Wild Ones, a nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization, is accepting applications from projects designed to strengthen an appreciation for nature in young people. Through the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund, grants of up to $500 will be awarded for projects that emphasize the involvement of students and volunteers in all phases of development. Continue reading
Author Archives: Division Compass
2014-15 Calendar Update: Spring Break Days Preserved
At their April 24 work session, the Albemarle County School Board decided to eliminate the use of any days during next year’s spring break to compensate for days in which adverse weather conditions require schools to be closed. The current plan is to designate the following as make-up days, in order of priority: January 20, February 16, April 3, and June 8 and 9.
The School Board will formally vote on this plan at their next meeting on Thursday, May 8. Those wishing to offer their comments can email the Board at schoolboard@k12albemarle.org.
Standard Operating Procedure: Academic Leadership Compensation Program
Purpose: To provide fair and equal opportunity for teachers to assume leadership roles in their school.
Background: The Academic Leadership Compensation Program (ALCP) supports instructional leadership needs and encourages professional growth by providing stipends to teachers who assume extra responsibilities outside the classroom. Continue reading
Communications at Work: Media Spotlight
Younger Children May Benefit Most from World Language Education (April 29, 2014)
Many adults have trouble recalling even basic phrases from years of high school foreign language classes. Now educators say teaching younger children a second language could be the key to using those skills later in life. More on Newsplex >>>
Horizon 2020 Strategic Plan Is Alive and Well!
Thursday was a busy day for ACPS. First, I had the great joy to attend the Service Awards and We Notice ceremonies at Lane Auditorium. I was impressed with the number of nominations and years of dedication exemplified by this group. As Pam said, everyone who deals with young people is an educator. Continue reading
Need Money to Implement Your Good Idea?
The Virginia Education Association is proud to provide mini-grants to support members’ ideas designed to improve student learning. Submit your proposal for a mini-grant for any amount up to $500 by 4:30 p.m. on June 2, 2014. Mini-grants will be awarded on September 2, 2014. View the proposal guidelines.
You must be a member of the Virginia Education Association to apply for the mini-grant, to receive the funds, and during implementation of the project. Not a member? Find out more about membership.
Performance Appraisal Q&A
As we move into the summative phase of our performance appraisal processes, we hope to provide clarity around questions that staff have. During the week of March 24, we surveyed all employees to find out questions they have about our performance appraisal systems. View the Appraisal Questions and Answers. We grouped similar questions together by theme, so you may see two or three questions together with only one answer. For more information, please visit our Performance Appraisal website.
“Living in a Material World” $500 Grants for K-12 Teachers
The ASM Materials Education Foundation awards 20 grants of $500 annually to help K-12 teachers bring the real world of materials science into their classrooms. “Living in a Material World” grants recognize teacher creativity. The grant application is due May 25. Learn more >>>
School Board Makes Preliminary Decisions to Eliminate Deficit
Dear Colleagues:
The School Board, at its budget work session last evening, made preliminary decisions that eliminated the $3.89 million deficit in next year’s funding request. While some of these actions are subject to change, the Board will formally adopt a budget for the 2014-15 school year at its April 24th meeting.
The two actions that will have the greatest impact were to reduce the employee compensation increase for next year from two to one percent and to implement a class size increase of .2 students for all grade levels. Continue reading
Changing Kids Lives Through Fitness – Apply Today for a $3,500 School Grant!
ING Run For Something Better® (ING RFSB) in partnership with the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) seeks to increase physical activity in students and help fight childhood obesity nationwide through the creation of school-based running programs. The ING RFSB School Awards Program is proud to offer sixty (60) $3,500 grants to schools that desire to establish a school-based running program or expand an existing one. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2014. Continue reading