From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
After School Expansion
Governor Matt Blunt and Mayor Francis Slay joined education and business leaders on Wednesday to announce that $1.85 million in new public and private funding has expanded after school programs in the City of St. Louis. The event took place at Adams Elementary, where the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club operates a successful program.
In all, 27 new or expanded programs now serve an additional 1,283 children each school day. Most of these students are from St. Louis Public Schools. The expansion is spearheaded by the After School for All Partnership (ASAP).
ASAP is working to ensure that at least 5,600 more city-based children have access to quality after school programs. ASAP is managed by ARCHS (Area Resources for Community and Human Services) and St. Louis for Kids.
Customer Service Initiative
As part of SLPS’ efforts to “raise the bar” in creating the best choice for urban education, the district is making improved customer service a top priority. Meeting the needs of our customers – families, students, community, vendors and employees – is in integral part of our action plan.
Over the next several weeks, aspects of the Customer Service Initiative will be addressed. The Office Professional Leadership Committee has devised the following components:
• Phone etiquette
• Voicemail etiquette
• Email etiquette
• Response / follow-up procedures
• Code of conduct
• Consistency in message and communications
• Conflict resolution
• Appearance / dress standards
Component #1: Phone Etiquette
All district employees will use the Telephone Doctor’s three-part greeting model:
EXAMPLE: “Good morning, Superintendent’s office, this is Donna.”
1. Buffer
Buffer words greet the caller and set the tone for a positive interaction. Buffer words also prevent the company from being cut off:
• Good morning…
• Good afternoon…
2. Company or Department
The company name is the most important information you will communicate during the greeting. Say your company name confidently and clearly. If you answer a department telephone, use your department name:
• Department/School Name
3. Your Name
End with your name. It makes the call more personable and friendly and speeds the rapport-building process. Remember, anything you say after your name erases your name:
• “This is ________.”
Character Education Resources
The Character Education Partnership (CEC) is a national group committed to fostering effective character education in our nation's K-12 schools. The organization offers great opportunities for schools involved in character education programs:
• National Schools of Character Awards Program
Does your school have a comprehensive character education initiative? Every year, CEP names ten public and private schools and districts as National Schools of Character for their outstanding work in improving the behavior and learning of their students through character education. Winning schools and districts receive a $20,000 award, half of which is used for outreach to other schools and districts. Go to www.character.org/nsoc for details and an application form. The deadline is December 3, 2007.
• National Forum on Character Education
Plan to attend the National Forum on Character Education, November 1-3, in the Washington, D.C. area. The forum brings together educators, national decision makers and community leaders for a national dialogue on the best ways to develop young people of good character. For additional information, go to www.character.org/forumregistration.
SLPS Adopts Process Management Plan for District-Wide Improvement
St. Louis Public Schools will implement a process management model during the current school year. The initiative is designed to help SLPS streamline and improve the district’s processes, and thus enhance the quality of learning and work life for students, faculty and staff. The on-going monitoring and analysis of our systems will increase productivity, quality and communication. The plan will include:
• staff training
• a management review team
• an audit team that ensures goals and objectives are being achieved
Upcoming SLPS Dates
October 3: International Walk to School Day
October 13: SLPS Beautification Day (all schools)
October 13: Magnet Schools Open House: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
October 19: Professional Development Day (no school)
October 19: Quarter 1 ends
Special Administrative Board Meeting Dates
All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at the Administrative Building,
801 N. 11th Street, Room 108, unless otherwise indicated.
October 4, 2007
October 16, 2007
November 1, 2007
November 15, 2007
December 6, 2007
December 20, 2007
January 3, 2008
January 17, 2008
February 7, 2008
February 21, 2008
March 6, 2008
March 20, 2008
April 3, 2008
April 17, 2008
May 1, 2008
May 15, 2008
June 5, 2008
June 19, 2008
“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be
and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”
-Goethe-
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