Substitute Teacher Handbook for 2015-2016

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
834 LEONARDVILLE ROAD
LEONARDO, NEW JERSEY
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
HANDBOOK
Table of Contents
Superintendent’s Greeting
3
Administration and Board of Education
4
School Listings
5
School Times: Regular, Delayed, Early
Dismissal
8
Substitute Rates, Classes and Assignments
9
Assignments/AESOP
9
Criminal History Background Check
Procedures
10
Affirmative Action
10
Reporting of Charges
10
School Calendar
11
Emergency School Closing
13
Sign In-Out/Lesson Plans/Student Attendance
14
Additional Duties, Class Traffic, Lunch,
Specials
15
Care of Classroom Materials, Special Subjects
15
Student Safety, Prohibited Articles
16
Lunchroom/Playground Rules
17
Evacuation Procedures
18
Lockdown Procedures
19
Shelter in Place Procedures
20
Best Practices/Student Management
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WELCOME
We are extremely pleased that you have expressed a desire to substitute in the Middletown
Township Public Schools. Your service helps us to provide continuity in our educational
program.
The contributions of substitute teachers are extremely important. With some planning, you
can give effective instruction and use your time in a productive manner. It is our hope that
this handbook will be of assistance in the achievement of these objectives.
In the Middletown Township Public Schools, you are considered a colleague and, as such,
you can expect the fullest cooperation and assistance from administrators and fellow
teachers.
Dr. William O. George
Superintendent of Schools
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Middletown Township Public Schools
Leonardo, New Jersey
Middletown Township Board of Education
James Cody, President
Bob Banta, Vice President
Vincent Brand
Lenora Caminiti
Michael Donlon
Ernest Donnelly
Sue Griffin
Helene Henkel
Joan Minnuies
Administration
Dr. William O. George, Superintendent of Schools
Jill A. Takacs, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Amy P. Gallagher, Business Administrator/Board Secretary
Vincent Daniels, Assistant Business Administrator/Assistant Board Secretary
Marjorie M. Caruso, District Director of Curriculum,
Math & Science K-12
Charlene O’Hagan, District Director of Curriculum, Humanities K-12
Robert Dunn, District Director of Student Services
Mary Ellen Walker, District Director of Operations
John D. Covert, Personnel Director
Richard Carroll, Director of Athletic
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Middletown Township Board of Education
834 Leonardville Road
Leonardo, New Jersey 07737
www.middletownk12.org
School Listings
Elementary Schools
Bayview Elementary School
300 Leonardville Road, Belford, NJ 07718
Phone No. (732) 787-3590
Principal: Tara Raspanti
Secretary: Eileen O’Brien
Fairview Elementary School
230 Cooper Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone No. (732) 747-3308
Principal: Michael Melando
Secretary: Janet Mercer
Harmony Elementary School
100 Murphy Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 671-2111
Principal: Erik Paulson
Secretary: Vivian Tito
Leonardo Elementary School
14 Hosford Avenue, Leonardo, NJ 07737
Phone No. (732) 291-1330
Principal: Kathleen Sidoti
Secretary: Karen Began
Lincroft Elementary School
729 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Phone No. (732) 741-5838
Principal: Steven Graziano
Secretary: Marilena Rebelo
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Middletown Village Elementary School
147 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 671-5317
Principal: Karen Zupancic
Secretary: Nancy Macaluso
Navesink Elementary School
151 Monmouth Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
Phone No. (732) 291-0289
Principal: James Altobello
Secretary: Nancy McBride
New Monmouth Elementary School
121 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 671-5317
Principal: Dr. John Andl
Secretary: Donna Fette
Nut Swamp Elementary School
925 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 671-5795
Principal: Dean W. Bisgrove
Secretary: Kathleen Sullivan
Ocean Avenue Elementary School
235 Ocean Avenue, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 787-0092
Principal: Cynthia C. Wilson
Secretary: Deborah Horbac
Port Monmouth Elementary School
202 Main Street, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
Phone No. (732) 787-0441
Principal: Sean McNeil
Secretary: Roseann Nardini
River Plaza Elementary School
155 Hubbard Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone No. (732) 747-3679
Principal: Jessica Shaw
Secretary: Trish Levy
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Middle Schools
