LI Update - September 29, 2008

HAPPY EID!

Eid date(s). As many of you know, the date of Eid is determined by a lunar calendar and the sighting of the moon. For this reason, the exact date is not yet definite. Therefore, attendance may be spotty on Oct. 1, 2 and/or 3.

Instructors – If you celebrate Eid, please let me (and your students!) know when you will not be here. You can make up the day(s) at the end of the term.

Calendar: October – November, 2008

Thursday, 10/2: Eid al Fitr [Islam]

Wednesday, 10/8: Yom Kippur [Judaism]

Sunday, 10/12: Happy birthday, Marian!

Monday, 10/13: Columbus Day holiday. No classes. All campus offices closed.

Monday, 10/13: Time cards due for the period of 10/1 – 10/15.

Wednesday, 10/15: Electronic time entry due for the period of 10/1 – 10/15.

Thursday, 10/16: National Boss Day.

Monday, 10/20: Birth of the Bab [Bahá’í]

Friday, 10/24: United Nations Day.

Wednesday, 10/29: In-Service Day. No classes. All campus offices closed.

Wednesday, 10/29: Time cards due for the period of 10/16 – 10/31.

Friday, 10/31: Hallowe’en.

Friday, 10/31: Electronic time entry due for the period of 10/16 – 10/31.

Saturday, 11/1: All Saints Day [Catholicism]

Sunday, 11/2: Daylight Savings Time ends (2:00 a.m.). Turn clocks BACK one hour.

Monday, 11/3: Happy birthday, Stacy!

Tuesday, 11/4: Election Day.

Tuesday, 11/11: Veterans Day. No classes. All campus offices closed.

Wednesday, 11/12: Time cards due for the period of 11/1 – 11/15.

Wednesday, 11/12: Birth of Bahá’u’llah [Bahá’í]

Friday, 11/14: Electronic time entry due for the period of 11/1 – 11/15.

Thursday, 11/20: Great American Smokeout

Wednesday, 11/26: Time cards due for the period of 11/16 – 11/30.

Thursday, 11/27 – Sunday, 11/30: Thanksgiving holiday. No classes. All campus offices closed.

Sunday, 11/30: Electronic time entry due for the period of 11/16 – 11/30.

LI Update - September 26, 2008

Welcome to Autumn Quarter!! At the end of this update you will find the updated teaching schedule. Please let me know right away if there are any further changes that need to be made. Basic English classes start on Monday, Sept. 29.

Forms, information and papers. You will find the following important first-day materials on the counter across from the mailboxes. Please pick up enough materials for your class(es). Pick up extras if needed. Return any unneeded forms for others to use. And please let me know whenever we are running low on any materials!

-- Background Information forms (beige). Have your students complete these; return them to me as soon as possible.

-- BE Policies and Procedures handout (pink). Be sure each student has a copy of this important document, and go over it in detail in class.

-- Attendance forms. You should turn in attendance to me each week. This form is provided for you, but if you have another form you prefer (electronic, for example), please feel free to use it.

-- Demographic survey form (white half sheet). Have your students complete these; return them to me as soon as possible.

-- Class syllabus (yellow). These will be ready by the end of the first week of classes. Be sure each student has a copy of the syllabus. NOTE: The syllabus is provided as a guideline of what we would like to see covered in that class. If the class as a whole is having difficulty in a certain area, please use your best judgment in regard to spending more time on a certain topic, even if it means not . I strongly suggest using quizzes (written and/or verbal) to be sure your students are understanding the material presented.

Rosters. Current rosters are in your mailboxes. As most of you know, we often get a lot of students who add during the first week of classes. I’ll send updated rosters at the beginning of the second week.


Time cards and electronic time entry. If you work September 29 and/or 30, you will need to submit that time no later than September 30. That is a separate time period from October 1 – 15.


A little bit of moving. A few things have been moved around during break. Please note:
Basic English instructor resources are now in the area where the microwave is so they will be more accessible. The resource room is now only for after-school resources, not Basic English.
The desks in the open area in our office suite have been moved around for better use of space. There will be two computers available for instructor use. If you have items stored in the overhead bins there, some of them may have been moved. Please see me if you have any questions.
The Central Registration Office has been rearranged for greater efficiency and security.


Is my class going to run? Might it be canceled?
Registration is still in progress. As of now, there are FOUR confirmed classes. Please come to your class(es) ready to teach the first week. The final decision will be made about class cancellations at the end of the first week. If your class is canceled, you will be paid for the hours taught during the first week.

When a class is confirmed, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) will be generated for your class. Remember that payment is ALWAYS generated by means of time cards or electronic time entry (as applicable). You will not be paid if you do not submit your time as directed.


English for Success schedule. Good news! Classes at Centro Esperanza Latina will begin on MONDAY, Sept. 29.

Course evaluations Summer 2008

Here are some of the responses from this term's Basic English course evaluations:

Question 2. What did you like most about the textbook?
(1) I like making who question.
(2) I like this book. It’s explain more garammer
(3) I like about the textbook story.
(4) The interresting articles, and good explanation

Question 6. Was the course useful to you? Why or why not?
(1) My writing skills improved. My vocabulary is richer. I hope the class is longer
(2) I knew, what I didn’t know. It was helpfull
(3) Because i improve most of my mistakes in my pronunciation and writing.