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| Important information about SBC's 2016-2017 student programs!
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| Success Beyond the Classroom's 2016-2017 Calendar of Opportunities is now available.
Mark your calendars for next year's student program dates and "early bird" registration deadlines!
Introducing CreativeCon for middle school students!
SBC's creativity-focused programs have
undergone an update in order to include a greater age range of learners!
View flyer.
- CreativeCon for 6-8th grades will take place November 29,
30, December 1, and 2, 2016 at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
- Creativity Festival will expand to grades 3-5 and will take place at the University of Minnesota, Ted Mann Concert Hall, over three days: January 10, 11,
and 12, 2017.
At SBC's Creativity events, critical thinking, creative and
alternative problem solving, and conversations on where and how creativity,
the arts, and STEM meet are the focal points of the students' day. Creativity
Festival will continue to focus on exploring and honing these skills; Creative Con will focus on expanding and applying these skills.
Both CreativeCon and Creativity Festival will have an element of career exploration as well.
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| | Metro teams are strong competitors at the 2016 Senior High Knowledge Bowl State Meet
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| The top 48 teams, of 983 teams across the state, competed at the Minnesota
Service Cooperatives’ State Knowledge Bowl Meet held at Cragun’s near Brainerd, Minnesota on April 13-14, 2016.
At the state meet, four-person teams competed against one another in one written
and five oral rounds of interdisciplinary questions for a total of 285
questions. Success at the competition
requires the ability to work as a team, as well as to recall information
quickly in a variety of areas of study.
Knowledge Bowl is sponsored by eleven Service Cooperatives around the
state.
The State Champions were:
“A”
Division St. John’s Prep
“AA”
Division The Academy of Holy Angels.
Highlights about the metro teams that participated:
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The Academy of Holy Angels secured and defended a top spot right out of the
gate.
- Saint
Thomas Academy only spent one round out of the top room.
- Chaska High
School finished super strong only trailing Saint Thomas Academy by one point.
- Prior Lake High
School stayed in the top 3 rooms all day securing SOS points and their spot in
the top 5.
- Edina High
School tied last year’s #1 AA team.
Congratulations to all SHKB teams on an outstanding season! |
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May 2016, Vol. 23, No. 4
edNews is a quarterly publication of Metro ECSU.
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Metro ECSU Executive Director:
Julie Frame
julie.frame@metroecsu.org
612-638-1508
Metro ECSU
2 Pine Tree Drive, Suite 101
Arden Hills, MN 55112
612-638-1500
www.metroecsu.org
edNews Editor: Colleen Feller, colleen.feller@metroecsu.org
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| 2016-2017 Future City Competition theme: The Power of Public Space
Public spaces, both small and large, indoors and outside, not only
make an urban area more attractive and more livable, they also serve as
an anchor that benefits cities in a variety of ways. Many public space
projects revitalize a city’s economy by introducing new businesses and
bringing in new visitors. Other public space projects help reduce
crime, ease traffic congestion, improve pedestrian safety, promote
healthy living, improve the environment, and enhance civic engagement.
The 2016-17 Future City challenge is: To include in your future city a
distributed network of innovative, multiuse public spaces that serves
your city’s diverse population.
The Future City Competition (FCC) is a national,
cross-curricular program that lets 6th-8th graders do the things
engineers do: identify problems, brainstorm ideas, design solutions,
test and retest, build and then share the results.
FCC runs from September to January. Students work as a team with
an educator and engineer mentor to develop a project plan; create a
virtual city design with SimCity™ software; research and write a
proposed solution to an engineering challenge; build a tabletop city
model with recycled materials; and present their ideas before judges. Minnesota public, private, and home schools, as well as organized youth groups
(Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Boys & Girls Club, etc.), are
welcome to form teams and compete in Future City. The registration fee
is only $25. For more information and to register, please visit: www.futurecity.org/Minnesota |
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| | Metro ECSU Professional Development Opportunity:
Journey to Culturally Responsive Classrooms, June 28 & 29, 2016
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Back by popular demand, Journey to Culturally Responsive Classrooms will be presented by Dr. Sharrocky Hollie on June 28 and 29, 2016.
Registration is open!
At this training, participants will:
- Understand the concrete definition for culturally and
linguistically responsive teaching and why it is necessary in our
schools today.
