| March 2021, Vol. 28, No. 3
edNews is a quarterly publication of the Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit
Metro ECSU - 2 Pine Tree Drive, Suite 101 - Arden Hills, MN 55112
Front desk: 612-638-1500
edNews Editor: Colleen Feller
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| | Virtual Young Authors Conference (YAC) Spring Updates
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| Exciting roster of presenters lined up for March, April & May!
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| | Poet, novelists, technical writer, photojournalist, sports
reporter/radio host, marketing guru, pictured above. These and other literary
geniuses are ready to challenge your 4th-8th grade
writers to unlock their writing potential this spring at SBC’s Virtual Young
Authors Conference
Monthly content includes synchronous and asynchronous
writing sessions, blogs, Q&As, and a monthly book club resource.
2021 YAC theme: Words Have Power!
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| | | Virtual Senior High KB season wraps up
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| Six teams advance to the Virtual SHKB state meet
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| The
Metro Senior High Virtual Knowledge Bowl season is almost over! Seveny-one teams
from around the metro area participated. Our final Regional Meet was held March 2, and we
have officially narrowed the field down to 6 teams that will advance to the Virtual
State Meet on April 9: - Tartan Monkey Khan
- Chaska
Purple
- Academy of Holy Angels Keller and Co
- Prior Lake Soup Bee
- Prior Lake
Freshman Four
- Totino-Grace Gothic Alligator
The Virtual KB season took place on a gaming application called
Discord (see screen shot). Students gathered in the virtual “Cafeteria” channel from their own
home for announcements instead of gathering around tables while enjoying pizza.
Instead of surrounding the projection screen full of scores posted after each
round, students could see their score as soon as it was posted in the “Leaderboard”
channel. Then, they would head to their virtual “rooms” and use audio to listen
to the questions read by coaches and volunteers and virtually “buzz in” using a
website, Buzzin.live.
Although
the season looked very different compared to other years, coaches, students,
and volunteers were excited that we were still able to continue on with this
great academic competition. There is even talk of having a small virtual meet
with other states!
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| | Looking for enrichment this spring? Virtual arts and STEM programming available!
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| Virtual Creatives Creativity is an essential part of problem solving and is a
skill that can be practiced and strengthened. With our Virtual Creatives program, from now through June 30, 2021, 3rd-8th
graders have access to 9 recorded activity sessions, including dance, illustration, spoken word, and songwriting. Content also includes blogs highlighting professionals in the arts sharing their passions and what creativity means to them. Subscribe
today to encourage self-expression, promote problem solving skills, and creative
thinking. $21/student (regular rate)
$12/student for Metro ECSU member schools/districts
Virtual STEMLink
Science and math can lead to exciting careers with the help
of real-world examples from STEM professionals. SBC's Virtual STEMLink provides 7 recorded activity sessions for 5th and 6th graders. Join
our presenters as they introduce their careers, expertise, and a hands-on
activity. The "day in the life" blogs and Q&A sessions allow for students
to understand firsthand the work and workplaces of STEM professionals. All content is
available to students until June 30, 2021. $21/student (regular rate)
$12/student for Metro ECSU member schools/districts
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| | Roseville Area Middle School wins first place in MN Future City Competition
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| Team
"Skyward City" from Roseville Area MS won first place in the 21st annual (and 1st virtual) Minnesota Future City Competition (FCC). The students built their city model, pictured on the right, in sections due to distance learning. This is one of the many ways Future City students exhibited creativity and problem solving this season.
The awards ceremony was held on Zoom on February 27.
Nineteen teams of middle school students were recognized for their extraordinary efforts in completing the MN Future City projects while in distance and hybrid learning models.
First, second, third, and honorable mention awards were announced, as well as 16 special awards, such as Best Transportation System and Most Innovative City Setting. Winning teams are recognized on the MN FCC website
The Roseville team will compete in the National FCC (also virtual) in March, with national winners announced in April.
