I attended several informational workshops centered on the new training requirements for paraeducators. Districts are looking at how they can offer training that can be duplicated throughout the year and would meet the topics listed by the paraeducator board. I will be working with administrators to examine the two training days and what would be the most productive. It is wonderful to have two paid days for our classified staff but we will need to have trackings systems set up to ensure compliance and have a plan in place for those who can’t attend a training to give them the opportunity to make it up since it is required for them to complete it.
It was wonderful to be part of the end of the year luncheon. When you and I delivered balloons and cards to the winners of the employee’s of excellence it was wonderful to see that the recipients were truly touched to be recognized. Their selfless actions remind me what a wonderful staff we have here and that they do what they do because they love our kids. At the luncheon, we honored retirees, the employee’s of excellence, years of service and had fun with video’s submitted by staff. Sarah Hadaller does an amazing job planning this event’s food and reaches out to our local businesses who generously donated prizes given away throughout the luncheon. A local travel agency reached out to Nicole and generously donated a basket and $500 travel voucher to each of our retirees.
With the end of the year, I am working on several projects to close out the year. I am receiving evaluations from administrators and logging them into our system to ensure we don’t miss anyone. I also am following up with any of our staff who still haven’t renewed their certificate since the system can get back-logged the closer we get to August. I have locked and submitted our buildings in the educator Equity Data Collection tool through OSPI. This is where we communicate that we have employees teaching in the correct certification or, if needed, have board approval for them to teach out of endorsement. Our administrators have done a great job of communicating to me the employees who need to be board reported but we are also actively working on employees getting endorsed in areas they teach. Summer months will allow me to focus on projects needing to be done as I set up for the new year!