Thursday, September 3 2026
Action Items
| Schools/Departments | Description |
|---|---|
| All Administrators | |
| Principals and Building Administrators | |
| Middle and High School Principals | |
| Elementary School Principals |
Informational Items
| Schools/Departments | Description |
|---|---|
| All Administrators |
Action Items
All Administrators
Interview Questions Request: Supporting District Recruitment Efforts
Contact Person:Dr. Marica Rhone
The Human Resources Department is working to strengthen and standardize our recruitment and interview practices across the district. As part of this effort, we are asking principals, department leaders, and other hiring managers to share the interview questions they currently use when interviewing candidates.
While Human Resources maintains sample interview questions that are available upon request, we recognize that hiring managers often develop questions that reflect the specific needs of their schools, departments, and positions. The questions will help HR refine screening interview questions for use at recruitment events and career fairs. These screening questions will allow the recruitment team to conduct more meaningful initial conversations with prospective candidates and better identify individuals whose experience, skills, and qualifications align with district needs.
Action Requested: Please add the interview questions you currently use to this Google Drive folder. Questions for both certified and classified positions are welcome. When possible, please identify the position or position type associated with the questions.
Thank you for partnering with Human Resources as we continue to strengthen our recruitment practices and build a strong pipeline of candidates for our schools and departments.
Resilience Coach Selection Reminder
Contact Person:Carrie Carpenter
We are working to finalize our 2026–2027 Resilience Coach list and are still missing selections from a few buildings.
If your building has not yet submitted a Resilience Coach, please complete your selection as soon as possible.
You can access the submission form and all additional information previously shared in the Admin Desk.
Thank you for helping us get our Resilience Coach team in place for another great year!
September Student of the Month
Contact Person: Dr. Sarah Lucero
As we kick off the new school year, let's take this opportunity to celebrate our students' exemplary academics, attendance, athletics, community service, citizenship, and outstanding behavior through the Student of the Month recognition program. The September nomination window is currently open until September 7th.
The goal is to nominate at least one student from each school. All students, staff, and administrators are welcome to submit nominations. If your student is selected, the nominator will be invited to attend the board meeting and participate in the recognition.
Learning Summit Catalog is LIVE!
Contact Person: Tiffany Judkins
Please share the following information with all staff:
“The KCKPS Learning Summit is a 3-part, choice-based professional learning series designed to be job-embedded, sustained, and focused on student impact. All EC-12 instructional staff will commit to one topic and attend that session on each of the three inservice dates: October 9, December 18, and March 12.
This year’s preview catalog features 75+ sessions submitted by KCKPS educators and community partners, showcasing best practices and offering personalized options for a variety of roles and interests:
KCKPS Learning Summit Catalog 2026-27
(Note: You must be logged in to your KCKPS Google account to access the catalog.)
Registration links will be added on September 16, with a registration deadline of September 23. In the meantime, the preview catalog gives participants time to explore, reflect, and select the session that best supports their professional goals.”
Department PD: September 9 and September 16, 2026
Contact Person: Lindsey Schneider
All Administrators,
We have made some changes to how Department PD is organized this year to provide greater flexibility in meeting the needs of different departments and staff groups. While this flexibility is beneficial, it also means that not everyone will attend PD in the same location or with the same group on Department PD days.
To help staff and administrators navigate these changes, please use the 2026-27 KCKPS Department PD - Links and Locations document.
How to Use the Document
- Start with the front page. Find the employee’s department or content area and follow that row across to the appropriate date. This provides an at-a-glance view of which PD the employee should attend.
- Then go to the department/content-area tab. These tabs provide additional information, including specific locations and Frontline registration links.
- Please do not assume that all staff in a building will attend PD together. Depending on their department, content area, assignment, or new/returning teacher status, employees may have different PD expectations.
Wednesday, September 9
For September 9, staff should use the September 9 column on the front page to determine which PD applies to them. Some staff will attend their Department’s PD, while others may participate in Building PD or another designated PD based on their assignment.
Please help ensure that staff in your building review the document and know where they are expected to be before September 9.
Wednesday, September 16
September 16 has several different PD assignments, so it is especially important that staff check the document.
For many departments:
- Returning teachers will participate in SIOP Component Enrichment 1 – Part 1 in their building.
- New teachers will participate in SIOP training at the Central Office.
- Some departments and staff groups have different PD assignments and should follow the information listed for their department/content area on the front page.
Everyone should confirm their individual PD assignment using the 2026-27 KCKPS Department PD - Links and Locations document.
Administrator Action
Please make sure staff in your building know how to use this document and have reviewed their PD assignment for September 9 and September 16. Our goal is for every employee to know which PD they are attending, where it is being held, and whether they need to register in Frontline before each Department PD day.
Thank you for your support as we implement this more flexible Department PD structure.
Registration Deadline Approaching for Counting Kids Workshop
Contact Person:Jonathan Wilson
Register by Friday for next week’s Counting Kids workshop! To register, log in to the KSDE Training Portal and select KIDS: Counting KIDS from the K12 Staff drop-down menu and then KIDS: Counting Kids to sign up. If you are new or have not signed into theTraining Portal before, you will need to request a new account.
The KSDE Fiscal Auditing team will be visiting KCKPS to present the workshop on September 10th from 1pm to 4:30pm in CO 131-132.
Workshop participants will learn about the information needed to enter for funding purposes and receive important updates prior to student Count Day on Monday, September 21st. KSDE Information Technology staff will also share information at the workshops regarding the Kansas Education Data System (KEDS).
Who should attend?
