JCAA Represents You

The new school year is off and running! The JCAA Board of Directors and staff having already been working hard to represent the interests of Jeffco Schools' administrators:

• JCAA Board of Directors: You are represented by a 30 member Board of Directors who serve as the legal governing body of the association and meet once per month to discuss the programs, services, and events offered by JCAA, as well as make decisions which affect your quality of work life.
  
• District Cabinet: The JCAA president serves as an official member of Cabinet. Our president this year, Jim Jelinek, has been meeting through the summer and this fall with Cabinet as they develop their action plans for this coming year.
• Anchor Group: The Anchor Group consists of 2 representatives from the Board of Education, the superintendent, chief academic officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, executive director Communication Services, and the president and executive directors of each employee association—JCAA, CSEA, and JCEA. For JCAA, Frank DeAngelis serves on Anchor as a past president and Mary McNeil as executive director. Anchor meets once per month as a relationship committee to discuss the hot issues, items of mutual concern, mitigate rumor control, and form common messages.
• JCAA Officers Meet with Superintendent: The JCAA officers (executive committee of the JCAA Board of Directors) meet monthly in addition to the regular JCAA Board meetings. For a portion of the agenda each month, the officers meet with Superintendent Cindy Stevenson to discuss issues of mutual concern. This has been a significant and effective way for us to have our voice heard. Your representatives on the JCAA officers group are:
  • Jim Jelinek , President (Principal at Dakota Ridge HS)
  • Warren Blair , President Elect (Principal at Hackberry Hill)
  • Luann Schwartz , Past President (Executive Director, School Management)
  • Rick Myles, Cabinet Education Liaison (Community Superintendent)
  • Bob Smith, Cabinet Central Liaison (Chief Operating Officer)
  • Brady Stroup , Elementary Liaison (Principal at Fairmount Elementary)
  • Patty DeLorenzo , Middle Level Liaison (Principal at Creighton Middle)
  • Frank DeAngelis, Senior Level Liaison (Principal at Columbine HS)
  • Mary McNeil, Executive Director
• Decision-Making in Schools: JCAA officers meet with the JCEA leadership throughout the year to address issues of mutual concern. Because JCAA hears from our members about issues with implementing the Leadership Advisory Committees, JCAA worked with the Superintendent and Community Superintendents to help clarify decision making process expectations. Click here to read the memo sent out by Cindy Stevenson at the request and approval of JCAA.
• Administrative Compensation Committee: JCAA representatives serve on the Administrative Compensation Committee. Last year, JCAA was able to secure funding for salary equity adjustments. We developed a fair and equitable process for distributing the funding and over 75 administrators received a salary equity adjustment. We also worked to change some significant hiring practices, which will help toward solving future salary equity issues.
• Benefits Advisory Committee: JCAA representatives serve on the Benefits Advisory Committee. Last year, we were able to stop a recommendation from being implemented which would have changed how the benefits allocation is distributed for those close to retirement. We were also able to bring back choice in health care insurance companies and we initiated a new Wellness Program.
• JCAA Board Representatives Attend Board of Education Meetings: To help ensure the Jeffco Schools Board of Education knows administrators and professional / technical employees are well represented, JCAA Board of Director representatives attend the regular meetings of the Board of Education to monitor discussions and decisions. The JCAA officers also meet each year with the Board of Education in a workshop setting, as well as a year-end networking dinner.
• JCAA Committee Representatives: JCAA has representatives serving on over 80 different JCAA and district committees and task force teams. Your membership dues help provide the structure to select the representatives and ensure that we have a united voice. Thank you to those members who volunteer their time to represent JCAA!

Please be sure to share any district-wide issues you have with your JCAA Board of Director area representative.

YES on 3A & 3B: Jeffco Schools Mil and Bond Election

JCAA is supporting an election for the Jeffco Schools Mil and Bond in 2008. We are working with the Citizens for Jeffco Schools grassroots campaign group.

A Request to Members and Jeffco Leaders:
JCAA is asking you to volunteer your time to help with the campaign effort as citizens.

Click here to find out what we are asking each of you to do.

Click here for the regulations on Campaign Do's and Don'ts.

JCAA Issues Forum Breakfast

REGISTER NOW!

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. The forums include an opportunity for members to network with peers while enjoying the complimentary breakfast buffet.

This is a free breakfast meeting for JCAA members!

Thursday, November 13, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 AM - 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.)

Click here to send an email to Mary Wagner to let her know you're coming.

JCAA Political Advocacy - CASE Partnership

JCAA will continue the contractual agreement for CASE to provide political advocacy for JCAA members at the state level. CASE contracts with Salazar and Associates for lobbying work. The job of CASE advocacy is Bruce Caughey’s primary job, but it is also shared among the CASE professional staff. The job of advocacy goes well beyond the legislative arena and includes work with the executive branch as well as the Colorado Board of Education meetings and Department of Education. CASE has a place at the table for ensuring that the funds from the state school lands are used effectively. They often work in forums with the foundation community and serve on the Colorado Anchor Group (CASE, CASB and CEA).

