JCAA Issues Forums - You can register now!

Register by clicking here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at (303) 982-6839 opt. 3. Please let us know which of the breakfasts you plan to attend.

JCAA has four objectives and a yearly strategic plan for reaching those objectives. As a step toward reaching the objective of "supporting administrators through representation," JCAA holds Fall and Spring Issues Forums each year. During these forums or focus meetings, JCAA members participate in identifying and discussing key issues facing leaders in the Jefferson County School District. Normally following the forums, a report is generated and distributed. For copies of these reports, please call the JCAA office. The forums include an opportunity for members to network with peers while enjoying the complimentary breakfast buffet. Dates and agendas for the Forums are below:

Spring 2006 Issues Forums Meeting Dates - 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

• South Area - Monday, April 10, 2006 - Meadows Golf Club - 6937 S. Simms (From Bowels, go south on Simms past Cole Mine, then right at sign.)
• Central Area - Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - Rolling Hills Country Club - 15707 W. 26th Avenue (From Youngfield and I-70, go west on 32nd to Kendrick St., follow Kendrick past the tennis courts to the Clubhouse.)
• North Area - Monday, April 17, 2006 - Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada -
  7555 Wadsworth Blvd (Turn east on 75th off Wadsworth Blvd into the club.)

Three meetings are held for your convenience. Pick the one with the best date and location for you.

JCAA Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes

As a JCAA member, you are represented by a member of the Board of Directors. Be sure to contact him/her with concerns, suggestions, comments. Reading the minutes from the Board meetings is a very good way to stay informed.

Click here to read the JCAA Board minutes from February 3.
Click here to read the JCAA Board minutes from December 2.
Click here to read the JCAA Board minutes from November 4.

Administrative Compensation

The JCAA Board of Directors, the Administrative Compensation Committee, and district leadership are partnering on a Budgeting for Results proposal for administrative compensation which includes the components our members have identified as important to address. The JCAA Board has unanimously approved the initial draft of the proposal.

JCAA Lobbying for Your Interests

Click here for the February 23, 2006 Legislative Updated Bill Matrix

JCAA is contracted with Aponte & Hogan, Public Affairs Consultants. Their role is to provide JCAA with representation at the Colorado General Assembly, essentially acting as a conduit between JCAA and the legislators by communicating with both on a regular basis and working to influence the outcome of education legislation in a manner that is consistent with the JCAA policy position. This is done by advising the JCAA Legislative Committee and staff on the Colorado political process and developments with education legislation. Aponte & Hogan participate in the weekly meetings of the Education Lobby Caucus and regularly communicate with lobbyists from other education groups, including the Jeffco School District’s lobbyist.

The JCAA Legislative Committee meets to take positions on bills. A matrix of the bills our lobbyists will be following this year is sent to you via email each week. The matrix includes a short summary of the bills, a link to read the full bill if desired, the JCAA position on the bill, who is sponsoring the bill, and the status of the bill. As new JCAA priority bills are introduced, they will be added to the matrix. Members receive an updated matrix each week.

If you are concerned about specific legislation, please contact Mary McNeil or any of the representatives on the JCAA Legislative Committee. If you have connections to a specific legislator and would be willing to contact that legislator when needed in order to advocate for a JCAA position on a bill, please let us know.

Give Us Your Input - Watch for the Survey

How are we doing? The membership satisfaction survey coming out next week is your chance to let us know how we are doing in serving your needs as a professional.

A survey will be sent to you via your email. PLEASE take 10 minutes to complete the survey so we can learn how to better serve you. The survey is completely confidential and will be sent to:

General Members: March 1
Associate Members: March 8
Emeritus Members: March 15

Nondeductible Dues Notice

Please remember that 14% of your dues are not deductible as a trade or business expense on your tax returns, because that portion is allocated to political or lobbying activities of the organization. For more information, please click here.

JCAA Board Nomination Forms / Committee Positions

Nominate Officers: If you are a general member, you will receive a nomination form on the pony in the next few days. As a general member of JCAA, you have the right and privilege to vote for JCAA officers and Board representatives. Please take this opportunity to nominate members for the officer positions up for election. You may nominate any administrator who is a JCAA general member. Nominations will be given to the JCAA Nominations Committee, by whom the final slate will be approved. If you have any questions, please call Mary McNeil at (303) 982-6839, opt. 2. Nominations are due to the JCAA office by March 31, 2006.

