Sandy Plains
Roundup: March 6, 2015
Administrators' Address
As the days off from school continue to grow and mandatory testing eats away at our daily schedules, we must remember that every minute we have with our students is essential. College and career ready students don't just show up in our classes. They are created when dedicated and talented educators are determined to make it happen. THAT'S YOU! As TEAM Sandy Plains, we strive to use our time with our students efficiently so whatever obstacle is in our path, our students will continue to receive instruction that is rigorous, engaging and relevant, bringing them closer to the target of college and career ready.
Essential Events
March 2 - 27: PARCC Assessment Window
March 9: Action Teams
March 9: PTA Meeting
March 10: Interim reports due to parents
March 16: Faculty Meeting
March 19: PTA Sweet Frog Night
March 20: PTA Movie Night
March 23: Print Management Walkthrough
March 26-27: Dr. Lindsey Moses PD Grades K-2 26th Grades 3-5 27th
March 26: 4th Grade Tree Planting
March 28: Challenge 24 Tournament
April 1: Third marking period ends
April 2 -12: Spring Vacation
April 13: School Reopens
Ready for Spring Break?
The Cafeteria Incentive is a SUCCESS!
Mindset Rules!
Got Kindness? Write a Note in the Kindness Corner
Have One of These?
Cell Phone Usage
Staff members are prohibited from using cell phones while supervising students. This includes making and receiving calls, text messaging, accessing social media, checking e-mail and other smart phone capabilities. Phone messages for teachers will be placed in each teacher’s mailbox or forwarded via email. In case of emergency only, will teachers be called to the phone.
Please share this policy with staff members who do not have BCPS email accounts.
BCPS Bytes
617. DIGITAL LEARNING DAY
The fourth annual Digital Learning Day sponsored by the Alliance for Excellent Education is Friday, March 13, 2015, and will feature BCPS as one of four school districts working toward improving student learning through the effective use of technology for learning. Concurrently, tens of thousands of teachers, librarians, and administrators in all fifty states and the District of Columbia will celebrate and showcase their best uses of technology for learning through hundreds of local events in their own schools and classrooms.
Members of Team BCPS are welcome to celebrate and participate in Digital Learning Day. For information on how to get involved, go to http://www.digitallearningday.org.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Fran Glick, Supervisor 4036
628. RENEWAL OF MARYLAND CERTIFICATES
COMAR 13A.12.01.11 (2) states:
Renewal requirements shall be received at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) within 90 days of the expiration date listed under "Period of Validity" on the certificate in order for the certificate to be considered continuous.
Past practice has allowed an individual to submit credits for course work earned after the expiration date of the certificate but within the 90-day grace period. For example, if a certificate expired on June 30, the courses could be completed over the summer and submitted within the 90-day period from the expiration date. MSDE indicates that this practice conflicts with the regulation and must be discontinued. Effective January 1, 2015, courses used to renew a certificate must be completed prior to the expiration date of the certificate. Courses completed prior to the expiration date can be submitted to the Office of Certification within the 90-day period after the expiration date so that the certificate can be considered continuous.
Failure to complete and submit documentation to renew a certificate prior to the expiration date may result in the following:
1. Issuance of a substandard conditional certificate
2. Loss of tenure
3. Salary step frozen
4. Placement on a conditional year-to-year contract
5. Transfer to another
Employees are not to submit course work directly to MSDE. All course work must be sent to the Office of Certification. Employees are to e-mail the Office of Certification or call to schedule an appointment if unsure of their renewal needs.
COMAR states that it is the individual’s responsibility to know and meet the renewal requirements prior to the certificate’s expiration date. Information regarding renewal requirements is on the Office of Certification’s Web site at www.bcps.org/offices/personnel/certification. In addition, general reminder letters are sent out one year prior to the expiration date of a certificate.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Kenneth M. Kuyawa, Personnel Officer 4147
620. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, GRADE 4, UNIT 5 CURRICULUM UPDATE
The Webinar for unpacking Grade 4, Unit 5 is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2015, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. To access the live Webinar, go to https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=1013&password=M.1EF92D2DE2F6DD3A76BFE7E2B27A29. The recording will be posted within 48 hours after the Webinar.
At this time, the Unit Overview, Unit-at-a-Glance, and all of the Assessment Events for Unit 5 are complete and posted in BCPS One. The lesson seeds will be updated and posted in BCPS One by Friday, March 13, 2015.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Nancy Reed, Supervisor 4039
622. LIFE INSURANCE ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITY – OPTIONAL LIFE AND PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE (PAI)
A special life insurance enrollment period will run from Monday, February 23 through Monday, March 16, 2015. Employees will be able to increase their optional life insurance as well as their PAI during this special enrollment period with Prudential Life Insurance. Enrollment can be completed online or by telephone. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Under this plan, employees may enroll in important life insurance coverage for themselves, as well as for their eligible spouse or domestic partner and children. Any coverage elected during this enrollment period will have an effective date of Friday, May 1, 2015. Note that, for coverage to become effective, employees must be in an active pay status on Friday, May 1, 2015. If employees apply for an amount that requires medical evidence, they must be in an active pay status on the date of approval.
Employees may purchase optional life coverage in levels of one to ten times their annual earnings up to a maximum coverage amount of $1,000,000. Without answering health questions, employees may elect to increase their current coverage by one times their annual earnings, up to four times their earnings or $500,000. If employees choose to elect more than one times their annual earnings, or if they were previously declined or waived optional life coverage, they will be required to answer health questions. If employees elect to purchase or increase optional dependent life coverage for their spouse or domestic partner, they will be required to answer health questions. If employees elect to purchase or increase optional personal accident insurance for themselves and their family, no health questions are required. Go to www.prudential.com/bcps to enroll or change life insurance. To enroll, employees should first review and confirm their personal information. Once enrolled, employee will have the opportunity to obtain a summary of their elections.
Not sure how much coverage to enroll for? Once employees enter the enrollment Web site at http://www.prudential.com/EZLifeNeeds, they can utilize an easy-to-use Needs Calculator to help determine how much coverage is right for them. For assistance, call 855-201-8256 to speak with a Prudential Service Representative who can review coverage amounts and costs, help evaluate coverage needs, and provide enrollment over the phone. Enrollment ends Monday, March 16, 2015, at midnight.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
James Aldon, Supervisor 8948