Thursday, September 17 2026
Action Items
| Schools/Departments | Description |
| All Administrators | |
| Principals and Building Administrators | |
| Middle and High School Principals | |
| Middle School Principals | |
| Elementary School Principals | |
| Elementary and Middle School Principals (Title I Buildings) |
Informational Items
| Schools/Departments | Description |
| All Administrators | |
| Principals and Building Administrators | |
| High School Principals |
Action Items
All Administrators
Audit 26-27 Staffing Rosters in Budget Folders
Contact Person: Lisa Walker
Human Resources has placed a 2026–27 Staffing Roster spreadsheet, pulled from BusinessPLUS, in each school and department budget folder.
Action Required: Building and Department Managers should review their roster and make any corrections needed to ensure staffing and pay assignments are accurate.
Please be sure to:
- Add any staff members missing from your roster.
- Identify any staff members who no longer work at your location.
- Correct any inaccurate staffing or pay assignment information.
Building Roster Due Date: Monday, 9/21/26
Department Roster Due Date: Monday, 9/28/26
Principals and Building Administrators
Reminders - All Principals Prepare for and Submit Title I Action Plan by 9/29/26
Contact Person:Lisa Walker
Between 9/4/26 & 9/25/26
- Write a Desired State and add a minimum of 3 Action Steps with appropriate 26-27 due dates for EACH Indicator of Practices
- Desired State, Action Steps Written Instructions
- How to Progress Monitor or Adjust Timelines for Action Steps in KansaSTAR video
- Check out KS500 Apple School (Demo) for examples of Desired States and Actions Steps
- indistar
- User ID & Password: LTSKCK500
On or Before 9/29/26
- Each Principal will need to Submit Title I Action Plan in KansaSTAR to Lisa for review, feedback, and/or approval
Learning Summit Registration Deadline is 9/23
Contact Person: Tiffany Judkins
Principals, please set aside 5 minutes at the end of Building PD on Wednesday, September 23, to allow staff to register for a Learning Summit session if they haven’t already. All EC-12 instructional staff register for one session using the Frontline links in the catalog.
The deadline to register is September 23. It may be helpful to show staff the brief video linked below, which addresses frequently asked questions and demonstrates how to register.
- Video: Registering for the Learning Summit (1:50 minutes)
- Slides for reference: Registering for the Learning Summit
Enrollment status by building can be viewed in the Learning Summit Participant Registration Update
Count Day is Monday, September 21st
Contact Person: Jonathan Wilson
Your building’s funding is determined based on the number of students who are enrolled, fully scheduled, and attending on Count Day. DERA will send principals a preliminary snapshot of your ENRL data early next week when the submission window opens. Please plan to review this data and direct relevant staff (e.g., registrar, counselor, SPED coordinator) to set aside time to fix any data quality issues to ensure highest possible funding for your building.
If you were not present at the Counting Kids workshop last week, relevant content from the training can be found here. Additional instructions and information will also be provided in the snapshot email sent by Jonathan Wilson.
Middle and High School Principals
Enough Is Enough Sponsor Confirmation Reminder
Contact Person: Carrie Carpenter
As 2026–2027 Enough Is Enough Student Advisory Council meetings get ready to begin, there are still a few buildings that need to review and confirm their sponsor(s) for this year.
If your building has not yet reviewed and confirmed your sponsor(s), please do so by Friday, September 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Once confirmed, please make sure to change your building’s status from “In Review” to “Reviewed & Confirmed” on the Sponsor List.
The information and links previously shared in the Admin Desk can be found here.
Middle School Principals
Middle School Staff: Help Shape Our New 6th Grade Course
Contact Person: Tracie Chauvin
We are forming a 6th Grade Executive Functioning Curriculum Review Committee to help identify and review resources for a new course focused on helping students develop the skills they need to thrive in middle school.
We are looking for teachers and staff with diverse perspectives who are curious, collaborative, and willing to engage in the curriculum review process.
Middle school principals: Please share this opportunity with your staff and encourage interested staff members to complete the application by September 30th, 2026 at 6:00pm. Thank you for your support in helping shape this new learning experience for our students.
