IEM August ES Agenda 2009/10

Please read the agenda, along with each of its highlighted links (all links available in ES Handbook for future reference).

The agenda quiz must be completed in your ES WEBfiles BEFORE attending your ES meeting!         

 

Please note that if you must miss your ES meeting, you should inform your Area Facilitator and ES Advisor and make arrangements with another AF to attend another meeting that month. (All meeting times and dates are posted in the ES handbook along with AF e-mail addresses and meeting date, time, and location). If you miss the meeting altogether, you will be reminded of your responsibility to attend and will be held responsible for the information given at the meeting. If you miss another meeting, it will become a discipline issue and may result in a drop in your student load. We do not believe that you can effectively serve your students if you miss critical information about the school and your job. Thank you for making these meetings a priority as you schedule your time for this school year!  The ES Support Department.

 

1) Dates to Remember and Dated Duties

a) All ES Meeting:

·         The date of your school’s All ES meeting should be on your calendar already (SSCS-August 25, 2009; OGCS-August 18, 2009) for 7:30am to 4:30pm.  If you have not received the listserve emails regarding this day, contact your ES Advisor for info. Every ES is required to attend as a part of their job duties. If you cannot make the day of your school’s meeting, you are invited to attend the other school’s meeting; there are no other make-ups for this meeting; all ESs must attend in person on one of these 2 dates. Let your advisor know if you expect to attend the other school’s meeting so we are prepared for you!

·         Lunch and snacks will be provided.

·         All ESs (even if you have one already for last year): Print out a new ID card for this year from View/ES Detail, ID card button. Attach a picture and bring with you to the meeting.  At the check-in table, the school secretary will be ready to laminate your card.

 

b) August 17, 2009: First day of school! Be sure you have talked to all of your families on our before this date to be sure they are set to start the school year.  You may now place any orders over $150 you have waited to place if they in fact are in attendance.

 

c) CAHSEE: Check your school calendar (posted on the school webpage) and inform the students needing CAHSEE (11th and 12th graders who have not passed both sections—no 10th graders allowed in the Fall session) to save those dates now, inform their employers, start arranging for transportation, whatever they need to do NOW in order to be there for their critical test session. Remind those who will need school ID cards to send in their pictures for those cards ASAP.

 

d) Paperwork Timetable: Print out a copy of your school’s paperwork timetable for 2010 from the school website and place important dates on your calendar now!

 

e) Scantron/WRAT 4 Info:  Due to the overwhelming request last year for the 2nd graders to be WRAT4 tested, we have changed our policy so that ALL 2nd graders are allowed to WRAT4 and only on request can they Scantron test.  E-mail Sara at ssatterfield@ieminc.org if you would like to Scantron any 2nd graders.  If you have a child that is having trouble taking the Scantron in any other grade, please e-mail Becky at bcote@ieminc.org, with a request to exempt them and your reasons.  If she does exempt your student from Scantron, then you will be required to give them the WRAT4 test instead.  All students must be tested at the close of the Scantron window, October 23, 2009.  You can find your Scantorn site ID number and password in FRED under View/ES Detail/Passwords tab.  Every week the Scantron information will be uploaded into FRED.  Remember, it is critical for our NCLB compliance and future charter renewals that the ES proctors all Scantron online assessments, or send them to one of our approved vendors for the testing. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A PARENT OR STUDENT BE GIVEN ACCOUNT ACCESS and/or take a test without you there to proctor!

 

g) Constitution Day, Wednesday, September 17th: In 2004, Congress passed a provision requiring every school to teach about the Constitution on September 17th, the day the document was adopted in 1787.  In response to this mandate, we have posted to our school’s website some links to website lesson plans, informational articles, museums, institutions, and books that you will find interesting and helpful for your teaching on Constitution Day, September 17th.  Order materials and/or inform your families NOW so there is time to prepare. Go to this website: http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/gencurres/month_specific_curric/september/ConstitDaywebsite.pdf

 

h) Preliminary Graduate Assessment due before September 25, 2009: All 1st semester 2010 graduates preliminary assessment (See Grad Procedure in ES Resources) must be emailed to your ES Advisor prior to September 25, 2009.

 

i) Payroll Snapshot date: August 14, 2009

 

2) Things to Do

a) Computer Preparation: Now is the time to prepare your computer prepared for the school year. 