- Build knowledge and context for addressing the needs of
underserved students in terms of their sociopolitical and
sociolinguistic relativity in the American educational system.
- Understand the use of effective instructional strategies that
validate and affirm underserved students across the content areas and
grade levels.
- Understand the difference between cultural behaviors and disruptive behaviors.
- Explore strategies that build on cultural behaviors.
- Learn how to build responsive academic vocabulary while validating
and affirming the cultural vocabularies that the students bring.
- Explore strategies in the areas of synonym development, context clues, the purpose of slang, and written development.
Participants: All Educators, School Teams Recommended
Location: TIES Conference Center
Dates: 6/28/2016 and 6/29/2016 (two-day workshop)
Time: 8:30am to 3:00pm (8:00 check-in)
Fee: Metropolitan Principal Academy (MPA) Members, $345/person; Non MPA Members, $550/person
Registration Deadline: 6/27/2016
Contact - Registration Questions: Susan Frame, 612-638-1543 or susan.frame@metroecsu.org
Contact - Program Questions: Julie Frame, 612-638-1543 or julie.frame@metroecsu.org
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| | Save the Dates!
Metropolitan Principals’ Academy 2016-2017 programs:
Personalizing Learning
with Barbara Bray and Kathleen
McClaskey, July 28, 2016
Closing the Attitude Gap: Fire Up Students to Strive for
Success
with Baruti Kafele, October 5, 2016
Leading in a Digital Age: Not How, Why with George Couros,
January 11, 2017
Dealing with Difficult Teachers
with Todd Whittaker,
February 22, 2017
For more information about the Metropolitan Principals' Academy contact Susan Frame at 612-638-1543 or susan.frame@metroecsu.org |
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| | Metro ECSU to present stress-reduction workshop in August & September
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| Metro ECSU presents Practicing Stress Reduction and Mindfulness with Sara
Rudell Beach, M.Ed.
This two-day workshop will take place on August 4 and September 28, 2016 and is open to all
educators.
Day 1—Stress Reduction for Educators Day 2 –
Mindfulness in the Classroom For more information about this opportunity, contact Susan Frame at 612-638-1543 or susan.frame@metroecsu.org |
| | SIM
Strategies for Literacy: A New
Model for Delivery
2016-2017
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| | Registration is open for fall 2016 sessions! |
| SIM
Strategies are part of an evidence-based model
(Strategic Instruction Model) developed
at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. SIM is an academic
performance intervention that has been shown to have positive impact on student
literacy. The model applies to a wide range of diverse learners including struggling
readers as well as typical students facing the challenge of state and national standards.
SIM focuses on reading, writing, and study skills. |
| The Self-Questioning Strategy (for
students grades 3-12)
We
will begin this series with the Self-Questioning
Strategy which helps students understand any type of reading passage
through a questioning process. This motivating strategy helps students create
questions about reading passages, predict the answers, and search for the
answers as they read. Students’ reading comprehension improves as they learn to
actively engage with the text. A manual to guide teachers using the strategy
will be provided along with many practical examples and materials. All
materials are posted to the web for easy access.
Who can participate?
Interested
educators including special education teachers, general education teachers,
literacy specialists, and instructional coaches.
Live Session Dates/Times
Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Dec. 6, 2016
All live sessions 3:30 pm—5:30 pm
(recorded sessions also available)
Fees
$350 includes strategy manual, four
2-hour sessions, and access to four months of online coaching.
Why choose this professional development?
- OUTSIDE
THE SCHOOL DAY: Instead of traditional full days of training, SIM strategies
are delivered in two-hour
segments that allow for teachers to “try out” each stage of the strategy
between sessions.
- 24/7
ACCESS: Training is accessed on any personal computer with Internet connection.
If a session is missed, a teacher can watch a captioned recording. All training
materials are available online. Coaches give feedback and respond to
participants daily.
- INTERACTIVE:
The format is videoconference, rather than webinar. Participants can ask
questions and share insights “live.” Modeling via document camera is an
integral part of each presentation.
- COACHING
SUPPORT: Teachers complete implementation assignments and are offered feedback, encouragement,
and clarification from an assigned online coach. Coaches are all certified SIM
professional developers.
- DATA:
Teachers are given manuals with data tools to gather evidence of effectiveness
for each student. Practice
and feedback is provided for pretests, post-tests, and scoring. Teachers learn
how to collect data on student performance.
