MONTHLY NEWS FOR THE STAFF OF THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. CFSD.CHIPFALLS.K12.WI.US/

CHIPPEWA chirpWinter Safety

Tips

VOLUME 12 | November 2014

Page 4Inclement Weather

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“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” ~ Harold Kushner

CFAUSD STAFF: We all know that the frantic pace of our jobs can sometimes make us forget that we have much for which to be thankful. I know that the strength of our school system rests in the people we employ and the community we serve. I am thankful for the strength that you have and the support we receive. We are truly surrounded by strengths—our kids, our parents, our friends and neighbors, our faculty and staff, and our community—working together to make this a wonderful place.

Take a few minutes over the upcoming holiday season to recognize someone who has inspired you, supported you, or perhaps has just listened to you. Share with that person your gratitude, and do it in person.

My family wishes your family a restorative Thanksgiving that is enjoyed with family and friends.

Brad Saron

FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 2

Monday, November 24th 7:45-8:15 Continental Breakfast - High School Commons - ALL STAFF INVITEDTeachers: 8:30-9:15 All Teacher Meeting - High School Auditorium9:30-3:30 Teachers work in Department/Grade level teams. (lunch on your own) Elementary Teachers - ParkviewSupport Staff:8:15-10:15 Verbal Judo - Administrative Assistants, Paras, IAs - High School Commons10:15-11:45 Administrative Assistant Group Collaboration - High School Commons10:15- Paras can work through ParaPDNow through the end of their workday, unless other directions are given by the supervisor Tuesday, November 25thParaprofessional Staff and 9/10 month Administrative Assistants scheduled day off. Teachers report as indicated below and 11/12 month Administrative Assistants report to your building as normal.

FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Distinguished Educator Award: Allison Fisher Allison was nominated and received the 2014 Distinguished Educator Award at the Transition Academy in October. Allison has gone above and beyond the position requirements to develop new job placements for students. She monitors student success on these new placements even throughout the summer months when school is not in session. She takes a strength-based approach to finding the right placement for each student. She has also been the chair of CCOT (Chippewa County Community on Transition) and collaborates with community agencies on improving transition services for young adults with disabilities. From this group she has been instrumental in starting a “Job Olympics” which will be the first in Chippewa County this school year. Allison is also committed to facilitating training in this region for YIPPE (Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment). Again, a commitment that goes above and beyond her role in the school district. Lastly, Allison has implemented a plan to survey yearly the Post High School Outcomes of all of our students with disabilities. With this data our district is looking at ways to increase the success of our students post high school. She is very deserving of this award.

Wisconsin Retirement System Learning Opportunities

The Wisconsin Retirement System is now offering various webinars and face to face training for upcoming retiree’s, new and mid-career participants. Topics range from interpreting your statement to preparing forretirement To view a list of the upcominglearning opportunities visit http://etf.wi.gov/member_education.htm

Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles.Walk only in designated walkways. Taking shortcuts over snow piles and other frozen areas is hazardous.Point your feet out slightly like a penguin and shuffle. Spreading your feet out slightly improves your stability.

A Few Winter Tips from HRAvoid boots or shoes with smooth soles and heels. Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice or slip a pair of ice cleats over them.

2014 November In-Service Days

FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION3

Chad Burlingame, District Domain AdministratorChad has been with the district for 6 years! Chad is a baseball fanatic and has been playing fantasy baseball for over 25 years. Chad also enjoys reading with his favorite authors being Steven Berry, John Sanford, and Clive Cussler. With the loss of a help desk person in the technology department, Chad volunteered to fill in for the help desk position while also keeping up on his regular position. He has brought organization and stability back to the help desk position and left it in good standing for the new person starting in early November.

Brian Collicott, Middle School Music TeacherBrian has been with the district for 17 years! Brian’s hobbies are golfing, traveling and Photo/Video editing. Brian Collicott is a highly innovative teacher, continually looking for new ways to measure and represent individual student progress. Brian represents Chippewa Falls through participation in the music community at large. This year, look for him in the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade!

Amanda Cooley, High SchoolLight HousekeeperAmanda has been with the district for 1 year! Amanda recently transferred from Parkview Elementary as a Custodian to the High School as a Light Housekeeper. Amanda enjoys muskie fishing and taking long Harley rides, she loves to be outdoors gardening or just spending time with her family. Amanda has been filling in as our daytime custodian and has done a wonderful job. She is a hard worker who cares a great deal about the students and staff at Parkview. She takes pride in her work and we feel very fortunate to have had Amanda on our staff.

Kristi Kjelstad, Hillcrest Guidance CounselorKristi has been with the district for 3 years! Kristi loves spending time with her family and friends, especially playing and doing fun things with her two little girls, Allie (3) and Brenna (1), and their dog, Bernie Brewer. Kristi and her husband enjoy traveling when they get a chance, but most nights just enjoy relaxing and watching some TV or playing cards. Kristi has a “how can I help you” attitude at Hillcrest. In her three years at Hillcrest she has touched the lives of so many students, staff and families. Hillcrest is a great place because of staff like Kristi!

