January 2014 - Southington Public Schools

SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
Superintendent
January 2014
Dear Staff:
This quarterly update comes to you at perhaps the busiest time of the school year as the district
navigates through a wide variety of items that have direct impact on teaching and learning. Once again, I thank so many staff members who continue to go above and beyond to ensure
opportunity for all students.
I am pleased that the district has recently strengthened its partnership with the Veterans’ Committee and the Southington Education Foundation (SEF). The newly adopted Mission Statement
(printed in this newsletter) with our veterans can serve as a model document for districts across
the country as could the recently launched SEF Virtual STEM University. In both instances, the
result is an exemplar of the power of partnership.
Dr. Joseph V. Erardi, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
I would like to wish all the best to staff members who chose to retire mid-year:
Connie Dabrowksi
Roberta Giammatteo
Pamela Aldi
Steve Leggett
Cindy Gagliardi
Tony Falco
Kelly Colasante
Gloria Colonero
Joan Abt
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In addition, I would like to welcome all new mid-year hires:
Superintendent
1
Linda Padden
Mission Statement
2
Michelle Cozzolino
Heather Harvey
Operations
3
Jessica Anthony
Alyssa Ferrone
Brittany Farmer
Alexandra Uhlman
Margaret Plyko
Performance Reporting
4
Susan Vitcavage
John Duffy
Brande Missal
Brittany Saucier
Sarah Adams
Kristina Zipadelli
Google
Finally, as you know, I have accepted a new role and responsibility as the Superintendent for the
Newtown Public School district. Quite honestly, I was certain that I would end my career here;
however, I found myself compelled by the challenge in Newtown, Connecticut.
I am proud of you, your work, and your passion for children. I am equally proud to have been
privileged to work with a school board who supports only best practice and has a laser sharp
on what is “best for children.”
focus
I hope that everyone has returned to work rested, willing, and convinced that every day is a new
opportunity to make a difference.
Respectfully,
Dr. Joseph V. Erardi, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
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SEA Wellness
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Certification
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Residency Issues
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Health and Safety
Winter is the time of year that slips and falls increase dramatically. Southington Public Schools is no exception. Please follow
these simple suggestions to possibly save yourself or other staff from injury.: Wear appropriate footwear.
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Immediately report icy walking conditions to the school office.
Immediately report wet floor conditions to office for cleanup.
On weather delayed school openings, PLEASE arrive later (if your job allows) so snow removal and sanding can be properly performed
Flu Prevention
Each year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications.
Prevention Measures:
 Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
 Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
 Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy
food.
 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of feverreducing medicine.
Ask your custodian for a bottle of Enviro Solution #64 for your classroom to help prevent spreading of the flu.
The Enviro Solutions #64 disinfects, cleans and deodorizes in one step and is available from your custodial staff pre-mixed in a
trigger spray bottle.
This no rinse sanitizing and anti-microbial product is used in hospitals, medical offices and nursing homes.
Enviro Solutions #64 can be very effective on counters, desk tops and many other classroom surfaces.
Fred Cox, Director of Operations
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
Curriculum and Instruction
School and District Performance Reporting
What Is It?
The Connecticut State Department of Education released the 2013 School and District Performance Reports, which could be called “score cards,” that inform parents and communities of their schools and district’s progress toward goals, as measured by CMT and CAPT. These Performance Reports are part of
Connecticut’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act waiver. It is a new accountability system that
replaced No Child Left Behind. The School Performance Index (SPI) recognizes higher expectations by
aiming for GOAL versus PROFICIENT status. While the SPI is only one indicator of a school and district’s classification, additional criteria such as graduation rates, the size of any achievement gaps, also influence a school’s classification.
The SPI ranges from 0-100 with the State GOAL of 88. High schools must also reach a high school graduation rate of at least 94% (which our high school does). Because the indicators that inform the performance are going to change (CMT and CAPT to Smarter Balanced Assessment – officially in the Spring of
2015), this accountability system may also be changing.
Administrators are prepared to review their individual school’s SPI with those interested. District results
indicate, however, that each of our schools is making excellent progress with achievement for students as a
student body as well as within specific designated subgroups. Schools with subgroup membership of 20
or above, have SPI’s that reflect subgroup data. Smaller schools with fewer than 20 members within a subgroup do not. Most of the improvement work that will continue within our schools’ focuses on achievement gaps that exist within subgroups. This is determined by the number of achievement points separating
the total achievement in one area compared to the total achievement within a particular subgroup. Where
that difference is at least 10 points, there is an achievement gap. State Department of Education defined
subgroups are:
Students with Disabilities
Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
English Language Learners
High Needs Students
A focus for schools and the district is to narrow the achievement gaps within subgroups where one exists.