In addition, CASE representatives meet with the JCAA Legislative Committee throughout the year to communicate their efforts, gather input on our positions, and strategize.

CASE ENDORSEMENTS: Please click here for the document on CASE candidate and ballot initiative endorsements. Please note that JCAA does not take positions on candidates.

Alan November Event a SUCCESS!

Transforming the Culture of Teaching and Learning: How technology will change the future our kids will live in and what we can do to help prepare them for that future.

The JCAA opening event for the school year was a success! Thank you to over 200 members who attended the event on August 1.

WELCOME to our new Jeffco Schools administrators and JCAA members! During the opening networking activity, JCAA table groups wrote a collective resume. Of just those members attending this event, we have an amazing breadth of experience:

• 2264 years in education, plus
• 1045 years in business management, plus
• 1770 years serving Jeffco Schools!

Follow Up: JCAA will be offering follow up workshops this year for members who want to delve deeper into the content knowledge Alan November introduced to us. Watch for those details coming soon.

You asked for it. You got it: A number of you asked that Jeffco offer workshops for instructional coaches and the librarians on the digital literacy concepts you learned at this event. Librarians will be participating in a half day workshop on either October 1 or 2.

ABOUT ALAN NOVEMBER:

Alan November is an international leader in education technology. Audiences enjoy Alan's humor and wit as he pushes the boundaries of how to improve teaching and learning. His areas of expertise include planning across curriculum, staff development, new school design, community building and leadership development. He has delivered keynotes and workshops in all fifty states, across Canada, and throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Central America.

Alan was named one of the nation's fifteen most influential thinkers of the decade by Technology and Learning Magazine. In 2001, he was listed as one of eight educators to provide leadership in to the future by the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse. In 2007, he was selected to speak at the Cisco Public Services Summit during the Nobel Prize Festivities in Stockholm, Sweden. His writings include numerous articles and best-selling book, Empowering Students with Technology. Alan was co-founder of the Stanford Institute for Educational Leadership Through Technology and is most proud of being selected as one of the original five national Christa McAuliffe Educators.

2008-09 Collegial Conversation Series

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This is a mentor / networking program designed to meet the needs of school-based administrators with all experience levels.

These on-going groups meet monthly to discuss specific topics of concern to administrators in carrying out their duties--not only nuts and bolts responsibilities, but also leadership and management issues, as well as gaining a greater understanding of the district's organizational systems. The groups are:

• Group A (Elementary Level) Facilitated by Barb Boillot and Robin Weikel
• Group B (Elementary Level) Facilitated by Warren Blair, Kathy Krieger, Becky Nelsen and Martha Tate
• Group C (Secondary Level) Facilitated by Kathy Norton and Patty DeLorenzo

Click here to download the flier and register for a group.

What Keeps You Awake at Night? Discussion Series

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This is a JCAA support program to provide the opportunity for a series of one-time discussions on any range of topics which are of most concern to our general members. The conversations are facilitated by retired members with excellent facilitation skills. These sessions will give you the chance to process and share ideas with each other for addressing the challenging issues you face every day. The conversations will be held from 7:30 - 9:00 AM, on various dates throughout the school year, in a relaxed atmosphere at local venues. Participation is complimentary for JCAA members and $45 per session for non-members.

What is the difference between the What Keeps You Awake at Night Series and  the Collegial Conversations Series?

What Keeps You Awake is a series of one-time discussions with specific topics. The facilitator is there to help facilitate the shared conversation and guide participants through problem-solving. It is for both school-based and central-based administrators. You can attend any of the meetings with topics of interest to you.

The Collegial Conversations series offers a choice of three on-going school-based groups meeting once per month throughout the school year. The groups are facilitated by experienced principals who serve as mentors for the group.

Click here to download the flier and register for any of the discussion groups.

JCAA Fall 2008 Leadership Development Seminars

This series has been designed to help administrators meet district goals and to support our JCAA Connected theme this year.

Fall LDSS seminars will be advertised soon.

JCAA Major Professional Development Event

Each year, JCAA brings in a nationally recognized speaker in the field of education and leadership. Members are invited to bring a team from their school or department at a low cost. Last year, we had a SOLD OUT event featuring Michael Gurian.

This conference will be advertised soon.

Administrator Staff Development Fund

Though the budget has been drastically reduced, a limited amount of money is available for administrators to attend a professional development workshop or pay for college tuition. To apply, click here to download the form and send in your application by the next deadline date. The deadline dates for accepting applications are the last working day of every month while funds are still available.

To apply and reserve funds, you only need to know the name, date, and location of the event. Once you've been approved, you turn in your receipts for reimbursement within 30 days following the event. These funds are not available for non-administrators, because they are district funds designated for administrator staff development. Similar funds for teachers and coaches are managed by the JCEA office.

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.

You Can Check-Out Videos from JCAA

NAESP Standards of the Principalship: This is a 6-part video series which explains and gives real-life examples of principals following the NAESP standards. There is also a video facilitation guide to follow. This video series was used for the JCAA Building Leadership Capacity Workshop Series. JCAA will not be offering this workshop series again this year, but new principals, assistant principals, and aspiring administrators are welcome to check the videos out.

