Stafford School Buzz September 2016 by Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford School Buzz september 2016

In This Issue 2 Upcoming Events 3 Department News 4 Winding Creek Starts Strong with C5W Teambuilding 5 5 Keys to a Safer Home 6 #Back2SCPS SCPS 5K Fun Run/Walk

The creek

Winding Creek Practices All-Century Learning

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News & Events

upcoming events S

13 School Board Meeting

Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, 7:00 p.m.

15 Blessings in a Backpack

Hartwood Elementary School, 2:00 p.m. HES celebrates its third year supporting Blessings in a Backpack with a kickoff packing event. Attendees will pack weekend food bags which are distributed to children in need. Youth At-Risk Town Hall Meeting on Opioid Addiction Brooke Point High School, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. An up-close and personal informative session on the effects of drug addiction in our county.

17 Electronics Recycling Event

Fredericksburg City Shop Parking Lot, 1000 Tyler Street, Fredericksburg, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Don’t dump – DONATE your electronics! If you can plug it in or it accepts batteries, there’s a good chance you can donate it. Donations are accepted at the address above or any Goodwill Donation Center. Click here for a list of acceptable items. Household Hazardous Waste Day Fredericksburg City Shop Parking Lot, 1000 Tyler Street, Fredericksburg, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The R-Board is collecting household hazardous waste materials that are typically not accepted daily. Collection is provided free of charge for Stafford County and Fredericksburg City residents. Click here for a list of accepted materials.

20 Stafford Education Foundation Third Annual Golf Classic

Gauntlet Golf Club, Registration 7:30 a.m., Shotgun Start 9:00 a.m. Proceeds from players, sponsors and donors benefit our schools. Click here for the event brochure and registration.

21 Governance Committee Meeting

Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, 5:00 p.m. Finance and Budget Committee Meeting Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, 6:00 p.m.

24 Service Academy Day

University of Mary Washington Stafford Campus, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Meet representatives from the Service Academies and Representative Wittman to learn about the academics and the admission process. Students, parents, guidance counselors, and school officials are all welcome to attend. Door opens at 8:30 a.m. for registration. Pre-registration is not required. For more information click here.

26 Advisory Committee Orientation

Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, 6:00 p.m.

27 School Board Meeting

Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, 7:00 p.m.

30 Renaissance Night

Mountain View High School, Faire Activities 6:30 p.m., Show 8:00 p.m. MVHS Chorus Boosters is proud to present their Annual Renaissance Night. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for faire activities, followed by a performance of John Rutter’s The Reluctant Dragon at 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium. This event is child-friendly, and will include light refreshments, Renaissance dance lessons, and music provided by the chorus and band departments. For a nominal fee, guests may also choose to visit booths for hair braiding, crown-making, balloons and Renaissance-themed pictures. Click here for more information. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Children 4 and under admitted free. All activities will conclude by 8:30 p.m.

2 September 2016 • Stafford School Buzz

News & events

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department news Dear SCPS Employees, Welcome to the start of the 2016-2017 school year! The Office of Strategic Communication & Community Engagement has compiled a staff newsletter to keep everyone informed of events and information in the division. In the first issue, you will find updates from departments on upcoming events in the division. This is an exciting time. We are launching a new Strategic Plan, a three year Communication Plan, a new website and mobile app just to name a few. These are elements that will take the division to the next level to inspire and empower all students. If you have anything you would like to see in future editions of the newsletter, please contact the Office of Strategic Communication & Community Engagement at SCPScommunications@staffordschools.net. W. Bruce Benson Superintendent

Payroll & Benefits Have You Changed Your Name? If you’ve changed your name due to marriage or divorce, please inform the Payroll and Benefits Office. We will update your payroll records and W-2 file; and coordinate with the health and dental insurance provider. You can find the link to the name change forms on the Payroll and Benefits web page. We will need to see a copy of the Social Security Card with your new name, along with new W-4 and VA-4 forms to ensure the information we have on file is the same as that on file with the IRS and Social Security Administration. If you have questions, Sorcha Schimpf or John Battaglia can assist. VRS Changes Will Impact All Full-Time Employees The Virginia Retirement System wants members to become familiar with and use the myVRS website. All full-time employees, are automatically enrolled in the VRS for their retirement savings account, group life insurance and health insurance credit. VRS has now moved many of their services to an employee self-serve menu instead of allowing employers to complete transactions for employees. Going forward, employees will need to complete their own address and name changes online with the VRS, file Requests for Refunds upon separation (if they choose to withdraw their retirement savings) and access their annual Member Benefit Profile statements. Employees can set up their myVRS accounts at www.varetire.org. Click on the myVRS for member link and follow the instructions. Users will provide the last four digits of their SSN, date of birth and last name. For questions about the myVRS services, please contact Customer Service at 1 (888) 827-3847.

