August 2016 Volume 1, Issue 1 Substitute Bulletin WELCOME BACK We are excited to welcome each of you back for the 2016-2017 school year!! This is the first issue of the newsletter that will be published online and distributed via email to keep certified substitutes up to date with current information. Please take a moment to review this newsletter for important updates and reminders. ONLINE SUBSTITUTE PAGE Human Resources has under gone some changes to their webpages. In an effort to make navigation easier for everyone, the webpages have a new look and links on all the pages to help you transition between the different pages in Human Resources. You will still find the blue Substitutes button on the district home page on the right hand side of the page. On the Substitute web page you will find the information that you need for the year such as the School Calendar, Substitute Salary Schedule, and the current Substitute Payroll Calendar. There will be notices posted and links to the newsletters. For the Substitute Help Desk: Contact: Janet Ward Hours: Monday Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Phone: 850-833-5817 Email: wardj1@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us INSIDE THIS ISSUE Online Substitute Page... 1 Things to Know... 2 Update Information... 2 SFE Profile... 3 Cancellations... 3 Classroom Tips... 4 Long Term /Extended Sub 4 Badges and Certificates... 5 Be Prepared... 5 Reminders... 5 What If?... 6 101 Reasons... 6
THINGS TO KNOW REMEMBER: You must work nine (9) times each school year in order to remain as an active substitute for the 2016-2017 school year. The first day of school was August 10, 2016 and the last day is May 29, 2017. You must have 60 college credit hours, AA Degree or higher to become a substitute teacher. The ParaPro Test qualifies you to accept work as a CRA (classroom assistant). It does not qualify an individual to be a substitute teacher. UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION ACCESS ID AND PIN REMINDERS If you are unable to log into the SFE (SmartFindExpress) select the Trouble Signing In icon. You need an email in your profile for the system to email you the information. If you currently do not have an email in your profile call 850-833-5817 or email: wardj1@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us QUICK LINK SHEET It is the beginning of the year and time to update your information in the SmartFindExpress. Human Resources will use your email address listed in the SmarFindExpress as a source or communication. Please check the information in your SFE profile to make sure that your address, phone number and email address are correct. If you have not put your email into your profile, please update SFE with this information. Having your email on file helps with the following; The Quick Link Sheet includes information on the following: System Access Information Instructions Receive up-to-date with what is going on with the school district Retrieve your Access ID and Pin number System Call out times. Cancellation Reasons Instructions on the different areas when you access the system by phone. Online options are also provided and give the visual side of the system. You can do the exact same thing online that you can do by phone. Information on jobs that you accept or cancellations. Newsletters and other correspondence that may be used to communicate with all substitutes. To Review, add or change your email: 1. Log into SmartFindExpress: https://sems.okaloosa.k12.fl.us 2. In the top right hand corner select Profile 3. Select Update Email 2
KNOW YOUR SFE PROFILE There are many features in the SFE that can be used as a substitute. You will need to sign into your account online to access the different tools available to you. From your Home Page you can: Modify Profile Information Get Help While You Work Review Announcements View/ Modify Work Schedule Access Available Jobs Review Assignments Learn to use the tools that are provided for you in your profile. Start by using your HELP button. In this area you will find a full color illustrated user guide that will take you through each area of you SFE profile. There are videos that can be accessed as well. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE : 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR All district sites and departments will be closed in recognition of the following days: September 5th: Labor Day November 11th: Veterans Day November 24th : Thanksgiving December 25th Christmas Day January 1st: New Year s Day January 16th: Martin Luther King Day February 20th: Presidents Day May 29th: Memorial Day CANCELLATIONS All school sites and departments will be closed during the following break periods: November 21st 25th Thanksgiving Holiday December 19th January 2 Winter Break Cancellations within 24 hours of a job are one of the top reasons classrooms go unfilled. This causes problems with consistency for the school site and in the classroom. In an effort to increase the districts daily fill rate please try to adhere to the following: If a job must be cancelled every effort should be made to do so immediately, preferably no later than 24-hours prior to the start of the job. March 13th 17th Spring Break Teacher Work Days No Substitute Required October 7th January 3rd March 10th Cancellations the morning of the job should only occur in case of emergencies or illness You must contact the school if you are trying to cancel within 2 hours or less to let the school know you cannot substitute for that day. Other Important Dates May 29th: Last Day of school 3
CLASSROOM TIPS When you are a first time substitute the thought of running a classroom can be over whelming. Here are a few tips that can help you in the classroom 1. Arrive at the school at the appointed work time so that you can learn the layout of the room. 2. Find the lesson plan and all materials that pertain to the classroom assignments for the day. Some teachers may leave notes for you to follow. 3. Greet the students as they come in the room. You can put the assignment for the day on the board to help direct them. Three things to remember: Follow The Lesson Plan The teachers are counting on you to complete their lessons plan Manage The Classroom You can find classroom management tips on the internet. Ask some of the teachers for tips on how to run a classroom. Be Reliable Show up on time, complete lesson plans, keep the classroom under control and keep cancelations to a minimum. 4. Be mindful of what you say to the students. A long term substitute teaching position is defined as an assignment that will exceed 20 working days for the same teacher. This assignment is decided by the school. To be eligible, the substitute must have a bachelor s degree or higher. An extend substitute teaching position is defined as an assignment that will exceed 60 working days for the same teacher. Again, this assignment is decided by the school. The payroll schedule for the long term and extended substitutes can be found on the substitute page located on the district website. 4 LONG TERM AND EXTENDED SUBSTITUTES
BADGES AND CERTIFICATES Please wear your district badges at all time. You may notice that some badges now have expiration dates. All newly hired substitutes and those that have renewed their certificates this year now have a badge with an expiration date. Please keep your certificate up to date. Substitute Teaching Certificates are either a three year county certificate or a FL Professional Teaching Certificate. Please take note of the expiration date on the certificate. BE PREPARED FOR A BUSY YEAR Last year was a busy year for substitutes. A big Thank You to everyone for your hard work. This year your teachers will again be participating in Professional Development during class time. As most of you know this will add more jobs into the system for subbing opportunities. Remember to visit the schools you want to substitute at for the year. REMINDERS Remember to check in with front office every time you enter the school and when you finish your day. Please make sure to return any keys issued to you at the end of each day. Wear the district ID badge at all times while on school grounds. Some substitute jobs may be a vacancy or roaming positions. This means you will work in different classrooms. Volunteering is a great way for the school to get to know you and a chance for you to be in classroom with a teacher to learn classroom management and how to run a lesson plans. Have a great school year. 5
Whether it s a couple of minutes before the bell or you need to come up with a 20-minute assignment, asking, What if? can springboard a discussion or writing assignment at any grade level. Here are some examples: What If? What if you could have a wild animal for a pet? What animal would you choose and why? What if you were President for one day? What would you do? What if you could travel back in time? What date would you choose and where would you go? What if you could spend the day with someone famous? Who would that be and what would you want to do for the day? This is a great way to fill a void at any time during the day. 101 Reasons Why It is Great To be A Sub Utah State University compiled this list of 101 Reasons why it is great to be a substitute. These reasons were sent in by your colleagues. Here are just a few off the list. See if you agree. A fresh new face A new voice to encourage and reward A student s smile of understanding Being a positive influence Challenging Disseminator of knowledge is wealth The ability to inspire thinking Variety of assignments Working in different classrooms Rewarding Sense of accomplishment watching the students learn Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I may Remember, Involve me and I learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin