2010 – 2011Substitute Orientation

Core Beliefs

We believe that…….

• kids come first• continuous improvement is

critical for the success of the Northwest Independent School District

• the success of each student is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools and communities

• environment influences learning

Vision Statement

The best and most sought-after school district where every student is

future ready:• Ready for college• Ready for the global workplace• Ready for personal success

Mission Statement

Northwest Independent School District, in partnership with parents and community, will provide all students a premier education, preparing them to be successful, productive citizens.

District LeadershipDr. Karen G. Rue

Superintendent

• Gary Gindt • Assistant Superintendent Administrative Services

• Edward Chevallier• Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

• Dennis McCreary• Assistant Superintendent Facilities, Planning and

Construction

• Jon Graswich • Chief Financial Officer

• Jerhea Nail• Special Assistant to the Superintendent

Administrative Services Support Staff

Carl Shawn – Director of Technology Grade Book Hardware Support Distance Learning Network

Glenda Beam – Director of Safety and Security and Food Service Coordinator Emergency Operations Plans Safety and Security Drills Food Services

Kyle Copp –Executive Director of Human Resources Recruiting Personnel Issues Hiring

Kitty Poehler –Executive Director of Personnel Services Substitutes Benefits Workers Compensation

Gary Gindt – Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services

What’s new for 2010-2011 School Year ?

• All substitutes that are certified teachers who wish to take long term assignments must take the Ventures Style Profiler

• All substitutes must attend the mandatory training sessions

• Increased staff development will increase the need for substitutes

• Substitutes must work at a minimum of 3 NISD Campuses

• 90 days of inactivity will result in removal from the active substitute list

• Individuals removed from the active list must reapply and meet the current requirements

• Letter of Reasonable Assurance

Long Term Classroom Substitutes

• Requires Texas Certification• Requires certification in subject area• Must complete the Ventures Style Profiler

unless prior NISD Teacher or Retired Teacher for any Texas ISD

• Retired Texas Teachers should not take assignments over 90 days in order not to jeopardize monthly retirement payment

• Please see Cecilia Coker at the end of the presentation for further instructions

Substitute General Information• Effective January 1, 2006 all substitutes

must have 2 years of college experience• Applicants will be placed on the active

list after: • application,• references, • background checks and

fingerprinting have been approved,

• interviewed,• attend orientation session.• Submit all required paperwork

• Northwest will select the best applicants who meet the Districts needs

• Substitute employees are at will employees who may be terminated from service at any time.

Substitute Evaluation• Northwest Independent School District

will evaluate substitute employees who take assignments of 5 days or more

• Evaluations will be used to recognize positive and negative feedback

• Evaluations will be given on unsatisfactory performance at any time

• A principal may exclude an individual from their campus

• Any substitute who receives 3 exclusions from any NISD campuses for unsatisfactory employment will be removed from the active substitute list

Removal from the Active Substitute ListAn occurrence of the following behaviors may result in

immediate removal from the Active Substitute List:• Using profanity in the presence of students• Endangering students by leaving them

unattended for inappropriate amounts of time or by falling asleep in the classroom

• Making sexually or racially inappropriate oral/written comments or displaying inappropriate graphic or physical conduct, or subjecting students to racial or sexual harassment

• Using alcohol or unlawful drugs on school premises

• Insubordination• Willful violation of school rules/regulations• Willful refusal to follow instructions and or

lesson plans left by the classroom or 3 exclusions from NISD Campus Substitute Evaluation Forms

• 90 days of in-activity• Failure to substitute at 3 or more NISD

Campuses• Any other inappropriate behavior

Substitute SalaryNo Degree or Teacher Certification $65.00/day one-half day (up to five hours) $50.00/dayDegree $75.00/day one-half day (up to five hours) $60.00/dayDegree & Teacher Certification $80.00/day one-half day (up to five hours) $60.00/day

After Ten Consecutive days for the Same TeacherNo Degree or Teacher Certification $70.00/dayDegree $80.00/dayDegree & Teacher Certification $90.00/day

After Twenty-Five Consecutive Days for the Same Teacher(Must have degree and teacher certification)Degree $85.00/dayDegree & Teacher Certification $134.00/day Substitutes for paraprofessional employees

$60.00/day one-half day (up to five hours) $40.00/day

Substitutes for paraprofessional employees $70.00/day

who serve in Special Ed Classroom one-half day (up to five hours) $50.00/day

The salary for substituting for a paraprofessional is the same regardless of degree or certification.

