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September 2018, Vol. 26, No. 1
edNews is a quarterly publication of the Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit
Editor: Colleen Feller
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| New name for MPA: Metropolitan Education Leaders Network
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Since the creation of MPA in 1984, the role of the school leader has
changed dramatically; our new name reflects that change. We welcome all
leaders in education to our events.
Our line-up for the 2018-2019 MELN
Leadership In-Service Series promises to be insightful, useful, and valuable. You will not want to miss these sessions!
- October 9, Yancy Unger — Modernizing Curriculum for Equitable
Opportunities in Learning: A Leader’s Role
- November 27, Tyrone
Martinez-Black (CASEL) — Uncovering
Frameworks: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Embedded in Content Area
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January 23, Caroline Hill — Transitioning to an Equity
Centered Design Approach
- February 12, Jim Rickabaugh — Nurturing Powerful Learners through
Personalized Learning
Both morning and afternoon sessions are available
for each event. View session descriptions on the MELN calendar
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| | Back-to-school with PBIS!
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| Fun is at the forefront when PBIS cohort school teams in the
metro region begin their year of training and coaching!
SW-PBIS (School-Wide Positive Behavioral Intervention and
Supports) is a framework or approach for assisting school personnel in adopting
and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions into an integrated
continuum that enhances academic and social behavior outcomes for all students.
In August, fifteen
teams from Cohort 13 and twenty NEW Cohort 14 teams got both excited
and prepared for the start of the 2018-19 school year. Teams were asked to
choose a theme, get pumped, and show their energy! One way teams did just that was to
select a theme song for their school; their song selections were played
throughout the training to inspire and re-invigorate. |
| The first SW-PBIS training in Minnesota was offered to schools in 2005. As of
August 2018, teachers from 688 Minnesota schools are in training or have completed the
two-year cohort training. The Minnesota SW-PBIS initiative now includes 33.3%
of Minnesota schools, which impacts over 335,598 students, or 38.9% of MN
students.
Is PBIS a part of the culture at your school or district? NO? Contact your Regional
Implementation Coordinator for the metro region, Lauren Sparr, or visit the MN
PBIS website to learn more!
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| | Fall workshops include Engaging All Students in Math and Co-Teaching Basics
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| Metro ECSU is kicking off the 2018-2019 school year with two professional development workshops: |
| Engaging All Students
in the Mathematics Classroom
Presenter: Sara VanDerWerf
Sept 27, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Metro ECSU
It is possible to engage all
students in the learning of high-level mathematics no matter how diverse the
needs of your students are. In this workshop, five practical ways to increase
engagement of all students will be modeled to help teachers build on what they
already do in their classroom.
Sara VanDerWerf is a nationally board-certified
teacher who taught secondary mathematics for Minneapolis Public Schools for
more than 25 years. For 5 years, she led the professional development,
curriculum writing, and strategic planning for K-12 mathematics at the
Minneapolis district office. She has served in multiple positions on the
Minnesota Council of Teachers Mathematics board, most recently as
past-President. Sara frequently speaks at the state and national levels and is
active in the national mathematics community.
Thousands of educators around the world have implemented her practical
ideas to empower mathematics learners. |
| | Co-Teaching Basics with
Martina Wagner
Nov
27, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Metro ECSU Register
This session is ideal for
co-teachers who are new to co-teaching, beginning a new co-teaching
partnership, or have not yet had formal professional development on
co-teaching. Bring your co-teaching partner!
Dr. Martina
Wagner has served English Language learners for over twenty years in grades
pre-K through adult education. Her expertise includes best practice and
programming for ELs, Sheltered Instruction, Co-teaching, Special Education
Identification of ELs, WIDA standards, and English Language Learning
assessments and data. Martina’s
background in co-teaching spans from classroom to district implementation,
professional developer, and instructional coach, as well as strategic district
action planning and implementation. Martina has conducted extensive research
throughout the United States on co-teaching and currently serves public, private,
and charter schools as a professional development consultant. |
| | Metro ECSU professional networks connect educators and leaders across districts
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| Homeschool
Liaison Network
Meeting dates: September 26 and November 7,
2018 & January 16 and April 10, 2019
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Location: Fairview Community Center, Roseville
School district liaisons to families
who are homeschooling are invited to join in the collegial sharing of ideas,
resources and concerns through the Metro ECSU Homeschool Liaison Network. More information
Friday Forum Network
Meeting Dates: September 28 and November 30,
2018 & January 11 and April 12, 2019
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: alternates between Metro ECSU and Bloomington Education Services Center
Collaborate
with other gifted and talented professionals, to discuss current issues in
gifted education. More information
Bicultural Liaison
Network
Meeting Dates: October 2 and December 11, 2018 & February 5 and April 16, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Metro ECSU
The
Bicultural Liaison Professional network is designed to support Liaisons and
Interpreters who work in schools. Bicultural Liaisons serve as
bridges between staff and families. By building a strong community of
professionals the network will work to address current issues and provide
professional development opportunities for attendees. More information
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| | | SBC kicks off the school year with a new director!
