TOPICS COVERED IN THIS HANDBOOK LIST OF BUILDINGS/ADMINISTRATORS MAP OF DISTRICT DIRECTIONS TO ATTENDANCE CENTERS WELCOME PROFESSIONAL ETHICS QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS SUBSTITUTE CALLING PROCEDURES SUBSTITUTE TEACHER HOURS First Day of an Assignment Subsequent Days of an Assignment Staff and In-service Meetings WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT SCHOOL CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting Absences In the Classroom Homework Duty Schedule Emergency Procedures Medication in School WHAT TO DO AT THE END OF THE TEACHING DAY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/NONDISCRIMINATION PAYMENT AND BENEFITS Withholdings Benefits Pay Rate Schedule Payroll Contact Person
WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Parking - to the west of the school. The first two rows on the north if possible. If no space is available in these two rows, any space in west parking lot is fine. Principal's Office - Enter north door on west side of building. Proceed straight east down the hall. Office is on left (north) side of hallway. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Parking - northwest parking lot. Principal's Office - Enter the front doors on the north side of the building. The office is directly ahead. ALTOONA ELEMENTARY Parking - in front of the school, south side of the building on Sixth Street. Principal's Office - Enter the front, south main door. It's the first door on left side of hallway. Sign hanging down from ceiling is marked "office." CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY Parking - main parking lot on north side of building. Principal's Office - Enter the east door. CLAY ELEMENTARY Parking - north of building Principal’s Office – Enter the main door on the east and turn right. DELAWARE ELEMENTARY Parking – northwest corner of the building. Principal's Office - Enter the door on the left hand side of north side of building, turn right. FOUR MILE ELEMENTARY Parking - parking lot on east side of building. Principal's Office - Enter the main front door on the east and turn left. MITCHELLVILLE ELEMENTARY Parking - on south side of the building. Principal's Office - Enter the building through the door closest to the parking lot. Go north down the hallway along the gym. The secretary's office is the last room on that hallway. RUNNELLS ELEMENTARY Parking - to the north side of the school. Principal's Office - Enter the front door on the west side of building. Office is directly to your left WILLOWBROOK ELEMENTARY Parking - east side of building. Principal's Office - Enter through the north door on the east side of the building. Turn left. WELCOME The administration and faculty of Southeast Polk Community School District would like to welcome you.
The staff considers substitute teachers an important part of our school program. Your skill in maintaining a high standard of teacher effectiveness and insuring a continuous program of quality instruction for all students is valued. The role of the substitute teacher is one of great challenge. It is your responsibility to provide students with instruction when the regular classroom teacher must be absent. This booklet is designed to assist you in your endeavor to learn about our schools and our students. It can be your guide to a more successful year in our district. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS If, in your role as a substitute teacher, you need access to student records, please contact the principal. These records, which are maintained to provide the professional staff with necessary information concerning each student, must be handled with extreme care. Information concerning students which may be of a confidential nature must be kept confidential by the substitute. As a substitute teacher traveling from school to school within Southeast Polk Community School District, you will observe many classroom formats. You are expected to make every effort to carry on the program of the regular teacher. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS As a substitute in the Southeast Polk Community School District, you must have a valid, current Iowa teaching certificate or substitute teaching certificate. It is the substitute's responsibility to remain currently certified and to file a copy of your certificate with the district office personnel department. Substitutes are expected to be healthy and be able to provide proof of a recent physical. You must complete an application for substitute teaching. All new substitute teachers to our district must complete paper work with the District Office Payroll Department in order to receive pay checks. That paper work includes an Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) which is used to verify the individual's eligibility for employment in the United States. Two forms of identification are needed (e.g., issued driver's license, original social security card, birth certificate). Also withholding slips, an IPERS benefit sheet, and a "Personnel Information" form that contains emergency information. You will also be asked to sign a request for your records from the Department of Criminal Investigation be sent to us. We cannot issue a paycheck until the district office payroll department has ALL the necessary forms requested above. SUBSTITUTE CALLING PROCEDURES After you have completed the above forms and provided the District Office Personnel Department with a copy of your certificate and indicated specific areas where you are qualified to substitute, your name will be placed on the substitute list. When you are needed as a substitute, you will be called. If for some reason you must cancel an assignment previously accepted, you need to call 515/287-8567. You may call the number any time during the day or night -- it does not ring into anyone’s home. If you must cancel during the morning for an afternoon assignment, call the building principal.
