MONDAY SUPERINTENDENT E-MAIL – 1/30/12
Te Monday E-mail contains information on the following KDE-related topics:
- Optional January Growth Factor Report due to KDE
- FY 2013 Declaration of Participation Report (Attachment)
- KDE to Hold Program Review Technical Assistance Trainings Week of February 13th
- Toolkit helps assess physical education/activity
- Digital Learning Day – Feb. 1, 2012
- The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Drill to be Held on February 7, 2012 (Attachment)
- KJHS T-Shirt Design Contest
- FAFSA Completion Project
- Trooper Island Scholarship
- 2011 Official Highway Maps available
- Forward in the Fifth AppLE Awards
- KAEE’s 36th Annual Conference Call for Proposals
If you have questions about the specific items, please see the contact information for each item.
Items from KDE
Optional January Growth Factor Report due to KDE
The January Growth Factor Reference document for the 2011-2012 January Growth Factor Report is posted on the KDE web site:
http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Administrative+Resources/Finance+and+Funding/School+Finance/Attendance+Data/Growth+Factor+Reports/January+Growth+Factor+Instructions.htm.
KRS 157.360(15) states that a district may request a recalculation of SEEK funds based on midyear growth. This adjustment is subject to available funds. In the current budget, there are no funds in the SEEK allocation to provide any additional funding for January growth. School districts may still wish to apply in the event that legislative action provides additional funding for this purpose.
The January Growth Factor is due to KDE five days after the last day of the school month chosen with the most attendance days in January of the current school year but not later than February 20 of each school year. The January Growth Factor Report includes the following information for the school month chosen with the most attendance days in January of the current school year: aggregate days attendance and absence; race and gender count; home and hospital; adjustments for less than full-time attendance (Partial Day); nonresident/non-contract students; and overage and underage students. All information is reported by school, grade level, and by transportation code.
The Growth Factor report should be submitted via the Kentucky Department of Education website. The link for submission is http://odss.education.ky.gov/jangrowthfactor/.
Please contact Steve Young if you have questions at Steve.Young@education.ky.gov or (502) 564-4403 ext. 4423.
FY 2013 Declaration of Participation Report (Attachment)
It is time for the Declaration of Participation Report to be completed by your district in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Attached is the superintendent letter with information regarding the submission of the report. This report is used to identify the number of students enrolled in area private non-profit and home schools. Federal programs participating in the Declaration of Participation are Title IIA - Teacher Quality, and IDEA-B - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (including ARRA funding).
The coordinating forms needed to complete this request have been posted on the KDE website.
By April 1, 2012 please return both completed Declaration of Participation Report forms indicating the public LEA’s intentions and summarizing the private and home schools’ Declarations of Participation forms to: becky.stoddard@education.ky.us
If you have additional questions please contact either Tracy Billingsley (Title IIA 502-564-1979), Judy Howard (Title III-LEP 502-564-1979), Chris Thacker (IDEA-B 502-564-4970).
KDE to Hold Program Review Technical Assistance Trainings Week of February 13th
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will be holding Program Review Technical Assistance trainings the week of February 13th. These meetings will be held from 9 am to 12 noon on the following dates and at the designated locations.
February 14 Barren River State Resort Park
NorthEast Christian Church, Lexington
February 15 Bruce Convention Center, Hopkinsville
Corbin Center for Technology and Activities, Corbin
February 16 METS Center, Erlanger
E. P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville
February 17 Hazard Community College
KEDC Conference Center, Ashland
We encourage principals to participate in these trainings to learn more about the program reviews. Some topics include:
· ASSIST—the tool schools will use to record the results of their program reviews
· Evidence—what is it? collections vs identification, “storage”
· What is “access and opportunity?”
You may register at Program Review Technical Assistance Registration.
If you have questions, please contact Rae McEntyre at rae.mcentyre@education.ky.gov or 502-564-2106.
Toolkit helps assess physical education/activity
The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is one of the emerging concepts for increasing physical activity/physical education in schools via a Coordinated School Health (CSH) approach. It is specifically included in the Practical Living/Career Studies (PLCS) Program Review.
This opportunity from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) will help school district officials gauge their students’ physical education/activity.
The “Let's Move in School” Superintendents and School Boards Toolkit is designed to assess the level of physical education/activity currently provided by a school district. Superintendents and school board members are encouraged to use the toolkit to create awareness of the benefits of a comprehensive school physical activity program and offers steps to increase physical education/activity in your district.
For more information, contact KDE’s CSH Project Director Jamie Sparks at jamie.sparks@education.ky.gov.
Items from Outside Agencies
PLEASE NOTE: Inclusion of items in this section does not constitute endorsement by the Kentucky Department of Education or the Commissioner of Education.
Digital Learning Day – Feb. 1, 2012
Digital Learning Day is set for Wednesday, February 1. The activity is a culminating event in a year-round national awareness campaign to improve teaching and learning for all children.
Digital learning is any instructional practice that is effectively using technology to strengthen the student learning experience. Digital learning encompasses a wide spectrum of tools and practice, including using online and formative assessment; increasing focus and quality of teaching resources and time; online content and courses; applications of technology in the classroom and school building; adaptive software for students with special needs; learning platforms; participating in professional communities of practice; providing access to high level and challenging content and instruction; and many other advancements technology provides to teaching and learning.
On Digital Learning Day, teachers, librarians, school leaders, afterschool programs, community groups, parents and others can show their support by signing up and pledging to focus on digital learning, try new technology or resources or showcase successes. A number of Kentucky schools and organizations already have signed up.
Toolkits for teachers and other school personnel are available here: http://www.digitallearningday.org/toolkits/
Visit the Digital Learning Day website at http://www.digitallearningday.org/ for more details.
