APRIL 8, 2024
School Leaders Newsletter
Dear School Leaders,
On Friday, we held the inaugural Accelerate Philly Awards at Martin Luther King High School. It was a wonderful and exciting event, where about 700 of us from across the District gathered to celebrate the notable progress we have made in our academic achievement – improvement in 13 out of 17 of the K-12 tested areas on state exams; and the progress we have made in our conditions for success – student attendance, teacher attendance, dropout numbers, and graduation rate. We recognized 45 individual schools for academic growth and achievement (a few schools won multiple awards), 175 teachers who had perfect attendance, and 33 school-based colleagues that have served the School District of Philadelphia for 40 or more years. Click the photo below to see a collection of some of my favorite photos from the event.
I am extremely grateful for the time we spent together! I am grateful to The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia and our sponsors – the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Wawa, and Visit Philadelphia for providing incredible gifts. And I want to say a special thank you to Principal Keisha Wilkins for being such a generous host. And I look forward to celebrating again next year. Later this week, you will be able to watch the video of the full event on the PSTV website here.
Today is the day of the solar eclipse. School Districts across our region have made varying decisions about the school day. Ultimately, the School District of Philadelphia leadership decided that school should operate as normal – ensuring students have access to a full day of learning and the critical resources available at their schools. Parents and guardians will have the option to pick up their children early, if they are concerned about their children being outside during dismissal. I encourage you to use this scientific event as a unique learning opportunity to engage your students around the science of space. And please refer to these safety tips, which we also shared with families last week, to guide any activities you may be planning.
Thank you, as always, for your hard and strategic work to prepare all students to imagine and realize any future they desire.
In partnership,
Tony B. Watlington Sr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
The School District of Philadelphia
Mark Your Calendar
Items Due
Professional Development Assessments
Summer Program
04.03.2024
04.10.2024
04.17 - 04.21
04.16.2024
04.22 - 4.30
04.22.2024
04.26.2024
Monthly Observances and Celebrations
Arab-American Heritage Month Financial Literacy Month
Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day
Summer Programming Registration Opens
Eid Al-Fitr
Public School Volunteer Week
Lindback Principal Celebration
Passover Holiday
PSSA Testing Begins
Administrative Professionals Day
GSA Summit
ACADEMIC SERVICES
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Attention: K-12 Principals
Strategic Action 3.5: High-Impact Tutoring
To learn more about the District’s High-Impact Tutoring initiative, please join us at one of this month’s drop-in sessions:
- Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
- Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
- Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 4:30 pm
- Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Via this Zoom link. If you are unable to join us at one of the scheduled drop-in sessions, please see the following High-Impact Tutoring resources:
ACTION: If your school would like to be considered for School Year 2024-2025 participation in High-Impact Tutoring, please complete THIS interest form by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 3rd, 2024.
Contact: HighImpactTutoring@philasd.org
Update: EL Designation Changes to SchoolNet Reports
The EL Designations are being changed on the following SchoolNet Reports: GMT, EL REPORTS, MTSS REPORTS, CDTs. The Office of Multilingual Curriculum and Programs has made an update to the language used to describe EL students (LEP to EL) and an update to the categorization of EL students as they appear in SchoolNet reports. Students who previously had available EL data will now be labeled as former EL, Not EL, or EL (inclusive of their current English Language Proficiency Level). This development will aid EL support staff to appropriately monitor active students as well as those who have exited.
Contact: For questions directly related to EL Status please email multilingual@philasd.org. For questions directly related to the GMT please email Geneva Sloan (gsloan@philasd.org). For question on all other reports please reach out to your assigned network PESO representative.
ACADEMIC SERVICES
REMINDERS
Attention: HIGH SCHOOL Principals
Senior Names for Diplomas
In order to facilitate a timely processing of diplomas and to ensure all students have their desired name in accordance to Board Policy 252, schools are asked to confirm the desired name for each graduating student and provide that as outlined in the memo link below. Each school has a graduation tracker and on that tracker, there is a new tab called “Diploma Names”.
For Opportunity Network and Alternative Ed Schools in Innovation Network, please reach out to Dia Swan for your diploma needs.
ACTION: Please view your school’s graduation tracker and click on the new tab called “Diploma Names.”
Contact: Jeremy Wright | Director - School Organization and Management | jwright@philasd.org
Dia Swan | Project Manager - School Organization and Management | dswan@philasd.org
Attention: HIGH SCHOOL Principals
Update: Academic Plan Status Report
The Academic Plan Status Report has been updated to now include an additional Ad Hoc Filter to assist with filtering for active students. Previously, the report would show active and inactive students by default, however, the change will allow users to focus only on students who are actively enrolled at the time the report is run. This update is also reflected in the Program Admin Report stepper below.