Amplify ELA On-Site Visits: Celebrating & Strengthening Year 1 Implementation
Contact Person: Kendra Holliday
Our Amplify partners will be visiting all middle schools to celebrate implementation progress, gather feedback, and continue strengthening our lesson internalization process.
During each visit, we’ve intentionally prioritized:
- PLC time with teachers to engage in lesson internalization alongside Amplify experts and address top-of-mind questions.
- Classroom visits to see Amplify ELA implementation in action.
- Leadership debriefs to celebrate progress and identify possible next steps for continued support.
These visits are first and foremost an opportunity to celebrate how far our teachers and students have come in just two short months of implementation!
To prepare for your visit:
- Review the draft schedule, including your building’s date, times, and planned schedule. Please send any updates or requested changes to Dr. Holliday.
- Share the purpose of the visit with teachers and encourage them to come prepared with any Amplify-specific questions they’d like to explore with our partners.
We’re excited to celebrate, learn alongside our teachers, and partner with Amplify as we continue strengthening Year 1 implementation!
Action Needed: Review the draft schedule to confirm times. Send updates to Dr. Holliday. Share information with teachers.
Elementary School Principals
Reading Intervention Data Spreadsheet Now Available
Contact Person:Alli Rice
The elementary reading intervention cycle data spreadsheet is now up and running and ready for use.
- Grades 1–5: Please enter baseline diagnostic data by Friday, September 18*
- Kindergarten: Baseline diagnostic data will be due Friday, October 16.
*We realize there is a small percentage of first-fifth grade students who are still completing FastBridge testing due to the testing window extension. Please only enter diagnostic baseline data for grade levels once FastBridge and diagnostic testing are completed.
Elementary and Middle School Principals (Title I Buildings)
Upcoming Title I DISTRICT Meeting: Annually Required District Title I Advisory Meetings - 9/29, 9/30, 10/2
Contact Person: Lisa Walker
The annually required District Title I Advisory Meetings will be held virtually during the first week of October via Google Meets.
Below are the dates/times for the smaller cohort sessions. Google Meets links will be included in your calendar invitations, and are also included below.
- Tuesday, 9/29/26, 4:30 - 5:30pm: click for the meet link Eisenhower MS, Rosedale MS, and all Elementary Schools including and falling in alphabetical order between New Stanley and Whittier.
- Wednesday, 9/30/26, 4:30 - 5:30pm: click for the meet link Argentine MS, Arrowhead MS, Central MS, and all Elementary Schools including and falling in alphabetical order between Banneker and Grant
- Thursday, 10/1/26, 4:30 - 5:30pm: click for the meet link Gloria Willis MS, Carl B. Bruce MS, and all Elementary Schools including and falling in alphabetical order between Hazel Grove and New Chelsea.
Calendar invitations will be sent to all principals the week of 9/14/26. Please forward the calendar initiations on to your 1 certified staff and 1 parent representative who need to attend with you, per stakeholder engagement guidelines..
Please email or call Lisa Walker if there are any questions.
Submit NEW Supplemental Information form in KansaSTAR
Contact Person: Lisa Walker
New this year: KSDE requires an additional KansaSTAR form documenting transition activities for students moving from EC to Kindergarten, 5th to 6th grade, and 8th to 9th grade.
District-wide transition activities have already been entered for you. You may submit the form as is or add site-specific activities, such as spring visits for incoming students or student representatives visiting with incoming students.
Action Required: Principals should review and submit the Supplemental Information form in KansaSTAR on or BEFORE Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
VIDEO: How to submit your Supplemental Transitional Activity form in KansaSTAR - due each fall beginning 26-27SY.
Information Items
All Administrators
Special Education Round Table Surveys
Contact Person: Katina Brenn
Administrators, please share with your special equation staff.
KCKPS and NEA-KCK has been convening a Special Education Roundtable to address challenges and concerns in special education, improve efficiencies within the department, and strengthen the recruitment and retention of our talented teachers and staff.
As we begin planning for this year's work, we are seeking interested members to serve on the Roundtable and topics of concern. This committee provides an opportunity for educators and support professionals to share their experiences, identify areas of need, collaborate on solutions, and help shape the priorities that guide our advocacy efforts throughout the year.
If you are passionate about improving special education services and supporting your colleagues, we encourage you to submit your interest in serving.
