New Teacher Orientation

1. New Teacher Orientation • Welcome to Rocky Point UFSD

2. The classroom teacher is the single most important factor in student achievement.

3. The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards Anatole France • High expectations = high outcomes • Support provided – department chairs, coordinators, mentors, buddies, colleagues & Administration • Personal contacts - Remember the effect you have on children • One teacher can have a huge impact on a child • Do it because it is the right thing to do!

4. Policies & Oath • Board of Education Policies read all policies sign indicating understanding • Oath

5. Evaluation & Observation • For professional growth & evaluation • Minimum of four per year ( building admin, DO admin) • Announced, unannounced, walk through • New model – Danielson rubrics

6. Professional Growth Opportunities • Buddy Teachers – RPTA • Mentors – Teachers with Initial Certificates • In-service courses ( RPTA New Teacher Program) • Graduate courses • Professional development meetings • Collegial sharing with colleagues

7. Horizontal Moves • All coursework (in-service & graduate) must be pre-approved through MLP • Access to MLP through DO • Moves are made in September & February • Applications for reclassification are in the buildings

8. Assistance • Instruction – Dorothy - 2501 • Payroll – Jill Marolla - 2503 • Benefits – Arlene - 2721 • Personnel – Pat - 2243

9. Notice of Appointment • Review each item • Select method of payment (21 or 26 checks) • Sign & return • Payroll schedule • 2006-2007 school calendar

10. Forms • W-4 Form : State & Federal • Immigration Form: two (2) forms of ID Drivers License Social Security Card Passport Birth Certificate

11. Forms Continued • Teacher Retirement System Application • Must be notarized • 10 years = vested & you no longer pay 3% • Work in NYC, fire dept, police dept, lifeguard, etc can transfer into NYSTRS

12. Direct Deposit • Tax Shelter Annuity • RPTA – Anthony Nobre ( representatives in each building)

13. Insurance • Health – blue form • Employed 50% or more • District contribution 85%, employee contribution 15% • Rate chart – changes in January • Books issued every 2 years, supplements • Effective 9/1/07

14. Declination of Health Benefits • Must fill out the top • Write “I decline” across & sign • Paid in February for previous year 2/07 will pay 12/1/06-12/31/06) • Declining now = 4 months pay out • Individual $1000 • Family $2000

15. Open Enrollment • November for January benefits • Change any time with change in life circumstance ( birth of child, marriage, divorce) • Insurance in effect at the time, carries into retirement • Coordination of benefits – birthday rule

16. Life Insurance • $10,000 provided by district • May purchase supplement & dependent • No open enrollment • Beneficiaries 100%= 33% + 33% + 34% • Primary beneficiary, contingent beneficiary • No minors! • Sign for receipt of booklet

17. Dental Insurance • Delta Dental • Card on back of pamphlet • May decline – fill out & sign

18. Flexible Spending Plan • Health & dependent care ($5,000 maximum per year per child) • Dollars pre-tax each calendar year • Use it or lose it • If you leave the district, must pay balance on account • New Hires start in January

19. Personnel Office Paperwork • Physicals prior to beginning work • Official transcripts • Fingerprinting completed • Appointments on Friday to hand in all paperwork