Lincoln Public Schools
YOU ARE HERE »
SECTIONS »
- Who We Are
- Recruitment Information
- Job Listings
- Applications
- Handbooks/Agreements
- Publications
- ProCom
- Substitutes
- Benefits
- Risk Management
- LPS Room Reservations
Join the Joblist
Receive the weekly job listings in your email box! Simply enter your full email address here and hit "subscribe".
SUBFINDER »
Substitute Paraeducator Handbook
| Handbooks | Table of Contents | Introduction |Section: 1 | 2 |
POSSIBLE DUTIES FOR A SUBSTITUTE PARAEDUCATOR
Below are basic descriptions of the different Paraeducator job classifications and some duties that may be required to be performed by substitutes in that particular area. Please keep in mind that responsibilities differ from building to building. Paraeducator responsibilities are carried out under the supervision of a teacher or administrator. All classifications may or may not include the duties listed under General Instruction Paraeducator.
GENERAL INSTRUCTION
As a General Paraeducator Substitute, you may be asked
to perform any of the following duties: Operating a variety
of machines such as: Riso, Xerox, laminator, book binder,
opaque, thermofax, duplicator, overhead projector, or any
type of audio visual equipment. You might be asked to correct
papers, put up bulletin boards, accompany a class on a field
trip, or facilitate small groups.
You could also be responsible for lunchroom or playground duty so dress accordingly.
MEDIA
As a Media Paraeducator Substitute you need to know that all libraries within the district are organized the same way. Non-fiction books are organized by the decimal system and fiction organized by author’s last name. However, some school media centers have converted their files to the computer while others are still using the card catalog. Be sure to check with the Media Specialist as to their particular check-out system. You may also be asked to operate audio visual equipment, shelve books or alphabetize date due and check-out cards.
COMPUTER LAB
A paraeducator substitute for this particular assignment should have a working knowledge of the computer. You will be responsible for working with students on various computer programs and projects.
HEADSTART
As a Headstart Paraeducator Substitute you will interact directly with the students and their families. You will be expected to assist students on and off the bus, and you might be asked to direct a variety of group activities.
TITLE I
Duties for a Title I Paraeducator Substitute include facilitating small groups in reading and math, or assisting with individual instruction. Duties would be similar to those for General Instruction Paraeducators.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
This classification encompasses many different areas. You will be working with students with one of the following verified disabilities: learning disabled; visually impaired; mild, moderate or severe and profound mental and physical disabilities. Those substitute paraeducators working with mild, moderate and severe/profound special education positions must first complete the appropriate back screen physical at Company Care and be able to perform all functions of the back screen. This is to ensure that no one is asked to perform duties that will injure him or her.
**Your responsibilities may include:
-
Providing instructional reinforcement and physical assistance to students who are physically and/or mentally challenged
-
Instructional assistance in the classroom and in the community
-
Physical assistance in wheelchair maneuvering, feeding, positions, bathrooming, diapering and lifting
-
Providing assistance to teachers of emotionally and/or mentally challenged students in the area of instruction, recreation, classroom organization and maintenance, recordkeeping and physical care of students
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION (ECSE)
When substituting in ECSE, you will be working with preschool-age students. You will be expected to interact with the students and might be asked to help them problem solve with peers. "Sharing" is a big issue with this age group. There is also a good chance that you will be asked to assist with feeding, toilet training and/or diaper changing. Those substitute paraeducators working ECSE positions must first complete the appropriate back screen physical at Company Care and be able to perform all functions of the back screen. This is to ensure that no one is asked to perform duties that will injure him or her.
ONE-ON-ONE
As a One-On-One Paraeducator Substitute, you will be working with an individual special education student. Duties will vary greatly from building to building. You may be asked to shadow the student (throughout the day) from the time he/she arrives at school until that student departs at the close of school; or you may be asked to work with different students at different times throughout the day. Those substitute paraeducators working with certain types of 1:1 special education positions (i.e. moderate severe/profound) must first complete the appropriate back screen physical at Company Care and be able to perform all functions of the back screen. This is to ensure that no one is asked to perform duties that will injure him or her.
BEHAVIOR DISORDERED (BD)
As a BD Paraeducator Substitute, the children you will be working with need firm consistency and structure to be successful during the school day. Your school may or may not have a specific place to deal with students that need time away from peers.
If students are excluded from the regular classroom, you may be asked to monitor those students while they’re in the "BD" room. You might also be asked to escort a student from one class to another.
Unless you have received the district’s training and the situation warrants it, as a substitute you should not try to physically intervene with an out-of-control student.
BEHAVIORAL SKILLS PROGRAM and YANKEE HILL
Duties in this area are similar to that of the regular BD program. You would also help transition students from one area to the next. You might be asked to deliver one-on-one instruction to a student that has fallen behind, or you might be used as a "Reward" for students and supervise free-time on the computer or basketball court.
You WILL NOT be asked to discipline students, or use any kind of physical intervention. Individuals that have been specifically trained and are familiar with a particular student will handle the behavior management.