General Guidelines• Duty hours 5 to 8 hours per day• Do not release a child to anyone without

permission from the main office• Maintain confidentiality• Do not take or hold money for students• Do not leave the building without

notifying the principal• Never take a book or newspaper to read

when you are expected to be on duty

Professional Ethics• Exercise caution when expressing

personal opinions and reactions to any subject

• Be prompt and professional• Complaints and compliments should be

directed to the building principal

Dress Code• Dress professional• Appearance should be neat and clean• Avoid uncomfortable shoes and clothing• Select clothing that will allow you to

bend down and stoop over

What not to wear• Blue jeans, sweat pants and shorts

should not be worn except on “field day” or other special activity

• Blouses, shirts or tops that reveal the midriff or chest may not be worn

• Hats and caps are not allowed inside the campus buildings unless it is a field day or special activity

• Clothing of any sort that contains a message that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other type of message that may cause disruption or disturbance in school; and

• Clothing which contains obscene or suggestive language

Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs• Northwest prohibits the use of any tobacco

products on District premises

• Employees shall not manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any of the following substances during working hours while at school or at school-related activities during or outside of usual working hours: Any controlled substance or dangerous drug as defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate

• Alcohol or any alcoholic beverage• Any abusable glue, aerosol paint, or

any other chemical substance for inhalation

• Any other intoxicant, or mood-changing, mind-altering, or behavior-altering drugs

Moral TurpitudeMoral turpitude includes but is not limited to: • Dishonesty; fraud; deceit; theft;

misrepresentation; • Deliberate violence; • Base, vile, or depraved acts that are intended

to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor;

• Felony possession, transfer, sale, distribution, or conspiracy to possess, transfer, sell, or distribute any controlled substance defined in Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code

• Acts constituting public intoxication, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, or disorderly conduct, if any two or more acts are committed within any 12-month period; or

• Acts constituting abuse under the Texas Family Code

On the job injuries• If you are injured while on the job as a

substitute, you must report the injury to the principal immediately

• This report must be completed no matter how small or insignificant your injury may be

• The principal will give guidance and assistance on necessary procedures and paperwork

Acceptable Use of the Electronic Communications System• The account is to be used only for

educational and administrative purposes. You are responsible for not sharing the account password with others.

• You will be held responsible at all times for the proper use of your account, and the District may suspend or revoke your access if you violate the rules.

• Copyright: Users are expected to follow existing copyright laws, copies of which are available in each school library.

• Remember that people who receive e-mail from you with a school address might think your message represents the school's point of view. Use of the system does not indicate that the system user represents the District.

Inappropriate Uses• Using the system for any illegal purpose • Borrowing someone's account without permission

• Posting personal information about yourself or others (such

as addresses and phone numbers)

• Downloading, distributing, or using copyrighted information without permission from the copyright holder

• Posting messages or accessing materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another's reputation, or illegal

• Wasting school resources through improper use of the computer system

• Gaining unauthorized access to restricted information or resources

• Disrupting the use of the network or the school environments by other users

• Using inappropriate language, swearing, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, and any other inflammatory language

• Impolite messages or communications

• Using the system for commercial, income-generating, or "for-profit” activities; product advertisement; or political lobbying

• Sending unsolicited junk mail or chain letters

Safety and Security• Safety/Evacuations

• You must sign in and out each day you substitute

• All visitors and staff are required to wear an ID Badge or Sticker

• If you are not provided with a copy of the school’s emergency operations flip chart, please request a copy from the office

• Familiarize yourself with your surroundings so that you know how to evacuate the class in the event of a fire drill or other emergency

• Know where the nearest exits are located

• Have a class roster to take with you as you evacuate the building

Safety and Security• Each NISD Campus has an emergency

operations plan• While on the campus you may be given

confidential information regarding certain parts of the emergency operations plan

• For the students and staff safety this information can never be shared with anyone

• What is an emergency operations plan?• Detailed plan with evacuation

instructions• Parent student reunification

locations (Confidential)• First aid procedures• Mandatory drills• Three year campus audits• Audit team

Safety and Security• At any time you may be asked to

participate in:• Lock down drills• Fire drills• Bad weather drills (drop,

cover and hold)• Shelter in place• Evacuation (Off-site)• Reverse evacuation

Safety and Security• Lock down drills

• To ensure the safety of students and staff• Students will be moved away from windows

and doors• Blinds will be closed• Doors will be locked• Windows on doors will be covered• Notifications may be made over the

intercom• Notifications may be made over a radio• Be quiet• Do not call anyone on your cell phone and

turn the ringer off• Do not panic and remain calm• You will not know the reason for the lock

down• Each campus will provide you with a folder

outlining drill procedures

Safety and Security• Tornado

• Blinds will be closed• Students will be moved to safe

location in the building or classroom

• Fire• Students and staff will be

evacuated to the designated area either in or outside of the building

Emergency Notifications• Automated calling system• Notifies parents of closings and campus

lock down• District website• Local news stations and radio stations

General Safety and Security Procedures• Do not prop doors open • Wear your badge or substitute sticker at

all times• Do not let anyone in from exterior doors

even if you know them• Escort visitors to the front office to sign

in• Do not release a student to anyone

without office approval• Lock your classroom when you leave

Handling Illness and Accidents• Do not touch a student where he/she is

bleeding, even if you use gloves. Provide the student with tissue or paper towels, instructing them to hold it on their wound

