The JCAA Board of Directors welcomes the new JCAA executive director, Michael Long. Mike has over 20 years in technology business management and nine years of non-profit management. His experience includes three successful startup companies and managing a children's museum in rural Wisconsin. Mike brings a mix of financial, organizational, team building and marketing skills to the Jefferson County Administrators Association.
Mike is looking forward to serving the JCAA membership, beginning full time in January.
Farewell Message from McNeil "It's Been an Honor!"
Dear Colleagues:
Our JCAA theme this year is "JCAA Connected!" As I say farewell, the significance of this theme is overwhelmingly poignant. My connections with the people of Jeffco have greatly enriched my life, and it's those connections that make it so difficult to say good-bye. I can't image a more fulfilling career experience than serving as your executive director for the last 14 years. What an opportunity and privilege it has been to work with and learn from the BEST of the BEST! Thank you for helping me feel so valued during these transition months and for supporting me as I make my career move to CASE.
I have been so incredibly fortunate to work with 15 outstanding JCAA presidents and Boards who believe strongly in the JCAA mission, and this year's is among the very best. I leave you in expert hands:
As president of the association, Jim Jelinek is a passionate advocate for you. Serving as a member of District Cabinet, Jim brings his depth of knowledge, keen perspectives, and JCAA loyalty to the table. I am saddened to leave in the middle of Jim's term as president, because I'm a better person having worked with him for even a few short months, and I know that the association is becoming stronger under his direction.
Mike Long will offer a fresh perspective to the work of JCAA and will help to identify ways in which the association can build on our strengths and successes. Mike brings his own brand of leadership ideals which will help move the association forward.
I want to thank Mary Wagner for being at my side for the last 8 years, helping to ensure that we offer the highest quality programs, services, and events. Her strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and commitment to the members have made a positive impact on the association.
My heart will always be with you in Jeffco. Please know that I will continue to serve you at the state level. My hope is that one day CASE and JCAA can form a strong alliance to work together on behalf of all school administrators in the state.
JCAA officers met with the Board of Education on December 11 to advocate for our budget priorities. We developed the priorities by gathering input from the appointed JCAA representatives on the Budget Workgroups and from the JCAA Board of Directors.
Click here to read the JCAA letter to the Board of Education.
It's critical that JCAA have a voice. Be sure to attend the Community Forums in January:
January 3 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Belmar Public Library, 555 S. Allison Pkwy., Lakewood
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Arvada West High School, 11325 Allendale Dr., Arvada
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Evergreen Public Library, 5000 Highway 73, Evergreen
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Dakota Ridge High School, 13399 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Arvada Public Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada
January 12 -- 6-7 p.m., Evergreen Middle School, 2059 Hiwan Dr., Evergreen
Administrative Compensation
JCAA has made great strides in ensuring a more fair and equitable compensation system. JCAA has strong representation on the Administrative Compensation Committee. Variable pay percentages have grown from 2%, to 4%, and now 5% over the last several years. Congratulations on meeting the strategic planning targets and earning the full 5% this year! Salary equity adjustments have been made last year and this year for over 80 administrators through the funding that JCAA secured through a Budgeting For Results proposal. JCAA also worked to significantly change some hiring practices, which will help toward solving future salary equity issues.
JCAA Issues Forum Breakfast
Thank you to all the members who participated in the Issues Forums conversations on November 13 at Rolling Hills Country Club. We were able to gather valuable input regarding next steps in the budget reduction process, as well as identify our top priorities for the upcoming CSEA and JCEA negotiations.
Your advice and conversation highlights were captured and recorded in a report and shared with District Cabinet and the JCAA representatives on the negotiations teams. Members can request an Issues Forum report by calling the JCAA office.
Note: 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.
Professional
Development News
Major Event: January 5, 2009
Project Headware: 21st Century Thinking with 21st Century Tools
PRESENTED BY
Bernajean Porter
Monday, January 5, 2009
Arvada Center for the Arts - 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Check-in and Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Presentation This workshop includes a full breakfast buffet.
Click here to download the brochure and registration form.