ACTION: Please review these Steppers:
Contact: Tamika Monk | Director College and Career Readiness | tmonk@philasd.org
New: Act 158 NCAA GPA Report
Introducing the Act 158 NCAA GPA Report, a vital tool for administrators to track students' NCAA calculated GPAs, crucial for Act 158 Pathway 5 graduation requirements. This report highlights at-risk students whose transcript GPA (completed GPA) meets NCAA standards, but whose projected GPA based on transcript and in-progress grades falls below 2.0. This ensures timely intervention to maintain Pathway 5 eligibility. With customizable filtering options, administrators can easily generate student lists meeting specific criteria for targeted support. The report provides actionable insights by displaying completed and projected GPAs, enabling administrators to monitor in-year GPA fluctuations effectively.
Format: Available to Download as a CSV and a Data Visualization view in SIS
Who has access? Principals, Assistant Principals, Counselors, SPECMS, EL Points, Schedulers and Act 158 Point Persons
ACTION: Please access and view the new Act 158 NCAA GPA Report.
Contact: Tamika Monk | Director College and Career Readiness | tmonk@philasd.org
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
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Math Leaders Updates
As standardized testing is just around the corner, we wanted to remind everyone that a calculator is a powerful tool that students should use on the tests. In the teacher updates, we suggested teachers ensure their students are familiar with all of the applicable functions of the calculator they will be using. They can do this by having students use them during IM lessons and/or on the few released items they are working on each week. We also mentioned the importance of having students reflect on the answer their calculator gave them by asking themselves, “Is this answer reasonable? Why or why not?” As you look to next year, and ensure students are able to use this wonderful tool, we encourage you to have teachers appropriately weave calculators into their instruction.
Contact: math@philasd.org
Apply now for STEM materials for your school
The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia has procured funding from Glaxo-Smith Kline (GSK) and the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective for the purchase of physical (non-curriculum) materials to support instruction aligned to the new Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. The District is now accepting applications by schools that include grades 6-8 for up to $20,000 worth of science, technology, and engineering materials. A list of example materials can be found here.
ACTION: Please submit applications here by May 3 here.
Contact: Dan Uueda | STEAM Curriculum Specialist | duueda@philasd.org | 215.400.5707
Master Schedule Rostering Dashboard Updated
The Master Scheduling Roster Dashboard and stepper have been updated which will show the percentage of students scheduled to a full roster for the 24-25 SY. The stepper can be located here.
Note: This is only for Master Schedule Schools
Contact: Jeremy Wright, Director | School Organization and Management | jwright@philasd.org
Attention: MIDDLE SCHOOL Principals
EARLY CHILDHOOD
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Distribution For May Kindergarten Open House Learning Kits
The School District of Philadelphia is providing your incoming Kindergarten families with fun-filled learning materials to support the transition to Kindergarten. All elementary schools will be receiving Learning Kits via Pony Mail Service that include an activity booklet, crayons, pencils, and other resources. The Learning Kits are designed to support and encourage your families as they work together with their children to build on the knowledge and skills that they will use in Kindergarten.
ACTION: Please work with your Kindergarten Transition Team to distribute these kits to your families at Kindergarten Open House during the week of May 13-17, 2024. Families who attended the March Open House and any families who walk in to register through May 31 can receive a kit as well.
Review the letter for more information.
Contact: Doria N. Mitchell Director | K-3 Early Literacy and Special Projects | dnmitchell@philasd.org | 215.400.5811
family AND community engagement (F.A.C.E.)
EVALUATION, RESEARCH, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
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PSSA and Spring Keystone Principal Responsibilities
Principals have several tasks they are required to complete to support the administration of the upcoming PSSA (April 22 - May 10) and Spring Keystone Exams (May 13 - 24) including completion of PSTAT training modules. A description of these tasks is detailed in the following documents:
Principal Responsibilities for PSSA
Principal Responsibilities for Spring Keystones
ACTION: Please review the attached documents, discuss with your school's Test Coordinator as needed, and contact the Office of Assessment with any questions.
Contact: assessment@philasd.org
Immediate Action Required: Instructions for using Bilingual Counseling Assistants
Instructions for using Bilingual Counseling Assistants for sight translation for the PSSA and Keystone exams are HERE.
ACTION: Please review the instructions promptly as time-sensitive action for principals is required by April 11. Additionally, all BCAs for grades 3-12 are required to attend the BCA Sight Translation Training on Monday, April 8th from 10:30-12:30pm if you plan to use them for translation during PSSA and Keystone testing. This training will be be held on Google Meet. BCAs already received this information in an email from the FACE office.
