Human Resources
August 2021 Newsletter
Congratulations for 30+ Years of District Service!
Employee Spotlights
Need to Contact HR?
Benefits Update
Work-Related COVID Leave & Telework Update
A reminder that the District is no longer using Work-Related Covid Leave (WRCL) and telework agreements. Employees will need to utilize their accrued leave balances for any absences from the workplace in accordance with your respective negotiated agreement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the human resources department for assistance.
NEW District COVID Mitigation Information
- FNSBSD COVID Mitigation Protocols - This document is new to 2021-22 and contains detailed mitigation information.
- 2021-22 District Operational Guidelines - This document is a summary of the mitigation protocols and also contains more academic-related items such as info on recess, learning options, etc.
- Symptom Free Schools: Wellness Check for Students and Staff - This document provides guidance to students and staff about what to do if they are not feeling well. For detailed guidance regarding positive COVID cases or close contacts, there is a link to the DHSS COVID-19 Guidance.
CDC Guidelines and Vaccination Information
You can find current recommendations here!
Immunizations and Vaccination Clinics
The District partnered with the State of Alaska and Fairbanks Public Health to bring the following immunization and vaccinations clinics to our community:
August 12, 2021: Tanana Middle School from 2 - 6 pm
August 19, 2021: North Pole Fire Dept. from 3 - 6 pm- Masks are required for ages 2 and up.
- Bring your shot records.
- The COVID vaccine is available for all community members ages 12 and above.
New to the District? Don't Forget to Enroll!
Just a reminder that new employees that are interested in health benefits must enroll within 30 days of hire.
To enroll, schedule an appointment through American Fidelity.
Interim Director of Nursing Services
Congratulations to Kimberly Frontain, FNSBSD's new Interim Director of Nursing Services!
Kim previously worked at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital before coming to work for the district in 2019 as a school nurse at Ryan Middle School. Most recently, Kim has served our district in the capacity of Occupational Health Nurse, overseeing our COVID-19 contact tracing all last year.
Kim will step into this new role with the same patience, kindness, and positive attitude that we have come to know and appreciate. Please join us in welcoming Kim to her new position!
Kim can be reached by email at kimberlee.frontain@k12northstar.org, or by phone at 452-2000 ext. 11413. Kim has the mid-hallway office on the 4th floor.
News from EEO / Title IX
Welcome our new Title IX Specialist!
We are so excited to welcome our new Title IX Specialist, Jennifer Zawislak to the HR team! She comes to us with a great background and a passion for working with children and families. If you’re downtown in the ADC building, stop by the EEO Suite and say hi!
Title IX is a federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex. This includes remedying and preventing occurrences of sexual harassment and assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
Don’t forget that your mandatory training includes a short training on Title IX. Be sure to complete this no later than October 31st.
As always, if you have any questions about Title IX, give us a call at x11466.
New Service/Therapy Animal Policy
The School Board recently passed two new policies that outline the presence of animals in our schools - Policy 180: Service Animals and Policy 181: Therapy Animals.
We welcome all individuals with a service animal, including members of the public, our own employees, and our students. If you have a service animal that you would like to accompany you to work, please do not hesitate to reach out to the ADAAA Coordinator at 11466 to request an ADA accommodation.
A service animal is any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. A service animal does not include an emotional support animal.
Unlike a service animal, a therapy animal must go through an application and approval process to be allowed onto district property.
A therapy animal is a dog specifically trained and certified to provide emotional, physical, and behavioral support to multiple students in an instructional and/or curricular setting. A therapy animal is not a service animal or an emotional support animal.
Therapy dogs can provide a wide range of benefits to students including animal-assisted therapy and activities that improves students’ quality of life and happiness as well as their social and emotional wellbeing.
If anyone desires to bring a therapy animal into the schools, please reach out to the EEO Officer at 11466 for assistance with the application process.
More information can be found on our website by clicking here!
Recruiting News
Back to School Events
Want to learn more about the Substitute or Volunteer process? Follow the links below.
Mandatory Training Update
Staff can review their mandatory training list by logging into Employee Self Service and clicking on the certifications tab.
Most trainings are due by October 31st of each new school year. Training reminders will be emailed out to staff soon!
Upon completion of courses, please email your certificate to training@k12northstar.org.
If you need help enrolling in a course on Canvas, please contact Karen Motschenbacher at 452-2000 X 11326 or by email at training@k12northstar.org.
Important FEA News
FEA Evaluation Timelines
With the beginning of the school year, there are several important timelines for FEA evaluations. Philosophy of Education and the Beginning of the Year Goal-Setting Form are due by September 25th for teachers who are on the Danielson Domain Focus (DDF). Please refer to the Evaluation Process Timeline Chart for a complete list of due dates.
1st Semester Salary Change Requests
Wednesday, October 13th is the deadline to submit a complete packet (form and official transcripts) for the 1st-semester salary change. Approved requests are retroactive to the start of the year, August 11th.
Contact Shea Wollmann (x11384) or Kelly Slechta (x11383) with questions regarding course/credit eligibility and packet submission.
Important ESSA News
ESSA Inservice
ESSA Inservice is scheduled for October 1, 2021. If you have any topic or training ideas for professional development, please share them with us using this form.
Please note that annual and personal leave will not be approved on this day.
ESSA Evaluations
ESSA Evaluations have several different timelines for completion:
9/10 month employee evaluations are due May 1, 2021.
12-month employee evaluations are due on or before the anniversary of the employee's hire date.
Probationary employee evaluations are due within four months of the employee's hire date or transfer to a new position.
Personal Leave for School Term Employees
Five (5) days of personal leave per year is accrued by all school term employees. Employees may carry over five (5) days of personal leave to the following year. Employees may accrue up to ten (10) personal leave days and use a maximum of six (6) days per year. Please confer with your supervisor when scheduling personal leave time. (ESSA negotiated agreement Article 10.4 Paid Leaves of Absence e. Personal leave)
HR Welcomes Teachers Back to School
HR Team Rocks Positive Picketing
HR at the Tanana Valley Fair
FNSBSD Human Resources
Email: human.resources@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/hr
Location: 520 5th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: 907-452-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanResourcesFNSBSD/