As I reflect back on the last month, I must say that it is nice to see some human activity in the halls again. July is a lonely time in a school district and I can feel the hustle and bustle starting to build. As always, be sure to thank Greg Johnson, Mark Scheppke, Andrew Lierman and their team as they finish up their work on our facilities. Thank you for working hard over the summer to improve all of our working conditions in the fall!

As we look forward to the start of the 19/20 school year, I wanted to take some time to spotlight three words beyond our vision (Engage, Equip, Empower) that will help shape the work that we all do:

Communication: Many have identified this as a need for our district. Our community wants to know more about our schools, our parents want to know more about their child's education and progress towards meeting the standards, our staff want more transparency and timely communication from our administrators, and our school board needs more communication from the citizens they serve. Our administrative team is committed to see this improve. The communication strategies that we use as a school system will never be perfect, and we all have a role in making it better.

Focus: Each principal and administrator has been tasked with the job of narrowing their focus to create goals that utilize the best practices in education and then put all their eggs in THAT basket. We all know there are many great ideas in our field as educators, but we cannot do them all effectively at once.

Alignment: Along with narrowing our focus, it also helps to align our goals as a district. This does not mean that each school will have the same goals, but rather, recognize that by working together we move the needle a bit faster, without overworking ourselves.

So what does this look like?

Each school and staff member will read this with a different lens, because each of you serve our students in a different way. A good metaphor would include a team of geese, as they fly to the south this fall. As a team, they are in alignment with one another to achieve a common goal (focus), while communicating along the way – Honk! We can do this. Together, I am certain we can all work smarter to achieve more, without the change fatigue of yesteryear.

As your new superintendent, I want you to know that there is no one more excited than me to start this new chapter of Altoona history and I am so thankful to be a part of it. Thank you for your continued support and dedicated service to our students.

In service to all of you.

Dan Peggs

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALTOONA STRATEGIC PLAN Engage. Equip. Empower. Offering large school opportunities with a small school approach

Our Values: Student-Focused; Respect; Responsibility; Empathy; Joy; Continuous Improvement; Collaboration; Safety

STUDENTS PEOPLE SERVICE RESOURCES

Altoona is a district where stu- Altoona is a district where all All schools and departments Persistent focus on dents feel connected and staff find purpose, worthwhile work in partnership to serve our efficiency and effectiveness in all supported so they can learn, work and the opportunity to students, parents and processes results in the highest explore and realize their unique make a difference community return on investment strengths and potential Goals: Goals: Goals: Goals:

 Students achieve at the highest  Leaders, teachers and staff are  Parents are highly satisfied with  Financial and Human Resources levels in a variety of ways engaged as owners in the work the quality of their child’s edu- processes are clearly aligned to  Flexible individualized learning of the district and demonstrate cation deliver the best possible learn- opportunities integrated into our values in daily work and in-  Students and schools are sup- ing and working environment

3 core classes are available for all teractions ported by strong partnerships  Facilities and technology are students K-12  High quality teachers and staff among the district, families and managed to continually im-  Students are individuals who are recruited, recognized and the community prove and meet the changing think creatively, using critical retained in the workforce  District departments provide needs of students thinking skills to solve prob-  Opportunities for development seamless support for internal  Student Services programs lems and advocate for them- and advancement result in a and external stakeholders consistently ensure that the selves high performing workforce needs of all students are met or  Our culture promotes and sup-  Transparent and timely commu- exceeded ports a love of learning, social- nication systems provide accu-  Increase fidelity to curriculum emotional wellbeing, safety rate flow of information and consistent use of best in- and care for students structional strategies  Students exit the system pre- pared for success in post- secondary endeavors Adopted: 07/10/17

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALTOONA Engage. Equip. Empower.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE Our Every Day Expectations!

Value: STUDENT FOCUSED Value: JOY Value: RESPECT Value: EMPATHY

 Make decisions based on  Positive and encouraging at-  Honesty  Kindness what is best for the whole mosphere  Direct communication to  Caring child  Welcome everyone that walks solve issues  Compassion  Environment where students through the door  Appreciate and accept, and  Supportive of others take risks and staff are avail-  Sense of humor compromise respectfully able for all students  Acknowledge and celebrate  Listen with an open mind  Meaningful activities success big or small

Value: CONTINUOUS Value: RESPONSIBILITY Value: COLLABORATION Value: SAFETY 5 IMPROVEMENT

 Current relevant and  Take ownership of your  Encourage and support  Supervision of unstructured updated curriculum actions others with opportunities to areas  Professional feedback  Be a team player by contribute  Responsive emergency plans in place for weather, medical  Reflect for improvement following through no matter  Be flexible, adaptable and and intruder  Continuous education how big or small the task accepting of all viewpoints  Buildings and grounds  Show integrity daily  Foster honest and trusting facilities are well maintained relationships and equipment in appropriate  Modeling appropriate behavior Adopted: 03/19/18

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER POLICY (GCE)

A substitute teacher should be a person qualified to instruct in our schools and who is employed for short- or long-term periods of time in the absence of the regular teacher.

Suitable programs for screening, training, assigning, orienting, and evaluating the work of the substitute teachers shall be provided by the administrative staff under the direction of the district administrator.

Rates of compensation for substitute teachers will be set by the board of education.

Substitute teachers will not participate in the health and welfare plans or other fringe benefits of the school district except as required by law.

7 SUBSTITUTE TEACHER GUIDELINES (534-R)

The substitute teacher list shall be compiled through the office of the Superintendent and shall meet the following requirements:

1. Only certified teachers will be engaged for substitute work unless an emergency arises permitting the employment of a permit substitute. All teachers holding a permit license will be interviewed by the Superintendent before their inclusion in the substitute teacher pool.

2. All substitute teachers shall be required to file a current Wisconsin teaching license or permit.

3. Substitute teachers will observe the hours for the regular school session teachers, or as otherwise directed by the administration.

4. Substitute teachers should keep up to date professionally, and be familiar with and aid in the enforcement of all rules and regulations governing teachers.

5. Substitute teachers will follow the plans of the regular teacher, keep up the records, make required statistical reports, leave the room in “good housekeeping” order, leave no ungraded papers, and leave an outline of the work done.

6. A substitute teacher is eligible for a pay increase after 50 days of substitute teaching in the district.

7. A long-term substitute is anyone who teaches over 20 consecutive days in the same position. Long-term substitutes must be licensed in the subject area and/or grade level in which they are employed. Long-term substitutes will be paid the same salary as a teacher on the regular teacher’s salary schedule beginning on the 21st day at the BA- 0 lane. In the event that the long-term substitute assignment is extended into the next school year (in the same position), the 20 day waiting period will be waived.

In cases where qualified substitutes cannot be obtained, the principal shall have the latitude to manage the situation which would best provide for the students’ program, health and safety. This could include reassignment of classes on a day-to-day basis.

Days of inservice at the beginning and end of the school year and parent-teacher conferences may be counted, for long-term substitutes, upon the approval of the building principal. Inservice days during the school year will not be counted.

Legal Ref: 118.19, 118.20, 121.02 Wisc. Statutes PI 34.23, PI 34.24

Approved: 09/13/16 8 School District of Altoona - Subfinder Process

Absence Management formerly known as

Once your application and employment paperwork have been processed and your background check completed, you will be added as a member of our substitute workforce in Absence Management.

You will receive your welcome letter containing your phone login information and pin by email. This is used to access the system by phone (call in to the system) only.

The Absence Management System

Available 24/7, Absence Management uses three methods to make jobs available to substitutes.

1. You can search for and accept available jobs, change personal settings, update your calendar, and personalize your available call times by visiting Frontline on the internet at https://app.frontlineeducation.com. If the employee has uploaded lesson plans on the Internet, you will be able to view them online once you take the job!

You will receive a personal invitation email with the Subject Line: Altoona School District invites you to Absence Management. If you have an existing Frontline ID Account, then click “Sign in with your Frontline ID.” Otherwise, click “Create a Frontline ID.” Create a Username, Password, email address, and click the “I accept the terms and conditions” box. Click “Create Frontline ID” and you are in! For more information regarding creating your Frontline ID click here.

2. You may interact with the Absence Management system by way of a toll-free, automated voice instruction menu at 1-800-942-3767. There, you can proactively search for jobs and manage existing jobs. As one of your first steps, we recommend that you call in to check the computer recording of your name by pressing Option 4. You will receive your Phone ID and PIN in your welcome letter.

3. Absence Management will also make phone calls to substitutes to offer jobs. We have selected the following hours as standard call times when the Aesop service may call for substitutes: 5:00 AM - 11:59 AM & 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

When you accept a job, Aesop will issue a confirmation number. Your transaction is not complete until Aesop supplies you with a confirmation number.

Our settings include a 12-hour cancellation deadline. That means if you need to cancel an assignment, you can do so in Absence Management up to 12-hours prior to the start of the assignment (or by 7:30 PM the evening before). We realize that on a rare occasion, you may find yourself ill or in an emergency situation after the deadline. For that purpose, call the office of the school in which you are scheduled no later than 7:30 AM.

