August 2008 ES Meeting Compilation

(A compilation of questions and answers from the all ES meeting this month)

 

ES Specific Info:

Is there a way to print out the quiz with all options?

Yes!  Print the quiz from the link at the top of the monthly ES Agenda.

 

Will the NCLB deadline be extended since the VPSS class has not been available?

I will give you any updated information as it becomes available from CDE. In the meantime, I would recommend CSET exams—you can study at your own pace, and passing them may qualify you for a subject matter authorization on your credential as well as NCLB certification.

 

Do we need a special form for “Release of Photos” on the web?

Yes, please use our release on your forms page at: OG/ SS

 

What is the earliest day that we take on a kindergartner?

From the ES Resources online: Students age five (by December 2) and older as verified by a birth certificate may be enrolled in this Charter School. Any child turning 5 after December 2 will have to wait until the following school year to enroll in the charter school.

 

Are we having another All ES Meeting in February this year?

Not this year.  There will be a required online assessment session for you to attend and other optional PG sessions instead.

 

Do we need 36 Professional Growth hours by May 20th, 2009?

By your ES Checkout date. Talk with your ES Advsior about specific PG questions.

 

Are we able to change goals for professional growth?

Yes upon agreement with your ES Advisor.

 

Can we use the classes we are taking to renew our credential for Professional Growth hours as well?

In most cases, probably not.  Do talk to your ES Advisor about specifics.

 

Do we need to get professional growth hours from outside sources preapproved?

Yes, do talk to your ES Advisor first.

 

Can I get a professional growth certificate for prior years?

Certificates are no longer available after June 15 of each year.

 

Can BTSA count for professional growth?

No, BTSA already counts for credential clearance.

 

Should School Survey Addendum letter be cleared out at the end of the year?

No.  It is done once and updated when the student starts high school.

 

Is NCLB for everybody or just for elementary credentialed teachers?

NCLB certification is for everyone in all subject areas—multi-subjects which cover K-8th grade in our school, them math, English, science, social science, arts, and foreign language. 

 

Does the school pay for attendance to the Charter Conference?

No.  The schools are not able to pay for ES attendance at any outside conferences this year.

 

What is legally required of ESs for Constitution Day?

It is required that you inform the parent of the legal requirement to study about Constitution Day and provide them with resources to do so.  If they wish to order items for this study, you need to order them and provide the materials to them in a timely manner. Then you need to record what was done in this study on the next LR.

 

Do you do the general information sheet for ALL students --- even returning students?

Yes, a General Info Sheet is to be provided to all parents at the beginning of each school year.

 

Can you clarify HQT & SME? 

Highly Qualified Teacher=anyone who has been NCLB certified in a subject area.

Subject Matter Expert=a teacher with a credential in that subject area as well as the NCLB certification.

 

On the new e-mail system is there a way to go in without entering a password every time?

No

 

How can I import e-mail addresses from other programs into the new e-mail system?

Contact tech support to see if it is possible.

 

How do you empty the delete folder?

Right-click on the folder and choose the correct option from the list.

 

Is there a way to send out information to share with other teachers (like about a new dance class)??? 

Send the information to your AF who can share with your local group. For a wider audience, send to your advisor.

 

Would Jill be the person to contact if you are close to getting your special ed. credential?

If you are interested in providing special ed services for our students, yes, please contact the special ed office to let them know you are interested in what they might have available.

 

When can I reasonably expect to get folders from transfer student’s prior ES?

Contact your advisor for help with this.

 

Do families automatically get added to the parent serve?  What if they don’t?

If they send in an email address on their application, they are sent an invitation to join.  They must respond, or they are not added.  You can ask them if they are on, and if not, ask them to send their email address to the school secretary with the request for them to be added.

 

What do we do if we find web links that don’t work?

Email the link to Janet Marsh at jmarsh@ieminc.org.  With the website updates over the summer, many links have problems, and we can only get them all corrected if you let us know when you find one not working. (The only exception is curriculum page links—send those to Shelley Ross at sross@ieminc.org) .

 

Are we a Title I school/district? 

No, we aren’t and we won’t be applying for Title 1.

 

 Educational Info (POs, Curriculum, Vendors, LRs, etc )

Can an ES use ALEKS for her/himself if already using it with a student?

The ES can get a free account for themselves if they have a student using the program—be sure to pass on usable ALEKS paid accounts to another student if allowed.

 

We don’t have to e-mail the office about changes in the student agreement, correct?

Correct if it is only course changes.  Grade level changes or start date changes must be reported.

 

Why does information sometimes disappear when I cut & paste into a L/R? 

Remember you need to click outside of window/space you pasted information into on the same “page” for that to be “set”.

 

Am I able to scroll with my mouse instead of the scroll on the side of the screen in Webfiles?

No, it will not work correctly in Webfiles.

 

A service vendor wants a PO to cover the whole semester which is different than the directions we’ve received.  What should I do?

Let them know you must break the cost up over the months.

 

Is Write Reflections still on the ES protected page?

Yes.

 

Can a parent get a copy card?

An ES can get a copy card from a student’s IF if they will be making copies for that student.  The card cannot be given to a parent/student.

 

Can we purchase parents ink and paper?

Yes, if it is for student’s usage.

 

When do the 2nd semester funds become available?

Check the IF calc chart for the exact date of 2nd semester funding.  It is sometime in November.

 

Assessment Info (Scantron, Writing assignment, state assessments, etc):

If we do the WRAT, do we mark in the SCANTRON on the Student Checklist in ES Webfiles?

Yes, please do!

 

Where is the Scantron password?

Check in ES Webfiles for all passwords you may need. (Except the protected page website).

 

Are ALL new students to be SCANTRON/WRAT tested within 20 days?

Yes.

 

Guidance Info:

Is it possible to calculate student ranking in their class?

Our school does not do student rankings.

 

Can we get a list of courses that require SME?

Talk to your advisor if in doubt about whether or not a course is a core course.

 

If an 8th grade student is taking a high school course . . . does he/ she need a SME?

Absolutely.  The requirement for a SME is based on the course they are taking, not the student’s grade level.

 

Is a SME required if an 8th grader is taking algebra for an 8th grade course and not for a high school level course?

Yes.

 

Is ALEKS ok as an on-line alternative to a SME?

Any online course meets the SME requirement.

 

Parent Specific Info:

None this month.