BrightWorks partners with state and district leadership

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Subject: BrightWorks partners with state and district leadership

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edNews Editor: Colleen Feller

BrightWorks (formerly Metro ECSU) is a Minnesota Service Cooperative serving the seven-county metro area

www.brightworksmn.org

Greetings from Executive Director, John Schultz

Reach John Schultz, BrightWorks Executive Director, at 612-638-1525 or john.schultz@brightworksmn.org

Although the days are getting shorter, BrightWorks continues to shine with its services and support to our metro school partners.

Supporting School Staff Mental Health

BrightWorks will be providing leadership in selecting a licensed Well-Being Advisor for Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Mahtomedi, South St. Paul, Farmington, St. Anthony-New Brighton, and Orono school districts. This pilot program will provide a team of mental health professionals to support staff in schools. I will provide updates through edNews as this program takes off.

Career and Technical Education

BrightWorks is also building leadership in statewide Career and Technical Education (CTE). As we await the State’s direction, BrightWorks has been in conversation with superintendents from the intermediate school districts in the Metro to discuss partnerships and how BrightWorks can best serve the CTE work. There is more to come with this initiative.

Literacy

The Minnesota Legislature enacted a bill in the last session to support literacy and reading. Known as the Read Act, BrightWorks and the Minnesota Service Cooperatives have been working closely with the State of Minnesota to determine the best structure for supporting children and teachers in literacy. I am looking forward to this literacy-based initiative and will have more to share after the first of the year.

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season!

John

Winter 2023/Spring 2024

Professional Learning Opportunities

BrightWorks Professional Learning Catalog 2023-2024

If would like to receive a copy of the Winter 2023/Spring 2024 PD catalog, please send an email to Brittany Stepan: brittany.stepan@brightworksmn.org

BrightWorks is excited to offer professional learning opportunities to our metro districts this winter and spring! We have been listening to what our districts need and are excited to have you join us at our professional development events or collaborate with us to bring these offerings to your district/school! The Winter 2023/Spring 2024 PD Catalog will be posted on the BrightWorks website in mid-December.

Our course offerings focus on the following strands:

Leadership Development
Trauma Responsive Practices
Literacy
Equity & Cultural Competency
Non-Exclusionary Practices
Student and Family Engagement
Restorative Practices
Student and Educator Wellness
ParaProfessional Courses and Assessment

Featured Events:

Creating Psychologically Safe School Communities through Relationships, Connections, and Engagement with Students

Date: January 9, 2024

This workshop will focus on understanding what psychologically safe school communities look and feel like for both students and adults, as well as effective strategies to engage within to enhance relationships and school culture in a resilient affirming way.

Learn more and register

Creating Trauma-Informed Student Support Plans, Classroom Management and Using Restorative Practices for Student Repair and Consequences

Date: February 22, 2024

Repair isn’t always an “I’m sorry for…"

This workshop will provide a trauma-informed mindset to use repair strategies in various ways. This workshop will focus on utilizing Restorative Practices as both a mindset and active strategies to create a more inclusive and trauma-centered approach. We will discuss the importance of repair for not only students but also educators. When, where, and how repair can look and outside of the box strategies to use with a student.

Learn more and register

Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Education

Date: March 25, 2024 OR June 17, 2024

Target Audience: Any teachers or administrators who are curious, fearful or excited about the prospect of using AI to facilitate their work.

Facilitator: John Fila

John Fila is an award-winning educator and curriculum coordinator who promotes equitable access to high-quality educational materials and experiences for all learners. John has led digital accessibility initiatives, developed curriculum, and facilitated the adoption and update of Open Educational Resources (OER). John also serves as an educational consultant, offering expertise in online learning, instructional design, accessibility, and Artificial intelligence (AI). He has written three books on the use of AI in education and is the creator/author of the comic book, Dolorem.

Learn more and register

Save the Date!

CORE Learning Trainings:

Reading Fundamentals Leadership Fundamentals

Virtual - T/Th 3:00-4:30 CST on April 2,4, 9,11,16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and May 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 2024

Leadership for Literacy

In-person: May 16-17, 2024

Adolescent Literacy Solutions

Virtual: May 13-14 and 28-29, 2024

Online Language & Literacy Academy (OL&LA)

Virtual on or after March 11, 2024

OL&LA Cohort Leader (OCL) Certification

Virtual on or after March 11, 2024

Contact Chris Streiff Oji to learn about hosting a BrightWorks PD event at your site.

2023 AMSD/BrightWorks Conference Features Student-Centered Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

BrightWorks Board Chair Bill Harvey addresses conference attendees.

