Superintendent's Message:
Dear Staff,
I wanted to take the opportunity in this
publication to welcome you to the new school year once again and to
share some thoughts about our work together. This newsletter is
specifically published for all Kyrene employees and is sent
electronically every other week throughout the school year. It is
important that you take the time to read it so that you will have
accurate and timely information about the overall work of the district.
We hope to also share things happening in individual schools and/or
district departments that you might find interesting or could benefit
from. If you are a regular reader of this newsletter, please encourage
your colleagues to do the same. Also, if there is someone in your
building or department who does not have electronic access, we will need
to figure out how to get this information to those individuals. We
could, for example, print copies here and provide “hard copies” for any
school or department that needs them. Just let us know.
I have been receiving many positive
comments about the Back to School Celebration Program that was held
Tuesday morning (July 31) at
Desert Vista High
School. You need to know that would not have been possible without the
vision, enthusiasm and dedication of a large group of people. The
Centennial Region and Prevention Services (in Community Education)
collaborated on the importance of bringing this message to the district
and providing the funding to make it happen. Many hours were devoted to
planning for the logistics of the event and the Technology Department
and all those who assist me on a daily basis were instrumental in making
this dream become a reality. So when I use the term “One Team” and
think about what that really means, this is the perfect example!
Erin Gruwell’s message reminds us of how
important we are in the lives of the children we see each and every day.
First and foremost, we need to show compassion and understanding about
their life circumstances because they need to know how much we care.
When we are able to make that connection, the opportunities for learning
are greatly enhanced. When we reach out to kids and they know
we understand and care about their lives, they will be much more likely
to reach those standards and other expectations we have for them and
that (even more importantly) they have for themselves. Remember that
you work in a district that understands how important this is and please
rely on your colleagues and other district-wide resources to help you
reach each and every child. Do not be reluctant to ask for support
whenever you need it!
I look forward to seeing all of you in my
travels throughout the district. Have a fantastic opening day with the
students and a wonderful year!
District News:
Important Paycheck Information
Kyrene has recently implemented a new
HR/Finance System. The new iVisions Employee Portal is part of the
system. Employees are now able view pay stubs, certificate and
endorsements, contact information and much more right on line. As of
July 1st, Payroll stopped issuing Direct Deposit notices.
Employees will access all pay information through the Employee portal.
-
Some reminders on how
to access the Employee Portal:
-
From
the Kyrene homepage, click on ‘Departments’ located at the top of the
page.
-
Click
‘Business Services’
-
Click
‘iVisions’
-
In
the upper right hand corner, click login
-
Input
your user name and password.
-
Click
‘Employee Resources’ to view pay check information
-
Select
‘Compensation’
If you have any questions about the
employee portal, please contact Lindie Evans at
levans@kyrene.org
Building Comfort Levels- It's Hot Out There!
The
Facilities HVAC department has worked all summer to ensure the cooling
equipment in your building is running at maximum efficiency. This does
not mean we will not have equipment failure during the next couple
months. With the high temperatures and high humidity, our equipment will
be doing all it can to hold temperatures in the buildings. Staff
can help keep buildings cooler by turning off the lights in rooms and
hallways when they are unoccupied, using the skylights, keeping the
doors closed, turning off computers and monitors each day, and keeping
children inside after lunch as much as possible.
The
Facilities Department will be setting room temperatures at 75 degrees
with a 2 degree swing up or down. Please report building or room
discomfort to your Building Manager or Lead Custodian. They will call it
in to the Facilities office for repair after they have checked the
equipment to confirm that there is a problem.
Staff Computer Passwords
We continue to be
vigilant with regards to security and are always seeking out ways to
further enhance it. Toward that end we have implemented some new
procedures for passwords. All staff will be required to periodically
change their password to the network (this is not your password to
iVisions or Genesis). On or about
August 31, when you log-in, you will be prompted to change
your password. You will not be able to use your current password,
your user name, or blank. The
password must be at least five characters long and may contain alpha
or numeric characters or both.
