SDP Educator Weekly
newsletter
June 3-June 7
in this issue
Dear Educators,
I would like to start by wishing a fond farewell to Dr. Evelyn Nuñez, who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Academy Charter School, effective at the beginning of August. During her 19 year tenure with the School District of Philadelphia , she served students and families first as an educator, then as a school administrator, and eventually as the leader of the District’s Schools Office. As the Chief of Schools, she helped our District achieve the strongest post-Covid recovery in grades third through eighth math and reading performance among big city school districts nationwide. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Nuñez!
At its first Action Meeting last week, the new Board of Education voted to approve several significant items that will set the District up to deliver on strategic commitments from our Accelerate Philly strategic plan, and help us to achieve the Board’s Goals and Guardrails.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the 2024-25 Operating Budget which was thoughtfully developed, using input from all District stakeholders including teachers and school leaders, to support the implementation of the five priority areas within the strategic plan. Some immediate actions we will take in this fiscal year include piloting a year-round and extended-day calendar, relaunching Parent University, and recruiting more Black and Latino male educators. This budget also provides protections for school budgets, as we maintained the 350 ARPA funded positions and discontinued leveling in any schools or classrooms after the beginning of the school year. You can learn more about the budget here.
In addition, the Board unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2025 Capital Budget, while also voting to approve the District’s application for Federal Facilities Improvement (FFI) Grants. The budget, and the potential funding from the grants, will allow the District to perform needed upgrades, major and minor renovations, and repairs to school buildings city-wide in order to improve safety and well-being and provide high-quality environments for teaching and learning.
The Board also approved two contracts that will positively impact our students. The first contract provides a partnership with, and funding for, the Center for Black Educator Development to implement Freedom Schools Literacy Academies at three schools this summer. The Academies, open to all District students who wish to apply, will help curb summer learning loss by providing a five-week, in-person summer program that integrates proven best practices for teaching literacy with a culturally responsive, affirming and sustaining early-literacy curriculum. The second contract provides a partnership with, and funding for, JEVS Human Services to coordinate paid and unpaid internships for up to 200 Career & Technical Education students this summer.
The Board has hit the ground running, and I am excited to witness how our collaboration will help us to achieve our vision to help all students imagine and realize any future they desire!
In partnership,
Tony B. Watlington Sr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
The School District of Philadelphia
Action Items
Summer 2024 SMART Board Upgrades
This summer, the District will upgrade the computer component in all SMART Boards to ensure every classroom has the most up-to-date capabilities. This will extend the life and use of your SMART Boards and bring exciting new features to your classrooms, such as the ability to wirelessly mirror your computer’s screen to the SMART Board, simple USBC connection (no adapter required), etc.
During the update, the computer component in your SMART board will be replaced with a new updated model. Any saved files on the board will no longer be available. Most teachers do not save content on the board so this only affects those who do. Anything saved in Google Drive or Lumio will still be available on those platforms. If you have files saved to your board that you want to keep, please follow the directions in the video HERE to save them to your Google Drive or a flash drive. Find additional resources HERE.
If you need support saving your files, please reach out to sdpservice@visualsound.com.
K-12 Teacher Induction - Registration is Open!
Registration for K-12 Teacher Induction is now open! The Teacher Induction Program is a state-approved program of study that all PA educators must complete as one of the requirements for permanent certification.
- Teachers who will complete PAR at any time during SY23-24 are required to register for and complete Induction during SY24-25.
- Teachers with Emergency or Level I certificates who completed PAR prior to SY23-24 and have not yet completed Induction are strongly encouraged to register for and complete Induction during SY24-25.
Flyer HERE. Questions may be directed to teacherinduction@philasd.org.
General Announcements
REMINDER - Term 4 Grading Window Closing Dates
The grading window for Term 4 will close Wednesday, June 5th for GRADE 12 and Tuesday, June 11th for GRADES K-11 at 5:00 pm. Teachers have until that time to make sure they have posted their grades. The window will not reopen for teachers, so if they do not enter by the deadline, it will be the responsibility of the administration to enter missing grades. After the window closes for teachers, you will have one day for administrative review.
