FREMONT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 FREMONT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS HANDBOOK We will be a learning community where all members are respected and every individual is challenged to achieve excellence.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome 1 Fremont County School District One 1 Substitute Assignments 1 List of Schools and Principals 2 Duties and Responsibilities of Substitute Teachers 2 Substitute Compensation 4 Long-Term Substitute Assignments 5 Substitute Travel 5 Professional Ethics 5 Discipline 6 Safety and Emergency Situations 6 Helpful Hints 6 Harassment/Discrimination/Bullying 7 Use of Tobacco Products 8 Wednesday Early Outs (WEOs) 8 District Calendar 9 Fremont County School District 1 does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 may be referred to John Metcalfe, Coordinator of the Office for Civil Rights, Fremont County School District 1, 400 Baldwin Creek Road, Lander, WY or telephone (307) ; or the Wyoming Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Coordinator, 2nd Floor, Hathaway Building, Cheyenne, WY , or telephone (307) The District hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

3 WELCOME Welcome to the substitute teaching staff of Fremont County School District #1. The principals, central administration, classroom teachers, and secretarial staff are willing and eager to assist you in making your assignments in our schools successful. You have been selected for the substitute staff because you are a fully qualified substitute teacher with either a Wyoming teaching certificate or substitute permit. As a substitute teacher, you are a vital part of the educational system in our district. This handbook is designed to convey the District s expectations to you, answer questions you may have, and assist you with problems that may present themselves in the course of the school year. Other specific materials may be available at individual schools when you report for work. We appreciate your interest and enthusiasm in substituting in Fremont County School District #1 and extend our thanks and best wishes as you join our staff. Mike Bowman Superintendent of Schools FREMONT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 Fremont County School District #1 is based in Lander, Wyoming. Our district encompasses a total land area of 3,147 square miles with a district census of 10,244 residents. We serve the communities of Lander, Hudson, Jeffrey City, and the surrounding area. We currently have enrolled about 1,700 students across seven school buildings, ranging in size from 500 students at Lander Valley High School to one student at Jeffrey City. SUBSTITUTE ASSIGNMENTS To obtain an assignment, a substitute must monitor the Aesop website, which is linked from the district website ( On this website, all substitute assignments are listed. When a substitute finds an assignment for which s/he is qualified, then s/he indicates that, and the assignment has then been made. Substitute Handbook

4 FREMONT COUNTY SCHOOLS AND PRINCIPALS STARTING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL S NAME ADDRESS TIME North (K-1) ( ) Mrs. Yvette Majerus 426 Washington 8:05 a.m. Gannett Peak (2-3) ( ) Mr. Jade Morton 863 Sweetwater 8:10 a.m. Baldwin Creek (4-5) ( ) Mrs. Leslie Voxland 350 Smith St. 8:15 a.m. RURAL SCHOOL Jeffrey City ( ) Dr. Kathy Hitt Jeffrey City 8:00 a.m. MIDDLE SCHOOL ( ) Lander Middle School (6-8) Mr. Brian Janish 755 Jefferson 8:00 a.m. HIGH SCHOOLS (LVHS: ; Pathfinder: ) Lander Valley (9-12) Dr. Lisa Hafer 350 Baldwin Cr. 8:00 a.m. Pathfinder (9-12) Dr. Kathy Hitt WLRC Campus 8:00 a.m. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS 1. The substitute teacher is directly responsible to the principal or his/her designee while in a school. 2. The substitute teacher must check in with the principal s administrative assistant upon arrival in the building and sign the daily substitute report form. 3. Arrival and dismissal times will be the same for the substitute teachers as for the regular teachers. Teachers are required to be on-duty fifteen minutes before classes begin and remain fifteen minutes after students are dismissed unless other arrangements are made. Substitutes should arrive in sufficient time before school starts to be able to read completely through the day's plans and prepare needed materials. 4. The substitute teacher is not to leave school during the school day without permission from the principal, except at lunch. 5. Substitutes are NEVER to leave the class while students are in the class. If an emergency occurs that requires a substitute to leave, the teacher in the closest classroom should be notified so that teacher can monitor the students. 6. Substitute teachers are expected to dress in a manner befitting the teaching profession. 7. Substitutes are not to use teachers computers to access accounts or the internet. Teachers computers should only be used by substitutes if they are directed to do so by the teacher. Substitute Handbook

