Monthly Archives: October 2016

Making Connections 2016: Registration Now Open!

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Making Connections 2016Registration for Making Connections 2016 is now available through the ACPS Professional Development website! Get started here with registration details and course descriptions.

Making Connections 2016 will take place on Monday, November 7, at multiple school sites throughout the division. Please sign up as soon as possible to ensure that you receive your top choices and so we can guarantee an accurate lunch count for each location.

If you have already registered, please log in to the Making Connections site and double-check your enrollment by clicking on the “My Enrollments” link on the left.

Questions or comments? Email profdev@k12albemarle.org.

Attention ALL Employees: Complete the 2016 Online Annual Training by Nov. 4

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Required Annual TrainingIt’s time once again for Albemarle County’s Online Annual Training (OATs)—your yearly review of policies, procedures, and other important information for all Albemarle County Public Schools employees. Please complete this required training by Friday, November 4, 2016:
(1) View the 2016-17 OATs presentation; (2) successfully complete a short online quiz; and
(3) sign into a secure site to certify that you have completed the training.

For more information, including detailed sign-in instructions and what to do if you experience technical issues, view the memo to staff from Deputy Superintendent Matt Haas.

Plan for Tomorrow Today: Annual Retirement Seminar & VRS Service Purchase Changes

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RetirementAnnual Retirement Planning Seminar

Are you planning on retiring within the next few years? Just starting out in the workforce? Wondering where the money will come from when you retire? Not sure what your retirement options are? Then you should attend the Retirement Planning Seminar:

Monday, November 7, 2016 | 5:15 to 7 p.m. | Monticello High School Forum

Continue reading →

Save the Date: Digital Learning Day 2017 is February 23

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Digital Learning Day 2017Started in 2012, Digital Learning Day has provided a powerful venue for education leaders to highlight great teaching practice and showcase innovative teachers, leaders, and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes. This grassroots effort blossomed into a massive nationwide celebration as teachers realized that Digital Learning Day is not about technology, it’s about learning.

Mark your calendar: The next Digital Learning Day will be February 23, 2017. Join the celebration »

2017-18 Calendar – Provide Your Feedback by Nov. 1

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We Want Your Feedback2017-18 calendar development is underway! Each year, the Calendar Committee works to produce a school calendar that supports our goals to engage students, improve opportunities and achievement, and get the most productivity out of our resources. Community feedback is an essential part of this process.

Tell us what you think! Please review the Calendar Committee’s first draft of the 2017-18 calendar, and then participate in a brief survey to provide your feedback. The survey will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on November 1.

What Kids Should Know About Their Own Brains

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Brain“Neuroscience may seem like an advanced subject of study, perhaps best reserved for college or even graduate school. Two researchers from Temple University in Philadelphia propose that it be taught earlier, however—much earlier. As in first grade.” Keep reading in MindShift »

What Superintendent Moran has to say: Understanding how the brain learns is critical for educators to select pedagogical practices that support retention of procedural knowledge as well as critical content. In this post, the author provides perspective on what kids should know about their own brains and how that knowledge helps young people learn how to learn, a key mindset. Information in this post fits well with our Lifelong-Learner Competencies, in particular applying habits of mind and metacognitive strategies.

New PD Opp: Illuminate Vetting Project

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Illuminate EducationThursday, November 10 | 4:30 to 6 p.m. | ARC PD Rooms 1 & 2

This November 10, the county is offering a new, 90-minute professional development opportunity, Illuminate Vetting Project, to provide training in how to efficiently and effectively vet assessment items in Illuminate for quality, SOL alignment, and Blooms level. Completion of this workshop will allow teachers to get paid to vet questions. Learn more and get registered »

You’re Invited: Walter Ridley Distinguished Speaker Series – RSVP by Oct. 24

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Curry School of EducationThe Curry School of Education and the Ridley Scholarship Fund cordially invite you to attend the 2016-17 Walter N. Ridley Lecture on Wednesday, November 2, 4 p.m. at Alumni Hall. The U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. John King, will be the featured speaker for this event. Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by October 24. Get more info »

Calling All Veterans: Albemarle County Wants to Recognize YOU – Complete the Survey by Oct. 21

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Veterans DayAlbemarle County Public Schools and Local Government are fortunate to have many veterans who continue to serve their country through their work in our government offices and public schools. Last year, we began a new tradition of recognizing and honoring our veterans through a joint resolution from the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and School Board.

November 11 is rapidly approaching, and as we prepare to honor our veterans again this year, we want to make sure that we are recognizing all those who wish to participate. Continue reading →

2016-17 Performance Tasks

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Lifelong-Learner CompetenciesThe 2016-17 ACPS Performance Tasks are now accessible through the Assessment website. How to get there: (1) From the Staff page on the division-level website, click on ACPS Performance Tasks under Spotlight. (2) Sign in (top-right) in order to make the “Task Materials” link visible in the left navigation bar. (3) Click on Task Materials to access elementary and secondary task materials, PD materials, and Lifelong-Learner Standard Rubrics. (In an attempt to make customization by PLCs and individual teachers easier, we have uploaded Word versions of the rubrics with an additional row for task/assignment-specific look-fors.)

View the Performance Tasks FAQs for details about site content, responsibilities, and points of contact.