Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 | Issue 107

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories

Clay County Community High School senior works to let her peers know they matter

Reporting and Operations

Sept. 25 deadline approaching to submit Fall Vacancy Report and initiate Mentor Stipends request
Reminder: ESSER Capital Improvement Reporting and Recording forms are due Sept. 30
Reminder: CommonApp to open Oct. 1 for ESSER quarterly reporting
Reminder: Registration open for second quarterly meeting of administrators of Local Consolidated Plans
Reminder: McKinney-Vento live trainings, resources available to support education of homeless children and youth
Reminder: Applications available for Fiscal Year 2025 Perkins Reserve grants

IT & Cybersecurity

National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security to be held virtually, Sept. 25-26

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

KSDE is funding IXL Math assessments for the 2024-25 school year

Standards and Instruction

Student Health and Nutrition

Reminder: Summer EBT benefits online application extended until Oct. 15

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Feature Stories

Clay County Community High School senior works to let her peers know they matter

Like many of her classmates, Reagan McDonald (pictured left) is going on college visits and making the most of her senior year in high school as an athlete and leader. But this Clay County Community High School student is also making it her mission to address the root causes of why several of her peers committed suicide in a short period of time in 2023.

“You can’t just address the problem, you have to address why the problem is going on,” McDonald said. “It’s important that we break the stigma.”

After a Communities that Care survey showed drug and alcohol abuse had risen among her peers, McDonald said she got involved at the end of her freshman year in the local chapter of Youth Leaders in Kansas, or YLinK, a program administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities Services (KDADS).

Reporting and Operations

Sept. 25 deadline approaching to submit

Fall Vacancy Report and initiate

Mentor Stipends request

The Fall Vacancy Report (accessed in the Educator Data Collection System) and the list of mentor teachers (entered in the Mentor Stipends system) are due Wednesday, Sept. 25.

For Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that enter mentor teachers in Mentor Stipends by the Sept. 25 deadline, the system will reopen on April 1, 2025, for completing and submitting the rest of the report. LEAs that don’t enter mentor teachers by Sept. 25 will not have access to the system in the spring and will not be eligible for stipends.

Contact Leslie Bruton, lbruton@ksde.org or (785) 296-8011 for questions about either system.

Reminder: ESSER Capital Improvement Reporting and Recording forms

are due Sept. 30

The Post-Award Reporting and Recording forms for capital improvement projects are due Sept. 30.

These reports are mandatory for capital project in which federal funds were used for ANY portion of the project. This includes any ESSER funding stream, such as ESSER I, ESSER I SPED, ESSER II, ESSER II SPED, ESSER II True Up, ESSER III, or ESSER III True Up.

Reminder: CommonApp to open Oct. 1 for ESSER quarterly reporting

The ESSER quarterly reporting will open on CommonApp on Oct. 1, and will close at the end of the day on Oct. 17. This is a cumulative report, so use last quarter’s spreadsheet to add expenditures. This report should include all ESSER expenditures (reimbursed and planned) and will be the last of the state quarterly reporting for ESSER.

Remember, even if you haven’t had any expenditures this past quarter, you are still required to submit a report.

The federal annual performance reporting will continue into 2026.

Registration open for second quarterly meeting of administrators of

Local Consolidated Plans

Registration is now open for the second quarterly meeting of administrators of Local Consolidated Plans (LCP).

Oct. 8: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Topeka. Click here to register: https://ksdetasn.org/events/0bUxhg
Oct. 10: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Garden City. Click here to register: https://ksdetasn.org/events/b_hgtA

Reminder: McKinney-Vento live trainings, resources available to support education of homeless children and youth

The Kansas State Department of Education is committed to supporting districts that serve students who are experiencing homelessness. There are live trainings that will be offered on the following dates and times on this topic:

Sept. 17: 11 a.m.
Oct. 16: 1 p.m.
Nov. 12: 10:30 a.m.

Contact Maureen Tabasko, mtabasko@ksde.org, (785) 296-1101, or Roxanne Zillinger, rzillinger@ksde.org, (785) 296-7260 for access to the Zoom link for each training and/or additional information on the program.

Applications available for Fiscal Year 2025 Perkins Reserve grants

The approved Kansas State Plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) includes a Perkins Secondary Reserve Fund, established to provide support for innovative CTE programs, program delivery and/or CTE program expansion to meet critical workforce development needs. Reserve funds are distributed through a competitive grant process.

Grant applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Perkins Reserve grants are now available on the KSDE Carl. D. Perkins webpage.

The following applications must be submitted by the following dates:

Sept. 27: 30008 Human Services Cluster
Sept. 27: 30009 Marketing Cluster
Sept. 27: 30010 Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Cluster
Oct. 1: 00581 Civil Rights Onsite Review
Oct. 1: 08082 CTE Teacher Mentoring
Nov. 1: 50001 Electronic Training Equipment

Contact Helen Swanson, hswanson@ksde.org, with questions.