5 8. The substitute teacher should make comments on the appropriate form concerning the work covered and any problems encountered during the day. 9. Any money collected must be turned in to the office the day it is collected The substitute teacher will assume the non-classroom duties (bus duty, playground duty, etc.) of the teacher s/he is replacing. 11. The substitute teacher must check with the school s administrative assistant before leaving at the end of the day. If the substitute is in the same assignment at a school for consecutive days, it is not necessary to check with the administrative assistant at the end of each day. 12. The substitute teacher is expected to leave the regular teacher s desk and room looking at least as nicely as it did at the beginning of the day with supplies, books, and equipment left where they were found at the beginning of the day. The 15 minutes after school should be used to return the classroom to order. 13. The substitute teacher should not change the seating arrangement of students or class routines except on a temporary basis related to matters of discipline. 14. The substitute teacher will follow the regular teacher s plans and will not work ahead with new lessons in the text or workbook. The substitute is expected to teach the lessons exactly as the teacher instructed. Please follow the lesson plans and complete lessons as directed by the teacher before supplementing with additional activities. Substitute teachers are expected to be prepared and to maintain continuity in planned curriculum. All lessons are to be designed around District standards and benchmarks. 15. While students are working individually or in groups, circulate and provide assistance as needed. (Don't sit at the desk and read a book or grade papers!) Grade papers and prepare for upcoming lessons during specials or planning time. If the teacher has left nothing for you to do during specials or planning time, check with partner teachers or the office. 16. The substitute teacher will grade papers of the work done under his/her direction unless notified otherwise. Grades are to be recorded in the grade book by the regular teacher. 17. The substitute teacher will familiarize him/herself with the emergency evacuation and lockdown procedures for the room in which s/he is substituting. If one isn t posted or available in the substitute packet, the substitute should ask a fellow teacher or check with the office. 18. In classes where there are student teachers, substitutes are required to remain in the classroom with them unless directed to do differently by the teacher or student teacher. 19. The principal (or his/her designee) is the only person who may release a student from school. Substitutes should check with the office if there is doubt about release requests or other decisions. Substitute Handbook

6 20. Substitute teachers should refrain from wearing cologne or perfume. There are students in our schools who are allergic to certain fragrances and must leave school if they come in contact with someone wearing them. 21. Please do not give students any candy unless directed by the teacher to do so. 22. Substitutes for half-days should not leave the room/school until the teacher returns or until being given permission by the secretary or principal to leave. Substitutes must stay for at least a half-day. 23. Substitutes are to refrain from using their cell phones for conversing or for texting while they are on-duty. 24. Please use discretion in the event of a tragedy which may be shown on television while you are substituting in a classroom that has cable TV connection. 25. Please do not allow any student to use the teacher s computer. SUBSTITUTE COMPENSATION For the school year, the substitute compensation is: Certified substitute compensation: $92.00 per day Long term subs: Days 1-5 = $92.00 per day Day 6-10 = $97.00 per day Day 11 on = daily rate of first step on the salary schedule Paraprofessional substitutes are paid 15 cents less than Step One of the salary schedule column of the position for which they are subbing. Substitutes who work a half-day will be paid half their daily rate. A normal day for substitutes includes teaching hours, planning time (at home and at school), traveling time, and time spent performing other duties assigned by the principal. No more than the rate stipulated above will be paid for any one day. A full-day is defined as the following: ELEMENTARY: A morning assignment which commences at the beginning of the school day and extends through the lunch period, or an afternoon assignment which commences prior to the lunch period and extends until the end of the school day. SECONDARY SCHOOLS: More than half of the periods that are in the school day. Substitute Handbook

7 NOTE: If a substitute is paid for a full-day, the substitute must be at the school the full day. If not needed to teach a full day, the substitute should report to the office for other work. For any assignment less than the above, the substitute will be paid at the half-day rate and must remain at the school for the half-day. LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENTS When a long-term assignment occurs, the principal and teacher will review the substitute list and select the person s/he feels will best fit the assignment. SUBSTITUTE TRAVEL If a substitute has an assignment at Jeffrey City, the substitute may contact the Bus Garage (Doug Ulrich ) to see if a school district vehicle is available to drive to Jeffrey City, or if the substitute drives him/herself, the District will reimburse the mileage at 32 cents per mile. The mileage claim is to be submitted to Dr. Kathy Hitt, Jeffrey City principal, who is also the principal of Pathfinder High School. The substitute must contact Dr. Kathy Hitt at to determine how to obtain the key to the school. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS A friendly, cheerful, and cooperative attitude toward both school personnel and pupils will help to start the day right and help to keep it running smoothly. The attitude of the substitute will have a great deal to do with the acceptance of the substitute by faculty and students. Plan to spend the entire time at the school working with and for the pupils. Substitutes should keep all children in their areas supervised at all times. Substitutes are legally responsible for pupils, equipment, and materials assigned to their care. When in doubt about student illness and/or injury, substitutes should seek help. Failure to do so could jeopardize the health or safety of a child and result in possible litigation. Because substitutes observe many students, classrooms, and schools during the course of the year, they are privy to a great deal of information. Discretion is advised in discussing this information. The District works hard to promote and maintain positive attitudes toward the schools, and the substitute teachers should strive to do the same. Items of a confidential nature must have the confidentiality maintained by the substitute teachers. Substitute Handbook

