August 2009 ES Meeting Compilation

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

 

ES Specific Info:

How many students are needed for part-time ES status?

10 to 12

 

Where do I go to get my credential renewed?

Start at the CTC Website at: https://teachercred.ctc.ca.gov/teachers/RenewableSearchProxy .

 

How often do we renew our TB vaccinations?

Every 4 years.

 

Can an ES be reimbursed for the cost of a TB shot?

No.

 

I am a new employee—who do I contact for information on my benefits?

The Personnel office:  personnel@ieminc.org .

 

Where can I find my PG Growth hours?

View/ES Detail ES Training Tracker tab, PG Hours tab

 

Do we receive PG Hours for completing the learning styles training?

Yes.  Contact your advisor for specifics.  Your advisor is you PG advisor.

 

Where can we find out the date our credential will expire?

View/ES Detail NCLB tab.

 

Does AF count toward PG hours?

AFs receive the same 2 hours every ES receives for attending their Group Meeting.  Any additional live Webexs you are required to attend also are awarded with PG hours.

 

Where can we get School Flyers to advertise the school to families that might be interested?

On the school's main webpage, go to How to Enroll, then choose School Flyers.

 

Is it ok to answer family’s questions for another ES if they are a friend?

No

 

Does AVG have another name?

The free version is called Grisoft--see info on our webpage.

 

Do I need to empty the deleted email box?

Yes

 

Since there no substitute teachers for ESs what do we do if we have a family emergency or hospitalization issue?

Talk to your advisor.

 

I have a parent who wants to teach a class at no cost, can we send out an announcement on the listserve?

No.

 

Can a family have 2 ESs (one for their K-8 and another for their 9-12)?  Why/ why not?

No.  It does not work with our database system, plus we believe it is unfair to ask a parent to meet with 2 different teachers in a learning period.

 

How are the assigning students?  I thought it was by seniority but some of the new ESs already have full loads.

We honor Parent requests first (parent choice school), then assign by seniority if no ES is requested, in an ES  chosen geographic area. Keep your desired zip codes up to date!

 

I tried to delete email, but wasn’t able to—where can I get help?

IT

 

Can we use BTSA for Professional Growth?

No

 

Can we get reimbursed this year for curricular growth/trainings we go to?

No

 

If a student is taking a community college or an online class, who is the teacher of record?

The online course or the community college instructor.

 

Can we see the results of the school audit?

The school's final audit results are typically received in November.  If you wish to see the actual audit document, you may make an appointment with Janet to review the document she keeps in her office.

 

Since there no substitute teachers for ESs what do we do if we have a family emergency or hospitalization issue?

Talk to your advisor.

 

I have a parent who wants to teach a class at no cost, can we send out an announcement on the listserve?

No.

 

Can a family have 2 ESs (one for their K-8 and another for their 9-12)?  Why/ why not?

No.  It does not work with our database system, plus we believe it is unfair to ask a parent to meet with 2 different teachers in a learning period.

 

How are the assigning students?  I thought it was by seniority but some of the new ESs already have full loads.

We honor Parent requests first (parent choice school), then assign by seniority if no ES is requested, in an ES  chosen geographic area. Keep your desired zip codes up to date!

 

Student Records:

What does .1 mean as part of a student number?

This student has enrolled, left, and reenrolled .

I have a new student whose former school said they never dropped him—what should do?

Nothing, let the office handle any enrollment details.

 

What does .1 mean as part of a student number?

This student has enrolled, left, and reenrolled .

 

Rollsheets:

Is the student marked absent on the very first day of the school year if he is not enrolled at that time?

Yes, not enrolled.  You cannot have a 0 day on any student's first day in our school, or first day of each school year.

 

Is it ok to mark an absence on last day of rollsheet?

Yes.

 

When a second rollsheet is stapled on top, does the parent need to see?

No.  but do tell them that you are giving a truancy if you are.

 

If a student is 18 years old, does the parent need to sign? 

No

 

What about an AESS-A student, does the parent sign?

Yes

 

What if a parent fills out the attendance with xoxoxo?

Redo.

 

 Is the AESS portion of the RS auditable?

Yes.  Be sure you have an AESS contract on file at the office before using the AESS box, and vice versa.

