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For the employees of Williamsville Central Schools November 22, 2017

HEALTH/DENTAL INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT – FINAL REMINDER

The District anniversary date for health and dental plans is January 1, 2018. Any eligible employee wishing to start or change healthcare plans must file an application by December 1, 2017. Current Summary Plan Descriptions can be found in WITS under ‘Public Documents’:

Public DocumentsCommon for Entire DistrictHuman Resources Summary Plan Descriptions

For additional information and applications, please call Lisa Hinca in Human Resources at 626-8054. WTA members should contact the WTA Benefit Trust at 633-6183.

Flexible Benefits Plan Summary and Reimbursement Reminder:

Those employees who participated in the plan-year ending September 30, 2017 are reminded they have 60 days to submit receipts for reimbursement. This means that P&A Administrative Services must receive receipts for services rendered between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017 by November 30, 2017. If there are extenuating circumstances, you must contact P&A at 852-2611 prior to November 30 for an extension.

For members of the NYSERS (Employees’ Retirement System), the Fall 2017 ERS Newsletter is available online for viewing.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Congratulations to Jessica Wagner, first grade teacher at Maple West, who is a published author! Her book, “Kitten and the Dojo Code”, which she wrote and illustrated, was released recently by Archway Publishing.

Jo Lynn DeGolia, music teacher at Williamsville East, is recipient of this year’s Outstanding Music Educator Award from James Madison University School of Music, her alma mater. According to the University, the award is presented annually to a JMU alumnus or alumna who has taught for at least ten years and who exemplifies JMU’s commitment to musicianship and pedagogy.

Maple East Elementary is featured in the Fall issue of the SAANYS Vanguard magazine in an article about the seven schools in New York State recently named 2017-2019 National PTA Schools of Excellence. Principal Cathy Mihalic was interviewed for the story.

The Williamsville PTSA Council will hold its 42nd Annual Holiday Craft Show on December 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heim Elementary and Heim Middle schools. Admission is $2 and proceeds benefit the PTSA Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to graduating seniors from each of Williamsville’s three high schools.

Board of Education Upcoming School Visitations:

December 5, Transit Middle, 8 a.m. December 15, Williamsville North, 7 a.m.

THE ‘X’ FACTOR - IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM IT

The District began using newer versions of Microsoft Office a few years ago. As a result, inbound and outbound emails containing Microsoft Office files created with Office 2003 or earlier are blocked by our email system due to security vulnerabilities. Older files include .doc (Word) and .xls (Excel) extensions. Newer versions of Microsoft Office files will have an “X” at the end, for example .docx (Word) and .xlsx (Excel). Another way to distinguish the file format in Word is the icon itself.

The upgraded software automatically saves any new documents you create as an “X” version. While you can still work in Compatibility Mode on older Word files, you can (and should) convert those documents to the newer file format. Older .doc and .xls files are not converted automatically when you launch Word or Excel. You must complete the following process in order to upgrade the file:

1) Open the document.

2) Click the File tab.

3) Do one of the following:

Under Info>Compatibility Mode, click Convert then save; OR

Click Save As and choose the location/folder where you want to save the new copy. Name the document and in the ‘save as type’ drop down list select Word Document *docx or Excel *xlsx. [In Word, make sure the box next to “Maintain compatibility with previous versions of Word” is cleared.]

4) Delete the old .doc or .xls file when done.

If you have any questions, please contact your building CST for assistance.

The annual Thanksgiving Food Drive at Williamsville East was a huge success! Students, staff and faculty collected

3,216 food items and over $900 to buy frozen turkeys, providing 460

Thanksgiving dinners to local families in need. Great job!

Submitted by Deborah Mahaney, Business Teacher

New .DOCX version: