• 1/25 - Child Abuse Certification requirements deadline approaching & BBP requirements

• 3/4 - Friday's Tidbit of Information...Long-Term Subs
• 3/9 - Helpful Hint...Job starts in 15 minutes - what to do?
• 3/11 - Bloodborne Pathogen Class
• 3/15 - A message from CRS SubFinder Caller ID Change
• 3/28 - Re-registration for 2011-12 school year news!!

• 4/28 - SubFinder Upgrade Notification
• 4/29 - 2 New Email Notification Features For You!!

• 5/3 - Re-registration packets should be ariving...
• 5/3 - SubFinder has been upgraded...5.11 version now uploaded
• 5/5 - Reminder for Long-Term Substitutes - How to Cancel a Portion of Your Job

• 11/18 - Snow Day?
• 11/30 - Are all your certifications updated and renewed?

• 12/2 - How can I increase getting jobs?

• 1/19 - Are all your certifications in your SubFinder account current?

• 2/10 - How can I increase my job call count?

Alternative Education, Campus Safety Monitor, Classroom/Education Assistant, EH Aide, Family Consumer Education, Industrial Arts, Instructional/IMC Aide, Noon Assistants, Physical Education, Prearrange Only, Science General and Advance, Secretary and any Special Education Early Childhood, Multi-handicapped or Social Emotional position(s).

Wednesday, April 6th, 1:00p - 3:00p or Wednesday, April 27th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

You can click here to book a reservation:

Effective March 21st 2011, the telephone number that appears on caller ID systems when SubFinder calls substitutes will change. It will no longer show 800-782-3463. This number has been replaced with 570-651-4588.

We have made this change in order to reduce the number of direct calls to CRS from substitute teachers. If substitutes call the new phone number displayed, they will be instantly directed to a voicemail message indicating that the call they received came from the SubFinder system.

Sincerely,

No response necessary.

Have a GREAT weekend!

LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTES:

If you are a substitute who is in a Long-Term assignment at a school, you need to know how to cancel a portion of your job without canceling the entire job, please refer to the SubFinder Call Instructions (click below and see page 1 & 2)

http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/hr/subtch/5.11SubInst.pdf

These are the instructions that all substitutes are given and have access to:

Substitute Website: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/hr/subtch/subfndr.shtml

Option #4 CAN BE USED BY THE LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TO ONLY CANCEL A DAY OR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DAYS and will leave the rest of the job intact.

Make sure if you are in a Long-Term Assignment you know to call SubFinder 1-866-515-1038 and cancel your job for just the date(s) you need another sub to come in and cover. Some of the Long-Term substitutes are calling the SubFinder Help Desk or the School and leaving a voice message. By the time we get the information, valuable time has been lost trying to find a sub replacement. This way, if you are a Long-Term substitute, you call your cancellation in at anytime and SubFinder can call during the call out times of 4:30p - 11:00p or by 5:00am.

Good Day Substitutes,

It's that time of year again when we need to be aware of weather and possible school closures.  On our Substitute Information website (see link below) about half way down on this website page is FlashAlert.  This is an excellent source to check school closures for Portland counties.

http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/hr/subtch/subfndr.shtml

Click on the FlashAlert link below to see what the school closures look like, then you may want to bookmark or save this to your favorites so you can check this during bad weather throughout this school year.

News about school closures
due to inclement weather:
FlashAlert has the latest info

http://www.flashalertportland.net/?alert=1

Hello Substitute,

THIS IS A GENERIC EMAIL TO ALL SUBSTITUTES

We are still receiving calls from schools and teachers who want to request a particular substitute but cannot because one or more of their certifications are either not current or are close to renewal. This prevents schools and teachers from requesting the substitute they want or to request them for a future job when one or more of the substitutes certifications are not renewed.

We also have some SubFinder accounts that have expired licenses, expired Child Abuse or Bloodborne Pathogen certifications which will "inactive" your SubFinder account and you will not be able to receive calls for jobs. If your SubFinder account stays in an "inactive" status more than one month, your SubFinder account may be a candidate for removal from the SubFinder system. Please read all the instructions below carefully.

It is VERY important you check your SubFinder account and make sure we have your current certifications on file. If you did not notify the SubFinder Help Desk that you renewed one or more of your certifications your SubFinder Profile account may not be updated. Renewal programs like CAPT Child Abuse BBP Bloodborne Pathogen DO NOT automatically generate an email message to the Help Desk advising us you have renewed. You must send a separate email to: subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us advising us you have renewed one or more of your certifications.

To make sure your SubFinder account is current:

Go online and log into your SubFinder account: https://mesd.subfinderonline.com/

Enter your User Name: (Last name)
Enter your Password: (2 digit birthday month, 2 digit birthdate, last 4 of Social Security)

Go to Personal Info, Certifications to make sure your CAPT (Child Abuse) is current and BBP (Bloodborne Pathogen) Certification (if applicable) is current.

For Substitute Teachers, Registered Nurses or any licensed substitutes, check your TSPC or State Board Licensing information to make sure it is current.

Also make sure your Sites and Positions are where you want to substitute at and what positions you wish to work in. While you are in there go to Address TAB and make sure we have your current email, telephone number and address. Substitutes cannot make changes to their positions, sites or addresses. You can email the subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us for those changes. You can make changes to your email address and phone number only.

Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure your account is current and that we have received your most current Licensing, CAPT BBP renewal information. We highly recommend that you renew your CAPT BBP now so that they are current ALL SCHOOL YEAR so schools can book you for future jobs without running into problems with your certifications.

When you complete your CAPT, on page 102, it asks for your First Last Name and email address. If you put in YOUR email address, the SubFinder Help Desk does NOT receive notification that you have completed or renewed your CAPT. You must either use the subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us email address or FORWARD the completion to the Help Desk so we have proof and can update your SubFinder Profile account.

When you do your BBP renewal online (Mon-Fri 7:30am - 4:30pm ONLY), the system will NOT automatically generate an email to the Help Desk. Please send an email to the SubFinder Help Desk so we can update your account.

If you need to renew your CAPT, you can click here:
http://courses.orvsd.org/moodle/course/view.php?id=254

If you need to renew your BBP, you can click here:
http://appdev.mesd.k12.or.us/online-training/
You must enter your "District of Employment": MESD
Work Location: SUB
Then look for your name.

If you use to work as an employee for another district, your BBP renewal may still be under that school and site.

Happy Friday Substitutes,

The SubFinder Help Desk has been receiving numerous emails and phone calls about how a substitute can increase their number of jobs. This is a long email but it will give you some information about programs to consider to substitute in. If you wish to add a MESD program and do not have any MESD sites in your SubFinder account, you will need to complete the attached W-4 in order to be on our payroll BEFORE we can sign you up for a program or MESD site.

To make any additions to your SubFinder account, you will need to email the SubFinder Help Desk and tell us which site(s) or program(s) you wish to add. You cannot add them yourself.

Here are somethings you may want to consider:

1. If you are a Substitute Teacher you can increase your jobs by adding "classified" positions to your SubFinder account. Classified is a Classroom/Educational Assistant. This is a lower rate of pay however, it will increase your chances for getting jobs and get yourself out there and known especially if you are new to these districts. Once added to your SubFinder account, SubFinder will call you depending the type of absence that needs to be filled whether it be Certified or Classified. It will NOT pick Certified before Classified so it's at an "as needed" basis.



2. It is suggested that you market yourself. If you don't already have some type of business card to leave for the person you are substituting for a business card can be helpful. This business card should have at the minimum, your name, telephone contact, your credentials (licensing and endorsements) or type of positions you work (classified or Classroom/Educational Assistant), email address and your ID Request number. Anything more is up to you. Leave this with the employee you are substituting for and also give one to the school Secretary and ask if he/she would consider you for their preference list.



3. Preference List, Preference List, Preference List!!! The SubFinder system allows employees to have a Preference list of substitutes to call when that employee is going to be absent. The employee can list as many substitutes as they wish. If none of those substitutes are available, the school may also create a preference list of substitutes they want called who are familiar with their building and students. If none are available on that list then SubFinder will go to the general Skill List of substitutes to call. As you can see, your goal is to work your way up the list to be a "preferred substitute" with that employee and/or school. This increases your chances of being called. More and more of the employees and schools are utilizing "preference listed" substitutes. It helps them get their absences filled more quickly and they get the subs they want. BECOME A PREFERRED SUBSTITUTE!!!



4. Take a look at the districts we serve and see if you wish to add more districts or schools to your list. If you are a Substitute Teacher, your endorsements and authorization subjects and age levels do not pertain to substituting. If you check the back of your license, bottom left corner, it should say what you can substitute in anything. Initial, Initial I, Standards, Basics, should all say, "Substitute in Anything", anything that is, that you feel comfortable teaching in. You can go to our Substitute website to see what districts we serve and which schools: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/hr/subtch/subfndr.shtml scroll down until you see each districts name and click on their box and look for site information.



5. Remember, Mesd and our districts serve several programs for students with special needs and services:



• Early Childhood ages birth - 5 (MESD requires W-4 if you have no other MESD sites see attached), click here to learn more about this program: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/se/sped/EC/EIECSE.shtml Substitute Teachers DO NOT need to have an endorsement in Special Education to substitute teach in these classrooms. Classroom/Educational Assistants are also needed.



• Functional Living Skills ages 6-18, (MESD and other districts), click here to learn more about this program: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/se/sped/FLS/K12Description.shtml Substitute Teachers DO NOT need to have an endorsement in Special Education to teach in these classrooms. Classroom/Educational Assistants are also needed.



• Alternative Education (MESD requires W-4 if you have no other MESD sites see attached)
  Alpha High School, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ae/ahs/index.shtml
  Helensview, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ae/Helensview/Welcome.html
  Arata Creek, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ac/
  Donald E Long, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ae/del/index.shtml
  and we also have several other incarcerated Youth Programs in other areas. To work in an Incarcerated program you must go through an interview process to be allowed to work at these sites.



• Social Emotional Programs - (MESD and other districts):
  Wynne Watts, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/doi/ww/
  Arata Creek, click here: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ac/



• Transitional Programs (MESD and other districts):
  Several located within MESD and other Districts (Centennial, David Douglas, Gresham Barlow, : age group 18-21, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/se/sped/FLS/transition/philosophy.shtml



• Hospital Program - (MESD requires W-4 if you have no other MESD sites see attached) - http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/he/ Hospital program needs Substitute Teachers and Classroom/Educational Assistants who must go through an interview process to be allowed to work at these sites.



6. A Special Education endorsement on Teachers licenses are NOT necessary to work in a special education classroom setting. ALL DISTRICTS have these classrooms within their schools and are always looking for Substitute Teachers AND Classroom/Educational Assistants who are willing to work with these students. Many a times I have worked with substitutes who have tried these programs and have really enjoyed working with special need students. Most of the time, the substitute was just not familiar with these programs.



7. Reynolds School District is looking for Noon Assistants. This is a position that requires the overseeing of children when they are at lunch and then go on the playground/recess duty. You do need BBP Bloodborne Pathogen in order to do this position but be aware that this position may only be for 2 hours. This is a great shift for those who are only looking for a few hours each day due to a limited schedule.

Hello Substitute,

We are still receiving calls from schools and teachers who want to request a particular substitute but cannot because one or more of their certifications are either not current or are close to expiration. This prevents schools and teachers from requesting the substitute they want or to request them for a future job when one or more of the substitutes certifications are expiring.

We also have some SubFinder accounts that have expired licenses, expired Child Abuse or Bloodborne Pathogen certifications which will "inactive" your SubFinder account and you will not be able to receive calls for jobs. If your SubFinder account stays in an "inactive" status more than one month, your SubFinder account may be a candidate for removal from the SubFinder system. Please read all the instructions below carefully.

It is VERY important you check your SubFinder account and make sure we have your current certifications on file and it is current. If you did not notify the SubFinder Help Desk that you renewed one or more of your certifications your SubFinder Profile account may not be updated. Renewal programs like CAPT Child Abuse & BBP Bloodborne Pathogen DO NOT automatically generate an email message to the Help Desk advising us you have renewed. You must send a separate email to: subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us advising us you have renewed one or more of your certifications.

First thing to do to make sure your SubFinder account is current:

• Go online and log into your SubFinder account:
• Click Here: https://mesd.subfinderonline.com/
• Enter your User Name: (Last name)
• Enter your Password: (2 digit birthday month, 2 digit birthdate, last 4 of Social Security)
• Go to Personal Info, Certifications to make sure your CAPT (Child Abuse) is current and BBP (Bloodborne Pathogen) Certification (if applicable) is current.

Also make sure your Sites and Positions are where you want to substitute at and what positions you wish to work in. While you are in there go to Address TAB and make sure we have your current email, telephone number and address. Substitutes cannot make changes to their positions, sites or addresses. You can email the subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us for those changes. You can make changes to your email address, phone number and availability only.

Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure your account is current and that we have received your most current Licensing, CAPT & BBP renewal information. We highly recommend that you renew your CAPT & BBP now so that they are current ALL SCHOOL YEAR so schools can book you for future jobs without running into problems with your certifications.

When you complete your CAPT, on page 102, it asks for your First & Last Name and email address. If you put in YOUR email address, the SubFinder Help Desk does NOT receive notification that you have completed or renewed your CAPT. You must either use the subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us email address or FORWARD the completion to the Help Desk so we have proof and can update your SubFinder Profile account.

When you do your BBP renewal online (Mon-Fri 7:30am - 4:30pm ONLY), the system will NOT automatically generate an email to the Help Desk. Please send an email to the SubFinder Help Desk so we can update your account. If you need to renew your CAPT, you can click here: http://courses.orvsd.org/moodle/course/view.php?id=254

If you need to renew your BBP, you can click here: http://appdev.mesd.k12.or.us/online-training/

• You must enter your "District of Employment": MESD
• Work Location: SUB
• Then look for your name.

If you use to work as an employee for another district, your BBP renewal may still be under that school and site.

If you certifications are all current, no reply to this email is necessary.

For Substitute Teachers, Registered Nurses or any licensed substitutes, check your TSPC or State Board Licensing information to make sure it is current.

Thank you and have a great New Year!

Happy Friday Substitutes,

The SubFinder Help Desk has been receiving numerous emails and phone calls from substitutes on how a substitute can increase their number of jobs. This email will give you some helpful hints to increase your job counts and some information about programs to consider substituting in.
Here are some things you may want to consider:

1. If you are a Substitute Teacher have you considered adding "classified" as a Substitute Educational Assistant to your SubFinder account? This is a lower rate of pay however; it will increase your chances for getting jobs and get yourself out there and known especially if you are new to these districts and schools. Once this position is added to your SubFinder account, SubFinder will call you depending on the type of absence that needs to be filled whether it is Certified or Classified. It will NOT pick Certified before Classified so it's at an "as needed" basis. This is one way to market yourself and get known out there and to increase your job count.


2. What are you doing to market yourself? If you don't already have some type of business card to leave for the person you are substituting for a business card can be helpful. This business card should have at the minimum, your name, telephone contact, your credentials (licensing and endorsements) or type of positions you work (classified or Educational Assistant), email address and your ID Request number. Anything more is up to you. Leave this with the employee you are substituting for and also give one to the school Secretary and ask if he/she would consider you for their preference list.


3. Do you have contacts out there? What have you done to re-connect or stay connected to them? Do you have employees or schools you use to work for but they have not called you in awhile? Keeping yourself connected to these contact is essential.


4. Preference List, Preference List, Preference List!!! The SubFinder system allows employees to have a Preference list of substitutes to call when that employee is going to be absent. The employee can list as many substitutes as they wish. If none of those substitutes are available, the school may also create a preference list of substitutes they want called who are familiar with their building and students. If none are available on that list then SubFinder will go to the general Skill List of substitutes to call. As you can see, your goal is to work your way up the list to be a "preferred substitute" with that employee and/or school. This increases your chances of being called. More and more of the employees and schools are utilizing "preference listed" substitutes. It helps them get their absences filled more quickly and they get the substitutes they want. BECOME A PREFERRED SUBSTITUTE!!! In order to do this, re-establish your contacts out there and ask if you can be on their "Preferred Substitute Call List".


5. Take a look at the districts, schools and programs we serve and see if you wish to add more districts or schools to your list. If you are a Substitute Teacher, your endorsements and authorization subjects and age levels DO NOT pertain to substituting. If you check the back of your license, bottom left corner, it should say what you can substitute in anything. Initial, Initial I, Standards, Basics, should all say, "Substitute in Anything", anything that is, that you feel comfortable teaching in. You can go to our Substitute website to see what districts we serve and which schools and programs: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/hr/subtch/subfndr.shtml scroll down until you see each districts name and click on their box and look for site information. Our districts are: Corbett, Gresham-Barlow, Reynolds, Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Riverdale and several programs throughout all these districts and a few programs in the Portland Public School District. Do you have all these districts in your site list in your SubFinder Profile account?


