|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 2015 Vol. 22 No. 2
edNews is a quarterly publication of Metro ECSU (Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit)
|
|
|
|
|
Learn how teachers used 1:1 technology to make Personalized Learning really work
|
| During
the past 3 years a team of middle school teachers from southeastern
Wisconsin has worked to personalize learning so that every student has a
voice and choice in the pace of their learning and how they demonstrate
proficiency.
On March 12, you are invited to Metro ECSU to learn about their comprehensive delivery model and how 1:1 technology became an essential component for making Personalized Learning really work.
Discover how this team of teachers:
- Transformed the daily schedule
- Redesigned the learning space to allow for multiple functions
- Created clear progressions for learning that enable self-paced learning and self-monitoring of proficiency-based progress
- Provided for multiple delivery methods/modes and on-demand grouping
- Facilitated project-based learning that incorporates student voice and choice
- Created the conditions that foster student motivation, engagement and independent learning
- Interacted/communicated with stakeholders
- Incorporated continuous improvement practices
Register
Metro ECSU Training: Personalizing Learning: How One Team Really Makes It Work
Date: March 12, 2015
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Metro ECSU
Fee: $135.00 Metro ECSU member, $250 Non Member. Lunch included.
For more information, please contact Susan Frame at 612-638-1543.
|
|
|
|
Paraprofessionals: Don't miss the 2015 Winning Strategies Conference!
|
|
 |
The 10th Annual Winning Strategies Conference for Paraprofessionals and Future Teachers will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Normandale Community College.
This year’s keynote is a play, “One Kind Thing,” which will be performed by CLIMB Theater. The play will demonstrate ways people can use their power to intervene in bullying situations. The goal is to teach that practicing kindness leads to positive self-identification and a healthier school environment.
In addition to the keynote, participants choose three breakout sessions to attend. Topics will include: behavior strategies, social skills, independence, mental health, topics specific to categorical disabilities, and math, literacy, and technology strategies to support teacher instruction.
The fee is $15, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
Registration is required. Register at http://www.metroecsu.org/Registration/Events
Keyword for search: Winning
Questions? Please contact Shuyin Maciel at 612-638-1510.
This initiative is made possible in part with a
grant from the MN Department of Education using federal funding CFDA
84.027A Special Education – Grants to States.
|
|
|
Metro ECSU is a popular place to take the ParaPro Assessment Exam
|
|
 |
Seventy paraprofessionals have taken the ParaPro Assessment Examination at Metro ECSU since July 2014, when Metro ECSU was named as an administration and exam site by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
About the test
The ParaPro Assessment Exam has been approved for use in Minnesota as a way for current or aspiring paraprofessionals to demonstrate competencies in reading, math and writing as required under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.
The ParaPro Examination is a computer delivered exam that consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. Approximately two-thirds of the questions focus on comprehension skills and knowledge, and the remaining one-third focus on applying these skills in the classroom.
Advantages to using this value-added service through Metro ECSU:
• Flexible exam scheduling (morning and afternoon availability, Monday-Friday)
• Access to a computer with pre-loaded exam software
• Conveniently located metro exam site
• Test-takers receive their score immediately after taking the exam
Exam Administration Fee: $80.00
To learn more about the exam process or to schedule an exam date and time, please contact Sandy Giancola at 612-638-1502.
|
|
|
Teller Acuity Cards training helps teachers to assess infants' eyesight
|
|
 |
At the request of the Region 11 Community of Practice for Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired, Metro ECSU hosted a training on Teller Acuity Cards. The training was held on December 2, 2014 and also broadcast statewide to TBVIs (Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired).
Teller Acuity Cards are a fast and reliable method of assessing visual acuity in infants, children and nonverbal adults. The test is designed to measure the subject’s ability to resolve black and white stripes of varying cycles per centimeter against a grey background. The coarse grating of lines immediately draws attention to that end of the card. During the test the grating moves from coarse grating to fine grating. Information gathered using the Teller Acuity Cards assists partners in the medical community to best diagnose and serve children with visual impairment.
