January 2013 Employee Newsletter

Sequim School District No. 323
January 31, 2013
503 N. Sequim Avenue
Sequim, WA 98382
Phone 360.582.3260
Fax 360.683.6303
www.sequim.k12.wa.us
Mr. Kelly Shea, Superintendent
“Inspire and Achieve!”
Mission
On behalf of the
Sequim Community,
the School District
shall inspire and
achieve excellence in
the academic, creative,
and physical potential
of each student.
Inside this issue:

Focus on OTE, p. 1 & 2

Board Highlights, p. 4

Business from Brian, p. 5

Vince on TPEP, p. 6
Employee
Newsletter
At left, seventh
grade teachers
Susan Dwyer
and Vicki
Helwick dressed
alike for January
17 “Twins” spirit
day at Sequim
Middle School.
(photo by Caity
Karapostoles)
Supt. Kelly’s message: The Power is in the Team!
On Monday, January 28, I witnessed a very powerful thing, the power of a team.
When you
think of teams, you think of a group of people brought together for a common purpose, a
common goal. In sports, the goal is to win. In education our purpose is to make sure children
learn. On Monday, I had the privilege of seeing our district’s educators come together with this
purpose in mind. From my view, it was inspiring.
During the twenty-six years I’ve been in education, I have seen a number of changes in what we
do. Site-based governance, SLOs, WASL, EALRs, MSP, HSPE, phonics, whole language,
standards-based mathematics, portfolios, standards-based grading, retention, social promotion,
common core, and the list can go on. However, of all the new changes we have done or are
currently doing, I cannot think of anything more significant than what we are about to go through
regarding evaluation. Though we can find reason to doubt and have concern with the new
Teacher/Principal Evaluation, we didn’t. What I saw was a group of educators willing to embrace
and willing to learn in order to improve our craft so we can fulfill our fundamental purpose. But,
more importantly, what I observed is that we are not doing this alone or in isolation, we
are doing this as a team.
I watched educators from all buildings, across grade levels and departments, sitting and
talking, trying to make meaning of the information being provided. I listened to people
asking questions, gaining clarity, and above all, accepting the challenge. There are a
number of unanswered questions, wrinkles to iron out, but I what I witnessed gave me
incredible hope. We will find a way to use what is in front of us to make us all better, and
we will do so together.
Thank you for everything you do for our students, for our community, and for each other.
It is a privilege and an honor for me to be part of such an outstanding team.
Kelly
Above, Supt. Kelly Shea and board director Sarah Bedinger were guests on Todd Ortloff’s
radio talk show on KONP 1450 AM to provide information about the upcoming levy election.
(photo by Brian Lewis)
Focus on OTE (a levy-supported program)
Each Tuesday and Thursday, Opportunity to Excel, our district’s after-school program, is offered at
the high school, middle school and both elementary schools (grades three through five). Bus service
is available to participating students. The OTE program is supported by levy dollars.
Safety and supervision are basic components of an after-school program. Due to the increase in
both single-parents and dual-employed families, children are spending more of their after-school
time in unsupervised care. OTE provides a safe environment for children to do their schoolwork
with assistance from teachers. Following are comments from some of our teachers on the benefits
of the OTE program.
(continued on page 2)
SMS teacher Shannon Paselk
works with student JJ Brow in
her classroom during OTE.
(photo by Patsene Dashiell)
Page 2
SSD Employee Newsletter
January 31, 2013
(OTE continued from page 1)
Jennifer Lopez (GWE fourth grade) - I use my classroom formative assessments to find the areas that my students need more practice in and work with
small groups. The kids that have mastered the day’s topic work on IXL in their own weakest area as determined by the MAP test. Some of my students
also attend Read Right during OTE which is great since the Read Right teacher’s schedule is so packed. I really appreciate that she stays to do OTE, too!
OTE is extremely valuable! With 24 of my 29 students attending, I am getting in two hours each week of additional practice with kids on the topics we
are covering in class.
Robi Andison (HHE fourth grade) – I find that 10-12 students usually take part. We read in small groups or with a tutor
(especially the reluctant readers who never read at home). We do extra work on math facts timings and sometimes games and
additional remediation on concepts that we are working on in math class. OTE is a great way to give struggling students a boost
by giving them extra time. I also have a math tutor who comes for OTE and helps kids work on math facts. I am sure it is
beneficial to the kids who get no help at home. Some kids just stay because they love school and want more!
Joe Van De Weghe (SHS math) - Around 10 students take part each week. We use the OTE time for homework help, reteaching concepts, and re-taking tests. My suggestion is that if we extended the instructional day, we could improve student
performance. Transportation for students is really beneficial.
