Exciting news and events this spring/summer with Metro ECSU!

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Subject: Exciting news and events this spring/summer with Metro ECSU!

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April 2023, Vol. 30, No. 3

edNews Editor: Colleen Feller

Metro ECSU Executive Director’s Report: Strategic Planning and Renaming Process!

Happy Spring (I think)!

I ran into Metro ECSU staff getting ready to deliver some colorful equipment to special education sites this morning. Gail said that our OTs love to do these activities in spring! Our early spring landscape may still be grey and white, but at ECSU we are going to push the colors of spring!

The leadership team members and I have been busy preparing for the Metro ECSU Annual Meeting on April 19. In addition, our amazing staff is in the midst of strategic planning and setting a direction that will guide future changes for Metro ECSU and Success Beyond the Classroom (SBC).

In other exciting news, we are embarking on renaming both organizations (Metro ECSU and SBC). I know many of you are now asking, "What are the new names?!?" We will reveal the names later this spring once the naming process is complete. We had two separate naming processes that included staff and board members.

I am also excited to share about conversations ECSU is having with the Minnesota Department of Education. As legislation moves through the capitol, state leadership is turning to service cooperatives to help facilitate literacy professional development, multiple-tiered systems of support, and teacher licensure efforts. There is more to come as we wait for the legislature to amend and approve these important resources for Minnesota student learning.

Please reach out with questions and think the colors of spring!

-John Schultz

john.schultz@metroecsu.org or 612-638-1525

Check out Metro ECSU's Upcoming Events!

Spotlight on Professional Development:

Metro ECSU Hosts Calvin Terrell

In December, February, and March, Metro ECSU hosted Calvin Terrell at Hiawatha Academy and White Bear Lake Area Schools to work with students and staff on continuous school improvement around equitable practices. We also held a two-day training titled, The N-Word and Other Words: Addressing Hate Speech to Heal Historical Racial Trauma. Mr. Terrell will continue working with both districts in the future.

Metro ECSU Welcomes Metro Area Equity Leaders

Join us for our May meeting!

This month, Metro ECSU hosted Metro Area Equity Leaders to brainstorm needs for collaboration and support. We will begin meeting monthly starting in May with invites going out across the Metro. Please contact Chris Streiff Oji at chris.streiff.oji@metroecsu.org if you are interested in joining the group!

May 2023 Professional Development Opportunity:

Starr Commonwealth: 10 Steps of Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools

Metro ECSU has a team of mental health, nursing, and education experts offering a full day STARR Commonwealth Training. Participants will become Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialists in Education (CTRS-E) through a 10-step training. This certification will ensure a trauma-informed, resilience-focused foundation that provides for future growth and the betterment of the students they serve. This training is evidence-based and offers practical strategies that may be implemented immediately following the training.

This training is for ALL school-based staff members to better support students' mental health, and social and emotional needs. Custodial service employees, educators, counselors, food service staff, administrators, counselors, nurses, and literally any staff member who impacts students should attend. The training provides actions and ideas to engage more effectively with students during their school days and help them benefit from their educations. The experience of trauma is affecting nearly 50% of our students and arguably even more due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The good news is that we can promote and build student and school staff resilience to better cope with the impacts of trauma.

Participants will learn 10 specific steps to bring back to their work environment to implement and impact not only students but the staff with whom they work. They will explore and embrace the Circle of Courage, which includes belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. Ideas for managing difficult behaviors that often result from toxic stress are included and practiced in this day-long conference.

Research indicates that schools that have implemented these strategies have improved academic achievement and test scores along with improved school climate. Teachers have voiced concern that this might be one more thing for them to do in their already packed days. On the contrary, the evidence indicates that teachers have an improved sense of satisfaction and increased retention. They also report less stress for themselves and for the students. Evidence goes on to include reduced absences, reduced behavioral outbursts, reduced bullying, and a reduced burden on special education resources.

The Metro ECSU team is ready to present the research-based training on May 3rd and May 17th at Metro ECSU. Schools may also request on-site training. All participants who attend will end the day feeling empowered to help students and staff be more resilient as we all move towards greater stability in our learning environments.

Contact Allie Taylor at allie.taylor@metroecsu.org for more information or to discuss training needs.