Please let us know of any long-term assignments or causes that would make you unavailable for a period of time by calling 287-8567. Be sure to follow any instructions on the answering device so your message will be retained. You may accept or reject assignments whenever you are called; however, those people who regularly accept
opportunities to substitute are those people who are regularly called. When you accept an assignment, the school building office personnel are informed that you will be subbing. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER HOURS First Day of an Assignment Arrival time - You are expected to arrive at the elementary attendance centers by 8:00 a.m. and the junior or senior high by 7:30 a.m. Of course, if the call requesting your services is late, you are asked to arrive as soon as possible after accepting the assignment. Departure time Elementary at 4:00 p.m. Secondary at 3:30 p.m. Subsequent Days of an Assignment Arrival and departure times are determined by the building principal. Staff and In-service Meetings Short term substitutes are welcome to staff and in-service meetings, but attendance is not required and not paid. Long term substitutes should talk to the building principal concerning attendance at staff or in-service meetings. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT SCHOOL Report to the school office to secure your assignment for the day and any necessary information. Find the leave request sheet and sign yourself in. If the sheet is unavailable, stop back at lunch time or before you go home for the day and make sure it is signed. It is your responsibility to sign the sheet in order to receive pay for your work. You will only need to turn in a time sheet if you have been asked to work but there is no regular employee absent. A school lunch ticket may be purchased from the secretary for $2.25. Locate the teacher's mailbox and check for items that might pertain to the day's activities. When you arrive at the classroom, locate the lesson plan book, the daily schedule, attendance slips, manuals and other pertinent information on or in the teacher's desk. Carefully review the teacher's lesson plans. Check the classroom teacher's schedule for any special duties you may be expected to perform such as recess, lunchroom, bus duty, etc. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures. Note fire and safety drill regulations and exit procedures. Signals and procedures for fire and tornado drills differ in each of the Southeast Polk attendance centers. Fire drill and tornado drill instructions are posted in each classroom. Be sure you know the correct procedure for the building and room to which you are assigned. Introduce yourself to other staff. CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting Absences Pupil attendance must be taken daily. In the junior high and the senior high, attendance is taken each period. The procedure followed in the individual attendance centers will be explained by the school secretary. No student should be excused from class without securing the permission of the principal or the secretary. Ask the building principal or secretary about checking on student attendance and about the lunch count. All teachers are expected to assume the responsibility of handling inappropriate student behavior in their room. All teachers are charged with the responsibility of informing students about proper building procedures and rules of conduct. Creating a favorable rapport is an important aspect of successful substitute teaching. The following suggestions may help you establish good classroom routines.
A.
Provide for efficient learning situations, and develop an atmosphere of mutual respect between teacher and pupils. Expect good behavior. Students tend to respond to what is expected of them. A positive approach is worth more than many negative rules. Avoid making threats that cannot be carried out. Have materials ready. Be organized at the beginning of the class. Be aware of the attention span of the pupils. Know when to change activities. Except for a real emergency, never leave the class unattended. Some buildings have established special approaches to discipline at certain grade levels or district wide. Check the substitute's folder for specific instructions. Proper discipline, or classroom order, is prerequisite in good teaching. Be firm and professional. Any unusual disciplinary problem should be brought to the attention of the building principal. Ask the building principal to identify a contact person (or procedures) for your assistance if you need it (e.g., behavior problems). Teachers should maintain effective order and control at all times. They should be supported in the use of reasonable means to accomplish this objective. Corporal punishment of any kind should not be administered by the substitute teacher. Review and become knowledgeable about the official Student Discipline Policy of the District. Supervision of halls is a responsibility of all teachers. When students are coming into the building/classroom or leaving the building/ classroom, be visible in the hallway. Substitutes are to contact parents only under advisement of the principal.
B.
C. D. E. F.
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H.
I. J. K.
L.
