West Goshen News
October 9, 2015
I see positive thinking everyday!
A heard a teacher say to a student "I believe in you; I will never give up on you."
A student said "sometimes the work is hard but I have to use the tools I in my toolbox (brain) to help me figure it out."
A parent said "thank you for going above and beyond for my child...I wouldn't want him anywhere else."
These are just a few, of many, words overheard in the past week. It is because of your positive attitudes and dedication to educating our students. I appreciate, even as hard as the work gets, you all do it for our students. I am lucky to be here working with all of you...and our students are extremely lucky! Thank you for making West Goshen a special place!
Cluster this week - AMAZING!
Continue to reflect on your continuum of learning that you identified in cluster. Push yourself to go to the next level toward "conceptual".
Talking about the types of thinking
Practical Thinking
Reseach based thinking
Some highlights from the week...
Working hard in Success in 1st grade
Reading time
Ms. Loper's class's motto
TLT focus
On Monday, we will wrap up Thinking with a time to reflect on the critical elements. We will set goals for ourselves based on the progression from procedural to conceptual within those different elements.
PTO updates and dates to put on your calendars
October 26 - information/order forms will be going home in the Monday folders
November 10 - orders are due back
November 20 - orders will be delivered to West Goshen (these will be set up in the gym). Parents can pick up orders from 2:30-6:30.
The TENTATIVE date for the new playground installation for the intermediate playground is November 13th (Friday) and 14th (Saturday). The playground will be "closed" during the installation period. If these dates change, I will let you know.
If you would be willing to help on Saturday, the PTO would love the help!
TENTATIVE date for McTeacher Night fundraiser at McDonald's is Thursday, October 29th. If you have never participated in this event - talk with your grade level teams about the fun that we all have on this night! I'll let you know the specific time once I hear back from PTO for sure.
Friday, October 30th is going to be a Popcorn Day. PTO will be selling bags of popcorn after lunch for $.25. A PTO representative will be bringing the bags around to each classroom.
Parent Teacher Conferences - IMPORTANT
As per Title 1 guidelines, West Goshen created a parent compact that parents need to sign. It is an agreement between home/school. Karen will be getting these to you. Please give them to parents at conferences - if they could sign them right there, that would be great. (They are the same that were sent home last year so most parents should be familiar with them).
Also, under the teacher contract, all certified staff is required to stay for the entire time of conferences - even if your conferences end before 8:00.
Trivia Night!
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Trivia night hosted by the Goshen Community Schools Foundation. Several entities have generously sponsored tables on behalf of each of our schools. We would really like to extend to your school an invitation to have 6 of your educators to participate in Trivia Night. As of today, I have sponsors for every school to have 1 team. I may have room for a school to have an extra team. Please get with your staff and let me know who would like to participate.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
6:30—9:00 pm at
Peddler Village Event Center
Moderated by DJ Sticky Boots
LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BEING ON WEST GOSHEN'S TEAM!
Central Office News
Transportation:
There is a shortage of bus drivers and district is trying to recruit more. The issue is that there have been instances where a field trip has to be cancelled due to this shortage. Be sure to plan ahead. It is required to put the request in 2 weeks prior, however, there needs to be more advanced notice.
New Contracts & Timeline
On Monday, September 28th GEA membership ratified the master contract for the 2015-16 school year. On Tuesday, September 29th the Board approved the agreement. We have already started working to implement this new agreement.
Our first goal is to clean up any/all errors in the current payroll system by the October 9th pay date. This way we can begin making the adjustments to the pay with an accurate foundation. The target date for including the salary increase in teacher pay is the October 23rd pay date. By the end of October, it is our goal to have written contracts out to all teachers.
One of the changes to the contract was an hourly rate increase for teachers who provide “in-house” subbing services. The rate increased from $20.48/hour to $25.00 per hour. Attached is the NEW payroll voucher to be used for in-house subbing. Please STOP using the old ones and remember to print/copy these on YELLOW paper. Thanks!
Expulsion of Students with 504 Plans
We must notify the expulsion officer if a student on a 504 plan is brought forward to an expulsion meeting, because we need to hold a manifest determination meeting first, just like a special education student. Susan, will be speaking to the counselors about this to make certain that all are informed. Thanks all!
Subs for Paraprofessionals
Although our substitute pool is a little wider and deeper this year, we are in no way “out of the woods” in terms of potential shortages. Please remind your paraprofessionals and other classified staff that they should NOT be calling Jamie UNLESS their position REQUIRES a sub for the day in their absence. Remember that this applies to those 1:1 paras or program paras that are required to implement a student’s IEP and/or program. They do not need to report their absences to Jamie. Rather, they just include that on their timesheets or in Time Force, if applicable. If a para calls in for a substitute, Jamie will do her very best to find someone, but our first priority MUST always be to provide subs for teachers first. Let Tammy know if you have a question.
Horace Mann Student Loan Reduction Workshop
Please remember that next week, Wednesday, October 14th, GEA is sponsoring the Horace Mann Student Loan reduction workshop for all GCS employees. This will be at the GHS Auditorium at 4pm. Below, is the email for Andrea Thalheimer, please RSVP with her by this Friday so we can have an accurate count for materials. Walk-ins are welcome, but an RSVP will ensure that we will have enough materials for everyone. Also, Andrea would like you to bring some things to aid in this workshop. What those things are, I do not know. Andrea will contact all who RSVP and tell you what to bring. This workshop is not just for your student loan, but will address your children’s loan(s) as well. Also, this is not just for GEA members or just teachers, ALL are welcome. If you have questions, please feel free to contact:
Scott Garvin
GEA VP
GHS Ext 2470
OR
Thalheimer, Andrea Andrea.Thalheimer@horacemann.com
eSuite HR Portal
Please share this information with your staff again: To access eSuite and paystubs, go to the GCS website under Staff Services, you will see that the first tab listed is eSuite HR Portal. When you click on that, you will find directions and other information.
Exciting news
Upcoming Dates
12th:
7:30 am: RtI Data meeting (we will wait until after Fall Break to talk about Access)
3:00-4:30 - TLT meeting
6:00: School Board Meeting
13th:
P/T Conferences 4-8pm
14th: Order forms for WG clothing apparel due to Jodie
8:30-11:30 - ASSIST training (Lori at Central Office)
1:30 - PAR training (Karen and Jodie out of office)
3:05 - United Way presentation (will take around 10 minutes)
15th:
P/T Conferences 4-8 pm
16th: Wear Pink Day in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
19th-23rd: No School - Fall Break
26th: PTO fundraiser information home in Monday folders
1:45 - K-2 Blue Ticket Assembly
2:15 - 3-5 Blue Ticket Assembly
6:00 Board Meeting
27th:
12:00 - 5th graders leave for Martin's Pay it Forward
12:30-4:00 - Strategic Planning Meeting (Lori at Central Office)
28th:
12:00 - 5th graders leave for Martin's Pay it Forward
29th:
8:00-10:00 District TLT meeting (Lori gone)
McTeacher Night - PTO fundraiser at McDonald's
30th: PTO Popcorn Day
8:30-10:00 District Master Teacher meeting (Aimee and Lori gone)
November:
12th: Jeans for Troops Day - wear your jeans to show support for our troops!