·         Install or update Primo pdf.

·         Install or update a virus scan program—we recommend AVG.

·         Go to your control panel on your computer, go to "add/remove programs" remove (uninstall) all Acrobat Reader versions. Restart your computer, go to the Adobe Reader Website and download the most recent update of Acrobat Reader (9). It is a free program that you need to keep updated YEARLY!

·         If you have not installed the program for IT Support, please do so now!  Pick one main work computer for the installation.

·         Download or update the Webex Player applicable to your computer system from the ES protected page, video link.

·         We recommend that you have some system for computer backup for your school files; either a flash drive, an external hard drive, or another system. Some ESs who have been “too busy” to consistently back up their computers have had to redo work…

Clean out your Outlook account by archiving older emails, delete large files, set up a personal file that resides on your local computer, etc.  Watch the Webex on this called: Creating a Personal Outlook Folder and view directions at: http://www2.wlv.ac.uk/its/selfhelp/help/outlook/outlook_personal_folders.asp .

 

b) It is critical that you check and update the information in your ES Webfiles, Student Detail Screens before September 25, 2009, conferring with your families if needed for the following:

·         Check for any new contact info (address, phone, e-mail, etc.) for the families

·         Check the student grade level- tests will be ordered early using this information.  Remember to check high schoolers transcripts for their correct grade level. Review ALL RED grade levels to get them corrected ASAP!

·         Check that Instructional Funds were deposited for each student in the correct amount according to the IF calc chart and their grade level

·         Check that Immunizations, Student Agreement, Charter, etc. are all marked "in" for each student

·         For any 2009 potential graduates that didn't graduate, change their grad date to 2010

·         Enter grad date info for any new students or make changes for any continuing students

·         Enter any program funding for each student of yours in a program, using the information in Webfiles on how much of the IF is to be co-opted this year (OGCS only)

·         If a new student is repeating Kindergarten this year, complete the K Retention form ASAP!

If you have any address changes for the student detail page, please e-mail stuchange@ieminc.org.  If the student is “active” and IF has not been deposited, email jmarsh@ieminc.org.

 

c) Check your ES Detail Screens today for accurate contact information.

·         Please note the place for you to list an alternate e-mail address (Email2), so we can reach you if the school's e-mail server is ever not functioning.

·         Be sure we have a shipping address for you (you can enter or change it here), or your orders will not be sent out to you from the vendors.

·         Enter your work cell phone, as this is the one that the office will then use to contact you, instead of your home phone.

·         Look to see what NCLB certifications are entered for you.  If you have not mailed back forms, please send those to Linette asap.  You will need to sign any students up for SME’s now based on what Webfiles shows for you.

 

d) Items to complete with or give to your Returning Parents at your first meeting:

·         See the new student’s paperwork link for new students to be sure all is done and use this checklist: http://www.ieminc.org/genericforms/eschklistogss.pdf .

·         First Meeting Information Sheet: Remember to complete a First Meeting Information Sheet (Webfiles form) with each of your families, both new and returning. These forms are kept by the ES, but be prepared give them to your advisor or the school office if they are needed. Some of the key items listed on this First Meeting Information Sheet for all students:

o    Graduation Requirements Agreement and Graduation Requirements Worksheet: Please do a Graduation Requirements Agreements for all of your new 9th graders and for any high school student new to our school, planning out your student’s high school career. This information should then be inputted in WEBfiles by going to View/Students, clicking on the student number, adding the information regarding the expected grad date, ceremony participant (if appl.), and after grad plans. Please highlight the new information at the bottom of the form regarding Basic Courses. After marking it complete on the Student Checklist in WEBfiles, this form should then be kept in your student's file for future reference, and passed on to the next ES in case of a transfer.

o    General Information Sheet: Print out a General Information Sheets from WEBfiles for each of your families from Webfiles. This gives them information they need to have throughout the year, so be sure they keep it in a prominent place. Yes, the Webfiles form is now updated with this year’s information!

o    State Standards: A copy of the parent overview of the state standards for the appropriate grade level for each of your students.

o    School-wide Writing Assignment Info: Info is posted on the website and more info will be given at the All ES meeting.  Let your parents know about this assignment due to you in December ASAP.

o    Scantron testing Window: For returning students: 9/14/09-10/23/09.  For new students, within 30 days of enrollment.

