January 11, 2010 - The second semester of the school year brings with it many routine practices that begin the closing of one year and practices that launch the planning of a new year. SSISD is about to send to staff first drafts of a new calendar for the 2010-2011 school year. Staff members provide input and provide ideas so that the best possible calendar can be constructed. It is hard to believe that it is time to plan for a new year, but summer will be here before you know it and plans for training must be made. Calendar choices will be posted on the Parent Information and Public Information pages of the SSISD web page by the end of January for viewing and input. The SSISD Board of Trustees approves a calendar for the coming school year in March or April of each year.

Other items we are undertaking at this time include the evaluation of employees. Professional employees are appraised annually beginning with the Superintendent in January. The SSISD Board of Trustees evaluates the superintendent according to District Goals that have been determined and by a state mandated accountability worksheet. This evaluation takes place in January as does the evaluation of the Assistant Superintendent. In February, principals, counselors, librarians, the school nurse, the band director and the athletic director receive appraisals. Teachers are a little different. Teachers are appraised through a system called the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS). Teachers begin in August at the beginning of school on this appraisal. Forms are filed, multiple classroom observations are conducted, a teacher self-report is due, principals grade teachers in multiple domains, and a final summative report is produced. This appraisal is completed in its finality before the end of school, but the majority of it is due prior to March contract renewal time. Directors, bus drivers, para professionals, custodians, food service workers and maintenance personnel are all evaluated in April and May of the current school year by their supervisors. The evaluation system for all staff members is not meant to be punitive, but is a time to reflect on the good things that are happening and to redirect and grow in areas that need improvement. Ongoing assessment of all staff members is conducted each and every day as the superintendent, principals and directors observe staff in the day-to-day operation of their jobs.

Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD. If you have any question about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144 or email me at lglaze@san-saba.net . We are San Saba! We are together!

"Press on. Your defining moment may arrive just when you feel surrounded by adversity." - David Cottrell