Starr Commonwealth: 10 Steps of Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools

Dates (Choose one): May 3 or May 17, 2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU - 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112

Audience: Teachers, Principals, Paraprofessionals, Other District Administrators, and Other Support Staff

Registration fee (Lunch provided):

$150 - Metro ECSU Member

$187.50 - Standard rate

Description:
Starr Certified Trauma and Resilience Trainer in Education (CTRT-E) will be facilitated by a multidisciplinary team composed of Mental Health Professionals, Nurses, and/or Licensed Teachers within Special Education with an extensive background in Trauma Informed & Mental Health within the education setting all certified trainers in Trauma and Resilience Trainer in Education.

The learning experience will focus on resilience with an emphasis on understanding how trauma impacts children and their school experience. It will provide proactive strategies such as fostering connections, prioritizing social and emotional skills, establishing safety, and promoting play. Detailed information and concrete actions will also be covered, and in a way that doesn’t just answer the “why” but also the “how” to create the best classroom and school supports for traumatized students and the school professionals who serve them.

Provided Resources: “10 Steps” Activities Packet and, upon request, a Certificate of Completion and CTRS-E Badge

Register for the May 3rd training:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16852

Register for the May 17th training:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16853

Contact Blia Xiong with questions: blia.xiong@metroecsu.org or 612-638-1529

Metro ECSU Launches Two Online Courses

Online Course: Cultural Competency

This statewide asynchronous online course is a collaboration of the Minnesota Service Cooperatives. It is designed to broaden our understanding of and effective interaction with people of cultures, native languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds that may be different from our own. An 8-hour CEU certificate is awarded upon completion.

Our objectives for this course are to promote self-reflection and discussion around the topics of race, culture, and socioeconomics; American Indian and Alaska Native history and perspective; systemic racism; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity, including transgender students; language diversity; individuals with disabilities including mental health concerns, and others. We also strive to promote a deeper understanding of our own frames of reference, learning to recognize our inherent potential biases, and to realize their impact on our expectations for and relationships with our students, families, and communities.

This course meets the Minnesota Department of Education educator license renewal Cultural Competency requirement and was created according to PELSB guidelines. Approval of continuing education units is decided by your local relicensure committee.

Learn More and Register:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16869

This course is available for 8 weeks from the date of purchase.

All videos in this course are professionally closed-captioned.

Online Course: Reclaiming Resilience - Emotional Wellness and Resiliency for School Staff

Date & Time: Self-paced module completion (estimated 12 hours total)

Location: Virtual

Audience: Teachers, Principals, Paraprofessionals, Other District Administrators, and Other Support Staff.

Registration fee: Free

Description: Emotional Wellness & Resiliency For School Staff Modules are intentional supports, education, and action plans that have been specifically created for staff who are serving in educational settings. There are 22 video modules and supportive implementation action plans based on The Phases of First Year Teaching by Ellen Moir and the Five Pillars of Resilience in order to promote content specific to the unique experiences of educational staff. These modules are applicable to all educators working with students in the education setting, every year: teachers, social workers, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, nutritional staff, and custodial staff. If you work inside the walls of a school building, these modules are for you.

While access to the modules and action plans is free for all, if there is interest in further training on the implementation of content within your school community that is available for an additional fee.

To learn more and register, contact Blia Xiong at blia.xiong@metroecsu.org or 612-638-1529.

Vist NEST at the Statewide Autism Conference this Month!

The New Educator Support and Training Center (NEST) sponsored by the Minnesota Low Incidence Projects at Metro ECSU will be live and in-person at the Statewide Autism Conference on April 27 and 28, 2023. This event is organized by the Autism Society of Minnesota.

All conference attendees can stop by The NEST and chat with Low Incidence Specialists. Resources and materials will be available and the first 200 people will be able to participate in a free make-and-take to create a lanyard with visual supports designed to increase communication between students and educators. If you are planning on attending the Statewide Autism Conference at the end of April, stop by and see us!

Find Your Summer & Fall PD at Metro ECSU!

