Rocket Roundup
August 28, 2024
NextPath Teacher Resources Available
Click here for a short video introducing NextPath to NJSD
NextPath Teacher Guide (8 Minutes)
Welcome to NextPath! If you're new to using our tool, we want to make sure you've got enough information to help you find your students, data about your classes, and how to create Incidents.
Part 1: Home & Student Profile (2 Minutes)
Watch this two-minute video to learn how to navigate the home screen and see information in NextPath about one of your students. Please note, that the video will open in a new tab so you can follow along. Click here to watch the video
Part 2: The Classroom Dashboard (4 minutes)
Found in Team Workspaces, your Classroom Dashboard summarizes most of the information about your classes giving you quicker access to the reports available within NextPath.
Part 3: Create a Student Incident (2 Minutes)
An incident refers to an occurrence involving the student that requires monitoring and/or record-keeping. Many districts log state-reportable offenses elsewhere (though they can be recorded in NextPath), and ask staff to record staff-managed incidents in NextPath. Your district has customized the fields you will fill out. Incidents can be created on your computer or mobile device.
Navigate "Silver Status" Deadline is August 31
There are a wide variety of ways to earn your 500 points under different pillars of wellness. Please note, anything that says "Complete This" needs to be self-reported in order to receive those points for completion. You can log into your account to check how many points you have currently earned by going to www.njsdwellness.com. If you have questions or need additional assistance accessing your account, please reach out to the Navigate customer service team at info@navigatewell.com or 888-282-0822.
New and Updated Resources Added to NJSD Tech Hub
The NJSD Tech Resource Hub has a multitude of how-tos, instructional resources, tips, and more, for learning about instructional technology integration tools and applications available in our district.
If you have not joined the NJSD Tech Hub please do so by clicking here. If you do not join the Tech Hub, you will get an “Access Denied” message when attempting to open resources. Here is the link to check if you’re in the Tech Hub: https://neenah.instructure.com/enroll/8EYNDH
The following resources are new or updated in the NJSD Tech Resource Hub and can be accessed by the links below or in the NJSD Tech Resource Hub itself, linked here.*
NEW: Choose Your Own Pathway Information
NEW: August 26th Summer Tech PD Slides
NEW: SMARTboard MX Quick Guide
NEW: SMARTboard GXV2/GXV3 Intro
NEW: SMARTboard GXV2/GXV3 Advanced
NEW: Level Up Your Canvas
NEW: Magic School AI for Teachers
NEW: Magic School AI for Students
NEW: Building Your Canvas Homepage
NEW: Lumio Basics Training Guide
UPDATED: Canva Basics
Do you have a request for a resource to be added to the Tech Hub? Click here!
Educator Expense Deductions Can Offset Classroom Costs
The Educator Expense Deduction lets eligible teachers and administrators deduct part of the cost of technology, supplies and training from their taxes. They can claim this deduction only for expenses that weren't reimbursed by their employer, a grant or other sources.
Who is an eligible educator?
The taxpayer must be a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide. They must also work at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.
Things to know about this deduction
Educators can deduct up to $300 of certain trade or business expenses that weren't reimbursed. If two married educators are filing a joint return, the limit rises to $600. These taxpayers can't deduct more than $300 each. Qualified expenses are amounts the taxpayer paid themselves during the tax year.
Some of the expenses an educator can deduct include:
- Professional development course fees.
- Books and supplies.
- Computer equipment, including related software and services.
- Other equipment and materials used in the classroom.
- COVID-19 protective items to stop the spread of the disease in the classroom.
More Information:
NJSD Staff Admitted Free to District Events
Every NJSD staff member is admitted free to any District regular season athletic events or drama events by showing their staff ID at the gate. Any accompanying guests must purchase tickets.
For Thursday's home football game against Menasha, carpooling is encouraged due to the additional high school parking lot not yet being complete. Kickoff for the game is 7 p.m. and the football booster club will have a postgame fireworks show celebrating the 100th meeting in the rivalry that dates to 1896.
New Wellness Gear Available
New wellness gear is now available for all staff to purchase! Check out this flyer for more information along with the store link to purchase. The store will be open through Monday, September 16th.
Hall of Fame Banquet Tickets on Sale
Seven individuals comprise the Neenah Joint School District’s ninth Hall of Fame class in 2024 that will be inducted as part of Homecoming festivities. Those inducted will be Collette (Goudreau) Murphy, Alvin Long, Wayne Salzmann, Warren Schucknecht, Will Scribner, Bob Totten and Frank Wiesner.
The group will be honored at a banquet on Sat., Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at Neenah High School. Tickets are now available and may be purchased online through GoFan. Tickets are $30 each and may also be purchased in person at the District Administration building during normal business hours. Sponsorship tables are also available.
This Week in NJSD Activities
(NJSD staff members admitted free to all regular season events by showing staff ID)
Wednesday, August 28
Boys Volleyball - Home vs. Waterford, 6 p.m. (NHS Competition Gym)
Boys Volleyball - Home vs. Oak Creek, 7 p.m. (NHS Competition Gym)
Thursday, August 29
Girls Tennis - Home vs. Kaukauna, 4 p.m. (NHS courts)
Football - Home vs. Menasha, 7 p.m. (NHS Rocket Stadium)