WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30, 2020 - FSPS STUDENTS WIN RIVER VALLEY STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION - Fort Smith School District

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30, 2020

FSPS STUDENTS WIN RIVER VALLEY STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION
Congratulations to the winners of the River Valley Student Entrepreneur Competition! Anna Cobb, senior at
Northside High School won first place for The Fort App and Northside High School Junior won second place for
The VIVI. Visit the Peak Innovation YouTube channel to learn about their projects! Anna won a $2,000
scholarship to UAFS and Austin won a $1,000 scholarship to UAFS. Congratulations to these students!

NEW! ASPIRING TEACHERS INSTITUTE
Any classified staff in the FSPS district who are considering becoming a teacher can sign up for the new Aspiring
Teachers Institute. This Institute is designed for current classified staff that are certified to teach, in the process
of becoming certified to teach, or considering whether to pursue a teaching license. The goal is to equip those
staff members with district specific knowledge and skills that will help them interview and transition into a
teaching position effectively.

Several topics will be covered by the Institute including classroom management, student engagement,
communication with colleagues, students, and parents, Response to Intervention (RTI), Special Education, and
more! Each session will include current FSPS principals and staff who are experts at the information they are
presenting. You don’t want to miss this!

The dates for the Aspiring Teachers Institute are:
Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 4:00-5:30 PM
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 4:00-5:30 PM
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 4:00-5:30 PM
Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 4:00-5:30 PM

The sessions are planned as face-to-face lessons at the Rogers Center. However, there is a plan to provide virtual
sessions if the district has moved to remote learning. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Courtney
Morawski.

UPDATE: NHS IDENTIFIED TO TAKE PART IN RAPID COVID-19 TESTING
Fort Smith Public Schools will begin to administer two state-supplied COVID testing systems on Dec. 3. Earlier
this year, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in cooperation with the Arkansas
Department of Health, identified Northside High School as the Fort Smith location for a BD Veritor testing
machine for students and staff who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. The state has also provided the Binax
system that, through voluntary participation, may better identify staff members who are asymptomatic.

Students under the age of 18 who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 may be tested with parent consent.
Consent forms have been distributed in English and in Spanish, and are being collected at this time. Students
over 18 years of age may also participate in the BD Veritor testing. It is also possible that staff across the district
may also be able to schedule BD Veritor testing in the next few weeks. More than 60 staff members have
volunteered to participate in the weekly Binax testing process. The district recently hired a nurse to administer
the BD Veritor and Binax tests.

NEW: NORTHSIDE, SOUTHSIDE TO HOLD ‘ON TRACK DAY’ DECEMBER 7
On Monday, December 7, 2020, Northside High School and Southside High School will hold an ‘On Track Day’ for
any high school student who is at risk for failure in one or more classes (a failing grade is 59 or lower). The ‘On
Track Day’ is designed for these students to develop a custom academic improvement plan with an advisor or
teacher. Students who participate in the ‘On Track Day’ will be ready for the next step in their educational
journey, whether that be graduation or advancing to the next grade level. Bus transportation is available along
normal bus routes for high school students to attend Northside or Southside on this day.

WHAT: On Track Day
WHEN: Monday, December 7, 2020
WHERE: Northside or Southside High School
WHO: Any high school student who at risk for failure in one or more classes
WHY: To develop a custom academic improvement plan

“If a student currently has a failing grade, they can come to school on December 7 and get on track. Teachers are
ready to help you create an academic improvement plan and prepare you for what’s ahead. We’re in your corner
and want to see you succeed,” said Dr. Miller, Southside High School Principal.

“We want all Mavericks and Grizzlies to be successful despite a challenging fall semester, and it’s not too late to
get on track. Students, please come see us on December 7 if you have one or more failing grades,” said Dr.
Rathbun, Northside High School Principal.

Help us Spread the Word! Do you know a Northside or Southside student who might need help getting on track?
Tell them about ‘On Track Day’ on Monday, December 7 at their high school campus.

ICYMI: BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT FOR DR. MORAWSKI
In a called board meeting on Monday, November 30, the Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education voted to
approve a 2.5-year employment contract set to begin on December 31, 2020 for FSPS Superintendent Dr. Terry
Morawski. With the contract in place, the board authorizes Morawski to conduct the business of the district from
December 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 under the delegated authority of Dr. Doug Brubaker as his contract
with FSPS comes to an end. The following email was sent from Dr. Doug Brubaker to all FSPS employees:

“Colleagues,

Good morning! I thought that it would be helpful to reach out to you with an update about how the leadership
transition in FSPS will unfold over the next several weeks.