Sheri Suryan (HHE fifth grade) - My classroom has generally about 4-8 students each week. (In the past years I had up to 20
regulars, but it’s very low this year for some reason). My class does a math club that includes fun math things that relieve the stress
factor, remedial math, extra one-on-one help, and help with homework prov. My OTE students seem better prepared for daily
math. If they are front-loaded with concepts, it makes it easier for them to get started on new tasks. The one-on-one assistance is
a tremendous help that they don’t necessarily get during class time.
Joe VanDeWeghe
Betsy Smith (literacy coach, grades 3 - 5) - At this time, I am not directly working with OTE. However, at the end of this month I
am going to be working with a group of third graders every Tuesday and Thursday using the fluency computer program, Read
Live.
Sheri Burke (GWE third grade) - I have approximately 9 students from my class who attend OTE. The students use this time to
complete homework packets, get reading help and math help, and work on IXL, Tumble books and AR’s. I feel that the OTE
program is a great time for students to catch up on past work and get help and support from teachers and mentors.
Sheri Suryan
Shannon Paselk (SMS sixth grade math) - I LOVE it!! Math class averages about 10 kids each time. They retake tests, complete missing or late work, or
get help with work. I usually have Mrs. Jackson, my wonderful community member volunteer, on hand, so the kids have two adults to help them. I
think it is a HUGE success. Our school currently has over 50% free and reduced lunch. A lower income usually means the parents are busy. This gives
kids a quiet work place with a knowledgeable adult who can help them. This allows for better communication with families, which is always good for
kids. I have posted my expectations, so kids know to come in, sit down, and get to work. They know they’ll get a snack at 3:30 p.m. if they are quietly
working.
Joe Younger (SHS English literature) – I see the average is around 30 in the library and 20 more in the math classrooms. Students come to OTE to
write essays, create PowerPoints, do math homework, take make-up tests (I proctor them), and work on miscellaneous homework assignments. The
OTE program provides students with a safe, comfortable, and quiet environment to get their homework done. They also have access to computers and
can get help from certified teachers and/or their classmates. Regarding making it better, I would just like to see more students utilize it.
Below, (from left) sixth grade volunteer tutor
Madeline Peterson, fourth grade student
Kianna Robideau, and sixth grade volunteer
tutor Camryn Pattison look at Tumblebooks
online reading program on the computer during
OTE time in Robi Andison’s classroom at
HHE.
(photos by Patsene Dashiell)
Above, Coral Disinski gets assistance from
HHE teacher Robi Andison during OTE.
January 2013
Enrollment:
In FTE's
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2012
Jan.
GWE
510
469
2013
460
HHE
547
541
550
SMS
657
653
647
SHS
OPA
861
86
922
79
906
87
Alt. HS
23
19
21
Running
Start
54
n/a
51
Total
FTE’s
2,738
2,683
2,722
Page 3
SSD Employee Newsletter
Important Reminders:
January 31, 2013
Staff, to view the most current list of registered volunteers, sign in on
the district website, go to Staff Resources, then Registered
Volunteers 2012-13.
RE Bus Reservations for Field Trips:
Thanks for your help in ensuring that your field trip goes smoothly!
Teachers, when a bus is needed for a
field trip, you must either call Bob Young
at ext. 273 or email (byoung) at the bus
garage a minimum of two weeks ahead
of time to determine availability of bus
transportation, and to allow bus drivers an Above, Robi Andison’s class from
opportunity to bid on the job. This
HHE enjoyed a field trip last
inquiry to Bob must be immediately
December to the MAC.
followed up by a completed travel
request form to the district office, signed and coded by your administrator.
Valorie Thornock, Receptionist,
Substitute & Facilities Coordinator
@ ext. 260
Patsene Dashiell, Director of
Communication/Web Specialist/
Volunteer Coordinator @ ext. 264
RE Fire Safety: Sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers, and
buildings are inspected and checked routinely.
For all other travel requests, the form should be turned in a minimum of five
school days prior to your departure. You can find the current travel request
form by signing in on our website, under Staff Resources, then Travel Request.
Each school year, a new volunteer registration form must be filled out,
signed and submitted with a copy of a Washington State drivers license for
screening before an individual can volunteer within the school district. This
form must be received at District Office one week
prior to the date of the field trip to allow processing
time. To download a copy of the volunteer
registration form, go to the district website under
Our District, then to Volunteers, then click on the
Volunteer Registration Form 2012-13.
To keep our areas safe and code compliant, please keep
access/pathways orderly and clear to the following:
Fire extinguishers, alarm pull stations, doorways and
ceiling sprinkler heads
Additional safety tip to note: Materials are not to be
stacked closer than 18 inches from the ceiling!
