Friday, November 22, 2013


“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John F. Kennedy

Nov 25 to Nov 29

Mon 11/25 Individual Planning

                     3rd Graders receiving dictionaries

Tues 11/26      Pizza with the Principal (Stage)

Wed 11/27 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 3/4 Rm. 4

                     12:46 Early Dismissal

Thurs 11/28     Thanksgiving (No School)

Fri 11/29         Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Dec 2 to Dec 6

Mon 12/2  Principal Directed (Glad Trainers/STAR Training)

                Report Cards Due to Administrator in the morning

Tues 12/3 Student of the Month Luncheon

                3:45 AVID Meeting

Wed 12/4  8:15 Viking Support Team GR 5/6 Rm. 4

Thurs 12/5      

Fri 12/6           Report Cards sent home with students

Report Cards

Please remember that Collette and Barb need to know when you are ready to have your report cards reviewed.  If you are ready early, just let us know!

New Safety Information

LiveTip Anonymous Tip Line for Schools

1-866-548-3847 (toll free)

LiveTip is an anonymous tip line that students, staff, parents, and community members can access to safely and discreetly report a potential crisis, inappropriate behavior, or suspicious activity to school administrators. Receive tips on:

·         Weapons, bomb threats or fights

·         Bullying or harassment

·         Physical or sexual abuse

·         Arson or criminal activity

·         Gang activity

·         Suicide

·         Vandalism or theft

·         Online predators or threats of violence

Callers have the option to speak to a live person or leave a message. All calls are transcribed, documented, and routed to the designated authority immediately.

If an urgent call is received after hours, officials receive a call on their home or cell number.

 
Print Shop FYI…

Remember to use those print shop order forms…

They strive to fulfill printing requests as quickly as possible, with a priority given to materials used for instruction. The following are general guidelines:
v “Quick” print: 1-2 days from receipt
·         Camera-ready originals to be printed/copied with black ink/toner on 8 ½ x 11 standard paper
·         Time-dated materials get priority
Examples: Seatwork, handouts and tests, newsletters, fliers
 
v “Not so very quick” print: 3-5 days or by arrangement
·         Long runs, jobs with lots and lots of originals, big distributions, jobs needing pre-press prep work, jobs requiring special paper, or jobs requiring extensive bindery
Examples: Elementary handbooks, collective bargaining agreements, concert and play programs, assessments and test prep materials, Bridges grade-level units
 
v “Not quick” print: 5-7 days or by arrangement
·         Very long runs, high-quality color work, envelopes, letterhead, carbonless forms
Examples: Athletic handbook, graduation programs, menus, awards programs, 2-part Daily Bus Reports

Did you know?

Opening fall 2014.  With a continued focus on the alignment of state grade-level expectations during field trip visits, a celebration of the many cultures represented in our community, and clear integration of The Arts in education, the Paul Karshner Museum will be transformed into the Karshner Center for Culture and The Arts and reopen in fall of 2014.
 
The purpose of the center will be to fulfill Dr. Karshner's vision of providing students an opportunity to learn about the world's diverse cultures through participatory education. Through the integration of visual arts, drama, movement, storytelling, music, and critical thinking strategies, students and teachers will experience history and culture through field trips, teacher workshops, and special events.
 
In an effort to better align the district's new social studies curriculum with the experience at the museum, the facility was closed for most of the 2012-13 school year so that exhibits and materials could be overhauled and redesigned. As the planning for redesign continued, it became evident that the museum's facility should be repurposed.
During the 2013-14 school year, the museum will be closed and remodeled, and will reopen in the fall of the 2014 as the Karshner Center for Culture and The Arts.

 

Friday, November 15, 2013


Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.  Albert Schweitzer

Nov 18 to Nov 22

Mon 11/18 Grade Level Meetings

5:00 PTA Meeting

Tues 11/19      8:15 Safety Meeting

Wed 11/20 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 1/2 Rm. 4

                     Science Kit Pick-up all grades

Thurs 11/21     3:30 Staff Meeting

Fri 11/22         12:46 Early Dismissal (New Lunch Schedule)

                     1:15 Library TAC Training

United Way Campaign ENDS!