Bernajean Porter provides a spectrum of tools and services to scale and sustain technology’s potential culled from 18 years of national and international experience. She believes that technology empowers learners and teachers alike to engage in a partnership that brings fundamental differences to classrooms today. Bernajean’s philosophy of work uses cutting edge organizational processes for building local capacity to translate the power of technology into actual classroom practices for ALL students. She is author of Grappling with Accountability 2002: MAPPing Tools for Organizing and Assessing Technology for Student Results; Evaluating Student Computer-based Products; and Nutz and Boltz of Engaging and Empowering Large Groups. Her work uses the application of systems thinking and chaos theory to deal with the challenges of change and re-culturing efforts in education today.
Workshop Description Technology accelerates something! What is the SOMETHING being targeted in your schools?
Determining technology uses in classrooms has caught educators in a profound belief gap between using this resource to support classroom practices as we have always known them or using it as a robust catalyst to accelerate new cultures of learning that will serve the highest interest of our students’ capacity to step successfully into a global economy. Having only one chance with each child to prepare them for a world none of us can possibly predict – it is time to think of these decisions as possibilities NOT optional, individual uses. For anything that matters the timing is never quite right, the resources always a little short, and the people less ready than needed to shift gears. The BIG question is not whether students are learning, practicing or using technology but to probe deeper: Are these resources strategically organized to deliver high-yielding, visible, added-value, worth-the-money and time RESULTS for all students! Participants will explore leadership strategies for moving ALL educators into extra H.O.T. 21st Century practices (Higher Order Thinking Skills) that power up our students' future today!
Central managers and principals are welcome to bring a TEAM for this workshop!
JCAA Members: $45; Nonmembers: $175 For the January 5 event only, administrators who are JCAA members may bring
staff from their school or department for a special rate of $65 per person. Click here to download the brochure and registration form.
Spring 2009 Leadership Development Seminar Series
SAVE THE DATES:A flier will be sent out soon.
Life Coaching and Brain Education Tools to Create the Life You Want Presented by Janice McDermott
Friday, February 20, 2009
8:00 - 11:00 AM
Conflict Management for School and Department Leaders Presented by Marilyn Saltzman and B.J. Meadows
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
8:00 - 11:00 AM
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.
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.
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.
Networking
and Benefits News
JCAA Spring Networking Events
SAVE THE DATES!
JCAA Spring Networking Social - Spring Break Party!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
4:30 - 6:30 PM
JCAA Year End Celebration Event
Wednesday, June 4, 2009
The program will be in the morning and the Golf Tournament will be in the afternoon.
Serving Kids Clothing Program
We need YOUR help to keep our doors open, especially monetary donations. The requests for clothing for Jeffco kids in need are at record numbers and our budget is almost depleted. As you consider where to donate this season, please consider the Serving Kids Clothing Program. Your donations are tax deductible through The Jefferson Foundation. Send donations to The Jefferson Foundation and indicate "Serving Kids in the memo field:
The Jefferson Foundation
809 Quail Street
Building #1
Lakewood, CO 80215
We are an all-volunteer organization, so your money goes directly to purchase shoe certificates or clothing requests not in our inventory of donated items. 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:
Exceptional employees make Jeffco Schools an exceptional place for students to learn and staff to work.Each day, we see employees who demonstrate their commitment through the District values of Integrity, Valuing People, Teamwork and Exemplary Performance.
For eight years, our tradition has been to honor outstanding employees through the annual Values Awards program, sponsored by the Anchor Group, composed of leaders from the Board of Education, District Cabinet and the employee associations – JCEA, CSEA and JCAA.
Each work site is asked to select one to four employees who demonstrate our District values. To ensure a meaningful recognition program, each site is encouraged to engage in a thoughtful, collaborative process to select honorees who truly represent the values by going “above and beyond” in their daily work.
Your work site may choose more than one person for the same value, but 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.
The Values Awards program is not a competition; all those who are nominated by their schools or departments will be honored at a celebration at the Arvada Center in April, made possible through a generous grant from the Jefferson Foundation.
2009 Values Awards Dates to Remember:
Monday, Dec. 8 Nomination forms available on the District Web site
Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 Deadline for nominations
Wednesday, April 22 Values Awards celebration at the Arvada Center
JCAA Pictorial Directory
Members will receive a complimentary copy of the directory in January. Watch for them to come on the pony.
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 the JCAA office 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.
Local
Events and News
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:
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.