On Monday night, the Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Directors finalized the process of naming Dr. Morawski
as superintendent effective December 31, 2020. I want to congratulate Dr. Morawski on this promotion. It has
been an honor to work with him and our Board, educators, staff members, parents, and community stakeholders
on behalf of our students over the past four years. Yesterday, the hiring process for my new role as
superintendent of Texarkana Independent School District in Texas was finalized according to essentially the same
timeline.

With these formal arrangements in place, we can now begin the final stage of this transition. To make it as
smooth and seamless as possible, I will wrap up my tenure between now and the end of December remaining
available to Dr. Morawski in more of an advisory capacity. I will also attend selected district/community
functions and utilize some remaining vacation time. Going forward, Dr. Morawski will serve as the initial and
primary point of contact for decisions at the superintendent level. As Fort Smith Public Schools enters this next
phase of growth and development, I also want to thank you for your hard work and support. My family and I will
always reflect on our time in Fort Smith fondly and with gratitude. I know that we can continue to expect great
things to happen in this district with Dr. Morawski at the helm and each of you on the team.”

REMINDER: DIGITAL LEARNING DAY ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7
Fort Smith Public Schools will designate Monday, December 7 as a ‘Digital Learning Day’ for students and
teachers. On this day, students will learn independently from home and access their assignments online.
Teachers will also be using this day to learn (professional development) and will not be available to teach,
answer questions or connect with students. Fort Smith Public Schools Child Nutrition staff will provide grab-and-
go style meals to students on December 7. Parents and guardians, please help our Child Nutrition staff obtain an
accurate meal count by filling out this form by Friday, November 30 to indicate if your student(s) will be
participating in grab-and-go meals on December 7. Note: Pre-K students will be served meals at regular times as
they will be on-site at their respective locations on December 7.

DON’T FORGET: LET US SHARE YOUR EXCITING NEWS!
Let us help you share your exciting news! If you would like to be included in the weekly for recently celebrating
the birth of a baby, a wedding or a milestone birthday, fill out this form! FSPS Communications reserves the right
to review images submitted through the form. If someone submits a response on your behalf, we will always ask
your permission before we publish.

NEW! SPRING 2021 HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING OPTIONS
With registration open for all Fort Smith Public Schools students, Northside and Southside High Schools are
announcing changes to current instruction options.

BACKGROUND
During the Fall 2020 Semester, students at both high schools have had the opportunity to participate in classes
offered through the Pearson Connexus Virtual Learning or choose to participate in a Blended Learning model of
on-site instruction. This allowed students to listen to lectures, complete assignments at home, and attend on-site
classes when they believed they needed help with the material. It also gave them the flexibility to attend one,
several or all classes during the school day.

BLENDED LEARNING OPTION
Blended Learning, as it is structured now, has demonstrated very limited success, and warrants a change to
ensure future success and progress toward graduation for all students. During the Spring Semester, high school
students may choose between Virtual or On-Site Instruction.
Blended Learning will only be available for current blended learning students who qualify.
   • To qualify for blended learning, students must have no grade lower than 80% at the end of the first
       semester of 2020 - 2021 school year.
   • Students may be provisionally approved for blended learning based on grades prior to the end of the
       semester, but be removed if their final grades include a grade that falls below 80%.
   • Approved blended student’s grades will be reviewed at each 4 ½ week period. Any blended students who
       do not maintain grades of 70% or better in any class will be returned to a full face to face student, and
       will not have the option to return to blended status.
   • Blended students who engage with the curriculum from home will be marked as “virtually present.”
       Blended students who do not engage with the curriculum will be marked as unexcused.
   • If your student meets the qualifications above for blended learning for the Spring semester, please
       apply using this form.

VIRTUAL OR ON-SITE
Students can register for the Spring 2021 semester to continue with virtual instruction through the Pearson
Connexus platform, change from on-site to virtual instruction, or change from virtual instruction to on-site
instruction by using one of the form links below:
    • Northside High School: https://bit.ly/3qeapJP
    • Southside High School: https://bit.ly/2JqQ7vQ

Registration will remain open through Tuesday, December 15. Families who have students enrolled in on-site
instruction for the Fall 2020 semester and wish to continue with on-site instruction for the Spring 2021 semester
do not need to complete any of the registration forms.

MODIFICATIONS TO THE SCHOOL DAY IN SPRING 2021
  • For full virtual students, courses that students have been enrolled in that are not available in Pearson
     may be taken as a full virtual class using the teachers’ Schoology curriculum. Examples may be AP
     Research/Seminar, Transportation and Logistics, etc. This will impact students who choose to move from
     blended to full virtual.
  • Campus will close and students will be expected to remain on campus each day from 8:10 - 3:05.
  • Students will no longer have the ability to check themselves out.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
1. Mobile Internet Hotspots for Students
     Budget: $655,000
     Actual Expenditures to Date: $230,039.73
     Number of Hotspots: 2500 (Verizon) 375 (AT&T)
     Notes: Currently 940 hotspots have been delivered to students. There have been 957 requests for
     hotspots as of 11/20. The latest requests for hotspots will be delivered by Monday, 11/23. We are
     continuing to configure additional hotspots to fulfill current requests.

SECURITY UPDATE
Fort Smith Public Schools Police Weekly Activity
FSPS School Resource Officers worked several sporting events through the week and assisted with small fights
and disorderly students. Chief Hollenbeck, Lt. Huber and Dispatcher Best attended a Child Abduction Response
Team (CART) meeting via GoToMeeting and were introduced to the team. The knowledge will be shared should
any cases arise in our area.

FSPS Officers responded to 36 calls for service, visited schools a total of 7 times, counseled 30 students and
contacted 16 parents or guardians. They also performed 19.5 hours of traffic control and performed two
diversions. Officers were stationed at 5 schools for additional patrol.

FACILITIES UPDATE
ELECTRICIANS
Replaced pole lights at Pike parking lot
Repaired emergency light at Spradling
Replaced plugs in basement at Adult Ed
Provided custodial help at all school locations

PAINTERS
Continue to paint bathrooms, heater closets and door jams at Fairview
Continue to paint interior of Rogers Center
Continue to paint exterior of Orr
Provided custodial help at all school locations

CARPENTERS
Repaired basketball goal at Cook
Built and installed protective shield in dispatcher’s office in Building G
Installed new doors on locker rooms at Southside
Replaced ceiling tile at Sunnymede
Lock and key work at Euper Lane, Chaffin, Southside and Northside
Provided custodial help at all school locations

UTILITIES
Moved furniture throughout school district
Cut and trimmed trees at all school locations
Provided extra help for child nutrition warehouse

PEST CONTROL
Spraying all school locations for pest control
Removed yellow jacket nest at Trusty

HVAC
Repaired heat unit in room 202 at Adult Ed
Reinstalled exhaust fan in teachers lounge at Beard
Repaired condensation leak at Fairview
Checked for gas leak in room 2 at Parker Center
Replaced thermostat in AP office at Northside
Repaired A/C in kitchen at Orr

PLUMBERS
Repaired gas line at Morrison
Repaired stoppage at Sunnymede
Repaired auto faucets at Orr
Unstopped main sewer at Woods
Installed tap for new gas line to learning cottage at Cook

VISION 2023 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE
PEAK INNOVATION CENTER
Building Shell Hard Bid Status
    • Demolition of building envelope started, tracking to be complete with elevation
    • Expecting to have demolition of east elevation building envelope by next Wednesday
    • EDA signage installed
Interior/Site work CMAR Construction Start Date
    • Building interior demolition continues, minor detailing remains
    • Electrical demo 95% complete
    • Temporary lighting and power 90% complete
    • Stakeholders construction signage installed

RAMSEY JUNIOR HIGH
Interior renovations continue
Fire sprinklers in admin addition installed
Light fixtures installed
New drywall for admin addition complete, painting continues

DARBY JUNIOR HIGH
Building assessment of fire suppression system for sprinkler design, city still reviewing
Steel due for new entry later this week
Ceiling grid, lights and floor tile delivered for phase 1 of work

NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Installation of arena roof trusses started
Brick of east wall of arena 95% complete
Steel at freshman center in second phase
Slab poured for first floor of freshman center
Exterior framing of admin addition 75% complete

SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Arena floor poured
West storm shelter finishes underway
Arena roof dried in
Drywall at cafeteria being finished

ELEMENTARY WALL PROJECTS PACKAGE A (BARLING AND WOODS ELEMENTARY)
BARLING PHASE 1:
HPM is continuing to work through value engineering options
Drywall finished in media center
First coat of paint is complete
Ceiling grid in preschool ongoing
Interior lighting installation ongoing
Touchpoint meetings continue

WOODS PHASE 1:
HPM is continuing to work through value engineering options with Turn Key
Overhead MEP rough-in ongoing
Drywall installation ongoing
Interior painting ongoing
Millwork installation 80% complete
Touchpoint meetings continue

ELEMENTARY WALL PROJECTS PACKAGE B (COOK ELEMENTARY)
Fire sprinkler installation 80% complete
Interior lighting and painting ongoing
HVAC trim out ongoing
Touchpoint meetings are ongoing

STAFFING UPDATE
To see the current staff openings, please visit the FSPS Application Center.

WEEKLY NEWS REPORT
View the top news articles this week relevant to Fort Smith Public Schools.

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 WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

     THANK YOU FOR
    DOING YOUR PART!