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Drill to be Held on February 7, 2012 (Attachment)
Please see the attached letter from Secretary Janet Napolitano and Secretary Arne Duncan about the upcoming 2012 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut on February 7, 2012.
If you have any questions regarding the ShakeOut, please contact Brian Blake, Program Coordinator for the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium at bblake@cusec.org or Paulette Aniskoff at paulette.aniskoff@fema.dhs.gov .
KJHS T-Shirt Design Contest
This year, the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is hosting its first Kentucky Junior Historical Society (KJHS) t-shirt design contest. Students who are currently KJHS members and/or participate in Kentucky History Day are eligible to submit a design.
The winner will receive a $100 cash prize and have his or her design printed on a t-shirt for sale at the 50th Anniversary KJHS Conference and History Day state contest to be held on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28.
The design criteria are simple, and include the following stipulations:
1. The design has to be inspired by KJHS, Kentucky History Day or Kentucky History in general and should not contain information on a specific annual theme.
2. The design has to include the words “Kentucky,” “History” and “50” and be something that a boy, girl, man or woman would want to wear, even if they don’t know much about KJHS/KHD.
3. The design can be either hand-drawn or computer-generated.
4. Only one entry per individual will be accepted.
The deadline for entry is Friday, February 3. Submissions should be sent to Cheryl Caskey, KJHS, 100 W. Broadway, Frankfort KY 40601. Submissions also may be e-mailed to cheryl.caskey@ky.gov.
FAFSA Completion Project
The U.S. Department of Education (USED) announces an opportunity for your school district to participate in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Project for the 2012-13 filing year.
Research indicates that 90 percent of students who complete a FAFSA will enroll in postsecondary education. Through the project, participating districts will have access to FAFSA completion data and give students information about how to pursue a college education.
Districts with two or more high schools are invited to apply no later than March 2 for the opportunity of being selected through a randomized selection process.
More details and additional requirements are available at www.FSA4counselors.ed.gov.
Districts interested in participating in the FAFSA Completion Project for the 2012-13 FAFSA filing year, and that meet the technical and evaluation requirements, should send an e-mail to Dena Bates at FAFSACompletion@ed.gov. Please include in the subject line "FAFSA Completion Project.” The e-mail should include the name of the LEA and the name, position, e-mail address, and phone number(s) of a primary contact person.
Trooper Island Scholarship
Trooper Island Camp, located on Dale Hollow Lake near the Clinton-Cumberland County line, is a co-ed camp serving approximately 700 boys and girls ages 10 to 12 selected from across the commonwealth by Kentucky State Police troopers to attend a weeklong camp at no charge during the summer months.
The camp was developed by the Kentucky State Police in 1965 as part of a long-range program of public service to the youth of Kentucky: a place where the tensions and turmoil of our everyday lives can be forgotten and, for one week, young people can be given a touch of hope and desire of a better tomorrow.
The Trooper Island Scholarship fund helps prior campers continue their education. Two scholarships are given annually by the Trooper Island Board of Directors from applications received by high school seniors who plan to attend college or technical/vocational school.
The deadline to apply is April 1. For more information, contact Camp Director/Commander Sgt. Craig Sutton, PO Box 473, Albany KY 42602; (270) 433-5422; e-mail tisland@duo-county.com.
2011 Official Highway Maps available
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has offered to distribute surplus copies of the 2011 official highway map to your classrooms. The maps are available to your teachers at no cost.
These maps may be used in a variety of ways, including to augment teaching methods, or they may simply be given to students.
In order to receive your copies, please complete the following information:
Teacher Name:
School:
School Address:
City:
County:
Number of Maps Requested:
Please submit your requests by Friday, February 17, to Ryan Watts at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. He can be reached at ryan.watts@ky.gov or (502) 564-3419.
Forward in the Fifth AppLE Awards
Do you know someone in your community who has made a significant contribution to promote and advance education? Forward in the Fifth is looking for that “special” educator, parent, student, community leader or school staff member who is leading the way in their home community and region to advance education.
Forward in the Fifth, a nonprofit organization and affiliate of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, is accepting nominations for this year’s AppLE Awards.
The AppLE Awards — which stands for Appalachian Leaders in Education — celebrate excellence in education by honoring professional educators and supporters in 42 counties within Forward in the Fifth’s primary service region.
Nominations forms for Forward in the Fifth’s 2012 AppLE Awards will be accepted through March 31 in four award categories:
· educators, professional and support staff
· community leaders or business/community organizations
· parents or parent groups
· students or student groups
All completed nomination forms must be e-mailed to Forward in the Fifth Administrative Assistant Rhonda Lawson at fif@centertech.com. They also may be printed, completed and mailed by the March 31 deadline to Forward in the Fifth, 2292 South U.S. 27, Somerset KY, 42501. Submissions by fax or telephone will not be accepted.
Finalists will be selected in each of the four award categories and notified by Forward in the Fifth of their nomination. Award winners will be announced in during a special event this May.
Nominations will be accepted within Forward in the Fifth’s 42-county primary service area, which includes the counties of Adair, Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Rowan, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.
A detailed description of each of the four 2012 AppLE Awards, eligibility requirements and nomination forms can be downloaded online from www.crdev.us/appleawards. For more information on the AppLE Awards, contact Forward in the Fifth Executive Director Jim Tackett at (606) 677-6000 or e-mail fif@centertech.com.
KAEE’s 36th Annual Conference Call for Proposals
The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) 36th annual conference is set for September 14-15 at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park.
The Call for Proposals has officially opened, and an online submission form can be found here. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15.
The theme of the conference is “Creating a Balance.” See more information on the conference at http://kaee.org/conference/.