http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/chinn/?p=6
Hello All!
It’s almost the first day of school! I have several pieces of information for folks this week.
• Reading and Math Kit Training – The instruction department sent several updates this weekend about the reading and math screeners. Please note there are a few changes.
Reading
The district testers will let us know sometime this week when Reading testing will happen. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I find out the dates.Grades K-2 – Testers will assess students individually on all measures and enter the data in EasyCBM. New – all kindergarten students will be assessed in the fall.
Grade 3-5 – Testers will assess students individually on the passage reading fluency (PRF) and enter the data in EasyCBM. (Students in grades 3-5 will not be taking the fall vocabulary and comprehension measures and will not be using the computers to take any part of this assessment.)
Math
Grades 1-5 – Students will take the tests paper pencil and not online. Also, the grades 3-5 testing window has been changed to September 11-23. Principals will identify an IA in the school to score math tests grades 3-5, who will receive extra compensation. Classified staff should let me know if they are interested in being this person. If no one is interested, the district will send someone.• EEF Gala Volunteers – Are You Smarter than A Eugene 5th Grader? That’s the theme of this year’s EEF Back-To School-Gala on October 16, 5:30-7:30 Every table will be playing the game with clickers. EEF likes every school to send a representative and to also bring a student. Please let me know if you are willing to be your schools’ rep at this event. Follow this link for more info and to try the game yourself: http://www.eeflane.org/Gala2008/2008Gala.asp
• OAKS Update and Testing Window – The online state assessment will now allow us to print reading passages and to zoom/enhance the text. The testing window goes from October 9th – May 15th with three opportunities available for students.
• AESOP (new SubFinder) – The district sent an email to all staff with training dates for how to use the new substitute dispatch system. However, their website has a very simple four minute video that tells how to do the basics here Employee Basic Training And here is a link to their main site, for when you register the first time (which is also covered in the four minute video) http://www.aesoponline.com/. If you are interested in the advanced features (such as pre-arranging a sub, rating or viewing a substitute’s past ratings, checking your leave balances, etc…), you can view a 15 minute video here Employee Advanced Tutorial After watching the videos it all looks pretty simple and made me feel I could skip the district trainings, so decide for yourself which method of learning the new system will work best for you.
• Wireless Access for Non-4J Adults – If for some reason, a non-4J employee needs to gain access to the wireless network or needs to get past the district filter, there is a special log-in for these people that will change on a monthly basis. If you need this username and password, let me know who will be using it and I can pass it along to you.
• Check Your Pay Stubs – I’m advising folks to check your pay stubs this month. There are many new and temporary folks down in HR and I’ve heard more than a few stories of people not being paid the correct amount.
• Would You Like a Guest Reader, Your Principal? – Last year I read a story to students in each of the classes at the beginning of the year. If you’d like to have a special guest reader visit your class, I’d love to come and read a story to your kids. Just send me a date and a time!
Wow, I think this is the first time my weekly announcements have gone past one page. Hopefully it’ll be shorter next week.
Let’s get things off to a great start!
Allan