Welcome Back
LET'S IGNITE THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR
Share your summer happiness with us!
Opening Days (Aug 22 - Aug 24)
To view the Opening Day Schedules please visit https://docs.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/document/d/1w8Fa_o-p9K0Vx9kzKK02tiyDhrrJ8B2OrjJagDXF_dQ/edit?usp=sharing.
EdCamp, August 23:
What is EdCamp? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp-3V6DAX_c
Be ready to discuss: Growth Mindset, Engagement, Building Relationships, Chrome Integration, and Formative Assessment Practices
District Wide Opening Day
Check out the opening day letter from Dr. Dyer at https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B__OBMnC1bMLVDRqelpoamJWeDA.
SWEBS
The SWEBS schedule has been completely revised for the 2016-17 school year!
Check it out: https://docs.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/document/d/1n6HfWXpYXPCiCusy_RHfwhmw3bnHFrJrtgl4O9f01bQ/edit?usp=sharing
Welcome New Faculty
- Mark Young: Math Acceleration & Intervention Teacher
- Ryan Thoman: 6th Grade Math/Social Studies Teacher - Yellow Community
- Raquel Cruz-Covington: 4th Grade Learning Support - Blue Community
- Maria Colella: Learning Support Paraprofessional - Red Community
- Rachel Upton: Special Education Clerical
- Karen Immel: PCA - Yellow Community Deaf/HH Class
- Nicole Moran: Part-Time Teacher Assistant - Yellow Community Deaf/HH Class
- Christa Smith: IST Paraprofessional - Yellow Community
- Julia Haslett: Therapeutic Emotional Support Teacher - Red Community
- Christine Rial: Therapeutic Emotional Support Paraprofessional - Red Community
- Doug Woods: Head Custodian, 2nd Shift
- : Half Special Education Learning Support - Red Community
- : One-on-One Paraprofessional - Blue Community
DAIS Contact Information
- 2016-17 DAIS Phone List: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EUXWQwIVDCh9on4F-HTm5_RQZXaOtf6wYUuuRzuxsyc
- 2016-17 Building List by Wing: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-TsaQoYkchtOTZHeGRvMVlEa2c
Calendar Items
New this year! Welcome to the interactive school calendar. The calendar will be complete with cycle days, clickable links, and more! Months are located on each tab at the bottom and you can print each month nicely on one page if needed.
To access the new calendar visit https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dogp_DUiPUYg8vNOQx8GluMQbCZMFpTiGlQJ7xcuz0k.
*Don't forget to save the calendar to your Google Drive favorites!
2016-17 District Calendar-At-A-Glance
Please visit http://www.dallastown.net/cms/lib6/PA01000011/Centricity/Domain/50/2016-17%20Calendar-at-a-Glance-REVISED-16.pdf for the 2016-17 DASD Calendar-At-A-Glance!
2016-17 Personal Day Availability
Need to know what days are available to take as a personal day? Visit https://docs.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/spreadsheets/d/1L_Z70M7NvwGKCt6F6X4OeWIimIqyRqbhvUBbQ-TC2QQ/edit?usp=sharing.
*Don't forget, if you need to take a personal day on a day not permitted by the teacher's contract, you may submit a Personal Leave Exception Request for approval. Need the exception request form? Visit https://drive.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/file/d/0B-TsaQoYkchtUlFQb0p6TnJwN1E/view?usp=sharing
Curriculum & Teaming
Supervision & Evaluation
Observations - iObservation will continue to be the observation platform with formal observations to include a pre-observation conference with online form, observation, and post-observation conference with online form. When observation forms are generated in iObservation, please acknowledge them and leave comments if you wish. Teachers of grade 4 will be formally observed in 2016-2017, as well as non-tenured and Instructional I certified teachers as of August 22, 2016.
Walkthroughs - Walkthroughs will begin in all classrooms as soon as possible as we collaborate in a culture of learning. Please have lesson plans accessible electronically or on paper. We look forward to integrating into the classroom learning experience and the collegial dialogue. When a walkthrough is generated in iObservation, please acknowledge it and leave comments if you wish.
Differentiated Supervision - Differentiated Supervision forms will be accessed and submitted in the Growth Plan tab in iObservation for initial proposal, mid-year updates, and year-end summaries. Directions will be available on the Google Drive under the Faculty Information folder. Differentiated Supervision topics include HLI/Chrome integration,Engagement (DQ 5), Helping Students Practice and Deepen Knowledge (DQ 3), and Student Achievement aligned to the PA Core. Differentiated Supervision plans will be due in iObservation by October 7, 2016, midyear by January 27, 2017, and final by May 19, 2017.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) - Faculty will be working collaboratively to set goals related to student learning outcomes this school year as part of the Pennsylvania Teacher Effectiveness. SLOs will be submitted online through the DAIS One to World Google Classroom. Proposed plans will be due by October 7, 2016, and final summaries with ratings and data will be due by May 19, 2017.