Safety, Security & Risk Management Training for Crossing Guards Crossing Guards are a valuable asset to the safety of all our students. Please make sure your crossing guard is trained through our department. If you have anyone you would like to have trained, please send an email to Linda Powell with the name and position of the individual in order for a class to be arranged.

Stafford School Buzz • September 2016

Collect for Kids Backpack Stuffing Event

From our CPR/AED Technician’s Desk Please make sure someone is assigned to checking your AED’s daily to assure they are in working condition and report monthly their findings to Karen Smith. From our Worker’s Comp Desk Be aware of foreign substances in the floor at all times to avoid slips, trips and falls. Please contact Annette Hall if you have concerns regarding Worker’s Comp or school safety inspections. From our Raptor Technician Desk Please be sure all visitors are scanned into the Raptor System. There should be a trained person available at all times to ensure this process in order to keep all of our students safe. Questions regarding the Raptor System should be directed to Rodney Redmon. From the Desk of the Safety, Security and Risk Management Specialist OSHA and Fire Marshall inspections have begun. Please inspect your area and make sure it is safe for our students and staff. If you have questions, please contact Greg Martin.

Strategic Communication & Community Engagement

Ambassadors Needed: United Way Campaign Communications and Bandy Spirit are planning a variety of exciting events for this year’s United Way Campaign. A United Way Ambassador is needed from each department in Central Office and each school to help organize their staff. If you are interested in representing your department or school, please contact Tiffany Twine at twinetn@ staffordschools.net. Collect for Kids a Success Thank you to all those who donated supplies to our Collect for Kids Back to School Supply Drive over the summer. Volunteers filled backpacks with supplies Wednesday, August 31 at Stafford County Fire & Rescue Station 12. With your help and the help of the community, we distributed nearly 700 backpacks to students in need. School Liaisons Needed Schools should provide the names and contact information for their school liaisons to Samantha Bates at batessm@staffordschools.net by

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NEWS & EVENTS

department news (continued) Friday, September 16. School liaisons will provide the Communications Department with information on events, recognitions, and good news at their school.

Student Services The Department of Student Services welcomes all staff to Stafford!

We provide programming and support in Early Childhood Special Education, K-12 Special Education and Related Services, Instructional, Behavioral & Emotional Support to school staff, Section 504, Counseling Programs, and Health Services. We are a fundamental link with all departments in an effort to maintain high standards of academic excellence, work experience, and innovative programs for all students. Please access our website for more information.

school stories Winding Creek Starts Strong with C5W Teambuilding At Winding Creek Elementary School, All Century Learning isn’t just for students. Principal Rebecca Wardlow wanted to encourage her staff to interact as a “Team of One,” and did so by organizing teambuilding exercises prior to the start of the school year. In late August, the Winding Creek team went from “The Creek” to the river for a canoe trip on the Rappahannock. While some of the group had previous experience, for many it was their first time in a canoe. Staff challenged themselves to try something new, and worked collaboratively to achieve their common goal: not to flip over in the water!

Mission: We teach our students to be critical thinkers, collaborators, communicators, creators, with excellent character, outstanding mindset, and P.R.I.D.E.