 

e) Parent Checklist in WEBfiles: Remember to enter the info in the Parent Checklist in WEBfiles when you have completed the required forms and paperwork! Your advisor will be checking to see that this has been completed, and may routinely ask ESs to bring copies of forms to ES meetings for random checking.

 

f) Student Agreements and High School Courses: After your first family meeting, please check to see that the coursework on the report card/student agreement is accurate and change if needed. This information will be used for ordering STAR tests. Be sure to code the course names with the correct HQT. Do not mail in your high school student agreements until you have entered the student’s course names on the report card in WEBfiles, done a WEBfiles Student Agreement that lists the courses (which appear when the report card is done), and checked the accuracy of all of the dates and info on the SA.  Do not mail an incomplete or handwritten SA to the office, and do not fax an SA to the office, as it cannot be accepted. The SA is an auditable document, and must be complete and totally accurate, and you will get a new SA Error message if your document is not error-free. You may begin work on 2nd semester SAs at any time.

 

g) Computer Equipment Tracking: Remember that every family/student who receives a school computer MUST SIGN a Computer Equipment Tracking form prior to a computer system being left in their home (print from webfiles if needed). Check the Computer Equipment Tracking (CET) form button on the Materials detail screen for each computer system a family has checked out to them after you have the form filed in your ES Files. Please go back and check (select the "X" from the dropdown list) each family's materials list for computers, then check the box if you have the CET form in your possession. If you do not have a current CET form, please print one from Webfiles and have the family sign it ASAP. You can do a quick view of which families have a signed CET from your main materials webfiles page, but you cannot enter the check on that layout. If you transfer a computer to another family, go to your View/Materials list and change the family name to the current family in possession of the computer.

 

h) Portfolios: It is not too early to start collecting materials for your portfolios—in fact, please collect work samples at every meeting in addition to the portfolio sample with your students! Print out your portfolio checklist for each student right after completing their Report Card/SA. The portfolio label templates for the portfolio samples are for Avery Address Labels 5160 and for the envelope labels for Avery 5663. It is best to purchase and print the labels now so that the portfolio samples can be labeled as you collect them. Remember we do pay a supply fund amount directly in your ES paychecks to cover supplies you may need to purchase for the job. We will be viewing 1st semester portfolios at your December ES group meeting—we expect they should be mostly complete at that time, except for newly enrolled students.

 

i) School-wide Writing Assignment: The purpose of the mandatory yearly school-wide writing assignment is to promote writing among our students.  We also hope this assignment will help prepare our students for their 4th and 7th grade writing tests and CAHSEE ELA, prepare the school for our WASC visits, and give students resources and tools to prepare and practice for this writing genre. 
--The writing assignment genre for 2010 is persuasive writing. 
--All students 2nd to 11th grade (or 12th graders who have not yet passed the CAHSEE ELA) will be required to submit a persuasive writing sample to their ES by their December LR meeting. 
--It is optional for grades K-1.    
Please inform your families about this writing assignment right after your Inservice:
-Give them a hard copy of, and/or the links to the writing assignment, practice materials, writing rubrics, writing checklists, and writing resources located on the school website, http://www.sscs.cc/Handbook/writing_2010/wr_per_index_10.dwt
-Tell them that the writing assignment is due no later than the December LR.
-Tell them that the ESs will score the writing sample in January using the school-provided rubric.
-Tell them that the original writing sample will be kept by the school and not returned.  

 

k) IEM Employment Information Sheet for 2010 School Year: Be sure to read the updated job information if you have not already done so at: http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/esjob/IEMesemployinfo2010.htm. Bring any questions on this section to the All ES Meeting for Janet Marsh’s session.

 

l) High School Transcript coding:  Code any new high school transcripts as they are entered into the system.  Returning students should now all have coded transcripts, current each semester.

 

m) Professional growth info for 2010: See this link for an additional Learning Styles training that will be required for PG hours for 2010 in addition to the regularly scheduled required ES group meetings. More information/clarification  will be given to you at the All ES Meeting. PG requirements for this school are posted at: http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/esjob/iemprogroplan.htm .