Questions? Contact Kristi Toth, Coordinator for the
Maintenance/Operations Dept. @ ext. 276
RE Travel Expenses: When meal expenses are submitted, the business office needs the itemized receipt (see
exhibit at right) from the restaurant, as well as the receipt that shows how much was paid. Also, please tip responsibly! The district will not reimburse tips greater than 15% —-realize that you are using taxpayers’ money!
When you have an overnight stay, be certain to ask for a hotel folio (receipt) at check out. Turn all receipts into
Valorie Thornock in the district office within two days of return from travel. Per IRS regulations, the value of
employer-provided meals and reimbursement for meals are included in the taxable income of the employee,
unless there is some provision that allows for the meal to be excluded from taxable income. A meal may be
excluded from the taxable income of the employee if the meal is a result of the employee traveling away from
home overnight on business. Reimbursements for meals associated with travel of less than
overnight will be made on an employee’s paycheck and not through our accounts payable. For IRS information
about meal reimbursements, see Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide (Publication 15), Employer’s Tax Guide to
Fringe Benefits (Publication 15-B, and Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expense.
Ruth Judd, Fiscal Assistant @ ext. 265
Below, SMS certificated staff meet for TPEP training on Jan. 28.
(photo by Trayce Norman)
Above, teacher Sue Park enjoys her last day at HHE
before being officially retired! Good luck to you, Sue!
Thank you for thiry-seven years of service in education!
(photo by Pat Davis)
Page 4
SSD Employee Newsletter
January 31, 2013
Below, Director of Transportation Jeff Gossage gave a report on
transportation happenings during the January 22 board meeting.
Jeff shared that 1,800 students are transported to and from school
daily in our district.
Above, members of the high school FFA trap shooting team
shook hands with board members after their presentation at the
January 22 meeting. The team is under the guidance of Steve
Mahitka, SHS agriculture teacher. At left, Hannah Gauthun
prepares to shake hands with board student rep Mollie Smith.
(photos by Patsene Dashiell)
January School
Board Activity:
This is Board Appreciation Month!
Thanks to our hardworking board
members for all they do!
The school board held meetings on Jan.
7 & 22 where they:
 Renewed a shelter agreement between
American Red Cross and SSD so the
Red Cross can use our facilities, to the
extent of our ability, as emergency
shelters during a disaster, effective
2013-2018.
 Approved out-of-state travel for SHS
band and choir members to travel to
Portland, OR for the all-state band
and choir conference Feb. 14—17,
2013, for the SHS jazz band to travel
to Moscow, ID for the Lionel
Hampton Jazz Festival Feb. 22 -23,
2013 and for the SHS band to travel
to Anaheim, CA for the Heritage
Festival March 20-24, 2013.
 Heard from Director Bev Horan,
who also serves as the district’s Indian
Education Advocate Program
Director, a summarized report that
included services provided, how many
students at each school are served,
and what the goals and objectives of
the program are.
 Supt. Kelly Shea reported a team of
teachers and administrators will travel
to Spokane, WA on Feb. 4 & 5 to visit
Riverpoint Academy.
 Several information levy presentations
are scheduled over the next few
weeks. Supt. Kelly Shea extended an
invitation to board members to attend.
Two community informational sessions
about the levy are scheduled for Jan.15 &
17 at 6:30 p.m. in the SHS library.
 Sonja Bittner, Matt Newell, Sara
Maloney, John Bridge, Susan Heyer and
Dave Ditlefsen are on a committee that
will look into obtaining Automated
External Defibrillators (AEDs) for SSD.
The board approved a motion to direct the
supt. to pursue the acquisition and
implementation of AEDs in our district.
 The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has
gone out to architectural engineering firms
as part of the pre-bond planning process
for updating our district’s facilities. The
facilities committee will screen applicants
and narrow the choice to three firms. Site
visits will be made and the three finalists
can present to the board on March 4. Supt.
Kelly Shea will make a recommendation to
the board following the workshop.
 OPA students started Jan. 7 in their new
space. An open house is scheduled for Jan.
23 from 4—6 p.m.
 Held a book study prior to the Jan. 22
board meeting. The book being discussed
is “The Global Achievement Gap: Why
Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the
New Survival Skills Our Children Need –
And What We Can Do About It” by Tony
Wagner. This was the third and final study
session of this book. A lively exchange of
ideas followed.
 Heard a presentation by the SHS trap
shooting team, and their faculty advisor
Steve Mahitka, about their efforts to
pursue fundraising opportunities to help
offset the expense of competition.
