JCAA Advocacy on Budget Reductions

JCAA officers continue to meet with Board of Education and District Leadership to advocate for our budget priorities. The grim realities of the District's budget and the complications posed by the State's budget difficulties make this a particularly trying time for everyone. Thank you to all who attended the community forums in January. We will keep you informed as more information about budget specifics becomes available.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JCAA Legislative Advocacy

JCAA representatives work with the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), the District's Legislative Forum, the JCAA Legislative Committee and Jefferson County Representatives and Senators. We are currently studying pending legislation. We are still very early in the process, and should begin forming positions on each pending bill soon.

JCAA members receive regular email updates via Salazar & Associates. The updates provide valuable insight as to what is happening "on the hill" which might impact Association members. If you have questions concerning any of the legislation, contact the Executive Director or call the JCAA office.

JCAA's Mid-Year Event Completed

The JCAA Mid-Year event was a success. Over 275 attended. This year's event featured a full breakfast buffet networking time followed by a three hour presentation by Bernajean Porter.

Bernajean challenged participants to rethink the use of technology in their organizations. She talked about the synergy created by technology between teachers and learners and invited participants to reconsider how technology was being used in their daily teaching. The workshop content was massive in scope and gave all the participants information to think about well after the workshop was over.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spring 2009 Leadership Development Seminar Series (LDSS)

Flyers went out by Pony the week of January 26, 2009.

REGISTER NOW!

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

Click here to download the LDSS flyer and registration form.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2008-09 Collegial Conversation Series

REGISTER NOW!

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

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 to register.

NOTE - if you have already registered and are already attending, you do NOT need to re-register or pay again for Collegial Conversations.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Keeps You Awake at Night? Discussion Series

REGISTER NOW!

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.

Upcoming Sessions include:

• Feb 5, 7:30-9:00 am, Dealing With Difficult People
• Mar 12, 7:30-9:00 am, Retaining Your Best Employees
• Apr 23. 7:30-9:00 am, Problem Solving Models

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

JCAA Spring Issues Forum

Planning for the Spring Issues Forum is underway. Discussion questions, dates, times and locations will be published as soon as they are finalized.

JCAA Spring Networking Events

SAVE THE DATES!

JCAA Spring Networking Social - Spring Break Party!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 4:30 - 6:30 PM, Table Mountain Inn, 1310 Washington Ave, Golden. Complimentary for JCAA Members. Appetizers and drinks will be served. Click here to RSVP to Mary Wagner if you plan on attending (or call 303-982-6839 option 3).

JCAA Year End Celebration Event
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The program will be in the morning and the Golf Tournament will be in the afternoon. Details about the day, speaker and events will be released in the future news briefs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Serving Kids Clothing Program

Thank you to all the schools, individuals and organizations who stepped up to answer the call for help. Serving Kids was literally flooded with clothing donations from a number of timely clothing drives. Donations to the program via The Jefferson Foundation are still needed and appreciated. Donations of money and/or newor gently used clothing are tax deductible. Checks should be payable to The Jefferson Foundation with "Serving Kids" on the check's memo field.

The Jefferson Foundation address is

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!

For more information check http://www.jcaajeffco.org/servingkids/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Values Awards Nominations

District Values Awards Funded
by Employee Associations,  Jefferson Foundation
February 2009

The Jefferson Foundation and our employee associations – JCEA, CSEA and JCAA – are once again funding the District’s Values Awards program for 2009.  As a result of these generous contributions, employees will be recognized at a celebration on Wednesday, April 22 at the Arvada Center without using District funds.

The Values Awards program honors exceptional employees who daily demonstrate the District values of integrity, teamwork, valuing people and exemplary performance. Every school and department may nominate up to four employees to represent their work site. The program is most meaningful when a broad-based committee representing all employees selects the honorees. Nomination forms are available online and must be submitted by the designated person at your work site.  Deadline for nominations is Feb. 27.

The Values Awards program is sponsored by the Anchor Group, composed of leaders from the Board of Education, District Cabinet and the employee associations – JCEA, CSEA and JCAA.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heads Up!

Watch for your new copy of the Pictorial Directory on the Pony. Copies were distributed last week. Non-members may purchase copies for $15.00. JCAA members receive the directory at no charge.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 - we always check with the person to make sure it's okay to send out the message, so that we honor his/her wishes. Thank you.

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/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eat for Education at 240 Union

240 Union Restaurant invites you to "Eat for Education," a pre-Valentine's Day benefit for The Jefferson Foundation, on February 11, 2009.

25% of your lunch and dinner check will be donated to the Foundation.

"Michael Coughlin and his crew are great community partners," said Mona Sandoval, executive Director of The Jefferson Foundation. "They continually donate to The Jefferson Foundation and support the work of many Jeffco charities. Patrons are drawn to 240 Union not just for the delicious fare, but for the great heart that Michael and his 240 Union family generate."

Reservations highly recommended: 303 989-3562.

For more information contact: Anton Delgado: 303-982-221

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good News Breakfast

Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 6:59 am to 8:29 am

Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 West 6th Ave, Golden

The Good News Coalition is celebrating Seniors On The Move. Michelle Rahn, Ms. Senior America 2004, former JeffCo Public School teacher and acclaimed professional speaker will help "lift people to become the best they can be . . . to participate and be involved in a task with a purpose."

Cost is $12.00 per person.

In the "Good News" tradition, attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the JeffCo Action Center. Cash donations for the food bank are also accepted.

For more information, call Tami at 303-697-6013, ext 104 or check www.goodnewsjeffco.com