Sandy Plains Roundup
March 13, 2015
PARCC Assessments
Be sure to check out the Let it Go video from Mrs. Tracey's and Mrs. Deter's classes. It can be found on the shared drive under Let It Go Tracey and Deters! What a fun way to wish their PARCC buddy class much success!
Essential Events
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
BCPS Bytes
639. STEM WILDLIFE BIOLOGY ISSUE INVESTIGATIONS WORKSHOP
The Office of Science PreK-12 is offering a professional development opportunity for teachers of Grade 8 gifted and talented environmental science, high school environmental science, biology, and AP environmental science. The workshop will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Perry Hall High School in room 216. The focus of the workshop will be to use local wildlife issues and align them with the Maryland Environmental Literacy Standard 1, the Next Generation Science Standards, BCPS science curricula, and STEM standards of practice. Participants will engage in activities using materials contained in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources education trunks. They will review and receive sample lessons, classroom investigation suggestions, and a two-hour stipend for participation.
Interested teachers must register using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled STEM Wildlife Biology Issue Investigations. Registration instructions are available on the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Matthew Budinger, Science Resource Teacher 443-928-9917
640. PARAEDUCATOR WORKSHOPS
The Office of Special Education will be offering a professional development series for paraeducators. Please see the schedule listed below. Participants will be able to identify effective strategies and expand their expertise and knowledge base regarding best instructional practices for educating students with disabilities. Paraeducator Workshop Schedule*
TITLE
DAY
DATES
LOCATION
Understanding and Managing
Challenging Behaviors
Wednesdays
April 15–May 13, 2015
Carney ES Library
Visual Supports to Encourage
Student Success
Thursdays
April 16–April 30, 2015
Middlesex ES
Resource Center
Supporting Students with Autism
in the Classroom
Thursdays
April 16–May 14, 2015
Padonia International Elementary Library
We Are Digital Age Paraeducators!
Thursdays
April 16–May 14, 2015
Catonsville HS
Library & Computer Lab
Tips and Tricks using Microsoft Office 2013
Mondays
May 4–June 8, 2015 (No class May 25)
Kenwood Administration Building, CIRT Lab
Universal Design for Learning
Mondays
March 23–April 27, 2015
(No class April 6th)
Perry Hall MS Library
Gathering and Effectively Communicating Student Data
Wednesdays
March 25–April 29, 2015
(No class April 8th)
Sandy Plains ES
Library & Computer Lab
Promoting Independence for Secondary Students through Gradual Release
Tuesdays
April 14–April 28, 2015
Ridgely MS Classroom
644. PAYROLL UPDATES
Extra Duty Activity (EDA) Pay
The sports-related winter EDA pay for teachers is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2015. Hourly employees performing EDA assignments will be paid on Thursday, April 2, 2015. The payment will be included in the regular biweekly pay and taxed based upon the marital and exemption status on the employee’s record.
Floating Holidays
Eligible AFSCME-represented employees will be advanced their two floating holidays on Friday, March 13, 2015. Floating holidays should be used by Friday, June 12, 2015. Unused floating holidays will be converted to rolled leave in July 2015.
Compensatory Time
With the authorization of an appropriate administrator, AFSCME- and ESPBC-represented employees may accrue compensatory time (comp time). Administrators should monitor the accrual and usage of comp time on a monthly basis. Administrators are responsible for ensuring that employees use their comp time within a reasonable period after its accrual. Comp time must be used by the end of the school year for eligible 10-month employees, and by Tuesday, June 30, 2015, for eligible 12-month employees.
Short Deadlines
Because of spring break, the due dates for payroll time sheets will change. As a result, this may affect the number of days being paid in a pay period to part-time and contractual employees; although all employees will be paid for all time worked. Detailed information regarding the deadlines will be distributed to school/office timekeepers on Friday, March 13, 2015.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Area Payroll Clerk 4240
647. BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICIES AND SUPERINTEDENT’S RULES
BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY AND SUPERINTENDENT’S RULE 4004, EVALUATIONS
At the March 4, 2015 meeting, the Board of Education approved Policy 4004. The policy was revised to provide an updated definition of evaluations that includes that all administrative and supervisory staff shall be evaluated annually. The policy is posted on the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/policies/4000Series/POL4004.pdf.
At the March 4, 2015, meeting, Superintendent’s Rule 4004 was presented to the Board of Education. The rule was revised to establish guidelines for the department of Human Resources to work with the Department of Organizational Effectiveness to implement training on the evaluation process. The rule is posted on the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/rules/4000Series/RULE4004.pdf.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
William S. Burke, Chief, Organizational Effectiveness 0252
BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY AND SUPERINTENDENT’S RULE 4011, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING (FORMERLY RULE 4304, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH)
At the March 4, 2015, meeting, the Board of Education approved Policy 4011. The policy was revised to: (1) include a revision of the term professional development to professional learning; and (2) include professional learning shall be offered to all employees. The policy is posted on the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/policies/4000Series/POL4011.pdf.
At the March 4, 2015, meeting, Superintendent’s Rule 4011 was presented to the Board of Education. The rule was revised to: (1) provide an updated definition of professional learning opportunities; and (2) provide updated language in accordance with the Master Agreement. The rule is posted on the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/rules/4000Series/RULE4011.pdf.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
William S. Burke, Chief, Organizational Effectiveness 0252
SUPERINTENDENT'S RULE 4303, TERMINATION OF UNSATISFACTORY TENURED TEACHERS
At the March 4, 2015, meeting, Superintendent's Rule 4303 was presented to the Board of Education. The rule was revised to include definitions, update with current language, and to comply with the PRC editing conventions. The rule is posted on the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/rules/4000Series/RULE4303.PDF.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
George Duque, Manager 2095