Student Computer Passwords
Last spring, the Ed
Tech Specialists notified their Regions that all student passwords
must be five characters beginning with this school year. When
students log-in for the first time this year they will do so as usual
with their student ID number as both their user name and password.
They will then be prompted to change their password. They will have to
type a five character password and then repeat it. The Ed Tech
Specialists have developed some information for
helping students with passwords. K-2 information may be found
at: http://www.kyrene.org/edtech/K-2/passwords.htm and
3-5 at:
http://www.kyrene.org/edtech/3-5/passwords.htm.
Middle school students shouldn't
have any trouble. Note that all
student passwords are currently good for the school year.
ACA Data Collection Update
The initial
three-year data collection system related to employee absences has
concluded. During this year, the reporting system for employee absences
will also change. This system indicates three reasons for absences.
-
ACA – Personal
Illness
-
ACA Family Illness/Care
-
ACA Non-Illness Obligation (i.e., professional growth, legal business,
bereavement, desire to attend a responsibility that can only be
performed during the school day)
This reporting
system only indicates a change in how we will collect and analyze
future data. Authorized uses of absences as well as restrictions are
defined in the Meet and Confer Agreement (pages 7-9). Prudent use of ACA
is encouraged. To read about valuable reasons to accrue ACA time, please
read the
article printed on the
KEA website. Any questions regarding this change or the ACA benefit
may be directed to
Margaret Bowerman, KEA Co-President.
On-Site Opening at Sierra
Kyrene has a
unique program known as On-site Security. Many of our schools have an
on-site person living on campus in either an apartment or trailer. The
onsite person checks to make sure the buildings are secure in the
evening by checking doors and ensuring the building alarm is armed.
Employees receive four hours a week to do rounds and check the doors.
Rent is $775 a month including utilities. Kyrene employees who are
interested in the position can apply online or obtain an application at
the Furlong Center.
Site Coordinator Needed
How would you like to
earn a $2,500* stipend this school year? Arizona Quest for Kids
is seeking a Site Coordinator or Site Team to coordinate their program
at Kyrene de los Ninos Elementary School.
Arizona Quest for Kids
is a nonprofit organization that prepares high potential, low-income
students for success in college and beyond. Enrolled in the fifth
grade, students are paired with a caring adult mentor who supports their
academic and personal development. Career-focused enrichment
opportunities and a comprehensive college guidance initiative are
essential components of the program. AQFK also provides educational
workshops to parents as they support their child’s pursuit of a college
education.
If
you are interested and would like more information regarding this
opportunity please contact Lisa Begay at lisa@azquestforkids.org or call
602-636-1860.
Two-Way
UHF Radios System-
This summer, the Transportation and
Facilities Depts. completed installation of a new radio system in school
buses and all Kyrene schools. This new UHF radio system improves
communications within the Transportation Dept. and its buses as well as
providing a three-way emergency communications link between the school,
bus driver and the transportation dispatcher. This emergency
communications link also includes a connection to the District Office
and the Facilities Dept. Emergencies such as school lock-downs, lost
students, fires or utility outages and vehicle accidents involving a
school bus can now be handled in a much improved manner.
Digital
Camera and GPS Systems
August 31will start the installation of a
digital camera and GPS system in all school buses. The larger 84 and 72
passenger buses will be equipped with four cameras with the smaller
special needs buses only requiring three cameras. This project has been
in development for the past three years and is now in the implementation
stages. The work is being completed in the District’s bus garage
utilizing contractors with installation in all 115 buses anticipated to
take 6 months. With these new systems, Kyrene will be at the cutting
edge of student management technology and improved route efficiency and
will provide school administrators and the Transportation Dept.
Administration the tools necessary to allow students to make better
choices while riding the bus.
SEI Reinbursement
Currently the Arizona Department of
Education is providing reimbursement funds for the required 45 hours of
SEI training up to $275. This reimbursement is being made to districts
on a first come, first serve basis, until those funds are
depleted. Staff members should use the new SEI Reimbursement Request
Form when requesting reimbursement for these 45 hours of training.
