New Teacher Orientation

The summer is quickly coming to a close, and while the days may be getting shorter we’re anxiously awaiting the start of a new school year. We have one of the largest cohorts of new teachers to Watertown this year than I’ve seen in the six years I’ve been Director of Personnel here.

Our induction program kicks off next week, running from August 20-23, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the James Russell Lowell Elementary School

Monday’s Scheduled programs:

• Welcome & Introductions; District, School, and Teaching & Learning Goals; Personnel Issues
• Lunch
• First Class email and conferencing, Trolley Tour of Watertown

Tuesday’s Scheduled programs:

• Student Services & Special Education; English Language Learners
• Lunch
• Educational Technology and TeacherWeb

Wednesday’s Scheduled programs:

• Mentors & Principals meeting
• Professional Development and Induction Program during the school year

Thursday’s Scheduled programs:

• K-5 Think Math; iPass Student Information System
• Advanced TeacherWeb

One of the materials I will be distributing to our staff on Monday, during the personnel portion of the program is the Watertown Public Schools Civil Rights Training Manual also made available here.

The covered topics are:

Abuse & Neglect – 51A’s

Harassment

Sexual Harassment

Contact Information

Abbreviated Civil Rights Statutes

Non Discrimination

Non Discrimination on the Basis of Sex

Non Discrimination on the Basis of Disability

Review of Instructional Material

Compensatory Education (Title I)

English Language Learners

Homebound Instruction

Equal Educational Opportunities

Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services

Section 504

Education Laws

Access to Equal Educational Opportunity

Education of English Language Learners

Physical Restraint

DOE Comprehensive Review

Internet Resources

While I won’t discuss each of these in detail on Monday, they are all part of the Watertown Public Schools commitment to annual and continuous notice of Civil Rights Laws and regulations.

I’m looking forward to seeing you.

Civil Rights Statutes

As part of our annual and continuous notification to the School, the following statutes are those civil rights statutes for which the Department of Education reviews periodically for compliance.

Federal:
(Note: “U.S.C.” refers to the United States Code, available at http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/. “CFR” refers to the Code of Federal Regulations.
“Et seq.” means “and following.”)

Title VI: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. Title VI is codified at 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.; regulations have been promulgated under it in the Code of Federal Regulations at 34 CFR Part 100 (available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/ocr/edlite-34cfr100.html).

EEOA: the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974
Prohibits the denial of equal educational opportunity in public schools on account of race, color, sex, or national origin. The EEOA is codified at 20 U.S.C. 1701 et. seq.

Title IX: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits based on sex in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Title IX is codified at 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.; regulations have been promulgated under it at 34 CFR Part 106 (available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/ocr/edlite-34cfr106.html).

Section 504: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits based on disability in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 is codified at 29 U.S.C. 794; regulations have been promulgated under it at 34 CFR Part 104 (available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/ocr/edlite-34cfr104.html).

Title II: Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits on the basis of disability in public entities. Title II is codified at 42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq; regulations have been promulgated under it at 28 CFR Part 35 (available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/edlite-28cfr35.html).

IDEA 2004: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:h.1350.enr:)
Governs special education. IDEA 1997 was codified at 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.; regulations were promulgated under it at 34 CFR 300 (available at http://www.ideapractices.org/law/index.php). Until final regulations under IDEA 2004 become effective on October 13, 2006, the Department has the responsibility of enforcing regulations under IDEA 1997 that do not conflict with IDEA 2004.

NCLB: the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Governs elementary and secondary education. NCLB is available at http://www.ed.gov/legis%5BMarker%5Dlation/ESEA02/.
Title X, Part C is the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001: information on this act is available in the Massachusetts Department of Education’s Homeless Education Advisories at [ http://www.doe.mass.edu/mv/haa ]http://www.doe.mass.edu/mv/haa

FERPA: the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents certain rights with respect to those records. FERPA is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; regulations have been promulgated under it at 34 CFR Part 99 (available at [ http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/34cfr99_04.html ]http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/34cfr99_04.html)

Massachusetts:
(Note: Massachusetts education laws are available at [ http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/statelaws.html ]http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/statelaws.html; Massachusetts education regulations are available at [ http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/stateregs.html ]http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/stateregs.html.)

Mass. Const. amend. art. 114: Article CXIV of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution
Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits on the basis of disability in any program or activity in the Commonwealth.

M.G.L. c. 69: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 69
Establishes the powers and duties of the Department of Education. Section 1G requires the Board of Education to set the minimum length for a school day and the minimum number of days in the school year for Massachusetts public schools. Regulations have been promulgated under Section 1G at 603 CMR 27.00.

