Promising Scholars FAQ
MNEA has received many requests for information and assistance regarding the Promising Scholars Program. We have compiled and submitted those questions and concerns to the district.
Below are the responses from Dr. Michelle Springer, Chief of Student Services:
What are the official contract hours for teachers working in the program?
-Elementary School- 6 to 8.25 hours, depending on teacher preference
-Middle School- 8 hours
-High School- 5 hours, or more depending on teacher preference
How can teachers get additional support if community partners and volunteers fall through (and teachers have to pick up the slack)?
For additional support, teachers have access to additional newly assigned staff, Lead Teachers, Promising Scholars Administrators, social workers, counselors, substitutes, and support hub staff.
The MOU is still in effect during the summer, so teachers should still have a paid planning time, duty-free lunch, and should not be covering late bus duty. We have reports of specific schools where that is not happening.
You are correct, teachers get paid planning and duty-free lunch. The Lead Teachers and Promising Scholars Administrators should be covering late bus duty. After inquiring about the schools listed, all sites indicate that after the first day or so, the tweaks to daily operations were made to ensure consistency of the areas listed above. Please keep us posted if this is not the case.
Can the district provide bottled water for students since drinking fountains are shut down? Or turn the drinking fountains back on? Many teachers are having to supply bottled water out of pocket for hot and thirsty students.
Lastly, as stated in the welcome letter and orientation for families, we encouraged students to bring water bottles for hydration purposes. This guidance is consistent with practices during the school year.
UPDATE ON DRINKING WATER SITUATION AS 06-19-21:
The process of preparing water fountains for safe use in schools will begin next week and will take some time to complete the process (flush, test, etc.). As an immediate solution, there are bottle filling stations at every school that can be used now. By the end of today, all schools will receive single use cups for students to fill using those stations. We will communicate this information to Lead Teachers and Promising Scholars administrators at the start of next week.
Update on Subs for Promising Scholars
Amber Tyus, Director of Talent Acquisition recently sent the following email to substitute teachers:
Greetings!
We are still seeking substitutes to work the Promising Scholars summer school. We have long-term and daily assignments available. In an effort to maximize this opportunity and make things more equitable for all staff, we are offering a pay increase to substitutes who opt to work every day in any assignment. This pay increase will be available to those who are working as school assigned substitutes and those working daily in multiple schools.
Summer School Teacher Substitute Rate: $40 an hour – To qualify substitutes must work every day (June 7 – July 2) during Promising Scholars in an assignment. Stipend earnings will be reduced by this pro-rated amount ($40 an hour) for any date missed or a start after June 7th.
Summer School Support Substitute Rate: $15.73 an hour - To qualify substitutes must work every day (June 7 – July 2) during Promising Scholars in an assignment. Stipend earnings will be reduced by this pro-rated amount ($15.73 an hour) for any date missed or a start after June 7th.
Please note that all substitutes will be paid for time worked. You will be paid based upon the number of hours worked and reported by the Lead Teachers on your assignments. It is important to sign in and out daily in order to have your time accurately reflected.
Stipend amounts will be received in two payments. The first payment will be issued June 25th and the second will be issued July 23rd.
For substitutes working daily assignments but not working every day, you will be paid at the regular substitute rate. The pay dates for those earnings are listed below:
· June 25
· July 9
· July 23
If you are interested in working in either capacity, please email subrequests@mnps.org or contact the substitute help desk at 615-242-0513. If you are already working in an assignment, there is no action necessary on your part. Although you do not have to work every day at the same location to earn the stipends, you must report to a location daily to be eligible. Since the daily work hours vary depending on the tier level of the school, we are asking that you pick a tier (elementary, middle and high) and work within the same tier for the duration of Promising Scholars. Failure to remain in the same tier will negatively impact your earnings due to the varied work hours between tier groups.