February 24, 2012

Please continue to share the links to the Birmingham News, AL.com, and ABC 33/40.  People have not heard about the press release.

I will not be here on Monday or Tuesday.  I am on an AMSTI Think Tank Committee meeting at UM AMSTI.

I do not think that it is going to work out to use InService Rooms for our Summer Training. Next week I will begin exploring other places to hold the training.  In other words, looking for a school to rent for 2 weeks ( really 3 by the time we move in and out).  We will follow the "New Hire" plan form last year.  Basically, these are new hires at old schools. At this time, I do not see the budget allowing us to host any year 1 sessions.  We will host year 2 sessions to complete the training for those who attended year 1 in 2011.

If you haven't completed your site report (some of you were not here the 3rd Monday of  the month) then please complete it Monday morning so Kay will have time to complete the report that is submitted to the SDE on March 1.

Please remember to email Tanya your Activity Log for February on or before February 29th and I will combine them so Kay can include them with the report due on March 1.

For those of you who are NBCT, I am aware of the additional supplement  Calhoun County is distributing and I have a copy of their letter.   AMSTI   matches the state supplement given to NBCTs.  AMSTI does not receive funds for the  NBC supplement from the SDE.  The NB payment does not follow the teacher to AMSTI sites.    I have contacted Steve to get an official letter so that we can begin the process of adjusting the salary supplement.  We can't make that request until we get a letter from Steve who will get a letter from Dr. Pouncey or Dr. Bice.  Steve will be at my meeting, (I think) and I will again ask him about something official that we can use to request a salary adjustment.


Pleaes remember to “invite” Tanya and Kay on Google calendar when you are going to be off for personal days, sick days, NCD, and for meetings /PD that do not involve the whole staff.
Your “Google” calendar should document your work schedule.  (when and where you are and when you are NOT at work for any reason.)  Update your calendar as your plans change.  At the end of a month, your calendar should accurately reflect what happened in the month. 

Staff meeting on March 5th and after lunch on March 5th we are finally going to go over the "office procedures" document  I've worked on for over a year. :)  

Have a Terrific Weekend!

February 2, 2012

Monday, our Staff Meeting will be at the InService Center.  Dr. Ryan and Michelle Matin will be with us and we do not have enough room in our "conference room".   10 am. 

Reminders:

• 2012 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for JSU Faculty, Staff

2012-01-18

Jacksonville State University
 

Office of Human Resources

To: All Full-Time JSU Faculty and Staff

From: Human Resources

Subject: 2012 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Date: January 17, 2012

It is time again for our annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. The online program allows you to take the training at your leisure. It may be taken all in one session or you may bookmark and return at a later time. You will need to allow up to 90 minutes for the training program. You may locate the training on the HR website at http://training.newmedialearning.com/psh/jacksonvillestu/. Once you enter the program, you will select a track appropriate to your position: Supervisory, Non-supervisory, Faculty, etc. You may choose the full course or the refresher course. (Note: the refresher course is condensed and requires a higher level of understanding thus a higher pass score on the exam.)

There will be a test at the end that you are required to pass. When you pass the exam, HR will be notified of the successful completion.  You will also be given the option of printing a completion certificate. Please print and retain in your files. This is required training and must be completed on an annual basis. Please complete this program by March 16, 2012. 

If you have taken this course since August 15, 2011, you are not required to take the program again until the 2013 training program.

Please contact Judy Harrison, email at harrison@jsu.edu or call X8569, if you have questions.

