BCSD Staff Newsletter June 2016
Superintendent Letter to Staff
GwenCarol Holmes

Dear Colleagues,
As we end another year, please allow me to reflect  on the past year and what we have accomplished together. We began this year with Ken Robinson's encouragement to be creative and rigorous in how we construct learning opportunities for our students. While we all commit to ensuring our students are learning and mastering the same knowledge  and skills (mapped, assessed and articulated through our BCSD curriculum) we also understand that each child that sits in front of us is different. What inspires and engages them in their learning varies from year to year, class to class, and child to child. As professionals, we are charged with designing learning opportunities that are specific to our children and ensure they meet the expectations.
The creativity brought to this task this past year was nothing short of amazing. We worked hard to find what inspires our students and then worked even harder to incorporate their passions and interests into the learning. Read more.

Summer Reading  

Thank you for accepting the summer reading challenge.  Look below to see how many staff choose each book for summer reading.


Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners
Cooperative Learning in the Classroom: Putting It Into Practice
Stay tuned for further information on the book club discussion.

Your book selection will be sent to you via interoffice mail once shipments arrive.  Questions? Call Susie Reese. (x5007 or [email protected] )

Thank you for joining us in the summer read!
Goodbye and Thank you to our Retiring Staff

Janene Alleman
Wood River Middle School
Science Teacher
1995-2016, 21 years

Alphonse Amato
Wood River Middle School
Technology Education Teacher
2005-2016, 11 years

Corlane Ault
Transportation
Bus Driver
1995-2016, 21 years

Barbara Berg
Carey School
Business Education Teacher
1981-2016, 35 years

Karen Bliss
Alturas Elementary
Kindergarten Teacher
1989-2016, 27 years

Alan Brooks
Transportation
Bus Driver
1986-2016, 30 years

Mike Chatterton
District Office
Business Manager
1987-2016, 29 years

Kathleen Diepenbrock
Alturas Elementary
ENL Teacher
1994-2016, 22 years

Jude Hawkes
Hemingway Elementary
ENL Teacher
2011-2016, 5 years

Mary Jacobson
Wood River Middle School
PE/Health Teacher
1984-2016, 28 years

Jacquelyn Jones
Alturas Elementary
DI Kindergarten Teacher
2006-2016, 10 years

Chanh Luong
Wood River High School
Custodian
2004-2016, 12 years

Virginia Long
Voice II
Paraprofessional
2000-2016, 16 years

Rita Remington
Hemingway Elementary
3rd Grade Teacher
2007-2016, 9 years
 
Nancy Resko
Hailey Elementary
2nd Grade Teacher
1991-2016, 25 years
Laurie Roark
Hailey Elementary
2nd Grade Teacher
1997-2016, 19 years
 
Dick Simpson
Maintenance
Custodian
1985-2016, 30 years

Rita Sluder
Wood River Middle School
Cook
1987-2016, 29 years
 
Shirley Tharp
Transportation
Bus Driver
1990-2016, 26 years
 Lynnette Trafford
Alturas Elementary
Custodian
2003-2016, 13 years
 
Bruce Tuxhorn
Wood River High School
Science Teacher
1992-2016, 24 years

 Peggy Woods
Wood River Middle School
English Teacher
1993-2016, 23 years


BCSD Beginning of the Year Calendar 2016-17

To view the full 2016-2017 Beginning of the Year Calendar click here.

Buildings and Grounds
Howard Royal

Summer is fast approaching and we are gearing up to take on a number of projects.  The Community Campus is slated for new carpet throughout and a number of backflow devices and eyewash stations are scheduled to be installed districtwide.  But the true focus of the department this summer will be the construction of the new Hemingway playground.  The equipment was unloaded last week at our shop and preparations for excavation and concrete placement are being made. Most of the crew will spend a significant portion of their time working with Les to have the installation complete by the time school begins in August.

We recently had an opportunity to work with our local first responders when the electrical transformer that feeds power to the Community Campus failed (see photo below).  Our sincere thanks to the Hailey Fire Department and Idaho Power for their timely and professional response to our issue. 


Communications

For more students stories go here.
Community Campus

If you have dates in mind to use BCSD facilities this summer or the coming school year please go to the Community Campus page and use the links provided to our online request forms.

Gym Floor Refinishing for all wood floor gyms is scheduled to begin June 27th. The gyms will be closed for a minimum of 2 weeks as the floor cures.

The Community Campus will be a free sack lunch site for The Hunger Coalition. If you know of students who need a healthy sack lunch they can stop by the Community Campus and pick one up Monday - Friday during the summer break.
Curriculum & Programs
Angie Martinez

THANK YOU

Celebrating curriculum and program achievements for 2015-16 ~ thanks to the work of numerous district committee representatives! Bravo!