 

n) Where to go for help chart: This chart has been updated! Remember to check this chart posted in the ES Job Information section of the ES Resources webpage for information of who to contact for what. Don’t assume everyone is doing the same jobs as last year!

 

3) Training Items

a) ES Monthly Required Meetings:

-If at all possible, I need all ESs to attend their assigned ES Group meeting, unless there is a month with an emergency situation.  ES groups are set up by ES population in a geographic area to be convenient to all ESs, and to have the groups be as small as possible for effective networking.  As the ES population in a geographic area grows, I must add more groups to keep this small group climate.  I know friendships and professional collaborations have developed, but this may be a time to branch out and share what you have learned with new colleagues. I may have to split up groups mid-year, if we continue with our current growth.  You will meet with your assigned group at the All ES Meeting in August.  Be prepared to work with this group to find 1 day/time each month you all can meet!  (Remember that if you were in a classroom setting, I would be decreeing this date/time for meetings, and everyone would be expected to be there at that time—here you have flexibility, and I need everyone ready to do some flexing!)

-In an emergency situation, notify your AF that you will not be at that monthly meeting and why (brief), and then notify the AF of the group you plan to attend that you are coming, plus your ES Advisor.

 

b)Credential Renewals: When you renew your credential with CCTC, you will have the opportunity to print your credential directly from the CTC website when it is approved.  Please print to pdf, save in a folder on your computer for your future usage, and then forward a copy of your pdfed credential to Personnel (personnel@ieminc.org) and to the Training Clerk (iemtraining2@ieminc.org). If you are renewing this school year, START EARLY!!

 

c)Attendance Rollsheets:

- First of all, print out and use the Attendance Rollsheet Checklist. Refresh your memory (veterans) or check yourself (new ESs) by going over each of your first couple month’s rollsheets by using this checklist. Remember to mail your rollsheets to your ES Advisor, until instructed to do otherwise. As auditable documents, these must be totally PERFECT!

 

d) Materials Accountability: When ordering from vendors that sell both non-sectarian and sectarian materials, the items must be screened carefully by the ES before ordering. Please remember to check any items that you may be ordering, that you are unfamiliar with, to determine that they are items that can be purchased with Instructional Funds according to our IF Materials Policy. ESs are responsible to make sure that all items are Non-Sectarian before giving them to their students. Here is a helpful "watch list" for items that may not be ordered, and/or items to review carefully against school policy before placing an order.

 

e) Truancy Definition: Please read the Truancy Policy regarding the Definition of Truancy.

"The definition of 'truancy' for this charter School is defined in the policy below as a missed appointment/attendance period. This is not the same definition of "truancy" as defined by California Education Code, nor are the practices and procedure below defined by California Education Code, but by this charter school." If the student is attempting 25 credits for a semester, and does any school work on a school calendar day, they receive attendance credit.  Do not confuse this attendance credit with grades and credits earned.  Bring your questions to the All Es meeting, Agenda session.

 

f) Where to find those Webfiles forms: You may want to print out this document and post near your computer: http://www.ieminc.org/genericforms/webfilefms.htm .  Remember, the generic forms posted on the school website forms page are for emergency usage only.  The forms to be mailed to the office are to be printed out of ES Webfiles.  Hard copy forms that will only be accepted from WEBfiles are the auditable documents:  Student agreement, attendance rollsheets, portfolio checklist.

 

g) Contract Programs courses for HQT SMT: If you are not a highly qualified teacher in any of the core subjects, foreign language, or visual and performing arts, you will need to enroll your student into a Highly Qualified Teacher Subject Matter Expert (HQT SME) Contract Program (CP) course. 

·         “Regular” courses being taken as an elective do not require a highly qualified teacher.

·         All a-g courses and a-g elective courses must have a “highly qualified teacher” (either you the ES, or a SME). 

·          Please check with your advisor if you have any questions about whether or not you need to sign up your student for an HQT SME CP course, as there are too many “situations” to explain here. 

·         If you discover that you need to drop a student from an HQT SME CP course, you must email Shelley Ross, curriculum@ieminc.org, not CP.  CP will only drop students from an HQT SME course with an email from Shelley Ross.  Please include the name of the student, the name of the course, and the course number, and the reason for the drop.

·         For the complete NCLB and HQT SME policies, go to, http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/nclb/IEMNCLBplan.htm .