• Site Reports are due the third Monday of each month.  If you received a cancellation notice from Tanya it is because I was deleting multiple reminder items on my calendar.  Ignore the cancellation.  
• From Steve Ricks

	TENTATIVE Dates for AMSTI
March 15, 2012	LD Meeting
March 20-22, 2012	ASIM Meeting
April ????, 2012	Possible AL Standards Insights training with LEAS-Current thought is AMSTI will probably not be invited but this could change
April 3-4, 2012	Material Manager meeting
April 12, 2012	ACT training- Mid and HS level-voluntary attendance
April 16-19, 2012	Statewide Staff Meeting
May 1-3, 2012	LEA Explorations training-probably not with AMSTI
May 8-9, 2012	Directors Meeting
June 25-29, 2012	Statewide Staff Meeting
September 11-13, 2012	Directors Meeting
November 27-29,2012	Directors Meeting
December 4-6, 2012	ASIM Meeting
January 22-24, 2013	Train the Trainers-Math
January 29-31, 2013*	Directors Meeting
February 5-7, 2013	Train the Trainers-Math
February 19-21, 2013	Train the Trainers-Math
March 5-7, 2013*	Directors Meeting
April 8-11, 2013	Statewide Staff Meeting

January 27, 2012

Hello all:  


A few updates:

• Monday's lunch was great.  It was great seeing everyone.  

• Dr. Kelly Ryan is the Interim InService Director.  He will be at our next staff meeting on February 6th. 

• I've created a google document for all staff to record vacation/time off plans through July.  Kay and I will be meeting to look at the budget to see what we can offer this summer.  We have a director's meeting on February 8-9.  Anything we plan will have to be approved.  Right now, my thoughts are to somehow get year 2 for those 100 or so folks who came to year 1 training last year.  I want to be able to use the InService rooms and not rent a school.  I think we could do k-5 science one week, k-5 math one week, 6-8 science and math one week and 9-12 math could probably be held in our building. :)  We would follow the New Hire Plan, just like last year.  Anyway, all of that has to be written up, documented that we can pay for it, depends on availability of rooms at the Inservice and get approved.  Keep that info to yourself but please record your time off on the google document (I will share with you on Monday) so Kay and I can put some dates with my thoughts.   

• We need a volunteer to keep up with the pre and post test for all AMSTI sessions.  You will let Cathy Jones when sessions are scheduled, [Weather compressed training; Math grade 2, year 2] and she will email them to you.  You will print them and give them to the presenter.  The presenter will return them to you and you will mail them to Cathy or give them to her at a state meeting. 

• February 13th:  I will demonstrate/walk you through the setup process to anyone interested, how to set up your laptop to sync to your desktop files and how to set up syncing with any files on the "G" drive.  This prevents you from having to ALWAYS move files on thumb drive and  ask yourself which one is most current. :)   Bring  your laptops and make sure you have Windows Live on your laptop.  It should be there.  

• I would like to meet with all specialists on Monday, January 30 around 1:30 in the "conference" room.   Bring your JSU handbook and AMSTI guidelines.  Remember when I asked for suggestions for an office guide book so that when we have new staff we can all be on the same page?  The office guide is now ready and I want to review it with everyone.  It should take about 30 minutes. The office guide book is a work in progress so comments, suggestions and additions will be appreciated.  

• I have added Tommy, Kellye and Krystal's cellphone numbers to the AMSTI phone list on the G drive.

• We received the ACHE grant again.  We will offer PLT training to schools in April/May and will offer OGAP to and science content  phase II schools.  I will contact  Kellye and Tommy to see if they facilitate the science training.  I will talk with Rachel Broadhead to see if she will facilitate the OGAP training.    We will have 9 schools in phase II so the PD sessions will be larger.  Phase I schools are to be determined but Cedar Bluff has expressed interest and maybe  DeArmanville and Coldwater. 

• Specialists please remember to share with when you are teaching lessons.  I plan on visiting Saks E on February 3 and observing a lesson by Cherie.  (I need the time and room number please.)

• Specialists PLT log:  

I am surprised by : " Conversations were more meaningful when post-conferences were not immediately after a lesson. "  But then again, Joanne says when we give time to reflect, we learn so much more.  Wait time for reflecting.  :)  


Does everyone have a copy of the book: Science Formative Assessment by: Page Kelley   If not, let me know and we can order some.  I have a copy someone can have and I will get one of the new ones. 
 