M.G.L. c. 71: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71
Governs public schools. Section 34D requires promulgation by the Board of Education of student record regulations. Such regulations have been promulgated at 603 CMR 23.00. Section 34H concerns the provision of information by schools to noncustodial parents. Section 37G provides for the use of reasonable force to protect pupils, school personnel, and other persons from assault by a pupil and requires the promulgation by the Board of Education of regulations regarding the use of physical restraint on students. Such regulations have been promulgated at 603 CMR 46.00. Section 37H relates to codes of conduct and handbooks. Section 38Q ½ requires every school district to adopt and implement a curriculum accommodation plan.

M.G.L. c. 71A: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71A
Governs the education of English learners. Regulations have been promulgated under it at 603 CMR 14.00.

M.G.L. c. 71B: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71B
Governs the education of children with special needs. Section 6 relates to the assignment of children to special education classes. Regulations have been promulgated under c. 71B at 603 CMR 28.00.

M.G.L. c. 76: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76
Governs school attendance. Section 5 prohibits discrimination in all public schools on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. Regulations have been promulgated under section 5 at 603 CMR 26.00. Section 18 requires notice to students permanently leaving school.

St. 1965, c. 741: Chapter 741 of the Massachusetts Acts of 1965
Established the maximum age for compulsory school attendance as sixteen.

Current Openings

Our next year school budget does reduce positions, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have vacancies for next year.   Far from it!  Here are some of our current vacancies:

2008-069 General Music & Strings Teacher – Cunniff Elementary School
2008-063 Special Education Teacher  – Middle School
2008-056 English/Social Studies Teacher (8th Grade) – Middle School
2008-050 Science Teacher – Middle School
2008-045 Physical Science Teacher – High School

To review our 2007-2008 Teacher Scale, please click the thumbnail below:

To express interest in a position, please reference the job number on your materials and submit a cover letter, resume, 3 recent letters of reference, copies of college transcripts, and a copy of your teaching licensure. 

Head Football Coach Appointment

Paul Michael Noftsker, Headmaster of Watertown High School, and Steven Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, are pleased to announce the appointment of John A. Cacace III as Head Football Coach at Watertown High School.

Mr. Cacace is a graduate of The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and of Harvard University with a Masters of Education. He has been the Varsity Football Coach at Sharon High School for the past two years, and has held several coaching and assistant coaching positions in the Newton Public Schools. He also works with the Southern New England Rage of the New England Football League as Offensive Coordinator.

Mr. Cacace will be joining Watertown High School next year as a Teacher of Mathematics teaching Applied Algebra, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. His previous teaching experience includes teaching Algebra II and Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry at Sharon High School and mathematics in the Newton Public Schools.

Athletic Director Press Release

Dr. Steven A. Hiersche, Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael A. Lahiff as the Director of Athletics.

Mr. Lahiff holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Springfield College, a Master of Education Degree in Education/Physical Education from Boston College and a Master of Education Degree in Education/School Administration from Salem State College.  From 1979 -1989, Mr. Lahiff was employed by the Stoneham Public Schools as a Health and Physical Education Teacher.  He served as Department Chairperson for Health and Physical Education from 1989 – 1994 for the Somerville Public Schools.  Since, 1994, Mr. Lahiff has served as Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Stoneham Public Schools.

Mr. Lahiff is the senior Athletic Director in The Middlesex League.  He is also the past president of the Middlesex League and its present treasurer.  Mr. Lahiff serves on the MIAA Basketball and Baseball Committees.  He is the recipient of the 2006 MSSADA President’s Award of Merit and in 2003 he received the District B Athletic Director of the Year Award.

As a Basketball Coach he was named the Boston Globe Division III Coach of the Year in 1989 as well as twice being named the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches’ Association Division III Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1989.

Mr. Lahiff’s appointment is a result of a process that began with 31 applicants for the position.  There was a Screening Committee that included parents, community members, School Committee, coaches, and administrators.  They moved three strong candidates forward as finalists.  Mr. Lahiff, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, presently a Professional Baseball Scout and Mr. John Pepi, Director of Athletics for the Worcester Public Schools.

New Teacher Interview Tips

We’re quickly coming into hiring season for new teachers.  In Watertown we will likely have fewer positions available than in previous years, but we do expect we will be hiring – we have already posted Director of Athletics, Head Football Coach, Teacher of High School Mathematics, and Elementary Guidence Counselor/School Psychologist for the 2007-2008 school year.

