The Time is Here!

Well, it's official...we are all back to work next week.  The EA's, secretaries, and I have been busy getting our classes in order as we've just completed centralized registration.  Right now, our school numbers read just over 500!  Of course, we are still verifying all enrolled students, so there will be some changes.  Be sure to relax these last few day and take some deep breaths because we are going to be firing on all cylinders when school starts.

*  Stephanie Burke is getting ready to make her move to Oregon.  She is inviting everyone to her "Goodbye Get Together" at Stewart's Bar and Grill in Caldwell next Monday (12th) @ 6:00 p.m.  If you are able, she'd love to see you before she leaves.

*  We are interviewing for the computer lab, special ed, and general ed EA positions this Thursday.  It looks like we have several good candidates, so hopefully, we'll have a full staff soon.

*  Idaho Code 33-1004J set aside money for districts to implement differential pay. Within this section it spelled out that Districts could choose to set aside up to 40% of the funds to provide professional development opportunities tied to the implementation of the Idaho Core Standards. Representatives from all buildings voted last spring to set aside the 40% which will cover two days of professional development for certificated staff at the individual daily rate of pay. The calendar committee helped to set the days - one before contracts and one as an online offering during the year. These days of professional development are voluntary but you must participate to receive the additional pay. (The other 60% of Differential Pay will be tied to school growth plans that are currently being developed.)

The first optional PD day for elementary teachers will be conducted by the Boise State Writing Project Fellows, who are responsible for training across the State and for the State Department of Education. The focus will be on text complexity across the curriculum and therefore will be pertinent for all teachers. The second day of PD, conducted online later in the year, will be tied to the first day as a follow up with work that implements learning into your lessons. The first day will not be required to participate in the second. You may attend one or both PD 'days'. Application for an NNU credit option is in process. If you want to purchase the credit you will be required to attend both 'days' in order to earn the minimum 15 hours of seat time.

DAY 1: August 15, 2013

8:00-3:30 p.m.

Middleton High School Lecture Hall

with afternoon breakout sessions

This is not a contract days and therefore you are free to dress according to your own discretion.

If you have questions please contact Robin Gilbert at  rgilbert@msd134.org

*  Region III Idaho Core Coaches are offering a FREE upcoming workshops on the Idaho Core (CCSS).  It is open to all educators and is an introduction/review of the standards, important supplementary documents and the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) Assessments.   To sign up, copy and paste this link:   http://region-3-admin.eventbrite.com/

Phew!  We're getting there.  As always, please feel free to stop in and see me.  I love to hear your ideas and thoughts as we move closer and closer to our start!  :-)