 

i) Parent Calls to you:  If parents call you about enrolling in the school (from a friend referral, a flyer you have posted, etc), you may refer them to the student application, you may ask them request you on the application, but please do not:

·         “answer all their questions”—you are not being paid for this, instead refer them to the school secretary, the website, and let them know that once they send in an application, they will have an appointment with an ES to get all their questions answered.

·         “Promise them you have space to serve them”—by the time someone submits an application, it is possible they could be on a waiting list and not be able to get their requested ES, or be able to enroll in the school at this time, as open spaces may go to applicants who requested enrollment first.  For everyone’s good, never make a promise of space available.

·         “Agree to go to a meeting to talk to all of their friends”—instead refer them to our school liaison, who is being paid to do this, and does have the support of the school to do this. If you wish to go along with the liaison to a meeting of this type, let them know.

·         “Talk about other ESs”—any school information is confidential, and you should never become engaged in passing on “school gossip”.  If the parent has an enrolled student, ask them to contact the advisor for those discussions, where help can be given immediately to any situation.

Also remember you may not talk to a parent who is currently being served by another ES for the purpose of soliciting them to request to work with you! This includes if the parent calls you.  If a parent calls you, wanting to change to you, please refer them to their ES Advisor, who is being paid to work out issues parents may be having with their ES and to facilitate the transfer they deem best for all involved.  Parents have the right to request a new ES at any time for no reason, but ESs may not solicit from their fellow ESs’ “parents”. ESs may only solicit new students using the school approved flyer.

 

4) Messages from School Departments

a) IT

- Karen Creason now handles ES zip codes. Send any new lists via email to your school’s new email address for zip codes: sszipcodes@ieminc.org / ogzipcodes@ieminc.org.

- Drop forms, questions or instruction about dropping or not enrolling students should now be directed to Theresa at: sa@ieminc.org .

- ES Password Once Inside the ES Protected Website for OG only:

--The password used to enter the ES Protected website, is the same password asked for when you click on “Curriculum” or “ES Video.”  You may be repeatedly asked for this same password even after entering the protected website area (depending on your local internet settings). 

--It is the same password each time you get asked.

--Contact your advisor if you forget it. 

--It is not posted for security reasons.

 

b) ASSESSMENT

All STAR results have been uploaded into FRED and a copy has been mailed to your families.  You might get some phone calls from parents asking questions regarding the results and what they mean to their child.  The STAR report did have a guide attached explaining the scale scores and performance levels.   Please go to the STAR website at http://www.startest.org/reports.html to see an explanation of your student’s scores as to how to read and explain it to your student's parents.

 

c) VENDOR RELATIONS

- When you cancel a PO for a service vendor, please remember to notify the vendor of the cancellation.

- When you move, and you have placed a PO you have not yet received, complete a PO inquiry to see if the shipping address for the unreceived PO can be changed or not.  DO leave a forwarding address and have someone check for packages arriving at the last address.

-Vendor Specific info: See attached document for important vendor specific updates and information.

-New approved vendors since May 2008 are listed on this school link:  OGCS   SSCS

 

d)BENEFITS:  OPEN ENROLLMENT

 

e) CURRICULUM AND CP COURSES: (ESs: If you are teaching a CP course and wish your info to be included in a future agenda, please email a short info blurb AFTER the course is posted in Webfiles and ready for sign-ups.)

- Constitution Day links

-Discovery Ed info for those who ordered it last Spring: See attached document for important information about using this program

- ESL Ordering and Pricing Curriculum Information:

The ESL ordering and pricing information for recommended ELL materials can be found:

·         ESL Curriculum K-5, http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/gencurres/cresource/esl_recommen_curric_k_5.html

·         ESL Curriculum 6-12,http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/gencurres/cresource/esl_recom_curric_Heinle.html

·         Please confirm the listed ISBN to the item named, and call vendor’s 800 number for current pricing.  If you find an error, email Shelley Ross, curriculum@ieminc.org.

