Points of Pride
April 7, 2019
State/District Updates:
- The last day for certified staff to sign their contract is 4/24.
- On your new contract, 301 funds are added to your base. GPS decided to do it this way to make it easier to read.
- School start/end times will be voted on as a school board on Tuesday 4/9. Gov. Ducey signed a bill pertaining to junior high instructional minutes, so the current proposal would have all elementary schools starting at 8:10 and ending at 2:55.
- The IBBT and OTM have currently "tabeled" the proposal where staff would get two fewer medical days but add $200 to everyone's base. This is still something both parties are interested in, but will not be in effect for next year.
- SB 1346 just passed through an educational committee at the legislature. This bill would have AzMERIT go until spring 2021. As a part of this bill, a group would start looking to purchase a different assessment.
- This summer, GPS will be getting a new website. If there is something you have on your teacher page, that you want to save, please save it before leaving for summer. This new site will not have "teacher pages."
- Spring Pay for Performance payouts for 2019 will be in a separate check on June 27. Certified staff will get $1146 for PLC Participation and up to $807 for Pay for Performance (based off evaluation)
- Business Services is proposing to the school board a change to trip funding starting next year. Right now if you need a school bus, it's a flat $200 rate per bus. The district is losing money on this. They are looking to change this to $22 an hour and $2 a mile.
- Next year, Food Services is looking to increase the prices of breakfast and lunch by 25 cents.
Leadership Format Update....
It is going to be critical that this committee is made up of several sub-groups to ensure that we are making equitable decisions for the campus. To date, I don't have any primary teachers or specials teachers that have applied. I don't need to have every group represented, but it's preferred.
As a reminder, these applications are due by the end of the week.
Testing Schedule Version 2.0
Here is the latest schedule:
Marquee is up and Running!!!
The old marquee should be taken away at some point this next week.
Upcoming Events:
- 4/8: 4th grade reading AzMERIT; 5th grade reading AzMERIT (block 3)
- 4/9: AIMS Science for 4th grade (AM and PM Sessions); 5th grade finish reading AzMERIT
- 4/10: 2:15 Release-PLC; 3rd grade writing AzMERIT; MOD Pizza Fundraiser @ 10:00
- 4/11: 5th grade writing AzMERIT; 6th grade AzMERIT; PTSO Meeting @ 3:30
- 4/12: 4th grade writing AzMERIT; 6th grade AzMERIT
- 4/15: Benefits Open Enrollment begins; 4th grade math AzMERIT and 5th (block 2)
- 4/16: 3rd grade math AzMERIT and 5th (block 1); School Council @ 4:00
- 4/17: 5th grade math (block 3) and 6th grade; 2:15 Release-Site PD; GPS Benefits Fair @ GHS @ 3-5
- 4/18: Leadership Team @ 7:30; Preschool Egg Hunt @ 9:00 and 12:15; 4th grade field trip @ Boyce Thompson @ 8:45-2:00; 5th Math AzMERIT (block 1) and 6th grade
- 4/19: No School-Spring Holiday
Mr. Savage....
We love all that he has done for us at Settler's Point, but wish him the best moving forward.
Master schedule Input....
With that in mind, I don't know how much time we will have to seek input from all teams before the year ends. However, I do want your input.
As a team, please discuss what three things are most important to you in the master schedule and email them to me. I may not be able to get everyone's list, but I will try.
Here are some examples: recess in the AM, Fundations before ELA time, Math WIN in the afternoon. Again, these are just examples, but send me your top 3 considerations for your grade level (one submission per team please)
SETI....
This year the focus will be on MUCH more than technology, and will have many classes on Ready GEN.
There are still spots open to attend if you are interested. Here is the link to sign up:
Central Christian Church Mobilize Projects
This still needs to be "sealed" so if possible we need to try and keep hands off.
There is seating for an entire class and the rest of the weeds will be taken care of early this week.