Building Communication

The office is the central hub of building communication and a focal point for building visitors. 

Please remember this and conduct yourselves in a professional manner at all times when in the office. 

Be wary of prying eyes and listening ears!

PRINCIPAL

  Every effort will be made to keep the lines of communication open between all groups of stakeholders at MLK I.T.: personnel, parents, students, and the community. The principal contract day begins at 7:30 a.m. and extends until 4:00 p.m.

 I have an open door policy—this means that if my door is open, you are welcome to enter and initiate dialogue. If my door is closed, however, please respect the dialogue that is occurring inside. You may wait to speak with me or check with the secretary for a more appropriate time. I am always accessible by email (bgifford@okcps.org) and my cell phone number (405-219-9590). 

  The health, well-being, and education of each student at our school is the responsibility of each one of us, however, the principal carries the ultimate burden of this responsibility. With this in mind, communication with me about important details regarding your students or concerns you have about them is imperative. The time it takes to discuss a student and to work together to resolve an issue regarding that student’s performance, general well-being, discipline, or any other concern is time well spent! Discussing an issue BEFORE it becomes a problem is the most desirable and expected approach. Discussing a student issue with a colleague in private is the best means that we have available to achieve a positive solution—please leave dining room conversation to dining room topics.  Consideration of this type of communication is expected of all personnel at MLK, legally and morally.

WEEKLY PAW PRINTS

  I will make every effort to distribute an electronic newsletter (MLK Paw Prints) each Sunday evening that will preview activities for the upcoming week. Teachers should keep the newsletter to reference during the week.  The Paw Print will also be linked on the NEW! Teacher Dashboard as well as in the Daily Report that is emailed each morning.  Everyone is asked to review the weekly Paw Prints by 8:00 am each Monday (or the first day of school) to be aware of weekly events.   Staff are welcome to contribute to our weekly Paw Prints.  Submit your information to Mr. Gifford by Friday to make it in for Sunday's release.

STAFF MEETINGS

  Tuesday is our designated day for staff meetings.  Staff meetings will be held in the library, unless noted, starting at 3:30 PM.  Per CBA, we will have two monthly 30-minute staff meetings and one hour-long meeting (PD) per month.  Staff should plan to attend all meetings unless designated differently from administration.  We will do our best to be as timely in communicating any changes to staff as soon as possible.  All meeting dates are linked in the Professional Development Plan 25-26 

STAFF MAILBOXES

  Each staff member is expected to collect information from their mailbox each day (it is a good idea to check at the beginning of the day and again at the end of the day).  Do not send students to check mailboxes. 

STAFF EMAIL/INTERNET

  I will utilize email to communicate with staff; I will also target e-mails to individuals or teams as necessary, so please make time to check email at least one time throughout the school day. Failure to do so may result in you missing valuable information and opportunities for your students.  If you do not have a school email, please let me know and I will make every effort to get one created for you and provide you with necessary training. Please note that anything sent over District e-mail may be subpoenaed by an Open Records Request at any time. As such, emails should be kept strictly professional and devoid of any confidential information.

  Students must have a signed Internet Agreement on file before they can access the Internet—make sure to follow this guideline. Also, as our building has YouTube access, please make sure that any/all videos shown to students have been FULLY previewed beforehand. Staff must abide by the Acceptable Use Agreement at ALL times. Failure to abide by these can result in suspension of computing privileges and disciplinary action up to, but not limited to, termination. 

STAFF GROUP-ME

  MLK staff are encouraged to be a member of our GroupMe. Please let someone on the administrative team know if you wish to be added. Be sure to use this format in a professional manner & limit posting after late evening hours.  7-7 is MLK time of appropriate use.   GroupME is not a sounding board or place to air complaints.  Keep it professional!  Do not discuss students/parents/staff - it's a communication tool for staff.  

STUDENTS/PARENTS

  Information that needs to be sent home will be placed in teacher mailboxes early in the day (or in extreme cases, delivered to your classroom). It is the responsibility of the teacher to obtain this information and distribute it promptly or on the designated day. Please help us in being consistent with our homeward communication. All communication sent home to parents/guardians, except day-to-day homework and classroom notes, MUST have the approval of the principal. It is expected that teachers will make documented contact when a child’s grade falls below passing level for any subject area.  Additionally, it is the teacher’s responsibility to notify parents/guardians of discipline situations on the day that an event occurs. Two positive phone calls per week should be made to parents to build community. 

MAIL

  In-district mail is delivered to and picked up from the building daily. Mail sent in-district is to be addressed on a reusable envelope with a return of your name and school. US Mail (USPS) is picked up daily from the counter of the office.

TELEPHONE

  The school telephones are business phones. Staff members have access to phones in each classroom. When answering the phone, always identify the school and give your name. Callers requesting to speak with staff during instructional/supervisory time will be given the opportunity to leave a message which will be placed in your box. Cell phones should not be used during instructional or supervisory times by staff or students. 

  Students needing to use the phone will need permission from their teacher and will use the phone provided in the teacher’s room. Calls regarding illness need to be made in the office so that they may be logged by the nurse/office. 

INTERCOM

  Morning announcements will begin each day at 8:20 a.m. Additional announcements will be made at 2:50 p.m. (if necessary). All other intercom interruptions will be kept to a minimum as priority is given to instructional time. If you feel there 

is a problem in this area, please discuss it with the principal.

  The intercom button located in each classroom connects directly to the office. When you activate the button, please press once and hold for 2-3 seconds, then release. When you press the button, a buzzer will sound and a light glows in the office; it will continue to light and buzz until it is answered.