 

If the AESS box is checked, then do we need to make sure the box is completed correctly? 

YES!  Remember, the entire rollsheet is auditable!!

 

Should the ES identify some place on the rollsheet that this student is an adult student and a parent signature is not required?

No.  The rollsheets are matched to that data in our database.

 

AESS contract:  Do all the lines on the AESS contract need to be initialed?

The parent initials their choices of what they wish to be included in their contract.  It is parent choice.

 

What is permissable in giving out parent contact if parents want to organize separate group to go the same day as a school GEA is scheduled?

You must have written permission from all of your parents who wish to be on this list before you send it out!!!

 

Does a new student to an existing family, need to complete a New Charter?

No, one per family.

 

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

What is the deadline to have the student’s learning styles results entered into WebFiles?

Before leaving for Winter break.


What is the deadline to have our Educator learning styles results entered into WebFiles?

Before leaving for Winter break.


Where do I enter the Learning Styles results for myself (ES) and my students in WebFiles?

The directions for where to enter the Kaleidoscope results are on your yellow Learning Styles Inservice handout, under “ES Profile Results,” and “Student Profile Results.”  If you are not able to locate those directions, email Kirstine Larsen, iemtraining3@ieminc.org.

Are students required to do the Learning Styles Kaleidoscope assessments?

We are strongly urging parents to let their ES assess their children’s learning styles.  If a parent has a strong objection, we are not requiring that their students be assessed.  ESs:  instead of entering the student’s learning style results, go to the same first drop down box under the title, “Sensory Preferences,” and click on “Parent Declined.” Do this for each student that is not assessed.

Can I just leave the Kaleidoscope Profile folders with my parents and have them administer the learning styles assessment?
Students can all be assessed at the same time and it takes only ½ hour to complete.  We are recommending that the ES begin the assessments at the Learning Record meeting, then work with the parent on their Learning Record while the students work on their Learning Styles assessment.
Students should be able to complete the assessment in the time it takes to do the Learning Record meeting.

Do I have to assess my K-2 students for their learning style? 
No.  Only students in grades 3-6 are to be given the Orange Kaleidoscope Learning Styles assessment, and students in grades 7-12 are to be given the Purple Kaleidoscope Learning Styles assessment.

 

How do I receive the login for my Online Professional Development Learning Styles courses?

Returning ESs that have been with the school should have already received their login in an email from Performance Learning around the second week of August.  Those ESs were additionally given a white 2010 Online Professional Development handout in their Inservice packet with their login and login instructions to begin their course.

ESs hired after June 1st, you will receive their login in later September in an email from the vendor, Performance Learning.

If any ES who has already received their login, needs their login again, email Kirstine Larsen, iemtraining3@ieminc.org.

 

Will my Online Professional Development courses count towards this year’s professional development hours?

Yes.  Each course is approximately 3 hours, so the two courses will give you 6 hours.  If you have any questions about professional development hours, and whether those hours will count, contact your Advisor.

When can I begin my Online Learning Styles Professional Development courses?

As soon as you have received your login, you may begin.  You will need to have communicated your “Level” to Kirstine Larsen, prior to doing the second “Follow Up” course.  It is possible that you may want to begin your “Follow Up” course before the courses are set up in the vendor’s IT system.  If you are not able to enter your Follow Up course, or feel that you did not get routed to the correct level, or have any questions about accessing your courses, email Kirstine Larsen, iemtraining3@ieminc.org.

 

My family does not have one of the school’s FREE Discovery Education streaming licenses.  Can they still purchase a license for this year?

Yes.  Pro-rated pricing for the rest of this school year, can be found by going to, http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/vendor/DE%20pro-rated.pdf.  Simply do a PO following the directions in the PO Notes.

 

I received a transferred student and am not sure if all parent forms have been done, what do I do?

If the forms are not in the files you receive, contact your advisor for help.  fF they cannot be located, do them again!

 

Is it possible to have listed in webfiles in the vendor form page whether an instructor/online class meets HQT requirements? 

No vendor/CP instructors meet the HQT requirement, but all online courses ones do.  Be sure it is not a DVD program--must be online.

 

Can we share the Vendor, Publisher “Watchlist” with parents?

No, that is an internal document only!  After a parent gives you their wishlist, you use that document to screen the items before placing the PO.

