August 2016

Volume 1, Issue 1

Substitute Bulletin

WELCOME BACK

We are excited to welcome each of you

back for the 2016-2017 school year!!

This is the first issue of the newsletter

that will be published online and

distributed via email to keep certified

substitutes up to date with current infor-

mation. Please take a moment to review this newsletter for

important updates and reminders.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Online Substitute Page ...... 1

Things to Know .................. 2

Update Information ........... 2

SFE Profile ......................... 3

Cancellations ...................... 3

Classroom Tips .................. 4

Long Term /Extended Sub 4

Badges and Certificates ........... 5

Be Prepared ............................ 5

Reminders............................... 5

What If? .................................. 6

101 Reasons............................. 6

ONLINE SUBSTITUTE PAGE

Human Resources has under gone some changes to their

webpages.

In an effort to make navigation easier for everyone, the

webpages have a new look and links on all the pages to help you

transition between the different pages in Human Resources.

You will still find the blue “Substitutes” button on the district

home page on the right hand side of the page.

On the Substitute web page you will find the information that

you need for the year such as the School Calendar, Substitute

Salary Schedule, and the current Substitute Payroll Calendar.

There will be notices posted and links to the newsletters.

For the Substitute Help Desk:

Contact: Janet Ward Hours: Monday—Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Phone: 850-833-5817 Email: wardj1@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us

It is the beginning of the year and time to update your information

in the SmartFindExpress.

Human Resources will use your email address listed in the

SmarFindExpress as a source or communication. Please check the

information in your SFE profile to make sure that your address,

phone number and email address are correct. If you have not put

your email into your profile, please update SFE with this infor-

mation.

Having your email on file helps with the following;

Receive up-to-date with what is going on with the school district

Retrieve your Access ID and Pin number

Information on jobs that you accept or cancellations.

Newsletters and other correspondence that may be used to

communicate with all substitutes.

To Review, add or change your email:

1. Log into SmartFindExpress: https://sems.okaloosa.k12.fl.us

2. In the top right hand corner select “Profile”

3. Select “Update Email”

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

There are many features in the

SFE that can be used as a substi-

tute. You will need to sign into

your account online to access

the different tools available to

you.

From your Home Page you can:

Modify Profile Information

Get Help While You Work

Review Announcements

View/ Modify Work Sched-ule

Access Available Jobs

Review Assignments

Learn to use the tools that are

provided for you in your profile.

Start by using your HELP

button. In this area you will find

a full color illustrated user guide

that will take you through each

area of you SFE profile. There

are videos that can be accessed

as well.

ACCESS ID AND PIN

REMINDERS

If you are unable to log into the

SFE (SmartFindExpress) select

the “Trouble Signing In” icon.

You need an email in your profile

for the system to email you the

information. If you currently do

not have an email in your profile

call 850-833-5817 or email:

wardj1@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us

QUICK LINK SHEET

The Quick Link Sheet includes

information on the following:

System Access Information

Instructions

System Call out times.

Cancellation Reasons

Instructions on the different

areas when you access the

system by phone.

Online options are also provided

and give the visual side of the

system. You can do the exact

same thing online that you can do

by phone.

2

THINGS TO KNOW

REMEMBER:

You must work nine (9) times each school year in order to remain as an

active substitute for the 2016-2017 school year. The first day of school

was August 10, 2016 and the last day is May 29, 2017.

You must have 60 college credit hours, AA Degree or higher to become a

substitute teacher. The ParaPro Test qualifies you to accept work as a

CRA (classroom assistant). It does not qualify an individual to be a sub-

stitute teacher.

KNOW YOUR SFE PROFILE

There are many features in the

SFE that can be used as a substi-

tute. You will need to sign into

your account online to access

the different tools available to

you.

From your Home Page you can:

Modify Profile Information

Get Help While You Work

Review Announcements

View/ Modify Work Sched-ule

Access Available Jobs

Review Assignments

Learn to use the tools that are

provided for you in your profile.

Start by using your HELP

button. In this area you will find

a full color illustrated user guide

that will take you through each

area of you SFE profile. There

are videos that can be accessed

as well.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations within 24 hours of a job are one of the top

reasons classrooms go unfilled. This causes problems with

consistency for the school site and in the classroom. In an

effort to increase the districts daily fill rate please try to ad-

here to the following:

If a job must be cancelled every effort should be made to do

so immediately, preferably no later than 24-hours prior to

the start of the job.

