NEWS & UPDATES

November 2007 News and Updates

By this time of the autumn the school year is really in full swing, so we expect to hear a lot from schools and from subs about issues that arise during the week … and we have heard from nearly everybody in the district. Consequently we have tons to cover this month. Never fear, we haven’t forgotten that November is, above all else, pie month – not to be confused with March, which is Pi month. But before we get to the tasty pie news we do have some important information to pass on.

All over country food allergies have become more common. The frequency and severity of these allergies seems to be on the increase. Holmes Elementary School Principal Steve Barnes recently took time to discuss food allergies and classroom safety with the Sub Desk. “You have to be proactive. There are more and more kids with allergies out there, especially peanut allergies, so it’s a really serious issue. Candy is no longer an appropriate reward or motivator for kids. There are too many risks, subs shouldn’t even put themselves in that position, an aspiring teacher could be out of a job!” Mr. Barnes points out that a teacher can think of creative ways to build motivation along with rapport in the classroom that don’t include food. “There are other ways to motivate kids, from stickers to an extra five minutes of recess!” Mr. Barnes is absolutely right. In fact, Kathe Reed-McKay, Coordinator for Spokane Public Schools Health services recently pointed out that the policy is in place to protect not only the students who are at risk, but also you, the substitute in the classroom. “Research and common sense tells us that students with life threatening health conditions are more apt to experience a medical crisis when a substitute is present,” stated Ms. Reed-McKay. “When you first check into the office, insist on receiving a substitute folder and ask where the health care plan information is located for the students you will teach. Due to the increasing numbers of children with life threatening food allergies, NEVER distribute ANY food items to students and discourage students from sharing food. If an emergency happens for any student in your care, never hesitate to call 9-1-1, follow the “Emergency Action Plan” if the student has one, contact the office, stay with the student and provide first aid . If you have questions about a student’s health care plan you may inquire at the office and/or ask how to contact the school nurse.”

Often times substitutes ask us for advice regarding letters of recommendation; who to ask, when to ask, and where to ask for these significant additions to your file. We went to our Human Resources Director, Tennille Jeffries-Simmons to get you the best information about beneficial steps to take to get letters of recommendation that make your file shine. First Ms. Jeffries-Simmons suggests relying on your own good judgment in requesting recommendations. “Obviously you don’t ask for a recommendation on your first day on the job. You want to have developed a professional relationship before you ask an administrator to observe your work in the classroom.” Ms. Jeffries-Simmons offers the strategy of identifying schools in which you have numerous successful substitute assignments, especially when you’ve been specifically requested. “When you have worked multiple days at a school, asking a principal or PA to observe your work and give you feedback is an appropriate way to pave the way toward later requesting a letter of recommendation from that administrator.” Long term substitutes should follow the same strategy. While letters from other teachers are okay, recommendations from a principal or an assistant principal will be substantive additions to your file as these administrators are in positions which regularly require observation and evaluation of staff. Since letters of recommendation have the potential to impact your strength as a candidate, you want those letters to pack a punch and that impact is going to be found when you follow Tennille’s excellent advice:

1. Wait until you’ve established professional rapport with a school after several assignments at that site.
2. Ask a principal or assistant principal to observe you in the classroom in order to get feedback..
3. When the feedback is stellar, ask politely if that administrator would have time to write a letter of recommendation.

A sub called our office last month after hearing a (completely false) rumor that Spokane Public Schools was going to lay off substitute teachers. First, let us assure you that this is completely untrue. We are still hiring both substitute teachers and educational support substitutes; we have no plans to lay off any substitutes. This is a good time to remind you that in a large school district like ours rumors can get pretty thick on the ground. The wise course is to check with somebody in the know – and by somebody in the know we mean us! You can e-mail any time and we’ll get back to you with the truth: katem@spokaneschools.org

You can probably see how busy things get out in the schools when the school year really gets humming. Let us remind you that our office staff are hard-working even when things are quiet and when the activity level soars, office staff keep pace and then some. You can show your esteem for these unflagging, exceptional staff by treating them with respect and appreciation when you are in our schools.

A sub called us in confusion in October when she was called for a job which was scheduled until 6 PM. We do have some assignments that run that late, particularly for Learning Opportunity Centers, but these are unusual. When you get a call for a job which has unusual hours, please call the school and ask them to confirm the schedule.

Regular readers will recall that November brings a … well you couldn’t call it a glut, really, because that implies that we’d have too many pies, and (as everybody knows) you can never have too many pies (it’s a scientific fact – ask anybody) … we guess you could say that in November there are finally nearly enough pies. Cathie has been checking her freezer for bags of last summer’s huckleberries in preparation for her family’s legendary huckleberry pie. Kate has been perfecting her apple pie and working on the world premier of a decadent new recipe for a Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart with a coconut tangerine shortbread crust. The great news is that that caramel tart is now an actual dessert, but it is so rich that it is almost depraved. We here at the sub desk care about you and your arteries, so we’ll share the recipe with you, but it comes with a health warning from the Surgeon General. If you want to take the risk you may send Kate an e-mail requesting the recipe she’s always happy to share.

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