Happy Holidays

We have come to the end of 2008, something I’m personally finding it hard to grasp: 4 months of the school year down, 12 pages of the calendar torn off.

The winter holidays and the coming of the new year are times of family and reflection, and I hope you find both to be personally fulfilling.  As you look back at 2008, it is my sincerest hope you find more happiness than you find sad, more good than bad, and more joy than lament.

Enjoy the season, enjoy those around you, enjoy the moment.  Have the happiest of holiday seasons and a wonderful new year.  And please do so responsibly, we need you back here in 2009.

Thank you for a wonderful 2008.

Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Information

As you are aware, on July 1 our insurance coverage will be provided by the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). There is a tentatively scheduled (and therefore subject to change) regional benefits fair on Friday May 1 at the Hibernian Hall from 12-5; the GIC will be mailing letters in March regarding dates and places for the regional benefits fairs.

You should also expect a detailed letter from Town Auditor Tom Tracy in January which will discuss more specifics of enrolling in the GIC.

There will be documentation required to complete applications for enrollment.

PLEASE NOTE, You do not need this documentation right now, however if you will be covering persons other than yourself, you will need it to enroll and therefore you may want to give yourself a head start on the collection of this documentation:

If you are planning to cover yourself only, the GIC will not require additional information

If you are planning to cover a current and/or former spouse you will need:
If you are married, you will need a Copy of a certified Marriage certificate
If you are divorced or legally separated, you will need the following sections of your Separation Agreement

• The Divorce Absolute Date
• Signature page
• Health Insurance provisions
• Your former spouse’s last known address

If you are planning to cover dependent children, you will need:
Dependent Child coverage:

• Copy of Certified Birth Certificate (which MUST have parent/child relationship listed)
• Dependent Age 19-26, Handicapped Dependent:
• Complete an application form from GIC

Adoption: Copy of Adoption Placement letter, which must be on Adoption agency letterhead and include

• Name of Adoptive parents
• Name of adoptive child
• Date Child placed in home

Grandchildren – Copy of Court Guardianship appointment

Obtaining Documentation

Documents such as marriage and birth certificates can be obtained by contacting the Clerks office in the municipality in which the event occurred. Sometimes this documentation is available in the town in which you resided at the time the event occurred.

Adoption verification and Grandchild verification information can be obtained by contacting the adoption agency used or the clerk of courts office in which the event occurred.

Harassment Policy

Under state law, employers are required to distribute their sexual harassment policy at least yearly. The following is the harassment policy of the Watertown Public Schools.  This policy, and others, are posted at the main Watertown Public Schools’ School Committee subdirectory and the Human Resources subdirectory.  It is also distributed to employees through payroll and our electronic bulletin board, and employees are trained on this and other mandatory items.

HARASSMENT

Under state law, employers are required to distribute their sexual harassment policy at least yearly. The following is the harassment policy of the Watertown Public Schools.

HARASSMENT

The Watertown Public School System is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free of harassment on the basis of disability, national origin, race,religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Harassment on the basis of disability, national origin, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation includes any unwanted physical or verbal action toward another which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Federal and state laws proscribe harassment. Therefore, Sexual harassment in the workplace, in buildings and grounds controlled by the Watertown Public School System and during events sponsored by the Watertown Public School System is unlawful.

Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature where:

a. submission to such conduct is made an implied or explicit term or condition of success in school or of employment; or

b. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for student grading/participation decisions or employment decisions affecting suchindividual;

or

c. the conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s school or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning or working environment.

While it is not possible to list all those additional circumstances that may constitute sexual harassment, the following are some examples of conduct which may constitute sexual harassment depending upon the totality of the circumstances, the severity of the conduct and its pervasiveness:

a. unwelcome sexual advances – whether they involve physical touching or not;

b. sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding an individual’s sex life; comment on an individual’s body, comment about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, and prowess;

c. displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures and/or cartoons;

d. unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, and suggestive or insulting comments;

e. inquiries into one’s sexual experiences; and,

f. discussion of one’s sexual activities.

Grievance Officer: James Morrissey, Director of Human Resources, 30 Common Street,

Watertown, MA.

Harassment Reporting and Investigation Protocol

Any student subjected to harassment is strongly encouraged to contact a teacher, guidance counselor, nurse, any administrator in his/her building, or any central office administrator. Harassment complaints are to be promptly investigated in as confidential a manner as is consistent with the problem.

Any student found to have engaged in harassment is subject to discipline including but not limited to suspension, expulsion, and/or may be required to undergo counseling.

Any employee or other person subjected to harassment is strongly encouraged to contact his/her supervisor, any administrator in his/her building or any central office administrator. Harassment complaints are to be promptly investigated in as confidential a manner as is consistent with the nature of the complaint.

Any employee found to have engaged in harassment is subject to discipline up to and including discharge administrated in a manner consistent with laws and any collective bargaining agreement, if any, covering that employee.

Any attempt by an employee or a student to retaliate against a person who makes, or provides information regarding a claim of harassment is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action as outlined above.

