The VESD VOICE Employee Newsetter - MAY 2016
Jan's Journal
Jan Gonzales, Superintendent
Hi Everyone,
This is the time of year when you all are recognizing students for their hard work: sixth grade promotions, kindergarten promotions, award ceremonies, grade level celebrations, Junior Olympics, basketball tournaments, art festivals, multi-cultural celebrations, running club recognitions, I can go on and on!
You are also recognizing parents, volunteers, and community members for their contributions as well.
Now it’s my turn to thank every single employee in Victor Elementary School District.
- Thank you to all the certificated employees for fulfilling so many roles, many of which that were not named on your degree, each day while you meet each student’s needs!
- Thank you to the all the classified employees for making sure our campuses and the services you provide help each student feel safe, secure and nurtured!
- Thank you to our noon duty supervisors for watching over our students throughout their school day!
- Thank you to our certificated and classified substitutes for being there to fill huge shoes day in and day out!
- Thank you to all management employees not only for your day to day job, but also for putting your heart for students into every decision you make!
It is not easy for me to write what is in my heart without sounding cliché, but I want you to know I believe our students, all 12,000+, are so fortunate to have each and every one of you on their side. I know the work is not easy, and some days it is downright frustrating. I only hope you know what a difference you make.
For those of you going on break, I wish you a relaxing, safe time.
Sincerely,
Jan
Textbooks & Instruction Take 2
Lori Clark, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
Earlier this year, Ed Services posted a reminder in the employee newsletter regarding textbooks and instruction in VESD. We had shared the following:
“Historically, VESD has followed the unwritten rule of “adapt vs. adopt” when it comes to using textbooks for classroom instruction. The reason for this is simple. There isn’t a single textbook adoption that will cover all of the standards, the level of rigor (DOK), and/or the individual needs of your classroom completely. Therefore, VESD has promoted the idea of using textbooks to support instruction, but they should not define your instruction.”
We received positive feedback on this article and encouraged staff to look at “Ditch that Textbook” (ditchthattextbook.com) for additional ideas about how to integrate the best practices of building concepts and teaching to the standards vs. teaching to a textbook. As a reminder, DITCH is an acronym for: different, innovative, tech-laden, creative, hands-on.
For each subject you teach throughout the day, we encourage you to think of the instructional shifts noted below.
Ed Services provided a survey for all certificated staff to complete in February 2016. 367 teachers responded out of approximately 500 total. Staff were asked, “As a result of your current knowledge of the standards and state assessments, what support do you need in the upcoming 2016-2017 school year?” The top 2 responses were:
- Intentional planning using DOK 36.2%
- Integrated technology 36.2%
We are currently working on our staff development for 16-17. We will continue to take into account your feedback. We appreciate the emails and ideas that you have been sharing from the various conferences you have attended and will continue to find ways to integrate that information into training. As you are planning for 16-17, we encourage you to continue to think about the standards first to guide your lessons.
Congratulations to the DELAC Committee who were honored at the 29th Annual Multilingual Awards from the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
Congratulations to Discovery School of the Arts and West Palms Conservatory for their recognition as 2016 Golden Ribbon Schools!
Congratulations to Discovery School of the Arts, Endeavour School of Exploration, Galileo School of Gifted and Talented Education and Sixth Street Prep for their recognition as California Honor Roll schools!
8TH ANNUAL VESD COLLEGE & CAREER FAIR
Fiscal Update
Laurien Spiller, Director of Fiscal Services
VESD has completed the 2nd Interim report with a positive certification.
Second Interim is one of two critical points in the year when the budget is updated and a multi-year projection is prepared and analyzed to evaluate the financial health of the district. VESD does have a good financial position, based on the current funding reality and the set of assumptions used for this evaluation.
Our district continues to have a stable student population. VESD is projected to increase 133 students, compared to last year. From Local Control Funding Formula, we expect to receive $8771 per ADA, of which $1686 per ADA is generated from the Supplemental and Concentration Grants. This money is granted based on student demographics and therefore, is intended to benefit those students. This leaves $7085 per ADA as unrestricted to meet the needs of the VESD.
VESD has been making reductions to class sizes in grades TK-3. As a result of the reductions in class sizes and our increases in student population, we have increased our teaching staff by 27 new positions. Our custodial increments have been increased to support needs, as well as increases to some other site and department staff.
Based on the current fiscal assumptions, VESD does not project deficit spending in the current fiscal year, nor the two subsequent years. Under the current set of assumptions, VESD is expected to end the 15/16 with a reserve of 14.79% and projects a reserve of 16.25% in 16/17, and 15.45% in 17/18.
There is a lot happening at the state level in the way of school finance and accountability. VESD is monitoring the activities and preparing for updates and new requirements as they are developed and rolled out. Our Budget for 2016/17 will be prepared and presented to the board in June 2016. Until then, please visit our blog at http://news.vesd.net/ for more information on budget and the 2nd Interim Report.
Personnel Quick Hits
Maureen Mills, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services
Got questions about your benefits? You can now visit www.vesd.net/benefits for forms, plan details or links to all of our providers. Check it out today!
Keep walking!!! Walkdoo will run through May 24,2016. Currently, we have 333 employees registered. We have had two $500 winners and forty-six $25 winners!
Coming July 1, 2016, Teladoc! Blue shield has contracted with Teladoc, which provides you 24/7/365 access to a doctor! Talk to a doctor anytime for a $10 copay. More info to come.
Employee Anniversaries - April/May
5 Years
Karla Guzman, Laura Maldonado Aguilar, Elida Morales, Cindy Rael, Angel Robinson & Yvette Alvarez
10 Years
Diane Long, Gregory Jeremiah, Matthew Blume & Elva Siens
15 Years
Lisa Fox , Mary Mendonca, Shannon Neisinger, Jennifer Miner & Melissa Potter
25 Years and Counting...
Marie Cervantes, Suzanne Maki, Joseph DeLaCruz,Sharon Morgan & Carmen Godoy
Ms.Bi's 3rd Grade class made special thank you cards to send to the deputies at the Victorville Police Station to help celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Week. #libertylions
And the deputies were so happy to receive their cards!
Principal Barles spent a day on the roof thanks to the high marks on PBIS that his kids at Parkview earned. #parkviewpanthers
A look inside the cafeteria at the soon-to-be completed new home of Galileo. #galileogladiatiors
It was a full house at this year's State of the District Address. Over 100 community members were on hand to hear all of the great things VESD is working on.
VESD Picnic
Bill Klopping, Director of Technology & Picnics
Hello, everyone! The VESD Picnic Committee would like to invite you and your family to our 2016 summer picnic. It will be from 9:00AM-2:00PM on June 4th, at Mojave Narrows. Just like last year, we have rented the large covered area next to the water park as our base. Please, feel free to bring your own shade and chairs so we can spread out. Tri-tip sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans and bottled water will be provided. We will have many activities for the family, and we will have several competitions. To ensure we have enough food, and we plan the appropriate resources, please make sure to RSVP using the link below. We are bringing back the basket raffle and winners will be drawn at the end of the picnic. The proceeds will go to Victor Elementary Education Foundation. We look forward to seeing you and your family!
VESD JUNIOR OLYMPICS
Special thanks to all the volunteers!!
JO's in SLOW-MO!