For more information, please check out Resources and Supports for End of Year Grading Window: 23-24 School Year. Questions? Email Jeremy Wright at jwright@philasd.org.
VOTING IS OPEN! Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest
Voting is now open for the Mental Health Awareness Poster Contest!!
The 2024 poster contest theme was "Take a Moment" and reflects on the importance of normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame. The theme encouraged students to reflect on the ways they can “Take the Moment” by using their time to relax, refocus and reduce stress.
We asked participants to submit colorful and creative posters which best represent this theme. Designs needed to be original creations.
The finalists for each grade band have been decided and we now need you to vote and help choose our winners!
Please help us get as many votes as possible by sharing this voting form with your school teams, families and students. Please email Meghan Smith (measmith@philasd.org) with any questions.
PRIDE Panel Discussion
Join us for a groundbreaking event this Pride month as the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will host a Virtual Panel dedicated to uplifting, educating, and highlighting the LGBTQIA+ experience. The goal of this event is to provide the School District of Philadelphia`s teachers, staff, and community members with invaluable insights on how to best support and empower LGBTQIA+ students and our colleagues in and out of the classroom. Check out the flyer HERE. Register HERE. Questions? Email Kyle Tribble at ktribble@philasd.org.
Professional Development
EL- Getting Started with ILC Grades K-8 Tier 1 ELA
EL- Getting Started with ILC Grades K-8 Tier 1 ELA: Head over to Cornerstone and register for this asynchronous learning opportunity to explore the EL Imagine learning Platform for ELA in grades K-8. This session is relevant for those new to EL as well as those hoping to extend prior learning.
Questions? Please email the ELA team at ela@philasd.org.
Summer Institute for Educators of the School District of Philadelphia
Join us for Summer Institute 2024.The goal of the PFTHW Educational Issues' Professional Development is to improve student performance and support educator development. We cannot improve schools and student achievement unless teachers are kept abreast of developments in research on teaching and learning. Summer Institute is a great opportunity to learn with colleagues and build skills to support student development academically, socially and emotionally. Check Out Summer Institute Sessions HERE. Questions? Email Vindetta Knight-Jackson at vknight@pfthw.org.
StudySync Complimentary Webinars (9-12 ELA)
StudySync Complimentary Webinars- Here are the complimentary webinars offered during the month of June. These webinars provide an excellent opportunity to dive deeper into StudySync’s methodology and gain practical strategies for implementation. If you are unable to attend, don’t worry! After each live session, registrants receive a recording of the webinar for review. Just make sure to register HERE.
June 5, 2024 “Basic Training: How to Navigate Your New StudySync Account” 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
June 12, 2024 “Basic Training: The Reading Routine-Reading and Rigor in StudySync” 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
June 18, 2024 “Basic Training: Create and Grade Assignments” 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Questions? Email ela@philasd.org.
SIS Coach/Teacher Office Hours: Grade Book End-of-Term Processes
There will be 2 grading windows for Term 4, one for K-11 and another for 12th Grade.
The grading window for all students will open on May 23. The grading window for Term 4 will close on Wednesday, June 5th for SENIORS and Tuesday, June, 11th for K-11.
We will be holding optional SIS Grade Book End-of-Term Processes Office Hours to support with end-of-term grading procedures.
*SIS Coach/Teacher End-of-Term Office Hours*
June 3 - 11:30a - 12:30p
June 5 - 10a - 11p
June 10 - 11a - 12p
To sign up for a session, please search for “SIS: SIS Coach/Teacher Grade Book End-of-Term Office Hours” in the top right search bar in Cornerstone and select the session(s) that you would like to attend. Reach out to SISpd@philasd.org if you have trouble registering or join with THIS Zoom link. Questions? Email SISpd@philasd.org.
