Mission Statement for Professional Development in School District #71 & Joint PD Committee 3. Frequently Asked Questions & Answers 4

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2 Mission Statement for Professional Development in School District #71 & Joint PD Committee 3 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers 4 Policies of the District PD Committee 5 Accessing PD Funds for on leave teachers 6 The School Contact Person (PD Rep) 7 Self-Directed PD Ideas 7 Uses for Personal PD Funds 8 PD FORMS SD71 Teacher Personal Professional Development Reimbursement $ Form 9 SD71 Teacher Purchase of IT Devices/Computers with PD Funds Guidelines 10 Travel and Expense Claim $ Form 11 Professional Learning Supplement (PLS) Please Fund Questions & Answers PLS Please Fund / Study Group / Individual Conference - Request $ Form 14 Book Club Request $ Form 15 LSA Reimbursement $ Form 16 Teacher Professional Learning Plan (make up for Spring Break days) Self-Directed / Pro-D Planning Form (October & February PD Days) 20 Application for New Personal PD $ Funds (Teacher hired after Sept. 30th) 21 NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

3 Through professional development, members of the educational community collaborate to develop a climate and structure for individual, staff, and district growth. Principles that support the Mission Statement: o Provision of quality educational programs for our students is the goal of professional development o Members of the educational community value professional development o Time and resources are critical components for successful professional development o Individuals, groups, and staffs receive support through professional development to pursue their identified professional growth goals o members of the educational community are life long learners who reflect on their practice To empower educators through opportunities which are engaging and professionally rewarding. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

4 Q: How much PD money is put into my account each year? A: $ if you are hired by September 30 th. Teachers hired after September 30 th must submit a Teacher Hired After September 30 th form in orders to receive their pro-rated amount. The pro-rated amount = the numbers of months you are working in the school year, x $ This form must be submitted to the PD Chair at the CDTA office within 30 days of start of contract. Q: How much is in my PD account at this moment? A: the PD Chairperson at teacher.prod@sd71.bc.ca or the PD Secretary at office71@cdta71.org. Q: How do I get a reimbursement? A: After completion of your workshop or purchase, submit the Personal PD Reimbursement form with your receipts attached to the PD Chairperson via the CDTA office. IT Reimbursements also need an IT Device Guideline form submitted. IT Reimbursements received before the 15 th of the month will be processed at the end of the month. Q: Which form do I use? A: There are three forms: 1) Personal PD Reimbursement Form used for one receipt i.e. PD books, workshops, supplies, IT purchases 2) Travel & Expense Form this is used for travel expenses i.e. meals, km, ferry, hotel rooms, etc. 3) IT Device Guideline Form this is to make sure that you understand the employer portion of CPP and EI will be correctly deducted off your purchase. This must be included with reimbursement form & receipt copy. Q: What is the cost of a TOC for the day? A: The cost of a TOC for the day can be as high as $ Q: Why and when do I need to fill out a Self-directed form? A: The Self Directed form is used to know your whereabouts for emergency purposes. The PD Chair also reads over each self-directed form to collect data on what areas teachers are interested in growing professionally. This form should be submitted to your school PD Rep one week before the PD Day. Q: How do I get reimbursed for IT devices? A: Send a Personal PD Reimbursement form and an IT Device form with a copy of your receipt to the CDTA office. Remember this is paid through the Payroll Dept. (once a month) and is considered taxable income. The PD Chair will approve the purchase and then the PD Secretary will forward to payroll for reimbursement. If approved by mid-month it should be repaid in your last month s pay. If your paperwork arrives after midmonth it should be repaid the following end of month pay. Additional taxes, CPP & EI will be deducted. The reimbursement will be on your end of month pay and will be shown on the earnings side of your paycheque. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