ELA Study Island Timeline
September 19 - October 3: SI benchmark 1 (Scores entered by October 11)
February 1 - February 24: SI benchmark 2 (Scores entered by February 28)
DRA Testing Window
- August 29 - September 16; Spreadsheets due September 23
- January 2 - January 13; Spreadsheets due January 20
- May 1 - May 26; Spreadsheets are due May 26
DRA Days/Substitutes
- September: Grade 4: Full Day. Grades 5 & 6: Half Day
- January / February: Grade 5: Full Day. Grades 4 & 6: Half Day
- May: Learning Support Teachers (as requested/needed): Half Day
October 24 - November 14 (1st MP Post and 2nd MP Pre)
January 9 - January 30 (2nd MP Post and 3rd MP Pre)
March 20 - April 10 (3rd MP Post and 4th MP Pre)
May 15- end of the school year (4th MP Post and 1st MP Pre)
Math Study Island Benchmark
- March 7 - March 28
To access the DAIS Supervision Documents - visit your
Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information
→ DAIS Supervision (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-TsaQoYkchtfnBhZjltSjI0aVRvcE0zSnQwNThKY2d3c2dBdjNCaFd1Y2s4ZHgtVFpDVFk).
IST Information
- IST teachers will continue to attend team meetings in all communities.
- Process of IST steps will remain consistent with previous years. The process will be discussed at team meetings and a training will be scheduled with new teachers within the first month of school.
- All needed paperwork for the process is available through IST teachers.
- All IST cases that begin later than mid-March will not be completed until the following school year.
Safety & Security
Door Magnets - Each room should have a door magnet. This magnet will allow us to keep doors locked at all times while facilitating classroom entry and exit. To keep the door unlocked, place the magnet over the hole on the latch on the frame, then to lock, slide the magnet up so that the door will latch. If you are in need of a door magnet, please contact your community secretary.
Recess/Playground Walkie-Talkies - Walkie-talkies will be housed in each of the community faculty rooms for faculty to carry with them while on recess duty. The walkie-talkies should be set to channel INSCH-RP at all times in order to effectively communicate with the administrators, nurses, and offices.
Nursing - Students are not to bring their own mediation to school. Please review the new policy for medications posted on the district website. Please contact your community nurse for tissues or refill needs for classroom first aid kits. In addition, the community nurses will provide you with pertinent student medical information. Note: Student medical alerts may also be found in eSchool on the medical alert symbol, where applicable. Brenda Knepper will complete a rotation throughout all community nurses offices this year, for collaboration and compliance with regulations.
CPI - A number of our staff members have been trained in this crisis prevention training that includes the proper restraint techniques to be utilized with a student who is of physical harm to self or others. Please take the time to communicate with the staff who work around your immediate instructional area who have been trained in case you are faced with a situation that may require a restraint. All restraints must be reported to an administrator.
Drills - Fire, Lockdown, and Severe Weather Drills will be practiced this school year. All classrooms must display a fire drill chart, chart with exit number, and Red Emergency Binder. See the drill schedule below.
Supplies
General Supplies - Submitted supply orders have been filled based on team and specialty area requests. Supplies will be housed in one supply closet for ease of distribution. Therefore, supply needs during the school year will be requested though an online requisition form. To submit a standard stock room supply request please use the link found on your google drive. (Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS Purchasing and Supplies → DAIS Standard Stock Room Supply Requests (https://drive.google.com/a/dallastown.net/file/d/0B-TsaQoYkchtSENPQWJZZ2pXTTA/view). Joann Brown will contact you if there are any questions regarding your order. Please allow at least a three day turn around time.
Subject Area Specific Supplies - When in need of supplies specific to content, please contact the Subject Area Leader when applicable. The appropriate Subject Area Leader will submit the request to the Blue Community Secretary for processing.
Administrative
*Don't forget to save this folder to your Google Drive favorites!
eSchool Drop/Add Requests - All faculty should complete the Drop/Add Excel Sheet when there is a need to change an individual student course after the first student day of school. You should have eSchool accessible in order to complete some of the required information on the survey. Once you complete the excel sheet, please email it to theresa.lewis@dallastown.net. Theresa Lewis will handle all drop/add changes in eSchool upon receiving the e-mail request. You may access the Drop/Add Excel sheet by visiting your Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS eSchool/TAC → eSchool Course Change Requests (https://drive.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/file/d/0B-TsaQoYkchtbVMtVkVvNzhacTg/view?usp=sharing). Theresa Lewis will contact you if there are any questions regarding your request. Entire class changes should be e-mailed to Theresa Lewis.
Student Files - When viewing student files, staff must complete the record viewing log located in the front of the student file (salmon colored paper).
Student Behavior Referral Forms (BIRs) - When there are serious behavior problems with a student, please inform the office about the incident. Please complete the Behavior Incident Referral form (electronic) and label it in accordance with the faculty handbook. Forms may be found in the Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS SWEBS → DAIS SWEBS BIR Template (https://drive.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/file/d/0B-TsaQoYkchtS2poNm9ILUF1MDA/view?usp=sharing).
Internal Room Reservations/Calendar Items - To add items to the DAIS school calendar and/or reserve rooms for special events, please adhere to the following instructions: Submit your online request using the link found on your Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS Calendar Items and Room Reservations → 2016-17 DAIS Calendar and Room Reservations (https://drive.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/file/d/0B-TsaQoYkchtNVpaMS1yRXVyZUU/view?usp=sharing).
