Magers Memo
December 8th, 2018
PLEASE ENJOY THE GIFT OF JEANS THROUGH THE REST OF DECEMBER!!
Updates from Crystal
- If you know one of your students is going to be in the office, please send work. At times we have multiple students in the office and calling all T's to remind them to send work isn't possible. We appreciate your help with this! Also, if you want to create a "random folder" for your grade level with multiple copies of "filler" work to provide you more time, that might be a good option as well. Also, if you are aware that they are not coming back, please send their backpack and belongings to the office as well so they will be ready to dismiss.
- The Sensory Team met this week and we are very excited to provide you with a folder full of sensory resources (will be in your boxes by the end of the week)! There are multiple copies of the "pass" you can use for the Volcano Room or Sensory Room. Please read through all contents prior to using the passes. Also, if you would like to "schedule" time for a certain student, work with Pam so she can build this into her schedule. Remember, you cannot send students between 10:30 and 1:00 due to Pam's lunch duty and lunch break.
- Grade Posting: Report cards open on December 10th. All grades must be entered by noon on Friday, December 21st. At noon, Bri will send the report for you to check, if you have checked the first box on this form at noon. The first box on this form lets Bri know you are done. So, if you finish early, check the form and Bri will go ahead and send the report early. ONLY SAY READY TO PRINT (on the google form) after you have proofed for every student. All grades should be entered prior to leaving for Winter Break.
- Fire & Intruder Drill follow-up: Great job today! If an entrance is blocked and there is a traffic jam at one door, feel free to go to a different door that is close by. DO NOT feel like you have to follow the crowd...get students out of the building as fast as possible. Even if your class is split-we will locate everyone outside, which is safer than locating students inside.
- If you have a blocker on your door handle lock, please make sure you remove it for a lock down intruder drill. There were at least three rooms that were open. A teacher should check to make sure the door latches.
NO STAFF MEETING NEXT TUESDAY!! ENJOY THE GIFT OF TIME!!
Counseling Lessons in January-May
- Lara will not be covering Amber's classes on these weeks.
- Every teacher will have one day of 30 minute specials once a month.
Schedule:
- January: 14th-18th
- February: 11th-15th
- March: 25th-29th
- April: 15th-19th
- May: 13th-17th
MAP Testing:
We can do better just by having a regulated schedule of when to test. Some teachers are pushing it into 2 days and some are making it happen when is best for kids. “Cognitive fatigue influences students performance on standardized tests” article was shared.
3 week testing window April 22 - May 10
Schools will follow the same schedules and the same timing guidelines. There will be no afternoon sessions.
I-ready testing is after the MAP window.
K, 1 and 2 could i-ready test during the MAP window so that it is a testing environment throughout the building.
Outside Guidelines for Winter
Just a reminder about the temperature guidelines for outdoor recess during the winter months.
Temperature and/or Wind Chill
29° or below – no outdoor recess
30°-32° - up to 10 minutes with appropriate layers
Administrative Practices and Procedures
Weather-Related Illness (page 13)
Cold: When temperatures are 32 degrees F or below and/or wind chill factor is 15 degrees F or below, there is an increased chance for hypothermia and frostbite. Students should be encouraged to wear layered clothing and limit exposure to outdoor temperatures, including recess and/or physical education. No outdoor recess is allowed when temperature and/or wind chill is equal to or below 29 degrees. If outdoor temperature and/or wind chill is 30-32 degrees F, students may be outdoors for no longer than 10 minutes wearing appropriately layered clothing, i.e. coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. For additional information, contact Health Services (523-1630).
Next Year
Staff: If you plan to retire at the end of this year or plan to put in for a transfer...etc. please let me know as soon as possible. Also, if you wish to change grade levels (if the option presents itself) please let me know! It sounds early, but planning for next year will begin just after the new year. Please see the "early separation notice" below from HR.
To Eligible SPS R-12 Employees,
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!
Springfield Public Schools is dedicated to retain and recruit the best teachers and leaders for all of our students throughout the system. As part of our Strategic Plan, Focus 2, Goal 1: To create a culture that empowers employees and provides each student access to a qualified and effective teacher in every classroom, an effective principal in every school and an effective employee in every position, we want to show our appreciation to those who notify the district as early as possible about their intent to retire or resign. We greatly value our educators who teach our students every day; however, if we are going to lose you to, we would like to find the best fit for our students in a timely manner. We would like to have an advantage of securing the top available education talent and are committed to retaining and continuing to hire the best. For a fourth year in a row, we are offering an “Early Notification Incentive” for those in a school-based position which requires a teaching or administrative certification- teachers and principals who submit their separation notice early as listed below. The letter of separation would be active at the end of the employee’s 2018-2019 contract.
Eligible employees will be provided an opportunity to receive a:
- $1000 Early Notification Incentive if declared in writing to Human Resources by Friday, January 4, 2019.
- $750 Early Notification Incentive if declared in writing to Human Resources between Saturday, January 5- Friday, February 1, 2019.
- $500 Early Notification Incentive if declared in writing to Human Resources between Saturday, February 2- Friday, March 1, 2019.
All notices must be in writing and accompany the attached Early Notification Incentive form. Send it directly to Human Resources at humanresources@spsmail.org or via interoffice mail (blue bag) to: Attention: KAC/HR Services. A copy also needs to be provided to your principal/supervisor by the stated deadline. Human Resources will email the employee to verify the letter was received.
Our goal is to increase the likelihood of hiring highly qualified candidates by making hiring decisions as early as possible. The goal is not to increase the number of retirements or resignations. We strive to continue to have the very best for our school community. If you have any specific questions, please contact Human Resources at 523-4647.
Winter Parties
- From 8:30-8:45 a.m. all students will sing Christmas carols in the gym. Parties will begin at 9:00 a.m. (5th grade).
- When it is your specials time, take students to the gym. There will be PTA volunteers to explain the rotations to students. There will be a snack station, dance station, bounce house, craft station and game station. Students will rotate through each station for the hour they have parties. All 4 grade level classes will be together for that hour.
- Specialty teachers will report to the gym for supervision during parties (with the exception of your plan time). There will be parent volunteers assisting as well.
- Please let parents know in your weekly newsletters that they need parents to help with the parties on this day. PTA should be sending a Sign-Up Genius but sometimes it goes out late so if you could give parents a heads up now-that would be awesome.
- This is great for parents who have multiple students because they can attend both parties.
- Please have students take off their shoes and leave them under their desk prior to coming to the party. This will help PTA & our volunteers. Students should wear socks to the party. Also, you may want to give parents a heads up that students will be in socks so they can ensure students have matching socks that day (thinking as a parent here :).
- This is the only expectation of you during parties. Once you drop shoe-less students off, you can use your plan time like normal.
- Parties are on the last day before Winter Break (December 21st).
- If you have questions please let me know! I think you will love this new process!! It's a win for everyone.