Amy Lee, Halmstad Second Grade TeacherAmy has been with the district for 2 years! In Amy’s spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends Amy also enjoys sports. Amy is an exemplar employee and teacher, always looking to put student’s needs first. This past summer, she did math tutoring twice a week for a former student of hers; just because she needed it. Thank you Amy.

Carrie Leis, Southview Special Education ParaprofessionalCarrie has been with the district for 17 years! Carrie’s hobbies include cooking,reading, volunteering in the community, and attending local sporting events. Carrie, a special education paraprofessional, works effectively with all students and all staff members. She is well respected by her colleagues as a result of her solid work ethic and dedication to our students. Carrie is seen on a regular basis problem solving with students and helping them to reach their greatest potential both academically and socially. Carrie helps to make Southview a great place to learn for students and staff. Thank you for sharing your talents and gifts with us!

Nancy Roshell, High School Account ClerkNancy has been with the district for 30 years!!! Nancy enjoys spending time with her grand kids and being allowed to be part of the lives and of the staff and students at Chi-High. Nancy’s contributions to the High School are immeasurable. She is not only intelligent and hard-working, her kindness, friendly demeanor and amazing common sense help us to get through even the craziest of days!

Susan Van Amber, High School Special Education TeacherSue has been with the district for 26 years!!! Sue enjoys family, pets, traveling, reading, watching her daughter golf, photography, and going out to movies. Sue dedicates herself completely to her students and to their learning. There is no limit to the time she will devote nor to the amount of love and care that she will share, she is an extraordinary person and teacher.

FOR THE CHIPPEWA FALLS AREA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 4

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Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District - District Office 1130 | Miles Street | Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 | TEL (715) 726-2417 | Fax (715) 726-2781

Board of Education November Board Meeting will be held November 20th at 7:00pm. To read September Board Meeting Minutes

please click the link below. http://www.boarddocs.com/wi/chipfalls/Board.nsf/Public

tidbits ...Time OffRemember, any day preceding or proceeding a holiday or break are prohibited unless pre-approved by your supervisor and the Director of Human Resources. Monday, December 22nd, is considered one of the black out days.

In the event of a Snow Day all hourly paid staff, who are not required to report will be required to enter, the first two snow days of the year into their time off in Skyward as “Snow Day” for both the Description and Reason Code. You can do so by logging into Skyward, going to the TIME OFF tab and clicking on MY REQUESTS. Only the first two Snow Days of each year will be paid and therefore only the first two snow days need to be entered into Skyward. Any additional Snow Days beyond the first two Snow Days of the year shall be made up at the end of each school year at the discretion of the Board of Education.

*Employees who do not report to work on snow days will be required to make-up the time not served at the end of the school year, with the exception of the first two days.

**11- and 12-month Support Staff are required to report to work in the event of additional snow days above the allotted two days in one year. 11- and 12-month Staff who do not report to work on these additional snow days will not be paid and will need to use a vacation or personal day or will lose that day’s pay.

Inclement Weather Reminder

Report as regularly scheduled

*No

Refer to your contract

No

Report as regularly scheduled

*No

*No

**No

Report to work when you can, no deductions w/in 2 hours

Report to work when you can, no deductions w/in 2 hours

Report to work when you can, no deductions w/in 2 hours

Report to work when you can, no deductions w/in 2 hours

Yes, director discretion, time made up

2-hour delay start time

2-hour delay, no deductions w/in 2 hours

2-hour delay, no deductions w/in 2 hours

When do I come to Work on a 2-hour delay?

do I come to Work on SnoW dayS?employee Group

Cabinet Administrators

Principals

Supervisors

Food Service

Custodial

Teachers/Certified Staff

9 & 10 Month Support

11 & 12 Month Support

Noon Hour, Health Assistants, Light Housekeepers etc.

Personal Services

If your normal work shift is on or after the 2-hour start time, report to work on your regularly assigned shift.

2-hour delay, no deductions w/in 2 hours

No

*No

Injured at Work?

CHIPPEWA chirp

All work sustained injury or illness, is required to be reported to your supervisor immediately, no matter how minor an on-the-job injury may appear. Incident/Accident Reports must be filed within 24 hours. These forms can be obtained from the building secretary or by contacting Brenda Musser x1901.

W2 Printing - MailingBe sure to log into skyward between now and December 31st to choose how you would like to receive your W2, either electronically or via Mail.

Pay Day!Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, Pay Day will be one day early, Wednesday, November 26th.

Holiday PartySave the Date for the Second Annual Holiday Party on January 29, 2015. Wisconsin Retirement Preliminary investment returns are now available in the lower right corner of etf.wi.gov . These returns are estimated returns, subject to final portfolio and benchmark valuations.

Contact Michelle Golden, Director of Human Resources & Public Relations (goldenmr@chipfalls.org) or Nikki Mast, HR Specialist (mastna@chipfalls.org) with questions/comments/concerns.

Educational Apps!Aaron Merconti and Jesse Pukrop were recently recognized by WEAU for their development of several educational apps. Congratulations Aaron and Jesse, great work! To view the story visit http://www.weau.com/hellowisconsin/headlines/WHATS-APP-WITH-THAT-Local-teachers-develop-educational-apps-282390741.html