5 Q: What happens to my PD money when I retire or leave the district? A. The funds that are still in your account go back into the overall PD fund for the following year. Q: When do I go on the AMS to record an absence? A: Anytime you are leaving the District on your workday you will need to record it on the AMS even if you do not require a TOC. If you require a TOC and you are using your personal PD money, please record the absence under Personal PD Money. If it is on a PD Day, please book your TOC under Out of District/3 rd Party/Other. Q: Who is on the Joint PD Committee? A: The Joint PD Committee consists of the PD Chair, 5 teachers, 1 Elementary AO, 1 Secondary AO, 1 District Representative and 1 Trustee. The PD Chair and Teacher positions are filled on a yearly basis at the CDTA spring general meeting. Q: How do I get an LSA (Local Specialists Association) started in our district? A: Please the PD secretary office71@cdta71.org and she will forward you the forms. Q: What can I do for self-directed PD? A: Please see the list of appropriate self-directed activities on page ---. If you are unsure of whether an activity is PD or not, please ask your school PD Rep or the PD Chair teacher.prod@sd71.bc.ca The District Professional Development Committee encourages teachers to consider and adhere to the following policy guidelines when engaged in professional development activities. a) Attendance: It is expected that teachers will attend professional development activities on designated days, whether school or district-based. Professional development activities are voluntary when they occur beyond the hours of instruction. Teachers attending professional development activities are encouraged to share their resources and information with colleagues.. b) Budgeting and Fund Allocation: Each year the District Committee sets the budget based on the total amount of money generated through the Board and member contributions. The District Committee is responsible for: 1) Administering the PD fund 2) Funding District PD days 3) Funding LSAs 4) Managing personal PD accounts NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

6 Policy change regarding Periodically the ProD secretary is asked to release personal PD funds for members on leave. Past practice instituted by the JPD committee has denied use of the funds for these members. Reasoning for this has been articulated as: If members are on leave they are not covered by WorkSafe should they choose to attend any district PD events If they are not paying into the fund they should not be able to access it It is District policy that members on leave are not permitted to attend district events (workshops, meetings, etc) as this violates their leave conditions. However, recently a request has come to us that sent the PD chair, the president and the secretary looking deeply into the CA about language on this. We have found none. This has prompted some rethinking of this unwritten policy. Thinking that perhaps it came about due to District regulations, in conversation with Lynda-Marie (HR SD71), Jacquie learned that full medical leave is considered off limits for PD but as to personal or maternity/paternity leaves, it is only in practice because it has been past practice. There is no stipulation at the District level prohibiting teachers from staying professionally current in these situations, and in fact this is often a prime time in someone s life to take on more extended PD opportunities (on-line course, or workshops requiring travel). Members are deducted their PD funds for the first 17 weeks of maternity leave. They are paying into the fund. Additionally, these funds are designated for that individual to use at their discretion. Therefore, the Joint Professional Development Committee approved that: As of Sept 1 st, 2017, teachers who are on personal/education/maternity/paternity leaves can access and use their PD funds at their discretion at any time during their leave. These PD funds will be released in the usual way, with receipts provided and through communication with the Pro-D secretary. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

7 Each school should elect or appoint a professional development representative. The school Representative should make an effort to do the following: 1) Be committed to PD in the school and convey the important of PD to their colleagues. - Please collect Self-Directed forms the week before a PD day. Have the school Principal initial the forms and then store them in a file folder in the office. After the PD Day send forms to the PD Chair. 2) Publicize workshops in the school in which other teachers are welcome to participate. 3) Be familiar with the funding procedures and forms as well as policy around PD. - Please remind those returning to work or hired after September 30 th to apply for Personal PD Funds within 30 days of returning/beginning work. 4) Attend PD Network Meetings and pass on PD information to colleagues. Many ways to grow professionally: 1. Participate in a Teacher Inquiry project, individually or in a group 2. Attend a conference/workshop locally, regionally/provincially/regionally/ nationally/internationally 3. Attend a workshop/conference or summer institute/course 4. Becoming a facilitator, and give a workshop locally, regionally, or provincially 5. Begin/continue university studies, either on-line or as a member of a cohort 6. Form/join a teacher research group 7. Job-shadow in a related work situation 8. Actively participate in a professional organization/network 9. Mentor a teacher 10. Read professional literature 11. Reflect, discuss and research with other professionals 12. Share with colleagues what you found at a conference/workshop 13. Watch professional videos, webinars, Ted Talks, etc. 14. Work with a colleague to discuss, observe and critique a lesson/program (peer coaching) 15. Write professional articles for your local s newsletter, your PSA s publication/teacher news magazine. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