MOTOR ACTIVITY
Normally you would be called to substitute in this area for a long-term assignment. Special training is provided by an Occupational and/or Physical Therapist. You must also first complete the appropriate back screen physical at Company Care and be able to perform all functions of the back screen. This is to ensure that no one is asked to perform duties that will injure him or her.
ORTHOPEDIC
Duties as a paraeducator substitute for this area may be similar to that of a One-On-One Paraeducator along with lifting, bathrooming, tutoring and possibly accompanying an older student to a job site. Those substitute paraeducators working in this area of special education must first complete the appropriate back screen physical at Company Care and be able to perform all functions of the back screen. This is to ensure that no one is asked to perform duties that will injure him or her.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ITINERANT STAFF AND SUBSTITUTES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS AT LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Crisis situations at Lincoln Public Schools are rare. However, we want all school employees – including itinerant staff and substitutes – to be prepared in all sorts of emergency and crisis situations.
Generally, we urge staff and teachers to do the following:
- Remain calm and in control of area.
- Contact school administrators or fellow co-workers.
- Protect the students and yourself.
The following information includes specific guidelines to follow in the event of specific crisis situations.
GENERAL PROCEDURES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS
CODE RED – GENERAL PROCEDURES
A CODE RED is declared when, in the opinion of the Administrator-in-Charge, a situation exists that threatens the safety of students and staff and requires that they remain in their classrooms.
Code Red – Respond: A designated emergency management team responds to a designated center.
Code Red – No Response: NO ONE MOVES:
The situation is unstable, and the risks are too great to
have anyone moving about the school until the police arrive
and assist in the assessment of the incident.
Special Note: An administrator will check the restrooms for students during a crisis.
Classroom Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. Close classroom door.
2. Make a list of all students not in the classroom when Code
Red is declared.
3. Record the names of any students who enter the classroom
after the Code Red is declared.
4. Maintain order and keep students on task.
5. If directed to evacuate the classroom, take student roll
book with you.
6. Do not attempt to contact the office unless an emergency
arises in your classroom or you have pertinent information
concerning the current emergency.
BOMB THREAT
Procedure: Phone Threat.
1. Listen to the message without interrupting the caller.
2. Write down the message, noting time of call, unusual background
noises, and estimated age of caller, and try to keep the caller
talking. Use the “Bomb Threat Checklist” (purple
sheet) to write down or check off information provided by
the caller.
3. Attempt to ascertain from the caller the type of bomb,
where placed, time of detonation, and reason school has been
targeted. Use questions 1 – 9 on the “Bomb Threat
Checklist” (purple sheet) as a guide.
4. After caller has concluded his/her threat, hang up and
immediately lift the receiver and press #57 (call trace).
5. Immediately notify an administrator of the call and the
content of the message.
Procedure: Device Found.
1. Upon discovery of a suspicious device, immediately send
word to an administrator.
2. If the device is found in a classroom with students, immediately,
but in an orderly fashion/manner, evacuate the classroom.
3. UNDER NO CONDITION ATTEMPT TO TOUCH OR MOVE THE
DEVICE.
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. Upon receipt of notification to evacuate the school, follow
fire drill procedures. Take the class roll book.
2. Maintain control of students and advise administrator or
someone in authority (e.g. team leader, department chair)
of any missing children.
3. Do not re-enter the building until directed to do so by
administrator or someone in authority.
HOSTAGE / ARMED INTRUDER
Procedures:
1. Assess the situation and remain calm.
2. Notify an administrator of situation.
3. Render appropriate assistance.
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. If directly involved, follow the instructions of the intruder.
2. Attempt to summon help if it can be accomplished without
placing yourself or others in further danger.
3. Await the arrival of the police.
4. Remember, time is on your side. Don’t threaten or
attempt to intimidate or disarm the intruder.
5. If students are involved as victims, attempt to keep them
calm and minimize their involvement with the intruder.
6. If not directly involved, follow instructions quickly and
without comment.
7. When notified of the Code Red, follow established procedures.
8. Be able to account for all students under your control.
TRESPASSER
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. Do not get into an argument or attempt to challenge the
trespasser.
2. Invite trespasser to go to the office and sign in.
3. Notify the office if they run or move to another area in
the building other than the office. Be prepared to provide
a description of the trespasser.
4. If a Code Red is declared, follow established procedures.
STUDENT WITH A GUN
Procedures:
1. If the student is displaying a gun, treat the incident
as a Hostage/Armed Intruder event. In all other situations,
a. Notify an administrator.
b. Assess situation. Be able to provide descriptive information to administrator later, if needed.
c. Keep calm until assistance arrives.
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. Upon being made aware of the presence of a gun in school,
notify an administrator.
2. Under no conditions should a teacher or staff member attempt
to confront or to disarm the student.
3. As long as the gun is not being displayed and no one is
being threatened, time is on your side to keep the situation
calm.
4. Meet the responding administrator at the door and advise
him/her who the student is, where seated, and current behavior
of the student.
