Dr. Brumley Shares Updates for Summer and Next School Year
Dear JP Schools Family,
As a Louisiana native, I am extremely honored to be nominated for the State Superintendent of Education. Louisiana may not be the largest state in the union, but we have a big table for collaboration. I look forward to bringing people together to collectively move our state forward. We are primed for continued improvement, drawing on successes of the past and the promise for our future. I will fight for our children, families, and communities each day - they deserve our best.
Today is the final day of the school year for teachers and many of our support staff employees. As I noted in my end of year message, I’d like to share more information with you today about summer supports, school start time changes, and possible scenarios for next school year. These updates can be found below. We wish everyone a safe and restful summer break. Please continue to check the district website and our social media channels for the latest updates throughout the summer break.
Dr. Cade Brumley
Superintendent
Jefferson Parish Schools
2020-21 SCENARIOS
While ideally we are able to start the year face-to-face, we know that there will likely be changes in how we operate schools next year. There are a few different scenarios for how that may look. This could include face-to-face with additional safety guidelines, engaging students with a hybrid of virtual and face-to-face, or having an as-needed virtual learning environment. We will make a final decision on how we will start the year based on the guidance of local, state, and national health officials. If we are able to begin the school year face-to-face, it will be imperative that educators devote portions of their day to practice virtual lessons in the classroom with students. Should the need arise to shift to a virtual model during the school year, the expectation is to do so as seamlessly as possible.
If you’ve not already, one way you can help us plan is by taking this stakeholder survey. We want your feedback to let us know what’s worked and what we can do better heading into 2020-21. Thank you to the over 7,000 stakeholders who have already offered your input.
DECREASED REVENUE
We must further reduce expenditures due to the significant decline in our revenue from the stalled economy. Approximately 40% of the district’s revenue comes from sales tax. As the economy has stalled, our estimates show that this could result in a revenue decline of at least $12 million for our district. Any expenditure reduction plan will support our two biggest priorities - student learning and the health and safety of our kids. We previously reduced $16 million from our budget in March.
SCHOOL START TIMES
Changing the start times for some of our schools was included in the 2020 Infrastructure and Efficiency Plan passed by our School Board in March. Based on research and parent feedback, we have made changes to school start times. You can view the new school times here or click one of the following links: East Bank | West Bank. These will go into effect for the 2020-21 school year. Where possible, we are starting elementary schools earlier and high schools later. We believe this will support working parents of elementary students and lead to stronger outcomes for high school students. This will also help us financially through more efficient use of buses and routes. Based on schedules, schools will adjust before and after care programs and extracurricular activities accordingly.
GRAB & GO
Our Grab & Go meal program will continue through the summer. The meal locations and times will remain the same. Meals will be available to families at our 13 Grab & Go sites Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays this summer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families will be provided enough meals for all seven days of the week. Children will receive breakfast and lunch for that day and the following day on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Fridays, children will receive enough breakfasts and lunches to last through the weekend. For more information about this program, visit jpschools.org/GrabAndGo.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT LINE
This is the final week for our academic support line, but our emotional support line will remain available to employees and families through the summer. You can call (504) 349-7629 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or between 4 to 6 p.m. to speak to one of our trained mental health professionals.
EARLY START JEFFERSON & LEAP REMEDIATION
As we approach the summer months, we want to offer an additional educational opportunity for our struggling students. Early Start Jefferson will invite students in grades K-5 who are below proficiency in math and/or ELA to participate in a program the two weeks before the start of next school year. The program will offer either an in-person or completely virtual model. We have communicated information about Early Start Jefferson to school leaders and they are identifying students who would benefit from this program. We are also seeking current JP employees to work our Early Start Jefferson program. If interested, please apply via this link: Early Start JPS Employment Application.
We also will host remediation from June 29-July 10 for any student needing to re-take the high school LEAP test. Students can register at this link.
SUMMER CAMPS
Jefferson Parish Schools will not operate summer camps due to COVID-19. We are partnering with Ed Navigator on their at-home program, Camp Kinda. This is a free summer experience designed to keep kids engaged, asking questions, and having fun. Each weekday from June 1 to September 1, participating families will get 3-4 hours’ worth of daily activities, all connected to a weekly theme and curated by experts with a passion for their topic. You can learn more at this link.
TAG-ALONG TRANSFER REQUEST FORMS
Tag-Along Transfer Requests will be available for online submission only beginning May 26. Tag-Along allows for children of principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, teachers, coaches, other certified school employees, and classified employees regularly assigned to or employed on a full-time basis at a school in grades kindergarten through twelve to attend the school in which they are assigned or a school in the feeder pattern of their assigned school. This information will be available at jpschools.org.