8 Professional development is a process of continuous growth, through involvement in programs, services and activities designed to enable teachers, both individually and collectively, to learn and grow professionally in order to enhance teaching and learning. Realizing that professional development will have a positive impact on student learning, and that the use of personal professional development funds is an individual, professional choice, Appropriate uses of PD funds include the following: Attendance at workshops, including registration fees, TOC costs, and travel, meals, accommodation. (As set by SD71 standards)* PSA/LSA memberships Professional journals, books, audio, visuals, software, activities, materials - used by teachers to promote Professional growth Release time and costs related to: Visitations to other classrooms/schools Research or action research Training, courses, tuition fees and textbooks for educational courses Self-directed study Collaboration/unit planning/program development Time & support for developing assessment, evaluation, reporting tools, though not for reporting itself Child care costs when PD occurs on a non-working day of the teacher purchase of hardware: laptops, desktops, tablets (including ipads), netbooks and pads-type devices first aid courses If your funds are used up, you can make an Application for the Professional Learning Supplemental (PLS) Fund (to a maximum of $100) for ; Professional Study Groups (book clubs, group online courses or webinars) Conference Expenses (registration fees, hotel/travel expenses) IF NOT LISTED ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT THE PD CHAIR Any items purchased become the property of the teacher. Inappropriate use of personal professional development funds include books, software, etc. which have personal or curricular rather than professional application. FYI - Hardware purchases are considered a taxable benefit by Canada Customs and Revenue. An IT Device Guidelines form must accompany this form when purchasing hardware. Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

9 Name: Date: School: (Please print) I am requesting reimbursement in the amount of $ for Date From Personal Funds PLS Fund Describe how this professional development will enhance or influence your teaching practice: Charge to my Personal PD account at the CDTA office. Please make my cheque reimbursement by: Computer IT Purchase done by Teacher Payroll (sign Technology/IT Device Purchase Agreement below) I will pick up at CDTA office School Inter-office mail School: Please mail to my home address: (phone # ) Teacher Signature Approval PD Chair * Please attach receipts Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

10 The Joint Professional Development Committee endorses teachers in SD71 to use any or all of their personal PD funds for the purchase of hardware: laptops, desktops, tablets (including ipads), netbooks and pads-type devices, and reaffirms the purchase of software and IT devices that are instructional in nature (e.g. language instruction, type-to-learn programs, etc.) PD Funds may not be directed towards: computer peripherals (printers, cables, etc.) iphone or smartphone plans maintenance/parts costs associated with any technology purchased with PD funds In purchasing an electronic device, teachers acknowledge that: Only purchase of new technology will be reimbursed The District assumes no liability for any device purchased with personal PD funds ( includes lost or stolen devices) The District will not provide any IT support in the form of software, additional hardware, maintenance, etc. o Furthermore, the IT department will not connect personal devices to the SD server infrastructure until a BYOD protocol is in place AND there is assurance security will not be compromised. As the District does not require the purchase of electronic devices by teachers through professional development funds, the pro-d funds spent on the device will be deemed as a taxable benefit - under Canada Revenue Agency guidelines and taxable at the appropriate rate as per the teacher s income. The taxable benefit will be included on their T4 slip. For certainty, this requirement was confirmed with our financial statement auditors. All claims must be submitted to Michelle Prior at the CDTA office and reimbursement will be done through the Payroll Dept. - taxes, CPP & EI will be deducted. The reimbursement will come at the end of the month shown on the earnings side of your pay cheque. All Teachers purchasing IT devices with personal PD funds must sign this form to be reimbursed through payroll. *Please submit this form along with your Personal PD Reimbursement form and a copy of your receipt I, acknowledge that I have read the above guidelines and agree to a 7.25 % CPP & EI coverage off my Pro-D reimbursement. Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