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| Cathy Macdonald spent over 30 years in the field of
education, 25 of those years at Metro ECSU and Success Beyond the Classroom
(SBC). As SBC’s Director, Cathy has been a dedicated, creative, and insightful
leader. Her energy and vision for SBC has left the organization in great
shape as we welcome our new director, Gina Jacobson, effective September 1.
Congratulations to Cathy on her highly successful career
in education! SBC looks forward to seeing Cathy as a “Red Shirt” volunteer at
SBC events moving forward.
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| Gina Jacobson has been an integral part of SBC’s growth and development over the past 20
years and looks forward to her new role as director. With a collaborative
leadership style, Gina will combine forces with the talented, hardworking SBC
team to take the organization to new levels this coming year and into the
future.
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| | SBC's Creativity programs emphasize the importance of flexible thinking, self-expression & risk-taking
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| CreativeCon is an innovative field trip for students in 5th through 8th grades that takes place at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Students attend 3 interactive break-out sessions led by professionals in the arts and STEM fields and have time to tour the Science Museum exhibits (optional). School groups can select availability for November 13 or 14, 2018.
Creativity Festival is an eye-opening field trip for students in 3rd through 5th grades that takes place at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. Students attend a dynamic opening and 3 interactive break-out sessions led by professionals in the arts and STEM fields. School groups can select availability for January 8 or 9, 2019. Learn more or register
This year's session examples include: - The Art of Mime
- Biomechanics
- Political Cartooning
- Paleontology
- Orienteering
- Highway/Road Design
- Juggling and Circus Movement
- Songwriting and Production
- Environmental Engineering
- and more...!
At CreativeCon and Creativity Festival, students learn:
- Creativity is a skill that can be practiced and strengthened.
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Creativity is necessary for higher education and all careers.
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Creativity is an essential part of problem solving.
Testimonials (data obtained from 2017-2018 evaluations): 90% of students thought CreativeCon presenters provided real-world examples of how to use creativity and problem solving.
92% of students at Creativity Festival learned that creativity and problem-solving is a skill that can be practiced and strengthened.
We invite you to learn more! |
| | Knowledge Bowl: A sport for the brain!
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| Calling
all curious students in grades 6 to 8! Join us for a FUN, after-school
competition that focuses on academics, emphasizes teamwork, and grows friendship.
Flex your recall, build critical thinking skills, and practice problem solving while
increasing your knowledge of everything from math and science to current events
and history. Go head-to-head against hundreds of other students this season and
join the KB excitement! Season runs November – February.
Contact Julie to learn
more.
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| Attention
all nerdy, quick, and competitive high schoolers! Join us at Senior High
Knowledge Bowl this November – February.
Bring your friends, brush up on your
math, science, and history, and compete against hundreds of other students from
across the metro, and across the state.
We know you’re smart. Now prove it.
Contact Betsy to learn more. |
| | Into the lab with STEMLink
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| STEMLink is an exciting one-day field trip for
students in 5th and 6th grades that takes place at 3 colleges in the Twin Cities
metro area. During
their day of attendance, students
hear a keynote by a scientist
and/or STEM professional
and take part in three
interactive breakout sessions
in a college setting. Students
are placed in teams comprised
of students from different
schools and districts.
A day in the life of a STEMLink student could include:
extracting DNA from a strawberry, experimenting with water filtration systems, learning CPR, making a dental mold of students’ own teeth, learning what concrete is and how it works, designing bridges, programming and coding, and designing traffic
systems.
For the 2018-19 school year, SBC is
offering four dates and locations: - March 14, 2019 at Dunwoody College
in Minneapolis
- May 17, 2019 at Normandale
Community College in Bloomington
- May 22 & 23, 2019 at Century
College in White Bear Lake
For more information about STEMLink and
how your students can attend, contact Betsy Narr
at 612-638-1536. |
| | | Young Authors Conference 2019
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| Expect the Unexpected! Where will Writing Take You?
This year's Young Authors Conference (YAC) theme will challenge young writers to discover the
exciting twists and turns that lay before them once they pick up a
pencil to write. Students will use the written word to explore unexpected paths
and make discoveries about themselves, their capabilities, and the
impact they can have on others.
The dates for the 2019 Young Authors Conference are March 22 and May 28, 29, 30, and 31. The location for all YAC dates is Bethel University (main campus) in Arden Hills.
Register for the Young Authors Conference on March 22, 2019.
Register for the Young Authors Conference on May 28, 29, 30, or 31, 2019.
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| March 22, 2019 Keynote: Ibrahim Hirsi
When Ibrahim Hirsi arrived in the U.S. over a decade ago as a refugee, he had one dream: to be a writer. Currently, Hirsi is a staff writer at MinnPost, where he covers workforce and
immigration issues.