• If appropriate, send the student to the nurse’s office for further care. If the situation is an emergency, dial 911 and notify the office immediately

• Do not administer medicine of any kind to students (no aspirin, cough medicine, prescription or non-prescription drugs)

Student Pick-up• Know procedures for escorting students

to bus pick-up/parent pick-up.• Elementary Substitutes – no elementary

substitute teacher may leave before all his/her students have been picked up at the end of the day.

Campus Start Time

7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. - Elementary Campus

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Middle Schools

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Northwest High School

15/15 RULE

Responsibilities of the Substitute

Consult the campus office manager for:• procedures for checking attendance• special instructions from the principal• special activities planned for the day• special duties assigned to the teacher

for whom you are substituting• notify the campus office manager or

sub coordinator if you are unable to fulfill an assignment at the last minute

Responsibilities of the Substitute

• Arrive at school with enthusiasm• Be firm but not demeaning• React quickly and decisively to

situations• Diffuse difficult situations and then

redirect the student’s actions• Be sure the praise the students for their

hard work• Show how much you value class time by

not wasting time casually chatting• Manage by walking around• Handle wrong answers without failure

and criticism• Notify the principal if you have any

concerns about a student

Helpful Hints• Practice confidentiality• Dress neatly and professionally• Relate to the students in a positive

manner• Carry out discipline privately• Be patient• Use a pleasant, but firm approach to

quickly establish rapport with students• Follow the designated lesson plan

Helpful Hints

• Have pride in Northwest Independent School District

• Respect the confidence of fellow teachers

• Report any serious situations or problems to the principal

• Do not discuss complaints about a teacher with parents. Refer the parent to the building principal

Discipline• Substitute teachers are expected to assume

responsibility for the discipline in their groups and to assist in the correction of all other irregularities that may occur.

• Teachers should, at all times, exhibit to their pupils respect

• The Student Code of Conduct containing information regarding student discipline shall be distributed at the beginning of the school year to students, parents, teachers and administrators.

• The Board prohibits the use of corporal punishment in the District. Students shall not be spanked, paddled, or otherwise physically disciplined for violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

• Deal with problems “on the spot”. • Don’t degrade the student in front of the

class. • Be sure to have all the facts and listen to both

sides. • Give the child the benefit of the doubt!

Substitute Handbook Receipt• All substitutes will be required to read

the Substitute Handbook and sign the handbook receipt

• Failure to sign and return the handbook receipt will result in removal from active substitute list

Fred Jones Discipline Tools for Substitutes• New for 2010-2011 is a web

site all substitutes are strongly encouraged to visit. The address for the website is fredjones.com

• Once at the website you can click on “Tips for Substitutes” on the right. This gives you access to several classroom management techniques for all grade levels. Substitutes are encouraged to down load as many as you can use in the classroom.

Quick Bites

• Substitutes for Northwest High School will need to park in the northeast lot.

• It is the substitute’s responsibility to inform HR of any status changes in degree or certification information.

• Be sure to check out the new monthly payroll information at our website.

Administrative Notes

Staff Link

www.nisdtx.orgClick on Staff

AESOP • The Link to AESOP is located under the

Staff Menu• Your User ID for AESOP is the primary

phone number listed on your original application

• Your PIN for AESOP is the last four digits of your Social Security number

• Set up your profile immediately• Be sure not to block unknown calls on

your home phone• The phone number that appears on Caller

ID is 800-942-3767• AESOP will email you if the details of your

absence change• AESOP will not call you if the district has

a delay or weather cancellation• Any questions regarding the AESOP

System should be directed to Cecilia Coker

Employee Access Center (EAC)

• The link to the Employee Access Center is located under the staff link on the District’s website

• Your USER Name and PIN is your six digit employee identification number

• All demographic changes must be made in the EAC

• Changes feed to AESOP on a weekly basis

• You can find your pay stub on this site• You can review your credentials on this

site

Human Resources Link

Click on Departments

www.nisdtx.org

Human Resources Link

Click on Human Resources

www.nisdtx.org

Human Resources Link

Click on Substitute Information

www.nisdtx.org

Substitute Handbook• School Calendar• Substitute’s Salary Scale• Monthly Payroll Schedule• Campus Directions• Emergency Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions• Overview of everything

you need to know but were afraid to ask

Questions?

Thanks for taking time out of your day to help the students of Northwest ISD.