JCAA Advocacy on Budget Reductions

JCAA continues to meet with District Leadership, CSEA and JCEA to advocate for member 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. Details of importance will be released as they develop.

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

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. The legislative landscape changes nearly daily.

Positions change as bills change. This is meant to be an overview of the current opinion of JCAA's Legislative Committee members to date. If you have questions about why a bill is supported or opposed, please contact Mike Long at (303) 982-6839 option 2. We are also watching several other bills - if you don't see a bill listed or have questions about a bill, please call.

Bills JCAA is watching:

• SB066 (Tochtrop/Primavera) Consolidation of Public Employee Retirement Plans Under PERA.
• SB090 (Hudak/Merrifield & Benefield) Parental Involvement in Public Education
• SB131 (Romer) Public School Students' Engagement in Physical Activity.
• SB136 (Scheffel) Eligibility for the Alternative Principal Preparation Program
• SB160 (Hudak/Todd) Alternative Teacher Programs and Licensure
• HB1057 (A Kerr/Bacon) Parental Involvement in Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Education

Filling Out Your JCAA Board Nomination Forms / Committee Positions

First - Please Nominate Officers:

General Members will receive a nomination form on the pony at the end of February. JCAA General Members 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. If you are unsure if an administrator is a JCAA General Member, contact the office. Members can nominate themselves.

Nominations will be reviewed by the JCAA Nominations Committee. They will prepare the final slate of candidates based on nominee consent. If you have questions, call Mike Long at (303) 982-6839, opt. 2.

Second - Please List Your Committees:

Please list all the district-level and/or JCAA committees you serve on or have served on for the 2008-2009 school year ON THE NOMINATIONS FORM. Our records are only as accurate as your responses - so PLEASE make the time to do this. Year End Celebration recognition depends on everyone's accurate input. Thanks!

Return completed forms to the JCAA office by March 27, 2009.

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:

• 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.

JCAA Spring Issues Forum

REGISTER NOW! These are free breakfast meetings for JCAA members!

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 two breakfasts you plan to attend.

JCAA holds Fall and Spring Issues Forums to allow members to 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 for the Forums are:

Spring 2009 Issues Forums Meeting Dates - 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

• Wednesday, April 8 - Rolling Hills Country Club, 15707 West 26th Avenue, Golden
• Wednesday, April 15 - Rolling Hills Country Club, 15707 West 26th Avenue, Golden

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

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.

Join us by clicking here to RSVP to Mary Wagner to attend (or call 303-982-6839 option 3).

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

JCAA Year End Celebration Event

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Breakfast and End of Year Program - Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada - 7:30 am to 9:30 am. The featured humorist is Chicken Lips.

Best Ball Golf Tournament at Fox Hollow, 13410 W. Morrison Road, Lakewood - 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Happy Hour at The Den at Fox Hollow, 13410 W. Morrison Road, Lakewood - 4:30 pm to 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 10.

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

Serving Kids Clothing Program

Serving Kids needs coordinators! Coordinator duties include - checking the Serving Kids phone, talking with volunteers to resolve questions regarding outstanding requests, and routing new volunteer interest and other questions to the JCAA office. Coordinators normally serve one or two months. If you are interested in helping a great program do great things, click here to email Mary Wagner.

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.

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

Calling All Retirees

Please let the JCAA office know if you are retiring this year by clicking here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at (303) 982-6839 opt. 3. Information will be kept confidential. JCAA uses the information to plan for the Year End Celebration which includes retiree recognition. Thanks!

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

JCAA Care, Concern, and Celebration Messages

As a service to our members, JCAA sends out Care, Concern, and Celebration messages to keep members connected and supported.

If you have a concern or celebration or you know a colleague in need of support, please let the JCAA office know.

We always check with the person to make sure it's okay to send out the message and we honor the member's wishes.

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

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

CASE Professional Development Workshop

Monday, February 23, 2009, check in 8:00 am to 9:00 am, program 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Conference Center, 1500 East 128th Ave, Thornton, CO 80241

Leading through the Financial Crisis

Given the economic challenges we face, school leaders must be thoughtful and deliberate as they steer their districts through the looming financial crisis. Savvy leaders are called upon not only to make responsible fiscal decisions but also to address the emotional toll on employees and the community that comes with making tough choices.

In this highly interactive session, participants will:

• Learn the most current information about state budget cuts and school finance
• Consider the experiences of school leaders who are dealing with shrinking budgets in their districts
• Think together about how to cope with the human impacts of budget reductions
• Contribute to the development of CASE position statements on state budget cuts.

Registration $75 - CASE Member, $150 for Non-member - includes continental breakfast and lunch

Deadline February 19, 2009

Questions? Call Leisa Sacry at 303 762 8762, x 100 or email lsacry@co-case.org

Register today on www.co-case.org