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12 Here is the language of the Policy Change, approved by the JPD Committee. SD71 Joint Professional Development Committee recommendation: That we review and draft policy language regarding personal funding allotments, in order to maximize the funds available to members of the CDTA for their personal Pro-D needs. Question: Is our Personal PD fund considered a part of our benefit package? Answer: No. The Personal PD funds are given as a whole to the CDTA JPD committee and past policy has been to designate $125 to individuals. We have freedom within the CA to change ways the funds are administered. the CHANGE 1: Because we wish to encourage our members to use their Pro-D funds to further enhance their practice on a regular basis, we place a cap of $1 500 on any individual account. Thereafter, until a portion of that account is reimbursed for PD activities, the annual $125 will go into a Professional Learning Supplemental Fund (PLS Fund). This is not intended as a penalty, but as an incentive. The affected member will receive a timely (3 months; at Spring Break for the upcoming year) inquiry about their plans to use their fund. This will be in a multiple choice format asking if: a) They have plans to attend a conference or course in the year ahead (Please submit form and receipts) b) They have plans to purchase a tech device (please submit form and receipts) c) If they would prefer for their upcoming allotment ($125) to be donated to the PLS Fund for their colleagues to access. If they can report that they have a particular use for it in mind in the near future then they will have no changes. Question: What if I want to save my funds to purchase technology or attend a particularly expensive conference I have been saving for? Answer: No problem. Please respond to the Pro-D secretary stating as such, and with a rough estimate of the name/date/place of said conference or tech purchase. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

13 Question: Not using the funds doesn t mean I am not participating in Pro-D. Why should I surrender them to others? Answer: We recognize that individuals may be participating in valuable Pro-D without using their funds (for example, free seminars or after school sessions) but because the widespread concern among the membership is that our personal funds are so minimal, it seems that money that is accumulating year over year could be used valuably elsewhere. Funds cannot be taken with you when you retire. CHANGE 2: This policy change actually brings our district in line with many others, as well as other professional organizations, where individuals are only provided the funds after they have been spent, and funds return to the general pot after a calendar deadline has passed. It may also be useful to note, that this will affect only a handful of the membership each year (7 currently; 6-10 in years past). Our initial available funds sit at $ (based on previous years surplus). Because we wish to maximize the amounts available to our members for their Pro-D needs, we will roll over any non-designated funds (retired, deceased, LTD) remaining at the end of the school year, into the Professional Learning Supplemental Fund. CHANGE 3: The PLS Fund, which will receive credits from the above-mentioned changes, will be divided into 2 portions: $1 000 for Professional Study groups (book clubs, group online seminars) and the rest for conference participation. With the proviso that personal funds are used first, the PLS ( Please ) Fund can be accessed once per year to a maximum of $100, for reimbursement of: a) Conference registration and travel expenses b) Books or online seminar expenses for a group who submits a proposal to the committee. Question: Is there a way we could make more money available as $100 doesn t seem very much? Answer: Because we are just beginning this fund, the amount is small as we are trying to be conservative and responsible with the funds available. It is anticipated that it will grow over time, each year. Question: How can we be equitable in distributing this money so it is shared out amongst the district? Answer: People can apply for the additional fund only once per year. It is only to be accessed after your own money has been used. So it may be that people only get a portion of the $100 if the funds in their personal account cover most of the receipts they are submitting. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

14 Names of participant(s): Note: This form can be filled out individually or as a group. Maximum request is $ 100- per person per school year (upon depleting personal PD funds) Schools represented: Title of the book/course/webinar: Purpose of this study group? (How will this study benefit your practice in the classroom?) Cost per item (book/registration fee): *Please include receipts with form Number of items: Total: $ $ Please check one: To be paid out to individuals by school mail Mail to home address (below) Signatures: (please submit an extra page if needed) Mailing Address: Approval of PD Chair Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

15 Note: This form can be filled out individually or as a group. Maximum request if $100.-/person per school year. Names of participants: Schools represented: Title of the book/course/webinar: Purpose of this study group? (How will this study benefit your practice in the classroom?) Cost per item (book/registration): Number of items: Total: $ To be paid out to individual(s) by school mail or Mail to home address: (If mailing to home, please provide address below) TEACHER (S) TO BE REIMBURSED: SIGNATURE (please submit an extra page if needed) & School Location / Home mailing address Pro-D Chair Approval Signature Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