Leadership Development Opportunities for Principals:

Principal Collegial Cohorts - 2023-24 School Year

Dates (2nd Thursday Monthly): October 12, 2023; December 14, 2023; February 8, 2024; April 11, 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Location: Twin Cities 400 Tavern, 1300 Industrial Blvd, NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Facilitator: Chris Streiff Oji, Metro ECSU

Audience: K-12 Principals and Assistant Principals

Registration Fee:

$200/Person Metro ECSU Member Rate (lunch purchased on own, if desired)
$240/Person
Standard Rate (lunch purchased on own, if desired)

Description: A space for Principals and Assistant Principals from around the Twin Cities Metro Area to connect with one another on a regular basis. We will brainstorm topics to discuss at each session for collaboration and dialogue with an action-oriented focus.

Learn More and Register:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16883

Principal Coaching - 2023-24 School Year

(Individual or Small Group)

Audience: K-12 Principals and Assistant Principals who would like to take their leadership from Good to Great!

Description: Coaching can provide a critical pillar of support for Principals and Assistant Principals as they navigate the complex world of school leadership.

Sessions will focus on four key areas:

Fostering a Healthy Culture & Climate
Empowering Your People
Optimizing Your Systems (MTSS)
Equity Focused Leadership

We will analyze strengths and opportunities for improvement in these areas using data and a strategic focus. We will establish a Plan, Do, Study, Action plan to implement school improvement strategies and monitor progress toward your strategic goals.

Option 1: Individual Coaching

Registration Fee:

$1,020/Person - Metro ECSU Member Rate (12 sessions @ $85 per session)
$1,260/Person - Standard Rate (12 sessions @ $105 per session)

Includes:

1-hour individual coaching sessions twice a month for September/October/November, then monthly December-May for 12 total

To register for individual coaching, please contact Brittany Stepan directly at brittany.stepan@metroecsu.org

Option 2: Small Group Coaching

Dates: September 21, 2023; October 26, 2023; November 16, 2023; January 25, 2024; February 22, 2024; March 21, 2024; April 18, 2024; May 16, 2024

Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Registration Fee:

$560/Person - Metro ECSU Member (8 sessions @ $70 per session)
$720/Person - Standard Rate (8 sessions @ $90 per session)

Includes:

1-hour group coaching sessions for 8 total sessions
Meeting dates: TBD with Participants. These can occur onsite or virtually.

Learn More and Register for Small Group Coaching:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16805

June & August 2023 Professional Development

Workshops for administrators, teachers, support staff, social workers, school psychologists, interventionists, and more!

Workshops are listed in date order.

Cultural Competency - PELSB approved for 8 CEUs

Date: June 22, 2023 (In-Person) OR Online Asynchronous Course

Time: 8:00-4:00 p.m.

Location:

June 22, 2023 (In-Person) - Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125
Online Asynchronous Course - At your own pace

Facilitator: Chris Streiff Oji, Metro ECSU

Audience: Teachers and Administrators

Registration Fee:

$99/Person

Description:

This course is designed to broaden our understanding of and effective interaction with people of cultures, native languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds that are different from our own. This Statewide learning course is a collaboration of the Minnesota Service Cooperatives. The objectives of this course is to promote self-reflection and discussion around topics of race, culture and socioeconomics; American Indian and Alaska Native history and perspective; system racism; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity, including transgender students; language diversity; individuals with disabilities, including mental health concerns.

In-Person Registration: https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16879

Online Asynchronous Registration: https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16869

Classroom Management Strategies

MTSS Deconstructed: A Model for Continuous Improvement to Move from a Crisis Response to Proactive and Predictable Responses

Date: June 23, 2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitators: Dave Stearn and Chris Streiff Oji

Audience: Preferably school teams: Administrators, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Behavior Intervention Specialists, MTSS Team Reps

Registration Fee:

$250/Person - Metro ECSU Member
$300/Person - Standard Rate

Description:

This training will help you move from operating in crisis mode to proactive and predictable responses in meeting the needs of your students. These past few years have been disruptive and many have been in reactive, rather than proactive mode.