Bayshore Middle School
834 Leonardville Road, Leonardo, NJ 07737
Phone No. (732) 291-1380
Principal: Michael Scarano
Secretary: Jacqueline Manente
Thompson Middle School
1001 Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 671-2212
Principal: Matthew Kirkpatrick
Secretary: Lugene Ricker
Thorne Middle School
70 Murphy Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
Phone No. (732) 787-1220
Principal: Thomas Olausen
Secretary: Darlene Freshnock
High Schools
High School North
63 Tindall Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 706-6061
Principal: Patricia Vari-Cartier
Secretary: Mary Ann Ferrara-Scala
High School South
900 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
Phone No. (732) 706-6111
Principal: Pat Rinella
Secretary: Robyn Tarallo
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Substitute Rates, Classes and Assignments
Rates
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Nurses
$85 per day - $140 (long term)
$100 per day – Math/Science Standard Certificate
$100 per day Math or Science Standard Certificate
in assignment of 5 days or more. Effective Day 1
through Day 20 for such assignments
$125 per day
After twenty days of continuous service in the same assignment, the rate for the substitute
shall be $140.00 per day, effective the twenty-first day and continuing until the last day of
school, or until the return of the absent teacher.
Generally, a substitute will be paid on the last school day of the month for any days worked
during the first half of the month. Working days during the second half of the month will be
paid on the 15th of the following month.
Please note: The Board of Education reserves the right to employ a regular contracted teacher
at any time during the above period. This action will terminate the employment of the
substitute teacher immediately.
Employment in the Middletown Township School District is contingent upon approval from
the State Office of Criminal History Review. A disqualification notice will result in
immediate suspension and revocation of certification. (See following pages for important
additional information concerning the Criminal History Review).
Assignments and AESOP
Aesop offers you the flexibility to proactively search for jobs and fill your own schedule the
way you want. To help you benefit most from automated substitute placement, Aesop offers
you both phone and web services for finding and accepting jobs. Log in to Aesop and watch
the webinar to become familiar with the system. Substitutes can call in to Aesop toll free at
1-800-942-3767 or log in with your pin # online at www.FrontlineK12.com/Aesop.
With Aesop, not only can you plan your schedule ahead of time, but you can also choose
Non-Work Days, specify preferred schools and adjust call times to fit your schedule. You can
also view work history and receive phone and e-mail notifications of available jobs.
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Criminal History Background Review
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 6-7.1 et seq., all employees of a public school district must submit to
a Criminal History Background Review. The law is effective for all employees hired by the
district after October 8, 1986.
Substitutes in our employ prior to October 8, 1986 are not required to undergo a Criminal
History Review, provided there is no break in service.
As long as a district is annually rehiring a substitute, and there is no break in service, there
is no need for an individual to apply for a Criminal History Review every year.
Fingerprint approvals are for only a six-month period, but persons in continuous
employment in a district are not required to have the procedure repeated. This would
mean that a substitute must apply to all districts in which he/she is interested in working,
within six months of his/her fingerprint check. If the substitute is interested in working in an
additional district after the six-month period, he/she must submit a new application form to
MorphoTrak to be re-fingerprinted.
Reporting of Charges
All Employees shall report their arrest or indictment for any crime or offense to their superintendent
within 14 days. The report shall include the date of arrest or indictment and charge(s) lodged
against the certificate holder. Such certificate holders shall also report to their superintendents the
disposition of any charges within 7 calendar days of disposition. Failure to comply with these
reporting requirements may be deemed “just cause” pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:9-17.5. School districts
shall make these requirements known to all new employees and to all employees on an annual
basis.
