Employee

N622 ews A newsletter published for employees of District 622 April 1, 2019 Superintendent News & Notes Early Voting has begun! Welcome to April! Mail and in-person voting started After weeks of work by our March 29 legislators, Governor Walz is Help spread the word that you don’t need to finally signing a bill into law this wait until May 14 to vote on the District 622 bond afternoon that will forgive MN referendum. Residents can vote early by mail or districts for the missed school Christine Osorio in person starting March 29. Visit the Bond 2019 days caused by the polar vortex Voting Information webpage for more detailed and excessive snow this winter. That means, information. barring any additional snow days, we no longer Vote early in-person - mostly during business have to worry about making up lost instructional hours and on Saturday, May 11. time. If you are so inclined, please thank your • Ramsey County residents can vote at the lawmakers, and Senator Wiger in particular, as he downtown St. Paul Ramsey County office was one of the leaders of this effort! (beginning March 29) or Maplewood Library (May 7 - May 13 only). As we move into the final six weeks until election • Washington County residents can vote at the day (May 14), we need your help to ensure our Washington County offices in Woodbury or families and community are getting the facts Stillwater. Locations and hours can be found on about our facilities bond referendum. If you see or the Bond 2019 Voting Information webpage. hear of people with misinformation, please reach Vote early by mail - Get an absentee ballot out and share the link to our referendum website, application from your school office - or download www.isd622.org/bond2019. An updated facilities the absentee ballot application for your county on presentation has been posted as well. Thank you the Bond 2019 Voting Information webpage. Once for your continued support in helping our voters you submit the application, a ballot will be sent make an informed decision on May 14th! to you with instructions. Ballots must be received by the appropriate county office no later than May Please check out the health insurance update 14. on page 4. We are facing our first rate increase Parents often say they forgot to vote or they in many years and I want to ensure that all got too busy on Election Day. Make sure they know employees are staying current with the updates. about the early voting options and offer to help them find the early voting information on our Finally, consider volunteering at Project Family website. And if you live in the district, be sure you Connect on Saturday, April 13. More information vote too! can be found on page 6.

I wish you all a warm and productive April! Updated!

Christine Osorio Bond 2019 presentation Getting to know...Health Services

In District 622, each building has a health agreed. “I love being able to help a student with professional designated to the health needs of their ongoing health needs and watching them students. In all, there are eight BSNs (Bachelor of become more independent from one year to the Science Registered Nurses) who oversee multiple next with managing their own medications or buildings, create care plans, and provide training, treatments,” noted. and a mix of 23 ARNs (Associate Degree Registered Nurse) and LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) in the “I feel proud when I see students be happy and health offices, for a total of 32 full-time nurses. healthy,” said Betsy Schrader, Skyview Elementary. There are also 11 nurse substitutes. “My goal is to not just take care of health needs but to form positive relationships with students. “With the continuous changes in student health I enjoy talking with each student to learn new needs, they actively work to be a strong support things. I think this is imperative to form a unique and advocate for the individual student and their bond with students to provide well-rounded care.” families,” said Alecia Gustafson, Health Services Supervisor. “They triage 30-90 students per day These health professionals enjoy providing a safe in each health office, with the ultimate goal of and comforting space for students and helping student health and safety AND keeping kids in them with all aspects of their health, be it a new school/class.” diagnosis or a chronic health issue. They also know that connecting with students who might not feel “I really enjoy the journey with our early childhood like they have many adults to trust and need an students,” noted Teresa Zachary, Beaver Lake, extra hug on a rough day is important as well. Gladstone, and Eagle Point. “It’s so rewarding to watch a child come in for screening, start a “Whether to wrap a cut finger, ice a bruised knee preschool program and flourish with the support or ease an anxious heart, these are all chances for of our amazing teachers and support staff.” positive interactions to encourage students in their school learning environment,” said Mary Fowler, Along those same lines, Carrie Sullivan, Cowern, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Presentation, and the Church of St. Peter. “I am grateful for the

Alecia Salo, Kale Remmers, Corrine Ravenwald, Doreen Lendway

Darla Winter

Kari Vanscoyk Kelly Ayd

Lynn Soler

Kelli Johnson Julie Koster

2 opportunity to offer health support to our students.”

The team receives a plethora of requests, but most often get asked for ice packs, Band-Aids®, and personal hygiene products. Other requests include taking temperatures, a chance to lay down if they didn’t sleep well the night before, and food. Leah Mortenson, Doreen, Stacy Jones, Betsy Schrader, Alecia Health Services holds a monthly in-service with all nurses, including health staff for non-public schools housed within district boundaries. This year, the team has had in-services with presenters from Ramsey Carrie Sullivan County Public Health, a diabetes educator from the University of Minnesota, and mental health training with the trauma training team from District 622. There are also BSN meetings to discuss certain topics on staff development days.

“This team is incredibly dedicated and hard-working,” Gustafson added. “Their work goes unnoticed by Melissa Reis, Deb Givot many, but they are the most caring and compassionate Megan McKelvey people I know!”

Outside of work, these individuals have an array of interests, including crafting, traveling, exercising, playing instruments, redecorating rooms in their homes, enjoying the tranquility of nature, volunteering, growing in their faith, and spending Kate Brazil, Alecia Kim Moore time with friends and family.

Teresa Zachary, Viviane Vaaj

Heather Bombardir, Sawanda Smith

Mary Fowler Linda Buesing

Not pictured:

Lori Olson (Richardson) Kelly Riemenschneider Chris Stickler (Richardson) Andrea Stone Viviane Yang (Maplewood) Cathy DeGiusti, Nancy David

3 Human Resources News IMPORTANT - Health Insurance Rate Increases Health insurance rates will be going up an overall increase of 10% effective July 1, 2019. The change is due to an increase this year in our medical claims. Our health insurance rates are set at an amount each year to assure that we have sufficient funds to pay our medical claims. For 2019-20, our expected claims will be more than the amount of money we collect in premium. Therefore, rates need to increase to be able to cover the cost of our plan.

It is typical to see fluctuations in medical claims over time. After many years of low claims, we are now experiencing higher claims. Right now we are paying approximately $48,000 more per week for claims than we did at the same time last year.

At the same time, we have not not seen an increase in our insurance rates for many years. Since 2010, the overall health care rates have not changed significantly. For example, the rates for the 200-25 plan have only increased $33 for single coverage over the last six years.

What happens next? The monthly premium for employees will increase effective July 1, 2019. Most employees will see this increase on their paycheck in the fall when insurance deductions begin on the October 15th check. Employees that work year round (12 months) will see the increase on their July 15th paycheck. Information on the new rates will be sent out as part of Open Enrollment.

Open Enrollment will be held May 3 - 20, 2019. During Open Enrollment, you will have the option to review the cost of other health plans and may change to a health plan with a less expensive premium.

What can I do? Being a good consumer of health care helps you and the health plan. The choices we make in where we receive healthcare, and even what pharmacy we use, all affect our claims. If you are ill, your options range from calling the CareLine to get free advice from an RN to stopping at a convenient clinic to visiting the emergency room.

You may only pay a copay or portion of the cost towards your deductible, yet, the remainder of the cost is an expense paid by our health plan. Choosing the CareLine over the emergency room is less costly to the health plan. Additional information will be provided during Open Enrollment on how to best utilize the health care options available to you.

For updates on the new rates and other important benefit information visit the website at www.isd622.org/benefits.

4 Scene around 622 1 2

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Upper left: Staff at Castle are all smiles amidst the construction going on around them. Upper right: Oakdale staff were all smiles when I stopped by to take some photos around the school. Middle left: Maplewood Middle staff get ready to spread the word about the bond referendum to their families. Middle right: Lynn Pham, Skyview Middle, shows off the bond poster as she leaves the Site Team training on March 21. Lower left: Next Step staff were excited to attend the Site Team training. Send your staff pics Lower right: Carver staff and volunteers brainstorm ideas for educating parents and community members to [email protected] about the upcoming bond referendum. by the 20th of the month.

5 May 14 Referendum Districtwide improvements proposed Staff are trusted ambassadors in the community about our schools. Be sure to learn the facts about our May 14 bond referendum at our referendum website www.isd622.org/bond2019. If you have any questions, call the referendum phone line (651.748.7629) or email [email protected]. You can also attend - or tell others to attend - one of two public information sessions:

• Thursday, April 4, 6 pm, at the District Education Center, 2520 East 12th Ave, North St Paul • Thursday, April 18, 6 pm, at Carver Elementary, 2680 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood

Staff members can share factual information about the referendum while on duty, but you can only advocate on your own time. Whatever you find on our district website can be shared with anyone, anytime. Read these guidelines to answer questions you may have about what you can and can’t do.

