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Hello Josey,
As a reminder, the Staff Communicator will be distributed each Thursday that school is in session, as well as once in June and once in July. It may also be distributed as needed throughout the year. Archives can be found HERE.
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Employee Survey Closes TOMORROW!
We've asked parents for their input... now it's time to hear from our teammates! As in years past, we are asking for approximately 5 minutes of your time to complete a survey. Gathering input from our employees looks a little different this year. In an effort to streamline the feedback received, there will be one employee survey this fall as opposed to separate certified and classified surveys – like in the past. This survey will be open until tomorrow, November 18!
SURVEY LINK: https://forms.gle/B9yALPrbmRnL7KUv6
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SISK12 Change
We have recently learned that our student information system provider, Tyler SISK12, is planning to discontinue its services after next school year (2023-2024). This means we are being forced to find a new vendor to house all of our student, staff and family information, which we rely on throughout daily operations.
We don’t want this news to cause any stress for any of our staff. Fortunately, SISK12 will continue to be available for some time, allowing us the opportunity to choose and migrate to a new system over a period of time. It’s important to note that SISFIN will be remaining operational for the foreseeable future.
Here’s how our timeline currently stands:
- Decide on a new vendor by spring of 2023
- Transition our information from SISK12 to the new system throughout the 2023-2024 school year
- Fully operate using the new program before the start of the 2024-2025 school year
We know the decision for a new program affects many of our staff members, which is why we’ve formed a committee made up of individuals representing several different areas of our district. We will also be requesting feedback from employee groups who work closely with SIS through a survey later this month.
We will share more information as it becomes available!
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Print Server Changeover TOMORROW
TOMORROW, November 18, starting at 1:00 p.m., our Technology Department will begin the process of migrating our print server to its new home. During this time, all printing services will not be available. For the duration of the operation, copiers will be set up in the front offices to be available for copying without using a Papercut pin number to login. Also, to help facilitate the migration, the Tech team will be clearing out all print queues of stored print jobs on that day.
As for the time frame, it should take at least 2 to 3 hours, if things go well. Our Technology Department will send out an all clear when they have finished the migration process and have tested out all printing services.
Thank you for your patience in these matters.
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Thanksgiving Break
The Republic School District will not be in session on Wednesday, November 23 through Friday, November 25 for Thanksgiving Break.
**Teachers, please share this with your families!**
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OTC Class for Sub and Para Requirements
Ozarks Technical Community College is expanding its EDU 130 course to its Republic Center! This 16-week course completes the required learning for both Missouri's Substitute Certificate and Paraprofessional Certificate.
Do you know someone who would be a great sub or para, but hasn't had the time or opportunity to get complete the requirements? Share this information with them!
The course will meet on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m., starting January 17, 2023.
For more information, contact OTC's Angela Miller at [email protected].
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Giving Tuesday at Convoy of Hope
Republic School District is excited to participate in the Republic Chamber of Commerce's "Giving Tuesday" volunteer night at Convoy of Hope (1 Convoy Drive, Springfield MO 65802) on Tuesday, November 29 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. We'd love to have a big group of district employees volunteer that evening putting together hygiene kits and other needed supplies to serve those in need. CLICK HERE to sign up if you're available to attend and show up at 6:00 p.m. on November 29! Be sure to wear your orange and black gear!
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District Drink Drops
We’re excited to offer “District Drink Drops” through partnerships with a few local businesses beginning in December! The hope is to provide our employees with an easy way to access a “treat” or “pick me up” from our local businesses.
Any employee can order and pay for a drink of your choice from Rise Nutrition using a Google form that will be shared in each Staff Communicator, and it will be delivered to your school/department office on Fridays. The first delivery will take place on Friday, December 2.
Watch for the order form and delivery schedule to be released in the December 1 Staff Communicator. This effort will expand to include Black Lab Coffee beginning in early 2023!
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Annual Giving Opportunity
We are proud to offer the opportunity for our employees to give back to local philanthropic organizations. Through a one-time (deducted each January) or monthly payroll deduction, employees can donate any amount to the Republic Community Foundation or to Care to Learn Republic.
Republic Care to Learn addresses health, hunger and hygiene needs for OUR students! All funds go to support REPUBLIC students! https://caretolearn.org/southwest-missouri/republic/
Republic Community Foundation seeks to promote community betterment for Republic and its citizens through philanthropy, collaboration and a giving spirit. This foundation awards numerous grants to local philanthropic organizations including to Republic teachers. http://cfozarks.org/republic/
If you are a current participant, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE A NEW FORM THIS YEAR. Your donation amount and frequency will be rolled over from last year.