Affirmative Action
Middletown Township Public Schools has an Affirmative Action Policy of Equal Educational
Opportunity on file in the office of the assistant superintendent of schools. The district’s affirmative
action officer is Doug Covert, Personnel Director (732) 671-3850. The school district’s existing
grievance procedure shall be utilized to hear any complaint or charge of discrimination. Students
may submit a complaint to the building principal. If such complaint cannot be resolved, the
affirmative action officer will be notified to deal with the issue.
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Emergency School Closing
Information regarding the closing of schools will be communicated to the public as follows:
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Message on the district website - www.middletownk12.org
Phone message for incoming calls to the Board Office
Announcements would be made on the following radio/television stations:
WKXW 101.5 FM, WBUD 1260 AM, Fox 5-TV Channel 5
Township fire sirens at 6:30 am, 7:00 am, and 7:30 am
Please do not call the Middletown Police Department.
Please be aware that there will be no change in the existing procedures for Emergency School
Closings.
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Procedures
Signing In/Out
Substitutes are expected to report for work at least fifteen minutes before the start of school and report
to the main office to check in and receive instructions. You will be required to submit your cars keys in
order to obtain a classroom key and a substitute identification card. Be sure to sign in and out on the
Substitute Attendance Sheet that is provided for you. Check your teacher’s mailbox for daily notices.
The regular teacher will appreciate a note detailing the work accomplished and general behavior of the
students. Please list work covered or omitted, and any problems therein. Additionally, the teacher will
be pleased to read of any particular successes, or of any students who were particularly cooperative or
helpful.
Lesson Plans
The teacher has made up plans for his/her own daily use. Lesson plans should be on the teacher’s desk
or available through the main office. We are confident that you will be able to execute those plans, and
that will be your primary responsibility. However, you are encouraged to use your professional
judgment to adjust the pace of the lesson according to student progress. You should be careful about
introducing new concepts in the work, and you should listen carefully if students suggest something
other than written plans.
If the daily plans call for the duplication of any material, the office personnel will be available to assist
you.
You should consider capitalizing on your particular strengths in providing alternate activities for your
students if you accomplish the teacher’s plans and additional time allows. You might do well to
develop a “bag of tricks” for students or classes at different age levels.
Student Attendance
At the beginning of each class period carefully enter the appropriate attendance data, utilizing the
buildings attendance method i.e., PowerSchool , hard copy, etc. and submit to the main office. In the
elementary schools, attendance must also be taken for the afternoon session, immediately after lunch.
If your students expect to submit anything – lunch tickets, money, return notices, etc. – check with
main office for specific building procedures.
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Additional Duties
Check at the school office, and in the plan book, to determine if there are any duties for which your
teacher may be responsible on that day or for that week. You will be expected to accept the
responsibilities of your teacher. During your free period(s) please check in with the main office.
Class Traffic
If your class is scheduled to move to another area as a group, you are expected to accompany that class.
The students should move quickly, quietly and efficiently through the halls.
Lunch
A substitute may purchase a hot or cold lunch each day – a daily menu is available in the office. Office
personnel can advise you on how to order each day. Most schools have provisions for coffee or a soft
drink that you may purchase.
Care of Materials & Classrooms
A substitute should take care to return keys, manuals, equipment, etc., to their original location. Also, a
substitute should keep pencils, paper, and other materials secure and monitor their use carefully.
Should materials be misplaced, or you require additional material, please notify the office.
Substitutes should be sure that the classroom is left in an orderly condition – furniture, floor, windows,
etc. Students should be instructed to straighten up their classroom before they leave for the day as they
would normally do.
Special Subjects
In the case of special subjects such as Art, Music or Physical Education – or even in the case of
particular classroom projects – the teacher or the office will have alternate plans for you so that you will
not be uncomfortable in an area that is beyond your expertise.
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Student Safety
Students must be accounted for at all times. You must never leave students in a room unattended.
Any student that is sent out of class should be issued a hall pass. Always count heads when leaving
and returning from areas other than the classroom (fire drill, playground, etc.).