- STANDARDS
FRIENDLY: Strategies are linked to standards and standards-based goal setting is included in
instruction.
Registration Questions
Program Questions
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2016
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| | 8th Annual Charting the
C’s/Cross-Categorical Conferences for Educators and Families: We’re Better Together! |
| Late April ushered in the 8th
annual Charting the Cs (Collaboration,
Communication, Cooperation) Cross-Categorical Conference, which is one of the
largest special education conferences for low incidence special educators in
our five state region. Over 635 educators participated in this three-day event, choosing among 60 breakout sessions and catching two keynote presentations by
Mike Marotta, a nationally recognized speaker who spoke eloquently about the
powerful impact of technology in our schools, and what that means in meeting
the needs of ALL students. Throughout the conference, low incidence educators
also had the opportunity to attend multiple statewide Community of Practice
meetings, numerous poster sessions, and browse among 30 exhibitor tables. |
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In
addition to the educator conference, the Charting the Cs event also includes a
day just for students and their families, which is held one day prior to the
educator conference. The 4th annual Student-Family Conference, held
on Saturday, April 23, was also a big success, attended by 36
families from around the state of Minnesota. This unique event, occurring in a family-friendly recreational setting,
allows everyone to participate in both fun and informational activities. Some
of the activities included turning everyone into an artist through the use of
adaptive tools and a large paper-covered floor magically turned into a ‘canvas’
(ZotArtz). Other choices included a number of movement activities such as spike
ball, archery, scooter hockey, and pool noodle activities. Some quieter options were provided through
sessions that focused on Family Story Telling, Preparing for Life After High
School, ASL Storytelling, Geo Caching for Fun, and learning how to adapt the
Wii for children with special needs.
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| These
events are sponsored by the MN Low Incidence Projects, and held at the
Arrowwood Conference Center near Alexandria, MN.
Funding for this annual event
is made possible through a grant from the MN Department of Education, with
planning and coordination provided by state low incidence specialists and staff
from the Region 4 Lakes Country Service Cooperative.
To learn more about the upcoming 2017 Charting
the Cs/Cross-Categorical Conference, contact Deb Williamson at 612-638-1532 or Deb.Williamson@metroecsu.org |
| | Minnesota
Teachers participate in the Open Hands Open Access Online Learning Modules in
Deafblindness |
| In order to address the professional development needs
of teachers who work with children and youth who are deafblind, The Minnesota
DeafBlind Project, The Minnesota Low Incidence Project and The Minnesota Low
Incidence Regional Projects joined forces to provide 63 teachers with a
semester of online training to increase their knowledge in the area of
deafblindness. The training was created at the recommendation of the
U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The
modules were created to support training for interveners and licensed staff
working with children who are deafblind nationwide.
What are Intervener Services?
Deaf-blindness
causes profound sensory deprivation. It creates a "disability of
access" to visual and auditory information about the environment (people,
things, events) that is necessary for learning, communication, and development
(Alsop, et al., 2007, p. 1). Without frequent and responsive specialized
support, a child with deaf-blindness has limited or no means to predict events
or communicate his or her needs and misses out on essential formative learning
experiences.
Interveners provide access to sensory
information that would otherwise be unavailable to children whose vision and
hearing are severely limited or absent. They enable children to become aware of
what is occurring around them, attach language and meaning to all experiences,
and empower children to have control over their lives (Henderson &
Killoran, 1995, p. 3)
Intervener
services are provided by an intervener, typically a paraeducator, who:
a)
has received
specialized, in-depth training in deaf-blindness
b) works
one-to-one with an infant, child, or youth who is deaf-blind. In school
settings, the intervener serves as a member of the student’s educational team.
Online
Learning in Deafblindness:
The Open Hands Open Access
(OHOA) Intervener Learning Modules are a national resource designed to increase
awareness, knowledge, and skills related to intervention for students who are
deaf-blind and are being served in educational settings (ages 3-21). The module
content was created by a diverse group of experts in the field of deaf-blindness.
Each includes a variety of accessible videos, photographs, slide presentations,
and learning activities. The first cohort of Minnesota teachers going
through the modules has had a positive response to the content and format of
the modules. Exploration of offering modules again during the 2016-2017 school
year is being considered.