Information and Expectations 1. Teacher subs: Complete your application in WECAN, and submit your employment paperwork to the District Office. Be certain your license is current. (When applying for a new license, consider getting it for all areas for which you have a major or minor. Regulations limit long-term subbing to the areas of certification.) Support staff subs: Complete your application in WECAN, and submit your employment paperwork to the District Office. (https://www.altoona.k12.wi.us/district/substitutes).

2. Employment paperwork: In addition to the application, required paperwork includes background check form, W-4, I-9, direct deposit and Race/Ethnicity forms which must be completed and turned in to the District Office.

3. Substitute teacher pay is $110/ day or $55.00/ half day. Additionally, substitute teachers are eligible for a pay increase after 50 days of subbing in the district. Sub pay for support staff subs is $90/day or $11.25/hour. Substitutes are eligible for a free lunch on sub days. 4. Please manage and keep your contact information up to date in Aesop. If you are no longer available to sub in our district, please notify us at https://altoona.forms-db.com/view.php?id=18301. 5. If an emergency arises or you become ill, you may cancel up to 12-hours prior to 7:30 AM.

6. Subs are to report immediately upon arrival to the school office to sign-in, get the teacher’s schedule and/or any duty assignments. Substitute teachers should arrive no later than 20 minutes prior to the start of the school day and remain on duty until the end of the day for a full day assignment. Check with the school office for half day assignments. Also, upon check-in, substitute teachers will receive a Visitor Parking Permit which should be returned to the office at the end of the day. Permits must be displayed on the rearview mirror.

7. Read the emergency information located near the classroom door.

8. A substitute is expected to assume all responsibilities and duties (recess, playground, hall, etc.) of the teacher. Be aware of the teacher’s complete assignments including assemblies, field trips, etc.

9. The sub should locate all materials for the day and complete his/her preparation needed to implement the instructional plan (chalkboard work, photocopying, acquisition of equipment, etc.).

10.A substitute is to follow the teacher’s lesson plan, making notations of what has been covered during that period. Please leave a note with any general information relative to the day. Complete the Substitute Teacher Feedback Report and turn it in to the school office before you leave for the day.

11. Any written work assigned should be corrected by the sub unless otherwise directed by the classroom teacher.

12. Other work may be substituted if material or equipment to be used is not available. A record of any changes should be left for the teacher.

13. Substitutes are encouraged to let the building administrator know of any problems they observe or experience. Student discipline problems, a lack of lesson plans, and any other problems should be referred immediately. 14. Contact a nearby teacher should a situation require you to leave the classroom. (Continuous supervision of the classroom is a legal responsibility of the school and school employees.) In case of an emergency, or when in doubt of procedure, consult the nearest staff member. 15. Cell phones and personal electronic devices are not to be used during the school day. Exceptions may be granted by the building principal.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALTOONA Substitute Teacher Feedback Report

Please fill out this form at the close of the school day and turn in to the school office.

A substitute teacher is expected to work the teacher’s full assignment. Please make certain that all teacher-requested work has been completed. If an earlier leave-time is necessary, please contact the building principal. We appreciate your contribution to the education of our children!

Absent Teacher Grade Date

Please fill out the Absence Feedback Were the plans and procedures to your satisfaction? ___Yes No form on Aesop

If not, please describe what was not satisfactory?

Class Work Comments:

Student Behavior Comments:

Any other Comments:

Would you like the teacher or principal to get back to you? If so, leave your telephone number and/or email address:

Substitute Teacher Signature

Student Confidentiality and the Substitute Teacher

As a temporary employee of the Altoona school district, you are subject to federal and state law and board policy as they pertain to student confidentiality.

Federal and state law and board policy prohibit any substitute teacher or educational assistant from communicating in any way to any other person or party, including family, any information at all about students; including mental, physical, emotional, social or medical conditions. This includes all Altoona school district students.

In addition to complying with federal and state law and board policy, substitute personnel must at all times demonstrate professional courtesy and respect for the right to privacy of students and their families.

Any breach of student confidentiality, any unprofessional or intentional disclosure by a substitute teacher or educational assistant of information about any student will result in immediate dismissal from employment with the Altoona school district.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Altoona is an equal opportunity employer. Personnel hiring and administration in the District are to be conducted so as not to discriminate against applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, disability/ handicap, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, creed, color, political or religious affiliation, genetic information, ancestry, arrest or conviction record, military service, genetic information, use or nonuse of a lawful product off school premises during nonworking hours, declining to attend a meeting or participate in any communication about religious or political matters, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Exceptions to this policy may only be made in accordance with state and federal laws.

Reasonable accommodations shall be made for qualified individuals with a disability or handicap, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship to the District. The District shall also accommodate the religious practices of an employee to the extent required by law.

