benefitsFOCUS – February 9, 2016

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benefitsFOCUSREMINDER: Upcoming medical plan dependent eligibility review

As mentioned in the January edition of the benefitsFOCUS, we will soon begin a dependent eligibility review, conducted by HMS Employer Solutions. The purpose of this review is to ensure all dependents enrolled on our plan meet eligibility guidelines so that only eligible dependents are covered. All employees, retirees, and COBRA participants who currently have a dependent spouse (this includes “county spouses”) or children enrolled on our medical plan will be required to participate. It is important that you submit the documentation upon request, as failure to comply will result in your dependents being dropped from your medical insurance policy. Continue reading →

Elementary Teachers: Get Your Free Oral Health Teaching Kit

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Smart Smiles In SchoolDelta Dental of Virginia wants learning about oral health to be fun! To support this effort, they are making their Smart Smiles In School oral health teaching kit available (through a two-week loan), free of charge, to any Virginia elementary teacher or school nurse. The kit provides a turnkey curriculum complete with teaching tools and audiovisual resources to educate students on how to form good oral health habits. Learn more and reserve your kit »

Teacher Design Day/Engineering Teaching Kit Workshop – February 20

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The Engineer's WayTeachers of STEM, engineering, CTE, robotics, technology, and enrichment: The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science cordially invites you to attend a FREE Teacher Design Day/Engineering Teaching Kit Workshop on Saturday, February 20! Attendees will participate in a series of standards-based, hands-on engineering design/build/test projects that integrate science, math and technology. The projects are scalable throughout K-12, and participants will be provided with lesson plans (Engineering Teaching Kits). Don’t delay: Registration closes on Monday, February 15, at 5 p.m. Get registered »

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Digital Learning Day Is February 17: Join the Celebration!

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Digital Learning Day 2016Digital Learning Day is one day out of the year dedicated to making a difference for digital learners around the world. This year, Digital Learning Day is February 17, 2016. We encourage all of our teachers and librarians to join the celebration.

We observe engaging digital learning activities every day in our schools, and this is a great opportunity to share our experiences and our successes in a global way. Continue reading →

You’re Invited to Participate in a Research Study: History, Qualities & Beliefs of a Maker Educator

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Research StudyIn collaboration with Albemarle County Public Schools, you are invited by Dr. Amber Simpson and Dr. Adam Maltese with the School of Education at Indiana University of Bloomington to participate in a research study: History, Qualities, and Beliefs of a Maker Educator. The purpose of the research study is to gain an understanding of the attributes and beliefs that are common across K-12 educators (e.g., teachers, instructional coaches, and support staff) who self-identity as Maker Educators, and how these commonalities distinguish them from K-12 educators who do not self-identify as Maker Educators. Continue reading →

Budget Update – Feb. 1, 2016

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Superintendent Pam MoranDear Colleagues:

This represents the first in a series of regular updates on the status of our proposed budget.

I presented my funding request to our School Board on January 19, and the Board held budget work sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings last week. There will be a third work session tomorrow night, and then on Thursday, our Board will conduct their public hearing on the proposed budget. Please join Matt Haas, Lorna Gerome, and me in one of seven funding request chat room sessions this Wednesday, Feb. 3. Continue reading →

2nd Annual WinterSongs Benefit Concert – February 27

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WinterSongs BannerSave the date! The 2nd annual WinterSongs Benefit Concert is February 27 at 5 p.m. in the Monticello High School Auditorium.

WinterSongs is a collaborative event featuring almost 200 young women vocalists, ages 11 to 24, from six area schools (Albemarle, Monticello and Charlottesville high schools; Burley and Henley middle schools; and the University of Virginia). The event was created by local music teachers to provide a day of sharing, healing, support, empowerment, and music in the face of violence against women. Continue reading →

Get Connected to the 2016-17 Budget Process on Wednesday, February 3

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Let's Connect!Attention all ACPS employees: You’re invited! On Wednesday, February 3, Superintendent
Pam Moran will host multiple online budget sessions, each including a brief budget overview presentation and an opportunity for questions and answers. Co-hosting this special event with Dr. Moran will be Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Matt Haas, and Director of Human Resources,
Ms. Lorna Gerome.

Each budget session is scheduled for 30 minutes, and there are seven opportunities to join: Continue reading →

March 1 Is Now a Green Work Day

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Green Work DayAt the request of the Albemarle County Electoral Board, our School Board voted last evening to close all schools on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in response to the large number of voters who are expected to participate in the dual presidential primary election that day. March 1 now will be a Green Work Day for teachers and other eligible employees. Read our news release »

On Tuesday, March 1, eligible staff will commute via internet and telephone. Buildings will be in “weekend mode,” with reduced use of heating and air conditioning, fuel, and electricity. Students will not attend school.
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