Message from Superintendent Francois

Dear Northshore Colleagues,

Last week's snow was something else. From the four days of canceled school to the 15 inches of snow on my back patio, I'm thankful we don't have weather like that very often.

While the decisions to close schools last week were fairly obvious, now is a good time to provide some general information and reminders about what goes on behind the scenes when we have inclement weather.

We monitor the weather conditions very closely anytime inclement weather is anticipated. As you know, forecasting in this region is a less than perfect science. Consequently, we try to gather as much information from as many sources as possible. We have district staff standing by to assess road conditions in various parts of the district and whether schools have power, heat and safe access. Given the size and diverse topography of our district, conditions can, and usually do, vary significantly from one area to another. We also have to consider not just the conditions at the moment, but how they may change during the day. We network with neighboring districts to help inform our decision making and try to make the best decision we can by 4:30 or 5 a.m. to communicate with families and staff before our buses begin their routes and staff and students leave for school. 

Last week we were fortunate that the conditions and forecasts enabled us to make and communicate a decision the evening before each closure day. We recognize that early notification enables families to better plan for a change in schedule. But we may not always be able to make a decision the evening before. More often than not, we will need to wait until the early morning to assess conditions.

Underlying all of this is a commitment to safety. If we err-and trust me, we will at some point in time-my hope is that we'll err on the side of caution. As disruptive as a canceled day of school can be, that's minor compared to the potential for injury or damage. 

Thanks for all your flexibility and patience last week. Let's hope we don't have a repeat any time soon. 

Truly,

Larry Francois, Superintendent

School Board Meeting Information
   
At its Jan. 24 school board meeting, board members were recognized as part of School Board Appreciation Month for their dedication and service to Northshore students, staff and families. Woodin Elementary School students presented each board member with a book created by students describing their thoughts on the role of the school board and performed a song.

The board launched its quarterly recognition program and honored district employees for their work on the Elementary Literacy Project. Woodinville High School student Matt Spencer, a student delegate with the State Board of Education, provided an update on the work of the State Board of Education. The board approved policy nos. 1210, 1230, 1240, 1260, 1310, 1311, 1320, 1331, 1332 and 3141. The board also approved Resolution Nos. 656 and 657 for a possible future school site.

The next school board meeting is Feb. 14, 4 p.m.,  Administrative Center Board Room. To view the agenda or read minutes of past school board meetings, please click here.

Career and College Readiness Satellite Open House - TONIGHT, Jan. 25

Northshore parents and students are invited to attend the Career and College Readiness Satellite Open House on Jan. 25, 7-8 p.m., in the Commons (cafeteria) at Bothell High School.

Preview the 10 Career and College Readiness programs offered for the 2012-13 school year: Auto Service Technology, Computer Game Design, Construction Academy, Culinary Arts, Event/Hospitality and Tourism Management, Health Science careers, Robotics, Sustainable Engineering and Design, Teaching Academy and Welding.     download flier

Jan. 21 Elementary Advanced Program (EAP) Testing Rescheduled to Saturday, Jan. 28

The EAP testing that was scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21, has been rescheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 28. Families with children originally scheduled to test on Jan. 21, should check their email for a message regarding confirmation of their testing time. If you have any questions, please use the EAP contact form.

Sign-in for the morning sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. and testing will begin promptly at 9 a.m.

More information is available on the EAP Web page.

Key 2012-13 Northshore School District Calendar Dates

Northshore School District has identified key dates for the 2012-13 school year. The district negotiates the school calendar with the Northshore Education Association and will not have the complete 2012-13 calendar determined until after the end of the legislative session.

* The first, last and non-student days (except for Jan. 2, 2013) are subject to negotiations with the teachers' union. Emergency make-up days will be added to the end of the school year.

** The Technology Professional Development day is a work day for staff and a vacation or non-student day for students.

Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) is Lighthouse School

Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) is one of five schools and one school district statewide named a Lighthouse school by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). SAS will receive a $20,000 grant to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and serve as a mentor to other middle and high schools that are creating STEM environments. Click here for complete story.

Kindergarten Orientations and Registration Set for March

Parents are invited to attend a kindergarten orientation for children entering kindergarten in Fall 2012. No registration is required for the presentations, which are intended for parents only.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitors Center Open House - Feb. 4

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's new Visitor Center is opening its doors to the public, Saturday, Feb. 4, and would like to invite educators as well as their families and friends to attend. The opening day coincides with the educator open houses hosted by the Pacific Science Center, EMP and the Space Needle. The Visitor Center is a vehicle for educators and students to engage with the work of the Foundation and many of the world's biggest issues. Click here for more information.

