New Bullying Prevention Lessons Available

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is offering lessons on bullying prevention and resilience to elementary school educators throughout the Commonwealth. 

While the vision of the agency is that each and every student becomes empowered and equipped to pursue a successful future, we want to make sure that every student in Kentucky also feels safe. The agency acknowledges that many students have endured trauma in many ways – including bullying – and wants to help teach students ways to get help and overcome the difficulties that have occurred and will occur in their lives. 

These exemplars serve as a first step in helping Kentucky educators address bullying and resilience at the elementary level. We hope to inspire you, your school and your district to continue these needed conversations so that all of our children feel safe.

As a reminder, the target grades for these lessons are grades 3-5.

In the resources section, one of our counselors suggests a tip line for bullying. If schools or districts create their own tip lines, please include a disclaimer that the tips are not monitored 24/7.  Also add the following:  If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call_____, or seek help immediately by _______. 

Elementary Bullying Prevention Video

Elementary Resilience Video

* Download the slide decks for both lessons. Resources for educators at the end.

National School Counseling Week

National School Counseling Week is taking place Feb. 4-8. View this letter from the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky School Counseling Association for valuable resources and tips on how to recognize your counselors.

KDE Organizational Chart Updated

The Kentucky Department of Education’s structural reorganization has been updated to reflect names of the KDE leadership team, principals, division directors, assistant directors and managers. The organizational chart is available here.

Title I Meetings for District Coordinators and Staff

KDE staff will host a series of meetings to provide updates and assist districts with Title I planning for the 2019-2020 school year. Topics will include information about school staffing requirements, supplement not supplant methodology, new KDE guidance on district set-asides and more. Morning sessions (9 a.m.-noon local time) and afternoon sessions (1-4 p.m. local time) will be offered. Please visit the registration link to register for the session of your choice.

The dates and locations of the meetings are:

• Tuesday, Feb. 12, West Kentucky Educational Cooperative Conference Center, 435 Outlet Ave., Eddyville
• Friday, Feb. 15, Kentucky Department of Education, 1st floor training room, 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort
• Monday, Feb. 18, Southeast South-Central Educational Cooperative, London Training Center, 55 Waco Drive, London
• Thursday, Feb. 21, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, 904 Rose Road, Ashland
• Monday, Feb. 25, Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services, 5516 E. Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring
• Wednesday, Feb. 27, Green River Regional Educational Cooperative, 230 Technology Way, Bowling Green

Please direct questions about the meetings or registration to Tara Rodriguez at (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.

Regional Kentucky Academic Standards Meetings Scheduled

In March, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will host regional meetings for school and district leaders to kick off a new professional learning series. The purpose of the meeting will be to assist districts with planning and the implementation of improved practice and strong instruction around newly revised standards.

The learning will be focused on understanding the revised Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading/Writing and Mathematics, orient participants to initial planning and team structures that need to be in place at the district and school level, and explore the digital platform designed for ongoing professional learning and support. Districts should send the leaders in their system that are most qualified to gather the information and bring it back to the larger team for dissemination and planning.

These sessions will be held in various locations across the state. Click on the date of the session to register for the session of your choice.

• March 7, Henderson – John James Audubon Park
• March 8, Paducah – Paducah Chamber of Commerce
• March 11, London – Southeast South-Central (SESC) London
• March 12, Hopkinsville – James E. Bruce Convention Center
• March 14, Russell Springs – Russell County Natatorium
• March 18, Ashland – KEDC Ashland Location
• March 19, Hindman – Hindman Settlement School
• March 20, Morehead – Morehead Conference Center
• March 21, Prestonsburg – Jenny Wiley State Park
• March 25, Bowling Green – Green River Regional Educational Cooperative
• March 26, Elizabethtown – Pritchard  Community Center
• March 27, Lexington – Central Kentucky Special Education Cooperative
• March 28, Covington – The Metropolitan Club
• March 29, Shelbyville ­– Ohio Valley Educational Co-Op

Small Rural Schools Award (SRSA) and Rural Low Income Program (RLIS) – ACTION REQUESTED BY FEB. 15

The U.S. Department of Education has posted the initial eligibility spreadsheet for the FY19 REAP grant on the REAP/SRSA website for your review. The spreadsheet contains initial eligibility for both SRSA and the RLIS grants. 