Learn More and Register:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16830

Classroom Management Strategies

The Catalyst Approach: Whole Group Classroom Leadership Management Strategies

Date: June 27, 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitators: Jacki Brickman & Nancy Burns, The Catalyst Approach

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Administrators, Directors

Registration Fee (includes lunch):

$400/Person - Metro ECSU Member
$500/Person - Standard Rate

Description:

The CATALYST APPROACH’s Classroom Management Strategies promote

strong and supportive relationships between educators and students through 12 easy and practical behavior management skills that are grounded in connection and aimed at disrupting patterns of frustration, confusion, and inquiry in the classroom. Strategies are specific to shifting students’ attention, providing clear communication and engagement during lessons, and supporting success during times of independent and group practice or application of learning.

Learn More and Register: https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16825

Elevating Student Voice

Elevating Student Voice Through Caring and Committed Conversations

Dates: June 28, 2023 OR August 14, 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitators: Sarah Miller and Malik Peer, Diversity Equity Outreach Consulting, LLC

Audience: Classroom Teachers K-12, Administrators, Directors, Social Workers, Behavior Intervention Specialists, Equity Specialists

Registration Fee:

$200/Person - Metro ECSU Member
$250/Person - Standard Rate

Description:

Caring & Committed Conversations (CCC) is a guided conversation process that empowers students to courageously use their voices to share their personal stories and thoughts pertaining to society and educational issues that explicitly and implicitly impact their lives. This training outlines the process used to establish a Caring and Committed Conversations Protocol in your schools.

Learn More and Register for the June 28th training:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16871

Learn More and Register for the August 14th training:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16829

Literacy

Shifting the Balance: Six Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom
Dates: June 29 & 30, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitator: Amy Pierce

Audience: Audience: K-5 Teachers, Administrators, Literacy Coaches, Instructional Coaches, Reading Interventionists, SPED Teachers

Registration Fee (includes lunch AND book):

$200/Person - Metro ECSU Member Rate
$250/Person - Standard Rate

Description: "What are the critical elements of the science of reading, and how do I teach them effectively to all of my students?" If this is the question you want to be able to answer and effectively do, join this group of educators in a two-day course as we explore how the authors of Shifting the Balance skillfully explain the science of reading, courageously examine some long-held balanced literacy practices, and guide us to make the shifts in our instructional pedagogy.

As a reflective practitioner, you will examine current practices in your classroom and become empowered to implement six key shifts for instruction, including recommitting to phonemic awareness, reimagining phonics, revising high-frequency words, reinventing miscue analysis, and reconsidering texts for beginning readers.

A copy of the book Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom is included.

Learn More & Register:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16872

Cultural Competency

Leading Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Schools

Date: August 1, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitator: Dr. Amy Young

Audience: School Administrators

Registration Fee (includes lunch):

$100/Person - Metro ECSU Member
$125/Person - Standard Rate

Description:

Dr. Amy Young will facilitate this training to support activities to improve student outcomes among multilingual learners with the following anticipated outcomes:

Leverage students’ linguistic and cultural assets
Learn from and with multilingual/multicultural populations
Develop all learners’ academic language proficiency
Access instructional frameworks and resources
Provide support and facilitate academic achievement in all classes
Ensure equitable educational opportunities

Learn More and Register: https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16822

Leadership Development

Igniting the Leader Within: A Fresh Look at School Leadership

Date: August 2 & 3, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Co-Facilitators: Jeff Stafford, Orange Slice Training & Chris Streiff Oji, Metro ECSU

Audience: Principals, Assistance Principals, Directors, and other school/district leaders

Registration Fee (includes lunch):

$300/Person - Metro ECSU Member
$375/Person - Standard Rate

Description:

Are you ready to level up your leadership and take your staff and school to new heights? Then join us for Igniting the Leader Within: A Fresh Look at School Leadership. In this workshop, we will delve into the three crucial steps to becoming a dynamic and effective school leader. In this two-day experience, we'll explore ways to cultivate a healthy culture and climate by connecting with your values and identifying behaviors that drive action. Next, we'll explore how to amplify your leadership voice and empower your people. And finally, we'll discuss strategies for thriving in times of chaos and conflict.

Learn More & Register:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16832

Cultural Competency

Serving The Whole Student: English Language Development and Trauma-Sensitive Practices to Maximize Multilingual Learner Engagement in School

Date: August 14, 2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitator: Dr. Jill Watson

Audience: Teachers, School Administrators, School Support Staff

Registration Fee (includes lunch):

$200/Person - Metro ECSU Member
$250/Person - Standard Rate

Description: Best practices for supporting English Language Development (ELD) for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE), sponsored by Metro ESCU.