Staff Dos and Don’ts during the levy campaign Employees may: Employees may not: • Answer factual questions about the issue. • Tell others to vote YES or NO while working. • Share factual information provided on the • Use school/classroom newsletters, staff district’s referendum website or by the mailboxes, or district e-mail to promote a district office. YES or NO vote or advocate for a candidate or • Express personal opinion about issues when position. asked. • Voice an unsolicited opinion on an issue. • Volunteer to work with a citizens’ committee • Conduct volunteer campaign duties during the during non-work hours, including hosting regular work day. neighborhood meetings and/or writing • Contribute school district funds, supplies, or editorials or letters to the editor. equipment to a campaign. • Contribute personal funds to a campaign. • Display campaign posters or signs on school • Wear personal symbols of expression (e.g., property. buttons, shirts, etc.) as long as they comply • Participate in campaign activities during the with other district policies. regular work day. • Display campaign signs and posters on • Use school-collected, non-public information personal property (home, cars, etc.). (e.g., classroom lists or contact information • Speak at public meetings or attend campaign to which only a staff member would have events during non-work hours. Participation access). in such activities during regular work hours • Discuss with students any campaign issues requires use of personal or vacation time. or advocate a position unrelated to the • Teachers may discuss with students or parents curriculum. the political process or election issues to the • Use any type of grading incentive to extent such discussion is directly related to encourage or require voting or political the curriculum. activity. • Support good citizenship by encouraging eligible voters to vote on May 14.

6 • Shout out to all of the extra help at Eagle Point during the "Great Flood." (water main break). Maintenance engineers, administration, fellow colleagues, parents, made it work! Thank you!

• Shout Out to the great team at Next Step! We have worked through some difficult student issues this year. Because of great efforts working together, we have accomplished some remarkable goals in helping these students! It truly does take a village!

• Shout out to the AWESOME elementary specialists at Weaver! You ROCK, Mr. Mac, Ms. Pederson, and Mrs. McComb! Thanks for the SUPER concerts, STEM Fair Night, Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, dance units, and all the other events you do!

• Shout Out to Weaver 4th Grade Teacher, Roberto Pratts, for keeping the Weaver Elementary School Community filled with peace and love. Every school needs a Mr. Pratts!

Shout Outs Shout • Shout out to Jodi Schmidt, who has been such a big help to me in my position. She has been really supportive as I've learned my new position, been available to answer my repetitive questions, and is a wealth of knowledge that has been super helpful to me.

• Shout out to Tyler Grass and Demetri Dillard who are taking great care of Richardson amidst lots of construction work!

• Shout out to Jeff Reif for being a joy to work with. No matter the request or short turnaround time, he is consistently happy to help get the job done with a smile and cheerful demeanor!

• Shout-out to the grounds crew for clearing out the Richardson basement!

• Shout out to the folks who assisted a co-worker who fell in the parking lot. Your efforts and kindness were greatly appreciated.

Send your Shout Outs to [email protected] by the 20th of the month. Anyone can submit a Shout Out!

Check out the shows! Grandma's Best Years ISD 622 Art Show Grandma's Best Years is on stage this Check out the artistic talents of ISD weekend April 4-6th at North High. 622 students at the annual ISD 622 Art Shows are nightly at 7 pm with a Show which will run from April 7 - 13 matinee at 2 pm on Saturday. at Maplewood Mall.

Tickets are $6 for students and The show opens with a reception from seniors, and $8 for adults. Your 622 4 - 6 pm on Sunday, April 7. badge will get you in for free! Check Peachjar for the art show flyer! Visit www.northdrama.org for more information.

7 Project Family Connect Volunteers needed to make PFC a success! 622 Project Family Connect will host a variety of medical, dental, legal, mental health, social service, food support, and job support providers along with offering free items like basic care needs and food. Over 30 providers are already confirmed with many more yet to come.

The event will take place from 8 AM to 12 NOON on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at North High School, 2416 11th Avenue East, North St. Paul.

How can you help? Volunteers will be needed the days leading up to the event, as well as during and after the event. We can use volunteers ages 13 and up. Here is the link to sign up: https:// www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0449aaac29aafe3-project.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any of your questions. Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP) Upcoming changes to the offers for employees Effective April 9, 2019, in addition to the current Home Use Program offer listed below, employees will be able to purchase annual subscriptions of Office 365 Home or Personal at a 30% discount.

With an Office 365 annual subscription, you will always have up- to-date premium versions of Office apps across all of your devices, plus 1TB of cloud storage per user. (Office 365 Personal can be used by a single person and Office 365 Home can be shared by up to six people.)