Students are not to be sent on trivial or personal errands. Students should never be released from
school, under any circumstances, without specific knowledge and approval of the principal or
his/her designee. Students will only be released early when cleared by the Principal.
If any accident should occur under your supervision, please notify the health office immediately.
you would then be expected to write out a description of the accident – time, circumstances, action
taken, etc. – on appropriate forms, which will be supplied to you.
Articles Prohibited In School
Pocket knives, sharp objects, and weapons of any kind are prohibited. Police authorities will be
contacted by district administration if violations warrant. Water guns and playing cards are not
allowed in school and should be confiscated. Cellular phones, and any other electronic devices are
not permitted to be used during the school day unless under the direct supervision of the teacher to
meet the learning objective.
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Elementary Lunchroom Rules
To ensure student safety during lunch/recess, please help us enforce the following:
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Students are to sit at their assigned tables/seats.
Students must have permission to leave their seats.
Students must leave the table and floor area clean at the end of their lunch period.
"Indoor voices" are to be used at all times.
Good behavior is expected from everyone; treat others with kindness and respect.
Students are to follow the directions of the adults in charge. Our lunch aides must be
treated respectfully.
Students may be assigned recess detention or other detentions and may not participate
in recess if behavior is inappropriate. Any discipline of this nature must be approved
by the principal prior to implementing.
Playground Rules
“Recess” at the elementary level is called Teacher Directed Physical Education (TDPE).
It will be referred to this way in the lesson plans.
It is expected that the substitute teacher will provide active supervision during recess
time.
Students are to act in a safe manner.
Fighting, tackling, body-contact games, and tag are not permitted.
Students are not to be in the building during their assigned outside recess time.
Hard balls are not allowed at school.
Objects other than those provided are not to be thrown - stones, etc.
Students are not to engage in any activities that are harmful to their safety or the safety
of others.
Students may be assigned RECESS DETENTION and will not participate in recess if
behavior is inappropriate. Any discipline of this nature must be approved by the
principal prior to implementing.
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Evacuation Procedures
Evacuation is utilized when a hazardous condition exists within or in proximity to a
facility. Directed evacuation follows most lockdown situations. Evacuation is utilized for
Explosive Threats, Hazardous Materials Releases or any condition which renders the
facility unsafe. Full Evacuation to off-site reunification sites utilize a defined
transportation plan
1
Building Evacuation is initiated by the following announcement utilizing
public address system and available radios.
2
Attention Staff and Students; Evacuate-Evacuate-Evacuate
3
If Evacuation is due to credible explosive threat; staff and students should be
further directed to take all personal belongings, including outer garments,
pocketbooks and backpacks.
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Staff should leave lights and electronics in current positions- close door and exit
building with students through closest available exit with go bag and class
roster in possession.
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Staff and Students should be aware of additional exits available in case of
obstruction.
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Designated staff and security will conduct full sweep of building including
restrooms to ensure full evacuation and report suspicious persons or activities.
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Staff should be firm in enforcing no use of electronic devices policy during
evacuation.
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Staff and Students will proceed to evacuation site directly and be observant of
surroundings and activity.
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All Staff and Students shall follow building specific policy at evacuation site.
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All Staff and Students shall follow Building and BOE policies on release and
reunification at off-site locations.
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Lockdown Procedures
Lockdown is utilized when there is an immediate threat of active violence or an unknown
intruder who might cause harm to building occupants.
1
Building Lockdown is initiated by the following announcement utilizing public
address system and available radios.
2
Attention Staff and Students; Lockdown-Lockdown-Lockdown
3
Staff should perform quick scan of hallway, assist any students in hallway into closest
securable room and close their pre-locked door and secure all lights and devices
transmitting light (Smart Boards)
4
Students and Staff should hide in the deepest part of the classroom which reduces the
line of sight available to an assailant through door glass.
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All communication and electronic devices should be silenced.
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Attempt to maintain a sense of calm and emphasize silence.