• Please email me your activity log by or on January 31st.  It is submitted with the site report which is due on the 1st.   Kay, please include Dr. Ryan on the list when you email the site report to Michele.   (kryan@jsu.edu)  
• I think that sums up my January updates.   See you all on Monday!  Have a GREAT weekend!

Tanya

December 9th, 2011

Please submit all travel forms to Lynn by end of the day on December 19th.  No guarantee that JSU will them paid before Christmas but it is worth a shot.

White Plains Middle/Calhoun County middle targeted middle schools : would like us to facilitate a workshop for them on Formative Assessment on January 2nd.  We are not at work until January 3rd.   We need 2 people to present.  I'm working on putting it together.  Whomever can be there, we can work and plan together the week of the 19th.  We may be able to plan on the15th and 16th if you are not in a school.  I think I can be there on Jan 2nd, and if I can, then we would only need one more person.  I need to check our January schedule at home.  It would be from 8:30 - 11:30.  So you can swap a 1/2 day at another time for the 1/2 day on January 2nd.  Check your schedules and let me know.  I'm using Formative Assessment ideas and material from Key Leader Network and Powerful Conversations.  It's almost completed including activities.   I need to add in some on questioning and rubrics but I've done that before so that will be easy to insert.

Bring your food on Monday.  It is Christmas Lunch at the InService Center.  
Have a great weekend!

December 2nd, 2011

Important Dates: 


Christmas Luncheon with In-Service and ASIM will be December 12th.  Please see Vicky's email for details and Lynn for the sign up sheet to indicate what "side dish" you will bring to share. 


The JSU Staff Christmas Luncheon will be (has traditionally been) December 19th. (Monday before Christmas).  


Everyone Save the date:
June 26th for a celebration of AMSTI 10 year anniversary at UAH.  This involves all full time employees. Travel to Huntsville on 26th, be prepare to spend the night and return on 27th. The celebration will be end too late to return home on the evening of the 26th.

TTT for AMSTI Math Specialists COS Phase II training is December 14, 2011 at the Lincoln Center, 901 9th Ave North, Birmingham, 35204.   8:00-4:30 (need to LEAVE AMSTI office at 6:30 AM)

Training will be in grade bands:  K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.  K - 8 will be December 14 and 9 - 12 will be December 15 so Melanie and I will attend both.  Dec 15 is a half day.

January 25, 2012: TTT for LEAs in Central Alabama (Lincoln Center).  Not necessary for us to attend unless we receive instructions to attend.  It will be the same training we receive on March 14.

Standards Insight Database Tool Training will be in Feb/March for both AMSTI math and LEA teams.

April Statewide Staff meeting:  AMSTI Math specialists will recieve training on Common Core Units (units for  Investigations, CMP2, and IMP  to address common core standards not previously addressed in their units) and Math Practice Standards.

June 2012 Statewide Staff meeting - OGAP - a model for the practical application of learning trajectories which is the research base for the Common Core Standards in Math.

The following dates are now FREE for math specialists, AMSTI will not hold any math TTT sessions this year.  I do not have any additional info from Science at this time!

February 20 -23: North UAH, UAH, UNA, Athens
February 27- March 1: Central
JSU, UAB, UM, AU, UA, WSCC
March 5 – 8 : South
USA, Troy,

Math Specialists: Striplin is hosting a "World of Math" on March 7th and would like our assistance.  Contact Ms. Easley.

ARMT+ Specs :  the news is they will be out in January.

Before leaving for Christmas break, please snoop around in the refrigerator and throw out anything that belongs to you that is no longer consumable.  All unclaimed open containers of food or left overs will be tossed on December 22nd.

