VOLUME 11 | October 2014
Page 2 Mandatory Reporting
Page 3 Employee Recognition
CHIPPEWA
chirp
MONTHLY NEWS FOR THE STAFF OF THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. CFSD.CHIPFALLS.K12.WI.US/
School District Facilities Assessment Under-Way All school districts across our great state hope for growing enrollment. We are fortunate to be serving in a school district that has and is projected to continue to grow in student population. This is great news for the school district and the community! There are, however, side effects of enrollment growth. Many of our schools are coping with traffic congestion, struggling to find adequate green space, getting by with varying classroom square footage, and improvising bell schedules to compensate for shortcomings in facilities (such as no gym or a small cafeteria).
The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District has partnered with an architectural firm to help deliberately assess our school district facilities. Over the next 12 months, the architectural firm, ATS&R, will be analyzing our facilities, interviewing stakeholder groups, evaluating our parent and bus drop off/pick up zones, and prioritizing facility needs. The end product of this process will be a Master Facilities Plan. This plan will empower the school district to approach facility improvement in a thoughtful and measured way that is aligned to our strategic plan and areas of highest priority. Another area that the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District is closely monitoring is elementary student-to-teacher ratios. Currently, we are proud to report that our average class size at the elementary is a 21.39, meaning that for every 21 or so children, we have one teacher. This does not include instructional aides, interventionists, Title I specialists, etc. Over the last year, the school district has taken significant steps to support personalized learning and studentto-teacher ratios, including adding interventionists and coaches, and expanding Southview elementary. I want you to know that we will continue to closely monitor our growth as a school district and stay committed to deliberately planning for sustainable facilities and staffing for our future. If you have questions about this process or about our facilities, don’t hesitate to contact our Director of School Finance, Chad Trowbridge, at 715.726.2417. As always, feel free to reach out with questions or concerns. Brad Saron
FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRCT 2
Mandatory Reporting Wisconsin Act 81 (effective December 9, 2011), changed Wisconsin law to require all employees of Wisconsin public school districts to report suspected child abuse and neglect. In addition, school districts must require all employees to receive training provided by the Department of Public Instruction within six months of initial hiring and at least every five years thereafter. Please click on the below link to view the 16 minute video. After the video, you will be prompted to print a certificate for verification of training. Please e-mail this certificate to your building Secretary. Thank you for taking time out to learn about this very important and mandatory training. http://sspw.dpi.wi.gov/sspw_can
November 3rd Beverly Tyner November 24th & 25th In-Service Days More Information to Follow Professional Development is an important and necessary opportunity for growth. Therefore, time off is not granted on in-service days. Registration will be available via the Professional Development Events Link on the Staff Portal.
FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRCT
Location
Southview Middle School Halmstad HighSchool Stillson Parkview
Flu Shot Clinics! Date
October 22nd October 24th October 28th November 3rd November 3rd November 4th
Time
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 7:15 am - 8:30 am 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm 7:15 am - 8:30 am 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Human Resources is Going Green! During the summer, the Human Resource Department migrated to an electronic filing system for personnel files. All files are now placed into an electronic database. Certified staff who currently have official transcripts on file will receive their transcripts back through inter office mail. If you are currently working on a degree, or are planning on starting a degree program, please complete the on-line form located at http://staff.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/board/forms/degreeCreditForm.aspx and attach any applicable documents. Many of the Human Resources and Payroll forms have been made electronically available via the district website and Skyward as to eliminate paper copies.
Sam’s Club Membership Join or renew as a Sam’s Club Member and receive up to a $25.00 gift card. Simply Click the below link, print the form and bring the offer to Sam’s Club along with proof of employment, (name badge, check stub etc...) http://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/ board/discounts/SamsClub.pdf
FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRCT
3
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIION Jeana Lahr, Paraprofessional Halmstad Elementary
Jeana has been with the district for 5 years. Jeana enjoys vacationing with family and friends, being on the water, biking and kayaking. Jeana is always looking for ways to help others while maintaining a positive attitude. She always puts the needs of students above her own. She has passion for educating and working with
Jessica Larson, Secretary at Stillson Elementary
Jessica has been with the district for 3 years! In her spare time she enjoys camping, boating, and spending time with her family. Jessica and her husband also enjoy looking for old or unique treasures at estate sales. .Jessica is a positive, upbeat person that goes the extra mile to make Stillson the best that we can be. She is a team player and has great communication with our staff and families. Thank you for all you do!!
Tracy Lewis, School Social Worker Chippewa Valley High School
Tracy has been with the district for 12 years in her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, boating and snowmobiling, practicing mindfulness, yoga and other daily exercise, and spending time outdoors. Empowering others to be successful/happy both professionally and personally is where her biggest passion lies. Tracy Lewis is an integral member of the team at CVHS. Her work in helping students limit or eliminate barriers to success in school is one of the main reasons for the success of the educational program at CVHS. She balances high expectations with compassion and empathy to help students learn and grow.