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Maintain the principle of invisibility.
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Immediately call Middletown Police-911 if you hear violence in immediate proximity to
your space.
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If directly confronted, fight with any means at your disposal and initiate immediate
evacuation in any direction away from the confrontation.
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When All Clear signal is given three (3) times by a known voice followed by the current
date, place green or red signal device under or on your door. RED is only used if
someone in your space is seriously injured.
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Maintain LOCKDOWN procedures until evacuated by law enforcement or
administrative staff
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Shelter in Place Procedures
Shelters in Place procedures are utilized to limit ingress and egress from facilities and
control movement inside the facility. They are dictated by circumstances occurring
outside of the facility. They are used to increase safety and security awareness based on
situations which can include, law enforcement searches, hazardous materials incidents,
weather events or any circumstance in which the building administrator feels it necessary.
Shelter in Place can be conducted in the classroom or larger areas such as All-Purpose
rooms or gyms. It is best to conduct Shelter in Place in smaller environments which are
more easily secured if circumstances require a movement to LOCKDOWN.
1
Building Shelter in Place is initiated by the following announcement utilizing
public address system and available radios.
2
Attention Staff and Students; Shelter in Place- Shelter in Place- Shelter in
Place.
3
All staff should check hallways and bathrooms for students not in classrooms
and ensure that all students find refuge in their classroom or designated space.
4
All Classroom and Office Doors shall remain in locked positions with
LOCKBLOKS closed. No exterior activities will occur during Shelter in Place.
5
Designated staff should conduct a sweep of their building ensuring all exterior
doors remain secured and all occupants have found refuge.
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All ingress and egress from building is ceased except for emergent
circumstances, such as illness requiring parental pick-up.
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Any ingress and egress is directly monitored and escorted. Direct assessment
of the immediate environment is necessary before allowing entry and should
be done manually, not by use of electronic controls or video monitoring
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If S.I.P. is due to law enforcement activity, direct contact and assessment prior
to allowing any entry into the building is critical.
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Normal school routine inside the building should take place, if situational
assessment by the building administrator indicates no hazard.
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Communication with staff and students during Shelter in Place is essential to
maintaining sense of normalcy in the building environment.
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Best Practices and Student Management
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There are some general techniques, which serve well for any teacher:
Students will be comfortable and responsive if they have a sense of direction. Be
prepared to: (a) identify yourself, (b) state reasonable expectations, (c) start work
immediately, keep students busy and follow a plan.
Be mobile when you can. Moving around the room will increase supervision and
eliminate the need to raise your voice.
Your authority with students will be asserted through your effectiveness as a teacher.
Try to anticipate and avoid needless confrontations. Exercise caution in making
accusations, and be careful in assessing responsibility for incidents.
Be aware of student traffic in and out of the room. Monitor the amount of time a
student spends away from the class. Try to determine the real need for a student to
leave your classroom.
Minimize student movement or physical activity as much as possible. This is
applicable in or out of the classroom.
The most important factor for a successful day may be for you to demonstrate a
genuine interest in the class, the work the children are doing, and the individual
students themselves.
It is important that you remain on task. Do not read the newspaper for you own
personal use while students are doing their assignments.
Sharing personal information with any student is not professional and has no place in
the classroom.
Administrators believe that you are entitled to the same respect and courtesy as a regular
staff member, and will support you to that end.
You should be aware that the reason for sending a student to the office is not to benefit that
student, but for the benefit of the other students whose work has been interrupted.
Exercise caution in making accusations. You should be absolutely certain before making
charges. If you are in doubt about a situation, consult the office.
Flagrant misbehavior needs the immediate attention of the office.
Be sure the office is notified with details of the incident before a student is sent to the office.
Corporal punishment is not permitted under New Jersey state law. You are never to place
your hand on a student to get him/her to comply to a demand, unless he is in danger of
harming himself or others.
A student is never to be assigned or sent to stay in a spot outside your supervision – hallway,
library, etc.
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