Trauma-informed practice with a focus on working with SLIFE/refugee-background Multilingual Learners.
Best Practices in English Language Development (ELD) for ML/SLIFE with a focus on Academic Language: Beyond the Vocabulary List.

Learn More and Register:

https://metroecsu.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=16829

Save the dates! Join us for the...

2nd Annual SW Metro Regional Equity Summit - June 20th

Education Leadership Tech Summit - July 27th

The Education Leadership Technology Summit will be held on

Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Minneapolis.

The goal is to help educational leaders understand two very important aspects of technology:

1.) Supports for teachers to use technology to enable student learning and

2.) Tips and techniques to ease the very busy schedules that school and district leaders experience. Local experts will offer presentations within three strands of the summit – Visionary Planning, Empowered Leadership, and System Design. All of these will be based in equity, advocacy and connected learning.

There’s Still Time to Access Grant Funding through Metro ECSU for Praxis ParaPro Assessments and ParaEducator Courses and Testing!

Paraprofessionals who assist with classroom instruction must meet state requirements beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. Metro ECSU currently offers two options to satisfy this demand: The ParaEducator Courses and Assessment and the Praxis ParaPro Assessment. Both programs are designed to fulfill requirements of the federally legislated No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, which measures the math, reading, and English skills of practicing or aspiring Paraprofessionals and their ability to apply these skills and knowledge when assisting in a classroom setting.

Currently, through the Minnesota Department of Education, the State of Minnesota is providing grant funding to cover test fees for the Praxis ParaPro Assessment and ParaEducator courses and testing. This funding will be available to all practicing, or aspiring paraprofessionals until June 15, 2023, or the funding provided to Metro ECSU has been depleted. Funding is available on a first-come first served basis. Please contact Angela Skrade at 612-638-1528 or angela.skrade@metroecsu.org for more information.

Advantages to using these value-added services through Metro ECSU:

• Flexible exam scheduling (morning and afternoon availability, Tuesday-Friday)

• Appointments offered on an individual basis

• Access to a computer with pre-loaded exam

• Conveniently located metro exam site

• Test-takers receive their score immediately after taking the exam

For more information on ParaEducator courses and testing, please visit https://www.metroecsu.org/ProgramsServices/paraEducator/index.html

For more information on the Praxis ParaPro Assessment, please visit
https://www.metroecsu.org/ProgramsServices/paraPro/index.html

To learn more about either exam process, grant funding, or to schedule an exam appointment, contact Angela Skrade at angela.skrade@metroecsu.org. or 612-638-1528.

Success Beyond the Classroom Spring Highlights!

2024 Creativity Festival and CreativeCon dates posted
Register for the 2023-2024 Future City Competition to learn next year's theme!
700 students will attend STEMLink in April & May
Over 1,800 students will attend YAC in May and June!

Six Metro Teams Compete at the Senior High Knowledge Bowl State Meet; Minntonka H.S. Takes Third Place

Last week, the Minnesota State Knowledge Bowl Meet brought together over 200 senior high students to compete for the top spots. The Metro was represented by Chanhassen High School, Chaska High School, Edina High School, Minnetonka High School, Prior Lake High School, and Saint Thomas Academy. After 285 questions, Minnetonka took home 3rd place!

Metro students from six high schools look their best for the State KB banquet!

Minnetonka High School students take 3rd place at KB State!

Thank you for an amazing season and all the amazing work you’ve done for KB. You all make this activity so much more fun and accessible to many schools, and I appreciate all the work you put in. Keep it up for our future students to come.

- 2023 SHKB Student

Metro students spell their way to the final round of the

Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee!

On March 9, 2023, 45 spellers from the metro area competed in Success Beyond the Classroom’s Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee, a qualifier for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The participating students previously won their school bees and participated in an online qualifying exam before competing at the Fridley High School Auditorium in Fridley.

After 12 rounds, Vihaan Kapil, from Agamim Classical Academy in Edina, was named regional champion. Vihaan correctly spelled “karst” as his championship word. Vihaan will represent the Twin Cities at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland May 28^th through June 2^nd.