We
plan to return to an in-person competition next year. For more
information about the 2021-2022 Future City Competition, contact Colleen
Feller at 612-638-1511 or colleen.feller@metroecsu.org |
| | 2021 Metro Area Regional Spelling Bee - Update on competition model
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| Virtual Spelling Bee will take place on March 25
The Metro ECSU Regional Spelling Bee will take
place on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Due to Covid-19 safety concerns, we have
decided to hold our bee using an online format. Spellers will have a 24-hour
window to complete the final online Regional Bee test, which will include a
vocabulary component this year. In the event of a tie, a final tie-breaker bee
will be held virtually on Saturday, March 27 at 1:00pm. The champion of this
bee will advance to the 2021 nationals.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee returns this year with 10-12
top spellers gathering near Orlando, Florida, on July 8 to compete in the
nationally televised event. The final rounds of this year’s Bee will be hosted
in person at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
The 10 to 12 finalists who will travel to the Orlando
area will have earned the right to compete in the finals by advancing through
three levels of competition: the preliminary, quarterfinal, and semifinal
segments, which will be held virtually in lieu of Bee Week. The semifinals are
slated for June 27, and dates for the earlier virtual rounds of the competition
will be announced later this spring. All will be broadcast live on ESPN
platforms.
We look forward to once again providing this fantastic opportunity
to metro area students! |
| | Book Study Opportunity: Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain (Zaretta Hammond, 2015)
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| Virtual Meetings held on June 9, 15, 22, and 25 from 8:15-9:30am |
| Back by popular demand, this book study is more than a book study! Be prepared to process and apply learning from each chapter and walk away with real tools to apply learning and leading with your colleagues. Join us for four 75-minute discussion sessions. Register here
“Culture, it turns out, is the way that every brain makes sense of the world. That is why everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, has a culture. Think of culture as software for the brain’s hardware. The brain uses cultural information to turn everyday happenings into meaningful events. If we want to help dependent learners do more higher order thinking and problem solving, then we have to access their brain’s cognitive structures to deliver culturally responsive instruction.” — Zaretta L. Hammond
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| Facilitator: Martina Wagner, Ed. D. |
| Dr. Martina Wagner has a background in serving English Language Learners that has spanned over twenty years in grades pre-K through adult education. Her professional passions and expertise include best practice and programming for ELs, Sheltered Instruction (SIOP®), Co-teaching, Special Education Identifications of ELs, WIDA assessments, and English Language Learning assessments and data.
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| | Metro ECSU District Leadership Cohort - Building Alignment Throughout the System
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| Six district leadership teams are participating in a cohort that addresses building alignment throughout the district system with a focus on equity. The cohort has been meeting virtually this school year, with three of the four sessions completed.
The following are thoughts shared by participants in response to the evaluation question, “What did you learn that enhances your leadership skills?”
• “Many of the areas that are covered are critical to our work. I appreciate the 'through-line' and equity-focused discussions that help us create the conditions for success with building-level leaders.”
• “How to include equity into school improvement plans. Focus in on including student voice in a comprehensive way, not token.”
• “I think the conversations, and listening to those from other systems, helps enhance my reflection about my own practice.”
• “The continued focus on the importance of the principal and how the district office can provide support.”
• “Love the dedicated time within our district to talk about these topics!”
• “Building our District Equity Guiding Principles.”
The District Leadership Cohort work is based on the 4 Dimensions of School Leadership Framework created by the Center for Educational Leadership, University of Washington. The framework is organized into four dimensions: equitable school community, learning and teaching environment, resource management, collective leadership.
Long term outcomes of the cohort include: • District leaders will support school leaders in their ability to lead for instructional improvement.
• District leaders will function as part of an aligned system or “through-line” of support from the central office to the classroom on behalf of student learning.
• Leaders will utilize key learning from COVID-19 experiences in future planning and actions.
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| The cohort is facilitated by Dan Hoverman, former Mounds View Superintendent, and Michele Mason (pictured on right), University of Washington.
For information about the 2021-22 District Leadership Cohort, contact Julie Frame |
| | Metropolitan Education Leaders Network successfully adapts to virtual model
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| | | Metropolitan Education Leaders Network (MELN) has completed
eight virtual workshops addressing hybrid learning and how leaders can best support
teachers in today’s learning environment. Based on suggestions received from
education leaders in Region 11, the workshops were personalized to meet the
needs of our districts and schools. Each workshop was offered two times and the
topics included:
- Flexible Learning Revisited: Best Practices and
Big Ideas
- Trauma-Informed Practices for Leaders: Taking a
Positive Approach
- Leading for Equity: Prioritizing Needs and
Ensuring Access to Resources
- Academic Gaps: Using Data to Stop the Slide and
Move Forward
The following comments about the sessions were shared by
participants: - “I learned many helpful equity leadership ideas
and strategies about where to start.”
