New Staff Orientation 1

WELCOME to RENDEZVOUS

WITH YOUR FUTURE!

Thanks for being a part of our family of

educators!

INTRODUCING…

REMEMBER K?

Imagine

Create

Play

Share

Reflect

Mark Payler, Superintendent

Question: What are the district goals?

Answer:A. “Leave All Children Behind”B. Ensure our schools participate in the fast

food OlympicsC. Actively participate in all global warming

initiativesD. Bore children to deathE. All of the aboveF. None of the above


Answer:– BOE Goals:

Improve student achievement and close gap Improve English acquisition rate by ELL

students Establish high expectations Improve relationships with all stakeholders Improve staff retention Attract and retain students


Answer:– DISTRICT Goals:

Raise Student Achievement Engaged Learners Positive Climate Focus Every student a global author Year of RTI & PBS Be Green


Question: Do we have to address 21st century skills and what are they anyway?

Answer:A. No. Who cares about global awareness? Or global

climate for that matter?B. No. I am the boss in my classroom and I alone know

all… Please call me the Knowledge Guru!C. No. All students should work on their own and should

never talk to anyone - PERIOD!D. Internet…gingernet.E. You know what - have your people call my people…F. All of the aboveG. None of the above


Question: Do we have to address 21st century skills and what are they anyway?

Answer: YES!• Global awareness• Self directed learning• Collaboration• Critical thinkers• Problem solvers• Innovators• Communicators• Civic engagement• Financially literate• Storytellers


Question: Do we really have to do more of ANYTHING to ensure that our students are successful?

Answer: YES!• Understand the pressures facing our students• Adopt strategies for our students to think about

and plan for their future• Commit to excellence and equity• Teach code switching• Prepare kids for life!

Source: Pedro Noguera, Ph.D.

Carrie Duits, Assistant Superintendent for Student Achievement

Question: What does it mean to be “on watch” and are we “on watch”?

Answer: A. “On watch” means that you check in and out of your

building using a time clock. B. “On watch” means that the Superintendent is on the face

of the watch that all employees are expected to wear, much like a Mickey Mouse watch.

C. “On watch” refers to the state’s accountability system for school district. We used to be “on watch,” but with improved student achievement over the past three years, we are no longer “on watch.”

D. “On watch” refers to the gold watch that employees hope to get when they retire after a LONG career with the district. We do not have an “on watch” program, but we hope our new teachers will stay with us throughout their career.


Question: What should be my guide for improving student achievement?

Answer: l The District Improvement Planl The School Improvement Planl My mentor, buddy, department and

teammatesl My principal and assistant principall All of the above


Question: Do I have to attend Induction Meetings?

Answer: YES!


Question: How do I sign up for professional development offered by the district and how much does it cost?

Answer: How big is your bank account? Real Answer…


Question: What were our biggest successes from the recent CSAP results?

Answer: A. 42% Advanced in 5th grade math at ButlerB. 94% P/A in reading at QuestC. An increase from 34% to 46% P/A in 4th grade reading

and from 43% to 53% P/A in 4th grade math at Twombly.

D. An increase from 41% to 50% P/A in 6th grade reading, from 44% P/A to 54% P/A in 6th grade math and from 21% to 34% P/A in 7th grade math at Fort Lupton Middle School.

E. An increase from 28% P/A to 35% P/A in 9th grade writing and from 15% P/A to 24% P/A in 9th grade math at Fort Lupton High School.

F. All of the above

John Hoag, Assistant Superintendent for HR and Operations

Question: Do I get paid for this assignment and if so, when?

Answer: YES! (Ok - I learned not mess with people’s pay even in a Power Point)

– 12 equal payments, paid monthly, starting September 25. Health insurance coverage begins October 1, 2008 (enrollment in our plan is required for full-time employees). There is an option of 13 equal payments starting August 25, however, paperwork must be in to the payroll office by August 8. If choosing this option, health insurance coverage begins September 1.


Question: What license is required of teachers in Colorado?

Answer: All teachers must hold a valid Colorado Teacher license (Initial or Professional) or authorization to teach (Interim). This is your responsibility and is not to be taken lightly. We must have a copy of your CO license in your personnel file. If you do not have a license or have not yet applied for one, please see me as soon as possible.


Question: What might I expect of the teacher evaluation process?

Answer: By December 15, probationary teachers in the 1st year can expect to have two documented formal observations and one informal observation. By April 15, probationary teachers can expect to receive, in addition to observations completed by December 15, one documented formal observation, one informal observation and a written summative evaluation and conference.


Question: Are teachers allowed to get sick or miss school?

