Annual Arts Conference on April 2:
Educators are invited to the Devens Common Center on April 2 for DESE’s Annual Arts Conference. This year’s theme is "Arts Integration as a Transformative Instructional Strategy". The day-long conference will feature arts educators from across the Commonwealth, who will share strategies for integrating the arts with other disciplines. It is through the arts that students learn a set of thinking skills focused on expression, creativity, and problem-solving that is unique from, but complementary to, those taught in other academic areas. Dr. Martha Barry McKenna of Lesley University will deliver the keynote address. Participants will also learn more about DESE’s recently-launched revision of the state’s arts learning standards, including ways for educators to participate in the process. Registration is open online.
|
|
21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants Information Session:
The Department is offering an information/technical assistance session from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2018 at Devens Commons Conference Center for anyone interested in applying for a fiscal year 2019 Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers Out of School Time and/or Expanded Learning Time grant (Fund Code 647)for new schools or sites. The session will help prepare applicants to write their proposal. The online registration form has the grant criteria and more details, and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers web page has information about prior years’ programs. This federally-funded competitive grant program is intended to support schools, districts and communities in thoughtful design and implementation of additional learning time that supports a well-rounded education, increases student engagement, supports social and emotional learning, and promotes college and career readiness and success.
|
|
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren:
A helpful resource for schools and districts working with grandparents (or relative caregivers) who are raising grandchildren (or younger relatives) is the Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, which has a website devoted to education, networking, research, programs and support. The commission will host regional workshops for any grandparents or kinship caregivers this spring, at which the commission will cover topics important to relative caregivers and have representatives from agencies who work with grandparents raising grandchildren. For questions on the commission or to register for a regional workshop, contact Colleen Pritoni at colleen.pritoni@state.ma.us. Sessions include:
- 5:30-8:00 p.m. March 29: Quincy Family Resource Center
- 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.April 4: Haverhill YMCA
- 5:30-8:00 p.m. April 30: The Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield
- 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 24: Athol Senior Center
- 5:30-8:00 p.m. May 30: YMCA Camp Lyndon in Sandwich
|
|
Last Chance for Massachusetts Green Ribbon Schools Competition:
Applications for the 2018 Green Ribbon School Awards are due March 15! Applicants may enter the competition as either a school or a district. The program honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff, and delivering effective environmental and sustainability education that incorporates science, technology, engineering, math, civic skills, and green career pathways. Massachusetts will select one or more schools or districts to be honored at the state level; those honorees are then elevated to the U.S. Department of Education, where they will have the opportunity to be honored as a national Green Ribbon School winner. For more information, visit ESE’s Green Ribbon Schools website.
|
|
Hasta La VISTA:
The Department is saying goodbye to the VISTA survey for this year. The agency is very grateful to those educators who used their valuable time to give feedback. It is still not too late for superintendents and principals who have not yet participated to complete a survey; the surveys will remain open until March 16. Educator feedback is incredibly important to DESE as it helps program offices plan, develop, and target resources and supports to educators. The Department encourages superintendents and principals who have not done so already to take 20-30 minutes of their time and add their voice to those of their fellow educators.
Superintendents and principals should have received an email with a link to their survey. Anyone with specific questions about the survey can email Shelagh Peoples, DESE's VISTA coordinator.
|
|
- Resources on student walkouts: The National School Boards Association has a guide on navigating student walkouts and a guide on the First Amendment that may be useful to school leaders as they face potential school walkouts. In addition, YouthInFront, a website for students who are trying to decide whether and how to participate in activism, also has a section for adult allies, particularly educators. The organization's supporters include the Harvard Graduate School of Education Usable Knowledge project and the MIT Teaching Systems Lab.
|
|
|
|