- “The discussion moved EL students to the
forefront of my thinking. How do we get them in school or supported during
COVID?"
- “Social and emotional strategies that could be
used in a classroom were very helpful.”
- “I received good resources, time to process
them, and left with a plan to implement.”
- “It’s OK to share your vulnerabilities with
others. Often others perceive administration to have it all together when that
is not always the case. It serves to enhance understanding, compassion, and
empathy.”
The workshops were presented by BetterLesson.com from
September 2020 through January 2021.
For information about MELN opportunities for the 2021-2022 school year, contact Susan Frame
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| | | “If we have data, let’s look at data. If all we have are
opinions, let’s go with mine.” -Jim Barksdale (former
Fortune 500 CEO)
Let’s be honest, some of us may get slightly more excited about data
than others, however, the quote above likely resonates with most when part of a
decision-making group. Humor aside, data and data support systems are
integral to Implementation Science and to the work of the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children (MNCoE).
A systematic way to collect and review
data is necessary to develop,
improve, and sustain the ability of teachers and staff to implement an Innovation as intended. This year, MNCoE upgraded its data capabilities
and launched the MN
Innovation Implementation Data System (MIID). |
| | This new online data collection and analysis
system is accessible through an online portal to Innovation teams
statewide. Instant access to practitioner and program level data allows
teams to celebrate successes, notice gaps, and identify action steps.
Multiple filters allow teams to drill down very specifically and to display
reader-friendly graphs via the data dashboard. To date, MNCoE has trained 154 users across 85
districts with 94% of those trained agreeing that they felt prepared to enter
data, pull reports, and provide information to support decision-making.
Teams are reporting that they appreciate the time saved with the MIID system as
compared to entering and analyzing spreadsheets in past years. MNCoE and
the MIID system appear to have succeeded in making data approachable,
understandable, and usable-- if not loveable, to our Innovation teams.
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| | Cooperative Purchasing spring update!
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| | Cooperative Purchasing
Connection Representatives Jerome Evans and Julia Dangerfield recently hosted a
virtual training on the new Express Guided Search update.
Link to the recording of
the Express Guided Search Training.
Key takeaways: - Guided Search Category Tiles are now available
in Express to help you and your team more intuitively navigate the products
that are available for procurement through Express.
- The Guided Search Category Tiles are placed
directly above the Featured Suppliers Tiles that users are accustomed to
seeing. Users who want to continue shopping Express in the traditional way
simply need to scroll down to get to the experience that they're used to.
- The How to Shop Express section and the FAQ
sections have been dramatically improved to help new Express users better
navigate Express.
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| | Healthy buildings: Are your schools ready for students to return?
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| We know there’s a lot to think about when it comes to
students returning to in-person learning. Are your systems not working well? Do
you need help to identify your building issues and how to fix them?
The
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced an extension of acceptable
funding uses for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER
II) funding. Prior to this announcement, other funding sources like Coronavirus
Relief Funds (CRF), Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER), and Long-Term
Facility Maintenance (LTFM) didn’t cover these types of critical improvements.
Currently, Minnesota schools have spent less than 20% of the
allocated ESSER II funds, funds which are available through September 30, 2023. With this
announcement, school districts have a huge opportunity to reduce COVID
transmission in their facilities now, and in creating healthy buildings for generations
to come.
These uses include projects for improving indoor air
quality such as inspections, testing, maintenance, repairs, replacements, and
upgrades. The following items can be included in these projects: - Mechanical and non-mechanical HVAC systems
- Filtering and purification systems
- Other air cleaning improvements including fans,
control systems, and window and door repairs and replacements
ICS is a local company specializing in providing innovative facility solutions that help customers plan, build, and operate their buildings well.
The ICS team is ready, willing, and able to inspect, test,
maintain, repair, replace, and upgrade your building systems. Stay tuned for
more information from our team on how to apply for this funding through an
upcoming webinar series in Spring 2021. To learn more and to get started on
ensuring your buildings are ready for your students and staff, reach out to
Karen Klein at karen.klein@ics-builds.com
or 651-728-1880. |
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