Your "Human" Resource
Updates, Reminders, And Guidance From WWCS Human Resources
Goal Monitoring
February 2024
As a department, we are committed to discussing and celebrating the progress of our individual goals for this year and the team goals we established last year. Our HR team has worked well with personnel across the district to capture different processes to become more efficient as an organization. Please click on our new Digital HR Handbook and Administrator Tips & Tricks links, which will continue to expand; explore them as we strive to establish resources to make information more accessible for WWCS employees.
As we continue our professional journey, I encourage everyone to revisit their personal and team goals. With your supervisor, a trusted peer, or an entire department, analyze your progress, determine changes to action steps, visualize the joy you will experience as you hit milestones, and enthusiastically attack your goals! Beyond your goal monitoring, please spend time as a team determining the ideals and values you strive for daily. Check out the link below to hear how Simon Sinek briefly shares his perspective on setting measurable goals.
Human Resources Department Goals:
Support our staff in a professional, collaborative, and timely manner.
Make information accessible and easy to understand.
Streamline processes to help maximize productivity for district personnel.
Thank you,
Dr. Alex Ofili
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
WWCS Unsung Heroes
I want to take a moment to recognize John Fedulchak, an unsung hero in our midst. His swift and decisive actions played a crucial role in saving a student's life who was choking on his lunch. In a moment of crisis, John's fast-acting response showcased not only his dedication to his role as a teacher but also his extraordinary commitment to the well-being of our students. It is through his calm demeanor and immediate intervention that a potentially tragic incident was averted. In the face of danger, John demonstrated courage and resilience, making a profound impact on the lives of those around him. We are immensely grateful for his selfless actions and commend him for his heroism in ensuring the safety and welfare of our students.
-Kim Doman, Stevenson Middle School Principal
Inaugural John Glenn Athletic Hall of Fame
Earlier this month Jason Malloy, John Glenn Athletic Director, organized the inaugural John Glenn Athletic Hall of Fame. Many former athletes and coaches were celebrated at the event for their success at WWCS. The night was filled with laughter and joy as many deserving inductees were recognized. We applaud Mr. Malloy for his leadership and his efforts to create such a special event for our community.
Please click on the link to enjoy photos from the 2024 John Glenn Hall of Fame Induction.
"Last night was one of the best nights of my life!"
Chuck Gordon, JGHS Hall of Fame Inductee
HR TEAM!
HR Focus - Our Legal Responsibilities Under The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Keeping our students and staff safe remains one of my underlying driving forces. You may question how that statement connects to FERPA, but there can be severe legal and employment ramifications for staff when FERPA violations occur. As dedicated employees of our educational community, we must uphold the standards of privacy and confidentiality regarding our students' records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act serves as a cornerstone in protecting the privacy of our student education records. All of us may, at one time or another, have violated FERPA with or without knowing it. This article aims to provide a review of the law and help you stay in compliance with FERPA.
FERPA, enacted in 1974, grants certain rights to parents and eligible students concerning the privacy of student education records. Eligible students are those who have reached the age of eighteen. Education records under FERPA include any record directly related to a student kept by an educational agency or institution. These records can include a wide range of information, including grades, transcripts, disciplinary records, attendance records, and any personally identifiable information.
Here are four key principles and violations to keep in mind when safeguarding student privacy. Ensure that access to student records is restricted only to authorized personnel with a legitimate educational interest in the information. Sharing student information with District personnel who do not currently have or directly work with the student is a violation. Exercise caution when discussing student information in public or shared spaces. Avoid disclosing personally identifiable information unless it's necessary for educational purposes. Next time you are out at a restaurant with a colleague or family member, consider what you share about your day at work. All it takes is one person to report an overheard conversation. Take measures to secure physical and electronic student records from unauthorized access or disclosure. It can be a pain when you get logged out of MiStar, but it is meant to protect student privacy. Posting student grades by name or student number is a violation of FERPA. This has been a common practice in many classrooms. At one point, when I was in the classroom, I mistakenly thought if you used student numbers, it was allowable. I was wrong. Obtain written permission from parents or eligible students before disclosing any personally identifiable information. If you aren’t sure if you need permission to disclose something or have questions about anything shared in this article, numerous resources online can help you make the right call.
By adhering to the principles outlined in FERPA, we not only fulfill our legal obligations but also demonstrate our commitment to protecting the privacy and rights of our students and their families. Let us continue to uphold the trust placed in us by maintaining the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality.