A protocol on this policy shall indicate when and under what circumstances a matter covered herein shall be brought to the immediate attention of the Superintendent of Schools.

If you believe you may have been harassed, or if you witness or learn about the harassment of another individual, you should inform a principal or other administrator immediately. If you do not wish to discuss the issue with your principal, or if he/she does not address the problem, you should inform the Assistant Superintendent of Schools.

The Assistant Superintendent may be reached at 926-7700, 30 Common Street, Watertown, MA 02472—3492.

The Watertown Public School System will promptly investigate every complaint of harassment of which notice is given consistent with this protocol. Such investigation may include discussions with all involved parties, identification and questioning of witnesses, and other appropriate actions.

If the investigator determines that harassment has occurred, he/she will take action to end the harassment and ensure that it is not repeated. Steps which may be taken may include, among other, warnings, transfers, suspension, probation and discharge of the individual responsible for the harassment.

Any individual who is dissatisfied with the results of progress of an investigation may discuss his/her dissatisfaction directly with the Superintendent of Schools.

The Watertown Public Schools urges all students and employees to bring any concerns or complaints of harassment to its attention so that the issue can be resolved.

The state agency responsible for enforcing the laws prohibiting harassment is:

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)

Boston Office:

One Ashburton Place, Rm. 601

Boston, MA 02108—1518

(617) 727—3990

Springfield Office:

424 Dwight Street, Rm. 220

Springfield, MA 01103

(413) 739—2145

The federal agency responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting harassment is:

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

1 Congress Street, 10th Floor

Boston, MA 02114

(617) 565—3200

Each of these agencies has a short time period for filing a charge of discrimination claim:

EEOC – 180 days*

MCAD – 300 days

* This 180-day filing deadline is extended to 300 days if the charge also is covered by a state or local anti-discrimination law. For ADEA charges, only state laws extend the filing limit to 300 days.

Sunday Globe Advertisement

We’re running an advertisement in Sunday’s Boston Globe for Director of Guidance, English Coordinator, and a host of Special Education and other teaching positions.  I can’t quite figure out why the image is displaying as black, but if you click on it you will see it full scale and readable.

Anticipated Openings 2008-2009

The Watertown Public Schools anticipates having several vacancies to fill in our teaching staff for the start of the 2008-2009 School Year.

This position will be vacant due to a maternity leave

Mathematics (Middle School)

We are also currently recruiting for the following:

Teacher of Educational Technology

and

English Language Department Coordinator

The School Committee has voted to approve the school department budget, but it must still be presented to and approved by the Town Council – meaning while we anticipate these positions to be vacant, we cannot guarantee it.

Preschool Special Education Teacher
Early Childhood Special Education Inclusion Specialist
Elementary Special Education Teachers (3)
Teacher of English Language Learners
Elementary Library/Media Teacher
Elementary Classroom Teachers
High School World Languages (Italian, Spanish)
DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE (HIGH SCHOOL)
Guidance Counselors (Middle School)

Please email your cover letter, resume, and any supporting documentation (letters of reference, transcripts) to jobs@watertown.k12.ma.us referencing the position(s) in which you are interested. Electronic submission of resumes is strongly preferred.

EDCO Critical Needs/Diversity Job Fair

We will be participating in the EDCO Critical Needs job fair tomorrow at the JF Kennedy Middle School in Waltham.

This major recruitment event is being co-sponsored by the EDCO Collaborative, the Massachusetts Department of Education (Mass DOE), Empowering Multicultural Initiatives (EMI) and the MAALANA Affinity Group. The participating districts are actively seeking teachers in a variety of critical needs areas for the 2008-2009 school year. Districts are also seeking candidates of color at all levels, PK-12. Candidates should possess or be eligible for a Massachusetts educator license prior to the start of the 2008-2009 school year.

Also participating are Acton, Acton-Boxborough, Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Brockton, Canton, Concord, Concord-Carlisle, EDCO Collaborative, Fall River, Lexington, Lincoln, Malden, Newton, Waltham, Weston, and Worcester.

We believe we have an extremely attractive school district in which to begin or continue a teaching career.

We are interested in hiring educators who engage students in cooperative learning, service learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and authentic assessment, and who are interested in innovative instructional approaches.

Please see our job postings and review our other careers related information . We have also made available our recruiting fair brochure at the HR home page.

Our employment application can be downloaded from our website. When submitting material, please include a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and letters of reference using the job number referenced in the posting.

Updates to the WPS Personnel Office Pages

The Personnel Office has been updating and adding to the “Personnel” pages on the watertown.k12.ma.us website. Our new content includes substantial information on civil rights and Massachusetts Department of Education compliance material. We have also added new content of interest to those seeking employment in the Watertown Public Schools: licensure information, driving directions, and job descriptions.

Using Technology in the Classroom

Teacher Tube Video: “Pay Attention.

New Teacher Payroll Questions – “How Stuff Works”

After my induction program session, I was asked further questions regarding “HOW STUFF WORKS.” My hope is that this will answer most of your questions, but if not, please feel free to call or email me.