Contact: assessment@philasd.org
EVALUATION, RESEARCH, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
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ACCESS Data Validation
We are asking for your cooperation to support your ACCESS Coordinators with this very important task to be completed no later than **Monday, April 15, 2023. This task ensures the student test record is matched with the correct student in PIMS and SIS.
4/9 - 4/16: ACCESS Data Validation Window
4/11 - 4/15: ACCESS Coordinators will complete the Data Validation steps linked in the attached document. 4/15 - 4/16: The Office of Assessment will finalize and submit all corrections.
Contact: accesstesting@philasd.org
Naglieri NNAT3
The Naglieri testing window is April 15 - May 24, 2024. This test will be administered online to your 2nd grade students and will take approximately 60 minutes total. This non-verbal ability test can reveal strengths not tied to reading levels and help identify students to watch for enrichment or intervention. Data is available in the Pearson platform for your 3rd & 4th graders that previously took the test. We have provided your Naglieri Point Person with the attached slide deck and resource folder to guide their Naglieri administration planning.
Contact: assessment@philasd.org
QlikBAM: Course Marks & Credits app now includes Q3 data
This week, preliminary Quarter 3 report card data will be available in the QlikBAM Course Marks & Credits app in the Academics and Climate stream. Data includes all grades entered during the report card window. Final Q3 data will be loaded to the app early next week. Any Quarter 3 grades entered or modified after the close of the report card conferences will be reflected in the app refresh after the close of the fourth marking period (Quarter 4).
Contact: performancedashboard@philasd.org
QlikBAM: Academic Screeners - Monitor Star participation rates at your school
You can use the QlikBAM Academic Screeners app in the Academics and Climate stream to monitor Star participation for your school by subject for the current assessment window. Reminder, the app defaults to a district-wide view; use the "School Name" filter in the top-left to select your school. You can also view participation by test, by grade-level and other student subgroups. Data is loaded each morning to provide you with a snapshot of participation through 1-2 days prior (depending on timing of data transfer from vendor). Participation data is available on the first sheet ("Key Performance Indicators") and the "Participation Rate Overview" sheet. To view further grade level and subgroup breakouts of participation data you can use the "Participation by Subgroups" and "Participation Details" sheets.
Contact: performancedashboard@philasd.org
family AND community engagement (F.A.C.E.)
EVALUATION, RESEARCH, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
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QlikBAM: Dropouts Monitoring app refreshed with data through March
Today, the QlikBAM Dropouts Monitoring app in the Enrollment and Projections stream will refresh with data through the end of March. The application provides a monthly and cumulative summary of enrollment records for SY2023-24 that ended in a dropout exit code (WD01 or WD09). The data in the app refreshes monthly, about the 8th of each month, to reflect student exit records for the whole school year through the end of the prior month. We know that student exit dates and exit codes are applied/updated retroactively; each time the data in the app is refreshed it will capture the data for the current school year, including any changes made since the prior refresh date. Note: Data for prior school years are frozen.
Contact: performancedashboard@philasd.org
QlikBAM: School Employee Attendance app refreshed with data through April 5
Today, the QlikBAM School Employee Attendance app in the Talent stream will refresh with employee attendance data through the end of the last payroll cycle (April 5, 2024), and now includes complete data for the month of March 2024. This application loads new data a few business days after the close of each payroll cycle (every two weeks). NOTE - Any retroactive corrections made to leave codes/dates will be reflected in the data refresh that occurs after the corrections are processed in the payroll system.
Contact: performancedashboard@philasd.org
The Response Rate Tracker for the Parent/Guardian PSES is live!
You can now check your school's parent/guardian response rates on the Philly School Experience Survey (PSES) using our tracker here. You can also access the tracker by visiting our website at philasd.org/pses and clicking the yellow "2023-24 Parent Response Rate Tracker" button. The tracker will typically update each weekday morning (with a 1-2 day lag in responses due to data processing), with the time and date of the last update listed at the top.
Contact: schoolsurveys@philasd.org
SPOTlight and SPREE SY2022-23 Reports - now live
The 2022-2023 School Progress Report on Education and Equity (SPREE) school-level PDFs, which include the new SPOTlight summary, were publicly released last week, on Thursday, April 4. The PDF reports and helpful resources such as the User Guide and FAQ are available on the SPREE Website (www.philasd.org/spree). Data refreshes of the additional online tools, such as School Profiles and the QlikBAM SPREE app, are forthcoming later this month.
Contact: performanceframework@philasd.org
family AND community engagement (F.A.C.E.)
fINANCE
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Finance Year-end Memos for Release
There are two very important memos with valuable information, guidance, and critical deadlines that you should be aware of:
The FY24 Cut-Off Memo provides the information you need for contracting, procurement, and payment for goods and services before the end of the fiscal year.