 Heard a report from student rep Mollie
Smith about SMS’s Minute to Win It
assembly, and SHS’s Winter Recognition
assembly. In addition, SHS spirit week
begins Jan. 29, and the double-header
basketball game against Port Angeles is Jan.
31. SHS Winter Ball on Feb. 2 will have a
Circus Circus theme. Rehearsals for the
senior class play, “Almost Maine” have
begun, and performances begin in Feb.
 Accepted a letter of resignation from Jeffa
Verdu, SMS para educator, effective March
15, 2013.
 Offered classified para educator position to
Jessica Rosencrants, for the 2012-13
school year.
 Heard a report from Jeff Gossage on the
district’s transportation services. Included in
his report were a variety of statistics such as
how many riders, how many buses, how
many routes, how many tires on the
ground, etc.
 Heard a report from Vince Riccobene and
Patra Boots on the status of scheduled,
required student assessments in the district
over the next few years. The board
expressed concern about how the number
of assessments and the cost in both
instructional time and money from the
budget appears to be detrimental to the
mission of our district, which is to inspire
and achieve excellence in the academic,
creative and physical potential of each
student.
 Approved a motion to contribute as a
school district an amount equal to $1 per
student enrolled to the Network for
Excellence in WA schools to continue their
work on the McCleary case.
Complete minutes are online at
www.sequim.k12.wa.us.
Page 5
SSD Employee Newsletter
January 31, 2013
FICA Change, Taxable Meals and Levy Election
payrolls. This action was purely a
result of federal action and not state or
local action.
Taxable Meals
From Brian Lewis,
Director of
Business Services
@ ext. 266
FICA Change
If you’ve viewed your earnings
statement in Employee Access for
January already, you probably
noticed that you’re take home (or
net) pay was a little lower this
month. This month, the employee
contribution to Social Security and
Medicare returned to its rate of
6.2% of employee’s gross wages.
The US Government, for 2011
and 2012, decreased this rate to
4.2% of gross wages as a fiscal
stimulus. Congressional and
Executive action allowed the
contribution rate to return to 6.2%
beginning with January 2013
Above, Director of Transportation Jeff Gossage
stands with the newly acquired (but vintage) district
snow plow. The snow plow will be used to clear
snow from the bus lots and the building parking
lots. The 1986 Chevrolet truck features front multipositional blades and sander (in the rear) for dispensing sand for added traction.
about the levy, don’t hesitate to
call me at 582-3266. We also
have a “Levy Q&A” on the home
page of our web site that may
give you some insight into the
operations of the district.
In the past month, I’ve received some Thanks for your attention!
questions regarding the application of
federal income tax to certain
reimbursements. Specifically, the IRS FEBRUARY 2013 Events:
requires employers treat meal
Feb. 2—SHS Winter Ball @ 8 p.m.
reimbursements to employees as
Feb. 4 – SHS junior parent night @
6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria
taxable income if the subject meal was
Feb.
6—School board mtg. @ 7 p.m.
part of travel that was less than
Feb. 7 – OPA’s Night of Excellence @
overnight. The IRS policy has been in
6 p.m. in the auditorium
place since 2009 and we’ve been
Feb. 8 – SHS report cards mailed
complying with it since it was enacted. Feb. 9 – ACT test @ 7:45 a.m. in the
cafeteria, SEF Variety Show @ 2
If you are reimbursed for a meal that
p.m. in the auditorium
was part of travel that was less than
Feb. 11 - SHS grad party planning
overnight, your reimbursement will on
mtg. @ 6:30 p.m. in the library,
HHE PTO mtg. @ 5:30 p.m.
your pay check and not on a vendor
Feb. 12 – SHS ASB blood drive,
check issued through our accounts
Levy Election Day
payable process. Almost every other
Feb. 13—GWE PTA mtg. @ 6 p.m.
kind of reimbursement you receive is
Feb. 14—Valentines Day
not subject to tax and is paid to you on Feb. 15 – No school (district office
a vendor check and not your paycheck.
open), SHS senior class play @ 7
p.m. in the auditorium, SHS All
State & All NW Music (2/14—17)
Levy Election
Are you registered to vote within the
boundaries of Sequim School District?
If so, please remember to vote by
February 12! It’s really been a
pleasure to visit your buildings with
Superintendent Shea and talk about
the district’s levy proposals with you.
