May 4, 2012

Updated State Meeting Dates:

From Steve:  

May 8-10 Directors  be at the Lincoln Center in BHM for our director meeting.  We will start on May 8 at 9AM and end on the 10th at 2 PM.   Current recommendations are for Material managers to attend the Director's Meeting on May 9 as we will have some activities that will involve both groups.  Please notify your materials manager and let me know if your manager is unable to attend. Again, the director's meeting in May is at the Lincoln Center in Birmingham.

Also, we would like the Material Managers to meet on June 27 (Wed.-8 AM) with the directors during the statewide staff meeting in Huntsville.  This is the day after the celebration so that would give the material managers a good reason to be in HVL.

September 13-14 is a material managers meeting.  Note that this is a change of dates for materials managers.  This will be in BHM (location TBA)

Directors meeting in Sept. is 11-13 (one day may be a joint meeting with the material managers).

The October Statewide Staff meeting is October 15-18.

Housekeeping: 

Please be prepared at our next Staff meeting to share "take aways" from the April Statewide Staff meeting.  We were never all together so everyone doesn't now what the others did or talked about.  


We will have a cake in celebration of Nick's graduation.  


Remember, there will be an envelope on Lynn's desk if you want to give Nick some cash or a gift card for his graduation.  Tanya will buy a card for everyone to sign.  We will give him the card after lunch and then have some cake.  


Kay and Tanya have a Directors Meeting Tuesday - Thursday in Birmingham. 


I believe Science submitted some materials for us to purchase.  One last call for material request.  


I hope everyone has a great weekend. 

March 23, 2012

New Hire Summer Training 2012:

• There is a folder on the "G" drive called New Hire Summer Training 2012.  That folder should contain everything  pertaining to our summer training.
• 
  
• Today (March 23, 2012)  it contains a list of math participants, science participants, all the forms sent to the schools, etc.
• Each summer training has a folder and anything related to that training you can find in that folder.
• Need volunteers to count the participant guides left from last year so that we know how many we need to print for training this summer.  

Picture day

• We still need to have picture day.   Staff meeting on April 2nd.  Let's have takes pictures before the staff meeting. 

April 4th

• There will be people here touring our building so tidy up on April 2nd.  I'm going to being working on my area tomorrow (3/21/2012). :) 
• I don't know who it is or anything else.  I was just asked to reserve the day and be prepared to give a tour.  I will give you an update after it is over.   Just wanted to let you know to  tidy up around your area.  We have guest coming by. :)
• Barry and Jason will be at the Material Manager's meeting.  

Planning

• The Planing Calendars are on the wall in my office.   
• The staff agenda will list dates for 2012-2013 staff meetings, statewide meetings and other things we are aware of at this point in time.  
• We will use this calendar with principals to plan extended onsite support, school PD's etc.  Feel free to check out all the dates and make sure you have the dates as they apply to you in your calendar. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Spring Break.  A restful Spring Break!

March 2,2011

• AMSTI Website:  We need to get a picture of Amber, Jason, Scott and Cy and get them added to our page on the AMSTI website.    We can have picture day on Monday and if you want an updated picture, you can have a new picture for the website.  

• AMSTI 10 year celebration:  Please email me if you think your spouse will attend the 10 year celebration in Huntsville.  The 10 year celebration is during our June statewide staff meeting.  It is June 26th at the Space and Rocket Center.  All full time employees are invited to attend.  Those not in attendance at the statewide staff meeting, can spend the night of the 26th and return home / work on 27th.   The meal and registration is covered for all AMSTI staff but spouses will have to pay a registration fee, somewhere in the range of $35 per person.  Again, ALL AMSTI STAFF registration fees are covered. (by an outside sponsor)   

• Will someone find out if we have any "Science participant CDs" left from last summer's training ?  If so, let me know how many so when we ask Jerry Cobbs to burn our CDs, we do not ask for too many.  

• Tim washed and waxed the Honda van with Tan interior and I cleaned the carpet.  If something is spilled in the van, please get some carpet cleaner and take care of the spill quickly.   Let's try to keep the van clean.   We will work on the Honda van with Blue interior another weekend.  (maybe this weekend but probably the weekend of March 10).

• Praying the weather stays calm.  If there is bad weather, please check in so we know everyone is safe and sound.   Let's use a "phone tree" to check in.  Tanya will contact:  Lynn, Barry, Kay and Cherie.  Then Barry will contact Jason, Scott, and Cy. (Nick and Matt too); Kay will contact: Amber, Donna and Melanie;  Cherie will contact: Polly, Tara and Sue.   Barry, Kay and Cherie will then let Tanya know that everyone on their list is safe and sound.   A text message will be fine.  If no answer to the text, then please call so that we know everyone is safe.  THANKS!

• We have received permission to use Saks Middle School for summer training.  I have NOT spoken with Wendy England, only Karen Winn and Joe Dyar.   I am scheduling a meeting with Ms. England for next week to iron out the detail.  Normal summer training dates are set by the SDE but this is not a normal summer so we will work with the school and use the dates best for them doing my best to keep in mind the dates you have listed on our Google document. My goal is to have K-5 science, 6-8 science and 6-8 math the first week and K-5 math the second week of the training which means only 3 days of training that week and we can pack up and move out the second week.  It will be 8 - 4:30 because we are following the New Hire Plan.  We will hold Algebra and Geometry training in our building when ever the trainers are available.  (5 participants)  As soon as I hear from Ms. England, I will let you know the dates and then make a flyer to send to all teachers who attended year 1 training in 2011.  

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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!