Complaints regarding the interpretation or application of this policy shall be referred to the administrative staff and processed in accordance with established procedures. https://www.altoona.k12.wi.us/district/substitutes

School Information

Altoona Elementary (K‐3) 157 Bartlett Ave 715-839-6050 Principal, Tara Betlach Dean of Students, Scott Hayden, ext. 265 Office, Rachel, ext. 200; Lisa, ext. 201

Start Time: 7:40 a.m. Dismissal: 2:50 p.m.

Altoona Intermediate School (4‐5) 1903 Bartlett Ave 715-838-7111 Principal, Andrea Steffen Office, Brenda, ext. 301

Start Time: 8: 20 a.m. Dismissal: 3:35 p.m.

Altoona Middle School (6‐8) 1903 Bartlett Ave 715-839-6030 Principal, Steven Buss Dean of Students, Chad Hanson, ext. 418 Office, Lori, ext. 300

Start Time: 8:20 a.m. Dismissal: 3:35 p.m. Altoona High School (9‐12) 711 7th St W 715-839-6031 Principal, Jim Reif Dean of Students, Chad Hanson, ext. 418 Office, Michelle, ext. 400; Dawn, ext. 401

Start Time: 8:20 a.m. Dismissal: 3:35 p.m. Special Education 715-839-6224 Director of Special Education, Alan McCutcheon Office, Kim, ext. 354

School Closings/Delays

School closing and school-delay information will be available to the community & staff through:

Traditional radio/TV announcements called in by 5:45 a.m. *  WEAU TV-13, WQOW-18 and the following radio stations will be notified: B-95, Z-100, 92.1, WBIZ, WMEQ, Moose Country, WAXX, WAYY, I-94, COOL, WWIB

Announcement via Skylert mass communication system will be placed by 6:00 a.m. *

Website & Facebook announcement by 6:00 a.m. *

* Notification time may vary depending on weather-related circumstances.

Skylert, Radio/TV and Website announcements will be made when an early dismissal is necessary.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALTOONA CALENDAR FOR 2019/20 ADOPTED: 1/21/19

September October November MTWTHF MTWTHF MTWTHF LD 3 456 1234 1 910111213789101145678 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 11 12 13 14 15 23242522721222324251819202122 30 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29

December January February MTWTHF MTWTHF MTWTHF 23456 123 91011121367891034567 16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 10 11 12 13 14 23 24 25 26 27 20 21 22 23 24 17 18 19 20 21 30 31 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28

March April Teacher Inservice, Aug 26-29 M T W TH F M T W TH F First Student Day, Sept 3 23456 123Early Release Day/No School PM, Oct 24 910111213678910No School, Oct 25 16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 Inservice/No School, Nov 25-26 23 24 25 26 27 20 21 22 23 24 Thanksgiving Break, Nov 27-29 30 31 27 28 29 30 Winter Break, Dec 23-Jan 1 Early Release Day/No School PM, Jan 23 May June Inservice/No School, Jan 24 M T W TH F M T W TH F Early Release Day/No School PM, Feb 27 1 12345 No School, Feb 28 45678 89101112Spring Break, March 23-27 11 12 13 14 15 Early Release Day/No School PM, Apr 9 18 19 20 21 22 Spring Break, April 10 MD 26 27 28 29 Memorial Day, May 25 Graduation, May 29 Stu's: Tchr's: Last Student Day/No School PM, June 5 0 4 Aug Last Teacher Day, June 5 20 20 Sept 22 23 Oct Inclement Weather Days: Parent-Teacher Conferences: 16 18 Nov This calendar includes 3 "snow" days: Oct 22 (evening) / Oct 24 (afternoon/eve) 15 15 Dec June 8-9 if needed. Feb 25 (evening) / Feb 27 (afternoon/eve) 21 22 Jan (Teachers work two evenings in Oct & 19 20 Feb Feb to equal one-day in each month) 17 17 Mar Qtr End Dates: 11/1, 1/23, 4/3, 6/5 21 21 Apr Early Release/No School PM: 20 20 May Oct 24, Jan 23, Feb 27, Apr 9, June 5 5 5 June NA 3 Holidays NA 2 Prep Days * *Prep Days = 2 day worked 7/1-9/2 176 190

Altoona High School – Altoona Middle School – Altoona Intermediate School 7th Street West – Bartlett Avenue Campus (Grades 4-12)

 Bartlett Avenue 

7th

25 26 Free Lunch

Each day you sub, you are eligible to have lunch on us! Please pick up your �cket when you check-in at the school office. The �ckets are recycled, so please be sure to leave your �cket in the lunch line with our food service staff. We hope you enjoy the convenience this small perk offers! It’s just one way that we can show our apprecia�on. We want to be at the top of your list when you choose between districts!

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