The Office of Strategic Communications is pleased to welcome Tim Shea to our team as our new Legislative & Public Affairs Officer. Please make it a point to contact Tim if he can be of assistance to you in building partnerships with our legislative and business communities or in securing grants that support the outstanding work you are doing on behalf of our students. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: November 2015
Additional Holiday Leave for 12-Month Employees
Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday evening, the Albemarle County School Board granted 12-month employees an additional half-day of annual leave on Wednesday, November 25. In alignment with the state’s Thanksgiving holiday schedule, school division offices will close at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 25.
Early Retirement (VERIP) Applications Due Dec. 1
Thinking about retiring? VERIP (early retirement) applications are due December 1! If you are considering retirement during the next fiscal year (July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017) and you will be under age 65, you may be eligible for an additional benefit under the County’s Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program (VERIP). Note: Ten-month School Division employees who wish to retire at the end of the school year will have a retirement date of July 1, 2016.
To be eligible for VERIP you must: Continue reading
Toy Drive 2015 – Donate by Dec. 3
This week kicks off the start of the 2015 Albemarle County Toy Drive to benefit Toy Lift Charities. Last year, Toy Lift gifted 3,750 children ages newborn through 8th grade with toys, books, and other needed items. The year, the number of children served is expected to grow.
Last year, Albemarle County staff provided 216 toys, 8 books, and $364 to help children in Albemarle and surrounding counties who benefit from Toy Lift Charities. Please consider making a donation of a new, unwrapped toy or book, or a monetary contribution by Thursday, December 3. Continue reading
Contemplating a Career Change? Human Resources Wants to Help You Meet Your Professional Goals!
Have you considered or desired a change from your current position to a different role? What type of position are you seeking? What is hindering you from potentially transitioning into that role? Do you hope to move into a leadership position or perhaps a different leadership position than you currently hold? If these are questions you have pondered, the ACPS Human Resources Department would like to hear from you! Take our survey »
Our survey fulfills a two-fold purpose: Continue reading
Startup Weekend EDU: Unique & FREE PD Opportunity – November 13-14
Do you or your students have innovative education ideas, or would you want to team up with others who do? Join us November 13-14 for two days of creative problem solving at Western Albemarle High School for Startup Weekend Education (SWEDU). Pursue innovative education ideas together with students, pre-K to college educators, designers, computer programmers, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
UPDATE: Based on feedback from previous and potential participants, we’ve made some adjustments to the schedule, branding and planning for the event: Continue reading
Beyond ‘Turn It Off’: How to Advise Families on Media Use
“Today, more than 30% of U.S. children first play with a mobile device when they still are in diapers, according to Common Sense Media. Furthermore, almost 75% of 13- to 17-year-olds have smartphones, and 24% admit using their phones almost constantly, according to the Pew Research Center.”
With the goal of providing thoughtful, practical advice to parents based on the evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) convened the invitation-only Growing Up Digital: Media Research Symposium this past May. Read in AAP News about 12 key messages that emerged for parents »
You’re Invited: “Honoring Our Veterans” Ceremony – Nov. 11
Next Wednesday, November 11, 2015, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and School Board will recognize those employees who have served our country in the armed forces during a brief ceremony at 4:45 p.m. at the County Office Building on McIntire Road. (This is a change from the previously scheduled time.)
The ceremony will include the reading of a joint resolution as well as student performances. All employees and their families are invited to attend. Continue reading
New Blackboard Features!
New Blackboard Learn features are now available! Key upgrades include:
– Blackboard Collaborate, a powerful web conferencing tool, is fully integrated!
– SafeAssign built into the assignment feature.
– Fully experience your class as a student with Student Preview.
– Significant figures improved for Calculated Formula Test Questions.
– Anonymous and delegated grading now available.