Human Resources
March 2021
Employee Spotlights
Congratulations to Allison Baldock!
New EEO Assistant!
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Spring Break Leave for ESSA 9/10 Month Employees
A reminder on using personal leave for Monday and Tuesday of Spring Break.
If you have Personal Leave available and plan on being paid for Monday and Tuesday of Spring Break, you must "request" these two days through AESOP or TCP as a vacation request. If you don't enter leave, you will not be paid.
You do not need to enter anything in AESOP or TCP if you do not want to be paid for these days.
You do not have to use Personal Leave during Spring Break if you do not wish to. Spring break LWOP is the only time you will not need to request LWOP through HR using a Change of Status form.
The breakdown of spring break is as follows:
• Monday, March 8: Option of Personal Leave OR LWOP
• Tuesday, March 9: Option of Personal Leave OR LWOP
• Wednesday, March 10: FIXED VACATION DAY
• Thursday, March 11: HOLIDAY PAY
• Friday, March 12: HOLIDAY PAY
For frequently asked questions, please see the ESSA Spring Break FAQ.
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Revised School Calendars
The 2020-2021 school calendar was recently adjusted to account for the inclement weather school closure day on November 9, 2020, which resulted in the loss of a student instruction day.
The last student instructional day is now May 19, 2021 (previously May 18, 2021). All staff should take into consideration the amended days when arranging summer plans during this timeframe.
Revised 2020-2021 School Calendar
FEA Information:
The last teacher contract day is now May 20, 2021 (previously May 19, 2021).
Revised FEA/FPA Start and End Dates
ESSA (School Term Employees Only) Information:
Some support staff positions that normally end with student contact will be extended to May 19, 2021. Please access the revised ESSA Start/End Date Calendar linked below to determine your new end date for the school year. Those positions highlighted in yellow have been extended.
Revised ESSA Start and End Dates
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How Seniority is Determined
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Important Information from Benefits
HEALTHYWAGE CHALLENGE
Join the $10,000 Team Challenge and stay motivated to get healthy! This 12-week weight loss challenge is the perfect opportunity to lose some weight, win some money, and have fun! Click here for more information.
SIGN UP online or on HealthyWage’s mobile app and join the friendly competition to win over $18,000 in cash prizes!
Register online for $25/month for 3 months ($75).
Download the HealthyWage App for iOS or Android!
Questions?
Contact HealthyWage at info@healthywage.com or (888) 636-3832.
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FSA, HSA and HRA CARDS
If you have not yet received your FSA, HSA or HRA cards from American Fidelity, please let us know by filling out this form by March 15, 2021.
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403(b) INFORMATIONAL SESSION
Don't miss your last opportunity to participate in a 403(b) informational session on March 3 from 4:00-5:00 with Metlife's David Gonzales.
David E. Gonzalez started as a Financial Advisor in 1999 and has enjoyed a long career becoming well-acquainted with various financial strategies and products. As of February 2021, Dave has over $320 million under management and over 5,000 accounts. Dave and his team are constantly looking for current ways to enhance their knowledge base to offer clients and continually improving the client’s experience. Representing Metlife’s 403(b) for Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Dave is excited to share how to best use your 403(b) product in your overall Financial Plan. Some people save too much for retirement and miss out on other aspects of financial strength in their lives. Others don’t save enough and should understand other strategies available to help with the parts that keep their lives in balance. Either way, the knowledge of HOW to best save for retirement and HOW MUCH to save is important information to gain.
Please join Dave on March 3rd as he discusses 403(b) accounts and answers any other financial questions you’d like to address during his session.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://financialguide.zoom.us/j/6601475220?pwd=NlVHTkgvbmlxL0ZFRHFmdGpONlY5Zz09
Meeting ID: 660 147 5220
Passcode: 777118
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RETIREMENT SESSIONS WITH STATE OF ALASKA RNB
Natasha Golovatiuk with the Division of Retirement and Benefits, State of Alaska will be doing three retirement seminars in March.