On Thursday, November 9, 2023, BrightWorks once again partnered with the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) to host an annual conference. This year’s conference focused on embracing student-centered learning and on Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was well attended by superintendents, school board members, and other educational leaders from across the state. Our Keynote Speaker was Jon Fila, who is the author of several books including, The Student Guide for Using Chat GPT; The Educator Guide to Using Chat GPT; and Embracing Chat GPT. We received excellent feedback on the value, importance, and relevance of the sessions presented and look forward to begin planning next year’s conference! We hope you can join us!

John Schultz and conference attendee talk.

Conference speaker addresses the audience.

Conference attendees listen to the keynote.

Metro Area Equity Leaders Collaborate at

Monthly Meetings

BrightWorks, in partnership with White Bear Lake Area Schools and Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, has been hosting monthly meetings with Metro Area Equity Leaders (MAEL) to collaborate, support, and learn from each other about what is working well and sharing best practices. Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and White Bear Lake Area Schools have hosted two of these meetings. Upcoming meetings will be hosted by Lakeville Public Schools, Anoka-Hennepin Schools, and Osseo Public Schools. To learn more about the Metro Area Equity Leaders meetings, contact Chris Streiff Oji at 612-638-1542.

BrightWorks Leaders In Action...Fall Highlights!

Policy Breakfast & Panel Discussion

BrightWorks staff members Chris Streiff Oji and Bianca Virnig attended a Policy Breakfast in Rochester to hear about Accountability Systems in Education. Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett participated in the panel discussion to share his perspective.

Commissioner Jett and policy breakfast attendees.

Belonging and Trauma-Informed Mindsets

Linnea Devine, part of the BrightWorks Workforce Grant Team, presented to White Bear Lake Area paraprofessionals to share information about trauma in children, what it looks like in the classroom, and how to best support them and practice self-care in the process.

Education Policy Fellows Visit State Capitol

On November 17, the Minnesota Education Policy Fellows Metro cohort (led by BrightWorks) and Rural cohort (led by Lakes Country Service Cooperative) toured Humboldt High School in St. Paul with principal Dr. Valerie Littles-Butler and met with Andrew Collins, Executive Chief of Schools & Learning at St. Paul Public Schools.

The next day, the Fellows spent a day at the Capitol and met with Tim Strom, Legislative Analyst, Minnesota House of Representatives; Solveig Beckel, Fiscal Analyst, Minnesota House of Representatives; Bjorn Arneson, Analyst, Minnesota Senate; Stephanie Graff, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education; Sydney Spreck, Ed Policy Advisor to Gov & Lt Gov; and Josh Crosson, Executive Director, EdAllies.

Minnesota Education Policy Fellows at the State Capitol.

BrightWorks team members Ingrid Aasan, Chastity Engelstad, Colleen Feller, John Schultz, Chris Streiff Oji, and Bianca Virnig spent a day learning about education policy with the MInnesota Education Policy Fellows at the Capitol.

Save the Date!

Charting the Cs 2024 In-Person Conference Returns!

April 15, 16, and 17, 2024

We are excited to announce that Charting the Cs will take place in person this time at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, Minnesota! "Making Our Mark" is the 2024 Charting the Cs Conference theme. The conference will open with keynote presentations by highly regarded professionals in the field of Low Incidence Disability Areas, followed by breakout and poster sessions focused on supporting students with disabilities, especially students with low-incidence disabilities.

Questions? Contact the Charting the Cs Conference Leadership Team at chartingthecs@brightworksmn.org

Making Our Mark! Charting the Cs 2024 In-Person Conference. Day 1: Monday, April 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. In-Person. Day 2: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. In-Person. Day 3: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. In-Person. Charting the Cs: Cooperation, Communication, Collaboration. Statewide Professional Development to Support the Workforce and Low Incidence Disability Areas in the State of Minnesota.

Seasons of Change at MNCoE

As we move into a new season here in Minnesota, we are doing the same at the Minnesota Centers of Excellence (MNCoE). Hope Beissel, Professional Development Facilitator (PDF) and Pyramid Model State Content Lead, will be transitioning into a new position with the Pyramid Model Consortium in January 2024. She has shared her talents and skills with Region 11 Early Childhood Special Education leaders and teams for 14 years. Her knowledge, organization, and warm personality will be missed! We will have to figure out where everything is stored in our shared Google Drive on our own moving forward!

On December 6th, Region 11 leaders had the opportunity to meet with Danielle Hayden virtually or in person at BrightWorks for a live Question and Answer session. We will continue to compile data regarding service delivery in Region 11 to share across districts.

In addition, we are also offering "Reflective Consultation for ECSE Leaders and B-3 Providers," "Best Practices for Multilingual Learners with Lillian Duran (flipped classroom)", "Trauma-Informed Care from the Inside Out, and Transitions and Responding to Challenging Behavior" (Gerety Education Courses).