*Please Note: This survey is for calendar & room reservation purposes only. This survey does not replace the need to complete Field Trip Request Forms, Bus & Catering Forms, and HelpDesk Tickets for IT. Please be sure to invite rooms to your outlook meeting invites.
Laminating - Lamination will be completed on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, or based on need. Items to be laminated should be clearly marked with your name and community, and place in your community mailroom to be sent to the Red office.
Poster Maker/Electronic Die Cut Machine - There is a poster maker and an electronic/computer controlled die cut machine, located in the Red community workroom for your use.
Custodial Items - We would like to recognize our custodial and maintenance staff for their outstanding efforts in maintaining our beautiful facilities. Please take the time to thank them for their efforts.
Lockers - Students may put items on the inside of their lockers with magnets. Please do not allow them to use tape or adhesive material. Please access the locker assignment file and add student names on Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → Locker Assignments 2016-2017 (https://docs.google.com/a/dallastownsd.net/spreadsheets/d/1niLKr7aHGyNTWNGvZFHFXQz57Zupiy_7HkZLy6R_-u0/edit?usp=sharing).
Teacher Forms - In order to facilitate an accessible means for teacher forms, an assortment of district wide and building specific forms have been added to your Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS Forms (https://drive.google.com/a/dallastown.net/folderview?id=0B-TsaQoYkchtfkwtMWZ3c29FSm9lel8tM2p3bUM0OHRacF9JQWZoTFRuYlZmX2NBTjRlWlU&usp=drive_web).
Athletic Passes - Staff ID badges from Dallastown will be used for admittance to regular season home athletic events. ID badges may not be used to gain entry into away, post season and playoff events.
DAEF - When available, school calendars will be for sale in your community office and the price is $10. All monies benefit DAEF programs.
Culture & Climate
Character Counts - An email link will be sent each month that will include a survey link to select a student per homeroom. Monthly, the selected students will have an opportunity to have dessert with a principal during IE, receive a certificate, and have their name posted in the core.
SWEBS Committee - Chris Martin will chair this committee along with additional teacher representatives (one rep from each team). Multiple building-wide reward activities will be planned throughout the year by the committee. Team plans for behavior management will need to be presented to parents at back to school night and include parent communication systems and monthly refreshers/rewards.
CAT Cadets - Ben Terroso will chair this committee along with additional teacher representatives. Please listen to the morning announcements for the distribution of application forms for grades 4-6.
School Spirit Committee - Ben Terroso will chair this committee along with additional teacher representatives to support school spirit with multiple events.
Social Committee - Jamie Gorsegner and Michelle Eberly will chair this committee along with additional teacher representatives to plan events.
Service Projects - Each team will participate in service projects aligned to the guidelines outlined in the teacher handbook.
NP4H
Technology
Twitter - DAIS now can be followed on Twitter @DAISCommunity! Look for the Wildcat! If you wish to have events OR pictures tweeted, please email the Red Community Secretary. The link is located on the DAIS homepage. Other organizations that can also be found on Twitter: @DAISPTO, @DAISCounselors, @DallastownSD, @DAISLibrary, and many more. When sharing parent communications via social media, please remember to adhere to the district’s social Board Policy 815.2.
Chromebooks - Chromebooks have been distributed. If you are concerned with a unit or need technical assistance, please contact Zach Alvarez. Grade 6 students will need to follow the directions provided by IT the first time they log into their device. Please access these directions in Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS Technology → IS Quickstart_Chromebooks2015. This file also contains printing directions for students. We encourage staff to utilize the Google Drive and Google web browser for alignment with student devices.
COPPA - Online tools that require unique student account information require parental consent prior to collecting personal information for students under the age of 13. This year parents will need to sign and return the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) agreement along with their student handbook acknowledgement. All web-based resources that fall under this act must be listed on our site (www.dallastown.net, “parent” tab, “web-based resources”) in order to be used in the classroom. Please cross reference this list prior to utilizing any site that would require unique student information.
Parents/PTO Items
Open House - A School Messenger will be sent to remind parents of these Open House times. Topics include: curriculum, schedules, team expectations, SWEBS rewards, homework policy, communication, assessment and grading procedures, Chromebooks, and the major topics or themes to be studied in your grade. This would also be a convenient time to ask parents to verify their email addresses housed in eSchool for School Messenger communications. Please report any email contact adjustments to the community secretaries for revision in eSchool.
PTO Items - PTO membership is minimal at $5.00 a family, and we encourage you to join as they partner with us to support our culture, climate, and curricular programs. The PTO Membership Form can be found on your Google Drive → Shared With Me → Faculty Information → DAIS Forms → DAIS PTO Membership Form (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-TsaQoYkchtX2l4bTdHLUFaMkE).
Casual Day/PTO Scholarship Committee - In order to facilitate a student scholarship from the PTO we encourage staff to contribute $10 in order to participate in Wildcat apparel on payday Fridays. Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us recognize our HS graduates.