FISH and FISH STICKS: JCAA has one copy of each of these videos. Learn how the Seattle Fish Co. keeps the morale of their employees flying high! FISH is the original video and Fish Sticks is a follow up version. We still have quite a few schools requesting this video from us, so please call in advance to reserve your date.

Please call Mary Wagner at 303.982-6839 opt. 3 to reserve the videos.

NEW Jeffco Schools Wellness Program

As a member of the Benefits Advisory Committee, JCAA is pleased to announce a new Wellness Program for Jeffco Schools employees.

Jeffco Employees and their families have access to a new wellness benefit program: WELLNESS CONNECTIONS.  A few minutes are all it takes to get connected to better health! The program is a partnership between Employee Benefits, Kaiser Permanente, PacifiCare and AdvantageHealth (our new wellness program vendor). It is designed to encourage employees to move more, eat healthier and lead a better quality of life. 

You don’t have to start training for a marathon or cut carbohydrates and sugars out of your diet -- instead, you and your families can choose from programs and activities that fit into your lifestyle. Employees will have access to a variety of programs designed to help manage stress, lose weight and increase physical activity. Participation is easy and there is something everyone can use.

It’s simple to join in and your participation can earn credits towards VISA gift cards and other prizes. 

To Get STARTED:

1. Log on to Wellness Connections

Here you’ll find daily wellness tips, information on Just Step! (a pedometer walking program), the Health Activity Tracker, helpful stress management and physical exercise tips and other health-inspiring activities. To log-on to Wellness Connections follow this path: Employee Connections > Benefits > Wellness Connections, or click here: Wellness Connections.

2. Register in the Health Activity Tracker

Designed to provide one easy place to keep track of your activities and progress. Just tracking your daily activity can earn you credits!   

3. Start participating!

Join the Just Step! pedometer walking program, explore resources and participate in other exercise programs and classes.Your participation and completion of the program enters you for prizes along the way and a grand prize – valued at $500, for a weekend in Summit County.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Jeffco Wellness Services Coordinator:
Colleen Broersma @ 303-410-4375, or email: jeffcowellnessconnections@advantagehealth.com

Kaiser Flu Shot Clinics

The Benefits Advisory Committee encourages all employees to get a flu shot this season. Employees covered by Kaiser insurance can go to any of these free, walk-in clinics at the Kaiser medical office of your choice:

• Sat. October 18, 2008, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Sat. November 1, 2008, 8:00 AM - 12:00 noon

Did Your Contact Information Changed?

You should have received a memo from Mary Wagner asking you to confirm your contact information for the JCAA Pictorial Directory. This information is critical, Please be sure to respond if you have any changes. You can click here to send an email to Mary Wagner. Thank you!

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.

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, JCU, 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! Here is our web site address:

http://www.jcaajeffco.org/servingkids/

2008-09 JCAA Emeritus Member Events

JCAA sponsors programs, services, and events for our retired members. The Emeritus Member Program Steering Committee has put together a great lineup for the 2008-09 year. Emeritus members will receive a special News Brief with this information soon.

JCAA Retired Members First Day of School Gathering - A Success!

A number of our retired members enjoyed the "First Day of School" gathering on Tuesday, August 12 at Nancy Sommer's home. Great mountain views, food, drinks, and company!

Advertise Your Business in the Directory - Free

If you are a JCAA member, you may advertise your business in the JCAA Pictorial Directory at no charge to you. Click here to send an email to Mary Wagner with the following information:

• Name of the Business or Service
• Your Name
• Business Address, Phone, Email
• Max 50 Word Description

CASE Professional Development Events

The Colorado Association of School Executives offers a wide range of professional development offerings. Be sure to check out their offerings!

FOR DETAILS and REGISTRATION INFORMATION
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE:

http://www.co-case.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=563

Colorado Staff Development Council Event

Remember Cindy Stevenson's presentation on Michael Fullen's 6 Secrets of Change at the Administrator Welcome event in July? CSDC is bringing in Fullen in January to talk about the concepts in his new book. Participants receive a complimentary book.

FOR DETAILS, REGISTRATION INFORMATION & DRIVING DIRECTIONS
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.

http://www.co-csdc.org/

7th Annual Second Wind Walk/Run/Ride

Here’s a way to directly help kids in your school and have a great day of fun at the same time.  The Second Wind Fund is holding its 7th Annual Walk/Run/Ride on Sunday, September 21 at Green Mountain High School, and we encourage you to attend! 

FOR DETAILS and REGISTRATION INFORMATION
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE:

http://www.thesecondwindfund.org/

Colorado Principals Center - Breakthrough Coach

There is an upcoming Breakthrough Coach 2-Day training workshop. This is a great workshop that truly changes the way principals do their work by increasing the time they spend in classrooms without increasing their evening and weekend work. 

FOR DETAILS and REGISTRATION INFORMATION
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE:

http://www.coloradoprincipalscenter.org/BTC_Oct.html