Commissioner's Update
December 1, 2009

Dear Superintendents, and Leaders of Charter Schools and Collaboratives:

In this Update I have one announcement and seven items for your review.

Inclusive Schools Week Celebration

Celebrate the 9th Annual Inclusive Schools Week from December 7-11, 2009. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education encourages Massachusetts schools to participate in the 2009 Inclusive Schools Week Celebration. This year's theme, "Inclusive Technologies," highlights the role that technology can play in helping schools to successfully educate all children. To explore some of the ways that technologies can help all children achieve their potential, visit the Department's website http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/assistive/.

The Inclusive Schools Week celebration is sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network at the Education Development Center, Inc. For more information and celebration ideas, visit the Network's website http://www.inclusiveschools.org/.

Items Posted at www.doe.mass.edu:

1. Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program High School Innovation Grant
2. Annual Student Government Day, April 9, 2010
   [ No longer available ]
3. Upcoming Training Sessions for Qualified MELA-O Trainers (QMTs)
   [ No longer available ]
4. Announcement of the George Washington Teachers' Institute
5. 2010 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
6. 2010-2011 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program
7. 2010 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award Program

Sincerely,

Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education