Cancellations the morning of the job should only occur

in case of emergencies or illness

You must contact the school if you are trying to cancel

within 2 hours or less to let the school know you cannot

substitute for that day.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE :

2016-2017

SCHOOL YEAR

All district sites and

departments will be closed

in recognition of the

following days:

September 5th: Labor Day

November 11th: Veterans Day

November 24th : Thanksgiving

December 25th Christmas Day

January 1st: New Year’s Day

January 16th: Martin Luther

King Day

February 20th: Presidents’

Day

May 29th: Memorial Day

All school sites and depart-

ments will be closed during

the following break

periods:

November 21st—25th

Thanksgiving Holiday

December 19th– January 2

Winter Break

March 13th—17th

Spring Break

Teacher Work Days

No Substitute Required

October 7th

January 3rd

March 10th

Other Important Dates

May 29th: Last Day of school

3

CLASSROOM TIPS

When you are a first time

substitute the thought of

running a classroom can

be over whelming.

Here are a few tips that

can help you in the classroom

1. Arrive at the school at the appointed work

time so that you can learn the layout of the

room.

2. Find the lesson plan and all materials that

pertain to the classroom assignments for

the day. Some teachers may leave notes

for you to follow.

3. Greet the students as they come in the

room. You can put the assignment for the

day on the board to help direct them.

4. Be mindful of what you say to the stu-

dents.

Three things to remember:

Follow The Lesson Plan

The teachers are counting on you to

complete their lessons plan

Manage The Classroom

You can find classroom management tips

on the internet. Ask some of the teachers for

tips on how to run a classroom.

Be Reliable

Show up on time, complete lesson plans,

keep the classroom under control and keep

cancelations to a minimum.

4

A long term substitute teaching position is defined as an assignment that will exceed 20 working days

for the same teacher. This assignment is decided by the school. To be eligible, the substitute must

have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

An extend substitute teaching position is defined as an assignment that will exceed 60 working days

for the same teacher. Again, this assignment is decided by the school.

The payroll schedule for the long term and extended substitutes can be found on the substitute page

located on the district website.

LONG TERM AND EXTENDED SUBSTITUTES

Please wear your district badges at all time.

You may notice that some badges now have expiration dates. All

newly hired substitutes and those that have renewed their

certificates this year now have a badge with an expiration date.

Please keep your certificate up to date.

Substitute Teaching Certificates are either a three year county

certificate or a FL Professional Teaching Certificate. Please take

note of the expiration date on the certificate.

BADGES AND CERTIFICATES

BE PREPARED FOR A BUSY YEAR

5

Last year was a busy year for substitutes. A big “Thank You” to

everyone for your hard work.

This year your teachers will again be participating in Professional

Development during class time. As most of you know this will add

more jobs into the system for subbing opportunities.

Remember to visit the schools you want to substitute at for the

year.

Remember to check in with front office every time you enter the

school and when you finish your day. Please make sure to return

any keys issued to you at the end of each day.

Wear the district ID badge at all times while on school grounds.

Some substitute jobs may be a vacancy or roaming positions.

This means you will work in different classrooms.

Volunteering is a great way for the school to get to know you and

a chance for you to be in classroom with a teacher to learn class-

room management and how to run a lesson plans.

Have a great school year.

REMINDERS

Whether it’s a couple of minutes before the

bell or you need to come up with a 20-minute

assignment, asking, “What if?” can springboard a discussion or writing as-

signment at any grade level. Here are some examples:

What if you could have a wild animal for a pet? What animal would you

choose and why?

What if you were President for one day? What would you do?

What if you could travel back in time? What date would you choose and

where would you go?

What if you could spend the day with someone famous? Who would that

be and what would you want to do for the day?

This is a great way to fill a void at any time during the day.

What If?

101 Reasons Why It is Great To be A Sub

Utah State University compiled this list of 101 Reasons why it is great to be a substitute. These

reasons were sent in by your colleagues. Here are just a few off the list. See if you agree.

A fresh new face

A new voice to encourage and reward

A student’s smile of understanding

Being a positive influence

Challenging

Disseminator of knowledge is wealth

The ability to inspire thinking

Variety of assignments

Working in different classrooms

Rewarding

Sense of accomplishment watching the students learn

“Tell me and I forget,

Teach me and I may Remember,

Involve me and I learn.”

~ Benjamin Franklin