Colleagues,
As a district, we strive to balance teacher autonomy and professionalism with regards to selecting texts ranging from literature to music that supports the district’s standards and curricular goals. Making informed text selections, like the rest of teaching, requires a combination of intuition and consideration, as well as input and conversation with teachers. As we continue to strive to provide the best possible experiences for our students, please use the following documents listed in the Curriculum and Assessment portion of the AIM for Excellence: Olathe Public Schools Guidelines for Additional Classroom Materials Selection. These documents bring together BOE Policies surrounding classroom material selection for all educators to reference. We hope this serves as a support in the work you are doing. If you have questions, please reach out to your content coordinator or another Learning Services member.
Everyone Reads
November 17, 2021
Learning Services exists to Prepare Students for Their Future by empowering students, teachers, and school communities.
Learning Services is broken into six departments to serve the Olathe Public Schools.
Below you will find updates from each department and their team.
BSEL Department Updates
Director - Angie Salava
Here's what you need to know:
Starting a Conversation with Somebody About their Mental Health
This short resource from Mental Health America provides scripts for talking with somebody when you are concerned about their mental health.
Rethinking Behavior
Click here for a free copy of Rethinking Behavior – an online magazine for educators supporting students with emotional and behavior needs. Previous issues are also freely available on this website.
Blended Learning Department Updates
Director - Thomas (TJ) Ulmer
Here's what you need to know:
Instructional Technology Support
OPS staff can request training on how to use technology while teaching and learning in meaningful and engaging ways.
Click HERE to access the training request form.
Staff, Students and Families can visit the district’s page of Instructional Technology for resources to support teaching and learning with technology.
Click HERE to visit the Instructional Technology page.
Curriculum & Assessment Depart. Updates
Director - Richard Wilson
Assessment - Here's what you need to know:
Assessment Windows Opening Soon
Amira (Elementary Only) is Dec. 1 – Dec. 17
MAP* (all Levels) is Dec. 6 – Dec. 17 and Jan. 10 – Jan. 21
Panorama is Jan. 10 – Jan. 28
*if possible, elementary schools should not MAP test at the same time they are Amira testing.
Curriculum - Here's what you need to know:
OPS Guidelines for Additional Classroom Materials Selection 2021-22, please click HERE
Professional Development Updates
Assistant Director of Professional Development - Jenna Kuder
Here's what you need to know:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Next Steps
We are actively planning our January 5th District Professional Learning session focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Educator feedback is the foundation for our planning and the biggest piece of feedback we have received is how to navigate challenging conversations. This will be the focus for our morning sessions on January 5th.
We also want to insert student voice into our professional learning on this topic. Do you have a question you would like to pose to a student panel? Submit your question on this form. We will feature student responses in future editions of the AIM for Excellence newsletter.
On-Demand PD
Did you know you can find information about how to engage with on-demand professional learning on the Professional Learning Channel of the Learning Services Website? Click here to access the site. Learn about the BIG3 Tuesdays, BITES About the BIG3, the EPIC Learning Series, and the Individual Action Plan Process.
Special Services Department Updates
Executive Director - Anjanette Tolman
Here's what you need to know:
What is the December 1st Count?
The December 1st count is a state and federal collection of district information counting all students in the District receiving special education and related services.
Why is this data collected?
KSDE uses this data to check compliancy on the State Performance Plan for timely and accurate data as well as disproportionate representation of student groups in district data.
What do YOU need to do?
For each student you case manage, check to determine if the correct primary disability is listed at the top of the SpEd Docs Tab in Synergy SE.
By November 29th, please finalize, scan and attach all IEPs or Reevaluations (past or upcoming) due through December 1st.
Per KSDE, IEP extensions are no longer permitted.
Contact your Special Services Coordinator immediately if you have any
questions or need assistance in meeting the November 29th deadline.
Counting a student who has been dismissed from services or not counting a student who is receiving services makes the district non-compliant in the Timely and Accurate Data audit and results in a financial penalty to the district.