Northshore Wall of Honor Nominations Accepted Through March 30

Nominations are being accepted through March 30 for consideration by the selection committee for inclusion on the Wall of Honor for 2012. Nominees are considered based on the significant contributions they have made to our community, state, nation or world. The new inductees will be added to the Wall of Honor in August 2012.

Click here for more information, including the nomination forms.

Northshore Sick Leave Buy Back Ends Jan. 31
 
All certificated and classified Northshore employees are reminded they have the opportunity to convert their unused sick/emergency leave accumulated during the previous year into cash. Enacted by the state legislature, this program is designed to be an incentive to encourage attendance. Please refer to your collective bargaining agreement for more information.

As stipulated, employees must first accumulate 60 days of unused sick leave at your FTE/hours per day (your balance must be 60 days or more as of Dec. 31 of each year. This includes leave used in December, which will not be processed until the January payroll). Examples:
7.5 hours per day X 60 days = 450 hours
4.0 hours per day X 60 days = 240 hours

Employees can then obtain compensation on a 1:4 basis (25%) with an employee entitled to one day's pay for every four days of unused sick leave accumulated in the 2011 calendar year (at your FTE).

The application period to buy back is Jan. 3-31. Please download and print the application form , complete and send it to Jodi in the Payroll Office via inter-district mail. Please do not fill this out and send back via email. Your signature is required on the form. Completed forms must be returned by Jan. 31. Payment for cash-out will be included in the Feb. 29 pay statements. 

The sick leave balance on your Dec. 31, 2011 statement reflects end of November balances. If you used sick leave during December 2011, please deduct those hours from this balance to determine your ending balance as of Dec. 31, 2011.

Other Tips
The maximum amount of sick days you can accumulate is equal to the number of days per your calendar/contract. For example, all NSEA members can accumulate up to 180 days (at 7.5 hours = 1350.00 hours); if your contract/calendar is 260 days, you can accumulate up to 260 days (at 8 hours = 2080 hours); if your contract/calendar is 191 days, you can accumulate up to 191 days (at 8 hours = 1528 hours); if your contract/calendar is 228 days, you an accumulate up to 228 days (at 8 hours = 1824 hours), and so on.

If your balance at the end of your contract year is above the number of hours/days you can carry forward, you will lose them. Please remember, at retirement, you can only buy back up to 180 days at a 1:4 ratio (25%) at your FTE.

Find out your current or previous sick leave balance by referring to the appropriate pay statement by using Employee Online. (e.g., for your August 31 balance, look at your August 31 pay statement). Please remember we are always a month behind on recording leave usage.

NSEA Only
If your ending sick leave balance as of 8/31/11 (before the September accrual) was 1350 hours or more, you qualify for the annual VEBA cash out in January. You will receive a VEBA packet from Jodi in Payroll at that time.

The number of days in your contract may change from year to year. For the 2011-12 fiscal year, you were allowed to carry forward up to 180 days or 1350.00 hours from the 2010-11 fiscal year (before the September 2011 accrual). Any hours over the 1350.00 maximum were deducted on the September payroll.

NASA/NNRAP Only
If your ending sick leave balance as of 6/30/11 (including leave used in June 2011) was 1440 hours or more, you qualify for the annual VEBA cash out in January. You will receive a VEBA packet from Jodi in Payroll at that time.

If your ending sick leave balance as of 6/30/11 (including leave used in June 2011) was below 1440 hours and adding your July new-year accrual brings your balance over 1440 hours, you do not need to do anything at this time.

Increase in Limits for Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) and 403(b) Plan for 2012 Tax Year

The annual deferral limits have increased by $500 for the 2012 tax year for the DCP and 403(b) plans. Employees will now be able to defer up to $17,000/year to either (or both) plans (up to $22,500 for those over the age of 50).

You can make changes to your DCP deferral amount by choosing one of the following options:

• Go to www.drs.wa.gov/dcp and log into your account
• Fill out the Deferral Change Request Form and mail or fax it to DCP
• Call the DCP information line, 1.888.327.5596 and select option 1

• Athletics
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• Staff BRAVOS
• Teacher Toolbox - Teacher Opportunities
• Puget Sound ESD One-to-One Newsletter
  
• Professional Development Classes
• Retirement Outlook Newsletter
• HomeStreet Bank Hometown Loan Program

Calendar
 
Jan 27: No School, Teacher Work Day
Feb. 14: School Board Meeting, 4 p.m., Administrative Center Board Room
Feb. 20: Presidents' Day, No School
Feb. 21-24: No School, Mid-Winter Break
Feb. 28: School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Administrative Center Board Room

District Calendars and Planner