Bert's Alerts - April 14, 2017
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Commencement Ceremony is around the corner. Employees are encouraged to volunteer to help with the celebration. The ceremony, held at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, will take place on Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m. Volunteering provides a great opportunity to share in the success of CWI students.
Volunteer times vary based on assignment. Volunteers are welcome to celebrate with students and stay for the entire ceremony or leave when volunteer duties are complete. The volunteer shifts are as follows:
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Individuals interested in volunteering are asked to email Elizabeth Dominguez at elizabethdominguez@cwi.edu by Friday, April 21 at 5 p.m. The email should indicate the shift you would like to work. Although volunteer times cannot be guaranteed, preferences will be taken into consideration.
Thank you to all who are willing and able to help at this event. Without you, commencement would not be possible!
News Highlights
CWI SkillsUSA Wins Big at State Competition
The 2017 SkillsUSA State Conference took place Thursday and Friday, April 6 and 7. College of Western Idaho (CWI) swept away the competition with 41 competitors, 33 medal winners, and 37 medals (4 double winners) total. Two contestants, Tamarr Jivens (Collision Repair) and Dan Thompson (CNC Milling), brought home TWO gold medals this year! Five of the gold medalists were repeat gold medal winners from the 2016 State Conference and attended the National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky last year.
CWI finished with 15 gold medals (13 competitors), 12 silver medals (11 competitors), and 10 bronze medals (9 competitors). Students competed in: Architectural Drafting, Automotive Service Technician, Automotive Refinishing Technician, CNC Milling, CNC Turning, Collision Repair, Customer Service, Diesel Equipment, Electronics, Information Technology, Internetworking, Job Skill Demonstration, Power Equipment, Precision Machining, Quiz Bowl, Related Technical Math, Technical Drafting, Telecommunications Cabling, and Welding Fabrication.
CWI SkillsUSA gold medal winners will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, June 19-23, 2017, to compete in the Skills USA National Conference. This effort is being supported by the upcoming Skills on Wheels Car Show an important fundraising event under the direction of the CWI SkillsUSA Club.
To learn more, search @CWISkillsOnWheels on Facebook or visit the Skills on Wheels website for more information and photos from past events.
Settlers of Catan Tournament April 22
Do you like board games? Do you like winning prizes? Do you like to just have fun? Join the CWI Entrepreneurs Club on Saturday, April 22, for the Settlers of Catan Tournament. The event will take place at 1 p.m. at the second floor common area of the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
The tournament will feature three rounds of play for all participants and light refreshments. The first-place winner will receive a full Settlers of Catan, Cities and Knights, and Seafarers game set, including extensions.
Admission is $10 for pre-registration and $12 at the door. Entry fees can be paid by cash or check on-site. Visit http://cwistudentlife.signupsheet.com/ to pre-register for the event.
IDoTeach Students Engage in Teaching Opportunities
This semester, students from the College of Western Idaho (CWI) are exploring what it takes to be a STEM teacher. These students are enrolled in IDoTeach courses here at CWI which are designed to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math majors to consider careers in teaching. Thanks to opportunities at Chapparal Elementary School, Eagle Middle School, Ronald Reagan Elementary School, Siena Elementary School, and Victory Middle School these students are gaining early exposure to the profession, informing their decision to continue pursuing the path to certification.
IDoTeach students in EDUC 101 and 102 are invited to not only observe exemplary teachers in local schools but also to design and teach two lessons of their own. These lessons are aligned with an inquiry-based instructional method devised by the University of Texas at Austin.
Spring 2017 Placements
- Krystanja Glenn is mentored by Jerren Summers at Victory Middle School
- Robert Herold is mentored by Bridget Woods at Eagle Middle School
- Herutia Fannin and Angel Mora-Carrillo are mentored by Shannon Dunn at Chapparal Elementary School
- Anna Heideman is mentored by Brieann Trueblood at Ronald Reagan Elementary School
- Christina Hoefler is mentored by Heide Fry at Siena Elementary School
- Garrett McPherson is mentored by Travis Ceniga at Chapparal Elementary School
The CWI Education Department would like to thank all of the mentor teachers and administrators who support these invaluable learning opportunities for pre-service teachers.
Grad Fest Returns April 19
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be celebrating student graduates on April 19 (Wednesday) during its annual Grad Fest event at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building. This annual celebration, from 4-7 p.m., kicks off the countdown to CWI’s Class of 2017 commencement. Caps and gowns will be available to pick-up, and light appetizers and complimentary massages will be provided. Graduates in attendance will receive a cool gift bag, an alumni t-shirt, and a chance to win a Dell Inspiron 3000 touchscreen laptop!
CWI Grad Fest is a great way for students to celebrate all they have accomplished during their college journey. For those wanting to continue their education, a number of transfer universities will be on-site, as well as a variety of employers for those who are ready for a career!
CWI cannot wait to celebrate its 2017 graduates! Join us at Grad Fest! #cwigraduation
Open Enrollment Begins May 1
The 2017 open enrollment period for employee benefits runs May 1 through May 19.
Remember this is the time to enroll or re-enroll in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- The FSA program does not automatically continue from one year to the next. You must reenroll each year to continue participation.
- Forms for reenrollment will be available May 1.
- Navia Benefits Solutions is our FSA vendor. Please find additional information here https://idaho.naviabenefits.com/
- There can be no exceptions if you miss the deadline.
Open Enrollment is the only time that you can:
- Change from one medical plan to another
- Add previously declined dependent dental coverage
- Change your medical and dental premium deductions from post-tax to pre-tax or vice versa without a qualifying event
- Enroll in the FSA. Participation in the FSA is on a year-by-year basis, which means that enrollment does not continue from one year to the next
It is important to remember:
- The time frame and restrictions around Open Enrollment are based on State rules, and Human Resources at CWI does not have the ability to make exceptions for anyone missing the deadline.
- Return all FSA and Open Enrollment forms to Gwen Dawson, MS1000 in Human Resources, during Open Enrollment, May 1 – May 19.
- There is no need to re-enroll in medical/dental if you’re not making changes
- For questions regarding your insurance coverage, you can contact the Office of Group Insurance with the State of Idaho.
Contact Human Resources with questions or plan to attend the Employee Benefit Fair on April 20 for additional information.
RSVP for Employee Appreciation Day Picnic by April 19
The deadline to RSVP for the Employee Appreciation Day Picnic is approaching. Employees are asked to RSVP no later than April 19 at 5 p.m. in order to attend.
Employees and their families are invited to join us for food, music, games, and fun as CWI shows its appreciation for all your hard work.
RSVP today! We hope to see you there!
Amazon.com Begins Charging Sales Tax
Amazon began charging Idaho’s six percent sales and use tax on purchases beginning April 1, 2017. The Business Office has setup an Amazon Business Account to allow for tax exempt purchases for CWI use. Authorized Pcard users are asked to contact the Business Office to receive an invite to use the account.