Through a comprehensive Early Intervention Plan, with subsequent Professional Development, this mission will be accomplished! All Southington Schools should be proud of our progress to date.
Respectfully,
Karen Smith
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
Did you know that all students and teachers can have a Southington Google Account? The technology
department has been hard at work creating accounts for the students in the district. In December, over
25 teachers, administrators and technology analysts were trained to use Google Docs in the classroom.
This staff will be providing future training to other staff as we continue our transition to Google Apps in
Education. In 2015-16, we will be moving over from Exchange to Google Mail.
To log into your Google account go to www.google.com/a/southingtonschools.org
Your username is your email address – if you do not know your password, we can reset it – please contact your technology analyst.
Look for more information and training coming soon!
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Google Docs is a free, web-based word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool that allows you to
create and edit documents from anywhere and collaborate with multiple people at the same time.
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It is recommended that you use the Google Chrome browser.
Create a Google Doc at www.google.com/docs
Access your new account at https://www.google.com/a/southingtonschools.org/
Google Docs
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Google Docs is different from Microsoft Office.
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Documents are saved online and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection.
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Collaboration: Multiple people can work together on the same document. No need to email documents back and forth.
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Google Docs saves automatically on a regular basis. Each change is tracked as a new revision. You can
see exactly what’s been revised, by whom, and when.
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You can go back to an older revision.
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
The Sidebar
Google Drive offers several ways to filter and view your files, folders and Google Docs. These filters help
you find your files more easily. Here's a list of the filters that you'll find in the left-hand navigation:
My Drive - Everything in your Google Drive that you’ve created, synced and uploaded.
Shared with me - All of the files, folders and Google Docs that have been shared with you.
The Shared with me filter doesn't include files shared to a mailing list or files set to 'Anyone with the link'
or 'Public' (unless the file has been shared directly to your email address).
Starred - Items that you’ve marked with a star.
Recent - All of your private and shared files that you've opened in reverse chronological order.
Activity - Everything that has been edited recently. This view includes anything that you've created, that
has been shared with you, or that you've clicked the link to open.
All Items - Everything in your Google Drive. This filter doesn't contain items that you've put in the Trash.
Click More to see this filter in the left-hand navigation.
Trash - Everything that you've placed in the Trash. Click More to see this filter in the left-hand navigation.
You can only trash items that you own. For items you don't own, you can select Remove from the More
menu.
Create Or Upload A New Document
Create:
1. Click Create and select the type of document you need.
 Document – Google’s version of Word
 Presentation – Google’s version of PowerPoint – Templates, themes, insert photo or video
 Spreadsheet - Google’s version of Excel
 Form- to create tests or surveys
 Drawing
2. Select File, Rename to name the document.
Upload:
1. Click on the box next to Create to select Upload.
2. Select to upload one document or a folder.
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
Available Options within Google Drive
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Download
Revision history
Send as an attachment
Link from your website to a Google document
Notification of changes made – Tools, Notification Rules
Create a Folder
1. Click the red Create button at the top left of your Google Drive.
2. Select Folder from the drop-down menu.
3. Enter a folder name into the text box and click OK.
4. The folder will be created, and you can find it under My Drive.
Share a File or Folder
1. Go to the My Drive view of your Google Drive.
2. Check the box next to the file or folder you'd like to share.
3. Click the Share icon
at the top of your list of items.
4. At the bottom of the "Sharing settings" window, type the email addresses or mailing list of the
people with whom you'd like to share the folder.
By default, a folder you've created, synced or uploaded is in My Drive. If you share that folder with another person, they'll need to manually move the folder into My Drive if they want to sync the folder to
the Google Drive folder on their computer.
Calendar
Create a New Event:
1. Click the arrow next to Create to quickly add a new event or click on a time and date in the
calendar.
2. Double-click the event for more options.
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
Share a Calendar:
1. Click on the arrow to the right of your name and select Share this
Calendar.
2. Enter an email address for the person or people who you want to share
with.
More Resources http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/education/
http://learn.googleapps.com/
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/04/google-docs-for-teachers-free-ebook.html
http://www.google.com/edu/tools-and-solutions/
Google Earth for Educators: http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/
Lesson Plans: http://www.google.com/edu/teachers/lesson-plan-search.html
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
Teachers: SEA Wellness Screening Update
I want to take this opportunity to thank so many teachers for being proactive and
conscientious to ensure that they and their family members have met the 2013 screening
requirements for the Wellness Program. As you know, the goal of the Board of Education
was 100% compliance because they did not want anyone to have to pay a higher premium
next school year for health insurance; they wanted it to be about personal health awareness by having people fulfill the required screening.