6. Availability? Have you checked your availability in your SubFinder Profile account lately? Maybe last fall you took Tuesdays and Thursday off and you forgot to add it back in? Are you available 7am - 4pm Monday through Friday? This will increase your chances of being called. You can change your availability through WebConnect online or through the SubFinder phone.


7. Are your certifications current? Log into your SubFinder Profile account, go to Personal Info, Certifications and make sure your Child Abuse (CAPT) and Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP if applicable), and Teaching License (if applicable) are current!!!


8. Do you have enough positions listed to work in? Some Substitute Teachers feel that with their license they may be limited to teach only what they are endorsed in. This is not true. If you have an Initial, Initial I, Initial II, Basic, Standard, etc license, you have had enough education to teach other subjects you are not endorsed in. The key is, are you comfortable teaching certain subjects? Just because you are endorsed in Math does not mean you are not experienced enough to teach Language Arts if you are comfortable teaching that subject. Make sure you have a wide variety of subjects and positions.


9. Remember, MESD and our districts serve several PROGRAMS for students with special needs and services. If you wish to add any MESD program(s) and do not have any MESD sites in your SubFinder account, you will need to complete the attached W-4 in order to be on our payroll BEFORE we can sign you up for a program or MESD site. The original W-4 must be received at our SubFinder Help Desk before we can sign you up for any MESD programs.
   
   To make any additions to your SubFinder account, you will need to email the SubFinder Help Desk and tell us which site(s) or program(s) you wish to add. You cannot add them yourself:
   
• Early Childhood ages birth - 5 (MESD requires W-4 if you have no other MESD sites see attached), click here to learn more about this program: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/se/sped/EC/EIECSE.shtml Substitute Teachers DO NOT need to have an endorsement in Special Education to substitute teach in these classrooms. Classroom/Educational Assistants are also needed.


• Functional Living Skills ages 6-18, (MESD and other districts); click here to learn more about this program: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/se/sped/FLS/K12Description.shtml
  Substitute Teachers DO NOT need to have an endorsement in Special Education to teach in these classrooms. Classroom/Educational Assistants are also needed.


• Alternative Education (MESD requires W-4 if you have no other MESD sites see attached)
  
  Alpha High School, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ae/ahs/index.shtml
  
  Helensview, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ae/Helensview/welcome.html
  
  Arata Creek, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ac/
  
  Donald E Long, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ae/del/index.shtml
  
  and we also have several other incarcerated Youth Programs in other areas. To work in an Incarcerated program you must go through an interview process to be allowed to work at these sites.


• Social Emotional Programs - (MESD and other districts):
  
  Wynne Watts, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/doi/ww/
  
  Arata Creek, click here: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/ac/


• Transitional Programs (MESD and other districts):
  
  Several located within MESD and other Districts (Centennial, David Douglas, Gresham Barlow, age group 18-21, click here for more information: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/se/sped/FLS/transition/philosophy.shtml


• Hospital Program - (MESD requires W-4 if you have no other MESD sites see attached): http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/he/ THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING ANY INTERVIEW APPOINTMENTS.
  
  Hospital program needs Substitute Teachers and Classroom/Educational Assistants who must go through an interview process to be allowed to work at these sites.


10. A Special Education endorsement on Teachers licenses are NOT necessary to work in a special education classroom setting.  ALL DISTRICTS have these classrooms within their schools and are always looking for Substitute Teachers AND Educational Assistants who are willing to work with these students.  Many a times I have worked with substitutes who have tried these programs and have really enjoyed working with special need students.  Most of the time, the substitute was just not familiar with these programs.


11. Reynolds School District is looking for Noon Assistants. This is a position that requires the overseeing of children when they are at lunch and then go on the playground/recess duty.  You do need BBP Bloodborne Pathogen in order to do this position but be aware that this position may only be for 2 hours.  This is a great shift for those who are only looking for a few hours each day due to a limited schedule.

If you are interested in adding some of these programs to your SubFinder account, you will need to send an email to:

subfinderhelpdesk@mesd.k12.or.us 

then advise us which program(s) you are interested in.  Remember, you can try these and if for any reason you wish to remove that site or program from your list, it just takes an email to us and we will remove it.

Thank you for your consideration for substituting in these programs.

Are you just waiting for the phone to ring or are you actively on Webconnect and/or calling the SubFinder to see if there are jobs available?