List Your Committees: On this same form, we are asking you to please list all the district-level and/or JCAA committees on which you serve or have served for the 2005-2006 school year. Please take time to do this, so that our records are complete and we can recognize you for all your work at our Year End Event Celebration in June.

JCAA Spring 2006 Leadership Development Seminars

REGISTER NOW! This series has been designed to help administrators meet district goals. Be sure to register as soon as possible. Click here for the flyer and more information.

Seminar #101: See the Interviewing Experience in a Different Light
Intended Audience: Aspiring Administrators
Facilitators: Kate Bergles, PBS Coach, Student Services
Karen Leuschel, Executive Director, Human Resources
Kate Wills, Manager, Employee Assistance Program
Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Seminar #102: Lighten Up! Stress Relief Strategies for You and Your Staff
Intended Audience: All
Facilitators: Kate Bergles, PBS Coach, Student Services
Marlene Henderson, Principal, Allendale Elementary
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2006

Seminar #103: Legal Concerns? Avoid the Dark Side of School Administration
Intended Audience: School Based Administrators
Facilitators: Jim Branum, Derek Kiernan-Johnson, and Allen Taggart
Caplan and Earnest LLC
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Seminar #104: The REAL Road to Enlightenment: Preparing for the Joys of Retirement
Intended Audience: All
Facilitators: Heather Clifton, Education Consultant and a Panel of Retired Administrators
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2006

Seminar #105: Shining a Light on the Elementary Calendar: When to be Prepared and for What!
Intended Audience: New Elementary Principals and Aspiring Administrators
Facilitators: Debra Greiner, Principal, Glennon Heights Elementary
Blanche Kapushion, Principal, Kyffin Elementary
Date: Monday, April 24, 2006

Building Leadership Capacity Workshop Series

REGISTER NOW! JCAA has offered a 7-part workshop series based on the 6 NAESP standards of the principalship to help new and aspiring administrators gain insight into the complexities of the school administrator's role. The series is designed for education professionals, teachers and instructional coaches who are aspiring to become administrators or would like to explore the role of the school administrator. There are 2 workshops left in the series for which you can register.

Click here for the flier.

Emeritus Members Focus on Wellness Thinkshops

All members are invited to attend the Thinkshops being sponsored by the JCAA Emeritus Members Program Steering Committee. The focus for the thinkshops is on wellness. The last in the series is coming up. REGISTER NOW by emailing Mary Wagner.

Emeritus Thinkshop: Nursing Homes A-Z
Presented by Jan Perino, Admissions Director
and Kathy Larrow, Director of Marketing
Cherrelyn Health Care Center
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Jeffco Credit Union at 355 Union Blvd in Lakewood

Do you have a loved one in need of nursing home care? Would you like to learn more about the admissions process? Are you confused by the financial options? The facilitators of this Thinkshop will cover:
- What to look for in a nursing home facility
- How to make the decision to put your loved one in a nursing home
- How to choose a health care facility
- How to apply for Medicaid
- Understanding financial aspects like spend down
- What subacute rehab means
- When and how to do a home evaluation

The facilitators will also be available to answer your questions.

Cost:
Complimentary for JCAA General, Associate and Full Emeritus Members
$5 Patron Emeritus Members
$10 for Nonmembers

Save this date for the Emeritus Member Breakfast!

May 10, 2006: Spring Networking Breakfast for Emeritus Members
Those planning to retire this year are more than welcome to attend this breakfast as well!

Administrator Staff Development Fund

As of the January 31 deadline date, funds are no longer available for this fiscal year. You can still submit an application, but you will be placed on a waiting list. The waiting list already has over 6 people. To apply, click here to download the form and send in your application by the next deadline date.

If you were approved for funding this year and no longer plan to attend the conference, please let us know so we can pass those funds on to the next person on the waiting list!

JCAA Spring Networking Social - "Spring Break Party!"

Take advantage of your membership and attend this complimentary networking party!

Please RSVP by clicking here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at 303-982-6839, opt. 3. There is no charge for members to attend. JCAA members enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers. Nonmembers can attend for $25.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Jillians at Colorado Mills Mall
4:30 - 6:30 PM

JCAA Scholarship Application is Available

JCAA will award a $1000 scholarship to a graduating son or daughter of a JCAA general or emeritus member. The scholarship is provided through the generous support of JCAA members. The JCAA scholarship provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements of our colleagues' children and to demonstrate our commitment to the future through continuing education.