The 2013 calendar year has come to a close and we expect to receive a compliance
report directly from Anthem at the end of February. At this point, there is nothing for you
to do to check your 2013 compliance. To assist Southington in this new initiative, an Anthem representative has not yet been named; consequently, calling the 1-800 phone number now will not get you any answers.
Before the end of March, my office will be working with Southington Board of Education Payroll/Benefits Department to notify any teacher that is reported on the “Out of
Compliance” list. The notification will provide clear directions on who to contact in the
event you feel you received the notification in error. We will provide phone numbers for
our office and the Anthem contact to assist in fixing any concerns. We will also have a
clearly defined timeline in which follow-up information will need to be presented to
change your status to compliant.
As you know, this is the first year we will be receiving the report and we anticipate
some glitches because, unfortunately, not all physicians will have coded your appointments correctly. As I said earlier, we do not want you to have to pay higher premiums and
promise to do our best to work with teachers in a confidential and respectful manner to
clear up outstanding issues that may come up this spring.
Sherri DiNello
Director of Business & Finance
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
CERTIFIED STAFF REMINDER
Just a reminder to staff who require certification from the State of Connecticut.
If you are renewing your certification, please keep in mind that it takes six to eight weeks from date of
application for the State to issue an updated certificate.
When applying please follow these steps:
1) Make your application for renewal via the State of Connecticut website. You can use the link listed
below:
http://sdeportal.ct.gov/cecscreateuser/default.aspx
2) Once you have completed the online application, download the ED126—which is the report of your
work experience. Complete the top section. Send the form to the Personnel Office for completion.
We will have the Superintendent sign the form and send it back to you.
Remember … if you have worked in more than one district you will need an ED126 from each
district.
3) Mail the ED126 to the State of Connecticut. I always recommend certified mail so you have a date of
receipt.
REMEMBER:
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It is your responsibility to maintain your certification.
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Be proactive.
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DON’T LET YOUR CERTIFICATION LAPSE.
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SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SOUTHINGTON BOE NEWSLINK
Volume 5, Issue 2
January 2014
Out-of-Towners…Beware!
What would you do to ensure that your child receives the best possible public education? My guess is that you would do some
research and become an informed parent. When you find the city or town with a school system to which you want to send
your child, you would work toward establishing residence within that district. Parents want their children to be educated in
one of the best districts in the state…Southington is at the top of that list.
Did you know that Connecticut School Law has very clear guidelines for school districts to follow regarding where students
attend school? A Practical Guide To Connecticut School Law states, “eligibility for free school privileges is typically determined on the basis of the residence of the student, i.e. the factual question of where the student actually resides.” If a family
disputes the residency findings of the district, the burden of proof falls on the family; the statute provides that the “party denied schooling shall have the burden of providing residency by preponderance of the evidence.” Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-186(b)
(1). In addition, school officials may recoup the cost of tuition if they find that the student was not entitled to school privileges.
This law could be perceived as a burden for some parents. While the decision to move was theirs, some parents believe that
their child should continue their education in Southington while living in another district. There are parents who choose not
to share information about their move with the school district. They advise their child not to tell anyone that they moved
and they begin transporting the student to and from school. What parents don’t realize is that they are breaking the law.
How do we find these families? The majority of the leads we receive are from school administration, teachers, and secretaries. They notify the residency office that they have a suspicion about a family’s residence and an investigation begins. Elementary students usually share information with a teacher without realizing they’re saying something they probably shouldn’t. Middle and high school students are more careful with what they share to school staff; however, they aren’t careful with
what they tell their friends. Most often, it’s one of those “friends” who will leak the information to the district. Anonymous
letters are also sent to central office from concerned residents, which give us enough information to begin an investigation.
What can you do? Residency is taken very seriously and our investigations have become more thorough over the years. If you
have any suspicions pertaining to the residence of a student, please notify us immediately. The investigation will take place
over a 4-8 week period. Those found living outside of Southington will attend a meeting at central office with the superintendent and the family will be notified of a date to withdraw the student from Southington. When applicable, the families will be
invoiced for educational services received in Southington while residing in another town.
Anyone with information should contact our residency office:
Michelle Passamano
District Registrar
mpassamano@southingtonschools.org
(860) 628-3204
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