8 Substitute teachers must never make disparaging remarks about the regular classroom teacher, the routine established by the teacher, or the subject-matter covered. If substitutes have concerns, they should convey those concerns through the regular chain of command (i.e., teacher, principal, superintendent.) Substitute teachers are expected to observe the same ethical codes as regular teachers. For further information, please refer to the District s policies on the District s website at DISCIPLINE If a discipline problem arises and the substitute finds that s/he is unable to solve it, s/he should refer it to the principal. SUBSTITUTES MUST NOT USE PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE OR PHYSICAL FORCE OF ANY SORT. Use of physical punishment or force will be grounds for immediate removal from the substitute list. Punishment that may be degrading to the student should be avoided. Disciplinary measures should be undertaken as privately as possible with the student(s) involved. Substitutes are expected to implement the discipline/classroom management procedures established by the teacher and the school. Substitutes should follow the three F s (Friendly, Firm, and Fair), and discipline problems will be minimized. When students are kept busy with worthwhile educational experiences, discipline problems usually will not develop. If the substitute knows the material being covered and presents it in an interesting manner, students will be attentive. Expectations for behavior should be clear and reasonable and follow-through consistent. Generally, there are exceptions to every rule and occasionally problems do arise. Again, when in doubt, or if a situation arises that the substitute cannot handle, s/he should notify the office immediately. A request for assistance is not considered a sign of weakness, and when problems arise or if there is a potentially serious problem, the substitute should seek help. SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS It is imperative that you know what to do in emergency situations. As a result, make certain that you check the emergency procedures that are left for you by the teachers for whom you will work. If you have any questions about the procedures, especially for evacuation and lockdown procedures, please contact the principal or the administrative assistant. HELPFUL HINTS It is important that the learning process be continued while the substitute teacher is with the students. The substitute should be prepared, resourceful, and flexible in order to make the job enjoyable and satisfying. Substitute Handbook

9 It is hoped the following helpful hints will aid the substitute teacher in enjoying success. 1. The substitute should arrive in time so that s/he can review the lessons to be taught, become acquainted with the materials, etc. (at least 15 minutes prior to school starting is required). 2. The substitute should dress professionally. A substitute who looks like a professional will experience fewer discipline problems than the substitute who dresses casually. 3. Substitutes should not try to become buddies to the students. This only creates problems. 4. Sometimes an appropriate use of humor will help diffuse a negative situation. 5. Do an internet search keywords: substitute teacher -- to obtain suggestions for strategies which will make your job easier. 6. If problems arise, substitutes should check with a teacher nearby or with the principal. 7. Substitutes should familiarize themselves with the discipline procedures of each school. When on playground duty, the substitute should walk around and supervise the entire area. 8. The substitute should support all school policies. HARASSMENT/DISCRIMINATION/BULLYING Harassment and discrimination are not tolerated by employees, students, parents, or other visitors in our schools. Please ensure that you are not engaged in any behavior which might lead others to believe that you are harassing or being discriminatory against students. If you see these behaviors occurring in others, please attempt to stop the behavior, and then please report the behavior to the principal s office. Fremont County School District #1 also does not tolerate intimidation or bullying. If you observe intimidation or bullying or if it is reported to you, please take steps to stop the behavior immediately, and then please report the behavior to the principal s office. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is defined as any intentional gesture, or any intentional electronic communication, or any intentional written, verbal or physical act initiated, occurring or received at school that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of: Harming a person physically or emotionally, damaging a person s property or placing a person in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage; Insulting or demeaning a person or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of school; or Substitute Handbook

10 Is so sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that is creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a person or group of students. (W.S ) Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including: Slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral or physical actions. Bullying is not tolerated in a classroom or other location on school premises, a school bus or other school-related vehicle, a school bus stop, an activity or event sponsored by a school, whether or not it is held on school premises, and any other program or function where the school is responsible for the child. For more information on the district s policy on bullying, please access the policies on the district s website, and see JICFA - HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING. For more information on discrimination and harassment, see the relevant district policies on the same website. USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS District policy says: The use of any tobacco product--cigarette, cigar, snuff, dip, chew, or other tobacco product--is prohibited. This prohibition includes use by students, all school staff, parents, and visitors, or any other person on any FCSD #1 site. This tobacco policy extends to all school property (indoors and outdoors), in school vehicles and at school- sponsored functions away from school property. WEDNESDAY EARLY OUTS (WEOS) District schools dismiss early on Wednesday afternoons so that teachers and staff can participate in professional development and team-planning activities. The information below shows the normal school-day hours and the dismissal times on Wednesdays: LVHS: 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (2:35 p.m. dismissal on Wednesdays) LMS: 8:00 a.m.-3:10 p.m. (2:30 p.m. dismissal on Wednesdays) Baldwin Creek Elementary: 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. (2:20 p.m. dismissal on Wednesdays) Gannett Peak Elementary: 8:10 a.m.-3:10 p.m. (2:15 p.m. dismissal on Wednesdays) North Elementary: 8:05 a.m.-3:05 p.m. (2:10 p.m. dismissal on Wednesdays) Substitutes may leave the school fifteen minutes after the dismissal time on Wednesdays. Substitute Handbook