Trainers Robin Exsted and Kelly Ward of Anoka-Hennepin District #11, tested the visual acuity of three babies on site. Teachers who attended the training had an opportunity to practice administering the test to these babies. All three babies (ages 10 weeks to 6 months) tested normal visual acuity for their age.
Districts with a Blind/Visually Impaired program received a set of Acuity Cards at the training. For more information about this training, please contact Kathy Pittelko at 612-638-1527.
This initiative is made possible in part with a
grant from the MN Department of Education using federal funding CFDA
84.027A Special Education – Grants to States.
|
|
|
Professional development opportunity: Adults Can be Bullies Too!
|
|
We focus on bullies in our
student populations but what about adult bullies? Administrators and
Teacher Leaders can face challenges working with overt or covert adult
bullies. Whether they are parents, staff or colleagues we can feel
emotionally hijacked by their behavior. This workshop focuses on
understanding workplace bullying and offers concrete tools to help you
successfully handle the adult bullies and difficult people in your life.
Register
MPA Workshop: Adults Can Be Bullies Too!
Presenter: Chris Kaiser, MSOL, Ed.D.
Participants: Principals and other educators
Location: Metro ECSU
Date: 2/25/2015
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: MPA members $120; Non MPA members $200
For more information, please contact Cindy Bernier at 612-638-1512.
|
|
|
Over 250 high school-age young women participate in an innovative academic and leadership program
|
|
Girls In Action (GIA) held kick-off events in three schools in the fall: Cooper High School (Robbinsdale), Patrick Henry High School (Minneapolis), and North Community High School (Minneapolis). Eighty-seven young women signed up to participate at Cooper, 113 women at Henry, and 65 women at North. Fridley High School and Washington Technology Magnet School (St. Paul) will be kicking off their programs this year.
This amazing program provides girls in high school with curriculum-based programing on empowerment and leadership, self-esteem, career coaching, college preparation, health and wellness, and more. Congratulations to the Girls In Action participants!
GIA and Metro ECSU will be providing informational sessions this winter and spring for schools not yet participating in the program. Please contact Susan Frame at 612-638-1543 for more information.
|
|
|
|
SBC is grateful for a successful Give to the Max Day campaign
|
|
Success Beyond the Classroom participated in Give to the Max Day on November 13, 2014 and raised $1,020! SBC is so grateful to have community partnerships and dedicated leadership that made these funds a possibility. Thank you so much for your generosity and passion for providing quality, innovative programs to Twin Cities students.
In December 2014, Success Beyond the Classroom announced a second drive -- all funds raised through May 2015 will support our newest program STEMLink5! For more information please visit https://www.givemn.org/organization/411948020-27263
A recent article in The Atlantic sites research about "the activity gap" and describes the important benefits of extracurricular activities for students. Please consider investing in unique and important educational opportunities for metro area students and give a gift to SBC today!
|
|
|
| SBC's second annual STEM program for 5th graders is set for May 14 |
|
This May, 400 fifth grade students from 25 schools will join us on the campus of Normandale Community College to work in the labs with Normandale STEM and Health Science faculty and other STEM professionals. Students will have the opportunity to dissect cow’s knees, study DNA, take dental x-rays, learn about IT, automation robotics engineering, chemistry, biology, exercise science and more. Students will learn firsthand how careers in STEM can be rewarding, challenging, exciting and attainable.
In the words of one of last year’s participants “I learned I can achieve awesome things in STEM!”
For more information about STEMLink5 please contact Kelly Ascheman at 612-638-1555.
|
|
|
|
3rd and 4th graders learn nothing is impossible at the Creativity Festival
|
|
Connections to new careers, cultures, and talents were made at last month’s sold-out Creativity Festival 3-4 (held January 13 & 14).
Over 1,200 students in 3rd and 4th grade attended the Festival where participants designed ad campaigns with local advertising agency Colle+McVoy, built and tested structures with the U of M’s Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, and solved traffic problems with
the Center for Transportation Studies.