16 LSA Name: Date: Please reimburse in the amount of $ for on (date) The event was. Please attach list of names of those who attended and forward request to Pro-D Chair at the CDTA office. LSA Signing Officer * This form is used when you are requesting reimbursement for snacks or an honoraria for a guest speaker, etc. Be sure to attach receipts. Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

17 SD#71 Teacher Professional Learning Plan (makeup days for spring break) This document is intended to be a flexible plan, with the understanding that your professional needs and interests may change over the course of the year. First and foremost, it is a plan for you, to consider and reflect on your practice and identify areas you wish to grow in or experiment with. This year, days in August have been set aside as PD days, but are not mandatory, giving you flexibility to choose other PD events during the summer or the school year to meet the requirement of 10 hours (for 1.0 FTE) hence the term flex days. Note: these are in addition to the Provincial PD day in October and our District PD day in February. The purpose of this form is to help you articulate your vision for your personal professional learning for the year, and anticipate the various activities and resources you will engage in, in order to complete your two flex days of PD. **If you choose to participate in PD activities on August then you simply check off your time as completed in the first section of the form. Professional Learning activities can take many forms, including, but not limited to: collaborative sharing and discussions around a topic with colleagues; reading professional books either independently or as part of a book club; taking courses or webinars; attending afterschool sessions provided by the District, CSTs or an LSA (Local Specialist Association); attending a conference or workshop observing colleagues in practice and debriefing afterwards Once you have completed your plan you need to make 2 copies: one for your administrator and one for your PD rep to submit to the PD chair ( to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca ). Keep the original for yourself. Deadline for submission is September 30. During the course of the year, please revisit your plan to either revise it as your interests and needs change, or check off completed activities. You need to complete 10 hours of PD before February 28, in order to be paid for your PD days in the March pay period. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

18 (Please complete both sides of this page) Name: School site: My anticipated focus and rationale for professional learning for this school year is: I completed my flex PD time in the summer, between July 1 and August 30 (if yes, give dates and details of activity): 2 days (10 hours) 1 day (5 hours) other If the above answer is no or partial, please complete the remainder of the form: **reimbursement for activities using Personal PD funds requires receipts and submission of the attached form to the PD secretary, teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca as in the past. Intended activities & hours anticipated (10 hours /1.0 FTE required to make up the 2 days): NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

19 Resources: I would be interested in connecting with others in the district who are pursuing similar interests: Yes No I would like to suggest the following topics/presenters for workshops in our district: Please do not share this information with the Joint Professional Development (Note: The Joint Professional Development Committee may use the information provided to help secure speakers for PD days/workshops, seek out other resources related to your area of interest, and follow professional learning trends amongst our membership to provide future PD opportunities.) Print out a copy for your principal and School Pro-D Rep (forwarded to the PD Chair you can to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca ) Teacher signature PD School Rep AO initial NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

20 Professional development is a process of continuous growth, through involvement in programs, services and activities designed to enable teachers, both individually and collectively, to learn and grow professionally in order to enhance teaching and learning. *If you plan on going out of district for Pro-D please remember to book off on the AMS under out of district/3 rd party/other and in the Details please provide; Name of Party To Be Billed: n/a, Destination of event and name of conference/activity Name(s): School: Phone: Date: Activity Planned for October Provincial PD Day / February District PD Day: Describe how this Professional Development will enhance your learning or student learning: Location for Activity: In the future I am interested in focusing on the following areas for Professional Development: I would like to suggest the following workshop/facilitator: A/O Initials Date Received by School PD Rep: NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June

21 This includes teachers returning from leave who were not on the roles as of Sept. 30 th (i.e. mat leave, sick leave or just hired on). TO: PD Chairperson I understand that there are PD funds available to teachers hired after September 30 th. I,, hired on Request that a personal PD account be opened for me for the school year. (Signature) (Date) (School PD Rep) (Date) (School) (PD Chair, PD Committee) (Date) Please forward to the CDTA office through school mail or to teacherprod@sd71.bc.ca FOR OFFICE USE ONLY - FORWARD TO CDTA OFFICE $ has been deposited into your personal professional development account. This amount has been pro-rated at $12.50 per month from your return date. NM/JA: mp LEU USW 2009 Updated June