. 
  

To view the recording of the January 27th Safety and Security Committee, click here.

On Thursday, January 28th, I attend the Public School Forum's Eggs and Issues and held the Board Advisory Council (BAC) Meeting for District 9.

At the January 28th Public School Forum's Eggs and Issues Virtual Event:

• There were two panels, which included multiple education stakeholders (including an Enloe High Student). 
  
  
• The Public School Forum released their Top Educational Issues for 2021. To view their report on these issues, click here.
  

If you would like to watch the recording of the Eggs and Issues event, you can access it here.

At the January 28th Board Advisory Council Meeting for District 9:

• Something unprecedented  happened at our BAC Meeting. It was the FIRST TIME EVER WCPSS provided simultaneous interpretation during a virtual meeting. A HUGE shoutout to Tom Huffstetler, Director for Translation and Interpretation Services; and Angela Mills, Administrator, Translation and Interpretation Services. It was great to be part of an event breaking down barriers!
  
  
• The next BAC Meeting dates were provided: March 10, April 8, and May 13th. The time will be 5:30-7 pm for each meeting.
  
  
• Curt Stangler and Kathy Cawley were elected to be the Co-Chairs for 2020-21. 
  
  
• Drew Cook, Assistant Superintendent for Academics; Michele Woodson, Senior Director for Curriculum Development; Alicia Miller, Director for Curriculum and Instruction; and Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, presented detailed information about Curriculum and Instruction and Behavioral Health. There were opportunities to "flood the chat" and questions and answers. To view their presentation, click here.
  
  
• Please note there are specific Mental Health Resources on slide 28. On slide 29, there is a link to sign up for Student and Family Self-Care and Wellness Sessions. You can also click here to sign up.
  
  
• Marlo Gaddis, Chief Technology Officer, provided support with arranging the virtual platform, monitoring the chat, and various issues behind the scenes. 

This upcoming week, we have the following meetings scheduled (Remember you can view these meetings on the WCPSS YouTube Channel):

• Work Session on Tuesday, February 2nd at 3 pm. You can access the agenda here. At this Work Session, staff will be providing updates and a timeline for when a second semester return to in-person instruction plan will be presented to the Board for review and consideration for approval.
  
  
• Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 2nd at 5:30 pm. To access the agenda, click here.
  

If you would like to submit public comments, you have until noon on Tuesday, February 2nd. There are two options: written (click here) and a video (click here).

Additionally, I will be having a D9 Connection Virtual Meeting this Sunday, January 31st at 4 pm. Please note this is a very informal event for District 9 community members. I will be listening to your concerns and feedback. To attend this meeting, use this link.

Please mark your calendar for another D9 Connection Virtual Meeting. It will be on Monday, February 8th at 7 pm. The format will be the same: I will be listening to District 9 community members share their concerns and feedback. The link for the February 8th meeting will be shared in my next entry.

There were two WCPSS surveys launched this week: one for school-based staff and one for families. Please check your email for the link. Surveys need to be completed by this Sunday, January 31st at 5 pm.

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at kcarter3@wcpss.net.