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.