Thank you for your dedication to our students’ well-being and academic success.
Julie Rogers
Human Resources Director
HR Focus - District-Wide Change in Name Change Process
Throughout the year we receive multiple requests to change employees' names for tax and payroll purposes. These changes then had to be communicated by the employee to multiple different departments. Human Resources has made a change to the name change process in an effort to streamline systems. Moving forward when an employee changes their name the change will be listed in all systems throughout the District.
In order for the name change to occur the employee will need to complete the Employee Record Change Form and bring it with their new social security card to the Human Resource Department. Once Human Resources has changed the employee's name in the payroll system an email will be sent out to the necessary departments for the employee's name to be changed in all systems. The employee will receive an email from the Technology Department when the name change has been made in the Active Directory System, at that time the employee can contact Human Resources to get a new badge.
Please see the updated Change of Name/Address Process and contact Human Resources with any questions.
Peggy Powers
Human Resources Director
HR Focus - Protect your identity and credit for free with MESSA
Did you know that MESSA provides all members and their dependents free year-round credit and identity protection at no charge through credit-industry leader Experian?
Through this service, all MESSA members with a medical plan receive two levels of free protection:
- Experian Identity Restoration. This level of protection requires no enrollment. If a MESSA member suspects their identity has been compromised, you can contact Experian at 877-736-4495. A dedicated investigator will work to recover financial losses and restore their credit.
- Experian Identity Works. This service offers extra protection and requires enrollment. It includes credit monitoring, up to 1 million in identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring for children under 18. This extra level of protection is available to MESSA members at no charge.
How to enroll:
Signing up is easy to do. Go to experianidworks.com/bcbsm and follow the directions to create your account.
Angelle Allen
Benefits Coordinator
Workplace Safety
Beware of the Bait: Navigating the Perils of Email Phishing
Email has become a primary mode of communication for both personal and professional matters. With the convenience of email comes the threat of phishing attacks. Email phishing is a form of cybercrime where fraudulent emails are sent with the intention of deceiving recipients into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious attachments. It poses a significant risk to individuals and organizations alike.
The Dangers of Email Phishing:
Email phishing attacks can take various forms, from seemingly legitimate messages from financial institutions requesting account information to fake notifications prompting users to reset their passwords on bogus websites. The consequences of falling victim to an email phishing scam can be severe, ranging from identity theft and financial loss to unauthorized access to sensitive data.
One common tactic employed by cybercriminals is to create emails that mimic those from reputable organizations, often using logos, branding, and language that closely resemble genuine correspondence. These deceptive emails may contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal login credentials or install malware onto the recipient's device.
How to Avoid Email Phishing Scams:
There are several measures individuals can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to email phishing scams.
1. Verify the sender. Before taking any action requested in an email, carefully examine the sender's email address. Be wary of emails from unknown or suspicious addresses, and scrutinize the domain name for inconsistencies or misspellings.
2. Think before clicking. Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading attachments within emails, especially if they prompt you to provide sensitive information or login credentials. Hover your mouse over links to preview the destination URL and ensure it matches the purported sender's website.
3. Verify requests for personal information. Legitimate organizations typically do not request sensitive information, such as passwords or account numbers, via email. If in doubt, contact the organization directly using a verified contact method to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
What to Do if Contacted by an Email Phishing Scam:
If you suspect you have received a phishing email, take the following steps to mitigate the risk.
1. Do not respond. Refrain from responding to the email or clicking on any links or attachments contained within it. Responding to phishing emails can alert cybercriminals that your email address is active and may result in further targeted attacks.
2. Report the email. Most email providers offer options to report suspicious emails as phishing attempts. Use these reporting features to notify your email provider of the fraudulent activity and help prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
3. Update security measures. Ensure that your computer, email account, and other devices are equipped with up-to-date antivirus software and security patches. Regularly update passwords for email accounts and other online accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Although email phishing is a prevalent threat, staying informed, exercising caution, and knowing how to respond can better protect your sensitive information from falling into the hands of cybercriminals.
JaCinda Sumara
Executive Director of Technology
HR Care Solace Support - Teen Dating Violence
February is Teen Dating Violence & Prevention Awareness Month. As a school community, let's stay informed about the signs of teen dating violence and know where to turn if you suspect yourself, a friend, or a family member is experiencing dating violence.