-EL School-Provided Tutoring – South Sutter Charter School
Two new instructors will be providing once-a-week EL tutoring to all South Sutter Charter School EL students (due to our large population of EL students). 
To collaborate with and/or to contact your student’s EL tutor:

·         Nancy Thomas, nthomas@ieminc.org, cell 916 969-6867, home 916 514-1444, fax 916 482-6657

·         Jennifer Allen, jallen@ieminc.org, cell 916 705-0397 

 

-Online vendors Information: See attached document for important information about our online vendors

-CAHSEE Intervention: The charter school is required by law to provide Math and/or ELA intervention for all 11th and 12th grade students who have not yet passed the CAHSEE. 

·         ALL ESs who you have 11th and 12th grade students who have not yet passed either the Math and/or ELA sections of the CAHSEE, MUST email Fina Hustrulid, fhustrulid@ieminc.org, with what intervention materials (title/publisher), online CAHSEE prep course, tutoring, CAHSEE CP course, etc. that the student is using for their CAHSEE intervention. 

·         Fina keeps a master list of all student names who have not yet passed the CAHSEE.  Fina will provide a report to admin the first Tuesday of every month.  The goal for the ES is to have communicated their student’s intervention to Fina before these Tuesday reports are run, and for Fina’s report to show specific intervention for every student on the list.  The report should not have any intervention “blanks” next to any student’s name on the report.  The student’s name will remain on the report until they have passed both sections of the CAHSEE and their scores are entered into our system.    

·         Chronic failure to provide and/or communicate student CAHSEE intervention to Fina will be communicated to the ES’s advisor, and will be included in the ES’s year-end evaluation.

·         If the student or parent can show an unofficial “parent” copy of their CAHSEE “pass” results, the ES can communicate to Fina that no intervention is needed because of ES confirmed CAHSEE “pass” results.

·          If the student or parent cannot show a copy of their CAHSEE “pass” results from an unofficial “parent copy” of the transcript, the ES must immediately provide intervention to the student and immediately communicate the intervention to Fina.

·         ESs may not wait for CAHSEE test results before providing CAHSEE intervention to newly enrolled students.  ESs must provide intervention immediately to all new students until “pass” scores can be verified by the ES or the school.   ES’s who verify unofficial “pass” scores need to communicate those scores to Fina.

·         Suggestion:  The practice test and some printed pages from the FREE CDE CAHSEE Mathematics and ELA Study Guides can be provided as intervention to students that insist they have passed the CAHSEE, but cannot yet verify their “pass” scores: 
Preparing for the CAHSEE: A Mathematics Study Guide (2008), http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/documents/mathstudyguide08.pdf
Mathematics Teacher Guide, http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/documents/mathteacherguide08.pdf 
Preparing for the CAHSEE: An English-Language Arts Study Guide (2008), http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/documents/studyela08guide.pdf
English-Language Arts Teacher Guide, http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/documents/elateacherguide08.pdf

- CAHSEE Prep:  Materials, Online Courses, Tutoring Vendors: For CAHSEE Prep Ordering and Pricing, go to http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/gencurres/csuggest/cahsee/cahsee_ord-pricing.htm. CAHSEE Prep List of Vendors, go to http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/gencurres/csuggest/cahsee/cahsee_ven.html .

-Parent Curriculum Websites:

·         Encourage your parents to view the curriculum parent websites:  Complete curriculum suggestions, online curriculum suggestions, supplemental curriculum suggestions, website links, and trainings are found here!

·         Parent curriculum websites for grades K-5, or Grades 6-12 can be viewed by going to the school website, click on Educational Resources, on the dropdown…click on the word “Curriculum”, scroll down to Curriculum Information and click on either K-5 or 6-12, or go to these links:

Grades K-5, http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/gencurres/curric/elemK-5.dwt

Grades 6-12, http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/gencurres/curric/secon6-12.dwt

·         At the bottom of each index page, far below the subject links, are more curriculum resources.

·         Last year’s recorded Parent Curriculum Workshops (WebEx) are posted on the Curriculum K-5 and 6-12 index pages.  On the index page, scroll down to a subject, then in the subject row scroll to the far right.  If there is a workshop for that subject, it will be posted there.    

