TAC Questions & Responses

Question 1

It is extremely difficult for teachers to dedicate an entire week to duty. Especially with the amount of duties we have to complete in one year. Is there any way we can reduce the amount of duties we currently have and go back to once a week or once every other week or less weeks we have to work? Moms who have to drop their personal children off in the morning are having a hard time making it here by 7:20 due to most places not allowing children to be dropped off until 7:15.

Can we go back to having bus duty once a week?

Response to Question 1

During the individual teacher meetings in May, feedback on the duty schedule (weekly versus one day per week) was mixed.  As a result, a weekly duty schedule was implemented with the option for teachers to trade with colleagues if their preference was one day per week, or afternoons versus mornings, etc.   It was communicated in our opening faculty meeting that if a group of colleagues agreed to make this type of adjustment, an email would be sent to administration with details.  It was recently brought to our attention that it is difficult to trade because teachers in the same “pod” are scheduled for the same weeks (which makes trading more difficult).  At a minimum, In the future we will try to remedy that which will allow for an easier process if you need to trade with a colleague.  We are a large campus resulting in many duty stations, and need all of them covered.  It isn’t important if it is scheduled daily or weekly, so we will take an electronic vote before next year (weekly versus daily) and we will go with the majority to create the duty schedule.

Question 2

Next year can you please consider not having PD the first few weeks of school? We need time to plan, especially with all of the beginning-of-year things we have to do. The start of this school year was very overwhelming with so much planning time being taken up with PD and trainings.

Response to Question 2

This year was the first time that we were required to conduct Scantron Test Training at the beginning of the year which added to our list of time sensitive training items.  Except for Literacy Turnaround Training, the other sessions that have taken place were time sensitive to get the year started:  Training on the blog/calendar, PST training, Scantron Test Training, data meetings, etc.  We are hopeful that state mandated standardized testing will be limited to spring in the future (which will eliminate this training at the beginning of the year).  We will ask the District Literacy Committee to consider beginning turnaround training in September versus August. 

Question 3

Can math teachers have math turn around training verses literacy? Will literacy teachers have math training?

Response to Question 3

We are establishing a growth mindset culture, where we are all continuous learners.  We are all considered teachers of literacy, as reading and writing are essentially a key component in every subject.  The knowledge obtained from this turnaround training on strategies, standards, etc. enhances instruction in other areas such as science, mathematics, and the arts.  As we move toward our enrichment offerings for students, this knowledge will become even more crucial as these experiences are a true integration of all content areas.  Literacy teachers will be expected to attend any math training that impacts their content area or role.  For example, all teachers should be able to monitor DreamBox activity for their homerooms so this would be a school-wide training.

Question 4

Sped needs more help in each grade level. Sped is at and over capacity. Inclusion teachers need more

than a half day per trimester to plan. That simply is not enough. We also need time with our special

education teachers…why are they not a part of our half day per trimester planning? If they secure a 

sub then their students will receive required services.

Response to Question 4

Administration worked with Sped teachers to determine schedules that ensured students on IEPs were receiving the services designated in their plans.  We continue to work with our District Special Education Department to evaluate the Sped capacity and needs.  This year, inclusion teachers were provided with a half-day of planning each trimester in an effort to compensate for time spent in IEP meetings, etc.  Additional time would be “more” time away from your students, which is concerning.  This was our attempt to recognize the additional responsibilities that come from inclusion.  Regarding the option of this provision for the Sped inclusion teacher, part of the primary role of a special education teacher is to conduct IEP meetings and maintain appropriate documentation.  The needs of these students are so individualized, we are not comfortable that a substitute could adequately provide exactly what they need. 

Question 5

Some groups don’t have enough Chromebooks or have Chromebooks that don’t work. We need more! Can’t PTO buy some…?  Please explain how Chromebooks will be purchased with fall festival money and Boosterthon money. We have heard that the lower grades will be the last to receive any Chromebooks for their classes. If this is the case… how is it fair for the whole school to fundraise and only a certain group benefit?