Click here to download the scholarship application. The deadline date is April 3.

Save These Dates!

JCAA Year End Celebration Event
Featuring Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Arvada Center for the Arts
7:30 - 11:30 AM

JCAA Motivational Event
Featuring Dr. James Rouse
Friday, July 28, 2006
8:00 - 11:00 AM

District Values Awards

Integrity, Valuing People, Teamwork and Exemplary Performance are the four district values, and we all have colleagues who demonstrate these values through their actions on a daily basis.

Now is your opportunity to honor these exceptional employees through the annual Values Awards program, sponsored by the Anchor Group.

Nomination forms should be submitted online and are now available by going to Employee Connections, Employee Recognition. The link is : http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/communications/recognition/awards_nomination.html

Deadline for nominations is Friday, March 3, 2006.

Remember: Each school/department may honor up to four employees. More than one person can be nominated for the same value, however the maximum number of nominees per site is four. For example, a school might nominate two people for integrity, one for teamwork and one for exemplary performance

This is not a competition; all those who are nominated will be honored at a ceremony Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Arvada Center.

The awards are funded through a grant from The Jefferson Foundation and by Anchor Group composed of leaders from the Board of Education, District Cabinet and the employee associations. The employee recognition program is administered by the Employee Recognition Committee, which includes representatives of JCEA, CSEA, JCAA, the Board of Education and Communications Services.

Remember - EAP Has Moved

The Jeffco Schools Employee Assistance Program moved to the small house located on the campus of the new Brady Exploration School at Sheridan Blvd. and Ohio Avenue. The EAP's new address is 5260 W. Ohio Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80226. We are located on the north west corner of the campus. Our telephone number is the same: 303-982-0377.

The EAP provides services at no cost to Jeffco Schools employees and their families, including:

- Short term counseling
- Referrals to community resources
- Consultations for supervisors about troubled employees or work teams
- Trainings for staff on a variety of topics
- Conflict mediation between employees

EAP services are voluntary and confidential, the only exceptions to confidentiality are imminent danger to self, imminent danger to others, or when a child has been abused.

Please visit their website at http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/eap
to see a map and directions to our new location or call 303-982-0377 for more information about the EAP or to speak with a counselor.

Are you retiring? Please let us know!

JCAA wants to recognize our retiring members at the Year End Celebration Event. Please let our office know if you are retiring this year by clicking here to email Mary Wagner.

JCAA Pictorial Directories

All members should have received a complimentary pictorial directory in January. If you would like to purchase additional copies, the cost is $15 per directory.

JCAA Care, Concern, and Celebration Messages

As a service to our members, JCAA sends out Care, Concern, and Celebration messages to keep our colleagues connected and supported. We've had many positive comments about how much the membership appreciates hearing about their colleagues. If you have a concern or celebration or you know a colleague in need of support, please let Mary McNeil or Mary Wagner know. Please note that we always check with the person to make sure it's OK to send out the message, so that we honor his/her wishes. Thank you.

Has your address or contact information changed?

If your home or work contact information has changed, please let the JCAA office know. We do not have a link with the district, so you need to notify us separately. Thank you!

Serving Kids Clothing Program

Do you know a child in need of clothing or shoes? We can help!

JCAA and The Jefferson Foundation manage this charitable program, which provides near new clothing to Jeffco School Children in need and is cosponsored by JCAA, CSEA, JCEA, Jeffco PTA, and The Jefferson Foundation. If you know a child in need of clothing, please click here to learn how you can request clothing -- Serving Kids has our own web site. Check us out! http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/partners/servingkids/

Colorado Principals' Center Workshop -
Culture Counts: Creating a powerful ownership culture to unleash creativity, commitment, and effectiveness

Presented by: Whitney Walpole
Friday, March 10, 2006
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
St. Cajetan’s Center, Auraria Campus (downtown Denver)

Culture Counts (the company) is a consulting organization dedicated to helping leaders create powerful ownership cultures, where commitment, accountability, and fulfillment set the stage for extraordinary results. They help teams create the unique steps for establishing an ownership culture and offer practical tools for keeping it alive. They know that one of the most effective ways to build that success is sitting right under your nose ... the potential of your employees. Culture Counts is focused on helping you create a powerful ownership culture, where employees unleash their creativity, commitment, and effectiveness.

Click here for the flyer and more information.