-Parent Curriculum “Live” Workshops:

2009-2010 PARENT CURRICULUM WORKSHOPS are being offered again this year (almost monthly, via online WebEx). Most combine a pre-recorded about-25-minute training with live Q & A discussion.   
Please print out and give this posted Parent Curriculum Workshop schedule to your parents:
http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/gencurres/curric/2010parentwkshp.html
A link to the Parent Workshops is located at the top of the parent curriculum websites for
Curriculum K-5,
http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/gencurres/curric/elemK-5.dwt, and
Curriculum 6-12,
http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/curriculum/gencurres/curric/secon6-12.dwt.
Communication about the Workshops will also go out on the Parent List Serve in August and the schedule will also be posted in the school newsletters.  Parents will need a computer, Internet (DSL), and a one-time WebEx download. 
It is recommended that you test your system for compatibility to WebEx a week before the workshop by going to the WebEx “Join Test Meeting,” http://www.webex.com/lp/jointest/ Last year’s recorded Parent Curriculum Workshops are posted on both the Curriculum K-5 and 6-12 index pages.  Most are about 25 minutes in length.  On the index page, scroll down to a subject, then in the subject row scroll to the far right.  If there is a workshop for that subject, it will be posted there.     

 

-List of a-g textbooks:To view the a-g list of course textbooks, go to the Curriculum Handbook, scroll down to the section entitled, “Curriculum for Students with Certain Needs,” then click on “A-G List of Textbooks”.
ESs ask: Why is only the student edition showing on this a-g list of textbooks?  Where is the ordering information for the Teacher Edition?
The answer:  This list is meant only to direct you to the a-g textbook program where you can see the complete list of program items.  Students all have different needs and it would be unwieldly to list all of the program items on this list.  Go to the Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information (Vendor Info) for a complete listing of a-g textbook program items.  PLEASE, email Shelley Ross, curriculum@ieminc.org, if you ever need help locating the program pricing for one of the textbooks on the a-g List of Textbooks. 
-DO NOT look for California Edition textbook pricing on the vendor’s website.  Email Shelley Ross, curriculum@ieminc.org, for help with textbook ordering.  The textbooks on this list must be used for a-g textbook-specific course descriptions (all SS courses). These textbooks are optional for non a-g textbook-specific course descriptions (some, but not all OG courses).The a-g course descriptions with the textbook requirements are posted on the Guidance website homepage, then click “A-G Courses.”  Email the Guidance Counselor, Brandy Anderson, banserson@ieminc.org, with questions about which courses are textbook-specific and which are not. Email the Guidance Counselor, Brandy Anderson, banderson@ieminc.org, with any questions about a-g course description assignments that do not align to the textbook on the a-g list of textbooks.

-Ordering a-g Textbook Program Items:

·         Textbook ordering and pricing information for a-g textbook program items is located in the “ES Only protected area,” “Vendor Info,” then the section entitled, “Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information (Vendor Info)”.  Scroll to the subject and click on the grade level.  When it opens, click on either (1) the a-g course title, or (2) click on the course title and scroll to the a-g curriculum vendor with program items.

·         Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information (Vendor Info) for a-g textbook program items is also now linked from the Curriculum Handbook index page.  In the Curriculum Handbook, scroll to the section entitled, “Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information” (Vendor Info) and click on the subject, then scroll to the section entitled, “Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information,”  and follow the same directions as above (grade/subject/course title). PLEASE, email Shelley Ross, curriculum@ieminc.org, if you ever need help locating a-g program pricing for one of the textbooks on the a-g List of Textbooks.  Don’t try to find this on the vendor’s website!      

-Ordering California Edition Textbook Program Items:

·         If you have a family desiring a textbook program, please make an effort to obtain the California edition, as opposed to the national edition.  California editions are written to the California standards, whereas the national textbooks are not. 

·         Textbook ordering and pricing information for California edition textbook program items is located in the ES Only protected area, “Vendor Info” or “Curriculum” links, then the section entitled, “Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information”. 

·         Please do not attempt to obtain California edition textbook ISBN’s from the vendor websites, because they typically only list national editions, NOT California editions.

·         CA edition textbook pricing information typically needs to come from the sales representative, or a CA edition catalogue.  Since neither of these are readily available, PLEASE EMAIL SHELLEY ROSS 24/7 for this information, curriculum@ieminc.org. Shelley is HAPPY TO HELP YOU!