Response to Question 5

There is a long range plan for one-to-one Chromebooks, but it will take some time.  In the meantime, when Chromebooks are purchased we will improve the ratio of Chromebooks-to-students for all grade levels; we will just accelerate this according to our one-to-one plan (beginning with upper grades progressing to lower grades).  For example, fifth grade is already one-to-one, so when new Chromebooks are purchased we will not only improve the ratio for K-3, but we will attempt to bring 

grade 4 to a one-to-one ratio.  Then, we will follow the same process until 3^rd grade is one-to-one, and so on. 

In terms of who will benefit from the fundraisers, our plan support all students, not only for this year but for their remaining years at Paine.  For example, students in Kindergarten will benefit from this plan all the way through fifth grade.  We our participating in the Boosterthon this year strictly to benefit our Chromebook initiative.  The PTO fundraiser will support other initiatives in our school based on the recent survey you completed.

Question 6

Are faculty members allowed to leave campus during their breaks? Many of us know of other systems who allow their faculty to leave during planning time. We would love the opportunity to do that here at Paine. Thank you! 

Response to Question 6

We are on the clock from 7:45 to 3:15, which means we are required to be on campus during that time.  The time when your students are at Specials and PE is considered “planning time”.  If an emergency arises, please let administration know and we will do our best to work with you. 

Question 7

Lunchroom noise is awful.

Response to Question 7

We have established procedures for management of students in the lunchroom.  We have received feedback that expectations and enforcement of rules is not consistent, which makes this difficult to manage.  We must rely on all teachers to manage the noise in the lunchroom.  We will go back to “Red Cup” for the first 5 minutes of lunch, then to green, and the teacher will utilize the yellow cup if the table is too loud.  We ask that teachers sit at a spot on the teacher table where your students are visible, and you are able to reinforce our procedures and expectations.

Question 8

Not everything is being clearly communicated, what, where, when and why: -calendar invites needed 

as well.  Blog communication: we are receiving blog updates over the weekend. Can we please 

receive these weekly updates on Friday before leaving? It would be nice to have this during the 

school week for planning purposes. Please consider getting this done before Saturday/Sunday.

Response to Question 8

We have made some major changes to improve communication this year:  faculty blog, school calendar, and frequent faculty meetings (with online agenda).  Personal calendar invites will not be sent for items on the school calendar pertaining to everyone (this results in excessive email notifications).  Rather, personal calendar invites are reserved for meetings and conferences.

The blog is updated “before” 5:00 pm on Saturday, and the email notification is set up to email you at 5:00 pm when updated.  We will make sure it is completed before Sunday, but cannot assure it will be completed on Friday.  The school days are so busy, that this is typically completed after hours at home.

Question 9

Not everyone is clear on when to fill a volunteer form out.  Families are getting turned away from visiting their child’s school.

Response to Question 9

This form is part of our safety and compliance protocol.  You do not have to fill out a form if you have a meeting with a parent, because you are with them the entire time.  If we have a group event, such as the assemblies, forms do not need to be filled out.  A form needs to be completed if you have arranged for a parent to come in to hang work, label books, etc. A form must be completed if you are requesting an outside person work with students.  We look at these to ensure several things: the activity is aligned to curriculum standards, the adult(s) working with students has background clearance, and we are in compliance with FERPA due to student privacy requirements.

Question 10

Thank you for getting a swipe by the lunchroom…now can we please get one on North 4^th grade hall or at least keys for 3 more teachers. If there was to be an emergency…your teachers and students are stuck outside.

Response to Question 10

There is a swipe card entrance at both the gym/carline as well as the green hall for use when coming in off of either playground/field.  We added swipes this year in what were determined to be the most critical areas.   

Question 11

Why isn’t class size equitable across all three schools? In my opinion, as a teacher, parent & tax payer, every school should have the same amount in each grade level class.

Response to Question 11 (Central Office)

We are proud that all of our elementary class sizes are within the appropriate range recommended by AdvancED. Class sizes for individual teachers change every day as students move in and out of Trussville.