 Nov 25 to Nov 29

Mon 11/25 Individual Planning

Tues 11/26      Pizza with the Principal (Stage)

Wed 11/27 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 3/4 Rm. 4

                     12:46 Early Dismissal

Thurs 11/28     Thanksgiving (No School)

Fri 11/29         Thanksgiving Break (No School)

EdLine Reminder

On our current school calendar states that November 27th, the day before Thanksgiving, is a 2.5 hour early release for students and professional development for teachers.   Teachers will be released after students are dismissed on 11/27 in exchange for time set aside (individually determined) to make progress on Edline pages.   Teachers should be encouraged to make progress on their Edline pages where it makes most sense to them.  As a reminder the minimum expectations are: email is posted and activated and all courses are visible to enrolled students.

Student of the Month

Please have names and reasons for SOM to me by Friday, Nov. 22, no later than 4:00.

EARLY DISMISSAL LUNCH/RECESS SCHEDULE

Starting Friday, November 22, we will begin the following schedule for early dismissal lunches/recess:

Primary 11:00 – 11:30

10:52-11:30             Patterson

10:53-11:30             Clerget

10:54-11:30             Power

10:55-11:30             Millett

10:56-11:30             Fox               

10:57-11:30             Holland                               

10:58-11:30             Clarendon                     

10:59-11:30             Strobel                 

11:00-11:30             McMahon

Intermediate 11:35 – 12:05

11:30-12:05             Zuehlsdorff                   

11:31-12:05             B. Core                       

11:32-12:05             J. Core

11:33-12:05             Hamilton 

11:34-12:05             Paul              

11:35-12:05             Barrett

Recess

Primary 11:30 – 12:00      Intermediate 12:05 – 12:35

Tardy tickets and lunch tickets

Please remember we recycle these tickets, so please return them to the office as we are running low.

Elementary Teachers,

SPECIAL TRAINING FOR REPORT CARDS on Friday, 11/22 at 1:15 in the LIBRARY!  PLEASE BE ON TIME, we have two people from ITC coming to give you valuable information for inputting report cards.

If you are reading this far, you win a prize.  First one to get to this spot come to the office for your prize…Winner, winner!!!

United WAY…ends 11/22

Key components of this year’s campaign:

  • There is no paperwork required.  You can sign up online using the information below.  If you prefer paperwork, contact your building campaign coordinator and they will make sure you get a form.
  • If you go online, you can find out how to connect with your community through United Way Pierce County, watch a short video titled, “Meet Taylor,” and find other helpful information.
  • Once online, click “Pledge Now” to see how to direct your contributions to specific programs or agencies that interest you personally.

Please don’t delay.  As stated above, this year’s campaign is very short and the process to sign up only takes a few minutes. 

How to participate
Click this link (
https://donor.unitedeway.org) and then use the information below.  Note that we all use the same Campaign Code, but the Username and Password apply only to you.

Nominations Accepted for Classified School Employee of the Year

You are invited to nominate a staff member to be honored as a Classified School Employee of the Year.
The nomination process is easy — simply complete the nomination form and send it to Brian Fox, executive director of communications, information, and arts education at ESC, or email foxbd@puyallup.k12.wa.us
Forms must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2013. The form is available by clicking this link:
 
The Classified School Employee of the Year awards program is designed to recognize the work of school and district classified staff members who have made a positive difference in their profession. All school and district employees who are categorized as “classified” are eligible for nomination. Nominees should be employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, professional leadership, and collaboration.
 
Up to three employees will be selected as Puyallup School District Classified Employees of the Year and will be recognized by the Puyallup School Board. The nomination packet for these staff members will be forwarded to the Puget Sound Educational Service District to be considered for the regional Classified School Employee of the Year selection. Each of the nine regional educational service districts (ESDs) will select one regional finalist to be considered for the Washington state award.
 
If you have questions, please contact Brian Fox at extension x8703.

ITC

If you are experiencing problems with your computer, the lamp on your document camera, etc., there’s some great help on the website.  https://helpcenter.psd.local/HelpCenter/SitePages/Service%20Catalog.aspx

Also, if you can’t find help, put in a ticket for it to be fixed through the same site.