So, if you were a one-time donor, the same amount you asked be deducted in January 2022 will be taken out of your January 2023 paycheck. And if you are currently a monthly donor, the amount that currently comes out of your paycheck will continue coming out for 2023. If you want to continue your 2022 donation amounts, NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED.
To review your current donation amount, log in to SISFin (requisition portal) and look up your pay stub from January 2022 (for one-time donors) or from any other month if you are a monthly donor. The password to download your pay stubs is the last four digits of your SSN.
If you'd like to change or cancel the frequency or dollar amount you donate, please contact Missy Lester at [email protected] by December 18.
If you are a new employee and/or are currently NOT SIGNED UP TO DONATE and would like to do so, follow the link below and complete the form. Deductions will begin in January 2023.
LINK TO SIGN UP FOR NEW DONORS: https://goo.gl/forms/jzqyygNdHmXSxANu1
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Thankful Thursdays
Help us THANK our coworkers! Reply to this email or private message us on social media a note of "thanks" to one of our teammates and we'll share several each Thursday during November!
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Mornings with Matt
Each month, Superintendent Dr. Matt Pearce will visit a building to host conversations with employees. These "Mornings with Matt" meetings are casual opportunities where employees can visit with Dr. Pearce regarding any topic of their choice. Building libraries will be the location of these meetings with the exception of EC (multipurpose room) and the Transportation Department (meeting room).
ALL employees are invited to EVERY meeting, if you'd like to attend! Dr. Pearce looks forward to visiting with many of you!
December 8: EC multipurpose room, 7:30 a.m.
December 14: Price library, 7:30 a.m.
January 18: Transportation meeting room, 8:30 a.m.
February 15: Lyon library, 7:20 a.m.
March 22: RHS library, 6:30 a.m.
April 19: Schofield library, 7:30 a.m
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As you may know, our new CSIP includes a focus on overall wellness for our students and staff. Through that effort, our Staff Wellness Facilitator, Nancy Leonard, will provide information in this section of our Staff Communicator every week. We hope this will support all of our team members on their wellness journey!
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Nancy Leonard at [email protected] or Ext. 6050.
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Self-Defense Class
Officer Umbarger and his department are hosting a self-defense class in the RMS cafeteria on Thursday, December 1, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm.
This class will give you the tools you need to avoid dangerous encounters in your daily activities or while traveling. You will be taught "awareness" skills, basic escapes, and some tips and tricks for navigating your time around the holidays or when you're out and about. You will leave this class empowered and confident to respond effectively in difficult and scary situations. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing!
This is open to ALL STAFF! Reserve your spot HERE!
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Free Drive-Through Testing
We all know it's cold, flu and COVID-19 season! Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also on the rise. If you'd like to be proactive about your health and protect your loved ones from these illnesses, there are FREE testing opportunities available in our area!
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is offering free, drive-through testing for COVID-19, Influenza A & B (flu) and RSV in Springfield every Tuesday through March 2023. Testing will be located at Teamsters Hall, 1850 E. Division St. from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Individuals in need of a test are not required to have an appointment and do not need to be a resident of Greene County. More information can be found HERE.
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Mental Health Resource: Talkspace Now Available!
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is adding Talkspace, an online and mobile therapy provider, to our growing options of providers to bring you convenient, personal, and professional online individual and couples therapy. With Talkspace, you can regularly send text, audio, and video messages to a dedicated licensed therapist anytime, anywhere for ages 13+. Live sessions via chat, audio, and video are also available. Talkspace is confidential and secure.
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Click HERE for the Anthem EAP Talkspace brief video.
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Click HERE for the Anthem EAP Talkspace flyer.
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Click HERE for more detailed Anthem EAP Talkspace information.
One "session" generally equals one week of Talkspace access and the ability to send unlimited messages to your counselor, or one completed live video session. Employees and their household members are eligible for 6 "sessions" per issue of concern at no cost.
You can access Talkspace by one of the following methods:
- Go to AnthemEAP.com
- Call the EAP call center at 800-865-1044
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Go to totalkspace.com/associatecare - enter the letters "EAP," a space, and "MET" in the "Organization Name" field
- Download the Talkspace app - enter the letters "EAP," a space, and "MET" in the "Organization Name" field
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November 17: Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at Central Office
November 18: End of Progress 2 (Elementary) & Progress 4 Reports Distributed (RMS/RHS)
November 23-25: Thanksgiving Break
CLICK HERE for the website calendar.
REMINDER: Every Friday during the school year, full day preschool through 12th grade students are released one hour early for teacher collaboration time.
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