Dear Children's Center Staff,
Happy Friday and welcome back! You can expect to hear from me each Friday with a variety of messages, upcoming events, etc. If you have information that needs to be shared with the full staff, you can forward it to me and I can include it on Fridays.
If you did not receive a Children's Center Staff Handbook, please let me know and I'll put one in your mailbox.
Each phone extension in the building should have a NEW green safety notebook. Discard any OLD green safety notebooks, please. Let me know of any phone extensions needing the new notebook. Your safety notebook should be under/beside your phone at all times.
Here are three corrections to our handbook: Brandi's phone extension (41560) is missing on the roster page . Jessica's extension is incorrect on the roster. It is 41523. The new number to call to speak to someone at Subfinder is 661-6549.
After lunch today you'll find an athletic pass in your mailbox. If you wish to use the pass to attend high school athletic events, please attach your photo and put it into my box to sign. (Wanda can laminate it for you.)
If you are interested in pursuing your National Boards this year, please let me know and I will forward information to you about getting an assigned mentor.
We are required to have a fire drill by the end of August. After going through training this summer, it is clear that I must not give any "heads up" on drills, even with our special needs population. I will also need to vary our drill times throughout the year. Review your safety plan carefully, especially fire drill procedure, in the next couple of days.
We welcome Patsy Traylor, Claudette Slayden, Betty Green and Katherine Gage (parent) as our newest SIT members! (Kristi Wright's therapist replacement is still pending.) Make sure you talk to your rep before SIT meetings about any concerns or ideas you'd like to have shared with the group.
A couple of quick fire code violation reminders: Classroom doors may not be propped open (except for a brief moment as you are passing through the doorway with the students' wheelchairs/strollers). Also, no part of the glass on your classroom door my be covered with paper. Please help us to pass our fire inspections with flying colors!
You will find a committee list in your mailbox later today. Write your name under any committee that interests you, and return the sheet to my box by next Wednesday. I am especially looking for staff members interested in the Arts Council campaign, school website, and monthly parent newsletter,
Upcoming Events: (remember to also check the calendar on our website!)
Monday, August 23, 5:30 - 7:30: Open House!!
(Work hours are 7:30 - 1:00 and 5:00 - 7:30. Let Carol know if you are coming in at 11:30 and working straight through instead.)
Wednesday, August 25: First Day of School (Specials begin today)
Monday, September 6: School Holiday
Thursday, September 9: SIT meeting - 12:45 - 1:45, Garden Room
Friday, September 10: Junior League Puppet Show, 9:45, Garden Room (schoolage classes, minus Ks)
Monday, September 13: 2:40, Full Staff meeting, MP Room - mandatory - Flex Benefits Plan
Have a great weekend! Rest up and we'll see you on Monday! It's going to be a great year!
Carol
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Check out the Calendar
Under the "About Us" tab, click on "Calendar." The school system has kindly downloaded all of our holidays and workdays. I am now adding in staff meetings, SIT meetings, and other events of note. Great place to check on upcoming events!
Slogging through Blogging!
I am new to the blogging world... I took a great class at Salem this summer which really inspired me to "get my head into the 21st century." I hope that this can become a place where I can share thoughts, interesting links, and Children's Center information.
If I get the hang of this, it may replace my traditional Friday email -- it is much more interactive, and all of the posts will be archived here so that you (and I) can refer to them down the road.
You can comment on my posts -- I hope you will! You can create a blog, too, if you like. It is free at blogspot.com.
If I get the hang of this, it may replace my traditional Friday email -- it is much more interactive, and all of the posts will be archived here so that you (and I) can refer to them down the road.
You can comment on my posts -- I hope you will! You can create a blog, too, if you like. It is free at blogspot.com.
Back to School Letter for Staff
July 23, 2010
Dear Children’s Center Staff,
I hope you are having a wonderful and restful summer! We have been busy here, with more changes (and challenges!) than we’ve had in quite a while.
Because of system-wide allotment reductions, we lost two teacher assistant positions. Consequently, Verna Griffin was not replaced, and Brooks Nihart was reassigned by the school system to Lowrance. Every assistant is now assigned to a classroom, with no “floaters.”
Sadly, another allotment reduction caused us to lose financial support for our media coordinator and technology support positions. Both Laura Jones and Johann Paff have been long-time, dedicated staff members, and they will be greatly missed.
Ginger Cahoon has been reassigned to Ashley Elementary for the coming year. We welcome Amy Spencer, who will be our new preschool speech therapist.
We are happy to have Kevin Shinault joining us as our new P.E. teacher. Rita Lee will be our “itinerant” P.E. teacher, and will be supporting Kevin in his new position.
Because Petree is going to an extended school day and school year, Laurie Wiesner-Phillips will be assigned there five days per week. The paperwork is still in process, but we are hopeful that Linda Sayers will be joining us as our new art teacher!
Thanks to grant funding, JoAnn Yates will continue to maintain our therapeutic garden and lead classroom lessons. She has been working almost every day this summer to keep the garden healthy!
We also said good-bye to Linda Cloud and Verna Griffin. Happy retirement to both of these ladies! We are thrilled that Sally Bridges will once again be “living” with us.
New classroom teams are Beth Shaw and Kim Federico, Ashley Clark and Barbara Michael, Jenny Huggins and Justin Harrison (now an infant/toddler class), Martha Farrow and Joyce Branch, and Chris Sladky and Patsy Traylor. Audrey Wilmoth is joining Zenda Cloninger and Alma Gaither.