VIOLENT BEHAVIOR OF A STUDENT
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. Contact an administrator.
2. If you are the first person on site, contact administrator
and alert a nearby staff member.
OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
KIDNAPPING / MISSING STUDENT
Procedures:
1. Upon learning that a child has been abducted or is missing,
immediately notify an administrator.
2. If you observe this event, make a detailed description
of abductor, including physical appearance, type and color
of clothing, and make, model, color, and license number of
any vehicle used in the abduction.
3. In the case of a missing child from your classroom, if
possible, provide a detailed description of clothing, and
the time and location when the child was last seen.
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities: Abduction
1. If abduction occurs while class is in session, attempt
to persuade the abductor not to commit the act.
2. If unsuccessful in persuading, do not place yourself or
other children in harm’s way.
3. Immediately notify the office and provide as many details
as possible.
4. Maintain control of students.
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities: Missing
student
1. Immediately notify the office when advised that a student
is missing.
2. Maintain control of remaining students.
DEATH AT SCHOOL: NATURAL, ACCIDENT OR HOMICIDE
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities:
1. Notify an administrator.
2. Remain calm.
3. Clear students from the immediate area (if necessary).
4. Provide assistance, if needed, to staff to keep the witnesses
in a supervised area to get information and names for a later
report.
SUICIDE
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities: Actual
/ Attempted
1. Immediately notify an administrator.
2. If KNOWLEDGEABLE, administer first aid/CPR.
3. Secure the area until an administrator arrives on the scene.
4. Once relieved, teacher responds to his/her classroom and
maintains order.
Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities: Rumored
1. Treat all verbal and written threats as a serious matter.
2. Immediately notify an administrator about the information.
SCHOOL START / END TIMES
| High Schools | Start (a.m.) |
End (p.m.) |
| Lincoln High | 8:00 |
3:00 |
| East High | 7:00 |
2:58 |
| Northeast High | 7:15 |
3:05 |
| Southeast High | 7:00 |
3:35 |
| Southwest High | 7:00 |
3:35 |
| Bryan Center | 9:00 |
2:40 |
| Vocational Delivery | 7:35 |
9:45 |
| Arts & Humanities Focus Program | 9:45 |
3:00 |
| Science Focus Program (Zoo School) | 9:45 |
3:00 |
| Middle Schools | Start (a.m.) |
End (p.m.) |
| Culler | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Dawes | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Goodrich | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Irving | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Lefler | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Lux | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Mickle | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Park | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Pound | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Scott | 8:00 |
2:50 |
| Kindergarten
Start/End Times
|
|
| For schools
which start at 8:15 a.m.
|
|
Morning |
8:15 a.m. to 11:09 a.m. |
Afternoon |
11:59 a.m. to 2:53 p.m. |
For
schools which start at 9:00 a.m.
|
|
Morning |
9:00 a.m. to 11:54 a.m. |
Afternoon |
12:44 p.m. to 3:38 p.m. |
| Elementary Schools | Start (a.m.) |
End (p.m.) |
| Arnold | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Beattie | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Belmont | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Brownell | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Calvert | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Campbell |
9:00 |
3:38 |
Cavett |
8:15 |
2:53 |
| Clinton | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Eastridge | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Elliott | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Everett | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Fredstrom | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Hartley | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Hawthorne | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Hill | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Holmes | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Humann | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Huntington | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Kahoa | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Lakeview | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Maxey | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| McPhee | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Meadow Lane | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Morley | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Norwood Park | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Pershing | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Prescott | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Pyrtle | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Randolph | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Riley | 8:55 |
3:38 |
| Roper | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Rousseau | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Saratoga | 8:15 |
2:53 |
| Sheridan | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| West Lincoln | 9:00 |
3:38 |
| Zeman | 8:15 |
2:53 |
SUBSTITUTE REGISTRATION WITH SUBFINDER
SubFinder will not call you until you have called in to register.
1. Call SubFinder at (402) 436-1870.
2. SubFinder will identify itself and ask you to enter your
PIN (Personal Identification Number) followed by the # key.
Your PIN will be your Social Security Number. Enter your PIN
using the touch pad of your telephone.
3. Once you have entered your PIN and pressed the # key, SubFinder
will acknowledge that this is the first time you have called
and ask you to voice your name. Please say your name clearly.
When you are done speaking, press the # key. After pressing
the # key, SubFinder will play your recorded name back to
you for verification. If it is correct, press 1. If you want
to re-record your name, press 2 and repeat this step again.
4. Once you have recorded your name and accepted it, SubFinder
will play your Main Menu.
5. Please choose the option To Review Personal Information.
Pay particular attention to options
#1 – To Review Your Phone Number and #3 – To Review
the Days of the Week You are Available to Work. If any of
your personal information is incorrect, you may change it
by following SubFinder’s instructions. For further information,
please refer to your Substitute Instructions brochure.
6. Congratulations, you are now registered!
Please Note: You must use a touch-tone phone to access the SubFinder system. And remember, you can’t be called by SubFinder until you register!!!
