Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools (E/L361)

In light of the recent tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut and Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb's announcement of forming the Oklahoma Commission on School Security, the State Department of Education is providing this emergency planning resource for schools. District Superintendents should review this to determine if it is helpful for their districts.

This course is tailored to the unique planning and exercise needs of school systems. It integrates Department of Homeland Security (DHS) doctrine into an easy-to-follow planning process. The course follows the steps outlined in DHS’s Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101), and provides participants with the information to ensure alignment with recent doctrines such as the National Incident Management System (NIMS). By systematically analyzing threats/hazards, teams are able to identify and document needed enhancements to their plans for preventing and mitigating incidents while also preparing for, responding to, and recovering from incidents. In addition, each team prepares and participates in a tabletop exercise using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidelines and tools. At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Refine their district and school EOP. Throughout the course, teams will have an opportunity to review their existing EOP and, using a sample EOP and other resources, determine areas for improvement.
• Conduct an EOP exercise. Teams will have several opportunities to create and conduct drills and tabletops designed to exercise the procedures in their plans.
• Develop an action plan for sustaining their EOP. Throughout the course, the teams will record action items they plan to take when they return to their school districts after this course, including communicating their EOPs with critical stakeholders.
• Build partnerships and develop positive working relationships among disaster response and recovery organizations.

Selection Criteria: Only school district, county, and State teams should apply. Submit applications as a “package” using the format below as a cover sheet. Place person’s name next to position being filled. DO NOT DUPLICATE POSITIONS.

First Responders:

• 1 person—School Resource Officer (SRO) or Law Enforcement
• 1 person—Fire
• 1 person—Emergency Management or Public Health

 School District/School Officials:

• Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent or Risk Manager
• Public Information Officer • Elected Official or School Board Member
• School Security Official or School Safety Coordinator or School Safety Team Member
• Principal or Assistant Principal • Facility Manager or Building Engineer
• Transportation Coordinator
• Food Service Coordinator
• School Nurse or School Counselor or Psychologist

For more information click here.

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Two important updates to ACE from the last Board Meeting

• In order to use the PLAN score as an alternate EOI, it must be administered during the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education testing window to ensure testing validity. If you already administered the assessment after the testing window this year, then you can use the scores up until the Board ruled otherwise (12/20/12).
• The Algebra II End of Course Project can count for an alternate for Algebra I, and the English III End of Course Project can count for an alternate for English II. 

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TLE Update

In order to clarify which administrative staff members or “leaders” must be evaluated using the approved TLE evaluation frameworks – Marzano, McREL, or Reeves - please refer to state law 70 O.S. § 6-101.16 which states, “For purposes of this section, “leader” means a principal, assistant principal or any other school administrator who is responsible for supervising classroom teachers.”

Also, in regard to the evaluation of teachers, please refer to the definition of “teacher” as outlined in state law 70 O.S. § 6-101.3.  “‘Teacher’ means a duly certified or licensed person who is employed to serve as a counselor, librarian or school nurse or in any instructional capacity.  An administrator shall be considered a teacher only with regard to service in an instructional, non-administrative capacity.”

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Recommendations Sought For Teacher/Leader Talent Pool

Take an opportunity to recommend teachers and/or principals who have demonstrated exceptional education talent, exemplary educational accomplishments, and who are engaging and inspiring. The State Department of Education and other agencies will consider using the input of these educators in our various policy working groups. These educators also may be eligible for future awards. The attached Talent Pool Recommendation Form will need to be completed and returned to the OSDE by Friday, May 31, 2013. Detailed information on where to submit the recommendation is located on page 4 of the attached form.

 

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Academic Scholar Recognition Program

A letter was sent via email January 8, 2013, with information regarding the submission of names for seniors that qualify for Academic Scholar Recognition. This email was sent from the Oklahoma State Department of Education via the Gifted and Talented Listserv and the School Counselor Listserv. All qualifying names should be uploaded to the Academic Scholar Report that is located on the School District Reporting Site by March 1, 2013.  Questions regarding this information should be directed to Sara Smith at (405) 522-8191.

Graduating seniors must meet all of the following criteria to qualify for this honor:

• Accumulate over Grades 9, 10, 11 and the first semester of Grade 12, a minimum grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, or be in the top 10 percent of their class.
• Complete (or will complete) the curricular requirements for a standard diploma.
• Achieve a 27 composite score on the ACT or 1220 combined reading and mathematics score on the SAT I. The ACT or SAT I must have been taken on a national test date.

Click here to sign up for the Gifted Listserv  

Click here to sign up for the School Counselor Listserv

 

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Principal's Academy Flyer Attached

Please see the attached flyer for more information on the Principal's Academy, which is funded by the Center for College & Career Readiness.