First Week Back:
Tuesday, August 17th (Rs): Mandatory joint breakfast meeting with the Special Children’s School staff, 8- 10:00, at The Enrichment Center, (directions are included at the end of this letter.) Shelley is offering CPR at 11:00 and 1:00 at The Children’s Center.
Wednesday, August 18th (Rsc): Work in the building, or attend school system trainings (Reminder: Rc days can no longer be taken as annual leave days.)
Thursday, August 19th (Rs): Children’s Center Opening Staff Meeting, 8:00 – 10:00. Attendance is mandatory. Breakfast will be served!
Friday, August 20th ( Rc ): Again, please check the website for information on any school system trainings.
Monday, August 23rd (Rsc): Hold onto your hats… we are having an evening Open House this year! The work schedule for Monday will be 7:30 – 1:00, and 5:00 – 7:30. Open House will be from 5:30 – 7:30. Details at our Thursday staff meeting.
Tuesday, August 24th (Rsv): We are not protecting this day, so you are free to take annual leave, or work in the building.
If you have volunteered to work at the Golf Tournament on Friday, August 6th, please make sure you are at Oak Valley at your assigned times. We would also love to have Children’s Center staff join us at Graylyn for the Silent Auction and reception on Thursday night, August 5th, starting at 6:30.
I look forward to seeing you on the 17th, or on the 5th or 6th for golf events!!
Sincerely,
Carol Kirby
Principal
Directions to The Enrichment Center:
From the West:Take Bus 40 E. to the Cherry St. Exit. Turn right at the light onto Marshall St . The Enrichment Center will be on your right at the corner of Marshall and Salem across from the Hewitt Business Center .
From the East:Take Bus 40 W to the Broad St. exit. Turn left (away from downtown) onto Broad St and take a left onto Salem Ave (Mystic gas station will be on the corner). The Enrichment Center will be on your left at the corner of Marshall & Salem.
Dear Children’s Center Staff,
I hope you are having a wonderful and restful summer! We have been busy here, with more changes (and challenges!) than we’ve had in quite a while.
Because of system-wide allotment reductions, we lost two teacher assistant positions. Consequently, Verna Griffin was not replaced, and Brooks Nihart was reassigned by the school system to Lowrance. Every assistant is now assigned to a classroom, with no “floaters.”
Sadly, another allotment reduction caused us to lose financial support for our media coordinator and technology support positions. Both Laura Jones and Johann Paff have been long-time, dedicated staff members, and they will be greatly missed.
Ginger Cahoon has been reassigned to Ashley Elementary for the coming year. We welcome Amy Spencer, who will be our new preschool speech therapist.
We are happy to have Kevin Shinault joining us as our new P.E. teacher. Rita Lee will be our “itinerant” P.E. teacher, and will be supporting Kevin in his new position.
Because Petree is going to an extended school day and school year, Laurie Wiesner-Phillips will be assigned there five days per week. The paperwork is still in process, but we are hopeful that Linda Sayers will be joining us as our new art teacher!
Thanks to grant funding, JoAnn Yates will continue to maintain our therapeutic garden and lead classroom lessons. She has been working almost every day this summer to keep the garden healthy!
We also said good-bye to Linda Cloud and Verna Griffin. Happy retirement to both of these ladies! We are thrilled that Sally Bridges will once again be “living” with us.
New classroom teams are Beth Shaw and Kim Federico, Ashley Clark and Barbara Michael, Jenny Huggins and Justin Harrison (now an infant/toddler class), Martha Farrow and Joyce Branch, and Chris Sladky and Patsy Traylor. Audrey Wilmoth is joining Zenda Cloninger and Alma Gaither.
First Week Back:
Tuesday, August 17th (Rs): Mandatory joint breakfast meeting with the Special Children’s School staff, 8- 10:00, at The Enrichment Center, (directions are included at the end of this letter.) Shelley is offering CPR at 11:00 and 1:00 at The Children’s Center.
Wednesday, August 18th (Rsc): Work in the building, or attend school system trainings (Reminder: Rc days can no longer be taken as annual leave days.)
Thursday, August 19th (Rs): Children’s Center Opening Staff Meeting, 8:00 – 10:00. Attendance is mandatory. Breakfast will be served!
Friday, August 20th ( Rc ): Again, please check the website for information on any school system trainings.
Monday, August 23rd (Rsc): Hold onto your hats… we are having an evening Open House this year! The work schedule for Monday will be 7:30 – 1:00, and 5:00 – 7:30. Open House will be from 5:30 – 7:30. Details at our Thursday staff meeting.
Tuesday, August 24th (Rsv): We are not protecting this day, so you are free to take annual leave, or work in the building.
If you have volunteered to work at the Golf Tournament on Friday, August 6th, please make sure you are at Oak Valley at your assigned times. We would also love to have Children’s Center staff join us at Graylyn for the Silent Auction and reception on Thursday night, August 5th, starting at 6:30.
I look forward to seeing you on the 17th, or on the 5th or 6th for golf events!!
Sincerely,
Carol Kirby
Principal
Directions to The Enrichment Center:
From the West:Take Bus 40 E. to the Cherry St. Exit. Turn right at the light onto Marshall St . The Enrichment Center will be on your right at the corner of Marshall and Salem across from the Hewitt Business Center .
From the East:Take Bus 40 W to the Broad St. exit. Turn left (away from downtown) onto Broad St and take a left onto Salem Ave (Mystic gas station will be on the corner). The Enrichment Center will be on your left at the corner of Marshall & Salem.
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