These policy updates will be reviewed by the Albemarle County School Board at their meeting on March 12, with a target approval date of March 26. Please use the Electronic School Board site to access the March 12 Board agenda, where you can view the proposed policy revisions under the Consent Agenda. Continue reading
Author Archives: Division Compass
Current Status of the 2015-16 Budget Process
Dear Colleagues:
Thank you for your patience with our school closings due to winter weather. I know that the resulting disruption of learning can be frustrating when we lose momentum in our schools due to inclement weather. Fortunately, spring is just around the corner and temperatures this week are forecast to rise dramatically. When daffodils bloom and flowering trees spring back to life in March, we know that we are in one of the loveliest communities to be found anywhere.
I would like to share an update on the current status of the 2015-16 budget process. Each year, our School Board reiterates that their funding request to the Board of Supervisors must affirm our vision for learners and learning. Continue reading
Classified Staff Performance Competencies Review
Dear Classified and Support Staff,
A few years ago, we updated our Teacher Performance Appraisal (TPA), and more recently, we revised our Administrator Performance Appraisal (APA). As a part of our continuous improvement work, we are now focusing on our performance competency and appraisal model for classified staff. Continue reading
Now Hiring Instructional Coaches
The Department of Instruction is accepting internal applications for instructional coaches for the 2015-16 school year. Use the Human Resources search engine to view the Instructional Coach job description. Learn more about Instructional Coaching in Albemarle County. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will begin after March 13. Apply now »
Apply for a Shannon Foundation Grant by April 24!
The Edgar and Eleanor Shannon Foundation for Excellence in Public Education wants to help teachers and schools implement their best ideas. Two levels of proposals are invited for the 2015-16 school year: Level 1 grants, not to exceed $750, will be awarded to classroom teachers for projects that support original and innovative student activities. Level 2 grants, not to exceed $5,000, may be awarded to schools for creative projects that enhance student learning across age and grade levels. Completed applications must be submitted to Nicole Storm (nstorm@k12albemarle.org), Legislative and Public Affairs Officer, by April 24, 2015. Continue reading
Digital Learning Day is March 13!
Digital Learning Day is one day out of the year dedicated to demonstrating the difference digital learning makes for students around the world. Educators from around our school division will participate in this important celebration in a variety of ways. Whether it is a focus on digital tools to support a maker-infused curriculum, Universal Design for Learning, interactive technologies like game-based learning, or the student development of digital citizenship and literacy skills, our educators and students are using technology in meaningful and powerful ways not possible without it. March 13, 2015 is quickly approaching and we’d like to encourage you to join in the celebration, too. Continue reading
How a Moveable Space Can Ignite Creativity in the Classroom
Many of our schools and individual teachers are creating more flexible spaces for learners to work on projects and creative “make to learn” activities as well as to participate in collaborative discussions and seminars. Some Albemarle world language teachers using the Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) have taken desks out of their classrooms to facilitate this version of immersion learning. Often teachers take a “do it yourself” approach to modernizing their classrooms for more flexibility. This blog post from KQED describes how moveable spaces can provide greater flexibility for activities in the school environment.
2015 STEM Voice™ Video Competition
The STEM Voice™ Video Competition is nation-wide opportunity for kids in grades 5-12 to artistically explore the importance of STEM. Sponsored by the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI), the competition encourages students to be creative and use video to show how much they love STEM. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. PST on April 17, 2015. Continue reading
2015-16 Calendar Approved
The Albemarle County School Board approved the 2015-16 Calendar at their February 26 meeting. You may view, print, or link to the approved calendar, in both English and Spanish, on our Calendars homepage.
Avoid Delayed Retirement Benefits: Submit Your VRS Application by Mar. 15
Spring brings daffodils, warmer temps, and retirements! We recommend that employees retiring under the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) submit their VRS application materials to Human Resources (HR) by March 15 in order to avoid delayed retirement benefits. If you are planning on retiring at the end of this school year, be sure to contact John McQuilkin in HR (jmcquilkin@albemarle.org or 434-296-5827 #3074) for more information. Continue reading