benefitsFOCUS: September Payroll Edition

benefitsFOCUSWhat is this?

benefitsFOCUS is our way of communicating important Albemarle County employee benefits information to YOU! We’ll give you updates, tips, and head’s up announcements throughout the year to keep you in the loop. In this admittedly long (but very informative!) edition, we’ll tell you why you need to check your monthly earning statements via Greenshades (and what to look for when you do), what to expect for the new benefits plan year, and give you resources for accessing and using Greenshades like a pro! Continue reading

Superintendent’s Weekly Check-in, September 28

Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues:

A thought for next week: “Free public schools nourished the concept that what you know matters more than who you know. Common people coupled with an education, talent, and drive could counter social status and elitist contacts based on wealth or position. Only in America is there a Fanfare for the Common Man, instead of fanfares for some inherited royalty or elitist privilege. Public education celebrated the possibilities in the “common” diverse citizenry.” — George A. Goens

Happy Friday!

Yesterday I met with the Transportation Advisory Committee, a group of drivers, managers, and maintenance crew members with whom Jim Foley, Charmane White, and Chuck Leathers meet routinely to hear ideas and concerns for continuous improvement of our transportation services. Continue reading

Summer 2019 Spanish Immersion Trip to Costa Rica; Info Session on Oct. 2

Learn Spanish in Costa RicaAre you interested in being immersed in a different culture for two weeks? Are you interested in improving your Spanish-speaking skills? Would you like to have a deeper empathy for what our English Learners experience on a daily basis? Then this trip is for you!

ACPS teachers and administrators with ANY level of Spanish proficiency are invited to partake in a two-week authentic language and cultural experience with Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI), June 16-29, 2019, in Costa Rica. View a detailed itinerary »

Learn more by attending an informational session on Tuesday, October 2, at 4:30 p.m. We’ll meet in the ESOL Office located on the 3rd floor of the Northside Library at 705 Rio Road West. Continue reading

Superintendent’s Weekly Check-in, September 21

Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues:

A thought for next week: “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” — T.S. Elliot

Here’s a sequel (maybe a prequel) to the story I shared last week. Cheryl Harris at Sutherland emailed to tell me that she taught the Ms. Haas who is teaching my former student’s third grader in Virginia Beach. As Cheryl sublimely stated, “What a circle of positive relationship!” Continue reading

Teachers Needed for Learning Management System Demonstrations – Respond by Oct. 12

BlackboardThank you to all ACPS staff members who provided feedback about our current Learning Management System (LMS), Blackboard Learn. The results of our surveys are available on the Learning Technologies Blackboard page.

Based on this feedback, the Department of Student Learning and the Department of Learning Engineering, Access, and Design (LEAD) have issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to begin a search for a new LMS. Continue reading

Superintendent Listening Tour Survey: Please Participate by Oct. 5

Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues,

The 2018-19 school year is well underway, and I’ve now had the privilege of being your Superintendent for more than two months! I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who participated in one of my 16 Listening Tour sessions or shared insights with me through the Online Feedback Form. Throughout the tour, nearly 400 students, parents, employees, and community members shared their insights. Continue reading

Upcoming Central Virginia KidWind Challenge Events

KidWind ChallengeAttention teachers of students in grades 4-12: Have you considered organizing a KidWind Challenge Team? This year’s regional event will be held right here in Charlottesville on April 8, 2019! Please consider attending the Coach Training Workshop on November 14 to learn more and receive free equipment to get started in your classroom. (Attending the workshop does not commit you to forming a team.)

The KidWind Challenge is the ultimate wind energy learning experience for students. Continue reading

“Imagine a Day Without Water” Student Art Contest – Submissions Due by Oct. 15

Imagine a Day Without Water2018 Student Art Contest Information

Contest website: Imagine a Day Without Water
2018 Theme: How Do You Save Water? | Submission Deadline: 5 p.m. on October 15
Open to: All Albemarle County & Charlottesville City students, grades 1-8

Open the contest flyer and entry form »
Continue reading

Superintendent’s Weekly Check-in, September 14

Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues:

A thought for next week: “Sometimes we lack the conviction that our success is needed, when in fact our families and communities need us to be uncommonly successful.”— Princess Fils Aime

Happy Friday!

Something happened earlier in September, and I have decided to tell you about it, hoping you will find it interesting. Continue reading