JCAA Fall 2004 Issues Forums

Please RSVP by clicking here or calling Mary Wagner at (303) 982-6839, opt. 3 for one of the three area breakfast meetings this fall. The Issues Forums are held each fall and spring as an opportunity for members to gather and discuss and problem-solve key issues facing the leadership of the district. The topics of discussion will include:

• Managing Wicked Problems: Supporting Each Other and Our Staff
• Open Forum for Raising Issues to be Addressed by the JCAA Board

The meeting and full breakfast buffet are complimentary for members. The meetings are 7:30 - 9:30 AM and include time for networking during breakfast.

• South Area - Thursday, November 4 - New Location! Columbine Country Club - 17 Fairway Lane in Columbine Valley (From Bowles, go south on S. Platte Canyon Rd. then left on Fairway Lane.)
• North Area - Monday, November 8 - Double Tree Hotel in Westminster - 8773 Yates Drive (Turn east on 92nd off Sheridan and south on Yates.)
• Central Area - Friday, November 12 - 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.)

JCAA Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes

Click here to read the JCAA Board minutes from October 1, 2004. 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.

JCAA Fall Major Event - Dr. Pedro Noguera:

REGISTER NOW! JCAA Fall Major Event- Monday, October 25, 2004.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear a national expert on closing the achievement gap. JCAA is bringing in Pedro Antonio Noguera, Ph.D. Principals are encouraged to bring a team of teachers from their building to hear Dr. Noguera. The topic is "Creating Conditions that Promote Student Achievement." Click here for the flyer and more information.

Fall Leadership Development Seminar Series:

REGISTER NOW! Seven great workshops have been designed to help administrators meet district goals. Be sure to register early. Click here for the flyer and more information.

Seminar #101: October 21 - The Third Side - Transforming Conflict
Seminar #102: October 26 - Outdoor Lab School 101
Seminar #103: November 11 - Motivating the Average Employee
Seminar #104: November 16 - ProQuest - Professional Journals at Your Fingertips
Seminar #105: November 22 - Tools for a Greater Understanding of Budget
Seminar #106: November 30 - Jeffco INFORM
Seminar #107: February 15 - Intel Leadership Forum

2004-05 Collegial Conversation Series:

REGISTER NOW! This is a mentor / networking program designed to meet the needs of 2nd through 5th year principals and assistant principals beyond induction. Click here for the flyer and more information, including dates. The 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 Colleen Kerr and Luann Schwartz
• Group B (Elementary Level) Facilitated by Warren Blair and Martha Tate
• Group C (Secondary Level) Facilitated by Linda Burton and Deb Gard

Administrator Staff Development Fund

Though the budget has been drastically reduced, money is still 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.

Building Leadership Capacity Programs

Click here for a listing of the current programs offered by JCAA and local associations in the state of Colorado, which are designed to help support aspiring and new administrators. This list was compiled by JCAA and given to the participants at the JCAA Spring Issues Forums.

JCAA Members Post Election Party!: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 (Fall Networking Social)

Plan to attend this fun event! Relax and network with friends and colleagues! Come celebrate the end of the election season! The party is complimentary for all JCAA members! Drinks and appetizers will be served. The event will be held in the Colorado Room at Jillians in Colorado Mills, 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

Please RSVP by sending an email to Mary Wagner or calling (303) 982-6839, opt. 3.

JCAA Retired Members Social: Friday, November 5, 2004

A complimentary social is planned for our retired members on Friday, November 5, 4:30 - 6:30 PM at 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.).

Please RSVP by sending an email to Mary Wagner or calling (303) 982-6839, opt. 3. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit with your former colleagues.

Serving Kids Clothing Program

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 help -- or Serving Kids now has our own web site. Check us out! http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/partners/servingkids/

Cell Phone Plan Information:

If you are signed up under any of the JCAA cell phone plans, please read this whole section carefully!

AT&T has taken the initiative to move all cell phone accounts set up under the liability of JCAA to separate accounts for each individual member. This was not the decision of JCAA. Because JCAA is no longer financially liable for our members’ cell phone accounts, you no longer need to be a member to keep your government cell phone service. This includes those members who are on the zero access plan.

Click here for an important letter from AT&T about how the changes will affect you or has already affected you. If you need assistance with your cell phone or cell phone service, please call AT&T Customer Service at 1-800-888-7600 or stop by any AT&T retail store. Be sure to tell them that you are with Jefferson County Public Schools, so that you can receive the government discounts, and give them your new FAN # 23917.

FOR NEW SERVICE: If you are considering adding new service with a new phone and new phone number, you can now go directly to an AT&T web site for government employees which is updated daily. Government discounts are available on this site as well as other special web promotions. The web site is: www.attws.com/wsca You can also go into any AT&T Wireless retail store to start new service. Be sure to tell them that you are with Jeffco Public Schools and give them the FAN # 23917, so that you can receive the government discounts.

TO UPGRADE YOUR CURRENT PHONE OR SERVICE: You can go into any retail AT&T Wireless store or call the Customer Care number at 1-800-888-7600. Be sure to tell them that you are with Jeffco Public Schools and give them the FAN # 23917, so that you can receive the government discounts. You cannot make government plan upgrades on the web site.

ZERO ACCESS PLAN INFORMATION: If you are currently on the old Zero Access government plan, where you only pay for the time you use, you can still keep that plan. However, if you cancel the plan at any time you will not be able to reinstate the plan, because it has not been available as of 2 years ago. In addition, AT&T has developed a new and improved network called GSM. The Zero Access plans are only active on the old network, TDMA. Though this network will continue existing, within the next year, this network will not be supported by AT&T, i.e. you will not be able to buy a new phone that works on this old network. However, as long as your current phone works, you should be able to continuing using this old network and stay on the Zero Access plan. If you need to replace your phone, do it soon, because there are only 2 phones that AT&T sells for this network and they will probably discontinue selling these phones by December. You can upgrade your phone by calling the Customer Care number 1-800-888-7600 or stopping by any AT&T Wireless retail store. Be sure to tell them that you are with Jeffco Public Schools and give them the FAN # 23917, so that you can receive the government discounts.

Office of Educational Equity Diversity Conference: Weaving the Threads of Strength

The event is Thursday, November 18, 8:00 AM -3:00 PM at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 480 S. Allison Pkwy. Lakewood, CO 80226. The morning keynote speaker is Dr. Maria Guajardo Lucero, Ph.D. and the lunch keynote speaker is Opalanga Pugh. A wide selection of breakout sessions are offered in the afternoon. Invitations will go out to central departments and schools on October 14. Please call Robin at (303) 982-0387 for more information or RSVP via fax by November 8 to 303-982-0472.

Colorado Principals' Center 2004 Institute:

Click here for a flyer on the Colorado Principals' Center 2004 Annual CPC Leadership Institute to be held on November 18 and 19, 2004. The institute features Ronald A. Heifetz, founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University. Dr. Heifetz is renowned worldwide for his seminal work on the practice and teaching of leadership.

His presentation and facilitated workshop at the CPC Institute will show how to both reduce the risks of leadership and increase tolerance for it. The program will identify strategies such as thinking politically, orchestrating conflict, placing responsibility, and being deliberate in distinguishing your role from yourself in your professional life. In addition, participants will be exposed to ideas about critical, often neglected aspects of exercising leadership: how to manage your personal vulnerabilities, care for yourself, and sustain your spirit.