-How to Use the “Textbook Ordering & Pricing Information (Vendor Info)”: AllPRICES in the Textbook Ordering and Pricing Information (Vendor Info) are becoming outdated because the vendors have undergone their yearly price increases. (ISBN’s never change). As we update the pricing, we will post the date of the update in the first row of the first column. To obtain current pricing for any item listed on the Curriculum website:
1. Refer to the prices posted to help you decide what you want and can afford to order.
2. Phone the vendor’s 800 number on the Approved Vendor List.
3. Give them the name of your school and the ISBN to the item you want to order. Tell them that you want to confirm the title for that ISBN and that you need the current price for that ISBN.
4. Complete your PO using current pricing and confirmed ISBN information.

-ES Curriculum Handbook – Website Updated!
-- Go to the ES password protected website, click on the “Curriculum” link, which opens to the Curriculum Handbook index page.
--The website link, “Vendor Info” can now be accessed from the Curriculum Handbook index page.  ---From the Curriculum Handbook, you can access the Vendor Info: Elementary Departments, Vendor Info: Secondary Departments, and Vendor Info: Textbook Ordering and Pricing from the Curriculum Handbook index page. 
--Conversely, you cannot access the Curriculum Handbook index page from Vendor Info.   

 

f) GUIDANCE
-Brandy Anderson (guidance@ieminc.org) is the new Guidance Counselor.  Please feel free to contact him with any guidance questions that you or your families may have this year.
-COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT: The option of taking Community College courses while in high school is an excellent opportunity for a student to take advanced courses or trade-school courses, get a head start on their college coursework, and demonstrate “course rigor” to any future college.  Also, students can use their college coursework to satisfy high school graduation requirements and a-g requirements.  For example, if a student took HIST 310 “History of the United States” at Sacramento City College, you could enroll him in a-g US History 1A and 1B for that semester.  The coursework completed from his HIST 310 course would be collected by you and used in his learning record/portfolio for a-g US History 1A and 1B.  At the end of the semester, you would then assign a grade and credit value for a-g US History 1A and 1B.  Instructional funds can be used to purchase college textbooks and any course materials, but not tuition or enrollment fees.  Requirements for Concurrent Enrollment:

-www.BRIDGES.com : This is a great resource for high school students to explore career interests, colleges, and scholarship information.  Our school has purchased a subscription for all of our students.   To access your password, login to FRED à View à ES Detail à Passwords (on the bottom of this page you will see your Choices Planner and Ability Profiler site ID and password).   You can give the site ID and password to your student, and then he/she will create a personal portfolio with their own password.  ESs have access to additional resources by entering the Professional Account Access Key.  Note: It is very important that you do NOT share that key code with parents or students.  To do so would provide them access to other students’ private data

 

g) SCHOOL LIAISON INFORMATION

Fundraising: Our schools are using fundraising this year to better fund things like graduation, STAR testing snacks (so you don't have to!), and other ideas that the parent council has.  You will be receiving packets for each of your families at the All ES meeting this month.  When you arrive at the meeting, please know ahead of time how many families you have so you will know how many to take. They will be made available throughout the year if you need more.

·         Escrip:  We will be continuing with escrip.  This is a very easy fundraising method.  Parents need to sign up online, however and this can be difficult for  some of them.  ES's are encouraged you to ask them when you Scantron their children if they would like to sign up with escrip with your help.  You can do this at www.escrip.com.

·         Raley's Quality of Life Cards:  There is one set per family packet.  If they shop at Raley's or Bel Air(for South Sutter) or Nob Hill (Ocean Grove), they swipe their card and the school gets $$!  They do need to register their cards on line.

·         Box Tops for Education:  Ask your families to clip these from common food items.  They are seriously on everything.  Collect them at your meetings and bring to your AF meetings.  AF's will mail them to the school Liaisons each month.

·         Target Take Charge of Education: This program works by registering your Target Red Card or Target Visa card on their website for use in fundraising for our school. Again, the parents may need some assistance from you to sign up on-line.

·         Save Mart Apples for the Students:  Parents collect receipts, give to ES. Es brings to AF meetings and AF mails to Liaisons.  No registration on part of parents!

 

h) SPECIAL ED

See the handout in your packet for information from the Special Ed Department for the 2010 school year.

 

5) ES Networking: Come prepared to your ES meeting to discuss the following

a) No assignment this month, as we have our All ES meeting instead!  Bring your questions with you for the Agenda session