Between now and June 30, 2019 the current HUP offer allows for a one-time purchase of Office Professional Plus 2019 and Office Home and Business for Mac 2019 for $14.99 each.

To make a purchase, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to www.microsofthup.com. 2. Enter your work email address. 3. Receive an email from Microsoft and confirm your account. 4. Select from the software offers listed, buy the software, and download.

8 What's your hobby? This month - Gilvanete Surine 622 Position: Bilingual Cultural Liaison/Interpreter Building: Richardson Hobby(ies): Yoga, painting, beading, learning about my job!

How did you get started with your hobbies? Yoga: I started yoga as a workout 20 years ago, but now I am into the more spiritual, calming, self-exploratory, compassionate, loving side of it. I love yoga so much I have been practicing Karma yoga - it means I've been teaching for free - I like SHARING yoga. Painting: I started when my son was a baby and I needed something extremely different from changing diapers and feeding. I had thought about being an art major before going into French Language and Literature/Translation in college. Beading: I took one basic beading class in a store and was hooked. Learning: I say learning about my job because I've been taking classes on Special Education for Interpreters and I love reading about it and doing homework evenings and weekends.

What do your hobbies involve? Yoga involves some preparation for the type of class you want to teach, and the message you want to pass to people. I also need to be ready to adapt, in case someone new to yoga comes to class. When I go to my own practice in a studio, it just requires comfortable clothes. Painting does not involve much, I don't think so. I don't have a formal art education so it is like looking at a picture and trying my best to draw and paint it. Beading is harder, because I sometimes draw, lets say, a necklace I have in mind, but it is very hard to actually make it. Learning just require reading and discussing with people, interviewing others, writing papers and presentations...

What do you enjoy most about your hobbies? I enjoy mostly sharing yoga with others, I feel it is an act of love. I share my paintings, despite not being a professional, I feel engrossed in beading and it is good for my fine motor skills, and the learning and reading is good for our brains!

Editors Note: Thanks for your What's Your Hobby responses! There are seven more columns lined up after this one! Yeah! You can still submit your hobby to get in the line-up!

What do you do when you aren't working? This column features the story of a staff member's hobby. Do you have a fun, unusual or interesting hobby? Fill out the What's Your Hobby form and your story could be here too!

9 March Employee News Survey Results N = 105 responses This Month’s Survey Click here to participate in the 622 Employee News survey. The survey is an easy to answer Google Form.

Results will appear in the next issue. Back Issues Employee newsletters are archived at:

www.isd622.org/622employeenews

This page is not directly available to the public. 2. What's the name of the last show you binge-watched? (only one show please!)

Most mentions: Peachjar flyers for staff A Million Little Things (6) Game of Thrones (4) As new flyers are Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (4) uploaded you will Ted Bundy Tapes (4) receive an email Criminal Minds (3) alert. (3) (3) , Dr. Who, Grey's Anatomy, Handmaids Tale, The Umbrella Academy, Victoria and You - (2 each) Social Media Quotes Tell us something special about District 622 Other shows mentioned - 60 Days, , American Crime Story: The killing of Versace, Anne with an E, Big Bang Theory, Black Mirror, Blue Bloods, Call the Midwife, Catastrophe, We want your thoughts for social media! Cheers, Covert Affairs, Cutthroat Kitchen, Downton Abbey, Family Cooking Showdown, Fixer Upper, Friends from College, Tell us: Fuller House, Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce, Great British Baking Show, Hart of Dixie, Hinterland, It's Always Sunny in Philly, Jack • Your favorite thing about your job Ryan, Lucifer, Northern Rescue, Never Done This, New Girl, One • What makes you smile while at work Tree Hill, Orange is the New Black, Outlander, Project Runway, • Your favorite student moment Psyche, Real Housewives, Rescue 911, Riverdale, and more! • What makes your day at work • About your favorite work memory Check out the submitted recipes:

March - Cookies Please keep it brief. We'll grab your photo from Campus to accompany your quote. Submit your favorite CAKE! recipes this month by clicking on the link or follow the link on the survey. You may access them any time at Submit your thoughts here using this form.

www.isd622.org/622employeerecipes Thank you!

The 622 Employee News is produced and distributed by the District 622 Communications Office for school district employees. Stories may be submitted to the Communications Office in the District Education Center to be considered for publication. Deadlines are the 20th of the month for all content. Comments and questions may be directed to Mari Drake at [email protected]. 10