Natalia is one of the Division PERS and TRS Senior Benefit Counselors. Natalia is also a Regional Division Counselor for the Fairbanks area. Natalia joined Member Services with the Division’s Juneau office in February of 2011. In February of 2013, Natalia was promoted to the position of Regional Counselor for the Fairbanks area. As of December of 2017, Natalia became one of the counselors with the Division Anchorage office, from where she continues working closely with members and employers of the Fairbanks region. Natalia enjoys making a multifaceted subject of retirement benefits appear to be transparent and simple. Presenting complex things in a simple way is a valuable skill Natalia developed owing to her current position.
March 17, 2021, 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
TRS Retirement Process (Defined Benefit Tier I and II). Duration: 2 hours.
This webinar is for TRS (tiers I & II) members who are interested in retirement eligibility, the retirement process, pension options, forms, timing of benefits, and enrollment in the State of Alaska Retiree Health Insurance Plan.
March 24, 2021, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
PERS Retirement Process (Defined Benefit Tier I, II and III). Duration: 2 hours.
This webinar is for PERS (tiers I, II and III) members who are interested in retirement eligibility, the retirement process, pension options, forms, timing of benefits, and enrollment in the State of Alaska Retiree Health Insurance Plan.
March 31, 2021, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Introduction to Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (PERS Tier IV and TRS Tier III). Duration: 2 hours.
This webinar is designed for Public Employees’ Retirement System Tier IV and Teachers’ Retirement System Tier III members who entered service after 6/30/2006.
The interactive session includes information about the defined contribution account, financial advice services, retiree insurance plans, Health Reimbursement Arrangement, disability, eligibility, vesting, investment options, distribution and additional resources available.
Click here to register for one of these webinars.
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New Travel Guidelines
While testing and strict social distancing are no longer required, the State of Alaska still recommends for you to do so.
As we are heading toward a well-deserved spring break, the Human Resources Department wanted to take a quick opportunity to discuss telework agreements in regards to the new recommendations.
Employees are not required to test when returning from travel; however, they are recommended to do so.
- If you choose not to test, you may return to the workplace immediately.
- If you choose to test, you will be required to strict social distancing and to not return to the workplace until you have negative test results and no symptoms.
Eligible employees may telework during the times in which they are awaiting test results but must return to the workplace once the negative test results are received (and displaying no symptoms). If you are unable to telework, you may use your accrued sick leave. Please visit the telework agreements webpage for additional information on whether you are eligible for a telework agreement.
If you have a telework agreement in place related to travel, and you no longer require it, please email the benefits team to rescind it.
Travel and testing restrictions may differ with the military installations. Use the following links to access the required protocols:
- Fort Wainwright: US Army Alaska Coronavirus information: https://home.army.mil/alaska/index.php/coronavirus
- Eielson Air Force Base: https://www.eielson.af.mil/coronavirus/
If you have any questions, please reach out to our benefits team:
Extension 11311
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CDC Guide to Masks
This document contains an informative guide to masks, which includes how to improve how your mask protects you and the different types of masks.
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EEO Announcement
March is Women’s History Month! Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Take some time this month to think about the women who have inspired you throughout your life.
Check out some of these extraordinary women here.
Teachers! Here are some resources for your classrooms!
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UAF SPED Classes Coming Up!
The UAF K-12 Post-baccalaureate Special Education Certificate Program is designed for general educators who would like to earn an endorsement in Special Education. The 24-credit program can be completed in just a year and a half completely by distance education. Course delivery involves a blend of asynchronous/synchronous instruction that allows educators to remain in their full-time positions while completing the certificate program.
This summer, they will be offering four 3-credit graduate-level courses. Topics include:
Special Education Law (EDSE F632)
Understanding FASD (EDSE F648),
Supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (EDSE F642),
Curriculum and Strategies for students with high incidence disabilities (EDSE F622).
Our classes are open to any educators looking to gain information and skills in the areas listed above. All courses are online with 3 – 6 synchronous class meetings via Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom
There is still time to register for summer courses and to apply for admission to the program for either Summer or Fall 2021. See the attached flyers for details.
UAF also offers programs in Initial Special Education Certification and will soon offer a minor in special education for students in elementary and secondary certification programs. Both programs lead to K-12 Special Education Certification. Please contact UAF for more information!
For more information contact: uaf-soe-special-education@alaska.edu
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Human Resources Webinars
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FNSBSD Human Resources
Email: human.resources@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/7990
Location: 520 5th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: 907-452-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanResourcesFNSBSD/