TOPS High School Weekly Update

August 6-9: In Person PD

August 15: First Day of School for Students

August 15-17: Strong Start Orientation with Advisors

August 20: Orientation with Content Teachers

Greetings Team!

I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and support this week. As PD week approaches, I want you all to know that I am looking forward to meeting you in person. I also look forward to the team time to get to learn from each of you. Thank you for all of the questions. The more I find out for you, the more I learn as well. Be safe as you travel. I will see you all Monday!

-Becky

1. Read through this weekly update, complete tasks in it, and download relevant documents.
2. Continue to work on the BOY Checklist.

3. Remember to bring your laptop, a sweater or jacket, and your open mind to PD.

4. Don't forget to bring charging cords for all of your devices to PD.

5. Travel safely.

We need need to fill the high school lead teacher position. Please email me with your interest in being a lead teacher at TOPS High School as soon as possible. I will let you know of next steps afterwards.

Lead teachers will:

• continue to instruct students with a reduced student load
• assist TOPS administration as needed
• support teachers with data-driven instruction
• foster a positive culture within TOPS
• lead content and grade-level teams
• complete formal and informal TTESS appraisals

Thank you for your support!

The agenda has been updated and copies will be given out at PD.

Share with your teachers

As launch is fast approaching, we wanted to bring to your attention one of the first things that students and teachers see when they start a course—the syllabus. This important document, placed in our middle school and high school courses, contains detailed information about the course, course and grading policies, how to contact the teacher, academic integrity, and more.

Default language has been provided by K12 in the syllabus for the teacher to personalize. As teacher contact information, school and grading policies, and specific class information may vary, it is extremely important that the syllabus be edited by the teacher prior to course start.

The Academic Services/Product Management team has updated the draft language in the syllabus. Please use the attached SY18-19 Syllabus as the starting point for your syllabi this school year. Note: AP Syllabi should not be edited. However, sections in AP courses such as “teacher contact information” should be edited.

We strongly encourage ensuring that the syllabi have been personalized prior to course start as this will help to get students off to a great start this fall.

This list is subject to change.

Registrar List

A-B Kendra Moore

C-D DaNiecia Washington

E-G Tammy Anderson

H-K Laurie Shepardson

L-M Breilyn Shemar

N-RI Breilyn Shemar

RO-S Min Sin

T-Z Min Sin

Blackboard Collaborate will be releasing an updated version of the Blackboard Collaborate Launcher, there is no expected down-time for this maintenance.

· Release date: August 1, 2018

· New Version Numbers

· Windows Launcher 1.6.5

· Mac Launcher 1.5

· After the release, the first time a user accesses any Collaborate session, either via external meeting link or within Class Connect, they will be prompted to update the Launcher

· Users will be able to select “later” as an option, but if they don’t update the launcher to the latest version, some features may not work as expected.

· Launcher update can take from 2 to 5 minutes depending on users internet connection

After August 1, 2018, if the user wants to update the launcher proactively or doesn’t receive the automatic prompt, they can manually check for updates by following the directions below:

Start -> All Programs -> Blackboard Collaborate Launcher -> Advanced -> Check for Updates

Complete messaging including the communication plan is found here.

High School Principal

Email: rfinka@k12.com
Website: https://tops.k12.com/
Phone: 281.542.3237
Twitter: @finkatops