This series is being provided through the MN Low Incidence
Projects at no cost to MN public school professionals. This initiative is made
possible (or is funded in part) with a grant from the Minnesota Department of
Education using federal funding CFDA # 84.027A Special Education - Grant
to States.
This article is an excerpt from a longer version. The full
version may be accessed here
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| | SIM Strategies for Literacy:
Writing Strategies
Summer Training at Metro ECSU |
| SIM Strategies: These strategies are part of a
research-based model (Strategic Instruction Model) developed at the University
of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. The model applies to a wide range of
diverse learners including struggling readers and typical students meeting the
challenge of state and national standards. SIM focuses on strategies for
reading, writing, and study skills.
Fundamentals
in Sentence Writing - 8/10/16
Teaches developmental writing skills to students who have
difficulty writing complete simple sentences. Concepts covered in the strategy
include a system for checking the accuracy of sentences, four types of simple
sentences, and the following parts of speech: nouns, verbs, infinitives,
prepositions, adjectives, adverbs, and helping verbs. Participants receive
valuable student and instructional manuals.
Date: August 10, 2016
Time: 8:30 am-3:30 pm;
check-in and continental breakfast at 8:00 am. Lunch provided.
Fee: $160 (includes 2 manuals)
Registration Deadline: 6/30/16
Cancellation Deadline: 6/30/16
Proficiency
in Sentence Writing - 8/11/16
This strategy helps students learn to write accurately and
with correct punctuation for four sentence types: simple, compound, complex,
and compound-complex. Students learn 14 sentence patterns within these four
types of sentences. This strategy is aimed at students in grades 5-12 and is
perfect for developing both fiction and non-fiction writing skills.
Participants receive valuable student and instructional manuals.
Date: August 11, 2016
Time: 8:30 am-3:30 pm;
check-in and continental breakfast at 8:00. Lunch provided.
Fee: $160 (Includes 2
manuals)
Registration Deadline: 6/30/16
Cancellation Deadline: 6/30/16
Information
for both days
Participants: Gen Ed Teachers, literacy specialists, special educators, instructional
coaches
Location: Metro ECSU, 2 Pine Tree Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (Training
Room, Level 1)
CEUs: 6 CEUs per strategy
Registration Contact: Sandy
Giancola at 612-638-1502 or sandy.giancola@metroecsu.org
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| | A Statewide
Online Learning Opportunity for MN Public School Professionals: Evidence-Based
Practices in Family-Centered Early Intervention for Children Who are Deaf or
Hard of Hearing and Their Families
The primary goal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
programs and services in Minnesota has been summarized as “All young children who have hearing loss will maximize their
communication and learning potential, regardless of the degree of their hearing
loss, and will be able to begin kindergarten with communication, social, and
early literacy skills at a developmental level similar to that of their
typically-developing, typically-hearing peers, or to the maximum extent
appropriate for the individual child.
All families will receive the supports they need to help their children
develop and learn.” (MN
Collaborative Plan https://mn.gov/deaf-commission/advocacy-issues/education/collaborative-plan/index.jsp )
Research studies over the past two decades have confirmed the importance
of several key factors that lead to these positive communication and learning outcomes
for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing:
- early identification of hearing loss
- entrance into quality early intervention services by 6 months of age
- active and supported family involvement
- early and full access to language
- AND the knowledge and competencies of the early intervention service
providers who have specific skills in supporting young children who have
hearing loss and families.
To help increase
the foundational knowledge of MN public school professionals statewide in the
provision early intervention and early childhood programs for children who are
deaf or hard of hearing, the MN Low
Incidence Projects has collaborated with Boys Town National Research
Hospital-Auditory Consultant Resource Network (ACRN). ACRN provided an online professional
development activity throughout the 2015 – 2016 school year. This initiative includes a series of
three recorded courses with 7-10 lessons each, 4 Live Chats with ACRN staff, a
professional discussion board, and connection to MN resources. The
three course modules are:
1. Family-Centered Early
Intervention Principles and Auditory-Visual Continuum
2. Assessment Principles and
Practices: Bridge to Planning and Intervention
3. Tools to Support Family-Centered
Early Intervention Principles and Practices
There are
currently 130 public school professionals from across Minnesota participating
in these online courses and activities and access will continue through August
2016. Future activities are now being
planned to support these professionals in implementing the evidence-based
practices in their work with children and families and collaborating with other
professionals to maximize children’s communication and learning outcomes.