The FY24 Annual Personal Property Inventory Guidance Memo contains the steps to complete your 2024 Annual Personal Property Report, and includes links for General Accounting department virtual drop-in hours where you can receive additional support.
Thank you for your attention to both of these important documents!
ACTION: Please be sure to view both memos and share them with the appropriate staff.
Contact: Office of Finance
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
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Choosing your school's August 2024 reorg day
Just like last year, we are inviting schools to choose their August 2024 reorganization day. Principals must work with their building committees to choose either Tuesday, August 20th or Friday, August 23rd.
ACTION: Please select your date by Friday, April 26th by completing this form.
Contact: Office of Professional Learning | professionaldevelopment@philasd.org | 215.400.4280
school safety
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Attention: All Pre-K through 12 Principals
Coverage Tier for School Safety Absences
Please see the coverage tier and protocol for school safety officer, Supervisor and Area Manager absences.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1B25eer_o789XJRWdJR3OZsqolHvbCwHC
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1k7u_9umh3cu9m9lXSI1aRMqLb20cUkRN
Contact: Tyisha Godwin | tlwright@philasd.org | 215.400.5512
Special Education & Diverse Learners
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State Required Reclassification of English Learners
During the General and Dual Identified Reclassification windows, EL Points and school based teams must follow the guidelines linked below in order to help exit eligible students from their EL status. This is a state mandated process that requires collaboration between EL Points, Special Education experts, general education teachers, and families. It is imperative that schools support this process, which includes evidence gathering, meetings, and data submission. OMCP is providing in-person and virtual drop-in sessions in mid-April to support EL Points. The General Reclassification window closes on May 23, 2024. Dual Identified Reclassification documentation is due on June 14, 2024. Please reach out to multilingual@philasd.org if you have any questions or concerns.
ACTION: Please view instructions here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wxFRHZkSkMLhubUiJqnes1EJpHC4vqwU
https://drive.google.com/open?id=144dCXbj8EUNItkoN_Wmg4RhWJaSMYrja
Contact: Dr. Miulcaeli Batista | Executive Director | mbatista@philasd.org
Office of Strategic Partnerships
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Attention: middle school Principals
Attend Health Educated's DREAM Expo - Grades 6, 7, 8
We‘re excited to invite your middle school students to the DREAM Expo which takes place on Saturday, April 20 from 8 AM to 3 PM at St. Joseph's University (University City Campus). The DREAM Expo is a FREE event that aims to inspire middle school students, especially those who are Black and Hispanic, to pursue advanced healthcare careers. This is part of Health Educated's initiative to create a pipeline to address the diversity gap in healthcare. The students will engage in a speed networking activity with healthcare providers and hands-on workshops with health professions college students from the area's top universities. There will also be a photobooth, DJ, carnival games, treat table, giveaways and more! Parent sessions are available as well. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Everything is FREE. We‘d love for your 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to join us! Parents/guardians must accompany their child(ren).
ACTION: Please see the flyers below - English and Spanish. Register by Friday, April 12th.
DREAM Expo - Registration Link
Contact: Kristin Ball Motley | PharmD, MBA | healtheducatedinc@gmail.com
Student health Services
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SY23-24 School Nurse & Administration COVID-19 Workflow Quick Guide
In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), the School District of Philadelphia is ending the 5- day isolation requirement for COVID-19. This is a shift in guidance to treat COVID-19 like other respiratory viral illnesses.
Similar to our guidance for other common respiratory viral illnesses, such as the flu and RSV, students who test positive for COVID-19 should remain home until their symptoms are not present or have improved and they have no diarrhea, vomiting or fever (without taking fever-reducing medications) for at least 24 hours. If there is a concern for an outbreak, school nurses are expected to directly notify PDPH for guidance.
ACTION: Please see the Quick Guide here for more detailed information
Contact: Dr. Kendra McDow | School Systems Medial Officer | kmcdow@philasd.org | 215.400.5862
Student Support Services
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This Thursday: Application for Federal ESSA Funds Parent & Family Input Session
This Thursday, April 11, at 10:00am, the Office of Federal Programs will be hosting a Parent & Family Input Session on Zoom around the annual application for funds under Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Participants will be given a general overview of the different federal education programs available under ESSA and provide feedback on next year's application.
ACTION: Spread the word to your families and school community with THIS FLYER and SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHIC. Families and community members can register at tinyurl.com/sdpESSA24.
Contact: Lauren Rowland Assistant Director, Family and Community Engagement lrowland@philasd.org 215-400-5465