The school hopes to encourage students’ families to get involved in C5W this winter with an All Century Learner Night. This program is planned as part of the reveal of the school’s new library Later that week, Focus teacher Roxanne Field organized “Breakout (now “learning commons”). Students Boxes” for a faculty meeting. These boxes are scavenger hunt-style kits and families will use their C5W skills to comprised of puzzles or situations that when solved, lead to another solve Design Briefs and Breakout Boxes. item to solve. Staff broke into groups and used their C5W skills to think critically, collaborate, and come up with creative solutions. In addition to All Century Learning, students at Winding Creek are encouraged to have P.R.I.D.E.: positive attitude, respectful/responsible, Winding Creek staff aims to pass along their commitment to All Century integrity, determination, and empathy. September is Foundation Learning to their students. The school has drafted new vision and Month for the school, and each week teachers will break down the mission statements to align with these goals: characteristics of P.R.I.D.E., integrating it into their lesson plans and throughout the school. Vision: Winding Creek students will use C5W to positively impact their futures...and the world. Another goal of Winding Creek is to reform communication and rebrand the school. ITRT Anna Maria Lechleitner joined the Winding Creek team this year and, in partnership with Ms. Wardlow, has been keeping the school’s Twitter page active. The school intends to expand their communication by opening use of Twitter to all individual teachers. Ms. Lechleitner acts as a resource for these improvements, coaching teachers in use of technology and communication. Ms. Wardlow shared her enthusiasm for the school year. “Staff dynamics are ripe for where we’re going and what we’re doing,” Wardlow said. “It’s exciting times at Winding Creek.” Follow Winding Creek on Twitter: @WindingCreekElem

4 September 2016 • Stafford School Buzz

business partners

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5 Keys to a Safer Home

A message from Liberty Mutual Insurance Home safe home? That’s not always the case. American homes are the second most common location for serious accidents, right behind automobiles, with young children and the elderly being most at risk. Here are the top five causes of accidents in the home according to the National Safety Council—and ways you can minimize the danger and your liability. Prevent Falls The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that one in three older adults falls each year. To keep your loved ones safe, be sure to remove clutter, bind electrical wires together and make sure there is adequate lighting for pathways. Always secure carpets to the floor, and use non-skid rugs in the bathroom. Reduce Burn Hazards To keep children safe, tell your children when you are cooking and create a “no kid zone” around stoves, placing pots and pans on the back burner. Don’t set anything hot within reach, and make sure kids cannot pull on cords for appliances (coffeemakers, slow cookers, etc.). Hot bath child safety caps. If you have visitors in the home, remind them to secure water can also be dangerous, so never let young children sit close to the medication in purses, luggage, etc. Also, make sure to pre-program the number for poison control in your phone, along with 911. faucets or adjust the water temperature. Minimize Chance of Drowning Most drowning and near-drowning incidents happen when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub. Always keep a close eye on children, and if you have a pool or hot tub be sure to keep it secure when you’re not around (a 5-foot fence is recommended; check your local ordinances for requirements).

It’s all about protecting what’s important to you. See how Liberty Mutual Insurance can provide the coverage you need for your home.

Minimize Risk of Choking Choking can be a danger for both young children and older adults, who may have trouble chewing. Talk to older friends and family about the increased risk, especially if they live alone. For small children under 3, always keep their play area clear of small objects like coins or toy parts that can be swallowed. Be sure to cut food into small pieces (especially hot dogs). Both children and the elderly should avoid hard candy.

Sources: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/safety-at-home. aspx?var=mnd http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html http://www.poisonprevention.org

To learn more about Liberty Mutual Auto and Home Insurance or to get a free, no-obligation quote, call Falon Kirkley Horton at (540) 548-8344 ext. 53136 or visit libertymutual.com/SCPS.

Prevent Poisoning Poisonprevention.org estimates that over 2 million people call poison control centers each year. To keep children safe, be sure to always lock

Becoming a Partner If you know of any businesses or organizations that may be interested in forming a partnership with Stafford County Public Schools, please contact Tiffany Twine at twinetn@staffordschools.net.

Stafford School Buzz • September 2016

stafford school buzz We Value Your Input Let us know what’s happening in your department or school. Share your events, recognitions, and suggestions with us at SCPScommunications@staffordschools.net.

September 2016 Stay Connected Stafford County Public Schools

October’s deadline is September 26.

#Back2SCPS Thank you to everyone who participated in our #Back2SCPS First Day of School social media campaign! Here are just a few of the photos we received from happy parents and students. Visit http://www. staffordschools.net/back2scps to view all of the photos and tweets from the big day. Wishing you all a fantastic 2016-17 school year!

SCPS 5k Fun Run/Walk Benefitting Stafford Education Foundation Saturday, October 29, 8-11 a.m. Colonial Forge High School

This event will benef it the Stafford Education Foundation in support of SCPS. Registration is SOLD OUT, but you can still contribute by volunteering! For road marshalling, contact Tom Nichols at nicholstm@staffordschools.net. For all other volunteer opportunities, contact Elaina Parrish at parrishen@staffordschools.net. This event is for SCPS employees only.

“Inspire & Empower”