There’s two things I do that remind me
of the value and importance of the work
we all do: 1)Meet and talk with students
from throughout the school, and 2)see
all of you! I know the work you do can
be hard; at the same time it must be
extremely rewarding on a personal
level. I hear this when I speak with you
and hear your questions and insights
about our schools. Like very few other
events, a levy election gives me the
opportunity to see and hear from many
of you and it’s always an energizing
experience. If you have any questions
Feb. 16 – SHS senior class play @ 2
p.m. in the auditorium
Feb. 18 – Presidents Day (No school,
district office closed)
Feb. 19 – School board facilities
workshop @ 6 p.m., regular mtg. @
7 p.m. in the boardroom
SHS Band Booster mtg. @ 7 p.m.
Feb. 20 – GWE free family movie
night @ 6 p.m., SHS spring sports
paperwork due, SMS semester 1
honor roll dessert A – K @ 6:30
p.m. in the cafeteria
Feb. 21 – SHS Choir Boosters Club
mtg. @ 7 p.m. in the choir room,
SMS semester 1 honor roll dessert
L – Z @ 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria
Feb. 22 – SHS senior class play @ 7
p.m. in the auditorium, SHS Band
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at
Univ. of Idaho
Feb. 23 – SHS band car wash @ 10
a.m. at Tarcisio’s, SHS senior class
play @ 7 p.m. in the auditorium,
SEF Engineering Challenge at the S.
Boys & Girls Club @ 9 a.m.
Feb. 25 – SHS spring sports begin
Page 6
SSD Employee Newsletter
January 31, 2013
TPEP and HOPE
From Vince
Riccobene,
Exec. Director of
Teaching &
Learning
@ ext. 269
The Teacher Evaluation & Principal Project (TPEP) is filled complexities,
ambiguities, grossly lacks funding, and, are you ready for this?… HOPE!
From left, GWE teachers Pat Quinet and Aaron Reno
take part in professional development training for third
grade teachers with literacy coach Teresa Thorson in the
board room earlier this month.
(photos by Patsene Dashiell)
The initial descriptors shared probably could be used to describe many other initiatives over the years, but I truly believe there’s
great potential for hope in the new system.
At the very core, TPEP has the potential to powerfully impact our system and the dialogue between administrators and teachers. For
the very first time, we have an agreed upon set of standards for teaching excellence (as outlined in the book on Danielson’s Framework). Furthermore, a new structure is in place (State Evaluation Criteria), which is aligned to this instructional framework.
Consequently, the table is set for an “authentic” dialogue around professional growth, student learning, and the greater success
of our learning community.
As we get further into the project, the Evaluation Leadership Team will continue to communicate with everyone. We will create an
implementation plan and additional professional development opportunities for all staff members.
Please feel free to communicate with your building representative or administrator if you have any questions or concerns. We will be
glad to help.
Lastly, please check out our updated District website pages. We have placed a great deal of information here related to TPEP and
other learning resources. On the main district web page, click on Departments, then Student Learning.
TPEP training on January 28 began
with all certificated teaching staff in
the high school auditorium, followed
by breakout sessions in different
locales.
At left, SMS teacher Nick Parks
peruses the handout during a talk
given by Stephanie Parker from
Olympic ESD.
At right, seated at the end of each row
are SHS teachers (from right) Nathan
Davis, Erik Wiker and Andrew
Hosford.
Page 7
SSD Employee Newsletter
January 31, 2013
Staff Members Attend Schoolwires Website Training Classes
Website training classes, open to all staff, were held in the loft area of the high school library November 28 and December 5 & 12.
At right, SMS teacher Steve Boots and SHS teacher Bill Seabolt listen as data security manager
Maria Seabolt explains how to format a teacher page. Maria Seabolt did extensive behind-thescenes work on getting the district ready for the website changeover that took place last November.
Below left, SHS teacher Brian O’Hara gets one-on-one instruction from Maria, as GWE librarian
Vickie Lemke, SMS teacher Dave McInnes and SMS teacher Isabella Morrison work on setting
up their teacher pages.
Below right, SMS teacher Dave McInnes takes a moment to stretch as SHS secretary Maria
Roragen practices uploading content to the counseling site. (photos by Patsene Dashiell)
At left, SHS teacher Nathan Davis and campus
security’s Dave Toman
sample food in Carol
Wagner’s cooking classroom during finals.
At right, Vince Riccobene
stops in for a fruit
smoothie and a quick chat
with Brianna Reeves.
Scene
Around...
Above, recognized for thirty years of successful partnership between Sodexo Food Service and Sequim School District, Director of Food Service Laurie Campen received a
coveted fish award from Supt. Kelly Shea during the Jan. 16 admin. meeting held at the
SMS staff break room. (photos by Patsene Dashiell)
Below, Supt. Kelly Shea dons the Wile
E. Coyote knit hat staffers presented to
him as a Christmas gift. The knitted hat
was created by John McAndie’ s wife
Caroline.