November 18, 2011

TTT Math 
§  February 20 -23: North  UAH
           ·         UAH, UNA, Athens
§  February 27- March 1: Central

           ·         JSU, UAB, UM, AU, UA, WSCC

§  March 5 – 8 :  South

            ·         USA, Troy, 

Phase II  Math COS Training

December 14 but the location has not yet been determined.  

Place on hold the dates we have reserved.  I don't think we can facilitate Phase II like we did Phase I.  Phase II will be grade specific.  I think we will have to offer session this summer, no stipend, and open to all teachers in the JSU InService Area.  Hold the days we have reserved.  I am sent an email with the Phase I confirmed schedule. 

Math 2010 COS website to share with teachers

Beth Hickman: I can suggest a new resource  www.mathccc.org  

Click the Professional development tab on the left side and then click Inside Mathematics

Or click the Standards tab on the left and then click Illustrative Math website and then click on the links on the left.

All of this is a work in progress, but there are some great, free resources out there and more coming.

Anniston City

Anniston Middle has requested Sue and Melanie's help on any day you have that you can fit them in. 

Science

Polly could you please visit CE Hanna and work with the 5th grade science teachers before yall leave OES?  They need help with Fill in the Holes lessons and had questions concerning the objectives in 5th grade that dealt with the human body systems.  I know we have a 3rd grade kit but they were asking about some objectives in 5th grade.   I took them solar lights so they can use their Solar Energy kit since it has rained for a week.   They are struggling with their planning. They are willing to adjust their pacing guide so that any objective that is not in the correct 9 weeks to match a kit then they will move it.  

Math

When you are at Oxford E, they have some questions concerning computational fluency. I told Ms. Goodwin that through ACHE, we had a workshop on that and our specialists can provide a PD on computation fluency.  So maybe that could be a focus while at OES.   And Fractions! 

I observed a math lesson

I observed a math lesson at Saks E.  I would love to observe some K-5 science lessons and some 6-8 science an 6-12 math lessons.  Each week if you would provide me with a list of lessons and times, I promise to come observe a lesson.  I want to make it to every school and hopefully get the principal to observe with me.  That didn't happen today but I have 4 more chances.  I know I have missed DeArmanville, Cedar Bluff and Attalla E but my goal is to make it to the remaining schools.  If I can get a schedule each week then I will plug a lesson into my calendar.  I may not make one a week but I hope to at least make 3 for each K-5 school.  And if Sue and  Melanie can provide me with a time they are teaching, I will visit their schools too.   

Google Docs
You were sent a link to a Google Doc.  Please visit the document and check your information.  A request for information from AMSTI SDE.  I have completed the info but want you to confirm it incase I have some incorrect numbers or dates. 

2012-2013

CE Hanna, Anniston M, Ohatchee E and Moody E have already requested us for next year. 

AMSTI phone numbers

I have placed an update list of AMSTI phone numbers on  your desk.  

ICE

I will have your In Case of Emergency phone numbers to you after Thanksgiving.  


Housekeeping
I need a volunteer (Cherrie) to help label the drawers and shelves in the workroom and vault so we do not spend time hunting for things.   And on that note, once it is all labeld, please do not "rearrange" anything.  Lynn can keep our supplies order and make sure we have an ample supply of everything only if we know where everything is located. 


Please remember to submit PLT logs to me and Kay.  This includes the your Specialists PLT (if the log is on the G drive just let me know when it is posted) and the PLT groups that are meeting with other specialists.   


If I do not see some of you on Monday, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!   I am thankful for a GREAT bunch of people to work with.  We are fortunate.  All of our people are quality people, hard working people and just good people.  Thank you for your time and dedication to the work we have been commissioned to carry out.  Safe travels for those traveling.  Happy Thanksgiving! 

September 30, 2011

Staff meeting at 10 AM to make sure we are all on the same page concerning the Statewide meeting we are hosting.  


