Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools will hold two virtual Parents as Partners Workshops in January to address many of the questions parents have had about remote learning.
The administration is aware of the myriad of challenges students have faced in the remote learning environment and is doing as much as possible to provide resources to increase student achievement, according to a school district spokesman.
Beginning Thursday, Jan. 21, the district will host the first of two virtual workshops from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The district will conduct the second workshop in Spanish on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Each workshop will consist of seven breakout sessions and parents will have a choice to attend at least two sessions during a one-hour period. The seven breakout sessions are 30 minutes and will cover:
Breakout 1: Special Education:
• Empowering Parents: Continuous Learning Plans during Remote Learning – Both Breakout Session
Breakout 2: Literacy Strategies to Practice at Home:
• Pre-K and Elementary – First Breakout
• Middle and High School – Second Breakout
Breakout 3: Use of Technology:
• Accessing Infinite Campus Parent Portal– K-12 – Both Breakout Session
Breakout 4: Diploma+
• Elementary and Middle School – First Breakout Session
• High School, Dual Credit/TEC Opportunities, Pathways and Scholarships – Second Breakout Session
Breakout 5: Health Services:
• COVID-19 Mitigation – Both Breakout Sessions
Breakout 6: Student Services:
• Family and Community Engagement, Social-Emotional Learning, Attendance and the Enough Is Enough initiative – Both Breakout Sessions
Breakout 7: Remote Learning Tips for Parents
• Elementary – First Breakout Session
• Middle and High School – Second Breakout
The school district is encouraging parents to register in advance of the workshops by visiting the district’s website at www.kckps.org, according to the spokesman. Participants will be required to select the breakout rooms of their choice.
“We are looking forward to providing our families with as much information as possible to reassure them that we are available to provide the support needed through what has become a challenging educational journey,” said Dr. Alicia Miguel, interim superintendent. “Even though our students are not physically present in our schools, we must all work together to create a safe and healthy environment that encourages parental involvement and academic achievement.”
KCKPS launched the Parents as Partners initiative last school year and scheduled eight sessions at different school campuses. The district was able to host six out of the eight sessions before schools closed in March. The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to extend remote learning through April 2021.
“We are committed, on a district-wide level, to build collaborative partnerships that empower parents as positive advocates and role models,” Dr. Miguel said. “This collaboration and partnership are needed more now than ever before as we make every effort to overcome the challenges that have come with remote learning.”
Students perform better academically when parents and schools work together to support their educational journey, according to the spokesman. The district is committed to ensuring parents and families have access to resources and pertinent information they need to help their child succeed academically while at home and in life, the spokesman stated.
Parents are encouraged to register for the Virtual Parents as Partners Workshops online at www.kckps.org. The district staff looks forward to sharing significant and valuable information with all KCKPS parents, the spokesman stated.
- Information from Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools