Aug 4, 2016 - Give it the best effort you ... dedicated to making a difference in the school ... webpage at https://ther
Rock Island High School Student Ambassadors 2016-17!
Rock Island-Milan Lines 4 August 2016
Weekly RIMSD #41 Staff Newsletter
Superintendent’s Message Welcome back to the 2016-17 school year! This is an exciting time as students get back into the routines of attending school. As we welcome back students, it is a critical time to begin developing relationships and high expectations for each student. Research has indicated that the “estimates of achievement” (Hattie) that an educator has about the potential of a child’s ability to achieve has the largest, positive effect size on student achievement. Education is the great equalizer in this country. Daily you inspire and engage students in their learning journey to master content and skills towards graduation. Your artful mastery of instruction of the curriculum brings life to learning. You are difference makers, every day, for every child. There are improvement strategies being implemented this year with math, English Language Arts and relationships. The math and English Language Arts curricula changes are the result of your efforts to unpack and repack the New Illinois Learning Standards. The new primary resources, Eureka Math (K-5) and Engage New York (K-12) most closely align to the rigor and expectations of the New Illinois Learning Standards, as well as the scope and sequence needed as determined by the repacking of standards work. To all who undertook this work over the past two years – THANK YOU! As you deploy these new curricula in your classrooms there will be stress, anxiety and extra effort needed. Change is hard. Please take it one day at a time. It will be okay to make mistakes during the implementation. Give it the best effort you can in deploying the curriculum with fidelity. Collaborate with your peers and colleagues to reflect, discuss implementation strategies and to seek support. We are all in this together. I will address relationships in next week’s Superintendent’s Message. With your passion and dedication to the success of every child, this will be a great year! I look forward to visiting classrooms to witness the wonderful instruction and learning occurring throughout the District.
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Board of Education Tuesday, Aug. 9, 6p RIHS Library New employee & Austin Scholar Night Board of Education Tuesday, Aug. 23, 6p Half Day Early Dismissal Friday, Aug. 26
Send your information to Communication Director Holly Sparkman at
[email protected] by end of business on Wednesday for inclusion into each Weekly Edition of the Rock Island-Milan Lines.
Benefits BUZZ Benefit Time Balances - attendance balances in AESOP for vacation, personal and sick will not be updated until mid August or at the latest by the end of the month. Call 309-793-5900 x205 or x204 for questions about your attendance balance. Personal Leave Request Form must be completed for any days taken immediately before/after any intersession or holiday. Each building secretary has the proper form. Any questions call Jen Andrus in HR 309793-5900 x205. Open Enrollment Period for FLEX Spending and Dental There is Open Enrollment for Flex Spending/Child Care Reimbursement and Dearborn National Dental Insurance from August 1 – 31, 2016. If you choose to enroll in the Flex Spending program or the Dental Program, please stop by the Business Office to complete the appropriate paper work. You must be enrolled in the plan for one year after electing coverage. The open enrollment period for health insurance is the month of October (with effective date of Nov. 1). Notices will be sent the first week of October. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Business Office and talk to Brandy Carter at x204.
Who’s Who RIMSD Business & HR Office Bob Beckwith (x203) Chief Financial Officer Egan Colbrese (x205) Asst. Supt. Human Resources Jen Andrus (x205) Secretary, HR – employment contracts, job postings. Jennifer Barton (x221), Supervisor, Accounting and Grants - school activity account, budget questions/codes and grants. Brandy Carter (x204), Secretary, Benefits health benefits and AESOP (substitute and attendance). Joanne France-Silas (x202), Purchasing handles purchase orders, new vendors, bids and requisitions for supplies. Mary Gallardo (x209), Accounts Payable handles invoices, mileage/conference reimbursements. Dawn Wolf (x203), Secretary, CFO & Payroll – handles changes to payroll deductions building usage applications and fundraisers.
NEW MILEAGE SHEET AND REIMBURSEMENT FORM The new Allowable Mileage sheet (PDF) and Mileage Reimbursement form (Excel Spreadsheet) with the 2016 rate can be found on the Common Drive in the Mileage folder; or can be found on the RIMSD Staff web site www.rockislandschools.org/ried under Departments > Finance and Business > Reimbursements. Please contact Mary Gallardo at 309-793-5900 x209 with any questions.
Flyer Distribution in RIMSD The district receives many requests from organizations to distribute informational material regarding events and activities that are of a benefit to students. Flyers and forms must be approved before distribution. Organizations that have been approved will be given an approval form to show school buildings when they drop of materials. When requested, principals can send electronic versions of the information through their email hotlines. The schools are not allowed to make copies or distribute materials using school district resources - organizations must drop off materials to each building on their own. If an organization does not show the school office an approval form, materials cannot be distributed. Questions call Holly Sparkman at 309-793-5900 x281.
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RIMSD Community Outreach Day July 16 On Saturday, July 16, RIMSD #41 teachers and staff visited neighborhoods in Rock Island and Milan to distribute information about school registration and talk to families about the school year. Over 75 ROCK STARS participated in the event and distributed over 1,000 door hangers to households. Volunteers received a ROCK STAR t-shirt and the knowledge that they are dedicated to making a difference in the school district.
Congratulations! Beth MacKenna (Food Service) and Mike MacKenna (IT) welcomed baby girl Anna to the fold on June 9! Anna was 20.5” long and weighed 9.4 lbs. The entire family (MacKenna boys and baby Anna above) is adjusting well to the new addition! Congratulations to Jacob Boyd (Rock Island High School) and wife Clarissa! They welcomed twin boys Carson (left, 18” and 5lbs 11oz) and Corbin (right, 19.5” 6lbs 2oz) on Monday, July 18. They arrived sooner than expected, however mom and the twins are doing great!
“Even though we put it together rather quickly and a lot of people were on summer vacation, our inaugural event went very well and I am grateful to those who came out on a Saturday morning to help distribute information,” said Dr. Oberhaus. “We received a lot of great comments back from volunteers and will plan to do the same thing in 2017 the Saturday before registration.” More photos of the morning on the RIMSD staff web site www.rockislandschools.org/riec
Send your announcements and condolences to Communication Director Holly Sparkman at
[email protected] by end of business on Wednesday for inclusion into each Weekly Edition of the Rock IslandMilan Lines.
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T & L Tip: One Day at A Time As we embark on the new school year and the new ELA and math curriculum resources we have adopted, please make sure you take it all ONE DAY AT A TIME. Below are some hints and reminders: • Take this all one day at a time! • Study the material. • Familiarize yourself with the modules, units, etc. • Take it one lesson at a time. • Utilize the online resources (T&L, Eureka Math, EngageNY websites). • Give yourself the freedom to make mistakes! • Collaborate with your colleagues. • Reach out to grade level/dept. level lead teachers with questions. • Attend the monthly grade level/dept. level PLC sessions. • Watch the videos on our T&L website for EngageNY. • Watch the lesson videos online for Eureka Math. Reminder of resources on our T&L website: • www.rockislandschools.org • Click on Teaching & Learning • Hover over Curriculum • Hover over Math or Language Arts ◦ Videos for EngageNY are thorough and located under Language Arts (K-2 and 3-8) ◦ Quarter 1 Curriculum Map Plan on a Page(s) for ELA are located under Language Arts ◦ Quarter 1-4 summary modules for Eureka Math are located under Math • Hover over K-12 Resources ◦ Click on SBG Video ▪ A video for educators to assist in our continuation (K-6) and implementation (junior high) of standards based grading ◦ Click on TeacherEase Congrats on finishing the first week of the 2016-2017 school year! ~ Dr. Kathy Ruggeberg
RIEA Teacher Talk What is the Power of “Hi?” Mr. Bender, a retired PE teacher from RIHS, used to talk about the Power of “Hi.” It is simply making eye contact and saying “hi” with a big smile to everyone you meet. Saying “hi” helps to build rapport and a positive relationship with our students, which is the first step in increasing academic engagement. The interesting thing about the Power of “Hi” is that not only does it bring a smile to the faces of others, but it also has a positive impact on you. Try it. Say “Hi” with a big smile to as many people as you can and feel the power. For more information see the section about how to greet your students in “The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher” by Harry Wong and Rosemary Wong. Teacher Talk is brought to you by the Rock Island Education Association. For more information go to our member webpage at https://theriea.wordpress.com
RIMEF Awards $79K to Classrooms The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation awarded over $79K in PRIME grants to teachers and schools at the August 1 In-Service at Rock Island High School. This is a record amount thus far since RIMEF began the PRIME grants program in 2013. A list of the PRIME grant award winners can be found on www.rockislandschools.org web site.
Dr. Oberhaus accepting the grant award from Monta Ponsetto.
All teachers and schools in the district have a chance to apply annually for funding from the Education Foundation. Each teacher can apply for a $1,000 grant; school/department grants are available for up to $3,000; and district grants where multiple schools will be affected are available for $4,000. In cases where the Education Foundation cannot fund an application, the organization works with the school district’s Teaching and Learning Department to find other sources of grant funding for projects. “It’s a winwin for any teacher or school district department that wants to enhance the educational experience in the Rock Island-Milan schools,” said Executive Director Monta Ponsetto.
Ready to ROCK the School Year 2016 The second annual READY TO ROCK the School Year Back to School Bash in Schwiebert Park on Sunday, July 31 was a great success! School District Community Coordinator Virginia Jarrett served as the emcee for the day, and several community members extended their well wishes to RIMSD students – Rock Island Mayor Pauley, Milan Mayor Duane Dawson, School Board President Linda Dothard, First Ward Alderman and NEW RIHS Dean Ivory Clark and our own Superintendent Dr. Mike Oberhaus. The Rock Island-Milan Booster Club served up hotdogs, chips and water for close to 2,000 people! One highlight of the afternoon was when the Bikers for Backpacks roared into Schwiebert Park to mark their school supply donation from the day’s motorcycle ride. Overall, the BIKERS donated 197 backpacks and 4770 school supply items! “We could not have done this event without the support of volunteers, schools and community,” said Virginia. “It was a great way to kick off the year.” More photos on the RIMSD Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RIMSD41
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Eugene Field table at R2R!
Community Corner Spring Forward Learning Center Golf Scramble Sept. 10 We invite you to join us for SFLC’s Golf Scramble held on September 10th, 2016 at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island. Join us at 11:00 for lunch from the grill (included) and registration with the best ball tournament starting at noon! We are signing up for teams of four for $240 ($60 per person). There will be raffle prizes donated by Quad City area businesses, a 50/50 raffle, and more! Get a team together and help raise funds for our 2016-2017 school year.www.springforwardqca.org Party to Honor Les Sammon on August 6 The Illinois High School Tennis Coach Association is hosting a party to honor retired RIHS teacher and Tennis Coach Les Sammon. The party is on Saturday, August 6 and is at the Rock Island Holiday Inn (Formerly the Sheraton). People are welcome anytime between 11:00 and 2:00. Food is served at 11:30 and 12:30 p.m. Food and beverages are free (cash bar). RIMSD #41 staff is welcome!
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