This series
is being provided through the MN Low Incidence Projects at no cost to MN public
school professionals. This initiative is made possible (or is funded in
part) with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal
funding CFDA # 84.027A Special Education - Grant to States.
References:
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| | | Our members have more opportunities than ever to realize
significant savings on quality products and services through the Cooperative
Purchasing Connection (CPC), a program of Metro ECSU. In the past few months
our team has partnered with several additional vendors awarded through competitively
solicited Request for Proposals.
Mobile, Filtered BroadbandOne of our
most exciting new vendors is Kajeet. Kajeet provides Metro ECSU members the opportunity to purchase filtered,
wireless broadband for students who do not have access to the Internet once
they leave school grounds. This safe, affordable, mobile solution bridges the
education gap, allowing students on the bus or at home to complete homework
requiring Internet access. Through this new contract, members will save up to
62 percent on SmartSpot® and up to a 47 percent discount on Education
Broadband™, some of the best cooperative
pricing in the country. |
| Building and Grounds Security Solutions
In April, the CPC brought MCD Solutions into our purchasing
portfolio. Staff with this Minnesota-based company is available to visit your
school, city, county or nonprofit to consult on security and surveillance
options which include controlled door access. Through this contract, members
will find the lowest prices available on top brand-name security products.
Copy Paper
The 2016 cut
paper program is now fully operational. We are working with Veritiv to provide
high quality cut paper at a deeply discounted rate. Our online marketplace
Express provides members an easy, electronic way to order paper. Simply log in
at www.cpcexpress.org
and look for the Cooperative Purchasing Paper Catalog icon. Choose the quantity
and color of paper you need and add it to your cart. Under the All Products
dropdown box you’ll find delivery options. Make sure you select when you would
like your paper delivered. Members may also purchase their paper by email.
Paint and Supplies
Just in time for painting season, the CPC has added Sherwin-Williams
to its portfolio. This well-known painting and supplies company is offering
members great discounts! Get 30 percent off architectural paint, industrial coatings,
painting tools and non-certified roof coating applications. Members are also
eligible for a 12 percent discount on
power equipment. Members simply need to tell the staff at Sherwin-Williams
stores they would like the service cooperative discount.
Running Tracks and Tennis Courts
The nicer
weather means it’s a perfect time for schools, cities and counties to update
their courts. Hellas Construction installs and maintains running tracks and
tennis courts. The company manufactures its own products at its American
factories using only the highest-quality raw materials for its playing
surfaces.
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| Adobe Creative Cloud
The window
to sign up for Adobe Creative Cloud is open now through July 15. Adobe is once again partnering with the CPC and
Metro ECSU to offer K12 districts access to the latest creative tools for
photography, video, audio and design. The Creative Cloud suite includes:
Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro DC and more. The deeply discounted package allows
for installation on every computer in the district. There is one annual payment with a two-year
lock on pricing.
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| Cooperative Purchasing Connection Express Users
Reach $2 Million Mark |
| The number of dedicated Express marketplace users continues
to grow. Users have now purchased two million
dollars of member-discounted products from our online marketplace this year. This milestone is important because it shows service cooperative members
recognize the value of purchasing products on one digital platform.
Currently there are 14 vendors on the Express marketplace, www.cpcexpress.org It only takes one user name and one password
to shop for thousands of products all at cooperatively negotiated pricing. Metro ECSU members can purchase both supplies
and bigger ticket items like computers and tablets from Tierney Brothers, CDI
Computers, CDW-G, and MNJ Technologies. You have access to thousands of office supplies
from Minnesota based Innovative Office Solutions and instructional supplies
from School Specialty and Nasco. In addition you’ll find a variety of specialty
supplies from Total Imaging (remanufactured toners), Lightspeed (meeting room
sound systems), Continental Clay (Pottery Art Supplies), and Midwest Technology
Products (Tech Education products).
All prices displayed on Express are member discounted
prices, so users don’t need to worry whether they are receiving the best value.
New video tutorials to supplement our user guides can be found at cpcexpress.org under the video tab.
We anticipate adding a number of new vendors to Express in
the coming months providing even more opportunities to purchase quality
products at discounted prices. If you need information on registering for
Express or would like a demonstration at your school, governmental agency or
nonprofit, call the CPC team at 888-739-3289.
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| | | | Metro ECSU wishes you a restful and rejuvenating summer!
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