Beginning July 31st this completed form and the required
attachments can be submitted to Christie Flanagan in Human Resource
Services for processing. Once completed, Christie will submit employee
reimbursement requests to accounting for payment. Due to the large
number of reimbursements we are anticipating, please allow at least 4
weeks before you follow up with staff if you have not received your
check in the mail.
Again, please note that since funds are
limited at the State level, we encourage staff to submit their
reimbursement request as soon as possible. Any questions regarding this
process should be directed to Christie Flanagan (ext. 4123) or Cindy
Heimerich (ext. 4015).
We Need
You!- Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum
The Middle School WRAC
committee has several open positions for the 07-08 school year. If you
would be willing to represent your school site on WRAC, please let your
principal know or contact Joy Fogarty in the Curriculum and Assessment
office at X4112.
Career Ladder News
The Career Ladder
office gives a BIG WELCOME to new Kyrene teachers and a BIG WELCOME BACK
to all returning teachers. If you are a returning teacher who has
never participated in Career Ladder, you are welcome to join this year
by submitting a fall Student Outcomes Plan. Please see your Career
Ladder rep for details. New teachers are considered INTERN teachers on
Career Ladder and can participate in many of the benefits. Please see
your Career Ladder School Representative for more information or call
the Career Ladder office X4128. Have a great year!
Kyrene Classifieds are
Open for Business! Are you going on vacation and need a rental or do
you have tickets to the Cardinals that you need to get off your hands?
Place an ad in the Kyrene
Classifieds. Log-in with your Kyrene user name and password and
you are off and running. Please note that this is for Kyrene employees
only and is not available to the public.
______________________________________________return to
top____
School News
Kyrene Teacher Awarded Scholarship to Space Camp
Laurie Jake, a 6th
grade Science teacher at Centennial Middle School was awarded a
scholarship to attend the Honeywell
Educators at Space Academy program at the U.S. Space & Rocket
Center in Huntsville, AL. Jake traveled to the Space Academy program
from June 18 to June 25, 2007. During the program, she participated in
astronaut-style training and simulations as well as workshops
specifically geared to incorporate space concepts into the classroom.
Jake was among 265 science and math teachers from 21 countries and 43
U.S. states to be part of an intensive, 50-hour education training
focusing on space science and exploration.
According to Jake, one of the highlights of the week was getting a
chance to meet Homer Hickam, a NASA engineer who’s autobiography; “Rocket
Boys” inspired the popular movie
October Sky. Jake also met
retired Astronaut Story Musgrove who flew in six NASA shuttle missions.
Kyrene Principals Honored
We would like to
extend special congratulations to both Nancy Branch, Principal of
Kyrene del Milenio and to Ana Gomez del Castillo, Principal of Kyrene de
los Ninos on being recognized as Circle of Honor
inductees by AZ Leads (Arizona Leaders in Education for the Advancement
and Development of Student and School success) this past June. This
honor is only extended to one percent of Principals across Arizona. Principals
chosen for this honor serve as a resource to others in the field and are
honored at a dinner with other recipients. This award is one of the many
examples that demonstrate Kyrene's strong commitment to student learning
and achievement. Congratulations!
Cowgirl's Historical Foundation
On
Friday, July 6th, members of the Cowgirl’s Historical Foundation made a
school visit to Kyrene de la Manitas Kid’s Club Summer Program. Students
learned about ranching history, the Golden Era of Westerns in
Hollywood, trick roping skills, and horse care. The stars of the
show were a Quarter horse named Silky who displayed a rancher’s saddle
and tack, and a Paint horse named Boomer who was all spruced up in a
vintage silver parade saddle.
The
Cowgirl’s Historical Foundation is an equestrian group which strives to
educate the public about our western heritage and equestrian lifestyle.
They look to respect the past, find purpose in the present and hope for
the future. If you’re interested in more information about the group,
please see their website at
www.cowgirlshistoricalfoundation.com.
______________________________________________return to
top____