Counting Kids workshops are important for anyone who is responsible for submitting Count Day data or participating in the audit process. This includes our Student Information System team and the leadership teams for Buildings, Alternative Learning, Diploma+, Family And Community Engagement, Multilingual Education Services, Nutritional Services, and Transportation.
Principals and Building Administrators
Reminder: Schedule Your School’s Family and Community Curriculum Nights
Contact Person:Suzie Legg
If your school has not yet added your Curriculum Night dates, please take a moment to schedule and record them on this calendar. Each school will continue to host two academic-focused Curriculum Nights this year to engage families, share student data, and empower caregivers to support learning at home.
- First Curriculum Night: September 14–December 4, 2026
- Second Curriculum Night: January 11–April 9, 2027
For additional guidance and planning support, please review the Curriculum Nights Planning Document.
Thank you for prioritizing these opportunities to strengthen two-way communication and build collaborative partnerships with families and our community.
Middle and High School Principals
2026–2027 Enough Is Enough Sponsors
Contact Person:Carrie Carpenter
Now that the 2026–2027 school year is underway, Enough Is Enough Student Advisory Councils will soon begin meeting and planning their work for the year. One of the first steps is confirming each building’s sponsor(s) for 2026–2027.
Enough Is Enough is a student-led prevention initiative that empowers students to identify needs within their school community and develop meaningful awareness campaigns and prevention projects. Each middle and high school has a Student Advisory Council (SAC) of 10 or more students, supported by up to two staff sponsors.
Sponsors guide student members, facilitate meetings, and support students in developing and carrying out their work. Sponsors are eligible for up to $2,000 in extra-duty pay annually based on submitted timesheets.
If a staff member is interested in becoming a sponsor or would like more information, please have them review the Sponsor Information document for details about sponsor responsibilities, expectations, and compensation.
Action Needed
The Sponsor List 2026–2027 includes staff members who indicated at the end of last school year that they planned to return as sponsors this year.
By Wednesday, September 9 at 5:00 p.m., please:
- Confirm with your listed sponsor(s) that they are continuing this year.
- Update the Sponsor List with any needed changes or additions.
- Change your building’s status from “In Review” to “Reviewed & Confirmed.”
Thank you for helping us get this year’s Enough Is Enough Student Advisory Councils off to a strong start!
Elementary School Principals
LETRS Training - Important Information
Contact Person: Lindsey Schneider
Elementary Principals,
ACTION Item: Approve the Professional Leave Request Form in Frontline for your staff in LETRS Cohort #4 and Cohort #5 by 9/18/26.
Participant Groups: Staff have been divided into Group A or Group B
Participant Instructions: Each participant has been emailed their group assignment and directions. They must complete the Professional Leave Request Form in Frontline by following these instructions:
- Cohort #4: Professional Leave Request Form - Directions
- Cohort #5: Professional Leave Request Form - Directions
The sooner they submit their Professional Leave Request form, the sooner you will be able to approve their request and a sub will be assigned to fill their absence. Important Note: After the Building Principal approves the Professional Leave Request Form in Frontline, it will automatically generate both an absence and a substitute request for the teacher. Teachers should not also create an absence in Absence Management.
KSDE Seal of Literacy Requirement
- Participants must pass the LETRS Units 1–4 and Units 5–8 post-tests with a score of 80% or higher in order for the training to count toward the KSDE Seal of Literacy.
- Science of Reading Licensure Requirements
LETRS for New Staff - Cohort #6
KCKPS is planning to start LETRS Cohort #6 for new elementary teachers. We anticipate the LETRS coursework will start in January 2027 and go through December 2028. More information and a registration link will be coming soon.
Thank you for supporting this critical training to ensure the success of our educators and students.
Information Items
All Administrators
Hiring Reminder: Paraprofessional and Instructional Aide Requirements
Contact Person: Dr. Marica Rhone
Principals and Department Leaders,
This is a reminder of the minimum qualification requirements for all paraprofessional and instructional aide candidates.
Before an offer can be extended, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:
- Pass the WorkKeys assessment or an approved equivalent;
- Complete at least 48 college credit hours; or
- Hold an associate degree or higher.
Once you refer a candidate for hire, if the candidate does not have at least 48 college credit hours or an associate degree, the Recruitment and Onboarding teams will contact the candidate to schedule the WorkKeys assessment. WorkKeys testing is offered every Thursday.
Please note that candidates cannot begin employment or attend New Hire Orientation until they have met the required qualifications for the position.
Thank you for your attention to these requirements and for your continued partnership and support.
Policy DFAA- Grants and other Outside Financial Resources
Contact Person:Dawn Downing
The board encourages the superintendent to secure federal, state and private grants, or other alternative funding sources for use in curriculum development, staff development, instructional or activity programs and other areas as directed by the board.
The chief financial officer or Superintendent’s designee shall approve all grant applications before their submission.
Policy Origin: Approved: KASB Recommendation - 6/04; 4/07
Adoption Date– September 10, 2013
Last Reviewed-August 25, 2026; August 29, 2013
Revised- August 25, 2026
Attendance Awareness Month: We’re BETTER When You’re HERE!
Contact Person:Naomi Tolentino
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we are continuing to celebrate “We’re BETTER When You’re HERE!”
Creating welcoming spaces where students feel seen, connected, and that they belong is an important part of encouraging students to come to school every day. As we also prepare for the September 20 student count, we are celebrating student attendance and encouraging our students to show up and be here!
Principals, please review and share the Attendance Awareness Month activities and resources with your teams, including Welcoming Week, September 14 through 18, classroom attendance celebrations, Spirit Week, the Staff Welcomer Challenge, and resources to support welcoming school environments.
Check out all the activities, resources, and ways your school can participate here!