At the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee, students utilize skills of goal setting, good sportspersonship, public speaking, and strong communication skills. They also learn usage, meaning, and history of word components while increasing their vocabulary and strengthening cognitive abilities.

Photo (left to right):

First Place: Vihaan Kapil, Agamim Classical Academy, Edina
Second Place: Arya Carlson, Capitol Hill Magnet, Saint Paul
Third Place: Esther Van Arnem, Scott Highlands Middle School, Apple Valley

Help Me Grow and Help Me Connect

Minnesota programs connect families and caregivers
to support services for young children

In Minnesota, there are a lot of resources available to support families and their young children’s growth, development and well-being. Two of these programs are Help Me Grow and Help Me Connect. They can be good starting points for parents and caregivers who are looking to connect to local resources.

Help Me Grow is the connecting program that links families to information about the development of young children and potentially to early intervention services. The Help Me Grow website includes information on developmental milestones, caregiver strategies to support development, screening and evaluation opportunities, and connections to access support through early intervention services in their local school district.

Minnesota parents, family members, and professionals can use Help Me Grow’s website to find early childhood development information for children birth through age 5. The website can also connect you to a free review of a child’s learning, moving, playing and talking skills.

Since the launch of Help Me Grow in 2010, 181,713 children in Minnesota have been connected to Help Me Grow through a phone call or website referral!

Help Me Connect is a new online navigator that connects pregnant and parenting families with young children birth to 8 years of age with services in their local communities that support healthy child development and family well-being. With Help Me Connect, families and care providers can search for a variety of available programs and services closest to the family’s home address such as health and well-being services, early learning and childcare programs, COVID-19 resources, disability resources and services, basic needs, and Tribal Nation programs and services. People using Help Me Connect can create a unique account to save favorite searches and resources for future use. Help Me Connect’s website offers a path for Minnesota families with young children to find early childhood services and other community supports to keep their family healthy and safe. The goal is to help families focus on the joys of watching their children grow while surrounded by the supports they may need along the way.

Help Me Grow is funded by: The Region 11 Interagency Early Intervention Committee. This initiative is made possible through an interagency agreement from the Minnesota Department of Education to the Metro ECSU using federal funding under CFDA number 84.181 Special Education Grants for Infants and Families with Disabilities.

Help Me Connect is one of several activities funded by the federal Preschool Development Grant, a $26.7 million grant from the U.S. Department Health and Human Services designed to remove barriers so families with young children can access life-changing early childhood programs.

Use CPC and ESSER Funds for Facility Improvements

CPC vendor Tremco is well-versed on using ESSER funds for facility improvements. As you plan facility improvements this year, please be aware of the deadlines for using ESSER II and ESSER III funds as well as the applicable restrictions on using those funds.

From Tremco:

What Schools Need to Know About Using ESSER II and III Emergency Relief Funds for Facility Improvements

Did you know that the deadline to use ESSER II funding is September 30, 2023, and ESSER III is September 30, 2024? Available ESSER II and ESSER III funds may be used for inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) in school facilities. Roofing and building envelope continuity, HVAC disinfection and moisture management can significantly impact indoor air quality.

Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance and affiliated construction services company WTI can help you to improve IAQ through industry-leading building envelope solutions. We work closely with our affiliates Canam Building Envelope Specialists and Pure Air Control Services to address indoor air quality issues quickly and effectively through air barrier audits, building envelope testing, continuity systems, indoor environmental testing, HVAC remediation, building and room decontamination, and more.

Learn more about CPC's contract with Tremco

Bring your ideas to life with thousands of educational templates from presentations, posters, comic strips, book reports, infographics, newsletters, and more. 100% free for K-12 school districts. Canva for Education integrates with your learning management system, offers admin-level controls and analytics, and includes free PD resources.

Learn More

Apply Now

Metro ECSU, one of the Minnesota Service Cooperatives, serves K-12 schools and districts in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. Learn more

Success Beyond the Classroom, a 501c3 non-profit organization, houses Metro ECSU's student enrichment programs, such as Knowledge Bowl & Young Authors Conference. Learn more

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Subject: Exciting news and events this spring/summer with Metro ECSU!