Friday, November 8, 2013


Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

Nov 11 to Nov 15

Mon 11/11 Veteran’s Day – No School

Tues 11/12      8:00 PBIS Meeting Rm. 12 (CRAZY SOCK DAY)

Wed 11/13 8:15 Viking Support Team GR KG Rm. 4 (80’s DAY)

Thurs 11/14     PTA Pizza for students that sold
                       8 items or more

  3:30 Library – CSIP Meeting (Casey Cox,
  special guest) BACKWARDS DAY
Fri 11/15         Fundraiser pick-up (CRAZY HAIR DAY)

Nov 18 to Nov 22

Mon 11/18       Grade Level Meetings

  5:00 PTA Meeting

Tues 11/19      8:15 Safety Meeting

Wed 11/20       8:15 Viking Support Team GR 1/2 Rm. 4

                      Science Kit Pick-up all grades

Thurs 11/21     3:30 Staff Meeting

Fri 11/22         12:46 Early Dismissal

  United Way Campaign ENDS!

Parent Center (Please include in your newsletter)

We now have a Parent Work Center in our main foyer available to parents/guardians that need computer access for Edline, HAC (Home Access Center), registering to vote, etc.  Please stop by the office to find out more information.

Latino message line available to help Spanish-speaking families (Please include in your newsletter)

The Puyallup School District has set up a Latino telephone message line to help Spanish-speaking families with questions about topics ranging from grading and school registration to attendance boundaries and district policies.

The message line, offered through the district’s Office of Diversity Affairs, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from August 1 through June 30 at (253) 604-3300.

Rogers High School Spanish teacher Ramon Schussler-Paz will monitor the messages and call back families with answers to their questions.

Línea de mensajes para familias Latinas que hablan español

El Distrito Escolar de Puyallup ha puesto en marcha una línea  telefónica para las familias latinas que hablan español. Allí pueden dejar mensajes con preguntas sobre cualquier tema. Por ejemplo, preguntas sobre la matricula o registración, calificaciones, la escuela que le corresponde a su familia, las polizas del districto, etc. 

La línea de mensajes es ofrecida a través de la Oficina de

Asuntos de Diversidad del Distrito y  está abierta 24 horas del día, siete días a la semana del 1 de agosto al 30 de junio. Haga sus llamadas al número (253) 604-3300.

Ramón Schussler-Paz, profesor de español en Rogers High School, está encargado del seguimiento de los mensajes. El llamará a las familias con respuestas a sus preguntas.

Nominations Accepted for Classified School Employee of the Year

You are invited to nominate a staff member to be honored as a Classified School Employee of the Year.
The nomination process is easy — simply complete the nomination form and send it to Brian Fox, executive director of communications, information, and arts education at ESC, or email foxbd@puyallup.k12.wa.us
Forms must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2013. The form is available by clicking this link:
 
The Classified School Employee of the Year awards program is designed to recognize the work of school and district classified staff members who have made a positive difference in their profession. All school and district employees who are categorized as “classified” are eligible for nomination. Nominees should be employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, professional leadership, and collaboration.
 
Up to three employees will be selected as Puyallup School District Classified Employees of the Year and will be recognized by the Puyallup School Board. The nomination packet for these staff members will be forwarded to the Puget Sound Educational Service District to be considered for the regional Classified School Employee of the Year selection. Each of the nine regional educational service districts (ESDs) will select one regional finalist to be considered for the Washington state award.
 
If you have questions, please contact Brian Fox at extension x8703.

Elementary Teachers,

We have posted instructions on our Technology Services website for how to enter Elementary Report Card marks in TAC.  Follow this link for the instructions (remember you must login to Edline to access the instructions).


You can also get to all of the documentation relating to TAC within TAC by accessing Tools > Documentation.

United WAY…ends 11/22

Key components of this year’s campaign:

  • There is no paperwork required.  You can sign up online using the information below.  If you prefer paperwork, contact your building campaign coordinator and they will make sure you get a form.
  • If you go online, you can find out how to connect with your community through United Way Pierce County, watch a short video titled, “Meet Taylor,” and find other helpful information.
  • Once online, click “Pledge Now” to see how to direct your contributions to specific programs or agencies that interest you personally.

Please don’t delay.  As stated above, this year’s campaign is very short and the process to sign up only takes a few minutes. 

How to participate
Click this link (
https://donor.unitedeway.org) and then use the information below.  Note that we all use the same Campaign Code, but the Username and Password apply only to you.

GLAD TRAINING!!!

Sign up for GLAD in Bridges #5199
November 13th from 4:00-7:00

GLAD Lab (located at Firgrove) Portable 33

Collaborate to gain new ideas

 

Friday, November 1, 2013


Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.  Confucius

Nov 4 to Nov 8

Mon 11/4  Principal Directed-Library

Tues 11/5 Picture Re-Takes (stage)
                            Student of the Month Luncheon

Wed 11/6  8:15 Viking Support Team GR 5/6 Rm. 4

Thurs 11/7 1:05 Veteran’s Day Choir Assembly

                 AVID Family Night 6:00 – 8:00

Fri 11/8     12:46 EARLY DISMISSAL Student Learning Day

 

Nov 11 to Nov 15

Mon 11/11 Veteran’s Day – No School

Tues 11/12      8:00 PBIS Meeting Rm. 12

Wed 11/13 8:15 Viking Support Team GR KG Rm. 4

Thurs 11/14     PTA Pizza for students that sold 8 items or more 3:30 Library – CSIP Meeting (Casey Cox, special guest)

Fri 11/15        

United WAY…ends 11/22

Key components of this year’s campaign:
  • There is no paperwork required.  You can sign up online using the information below.  If you prefer paperwork, contact your building campaign coordinator and they will make sure you get a form.
  • If you go online, you can find out how to connect with your community through United Way Pierce County, watch a short video titled, “Meet Taylor,” and find other helpful information.
  • Once online, click “Pledge Now” to see how to direct your contributions to specific programs or agencies that interest you personally.

Please don’t delay.  As stated above, this year’s campaign is very short and the process to sign up only takes a few minutes. 

How to participate
Click this link (https://donor.unitedeway.org) and then use the information below.  Note that we all use the same Campaign Code, but the Username and Password apply only to you.


Family in need?

If you had a family or student that appears to need some extra food over the weekend and/or before/after school, please talk to Andre.

Report Card Information

It’s that time of year to start thinking about the first trimester’s report card timeline

December 2, 2013: Report cards due to building administrators for review (due in the morning)

December 4, 2013: Request for changes provided to teachers

December 5, 2013: Print report cards

December 6, 2013: Report cards sent home with students

There are a couple things to keep in mind regarding the above timeline. First, we have traditionally sent report cards home on the last day of the trimester; however, with a late Thanksgiving the “send home” date was pushed out. Secondly, with new report card comment guidelines coming out, the report card review time should not take as long as perhaps it once did. Just as a reminder, here are the Elementary Report Card Committee’s recommended changes to the report card as well as guidelines for writing comments:
 

Data Display

The committee recommends that a table containing a students’ most recent data for the current school year (information contained in Performance Plus) be placed on report cards. ITC is working on this and will determine if this is possible.

Guidelines for Elementary Report Card Comments

The definition of a report card comment is a minimum of 1 to 2 sentences or a drop down comment (drop down comments still under development and may not be available first trimester).

2.   When a student receives a 1, 2, or N as a mark for any grading period, a comment is required to explain why the student received the mark.

3.   When a student receives a 3 or a 4 as a mark for any grading period, a comment is encouraged, but not required.

4.   Every student will receive at least two comments for the final grading period regardless of the marks received.

 Elementary report cards will be open in Teacher Access Center for grade entry beginning Monday, November 4.   A help guide to assist teachers with the entry of grades will be provided later next week.

With the new requirement of scheduling elementary students in eSchoolPLUS and TAC, the report card entry process has changed and we must do some preliminary work to ensure teacher gradebooks are up-to-date and ready for report cards.  

Clock Hours

Historically, clock hours & credits had to be earned by August 31st and turned in to the Human Resources Department by September 30th to be counted towards salary advancement for the current school year. 

Beginning the 2013-14 school year, all credits must be earned on or before October 1st and all paperwork must be turned in to the Human Resources Department by November 1st to be counted for the current years’ salary advancement.

College credits/continuing education credits - require an official transcript

In-service forms – require the employees’ original signature, no copies will be accepted

The College Credit/Clock Hour Approval Form can be downloaded from the district website. This form must be completed and turned in with all credits and clock hours.  Credits and clock hours must meet one of the state required criteria and must be offered by an accredited institution or an approved provider.


If you have questions please contact:

Region III & PSS based PEA – Holly Jette, jetteha@puyallup.k12.wa.us

Preferred Sub

You can let the sub office know if you have a preferred substitute that will be called first if they are available on that particular day to sub.