Peggy McKillip, Secretary/Account Clerk at The Middle School
Peggy has been with the district for 11 years! In her spare time she enjoys biking, kayaking, running and reading. Peggy consistently goes above and beyond the expectations for her position. She is knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. She is the number one go-to at the Chippewa Falls Middle School!
Gale O’Connell, Paraprofessional at HillCrest Elementary
Gale has been with the district for 40 years! In her spare time she enjoys speinding time wiht her children and grandchildren. Gale loves to read and enjoys life! Gale serves on many building level teams that are instrumental to student and staff success. She is also eager to problem-solve day-to-day concerns. Gale uses her skill set in the area of technology to help others whenever needed.
Stacey Perret-Bowe, Secretary Parkview Elementary
Stacey has been with the district for 3 years in her spare time she enjoys spending time with her kids, going to her cabin, being by the water, reading, four wheeling, and redoing old furniture. Stacey has taken over as the full-time secretary in the Parkview office. She has done a tremendous job of learning about our processes, students, staff and families in a short amount of time. Stacey is always courteous, kind and willing to help. She enjoys the challenges and rewards that come with being our secretary and we’re glad to have her at Parkview!
Dawn Siddons, Human Resources Assistant Central Office
Dawn has been with the district for 16 years! In her spare teime she enjoys camping, kayaking, biking, gardening and attending her children’s sporting events. Dawn was nominated for all of the work she does to support so many people in the district. She has excellent people skills, is kind to everyone, provides fast service, and does high quality work. Dawn’s work reaches out to almost all employees in the district.
Debbie Tilton, Secretary at Southview Elementary
Debbie has been with the district for 10 years! In her spare time she enjoys scrap booking, hiking and reading. Debbie is very helpful to everyone who enters our building. She strives to serve all of those who need her for assistance. Debbie helps make Southview a great place to be!
Virginia Welle, AP Psychology Teacher at The High School
Virginia has been with the district for 10 years! In her spare time she enjoys quilting, running and biking, although she is very passionate about psychology as a discipline so most of her work and after school hours are devoted to psychology. Virginia is our AP Psychology teacher. Her program continues to grow and to impact students in a positive way. Her AP test scores are far above the State average every year...her dedication to her profession and to her students is second to
tidbits ... Biometric Screening Results
FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRCT
4
Board of Education October Board Meeting will be held October 16th at 7:00pm. To read August Board Meeting Minutes please click the link below. http://www.boarddocs.com/wi/chipfalls/Board.nsf/Public
Did you know that if you participated in the biometric screening, you can take the results of your blood work to your next appointment and avoid having to pay additional lab fees.
True Time Clock In
Taking Time Off?
Remember, the first and last fifteen student contact days are considered a black out period for time off as well as any day preceding or proceeding a holiday or break. Any planned time off during these dates must be pre-approved by your Supervisor and the Director of Human Resources.
ReaLiving also offers a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week call center at 1-877-256-9302
COMMUNITY
Do you know someone who strives to be their BEST personally and professionally? Is there someone you admire for their positive attitude and strength? If so, nominate them for the REALiving’s Be Your Best Awards! Simply visit the ReaLiving website and click on the Be Your Best Awards link.
Visit the ReaLiving website at www.eap.realiving.com. The district username is CFAUSDistrict and the password is cfausd_employee.
connections
ReaLiving Wellness Tip
Employee Achievement Plan
This is a free, confidential service offered to all Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District staff and their immediate family.
C O M M U N I T Y
Not only are you able to clock in at a time clock, but also via any district computer, by logging into Skyward, clicking the True Time Button and the Quick Entry selection. Also, you are able to write notes to your supervisor in regards to any variance of your time.
Save the Date! Parent University When:
February 8, 2015 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Chippewa Falls Middle School What:
Corwin Kronenberg - Teaching Kids to be Responsible!
WAIT! PURCHASING CLASSROOM SUPPLIES?
Have you contacted Michelle Alix or Jason Laufenberg before purchasing any supplies? All purchases for classroom supplies MUST be purchased through the Purchasing Agent, Michelle Alix ext 1807 or Jason Laufenberg ext 1915.
CHIPPEWA chirp Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District - District Office 1130 | Miles Street | Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 | TEL (715) 726-2417 | Fax (715) 726-2781
Contact Michelle Golden, Director of Human Resources & Public Relations (goldenmr@chipfalls. org) or Nikki Mast, HR Specialist (mastna@chipfalls. org) with questions/comments/concerns