FMS @ a Glance
January 30 - February 3, 2017
Note for our Technology Coordinator: taken from her email on 01.20.2017
Attached is the new staff development catalog! First class starts Jan. 30th. Class sizes are limited so sign up soon. The courses in this catalog are open to ALL district staff. New courses will be added throughout the remainder of the year.
The catalog will also be made available for future reference in the Schoology Technology Support Group under Resources - ** Staff Google Forms
To register for a class, follow the procedure below:
1. Click on the “Sign Up Here!” link in red underneath the course title in the catalog.
2. Fill out and submit the form using your Google Apps for Education login and password.
3. Once you submit the form, a class instructor will contact you with more information.
Note: The first time you log in you may see the screen below to authorize the form link... Click Allow
If you have any questions please contact your staff development building representative. Contact information is available in the catalog.
Just a reminder if you haven't joined the Schoology Technology Support group yet instructions are below. I encourage you to join.
If you select "Resources" you will see different categories as they relate to technology. The goal is to have one place you can go to throughout the year to review tutorials, get how to's or just find info you can use throughout the year.
The code to join is:
BVRZ5-VSTC4
Log into Schoology with your network credentials : Choose Groups: Choose Join.. enter the code above
Thank you.
Maria Hanson, District Technology Coordinator
710 17th Street SW Faribault, MN 55021
507-333-6065
A bit of legislative news. (Taken from an Admin Newsletter)
Highlights include:
2% and 2% increase on the foundation aid formula ($371 million increase)
$40 million to reduce the special education cross-subsidy
$75 million in preschool programs
$67 million to TRA to improve the long-term stability of the fund
$4.4 million to maintain American Indian Tribal Contract equalization
$4 million to fund student support positions (new counselors and other support staff)
$3.2 million to update the MDE computer systems
$10.4 million increase in MDE budgets
The Commissioner described the proposal and a “meat and potatoes” budget—and she’s right. The proposal is 42% of the budget surplus—education’s share of the overall budget. The challenge will be to convince Republican majorities to spend this same amount. The proposals received a warm welcome from all of the public school advocates. As it should—this is a sound, balanced proposal. Given the partisan world we live in, it received some criticism from the Republican members of the education committees. Hopefully, the two sides can move to agreement.
The formula and special education increases are absolutely needed by our schools. Also, the funding of the shortfall in TRA is a positive move by the Governor. TRA has a small, long-term shortfall. This was discussed last year but not acted on. The problem compounds every year that it is not addressed. Hopefully, this is in the final agreements with the Legislature.
Weekly Calendar
Monday, January 30
2:00 pm PST meeting
Tuesday, January 31
Birthday Celebrations during HB
7:00 am PE meeting
1:30 pm District Principals meeting
Wednesday, February 1
8th graders meet with HS Counselors
9:00 am SSS Team meeting
Thursday, February 2
9:00 am Principal PLC with Colleen C.
Principal Co-Hort McDermott out of building
Friday, February 3
FMS Technology Committee meeting
Upcoming Events:
2/6 MDE/EL meeting Meihak out of building
2/7 District Goals meeting
2/7 District Technology Committee meeting
2/7 McDermott out of building
2/8 AVID / College and Career Readiness workshop - Meihak out of building
2/8 Department PLC
2/9 AVID / College and Career Readiness workshop - Meihak out of building
2/9 8th grade NAEP testing
2/10 both Principals in the building at the same time :)