Dating violence is never okay in any form. There are many forms of violence to be aware of:
- Physical abuse - unwanted and intentional contact with someone's body or something close to
- their body with the intent to harm.
- Emotional and verbal abuse - non-physical behavior such as threats, insults, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or social media monitoring.
- Sexual abuse - force or coercion to perform unwanted sexual acts.
- Digital abuse - using social media or texting to intimidate, stalk, or harass someone.
- Stalking - when someone follows you or harasses you, causing fear and uncertainty.
For more information on types of abuse, you can visit loveisrespect.org.
It’s important to be aware of signs someone may be a victim of dating abuse. If you have a friend you suspect is experiencing signs of abuse, here are some tips on how you can help them:
- Reach out to them and ask if they need help or support. Ensure they’re safe when communicating your concerns, and let them know you are there for them when they need someone.
- Listen to them. Let them share their story and remind them it’s not their fault.
- Tell a trusted adult. Sometimes, looking out for your friend means letting an adult know something is wrong and allowing them to step in and help.
If you, a friend, or a family member is experiencing abuse, here are resources available to Wayne-Westland Community School District.
Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential service provided by Wayne-Westland Community School District. If you want to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health or substance use provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit caresolace.com/wwcsd and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
GEM Awards
Congratulations to our latest group of GEM Award winners! We applaud their efforts to make WWCSD a great place for students. Please click on the link below to learn more about our award winners.
Legal Focus - Working After Retirement For Michigan Public Educators
HR Reminders & Updates
- Student Teachers - Teachers, if you are interested in mentoring a student teacher in the upcoming 2024/2025 school year, please complete this survey.
Building and Central Office Administrators must complete the Informed K12 Absence form for absence approval. Teachers, Secretaries, and Paraprofessionals will continue to use Red Rover.
Instructional Coaches, MTSS Interventionists, and any fully grant-funded staff cannot be pulled to sub for teachers. No EXCEPTIONS will be made.
Principals and Supervisors, please retrieve building badges from all exiting staff, including Champions, Bright Futures, MCAN, etc.
Educators with credentials expiring June 30, 2024, log into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) to update account information. Staff are recommended to work with HR to ensure they are ready for the 2024-2025 academic year! Log into MOECS to check the status of a credential and professional learning prior to certificate renewal.
Leader Spotlight - Joe Orban
Title: Director of Assessment/Data
Years in WWCS: 29 years
Did You Know: Mr. Joe Orban has done a fantastic job coordinating our district's efforts to collect, analyze, and utilize data to enhance student performance throughout WWCS. Joe and a team of district leaders successfully represented WWCS at the 2024 Michigan School Testing Conference. They presented the work we've done collectively as a district to create a balanced assessment system. Joe is an asset to our organization, and well respected by his colleagues.
Noteworthy Contributions: "Joe Orban is a leader of any community in which he is a part of. He sits on his city council, the MAC knows and loves his work, and EduClimber can't get enough of learning how we are using the system and the edits that he suggests. When it comes to Wayne Westland however, Joe's commitment to his work and supporting the work of others is unmatched. Beyond being a willing and knowledgeable partner he is also encouraging and provides honest feedback to his colleagues. He comes through in a pinch, so well so, We have had to learn to be careful not to contact him with emails or calls when he has the day off as it will send him off and hunting to investigate and problem solve. Joe's work behind the scenes with Educlimber has been essential to the successes we have seen in documenting and monitoring MTSS interventions as well as the data behind our K-5 Literacy Alignment. He knows the questions to ask to make sure his is building data systems that make sense to the user. Joe's passion around balanced assessment is starting to make waves through the work of our FAME teams. Joe Orban is the area historian if you want to know the whys and whats of WWCSD and he also is the current champion of a lot of great work that is happening! Data isn't good...Data isn't bad....Data just is...BUT JOE is AMAZING!"
Nancy Schulz, Director of PD and School Improvement
"Joe’s Wayne-Westland career spans over 25 years, from 1995 to the present. He was the director of Alternative Education at Tinkham before coming to the board office in 2011 in his current position as Director of Assessment and Data. When there is a problem to solve, Joe listens and lends a hand; his support is much appreciated. You may have heard Joe say, on many occasions, “A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” Thank you, Joe!!"
Becky Weimer, Pupil Accounting Specialist