IT & Cybersecurity

National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security to be held virtually, Sept. 25-26

The National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security, hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will be Sept. 25-26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. CST, each day.

This virtual event brings together school safety experts, practitioners and leaders to discuss and share actionable recommendations that enhance

safe and supportive learning environments in K-12 schools.

Through expert panels, sessions and keynote addresses by leaders in the field, the summit explores current threats and issues in school safety and considers research-informed strategies for addressing security challenges.

Click here to register for free: 2024CISASchoolSummit.eventbrite.com

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

KSDE is funding IXL Math assessments for the 2024-25 school year

During the 2024-25 school year, schools and districts can leverage a new, advanced assessment for K-8 math.

The IXL LevelUp® math benchmark assessment is scientifically advanced, can be administered in no more than an hour (typically less), has enhanced reporting, and is available in Spanish. It can also be used in real-time mode to refine students’ scores and recommendations in between benchmark windows.

Click here for more information about the two diagnostic assessments that will be offered beginning this fall.

Standards and Instruction

Finalize and analyze Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot (ASQ) data

On Sept. 18, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the fifth and final installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News & Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year.

Each edition provides proven resources to guide Kansas educators through each step of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) screening process. If you are not a Kansas ASQ Online user, you can visit agesandstages.com/ks to sign up for these emails and to view past newsletters.

Important reminder: To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas elementary schools are required to partner with families to better understand incoming kindergarten students’ development. The 2024 Snapshot window closes Friday, Sept. 20.

Printed Kansas Early Learning Standards

have begun arriving in districts

The KSDE Early Childhood Team is excited to announce 6,551 hard copies of the recently updated Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) have begun arriving in districts.

The Kansas Early Learning Standards provide information regarding what young children birth through kindergarten should know and be able to do as a result of engagement with caring knowledgeable adults, evidence-based curriculum, and developmentally appropriate activities.

Reminder: HirePaths debuts fourth season of

"Cool Careers" videos

Hosted by Kansas students, the fourth season of "Cool Careers" is now available here from HirePaths.

The new episodes feature a human resources specialist, emergency dispatcher, commercial driver and IT network installer.

Downloadable, free worksheets have also been developed to go along with each episode.

According to HirePaths, their mission is to “inform and excite parents and guardians, as well as K-12 teachers, about options young people can pursue after high school to quickly and affordably launch a successful, well-paying career. This includes on-the-job training programs, apprenticeships, and technical and community college education.”

For more information about Cool Careers, contact Kristen Brighton at kristin@newbostoncreative.com or (785) 587-8185.

Reminder: Career and technical education (CTE) technical assistance sessions available

in September and October

The KSDE Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is offering technical assistance in September and October for various topics including Career Cluster and Pathway Program of Study Applications (CPPSAs), Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) information and resources, industry recognized credentials, Students’ Right to Know Act and more.

Click on the education service center links below to register. Registration is $35 and includes lunch.

Sept. 20: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Orion – Clearwater
Sept. 30: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Smoky Hill – Salina
Oct. 4: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; ESSDACK – Hutchinson
Oct. 7: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Southwest Plains – Sublette
Oct. 30: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Greenbush South - Girard

Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351 with questions about these sessions.

Student Health and Nutrition

Reminder: Summer EBT benefits online application extended until Oct. 15

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has extended the application deadline for the 2024 Summer EBT program.

Applications for the new federal program, designed to help eligible families offset some of the costs of buying food for their school-aged children during the summer, are being accepted until 5 p.m., on Oct. 15.

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages

celebration on Sept. 23

Did you know there are more than 300 different national sign languages? Each year for International Day of Sign Languages, celebrated on Sept. 23, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) encourages public buildings, landmarks and more, to be spotlighted in a blue light to promote and recognize these languages.

The “Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages” campaign aims to unite the world, its citizens, communities and societies through the blue light.

Be on the lookout on KSDE’s social media channels leading up to Monday, Sept. 23, for a video from students from the Kansas School for the Deaf.

Reminder: 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year

nomination packet now available

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Every school district is encouraged to nominate one exemplary elementary classroom teacher and one exemplary secondary classroom teacher for this prestigious award.

Not only does participating in this program demonstrate that your district values exceptional teaching, you will be providing critical professional development opportunities for your nominees. Participants say year after year this program is life-changing and has made them better teachers.

Reminder: Register your leadership team for

Great Ideas in Education Conference:

Lighting the Path Forward

Don’t forget to register your leadership team to attend this year’s Great Ideas in Education Conference: Lighting the Path Forward, Oct. 23-25, in Wichita.

