The River Way, Every Day!
Updates for the week of January 9, 2023
Put First Things First –
Habit 4: Think Win-Win- people work effectively and efficiently with others to achieve optimal results. Competitive and selfish behaviors produce win-lose or even lose-lose outcomes. A win-win mentality is a balancing act between courage and consideration that ensures true collaboration taking place in all conflicts.
Staff Links
DPS Central (curriculum resources)
Bernard Sterling bernard_sterling@dpsnc.net Please email Mr. Rebollo for custodial issues.
Electronic Financial Forms Web Links
-
- Check Request Form (Click Here)
- Pre-approved Reimbursements (Click Here)
-
- LR Supply Request (click Here)
HR Forms – Sick/Vacation Leave Forms
-
- Link to the HR Forms Web Page (Click Here)
- Next, scroll/click on Leave_Form_short_version.pdf
- Complete the form and sent to Dr. Hogans electronically
Payroll
-
- 12 Month Central Services Holiday Calendar (Click Here)
- Federal 2020 – W4 Form (Click Here)
- Installment Election Form (Click Here)
- TACS Time Adjustments (Click Here)
Purchasing Department
-
- Requisition Form (Click Here)
From Cory’s Desk
-
Teachers (K-5)-Framework for Promotion/Retention Decisions-Report Cards are scheduled to be distributed the week of January 24. For students whose performance may signal them as potential candidates for retention recommendation later in the year, please send home this letter with student report card and note in the Kid Talk spreadsheet in the labeled column you have sent the letter home. As you reflect on student performance, consider these interventions as you contemplate supports for student progress. (FYI: The letter will be followed in quarter 4 with this letter.)
-
Teacher Legislated Performance Bonuses DPS has received the lists from the state and are processing the bonuses for the areas below. These bonuses will be paid after the regular payroll and no later than January 31, 2023. Teachers should receive individual notification if they will receive a bonus by January 15, 2023.
-
3rd Grade Reading Bonus
-
4th and 5th Grade Reading Bonus
-
4th through 8th Grade Math Bonus
-
Professional Learning Opportunities (Optional) for January 17 Please see the Quarter 3 At-A-Glance for professional learning offerings for January 17, 2023 optional Traditional work day. This document will be populated and refreshed with all options for professional learning days during quarter 3, so check back frequently for updates.
-
Professional Learning Opportunities for Instructional Assistants Professional learning opportunities have been planned for Instructional Assistants for the remainder of the school year. Plans were made based on the requests that were shared in a Google Form sent earlier this school year as well as with input from principals. All opportunities occur on Traditional Calendar teacher workdays. Please contact Dr. Hogans with questions regarding learning opportunities for instructional assistants. See current offerings here.
-
Declaration of Intent DPS is planning to implement a district-wide declaration of intent process for employees this year. This is different from the intent form completed for Dr. Hogans in December. Look for more information soon regarding this item.
-
Safe Schools All DPS employees are required to complete their online Safe Schools courses. Please remember to login and complete each course assigned. If you have questions or need technical assistance, please contact Dr. Hogans or Safety and Security by emailing safetyandsecurity@dpsnc.net.
-
Common Fire Marshal Violations DPS is committed to keeping our schools free of fire code violations to ensure the safety of students and staff. Please remember to follow the items listed in the Common Fire Code Violations for Classrooms/Offices document. All schools are inspected bi-annually by the Durham County Fire Marshal’s Office, and principals conduct two monthly inspections to ensure school safety.
-
DPS Appliance, Space Heater, and Electrical Policy and Guidelines Updated DPS Appliance and Electrical Guidelines can be found here. These guidelines provide information regarding the use of electrical appliances in classrooms, school locations and central service sites. Effective February 1st, 2023, the DPS community is to follow these guidelines in reference to appliances and electrical components in all schools and central service buildings. If you have questions regarding these guidelines, please contact Safety and Security at safetyandsecurity@dpsnc.net or (919) 560-3607.
-
Kyte Learning All DPS employees have accounts with Kyte Learning, a web-based professional learning tool. Courses are designed on a variety of technology topics and are designed to meet the needs of all employees. Users can search topics such as Google, Outlook, and Microsoft Excel. Here is a presentation on how to login and search topics in Kyte Learning. Please direct questions to Dr. Hogans.
-
At the December 9 meeting of the School Board, DPS approved changes to the 2023-24 traditional and year-round calendars. The changes reflect required teacher workdays needed to support mandatory LETRS training for elementary teachers and add two optional teacher workdays that are necessary to meet the 215 contractual required days. The calendars posted to the DPS website under the Calendars tab.
-
Traditional
-
-
August 17-18: Optional Teacher Workday
-
August 21, November 1, February 19: Required Teacher Workday
-
Thank you staff for responding to the Kid Talk/MTSS Quick Check poll prior to Winter Break!
-
Thank you staff for participating in the Winter Break Shutdown!
-
Weekend/Afterhours Access-Jan 14-15
-
PLC Agenda Items
-
Classroom-Focused Improvement Process (CFIP) Overview
-
K-12 BENCHMARK SUPPORTS Please refer to the following documents for support resources for the recent Benchmarks for K-12 for year-long courses.
-
-
Retention Letter1
-
From Andy’s Desk
Wave Makers- Link
Monday (1/9/23) Encore Day D
-
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Tuesday (1/10/23) Encore Day E
-
National Houseplant Appreciation Day
Wednesday (1/11/23) Encore Day F
-
Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser Kick Off
-
Piano Recital 6:30
-
National Clean Off Your Desk/National Milk/Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Thursday (1/12/23) Encore Day A
-
Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser Kick Off
-
National Marzipan/National Pharmacist Day
Friday (1/13/23) Encore Day B
-
End of Semester 1
-
Pattern Day
-
Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser Kick Off
-
Korean American/National Gluten-Free/Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Up Coming Dates
1/11 – 1/20 – Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser Kick Off
1/16 – Holiday/MLK Day
1/17 – Teacher Workday
1/17 – ALL GRADES IN PS
1/19 – MS Verification Due to Dawn
1/24 – Reports Cards Ready for View
1/25 – Half way mark for school year, 88 days so far 88 more to go
1/24 – Reports Cards Printed/Staff Meeting
1/25 – Caleb Auffret Principal of the Day/ LR Elementary Chorus Winter Concert
1/31 – Hot Chocolate Day
Sunday Bulletin:
Good evening Beavers! This is Ms. Moose for Principal Hogans with some notes for this week.
-
We hope each of you has had a great break and an even better return to school last week. Thank you for the gifts and cards prior to Winter Break. Thank you also for your support of Operation Hope and your support of our Joys and Toys program. We are also grateful for the donations of our community benefactors to our cafeteria balance. It was very nice to reflect on the appreciation of our community during the holiday season as we return to close out the second quarter and begin the third quarter in just over a week.
-
Speaking of the community, the PTO is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening. We hope each of you will be able to join us we continue to reflect on support projects and plan future events for the year.
-
Lastly, in follow up to the district communication parents have received about updates to district protocols for visiting during instructional hours. Please refer to the school parent student handbook found on our school website under the ‘Parents’ tab. Look for the sections for Volunteers and Classroom Visits. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Hogans.