Specialists will meet after the staff meeting to learn the new Activity Log. 
The SDE has provided the Activity Log which is to be implemented in  October.  We will have a training session on it on Monday at 10 AM.  If you have a thumb drive, bring it with you to the meeting.  You will enter your activities  on the form given to you and each month you will give Tanya the thumb drive and she will load each specialist log in to the SITE Activity log which will combine all activities and produce a report to send to the SDE.  This Activity Log will take the place of recording MSP hours and upon discussion how you are recording sustainability at the school, it will more than likely replace it.  You will only complete the Activity Log. More info on Monday.  Bring a thumb drive.  Clean it off if possible.  You do not  want  to use your BIG drive.  Do your best to dedicate one thumb drive to the activity log.  Tanya has extra.  



State Wide Staff Meeting: - changes since Tuesday are highlighted


Specialists, please see Ben Hicks email and register on STIPD for the Statewide Staff meeting. 

We are hosting Statewide staff meeting is October 10 – 13.  The time is 8:00 - 4:00 so we need to be there at 7:30.  We will help with snacks in the morning and at breaks.

Oct 10 will be a half day of meetings beginning around lunch and people will arrive before lunch. We will need have people at the inservice to help unload snacks and drinks. I think I will give the instructions so they can park by the elevator to unload and then go to the lower parking lot to park.   We need AMSTI signs to indicate where to park and where to unload the snacks.  


I have sent a lunch form to everyone so people can pre-order lunches.

We will provide homemade goodies on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please see Tara to let her know what you will bring.

Our command room will be 2112. We will set up snacks in the hallway like we did before but we need a holding area, and I’ve asked to borrow the Inservice Center coffee pot. I have a timer for the coffee pot so we can "make the coffee before we leave each day" and set the time to start at 7:00. 

We are using the following rooms. Since I set this up in August, science has since asked for rooms on Monday. So a committee will meet in 2110 and one committee will meet at our office on Monday afternoon.

October 10 October 11 October 12 October 13

• Math will use 2101 all 4 days
• Break out rooms on Monday 
• 2112 
• Conference room at the InService center by the kitchen
• Science will use 2110 on Monday and our "book room" on Monday
• Tuesday - Thursday : Big room will be 2107 
• In 2107 make sure NO ONE MOVES the big wooden table that is against the wall. 
• The legs are not secure and it could collape. 
• Only move the tables with wheels.
• No one should touch the video conferenceing equipment in the corner of the room

• Directors will be in 2113 all 4 days.

All rooms will need chart papers, tool boxes, extension cords.

Science specific material list.
2107 is the big room for science and their list is below. We can’t get in there until the Tuesday morning. But, if we have everything ready to take in there, I think it will be ok. The projector, screen, and speakers are in the room. We will need a document camera in there. (Our document cameras are in the same rolling cart with our projects so we can just take the rolling cart over there.) The SDE is bringing a microphone since I told them we didn’t have microphones. There are tables in 2107 so there shouldn’t be any more needed. For 2107, we need a sign that says “DO NOT MOVE THIS TABLE” (Barry and Lynn know what table I’m referring to in 2107.)

Materials List

AMSTI Science Content Deepening

October 2011

For classroom

1 projector - in the room

1 screen - in the room

1 set speakers - in the room

1 (?) microphone - SDE will bring

1 document camera - AMSTI JSU provide (they are the vault in the rolling carts)

9 extension cords

2 tables - for demo

3 Chart paper (Post-It)

9 toolkits (*markers may be in kits)

* 9 sets Markers *

Sustainability

Please share with Tanya when you will be teaching a lesson during your coaching cycles.  Part of my "plan to work with leadership" is to visit schools during coaching cycle and ask the principal to visit a class with me so they can "see" what  good instruction looks like. 


Math Specialists - dates from the Directors meeting
Hold the dates:  December 12-16 for training on the Explorations Guides  :  Guides the SDE is buying/making as part of the Phase II training.


On Monday Tanya will provide you with a handout of dates from the SDE.

Tanya attended the ARMT+   session on Thursday and will prepare a memo the high points.