Register in advance for upcoming compensation webinars
 As shared in a letter to all employees on March 18, 2022, from Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, Division Superintendent, and Dr. Donna Eagle, Chief Human Resources Officer, PWCS is making a number of enhancements to pay plans in support of our strategic plan goal of ensuring regionally competitive pay. Human Resources (HR) is hosting optional webinars for all staff to learn more about the impact of these changes and also provide an opportunity to address questions and concerns. Webinars are only open to PWCS employees (require a valid PWCS email) and will be offered virtually via Zoom, as follows. Advance registration is required. In addition, you can view a video explaining the changes to pay plans here.
Congratulations to Mary Ruth Spencer
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Mary Ruth Spencer, seventh-grade English teacher at Gainesville Middle School, was chosen to attend the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) “The Space Age on the Space Coast” event. In this grant-funded opportunity, educators learn to shape their classrooms to engage students in authentic historical inquiry about an era and location in U.S. history. Spencer travels to Florida's Space Coast in July to interact with historians, education specialists, astronauts, and engineers to study the space era. |
"Spending a week studying the Space Age thrills me both personally and professionally." says Spencer. "I work in a highly collaborative middle school atmosphere. As a creative writing teacher, I am looking for ways to incorporate more science into our creative writing class. This will help me to create projects that include language arts, math, and science!"
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PWCS Info and Updates
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Workplace visitors welcome on April 28
Thursday, April 28, 2022, is National "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" and is recommended for children aged 8–18 years. While the School Division does not make special plans to observe this holiday Division-wide, the observance offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen the connection between public education and career opportunities. Schools are asked to treat student absences for this cause as any other excused absence. Accommodations will be made for staff members who wish to bring their children to work with them on this day.
QR code stickers to be placed on school doors as PWCS transitions to ProxiGuard
Please note: School security patrols and residents will soon begin using a new accountability system, ProxiGuard, to conduct security checks. ProxiGuard is an app for scanning QR code stickers, creating a time and date stamp in a cloud-based server. Security patrols will also use the new system, meaning even schools who do not have security residents will see QR code stickers on four doors around the exterior of each building. At schools that have a security resident, existing RFID tags (small black discs) will be replaced with QR codes in the same location. Please do not remove them.
PWCS makes online Book Creator available to staff, students
PWCS recently purchased Book Creator for all students and staff. Book Creator is an online resource that allows you to create multimedia ebooks. Combine text, images, audio, and video to create interactive stories, reports, portfolios, journals, books, instruction manuals, comics, and more. Visit the Teacher Resources site on the PWCS Intranet for more information.
PWCS benefits open enrollment ends April 21
PWCS benefits open enrollment will end this Thursday, April 21. Please view the Open Enrollment Canvas Page if you have any questions regarding making changes to your benefits during open enrollment.
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For Educators |
Family Life Education videos alone are not sufficient
When teaching Family Life Education (FLE), teachers should follow the lessons outlined in the FLE Educators Guides on the FLE intranet page. The lessons use active learning strategies and supporting scripts that are effective in teaching FLE concepts.
Parents may find FLE information on the Science and Family Life Education webpage. Remember to provide notification to parents of the dates of FLE at least one week prior to instruction. Questions? Contact Kathy Keesee at lanzafk@pwcs.edu or 703-791-7847.
Course provides information about the ITC role in PWCS
If you're interested in learning what it takes to become an instructional technology coach (ITC) in PWCS, participate in one of two "Exploring the ITC Position" courses for PWCS certified staff, scheduled on Tuesday, April 26, or Tuesday, May 24. Register for Exploring the ITC Position, course 34556. Questions? Contact Dani Hall at halldc@pwcs.edu.
Take Creative Educator course to infuse creativity into blended learning classrooms
This INT-Creative Educator course #34646 will use Creative Cloud Express, Canva, and Book Creator to explore how creativity is a fundamental element of Universal Design for Learning, making learning accessible to all students. Join sessions for:
- Secondary educators (section 112130) from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on April 27- May 25
- Elementary educators (section 112131) from 5:45-6:45 p.m. on April 27-June 1
Questions? Contact Diane Harazin at harazid@pwcs.edu.
Be the change in educational leadership!
James Madison University will be forming a new PWCS cohort for Educational Leadership. Earn a master's degree, or if you already have a master's, earn your leadership certificate. Learn more at informational meetings from 5-6pm on April 28, in room 3011 at the Kelly Leadership Building or on May 11 for a virtual Zoom. Contact Dr. Sheila Huckestein, JMU Site Supervisor with any questions, at huckessl@pwcs.edu.
Secondary teachers: Apply for Teacher Writing Institutes this Summer
Teacher Writing Institute is a 40-hour learning opportunity for secondary teachers that begins virtually in late June, with in-person sessions in August and the fall. Participants become Northern Virginia Writing Project Teacher Leaders prepared to enhance writing instruction in their classrooms. See details in the course link. Those interested should seek principal approval, then register for PWCS Teacher Writing Institute (Grades 6-12) course #33786. Registration closes on May 6.
Questions? Contact Janice Thorpe, thorpejx@pwcs.edu.
Full Discovery Education platform is now available
Teachers now have access to the full Discovery Education daily learning platform. Find engaging, high-quality content, time-saving teaching and assessment tools, and professional learning that works with your schedule. Access Discovery Education from Clever, Canvas, or login to Discovery Education.
Questions? Contact Sandra L Massey (masseysl@pwcs.edu).
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Reminders |
Pay statement emails to be discontinued
As shared in the April 5 Communicator, the Division process of emailing pay stubs to employees will be discontinued after the April 29, 2022, pay date. Statements are available from the Employee Self Service (ESS) webpage.
Questions? Contact PWCSPayrollOffice@pwcs.edu with questions regarding pay. Contact ESSAdministrator@pwcs.edu for assistance with ESS.
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Do you have a submission for Communicator?
Communicator publishes on Tuesday morning. Submissions are due by 8 a.m. on Friday of the week prior to publication. Send submissions for Communicator via this form or via email to Theresa Brenner at brennetx@pwcs.edu.
All posted content, including any internally linked documents, must pass Accessibility standards. View archived issues of Communicator and additional submission information on the intranet.
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