Fifteen different sessions gave students many opportunities to explore new-found creative talents which also included juggling, wind energy, Indian storytelling, orienteering, Hawaiian culture, soul dance, songwriting, Kumihimo braiding, and kitchen science, just to name a few!
More information about CF 3-4
|
|
|
Congrats to all Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl participants!
|
|
Over 100 teams from 35 metro area middle schools competed in SBC’s Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl 2014-15 season.
Teams competed in 3 regular season meets including the Grand Finale held at two sites.
Congratulations to the 2014-15 Grand Champions, Centennial Middle School and Minnetonka Middle School West.
For more information about MGKB please contact Julie Schaal at 612-638-1540.
|
|
|
Future City Competition team from Orono Middle School heads to DC!
|
|
|
A team of 8th graders from Orono Middle School won the 2015 Minnesota Future City Competition on January 17. Their fictitious future city, Wolfish, is located in Iceland and is named after a real fish that is commonly eaten in Iceland -- the ferocious looking wolffish/catfish. The students were mentored by civil engineers from SRF Consulting Group. The team will compete in the National Future City Competition from February 14-17, 2015 in Washington, DC. Congratulations and good luck!
For more information about the Future City Competition, please contact Colleen Feller at 612-638-1511.
|
|
|
Help Me Grow online presence makes a huge impact
|
|
 |
The Region 11 Interagency Early Intervention Committee (IEIC) is responsible for Help Me Grow public awareness and child find efforts in the 7-county metro region for infant/toddler early intervention and preschool special education services.
As a result of our user-friendly web and mobile access for making online referrals at www.helpmegrowmn.org, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) reports significant increases in referrals statewide from 3600 in 2012 to 9600 in 2014. Region 11 is partnering with MDE to develop and expand the website to serve as the state’s website with more features and information for parents and caregivers. This website will replace MN Parents Know as the state resource for birth to age five information later this year. The Help Me Grow MN Facebook page has nearly 17,000 followers and continues to be one of our primary strategies to reach young parents.
This year we are focusing our child find and public awareness outreach activities on populations that tend to be under-served in the birth-to-five age group, including immigrant and refugee families and families living in poverty or are experiencing homelessness. Through a partnership with ARC Greater Twin Cities, cultural advocates are helping to spread the word about Help Me Grow.
Region 11 is now a supporting partner of Mom Enough, which provides online research-based resources for parenting and has topics related to young children and healthy development. We also partner with Minnesota’s Learn the Signs Act Early program -- a CDC initiative to identify young children with autism.
New connections are being forged with community-based organizations serving immigrant groups and several training/outreach events are scheduled for the next 6 months as a result. Partnerships continue with metro area Licensed Family Child Care Associations, with representatives for homeless populations, and with numerous ECFE & Head Start programs. Outreach connections have been initiated with the metro county public library systems.
Funding is available for child development & Help Me Grow training in your local community. Please contact Marty Smith for more information.
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.
|
|
|
Metro ESCU welcomes new staff members Beth Dorsey and Sally Hansen
|
|
 |
Beth Dorsey and Sally Hansen recently joined the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities They will support districts in Region 11 as Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development Facilitators (PDFs).
Regional PDFs are available to work with district Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) leaders to increase program quality and child outcomes.
For the past fifteen years, Beth has worked primarily with ECSE programs with children ages 0-5. She is a Minnesota DEC (Division for Early Childhood) board member and a Master Cadre member with the Pyramid Model. Beth holds a M.A. degree in Special Education, and an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology. Beth can be reached at beth.dorsey@metroecsu.org or 612-638-1542.
Sally has been working in the field of early childhood education and children’s mental health since 2001. She has worked as a teacher in a therapeutic preschool program, an early childhood education consultant and as an early childhood program administrator. She holds a B.S. degree in Psychology and Communication Studies and a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sally is excited to join the dedicated team at Metro ECSU. You can reach Sally at sally.hansen@metroecsu.org or 612-638-1541.
|
|
|
Metro ECSU wishes you a productive spring with your students!
Watch for the spring edition of edNews, which will include our summer professional development opportunities.
|
|
|
|
