Connections
Owatonna Public Schools - District Staff Newsletter
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.
January 2019
New High School Recommendation Updates
In December, Superintendent Jeff Elstad met with groups of staff in each of the district buildings. Click here for the key messages from those meetings.
Our website will be updated continually as we move towards the May 14 election day. Click here to visit the facilities updates webpage.
Next Steps and Important Dates
- January 28: the school board will approve ballot language
- March 29: early voting starts
- May 14: special election for a building bond
Professional Development Day
On January 21, 2019 (MLK Day), staff will come together for a day of professional learning. This day was designed by the Staff Development Committee, building site teams and the Teaching & Learning Department. We are excited to offer staff choice in professional learning through a variety of sessions, all intended to move us forward around teaching & learning needs.
In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the commitment to providing an equitable education for all students, you will notice a strong focus on equity and culturally relevant teaching. You are encouraged to register for at least one session in the equity strand in an effort to gain more insight into culturally responsive teaching.
What is the basic structure of the day?
7:15-7:40 Coffee & light grab-n-go breakfast in upper foyer/OHS Commons
7:45-8:20 Welcome and Celebrations - Superintendent Elstad
8:30-9:30 Professional Learning Session 1
9:40-10:40 Professional Learning Session 2
10:50-11:50 Professional Learning Session 3
11:50-12:50 Lunch (on your own)
12:50-1:50 Professional Learning Session 4
2:00-3:00 Professional Learning Session 5
More Information
Collaborative Practices Promote Equity for Students with Disabilities
The OPS Special Services Department promotes collaborative practices across educational
settings to provide for increased educational opportunity for students with disabilities. Student
classroom adaptations and modifications, trialing co-teaching models, and professional learning communities are ways in which general education and special education staff work together to provide for the equity of students with disabilities.
Currently, the Special Services department is trialing a co-teaching model at McKinley Elementary with great success. If you are interested in learning more about the co-teaching model and how general and special educators can work collaboratively to promote equity, please attend the Special Education Advisory Council meeting that will be held Monday, February 4th at 5:30 to 6:30PM in the Owatonna High School Small Group Forum. All staff, administrators, families, and community members are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Click here for additional Special Education Advisory Council Information & Meeting Agenda
Wellness Policy Feedback Requested!
The district is in the process of conducting an annual review of our Wellness Policy. The policy addresses school meal programs, nutrition education, physical activity, and foods available during the school day. Studies show a direct connection between a child’s health status and academic achievement. The fact is, many children in our society have poor eating habits and do not get enough exercise. By continuing to improve our health environment and practices, we will be improving our students’ health and achievement.
If you have an interest in student health, we invite you to participate in the process by providing feedback and/or recommendations for updates to the existing policy. To review the current policy, click here. To submit feedback, click here. Any ideas or suggestions received will be considered by the ISD 761 Student Wellness Committee.
Creating a healthier school environment is a team effort – thank you for your interest and commitment to the health of our students!
Teacher Transfer Requests
It is the practice of ISD761 to accept and consider teacher requests to transfer to other buildings/grade levels for the following school year. In an effort to assist in the professional growth and personal situations of teachers with an interest in a transfer, the district will accept requests for transfers through February 15, 2019. Please direct written requests to: Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources, at the District Office.
2018-2019 OEA Teacher Seniority List
The 2018-2019 Faculty Seniority List is posted in each building. The following procedures will be followed according to the Master Agreement between the OEA and the Board of Education.
Article XIII
Section 5 – Seniority Lists
Subd.2. Any person whose name appears on such lists and who may disagree with the findings of the Superintendent or his/her designee and the order of seniority in said lists shall have thirty (30) teacher duty days from the date of posting to apply for a correction and thirty (30) teacher duty days to submit proof and support thereof to the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Subd. 3. Within ten (10) teacher duty days after the deadline for the submission of all proof, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall evaluate any and all such written communications regarding the order of seniority contained in said lists and may make such final changes as the Superintendent or his/her designee shall cause such seniority lists to be updated to reflect any addition or deletion of personnel caused by retirement, death, resignation, or other cessation of services or new employees. Such yearly revised lists shall govern the application of the unrequested leave of absence policy until thereafter revised.
In accordance with these procedures, the deadline to apply for a correction to the seniority list will be the end of the day on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. Please notify Human Resources of any corrections to the list via District email: mherman@isd761.org, or by calling 444-8611.
Work Injury Hotline
When someone’s injured at work …
If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Otherwise, the employee and supervisor should call the SFM Work Injury Hotline (855) 675-3501 together. (If no supervisor is available, the employee can call alone.) Do this as soon as possible after you learn of an injury.
The registered nurse who answers will ask what happened and recommend what to do next, whether it’s self-care, urgent care or even the emergency room.
The nurse will report the injury to SFM, our workers’ compensation insurer. You do not need to fill out a First Report of Injury form before or after the call.
Vitals Smart Shopper
Enrolled in the District sponsored BCBS medical coverage? Need to schedule a common medical procedure (colonoscopy, mammogram, MRI, etc)? If YES - don't pass up some additional cash - enroll and use SmartShopper!
What is SmartShopper?
SmartShopper is a health care shopping and savings program that works with your medical benefits. With SmartShopper, you and your covered family members shop for different medical procedures and tests via phone, web or mobile device. When you choose to have your procedure at a facility on the SmartShopper list, you earn cash. You also save money on what you pay out-of pocket for the procedure. Shopping with SmartShopper is completely confidential.
How do I use SmartShopper?
First, register by calling the SmartShopper Personal Assistant Team at (866-285-7452) OR go online to BCBSMN.VitalsSmartShopper.com. Then, when you need a medical procedure or routine screening, contact SmartShopper and they will give you the most reasonably priced options where the procedure is performed in your area. If you go online or shop on your mobile device, enter the procedure you’re shopping for and those options pop up. If you choose to have your procedure at a SmartShopper option, you’ll earn a cash reward.
IRS Mileage Rate Change
Business Expense Reimbursement
W2 Information
It is that time of year again to start thinking of W2s. With our payroll system being paperless, W2s can also be available on line. One major benefit is that W2s are available a lot sooner than the printed version. You are able to print your W2 (once they are available) when you need it and as many copies as you wish.
If you are new to the district or did not elect electronic W2s last year, you are still able to elect electronic W2s. To do so, go to SMARTeR and log in. Go to Pay and Personal Information/My Tax Information/W2. Click on YES to consent to electronic W2s and you are set.
We recommend that you also print out the W2 Information Sheet. That has information (union dues, United Way contributions, etc.) that is not recorded on the W2.
In early January, I will send out an announcement in SMARTeR when W2s available.
For those who are to receive a paper copy, please verify your address in SMARTeR. Contact Becca if there are any changes to be made.
Please contact Becca Sletten (ext 8621) if you have any questions or concerns.
Upcoming District Deadlines, Events and Meetings
January 7, 5:30 pm
School Board Organizational Meeting/Work Session
January 17
End of 2nd Quarter
January 18
No School, Grades 6-12
January 21
No School, Professional Development at OHS
January 24
DCAC at Rose Street
January 28, 5:30 pm
School Board Meeting
January 30
Corrections for OEA Seniority List Due
February 4, 5:30 pm
Special Education Advisory Council Meeting
February 15
Teacher Transfer Requests Due to HR Director
District Events Calendar for Staff
Past Internal District Staff E-Newsletters
Did you miss a past internal district staff e-newsletter?
Connections E-Newsletter
FOCUS E-Newsletter
October: Update on Community Task Force on Facilities
November: Career Pathways with High School Principal, Mark Randall