Answer: Teacher annually receive 9 sick leave days (documentation may be requested after 5 days have been used) and 3 personal leave days (some black out dates apply – see the licensed staff benefit pages sent with your contract for more information). I would advise all employees to consider sick leave as insurance for the times you really need it – not as an entitlement to use or lose. In addition, we have a sick leave bank (voluntary). A one day contribution to the bank is required each year of members.


Question: Are teachers allowed to get sick or miss school?

Answer: Please consider your presence essential to our students’ success!

Sick leave and personal leave policies provide additional compensation for good attendance.

At the end of the school year, a teacher may request for 1) all unused sick leave over six of the nine days received, in lieu of the total accumulation of those sick leave days and 2) one unused personal leave day for that year. A one-day donation to the Sick Leave bank will not affect the Sick Leave buy back policy.

Sick Leave and Personal Day buyback will be as follows:


BUYBACK DAYSSick Leave Days Used Buyback Days0 31 22 13+ 0

Personal Days Used Buyback Days1 12 13 0

Scott Graham, Longest Titled Position in the District…

Question: Approximately how much is the district receiving in state and federal funds in the 2008-2009 school year?

Answer: a) $150,000

b) $550,000c) $950,000d) $1,550,000e) $2,050,000


Question: How many district staff have their salaries funded in whole or part through grant funds?

Answer: a) 3b) 12c) 20d) 32e) 100


Question: Title Grant funds are required to meet requirements set by NCLB. What does “NCLB” stand for?

Answer: a) Nobody Cries Like Bruceb) No Child Left Behindc) Never Clean Live Beaversd) New Certified Legislative Bulliese) Nifty Colored Laundry Bag


Question: What approximate % of our elementary students qualifies for Title I “Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged” funds?

Answer: a) 10%b) 32%c) 64%d) 100%e) We don’t have students who qualify for

these funds


Question: Approximately how many notices and communications is the district required to send out each year because of NCLB (Nobody Cries Like Bruce)?

Answer: a) 50b) 350c) 3,400d) 5,000e) 7,500

Jean Cross, Coach of Coaches

Question: What are three reasons to look forward to meeting your instructional coach?

Answer: 1. Invigorating and inviting discussions about what

your students can achieve this year!

2. Personal coaching conversations that encourage you think about your instruction at the next level!

3. Professional Learning Communities where you are listened to and can listen to the thoughts and experiences of your colleagues!


Question: What are three things a coach can provide for a new teacher?

Answer: 1. A coaching conversation focused on reflection,

planning, or problem solving for any aspect of teaching.

2. Collaboration to try new methods with curriculum, instruction, assessment, or classroom organization/management.

3. Resources and suggestions for curriculum, instruction, assessment or classroom organization/management.


Question: What are the differences between a coach and induction mentor?

Answer:

Coach: Spontaneous or planned conversations and/or work sessions

Mentor: Daily conversations as needed

Coach: Work together may be short-term, sporadic, or based on agreement for focused work

Mentor: Relationship build and extended for the year and beyond

CONTINUED ON NEXT SLIDE


Answer: Coach: Focused on curriculum, instruction, student

achievement, assessment, and classroom management/organization

Mentor: Focused on any/all aspects of adjusting to a new building and district

Carol Ruckel, Director of TIF Grant

Question: What does TIF stand for?

Answer: A. Thankgoodness It’s Friday

B. Teachers In Force

C. Teaching Inside France

D. Teacher Incentive Fund


Question: How does TIF work?

Answer:

– There are many opportunities to earn extra pay in the district, from serving on curriculum task forces to being a mentor to a new teacher to helping design the performance pay system. TIF is best known - and has its biggest goal - for incentive bonuses paid for improvements in student achievement. This fall, we’ll pay bonuses based on school-wide student growth on CSAP in reading, writing and math.


Question: How long has the district had performance pay?

Answer:

– The bonuses for student achievement gains started last year, and we’ll be making bonus payments this fall for growth in CSAP scores last spring over the 2007 scores


Question: How long has the district had performance pay?

Answer:

– The bonuses for student achievement gains started last year, and we’ll be making bonus payments this fall for growth in CSAP scores last spring over the 2007 scores


Question: Am I eligible?

Answer:

– Unfortunately, no. We reward instructional staff who were part of the district last year when we made the gains, and who returned to the district this year. You’ll be eligible next year. We’d encourage you to get involved on committees and task forces this year, where you can earn extra pay!


Question: Who do I contact if I have other TIF questions?

Answer:

– Get in touch with me – Carol – ad the admin building. I’m the only Carol on the email list, so I’m easy to find!

In Closing…

In Closing…Be the power…

Be the power of ONE.

WHAT’S NEXT…

Tour of the district

Lunch at Fort Lupton

Paperwork & Money…

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New Staff Orientation 1