Before joining MinnPost, Ibrahim reported for
multiple news organizations in New York, Minneapolis, and St.
Cloud. For his reporting in Minnesota, Ibrahim was presented the 2018
MLK Commitment to Service Award at the MLK Day celebration in St. Paul.
Ibrahim got his start in journalism at ThreeSixty Journalism, a youth
program based at the University of St. Thomas. At YAC, Hirsi will share the exciting places writing has taken him.
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| May 28-31, 2019 Keynote: Kao Kalia Yang
Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong-American writer and the author of The
Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir (Coffee House Press, 2008) and The
Song Poet (Metropolitan Books, 2016). Both non-fiction books were
awarded the Minnesota Book Award. In the fall of 2019, Yang will debut
her first children's book, A Map Into The World (Carolrhoda Books).
When speaking about The Latehomecomer, Yang said, "My grandmother, a woman who could not read or write,
never imagined that she would be the subject of a book."
Yang added, "I grew up in a community
that believed we needed doctors and lawyers, not writers, and here I stand: a
writer whose work is much needed by the old and the young alike." |
| About YAC The Young Authors Conference, which is nearing its 30th anniversary, is an incredible field trip for students in 4th-8th grades. Students attend a
keynote and three interactive writing sessions led by local
authors and writing professionals. Live music, open mic, and a book fair are also part of the day. Students are encouraged and challenged to become better
writers and leave YAC with a greater passion to write and a new
set of strategies and ideas with which to experiment.
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| | Designing resilient power grids is the theme of this year's Future City Competition
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| This year, Future City is asking Minnesota middle school students to
respond to the issue of Powering Our Future by designing power grids that can withstand and quickly
recover from the impacts of a natural disaster. Working in a team with an educator and an engineer mentor, students present
their vision of the future through a virtual city design (using SimCity™ software); a 1,500 word city
essay incorporating this year's theme; a scale model of their city (built with recycled materials); and in a
short presentation to a panel of STEM professionals.The Minnesota regional final will be held on January 19, 2019 at Dakota
County Technical College in Rosemount. Minnesota’s regional winners then face off at
the National Finals in Washington, DC in February, where they are joined by a growing
roster of national and international teams, including those from Canada and China.
Students in grades 6-8 are invited to participate in the Future City Competition. Teams may be school-based or formed within a youth organization (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, etc.). Learn more at www.futurecity.org/Minnesota
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| | Celebrating Deb Williamson
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| Deb
Williamson, Statewide Specialist with the MN Low Incidence Projects, is being
celebrated as her official retirement date of September 28
fast approaches. Deb has been a tireless advocate and educator of children in
the low incidence disability areas of Physical/Health Disabilities along with Traumatic
Brain Injury for 32 years.
A significant highlight of Deb’s educational career
was serving as a Statewide Specialist in three different special education
categorical areas. - Statewide TBI Specialist: 1999 - 2017
- Statewide PI Specialist: 2004
- 2017
- Statewide OHD Specialist: 2014 - Present
The inspiration she provided during her tenure as a
Statewide Specialist was beyond limits helping children, families, and
educators rise and soar. This can be seen in the things Deb is most proud of,
which includes creating
the Statewide TBI Educational Network in 1999, currently known as the TBI Community
of Practice.
The creation and facilitation
of ten annual Minnesota Family TBI Retreats is also something that Deb is most
proud of as she provided resources, connections and hope to Minnesota families
who have children with TBI.
Deb
has received many accolades over the years; her top two career honors include the
Arc Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2011 and the MN Brain Injury
Alliance Elinor D. Hands Award in 2008. As Deb reflects on her highly successful career, she remains
humbled by the hard work, dedication, and the ability of educators to go "above
and beyond" day after day, year after year. This is something she has witnessed in schools
countless times over the past 32 years. Congratulations to Deb on finishing
strong! |
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| | Express is the preferred purchasing platform for Minnesota schools
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| | The new year has begun! With all of the excitement may also
come the realization you need a few more desks, football helmets, or spoodles
for your kitchen. Wouldn’t it be great if you could order all three from one
website? You can! As a Cooperative Purchasing Connection participant, you will
find tens of thousands of diverse products with one login and one password on
the Express online purchasing platform.
Express is a public procurement marketplace
created just for you. You’ll find special chairs for your science classrooms,
quality cables at affordable prices for your media room, products for STEAM,
STEM and CTE, along with kitchen smallwares, furniture and e-books.
Express integrates with SMART and Skyward finance software.
It provides the ability to compare prices from multiple suppliers. Plus, there are
no reference codes or quote numbers to remember. Best of all, it’s free to use.
For
more information about Cooperative Purchasing Connection, contact Julie
Anderson, janderson@lcsc.org
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| | Metro ECSU wishes you an energetic start to the new school year!
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