Administrivia
Week of 9-17-18
Settling into Routine
Please remind your students to put their lunches into the lunch bin before the bin leaves for the lunchroom each day. We have a constant stream of kids heading back to their classrooms after recess to get their lunches from their backpacks. This cuts into the amount of time they have to eat and allows students to wander the building. I will give reminders on the morning announcements as well.
If you have anything for the morning announcements that we should share, celebrate, or students need to know for clubs/groups/practice, etc., please leave a note in my mailbox so I can include in the AM announcements.
Have a wonderful week!
Sue
NWEA Testing Continues This Week
Testing in Tablet Mode
Assigning NWEA Accommodations--Using Headphones
Attached are the instructions (#11A) for teachers to assign accommodations in NWEA. Accommodations are assigned when the teachers create their test sessions, therefore it is strongly recommended to create test sessions prior to administering the test.
Students are attaching headphones after launching the NWEA secured testing link preventing the student from hearing the audio. If a student states, they can’t hear from their headphones please close the browser and let the computer recognize the headphones prior to relaunching the NWEA secure testing link.
An After-School Professional Development session is being offered on the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.
Training will be offered on Wednesday, September 26th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Duncan Elementary. Teachers should email catherine.einhaus@uticak12.org by Monday, September 24th to register for the session. Attached is a flyer (#20A) to share with interested staff.
Progress Report and Marking Period Dates - Elementary and Secondary
Influenza Inoculations
Utica Community Schools will again facilitate ease of access for employees to obtain flu shots prior to the winter season. On September 18 and 19, authorized CVS pharmaceutical personnel will be stationed at a number of district sites prepared to administer walk-in flu shots for district employees. CVS accepts all medical insurance plans and in most instances the vaccine will be covered. If you do not have insurance (through the district or another carrier), a flat fee charge of $30.00 will apply. Site administrators who are hosting a flu clinic are asked to secure a room, post appropriate signage and plan for possible (employee) visitors.
Participants should be prepared to present a UCS employee identification badge upon request.
Pre-arranging Substitute Teacher(s)
The Human Resources Department continues to work on approaches for securing and providing adequate substitute teacher coverage for the 2018-2019 school year. The practice of pre-arranging with familiar and trusted substitute(s) can be one such effective strategy. Pre-arranging a substitute means the substitute has been contacted and confirmed at the building level. Pre-arranging can only be done when the desired substitute is a known EDUStaff employee and Utica Community Schools eligible. If pre-arranging, please remember the following to ensure the substitute is compensated appropriately and to prevent double coverage from occurring:
If it is for a school business absence, indicate the substitute has been pre-arranged along with identified name on the request form.
If it is for a personal absence, the teacher submits the absence in AESOP and selects ‘No Sub Needed’ with an email or message for Pam Austin at 797.1140 verifying the arrangements.
Calendar Dates
Tuesday, Sept. 18: Elementary Principal Meeting 1-4 PM--Sue out of building
Flu Clinic available from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM in Teacher's Lounge
Wednesday, Sept. 19 Fire Drill #2 @ 2:00 PM
Friday, Sept. 21: Remax Hot Air Balloon Assembly--schedule to come prior to Friday--waiting for information from the pilot
Eisenhower Homecoming parade and game
Monday. Sept. 24: Eisenhower Marching Band to perform on the North play pad. 1:15 PM
6:30 PM PTO Meeting @ Hamlin Pub on 25 Mile/VanDyke
Tuesday, Sept. 25: 3:30 - 4:30 PM Staff Meeting--Data Review/Domain 5/Early Literacy Materials for K-3
Wednesday, Sept. 26: School Picture Day
Thursday, Sept. 27: Open House 7 PM