M. If any person comes directly to you and requests the release of a student from the classroom, the person should be directed to the office. All students who are released must have approval from the office. N. Common sense should prevail when administering all rules and guidelines.
In the Classroom Follow the regular classroom teacher's lesson plans, along with other information about rooms, seating, and assigned duties will be available. The following information should be on the desk or easily located: A. B. C. The daily lesson plans made out in detail. A list of student names and seating chart(s). A weekly time schedule of classes (curriculum areas to cover).
D.
A list of students in various special groups that are needed to implement the lesson plans (e.g., reading groups, lab partners). The identification of supervisory responsibilities (such as days on duty at noon, recess, bus duty, lunch dismissal time, etc.). The fire drill and other emergency procedures. Any important or unusual information about any student (physical problems, etc.). Special schedules (e.g., band, Chapter I).
E.
F. G. H.
Identified copies of textbooks, manuals, and work books to be used for implementing the lesson plans should be easily located. An alternate lesson plan must be available if the topic(s) to be covered is/are controversial and/or need the careful guidance of the regular classroom teacher. If films or filmstrips are scheduled, check the procedure for showing them and learn how to operate the audiovisual equipment needed. If equipment or materials are broken or damaged, notify the office. Unless you are given other instructions, correct all papers, workbook assignments, or tests given while you are substituting. Homework Do not assign homework unless the homework has been planned by the regular teacher. Substitutes who expect to be in an assignment a week or more may assign homework after discussing this with the principal. Duty Schedule You are required to perform the duties assigned to the regular teacher on the day or days of his/her absence, including playground duty, hall duty, lunchroom supervision or other assigned responsibilities. Emergency Procedures Accidents or illnesses involving students should be reported to the office immediately. An accident form must be completed as soon as possible in case of any personal injury. Ask for help if you need it. Medication in School No school employee shall prescribe medicine for a pupil or for another employee without training before their employment. Check with the secretary for the name of the designee trained to administer medication for the attendance center where you are substituting. You will not be responsible for administering medications. WHAT TO DO AT THE END OF THE TEACHING DAY Leave a record of the work completed and any unusual problems which have arisen during the absence of the teacher. Correct assignments or tests unless otherwise noted. Teachers will also appreciate a note highlighting a successful experience with the class or an individual student.
Make sure all materials are stored properly and the room is empty of students before leaving. Turn off all lights and close the door. Check in the office to see if you will be needed another day.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/NONDISCRIMINATION It is the policy of the Southeast Polk Community School District to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies and agencies. This obligation to affirmatively implement equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment includes hiring, placement, upgrading, transfer or demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and layoff or termination. Southeast Polk does not discriminate based on gender, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. Inquiries and grievances may be directed to the Affirmative Action coordinator, Southeast Polk Community School district, Runnells, IA 50237, 515/967-4294, or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, MO. It is the intent of this District that all curricular content and instructional materials reflect a multicultural nonsexist approach to reduce stereotyping and bias. PAYMENT AND BENEFITS Substitutes are paid once a month. Pay day is the 23rd of every month. If a pay date falls on a weekend, or during a school holiday or vacation, employees shall receive their pay checks on the previous working day. Payroll checks are sent directly to the homes of the substitutes. A pay check will not issued until the district office has the completed Form I-9, withholding slips, an IPERS Benefit Sheet, request for records from DCI and the Child Registry, and a copy of your certificate. You will need to visit the Payroll Department at the District Office to complete these forms. Your signature on a leave request form becomes a record of your work and documents the information for your pay check. Withholdings - Federal and state taxes, the employee's social security payments, and deductions for IPERS are withheld from each pay check. Benefits - Substitute teachers are covered by the district's liability insurance and by workers' compensation. In addition, the district contributes the Employer's contribution percent to Social Security and IPERS for each substitute. Substitutes are not eligible for insurance or leave benefits, unless they placed on a full-time, semester long position. Pay Rate Schedule One Day $105.00 After the fifth (5th) day of teaching in the same assignment, a substitute teacher will be paid based on the per diem of BA Base, Step 1, of the Salary Schedule. Payroll Any questions relative to paychecks or withholding should be directed to the payroll office at the District Office (967-4294).