  • Math Adoption Committee and Task Force ~ Made final selections of two sets of new materials to be piloted next fall/winter for adoption recommendation spring of 2017 (Ready Math and enVisionMATH 2.0)
     
  • 4th and 5th Grade Integrated PBL Curriculum ~ Developed district map for science/health, social studies, and ELA integration with the creation of PBLs by grade level teams at each school
     
  • Engineering & Design Technology ~ Curriculum mapping (elementary), Standards matrix update, recommended instructional materials for adoption purchases
     
  • Computer Skills (to be called Integrated Technology starting 2016-17) ~ researched current practices, created mission statement, introduced to Computer Science standards
     
  • Secondary (6-12) Mathematics Curriculum ~ (to include the development of a ⅚ compacted math curriculum) ~ Developed Unit Overviews, Focusing Calendars and common assessments for each grade and course aligned to the Idaho Core Standards
     
  • ELD & Co-Teaching Committees ~ federal program review, professional development, observations, new assessments and practices
     
  • Dual Immersion Committee ~transitioning from elementary to secondary, assessment improvements, high school course options/requirements, 12th grade student interviews
     
  • GATE Committee ~ implementation of new criteria and assessment tools for identifying academic and intellectually gifted students using a new universal screening process, and a "body of evidence" and eligibility determination team approach to qualification
     
  • Early Childhood Committee ~ Inspire Grant to bring BlockFest to the valley, implemented new Creative Curriculum and Assessments, peer classroom visitations
     
  • Secondary Education Framework Task Force ~ develop recommendations for matriculation and graduation requirements
     
  • Secondary Social Emotional Learning Committee ~ established purpose and beliefs for why social emotional learning is essential to have in the curriculum, research and identification of district SEL standards
     
  • Carey Secondary ELA Team ~ curriculum maps for 6th-12th grade units of study
Finance
Mike Chatterton
June will be a sad month for the Finance Dept as we prepare to say goodbye to Mike.  I'm sure, most of you know Mike is retiring and June 24th will be his last day in the office.  He is excited to make the transition and has many plans to keep busy and enjoy a life outside the office.

From Mike Chatterton: I would like to take a moment of your time to express my sincere gratitude to all past, present and future employees.  Together we have built something special and together we will always have this with us. I want to thank all of you for the support you have given us over the years.  I hope you have felt the same from the District Office as all of our employees are what makes the great things happen throughout the District.  In my first position with the Pocatello School District in 1985 as their Accountant I too went through a transition of the Business Manager leaving.  I remember how I felt at that time thinking that nobody will be able to step in and replace this person.  The transition was very smooth and unnoticeable.  This transition will also be smooth as our leader in Dr. Holmes and supporting staff are well equipped to deal with everything that comes forward. I will always be only a phone call away.  Good Luck to all of you and like all of our retired staff I will be keeping an eye on what is happening with all of you.  

Many of you are using personal professional development during the summer, which is a great time to take classes and work on certification requirements.  Your balance can be found in employee access.  Steps to find your balance:

Employee Access
Employee Information
Personal Information
Under UDF Tables
Professional Development

We would also like to remind all of you that you can call extensions directly by using the Directories button on your phone.  Go to Corporate Directory and you can put the person's first name initial in First Name and last name initial in Last Name, press search button and all extensions with those initials will come up.  Simply select the person you are looking for and the phone will dial that extension.  When you call and ask us to transfer you, this is exactly what we use to find extensions.  

We are available in the summer to help with any questions you may have.  Don't hesitate to contact us.

Human Resources
Shannon Maza

PERSONAL LEAVE
The "Request for Payment of Personal Leave Days" is now available here. Please use this form to notify us if you would like to use your personal leave to replace sick leave days you used, or if you would like to be compensated at the guest rate.

"Employees can carry over up to two (2) unused personal days which will be automatically rolled over into the following school year. These accumulated unused personal days may not exceed five days in any one school year. An employee may choose to be paid for any unrolled remaining days, up to two (2). Compensation will be at the Hourly Guest rate for their position ($13.07 Paraprofessional, Secretary, & Custodian, $15.07 Bus Driver, or $124.12 Teacher)."

ADDRESS  or PHONE NUMBER CHANGES
If your Address and/or Phone Number have or will change this summer don't forget to let HR know so we can update your records in Skyward and send you the appropriate forms.

OPEN ENROLLMENT
The annual open enrollment period for your Blue Cross health, dental and vision plans are being held from July 1st through August 15th. During this time you can Enroll (if not currently enrolled), Add/Remove Dependents and/or Spouse, Change Plans or Opt Out of the Plan. If you are currently enrolled and do not wish to make any changes to your existing coverage, no action is required on your part and the new rates will automatically be reflected on your August paycheck.
Student Services
Debi Gutknecht
 
 
My sincere thanks goes to all those who work with our students who have disabilties. Your efforts, your dedication and your desire to help level the playing field are ones that deserve our praise and thanks.

Just a few things for casemanager to keep in mind:
  • Make sure that all IEPs and Eligibility reports are finalized in Enrich.
  • Close out all progress monitoring in Mileposts
  • Send Debi a copy of your caseload for next year
  • Have a glorious summer and take good care of yourselves
Technology

What are those TECHIE's up to this summer?  Here's the scoop.

Website upgrade - Launch scheduled for August!  We are excited about the improvements and can't wait to help with your new webpage.

Securly - new URL web filter will start in July.  We will need certificates in all browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari). Certs are already installed on district PCs, Macs and Chromebooks.  For BYOD and cell phones, go to the Technology Department webpage to download certificates for all your devices.

Computer Replacement - Dell 380s are end-of-support. To find out if your teacher or presentation system will be replaced, contact your principal or talk to your building Computer Technician.

Silver Creek High School
Silver Creek High School has been accepted to participate in the initial cohort of the Idaho Mastery Education Network (IMEN) for five years. The IMEN is designed to increase statewide knowledge and understanding of mastery education strategies as well as develop information , materials and other applicable resources for use across the state, districts, and schools. As a Big Picture Learning School and participant in the IMEN, SCHS has the opportunity to fully implement an innovative learning environment that meets the needs of the students at Silver Creek High School.
Professional Development Opportunity for All Staff: Teaching With Poverty in Mind


To register, click here for "Teaching With Poverty in Mind," or email Caitlin Renz.