To ensure the Roundtable reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences of special education professionals across the district, submissions will be reviewed and selection of members will be based on representing a variety of roles, grade levels, and school assignments.
26-27 KCK SPED Round Table Topic Survey
*This survey will close on September 25, 2026*
Principals and Building Administrators
My Success Class formerly known as PACT
Contact Person: La'Derrick Collins
My Success Class (formerly known as PACT) is a drug and alcohol program that offers prevention education to students who are students with first-time incidents of possession and/or use of alcohol or other drugs. This program serves as a behavioral response in lieu of suspension and as an educational opportunity for students and their families.
The class is offered in sessions conducted in English and Spanish on Monday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Gloria Willis Middle School, 1735 N. 64th Terrace, Kansas City, KS 66102. A light dinner will be served.
Before referring a student to the class, please make sure you have completed and parents have SIGNED the My Success Class contract. Both the student and guardian must attend.
Below are all available sessions for the FIRST semester of the 26-27 school year.
- September 14, 2026
- September 21, 2026
- September 28, 2026
- October 5, 2026
- October 12, 2026
- October 19, 2026
- October 26, 2026
- November 2, 2026
- November 9, 2026
- November 16, 2026
- November 30, 2026
- December 7, 2026
- December 14, 2026
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Heidi Louis or Mr. La’Derrick Collins.
Implementation Instructional Coaching Action Research
Contact Person: Suzie Legg and Jenny Kramer
As the district right-sizes staffing and operates with fewer instructional coaching positions, D+ is launching an early implementation action research process to learn how coaching capacity can be organized and deployed most effectively and equitably across schools.
This work builds on feedback from building leaders, including the need to:
- Allocate coaching based on instructional need rather than equal distribution.
- Protect coaches' time for high-impact instructional work.
- Use multiple data sources to determine and adjust support.
- Maintain building presence and strong teacher relationships when coaches support multiple schools.
- Clarify roles and expectations for coaches and administrators.
IICs have already volunteered to participate in the early implementation process. If your building’s IIC volunteered, you received an email yesterday with additional information and an invitation to the October 1 information meeting.
Calibration/launch meetings are scheduled for October 1 and 8, with the first implementation cycle projected to begin October 12. The action research will run through the first semester.
This is a learning process, not a predetermined model. Feedback and data from the early implementation will inform the continued evolution of instructional coaching in KCKPS.
Linked here is the overview of the plan.
District Benchmark Parent FAQs now available
Contact Person:Dr. Angela Grant
The DERA website has recently added a section to its website with answers to anticipated parent questions. Please feel free to use this resource and let us know if you are encountering other additional questions that we should add to the site.
High School Principals
Kansas Seal of Biliteracy: 2026–27 Updates
Contact Person: Delia Perez-Solorzano
The Kansas Seal of Biliteracy guidance has been updated for 2026–27 to clarify the process, building roles, and testing opportunities. The Seal recognizes graduating students who demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more additional languages.
Happening now: The fall Seal of Biliteracy application is now open (as of 9/15/2026) in Infinite Campus for seniors only. The fall application window runs through October 30, with testing scheduled for November. Building Testing Coordinators have received information and resources to support implementation.
What’s updated for 2026–27:
Two annual opportunities: The fall application and testing window is for seniors only. The spring application and testing window is for juniors and seniors. Specific application and testing dates are maintained on the District Assessment Calendar.
Building coordination: The Building Testing Coordinator leads building implementation, working with counselors, World Language/Heritage Language teachers, administrators, and other designated staff.
Student-driven application: Students learn about the opportunity and apply through Infinite Campus (student-facing instructions found here). Buildings do not need to pre-screen students to determine who should apply. Staff should share the opportunity and encourage interested students to apply.
Administrator support: Help ensure your Building Testing Coordinator and building team are connected and that students have access to Seal information and testing opportunities. Administrators may also support scheduling and space needs during testing windows and building recognition of Seal recipients.
Marketing materials: As we prepare for this year’s rollout, we ask that last year’s Seal of Biliteracy posters be removed and sent to Delia at Central Office. Updated marketing materials will be shared with buildings this week.
Resources:
[Seal of Biliteracy Guidance]
[District Assessment Calendar]