Please review your information for accuracy. If you have corrections or questions, please contact Vicki Fosbender at (502) 564-3791, ext. 4026, or at Vicki.Fosbender@education.ky.gov by Friday, Feb. 15. The application window for the SRSA grant is February 20-April 20.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Infinite Campus Training for System Administrators or Building Coaches

Infinite Campus is offering Mastering Campus I on Feb. 11-15, which is a 4.5 day course designed to provide a basic understanding of the Infinite Campus student information system. Content covers the application from student to staff, system administration and maintenance, and gives an overview of the system’s functionality. 

Register via Infinite Campus University by clicking inside Campus Community; from the Course Catalog, select 2019 Classroom Training – Regional Opportunities, Kentucky. The training will be held at KDE, 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort, and the cost is $750. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Rhoton, Infinite Campus senior client executive by email at or telephone at (502) 758-3680.

Free Professional Development for Principals and Assistant Principals

School administrators from across Kentucky are invited to attend Principal Partnership Project’s Spring Semester Learning Lab at Washington County on Feb. 13. Designed specifically to meet the observation training requirement of the Kentucky Framework for Evaluation,* the day will include authentic learning experiences that are planned to enhance observation skills while promoting reflective conversations.

A highlight of the day will be a focused classroom observation experience in a high school classroom and elementary classroom. There also will be many opportunities to network around timely topics that matter most to principals.

Registration is free and EILA credit will be provided. Please see this flyer for more information or use this Google form to register.

*This training meets the “TRAINING IN EFFECTIVE OBSERVATION AND CONFERENCING TECHNIQUES” requirement per 704 KAR 3:370.

3rd Annual KDE Leadership EdCamp: For Principals by Principals

The 3rd Annual Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Leadership EdCamp: For Principals by Principals will be held on Wednesday, March 27, at the Perkins Building on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).

The Principal Partnership Project at the KDE is proud to partner with EKU and KyGoDigital to offer this free professional learning opportunity to all school leaders. The event is intended to support and promote networking for principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, teacher leaders, future school leaders and faculty in the principal preparation programs at local universities. EILA credit will be provided. Registration is available on this Google document.

Outside KDE

NCFL seeking presentation proposals

The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is seeking presentation proposals reflecting best practices for engaging families in education for the 2019 Families Learning Conference, scheduled for Nov. 4-6 in Louisville.

This call for proposals closes 11:59 p.m. PT March 1. For more information, visit the NCFL website. We hope you’ll consider applying or sharing with your colleagues.

3rd Annual Educators Rising Kentucky Conference Coming Soon

The 3rd annual Educators Rising Kentucky Conference will be held March 5-6 at the Knicely Center in Bowling Green. During the two-day event, students across the state who are interested in education as a career will gather to network, learn together and participate in 20 competitions designed to showcase their skills in various aspects in teaching. There also will be breakout sessions with topics that are of interest to future educators, as well as teacher leaders.

Rural College Access and Success Summit 2019

The Rural College Access and Success Summit will be April 28-30 in Lexington. This opportunity brings together teachers, principals, superintendents, legislators, nonprofit leaders and many others to share ideas and strategies for ensuring that rural youth have the opportunity to successfully transition from high school to college and to career. The summit highlights best practices and the unique challenges of increasing opportunity in rural America. More information can be found on the summit webpage.

National Rural Education Association (NREA) to be Held in Louisville

The NREA will hold its annual convention and symposium Oct. 24-26 at the Marriott Louisville Downtown. The conference will address the issues that affect today’s rural educators, providing tools and resources targeted toward meeting rural schools’ needs. More information may be found at the NREA’s Convention and Research webpage.

Those receiving this at KSB and KSD, please make sure all employees receive it. Also, ATC principals are asked to forward it to their staffs.

Please send your questions, comments and suggestions on Monday Message to Jennifer Ginn by 10 a.m. Friday to be published in the upcoming week.