West Goshen News
January 15, 2016
Week in Review
Birthday song...
Where did the Gingerbread Man go?
Showing off artwork
Partner work
Working very hard...
1st grade math time
Animal reports
Field testing...
Group time
TLT Focus
Next week we will be digging into NWEA data and seeing how we are progressing toward our school goal. We will share these results with you on data day also!
Data Days
Snow days - message from Central Office
An issue about designated snow days has arisen. The old contract stated that school had to be canceled 10 days prior to a designated make-up day in order for the corporation to use it. However, that is no longer the case. The snow day language is no longer in the contract. So, any day designated as a make-up snow day will be used in the order stated on the calendar. For example, if school is canceled on February 9th we will make it up on February 11th. This means all staff is expected to be available for the designated make-up day and vacations should not be planned for them.
NWEA
The windows are as follows:
January 19-22 - Math Assessment
January 25-29 - Language Acquisition Assessment (Grades 3-5 only)
Winter is here...
Central Office Updates:
Today’s Focus: Growth
“Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.”
– Babe Ruth
What strategies do you use to recover from failure and try again?
What is it about failure that scares you? How can you overcome this?
How does your team help build your self-confidence?
How do you support others in overcoming their fears?
Timeforce:
· The next employee group to be put on Timeforce will be the TOI’s and Instructional collaborators. Our hope is to get them set up and trained next week. We want to be able to use Timeforce as the method of tracking and paying TOI’s that are not receiving certified pay during iRead Club.
· Donors Choose/fundraising by teachers
As more teacher turn to crowd sourcing as a way to supplement materials or equipment in the schools, it is very important that the principal be aware of and approve these efforts. Also teachers need to be aware that any donations of materials or equipment, through state law, becomes property of the school.
Master and Mentor Teacher Addendums will be sent to out to the schools early next week. Each leadership team member will receive two copies of the addendum. The teacher AND the principal should sign both copies, keeping one and one returning the other to the HR office for our records. Please convey our thanks to these folks for their patience. [NOTE: Master and mentor teachers have been receiving the salary augmentation; this is just the paperwork part of the process.]
Attention Classified Employees:
The School Board approved wage increases for 2016. This is the first time we will make these changes in the New World payroll system. The new hourly rates will be realized on the January 29th pay check. Between now and then, our systems are being updated to reflect the new wages and experience levels. Please be patient as it will take some time for all of this new information to be rolled over. In the near future, you will be receiving an Employment Acknowledgement letter. You will not need to sign and return this to the administration office this year, unless there are inaccuracies. Please double check the information when you receive the acknowledgement. You may refer to the classified wage scales for 2016 on the GCS webpage in Staff Services, Benefits section. Thanks for your attention to these matters.
Strategic Planning:
All GCS Staff are invited to one the following meetings to learn more about the Strategic Plan (GCS 2025 Plan) on which the school district is currently working. We hope you can attend one of these!
Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 a.m. at GHS Auditorium
Wednesday, January 27, 3:15 p.m. at Parkside Cafeteria
Thursday, January 28, 7:30 a.m. at GMS Media Center
Thursday, January 28, 3:15 p.m. at GCS Board Room
The reason that we are not holding meetings at every school is that when we do that, it takes about six weeks to make it around to every building when coordinating schedules. This Strategic Plan has some urgency to it, as Marketing & PR, Academics & Programs, Facilities, and Resource Utilization are all topics that the plan will be addressing. We are really hoping that many of you will be able to attend one of the meetings. Thank you for your understanding.
School Calendars for the next two years: I sent these to you in an attachment.
Upcoming Dates:
18th: No School
19th: (Follow the Monday specials times but Tuesday class schedule)
NWEA Math assessment begins
STI Window - 3 week assessments
7:30 - Data Meetings
Before School - Related Arts Cluster
After School - 4th/5th Grade Cluster
20th:
Before School - K/1st Grade Cluster
After School - 2nd/3rd Grade Cluster
21st:
12:00-2:00 - TAP District Meeting at Central Office (Lori and Aimee gone)
3:05-4:30 - TLT meeting
23rd:
PTO Bingo Night 5-7 pm
25th:
K-2 data day - NO DATA MEETINGS for 3-5
NWEA Language assessment begins
IREAD club begins after school
3:05 - TLT meeting
3:00ish - Reading Camp Volunteer Orientation (in Library)
6:00 - School Board Meeting
26th:
8:45-11:00 Triple P Training (Lori gone)
February
1st:
3-5 data day NO DATA MEETINGS for K-2
1:40: K-2 PBIS assembly
2:15: 3-5 PBIS assembly
3:05-4:30 - TLT meeting4:00-5:00 - Strategic Planning Meeting (Lori)
6:30 - PTO meeting
2nd:
Before School - Related Arts Cluster
After School - 4th/5th Grade Cluster
3rd:
Before School - K/1st Grade Cluster
9:00-2:30 - Principal Retreat at Central Office (Lori gone)
After School - 2nd/3rd Grade Cluster
8th:
7:30 - Data Meetings
3:05-4:30 - TLT meeting
9th:
STI Window - 6 week assessments (If snow days are used, Ext. Response window will be Feb. 16 & 17)
Before School - Related Arts Cluster
After School - 4th/5th Grade Cluster
10th:
Before School - K/1st Grade Cluster
After School - 2nd/3rd Grade Cluster
11th: No School - if not used for snow make-up day
12th: No School - if not used for snow make-up day
15th: No School - President's Day
16th: (Follow the Monday specials times but Tuesday class schedule)
7:30 - Data Meetings
Before School - Related Arts Cluster
After School - 4th/5th Grade Cluster
17th:
Before School - K/1st Grade Cluster
After School - 2nd/3rd Grade Cluster
18th:
3:05-4:30 - TLT meeting
6:00 - Fine Arts Program at GMS (Program starts at 6:30)
19th:
8:45-10:30 - Principal's meeting (Lori gone)
22nd:
7:30 - Data Meetings
3:05-4:30 - TLT meeting
23rd:
Before School - Related Arts Cluster
After School - 4th/5th Grade Cluster
24th:
Before School - K/1st Grade Cluster
After School - 2nd/3rd Grade Cluster