 

Payroll. By contract, teachers are paid their annualized salary over 26 pay periods. At the end of the year, teachers will have accrued four weeks of salary earned, but not yet paid. Before the end of the year, you will be given the option to receive this earned salary in a lump payment or to continue to receive payment over the summer.

 

Deductions. Massachusetts is a non-social security state and has its own teacher pension system. Your contributions to the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System are in lieu of paying social security tax. You do, however, pay Medicare tax to the Federal Government. The percentage of your contribution to the MTRS depends on when you’ve entered the system, but teachers new to the profession in Massachusetts would generally contribute at 11%. You can find the schedule for the percentage applicable to you at the MTRS website.

 

Also deducted from your gross pay are the Massachusetts state and the Federal income taxes. There are instances that would cause changes to your deductions without a change to your gross pay. For instance, the first $2000 of contribution to your pension are not taxed Federally. If you have questions regarding your tax deductions, please feel free to contact payroll.

 

If you have elected health or other insurance coverages offered through the town, these deductions would also be reflected in your check. If you have elected to enroll in the cafeteria plan, these would be deducted pre-tax, if not they would be deducted after tax.

 

If you have elected to become a member of the Watertown Educators’ Association (WEA), or Teachers’ Union, you will have union dues deducted as well. If you have chosen not to join the association, there will be an agency fee deducted. An agency fee is a fee assessed by the union to cover expenses associated with administering the collective bargaining agreement.

 

Direct Deposit vs. Check. If you have elected direct deposit, you will receive a deposit on a bi-weekly basis and will receive a non-negotiable (not spendable) statement called an advice of deposit that looks like a paycheck. It will break out your salary and deductions. Pay days are Thursdays and the pay week runs from Thursday to Wednesday. Check are generally delivered to each individual school and will be distributed there.

 

Yearly Statements. At the beginning of the year, you should expect a statement from Central Office. This statement will detail the following: Your FTE (full time equivalent), step and column on the salary scale, accrued sick days/personal days, and years toward the collectively bargained longevity benefit and what if any benefit to which you may be entitled. If you have any questions regarding the accuracy of the statement, please contact the Personnel Office.

 

Moving Columns. A compensable factor on the teachers’ scale is educational attainment. The columns negotiated in the Watertown collective bargaining agreement for Unit A – the Teachers – are Bachelor’s Degree, 15 course credits over Bachelors’ degree, Masters’ degree, 15 credits over Masters’ degree, 30 credits over Masters’, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)/Doctorate. As you complete additional credit hours, be sure to forward your transcripts to Personnel. Please note, though, credit hours over a degree (B+15,M+15, M+30) must be completed after completion of a degree by contract. Sometimes people have completed coursework over and above the requirements of their degree programs, but do so before completion of that degree. Those credits are not applicable to advancing on the scale – i.e. a Masters’ program requires 36 credits, and at the time you matriculate from your graduate program you have taken 51 credit hours, you are eligible only for the Masters’ (“M”) column of the salary scale because the additional credit hours were not completed after completion of the degree.

 

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact your building Principal or the Personnel Office.

Schedule for Teachers’ Opening Day

The first day of school for Teachers is September 4

The Scheduled Program for opening day is as follows:

• 8:00-9:30:  Breakfast reception for all faculty (Watertown High Cafeteria)

• 10:00 – 12:00  Faculty Meetings at Individual Schools
  • District, School, and Department goals: A Tapestry
  • (Elementary) My Learning Goals: Professional Development Planning
  • (Secondary) Student’s Rights & Faculty Responsibilities: Student Services

• 12:00 – 12:30 LUNCH BREAK
• 12:30 – 3:00 
  • High School Department Meetings
    • Department Improvement Plans and Goal Setting
    • Common Assessments
  • Middle School Cluster and Curriculum Meetings
    • Organizational Skills for students
    • Curriculum Planning

•    Elementary Grade Level Team Meetings
  • Learning Styles and our students

And finally, on September 5 our Professional Staff Meeting

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

8:00 – 12 Noon  Breakout Sessions

                             All Classroom, ELL, Guidance, and Special Education Teachers:

• Think Math Seminar: Focus on Assessment and Data Driven Instruction at Hosmer
• Elementary FAPA Department Meeting at JR Lowell
• Elementary PE Teachers Department Meeting at Cunniff

12:00 – 12:30    LUNCH

12:30 – 3:00    Classroom Preparation 

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

 8:00 – 12 Noon  Breakout Sessions

• Dell Workshop
• MyLearningPlan instruction
• Integrated Emotional Services
• Easy Grade Program

12:00 – 12:30    LUNCH

12:30 – 3:00    Classroom Preparation 

HIGH SCHOOL

 8:00 – 12 Noon  Classroom Preparation

 

12:00 – 12:30    LUNCH

12:30 – 3:00    Breakout Sessions

• Dell Workshop
• MyLearningPlan instruction