 

Computers--When do I need to have the family complete the Acceptable Use form?

This form, to be completed by every family we give a computer and/or internet access to, is our release of liability and contract of what they can and cannot do with our school equipment/access.  It is a legal document we must have on file (in your files) for each student.

 

Who do I contact for help with ALEKS?
For pricing, and help creating PO and completing Online Order Form, contact:

Kirstine Larsen, iemtraining3@ieminc.org, for school pricing and ordering information.

For “How to Register Your Student” in ALEKS, contact:
Customer Support, 1-714-619-7090.

 

What is Discovery Education streaming?

It is a vendor that has a very large collection of educational videos on a wide range of topics.  They have a sophisticated search tool that lets the user find videos by subject/grade/and a specific California standard.  Users can view the videos as much and as often as they would like.

 

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

Can my student type his school-wide writing assignment, if typing is part of his 504 or IEP?

Yes.  The policies stated on the Directions handout of the School-Wide Writing Assignment, are written for regular education students.  Students are to follow the modifications and accommodations of their 504 or IEP when doing the School-Wide Writing Assignment.

 

Where can my parents obtain persuasive writing practice for their children that will prepare them for the School-Wide Writing Assignment?

Show them the Persuasive Writing Prompt Links (in the Index, third column) that they can use for practice, http://www.sscs.cc/Handbook/writing_2010/wr_per_index_10.dwt.

Show them Essential Handout Link #6, “How to Write for the School-Wide Writing Assignment,” graphic organizers that guide the student through their persuasive essay, http://www.sscs.cc/Handbook/writing_2010/per_instruction/per_how_index.html
Then in November, the student can do the “Mock Practice Writing Assignment” at their grade level, http://www.sscs.cc/Handbook/writing_2010/per_practice/wr_per_pract_index.dwt. 
This will give them one actual writing assignment practice before doing their final School-Wide Writing Assignment.

 

How do I sign up my student for K12?

The K12 “2010 Special Ordering and Pricing Information” can be found at, http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/vendor/K12_index.html

K12 ordering and pricing is not easy to communicate and the form is not intuitive.  Contact Kirstine Larsen, iemtraining3@ieminc.org, who will walk you through the ordering process and answer your pricing questions.

For product questions, contact K12’s customer service department.

 

Guidance Info:

Does our school notify SARB when a student is dropped from the school?

No. We are required to notify their district of residence.

 

I have a student in 8th grade, who is supposed to be in 9th, can I switch the grade at the semester?

Typically, yes.

 

If a student is in 1st grade, and the parent wants to retain the child, is that ok?

Yes.

 

Can a kindergartener be held back?

Yes, one time only, but only if absolutely necessary!  There is a state required auditable form for this purpose.

 

If a student doesn't address any of their grade level standards in a particular subject area . . . is that okay?

No.  You choose the wrong grade level or course in the LRs.  You need to choose the course that they are completing standards for.

 

Can a student who completes his/her algebra coursework as a 7th/ 8th grader use consumer math to fulfill one of the required math graduation requirements?

No.  They must do 20 credits of higher level math.  After that they can choose to do consumer math as an elective.

 

Do we still do Demonstrations to earn credits?

Demonstrations were in lieu of credits.  We do not do it at this time.

 

Prent Specific Info:

2010 Household Info form--

 If child is in college, is he/she not in that household?

Yes, unless they are married.

 

Where do we report homeless children on the form?

Unsheltered

 

What does doubled-up mean on the form?

2 families in a home designed for 1 family.

 

Do brand new students need to complete the HH Info form?

Everyone

 

Declared Income on Parent Form—is declined to state not an option?

No.

 

What can be used to assess interested parents  and students who are in K-2 who would like to know their learning style?

Direct parents to the FREE assessments and resources among the three learning style links on the parent website.  There they can find FREE assessments for K-2 students, and adults. 

Learning Styles: Activities for Best Learning
Learning Styles: "Quick" Inventories (assessments)
Learning Styles: Resources

 

Are the parents required to attend the Discovery Education streaming Trainings?

No, but make sure that they understand that this is a unique opportunity, possibly a one-time opportunity, that would be great for them to take advantage of.  The training will show them how to use and maneuver around in their website.