While we have some interview tips available on the regular personnel site, there are some others I would like to add.

 Jim Pawlak has a regular column on the Worcester Telegram & Gazette website.  In the one I’ve linked to, in particular, deserves the attention of the newly credentialed teacher or, any teacher for that matter, who is seeking a job.

 Some of these characteristics are represented on the “Tips” page: for instance Mr. Pawlak’s “PREPARED” equates to knowing the district & community in which you’re interviewing; his “PUNCTUAL” is spoken directly to by our advice to arrive early, especially if you’re not familiar with the traffic patterns in the community.  Mr. Pawlak brings a couple of other suggestions we haven’t made, but perhaps should. 

“PERSONABLE”  Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the teaching profession, the school, the community.  While stating you love kids is certainly admirable, we’d really like to know how you bring that love of kids and of teaching to the table.

 In his “POSTSCRIPT” he also talks about “professional” email addresses.  I could not agree more – remember everything you submit is being reviewed for professionalism and decision making.  Having an “inappropriate” email address demonstrates an apparent lack of understanding of the seriousness of the work of teaching, and “cute” letter materials obscure the important message that you’re a professional. 

Athletic Director Search Update

A screening committee has been finalized for the Athletic Director position.   Resume review has begun at Central Office and we will have a short list to discuss with the committee.

This is a confidential process until we have publicly named finalists we will maintain the confidentiality of those who have submitted resumes. Confidentiality is highly important – candidates are interviewing Watertown as much as we are interviewing them and how we conduct our process will be important to how candidates will view this opportunity.

We will have an orientation meeting next week wherein we discuss the position and the knowledge, skills, abilities, traits, and beliefs in which we are interested for this position and interviews will be scheduled for the week thereafter.

It is out hope to have finalists to be named by the second week of May.

Hosmer Principal Announcement

It is my distinct pleasure to announce on behalf of Superintendent Steven Hiersche and the Watertown Public Schools, Ms. Anne Hardiman and Mr. William McCarthy have been fully appointed to the positions of Co-Principals of the Hosmer Elementary School effective July 1, 2007.

Both have been Acting Co-Principals of the Hosmer Elementary School for the 2006-2007 school year. Ms. Hardiman was most recently the Early Childhood Coordinator; Mr. McCarthy was most recently the Assistant Principal of the Hosmer.

Mr. McCarthy holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) and a Masters of Education, both from Northeastern University. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston State College and has been teaching in the Watertown Public Schools since 1968. Ms. Hardiman holds a Master of Science from Wheelock College and a Master of Education from Northeastern University. She holds an AB from Boston College and has been teaching in the Watertown Public Schools since 1979.

Civil Rights Presentations

As part of our obligation for annual and continuous notification of civil rights and civil rights issues, as as part of the coordinated review by the Department of Education, The Personnel Office has been making presentations at the Watertown Schools. The Watertown High School, James Russell Lowell Elementary School, Watertown Middle School and the Cunniff Elementary School have all had presentations. The Hosmer Elementary School has the presentation scheduled.

The Powerpoint Presentation being used is available for your viewing with this post by CLICKING HERE. Information covered in the presentations is also available here on the blog by clicking the “Civil Rights” tag on the right hand side or by clicking HERE

Watertown Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs, and activities on the basis of race, color or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); on the basis of sex, in accordance with Title IX of the education Amendments of 1972; on the basis of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); or on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1974 (Age Discrimination Act), or on the basis of sexual orientation or religion in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71B and 151B.

Also, please note that in School Committee Policy on Harassment, the timelines for filing are listed as

180 days at the EEOC and 6 Months with the MCAD.

Those timelines are written into School Committee Policy and can only be changed by vote of the School Committee. The School Committee is currently revising the entirety of policies for the School Department. The actual timelines are 300 days for each agency.

Mandated Reporters: “Caring for Kids”

Information from the Department of Social Services (DSS) on the responsibilities of “mandated reporters” is available at THIS URL (PDF document)

Under Massachusetts law, the Department of Social Services (DSS) is the state agency that receives all reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18. State law requres professionals whose work brings them in contract with children to notify the DSS if they suspect that a child has been – or is at risk of being – abused or neglected. Those professionals are called a “Mandated Reporter.”

Massachusetts law defines psychologists, nurses, public school teachers, educational administrators, guidance counselors, social workers, school attendance officers, among others as Mandated Reporters.

This document explains the DSS, defines mandated reporter, defines responsibilities of mandated reporters, defines abuse and neglect, outlines the reporting procedure, explains the process and possible outcomes, and gives contact information.