Summer Online Courses
Online summer courses to meet Act 48 professional development requirements, state license renewal and salary advancement. Click HERE to learn more. Please email Mick Jackson at mick@virtualeduc.com with any questions.
Opportunities for Teachers
Equitable School Funding Info Session
Join Young and Involved Philadelphia and Teach Plus for an informative discussion on public education. Topics will include ways to advocate for public education, how schools are funded, the impact of the recent school funding lawsuit, and more.
Location: Zoom
Time: 6pm-7pm
Register HERE. Questions? Please email K.P. Edwards at KxEdwards@philasd.org.
Illustrative Math Focus Groups
Calling all Math teachers, ELS teachers, ESL Point Persons, SBTLs, SPECMS, and SBACs! The SDP Office of Research and Evaluation is seeking volunteers to participate in confidential hour-long focus groups designed to get input on Illustrative Math (feel free to come late or leave early, according to your schedule). New sessions added! Participants will be entered in a raffle to win one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards. Interested? Sign up here. Questions? Email Erin McCrossan at ecassar@philasd.org.
Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP) is now accepting applications for its Fall 2024 workshop program!
The Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP) invites teachers from around the School District of Philadelphia to participate in its Fall 2024 Workshop Program. Participants will earn $300 and 6 Act 48 credits for each 3-session workshop they complete. Applications are being accepted through June 21, 2024. Click HERE for instructions and a link to our online application form. Please email Ameer Blackmon at ameerb@upenn.edu with any questions.
Leading for Equity: Equity Facilitator Learning Series
Do you/your school want to learn how to sequence and facilitate equity-based, transformative learning? This learning is for you!
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Office of Professional Learning are excited to announce an opportunity to engage in ongoing, equity professional development for SY24-25. This series is geared towards equity teams or teams that work towards equity in your building. There will be 4 sessions during the school-based District-wide Professional Development days. See below for the list of dates/session titles:
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: September 27, 2024 (1.5 hours)
Equity Detours & Traps: December 13, 2024 (1.5 hours)
Creating Equitable Classrooms: January 3, 2025 (2 hours)
Leading Critical Conversations: May 9, 2025 (2 hours)
If you/your school is interested in participating in this learning, please fill out THIS Google Form by Friday, June 14, 2024. Please email Michelle Kim at mkim@philasd.org with any questions.
PD and Resources for New/Novice Teachers
Teach Right Now: Support for Emergency Certified Teachers
Teach Right Now is a new initiative from the Office of Professional Learning that is designed to support emergency certified teachers.
Check out the June Newsletter for end of year tips, summer PD opportunities, free test prep, and more.
For an overview of emergency permit requirements and compliance, review the FAQ document HERE.
Happy Summer!
Questions? Please email Sharae Graham at sgraham2@philasd.org.
Instructional Resources
Tech Tidbits: Lumio and Editable Google
You can now import editable Google Resources from your Google Drive into Lumio. This allows you to take content that you already have in your Drive, and enhance it using Lumio! Stepper and video links can be found HERE. Questions? Email the Office of Educational Technology at edtech@philasd.org.
Math Teacher Updates
This week, we are highlighting a newly added PD session. This is a paid, virtual PD happening on June 10th and 11th. Register on Cornerstone for only one of the sessions.
K-12 Math: Shifting from Gradual Release to Problem-Based Learning: Illustrative Math is grounded in problem-based learning, which can be a big shift from the I do-We do-You do that many of us are used to. In this session, we will look at how the two are different. We will compare and contrast video from classes using each approach, and we will think about strategies we can use in our problem-based classrooms. This is a great way to wrap up Year 1 of Illustrative Math and to get ready for Year 2!
Reminder: HERE is a list of all the upcoming math PDs (or search Cornerstone for “Math” to find them). We hope to see you in these sessions and ask that you share them with anyone who will be teaching/supporting math next year.
Questions? Email the Math Team (math@philasd.org).
Suggestions for Summer Reading
The list of suggestions for 2024 Summer Reading can be found HERE.
Questions? Please email the ELA team at ela@philasd.org.