Calling All Young Authors in Grades 4-8!

Commemorating our 33^rd Young Authors Conference, we invite you to join us as we Celebrate Imagination. Our minds have the amazing capability of making pages of words as vivid and real as the world in front of us. New this year, the 2024 Young Authors Conference keynote in March and May will be a panel discussion with Minnesota authors, moderated by J.M. Lee. Early bird registration for our March 15^th conference date is December 15 and Early bird registration for May 28-31 dates is March 1. Register here: https://sparkpath.org/register/

Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl Season Kicks Off

Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl Meet. Students sitting around tables for the team round.

The Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl season kicked-off with a pair of great meets. Students in grades 6-8 competed against each other at St. Anthony Middle School and Shakopee East Middle School. This academic competition where students answer questions about history, literature, mathematics, science, current events, and everything in between is going 17 years strong with 106 teams from 33 metro middle schools. Look for the full Knowledge Bowl season schedule here: www.sparkpath.org/mgkb/

70 Metro Schools Will Hold Scripps Spelling Bees

In collaboration with the Minnesota Service Cooperatives, the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee is one of nine regional bees across the state of Minnesota. On Thursday, March 7, 2024, 50 of the top spellers in grades 4-8 from metro-area schools will compete at Fridley High School’s auditorium. Scripps school bee registration closes December 31, 2023. Register here:

www.spellingbee.com/enrollment

Limited Availability Remains at January STEAM Field Trips, Creativity Festival and CreativeCon!

Join us for an inspiring one-day field trip for students in grades 3-8 at the University of Minnesota’s Ted Mann Concert Hall. This event challenges your students’ creativity, strengthens their problem-solving skills, and ignites their imagination during three outstanding breakout sessions following a dynamic opening performance.

Creativity Festival (grades 3-5): January 9 & 10, 2024 (schools pick one date)

CreativeCon (grades 5-8): January 11, 2024

Opening performance by Larry Yazzie and Native Pride Productions

During breakout sessions, students work side-by-side with visual and performing artists and STEM professionals. This event aligns with Minnesota Academic Standards in Arts Education.

Breakout sessions include:

Metal casting
Restoration architecture
Bengala mud dyeing
Highway design challenge
Watercolor and acrylic painting
Beatboxing
Native Pride dance and storytelling
Candle making & chemistry
Improv
Exploring cubism with oil pastels
Designing roller coasters
The art of shadow puppetry

Contact Madi Ericksen at 612-638-1514 to inquire about registration.

Fifth Grade Teams are Invited to a

Math Masters Competition at BrightWorks!

SparkPath is excited to be a new Math Masters competition site host in 2024, and we would love for your students to be part of this fun and enriching program!

The competition will take place at BrightWorks in Arden Hills. We will host a 5th-grade competition. Public, non-public, and home school students are welcome to participate. Most students participate as part of a team of 4-5, though some students also compete as individuals only.

Math Masters is a math competition that challenges students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Students compete in eight rounds of competition, with their academic effort and achievement recognized with plaques, medals, and ribbons presented as the competition concludes. All competitors receive a free t-shirt!

How Does Math Masters Work?

Teachers, coaches, and parents select a competition and register their students. Register as many teams and students as you like—all are welcome!
Once registered, watch your email for your competition packet that contains selection tests, practice tests, and competition details.
Start practicing! You can practice before, during, or after school—whatever works best for you!
On competition day, students gather to compete, have fun, and make new friends. Competitions last several hours and include a short break with snacks.
Competition format: All students compete independently in the Fact Drill round, Individual rounds, and a Tiebreaker round. Students who register as part of a team also compete in three Team rounds.
Winners in each competition category (Fact Drill, Individual, and Team).
Top statewide finishers in each grade are invited to a Twins game to celebrate their achievement.

Early bird pricing for the Arden Hills competition ends on February 23, 2024. Competition sites do fill up so register your team(s) today to secure your spot! Learn more about Math Masters at www.math-masters.org

Give to the Max Raises Funds for SparkPath's Scholarship Fund

Celebrating the 15^th Anniversary of Give to the Max Day, Minnesota donors showed up! SparkPath was able to raise $4,644 for our Scholarship Fund, providing the opportunity for students and schools to attend our field trip programs at a reduced rate. This Give to the Max Day once again proves to the SparkPath team that our community has a commitment to supporting academic growth and the development of curiosity, confidence, and creativity of students in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. From all of us at SparkPath, we thank you!

The staff at BrightWorks wish you a peaceful holiday season and

a great start to 2024!

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Subject: BrightWorks partners with state and district leadership