Administrivia
10-14-19
Full Moon Monday!
Every time I see that beautiful, full moon, I stop to admire the fall beauty then gear up for a crazy few days at school! At least NWEA is done until Winter so we can check that off of our busy list and focus on our kids. Next up, end of the marking period and then conferences with Halloween mixed in the middle!
Thank you again to everyone on the Color Run Committee for our successful Color Run last week. The kids had a wonderful time, and together with our PTO, we raised just over $29,000! Thank you to the committee members who created the permissions slips, our set up/clean up crew, those who wore colorful clothing, announced Shout Outs, those who filled up powered bottles and so much more!
Color Run funds are being housed with the PTO this year. Our next meeting with PTO is tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM at the Hamlin Pub. Come on by to participate in the discussion and decision making around the use of the funds.
Hope the moon does not affect your week!
Have a great week!
Sue
Kaleidoscope Writing Sample Time!
- Kaleidoscope 2020 Entries Due December 6, 2019
The Michigan Reading Association is hosting the annual K-12 Kaleidoscope Writing Contest. Attached is the informational flyer (3A) and the 2020 Kaleidoscope entry form (3B) from the Michigan Reading Association. This year we are encouraging all K-12 buildings to participate.
Please submit the completed manuscript electronically as a Microsoft Word attachment to Catherine Einhaus, catherine.einhaus@uticak12.org by Friday, December 6, 2019. Be aware that the specific word limit guidelines must be adhered to otherwise the entry will be rejected by the Michigan Reading Association.
The entry form and photo of the student must also be submitted to Catherine Einhaus, catherine.einhaus@uticak12.org by Friday, December 6, 2019. For your convenience, Catherine Einhaus and Dawn Nacker, Elementary System Wide Co-Chair for ELA, will be compiling all entries and submitting them to the Michigan Reading Association.
Classroom Makeover Grants
- Classroom Makeover Grant Applications
Randahl Agency and Meemic Insurance Company are offering educators the opportunity to receive up to $250 for a classroom makeover to increase student engagement and achievement. Teachers and administrators in Utica Community Schools are eligible to enter. Here is how it works:
- Apply using this link: online application.
- Recipients will be selected by a panel.
- A total of three educators will be selected to receive a classroom makeover
(classroom supplies/items or improvements). - Applications will be accepted through November 1, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.
- Classroom makeover must be completed by March 31, 2020.
Hep B Vaccine Information
- Hepatitis B Vaccination Process
Utica Community Schools will be sponsoring no-charge Hepatitis B Vaccinations for employees who do NOT have district sponsored health care insurance and currently work in potentially infectious pathogen (i.e. blood) exposure areas including bus drivers, teachers and school support personnel. Participation is voluntary, however; there is an expectation that those who begin the three-injection series comply with the required dosage spacing schedule and fully complete the process.
Interested employees must request and secure an approved authorization form from Human Resources before beginning the series. Email generalbenefits@uticak12.org or call ext. 1139. Approved employees will then take the authorized document with district identification to his/her appointments. All vaccinations are self- scheduled at St. John Providence Medical Center located at 17700 Twenty-Three Mile Road (West of Romeo Plank Road). Please contact the facility at 586-868-9120 for appointment and/or walk-in times.
First Injection Window: November 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019
Second Injection Window: January 3, 2020 through February 29, 2020
Final Injection Window: May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020
AESOP Usernames and Passwords
- AESOP Absence Reporting System
Utica Community Schools will be migrating to an upgraded Frontline Insights Platform (AESOP absence management) system for all district personnel that is required to report absences through the AESOP online reporting application, utilize AESOP to accept vacant positions and personnel that maintains access for reporting purposes. The effective date for this upgrade will be November 1, 2019. Please review the following information regarding individual action items.
Prior to November 1, 2019, log in to your AESOP account and ensure that an active email has been entered in the system. On November 1, 2019, you will receive an invitation email to upgrade your account by creating a new username and password. If you do not respond to the invitation and try to log in with your original credentials, you will be prompted to create the new username and password before logging in. Please see attached (14A) for account upgrade instructions.
Questions should be forwarded to Pam Austin at ext. 1140 or email, pamela.austin@uticak12.org.
UTIP Schedule
- Utica Teacher Induction Program
The Utica Teacher Induction Program (UTIP) after-school learning series is sponsored by the Human Resources Department and Teaching and Learning Department offering voluntary professional development on relevant educational topics for any interested district professional. In addition to acquiring valuable information, participation hours can be applied for probationary teaching requirements under MCL 380.1526. Principals are reminded to encourage probationary teachers to participate in UTIP. The year-long schedule for the 2019-2020 UTIP series is attached (15A).
Staff Meeting
Questions on data reflection and/or goal setting, please let me know.
F & P PD Part II
An after school professional development session is being offered on Digging Deeper: Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System Part II.
Participants should have previously participated in Part I training. Training will be offered on October 8, 2019 at Ebeling Elementary and October 23, 2019 at Schwarzkoff Elementary.
Teachers should email catherine.einhaus@uticak12.org to register.
Specialists' Rotation Schedule 2019-2020
10-31-2019 Thursday morning specials as scheduled
11-14-2019 Thursday afternoon specials moved to the morning
01-16-2020 Thursday morning specials as scheduled
01-17-2020 Friday afternoon specials moved to the morning
Note: Second semester half days have yet to be determined.
Staff Meeting Dates 2019-2020
October: 8 & Personal Goal Setting
November: 12 & Grade Level Mtg.
December: 3
January: 14 & Grade Level Mtg.
February: 4 & 25
March: 10 & Grade Level Mtg.
April: 14 & 28
May 12 & Grade Level Mtg.
June 9--Class Placement for 2020-2021
Calendar Dates
Also on Morgan Shared Electronic Calendar
Tuesday, October 15: Sue Out for Principal Meeting in PM
Friday, October 18: Sue out in the PM
Monday, October 21: Annual Bus Evacuation 9:15 AM. Video stored in Morgan Email Group Files.
Thursday, October 31: 1/2 Day Early Release 11:29 AM--Teacher Release Day for evening conference time
10:45 AM Halloween Parade
Monday, November 4: PBIS Assembly 2 PM
Tuesday, November 5: NO SCHOOL. Use of day for PD--TBD
Wednesday, November 6: Severe Weather Awareness Drill #1 @ 8:30 AM