KSDE is encouraging districts and buildings to bring a leadership team to learn together. Each district will be slightly different according to size and district needs.

Teams of four will receive a discount on registration. *Please note: The hotel room block at the Wichita Hyatt Regency is filling up quickly.

Reminder: District test coordinators required to attend upcoming mandatory

in-person trainings

Every district must have a district test coordinator and each district test coordinator is required to attend annual security and ethics training before training all other district staff involved in administering state assessments.

Each training session will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sept. 26 - ESSDACK - Hutchinson
Sept. 27 - Smoky Hills - Salina
Oct. 10 – Greenbush – Girard
Oct. 18 – Orion - Clearwater
Nov. 13 - SWPESC – Sublette
Nov. 14 - NKESC - Oakley

Contact Chelsea Pelfrey at cpelfrey@ksde.org or (785) 296-0040 with questions.

Check out upcoming KSDE-sponsored sessions and/or schedule your own

Many districts have virtual hours they can use to schedule a consultant-led FastBridge or Star session. See if this applies to you by watching the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire. Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information and/or schedule sessions here.

If you are interested in a FastBridge session below, but would be unable to join, use the Newsletter Engagement Form to request additional dates and times using option #5.

Each FastBridge district can also request an administrator workshop on topics such as onboarding, data reviews, and more. Schedule your workshop using the form and selecting option #6.

Contact Sheleena at sheleena.clark@renaissance.com if your district is interested in hosting a FastBridge regional training and would like to learn more.

Calendar

September

24: KESA 2.0 information meeting, 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m., ESSDACK, Hutchinson. In-person; no registration required. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, RHuereca-Retana@ksde.org, for more information.

24: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., FastBridge assessment system information session; Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City. Click here to register: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings. Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions.

24: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Osborne High School auditorium, north door. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

25: KESA 2.0 information meeting, 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Hays. In-person; no registration required. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, RHuereca-Retana@ksde.org, for more information.

25: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Greenbush, Ottawa board office. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

26: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., FastBridge assessment system information session; Hyatt Regency, Wichita. Click here to register: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings. Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions.

27: KESA 2.0 information meeting, Greenbush, Lawrence. In-person; registration required. (Click here to register for the 9:30-11:30 a.m. session; click here to register for the 12:30-2:30 p.m. session.) Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, RHuereca-Retana@ksde.org, for more information.

27: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., FastBridge assessment system information session; Courtyard by Marriott, Junction City. Click here to register: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings. Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions.

27-28: Kansas Teacher of the Year conference, Wichita.

October

8-9: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Topeka.

8: KSDE TASN School Mental Health Initiative’s Mindfulness and School-based Yoga: Tools for the Classroom; Maize, Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/LsAQ-A. Contact Laura Hattrup, laurah@tasnsmhi.org, or (785) 249-5160 with questions.

9: KSDE TASN School Mental Health Initiative’s Mindfulness and School-based Yoga: Tools for the Classroom; Topeka, Bishop Professional Development Center, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/naLuZA. Contact Laura Hattrup, laurah@tasnsmhi.org, or (785) 249-5160 with questions.

10: 2025 Kansas Horizon Award nominations due. Contact Tamla Miller, tmiller@ksde.org or (785) 296-4950 with questions.

10: Presidential Scholars, Presidential Scholars in CTE nominations due. Contact Tamla Miller, tmiller@ksde.org or (785) 296-4950 with questions.

10: 2025 United States Senate Youth Program applications due. Contact Tamla Miller, tmiller@ksde.org or (785) 296-4950 with questions.

14: KESA 2.0 monthly Zoom update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. (Mark your calendars for these future Zoom meetings: Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, and May 12.)

14: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Greenbush South, Girard. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

15: Summer EBT program food benefits online application deadline. Click here for more information that can be shared with families by school districts.

15: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

16: McKinney-Vento virtual training, 1 p.m.; contact Maureen Tabasko, mtabasko@ksde.org, (785) 296-1101, or Roxanne Zillinger, rzillinger@ksde.org, (785) 296-7260 for access to the Zoom link and/or additional information.

16: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Hays. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

17: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Salina. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

18: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Greenbush North, Lawrence. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

23-25: KSDE Great Ideas in Education: Lighting the Path Forward annual conference, Hyatt Regency Wichita. Click here for conference information.

November

12: Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, Topeka. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with questions.

12: McKinney-Vento virtual training, 10:30 a.m.; contact Maureen Tabasko, mtabasko@ksde.org, (785) 296-1101, or Roxanne Zillinger, rzillinger@ksde.org, (785) 296-7260 for access to the Zoom link and/or additional information.

13: Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, Wichita. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with questions.

14: Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, Garden City. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with questions.

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The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.