This school year has had a start like none other! These are unprecedented times. We thank you for your resilience. A special thank you to those who have used the JFT reporting form to document concerns at your school/worksite. We are using this information to inform the district about your concerns and work through resolutions. Please remember, issues cannot be addressed, if they are not documented and shared with our staff.
Please continue to use this form if there are safety concerns at your school/worksite. Your name is not revealed, when sharing the information with the district.
On September 11, 2020 Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state of Louisiana would move into Phase 3. This means that buildings can now operate at seventy-five percent capacity. The district has proposed that grades 6-8, which were originally hybrid, will now move into in person learning five days per week for those grade levels.
All safety protocols remain in effect. Please use the JFT reporting form
(https://forms.gle/nyuAf4NysCx61fQKA) if this has affected the following:
- Class size (combination of your A day and B day students)
- The ability to social distance (including hallway congestion)
- The ability to maintain static groups
- Sufficient PPE for staff and students
If there are other concerns, please include them on the reporting form.
Reminder: Teachers are still entitled to a thirty-minute duty free lunch and planning time.
COVID Reporting
JPPSS has prepared a protocol for schools to follow when a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19. Here is a summary:
- If an employee tests positive, the employee is directed to consult with the school nurse and to contact the H.R. Leaves Department.
- The principal or designee must enter the information into the school district’s tracker.
- The school must notify EDSS after consulting with the school nurse. EDSS then notifies the JPPSS Chief of Staff.
- The principal or designee must then identify close contacts (persons who have been within six feet of the person who tested positive, for at least 15 minutes). [Note, in many school districts, this involves viewing video camera tapes.]
- The school nurse then must notify the Louisiana Department of Health.
- By the end of the same day, the principal or designee must send an email to the staff member who tested positive or to the parent/guardian of the student who tested positive.
- By the end of the same day, the principal or designee must send an email to the persons who have been identified by the school as close contacts.
- By the end of the same day, the principal or designee must send a notice to the parents and staff who were not close contacts. [Note: the notice informs the parents and staff that someone at the school tested positive, but they were not identified as someone who had close contact with the person who tested positive.]
- Before the student or staff member returns to school, they must provide advance notice and meet return to school/work requirements (such as medical clearance).
Additionally, use the JFT reporting form to document this information.
JFT members: If this protocol has not been followed at your school, or you have any questions, please contact the JFT office.
Virtual Learning Input
Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions regarding your experience with virtual learning. Your feedback is imperative in providing the actual logistics from the teaching and learning perspective. Click here to take the survey.
2020-2021 Academic Calendar
The Calendar Committee is made up of a cross section of teachers, PSRPs, District Administrators, parents, and JFTT. The Academic Calendar is based on student instructional minutes and 183 teacher contractual days. The 2020-2021 School System calendar has undergone several amendments due to the two-week student start delay, and days off due to, two hurricanes. This is also not unique to Jefferson Parish.
At this time, the State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley, has not excused the make up of these instructional minutes. Based on the 4X4 schedule of our high schools, this would not be a viable solution since these classes are delivered on a semester basis.
Many have stated that they would like to have more input regarding the calendar prior to voting. Please compete this poll regarding the make-up of instructional minutes. If you have any technical difficulties with this poll, click here.
LFT Update
On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley gave testimony on Hurricane Laura recovery efforts. He proposed that there be no value-added measures based on LEAP this year and suggested adjustments to the evaluation rubric to consider virtual instruction. He also proposed reducing evaluations from two to one for this year. These proposals must go before BESE for approval. JFT will continue to work with LFT on goals pertaining to, but not limited to; VAM, various state assessments, and instructional minutes.
Hurricane Laura Donations
JFT is continuing to collect items for those affected by Hurricane Laura. We are accepting hygiene items and diapers. Donations can be dropped off at the JFT office, between 9:00 AM and 4 PM. There will be drop off bins for contactless delivery.
J.C. Ellis
J.C. Ellis Elementary experienced a fire earlier this week that ruined several classrooms. We have reached out to the JFT building representative to check on staff and students. JFT is ready to offer assistance and we will give an update once we receive their needs assessment.