5. Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor Training:
The Department, in partnership with Walker, is accepting applications for a three-day professional development opportunity to certify instructors for youth mental health first aid. The training will be held January 27-29 at Devens. Interested applicants should review the Mental Health First Aid expectations and the Massachusetts Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor Training Overview (download) before applying. Participants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the application, including being knowledgeable about mental health and substance use issues and having experience teaching groups of adults. Space is limited to 16 participants for this session. Participants who successfully complete the training will be prepared to deliver Youth Mental Health First Aid Training.
The Department is excited to support the development of a cadre of trainers who can provide this training across the Commonwealth, including at Department-sponsored trainings this spring. The Department will likely offer another instructor training in May (likely in Springfield). Please contact Kristen McKinnon at DESE or Shannon Lee at Walker with any questions. Please submit a brief survey of interest by Thursday, December 12 and the completed application for the January session no later than Thursday, December 19.
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6. DPH Survey on EEE:
This was a particularly active year for cases of mosquito-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), in Massachusetts. The state Department of Public Health is seeking feedback from school and district leaders, school nurses, and others regarding communication and other activities during the 2019 season. This feedback is important and will help inform planning for the next season. Please take a few moments to complete this short online survey by Friday, December 20.
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7. Survey on New Customer Service Call Center Hours:
The Department’s Licensure Call Center will expand its hours of operation beginning Monday, January 6 and would like to know which hours would be most helpful. Call center users are asked to take this quick, one question survey about their preferred hours of operation.
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8. Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council:
A recent report detailed the current state of gifted education in Massachusetts and highlighted an absence of adequate programming, particularly for students of color. In response, DESE is reconstituting the Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council to provide concrete actions the agency can take to improve gifted education across the Commonwealth. Beginning in early 2020, the advisory council will meet for one to two hours every four to six weeks throughout this calendar year. Members will have the option of attending remotely.
The Department is seeking council members who lead with inquiry, are solutions oriented, and who are passionate about addressing inequity. In order to ensure success, DESE is committed to a council whose members reflect a range of races and ethnicities, district sizes, and individual experiences with gifted and talented education. In addition, DESE hopes the advisory council will include representatives of the following roles: parents, teachers, principals, district administrators, experts/researchers, and advocates. Individuals who are interested in serving on the advisory council are asked to indicate their interest online.
Anyone with questions about the advisory council can email Jackie Gantzer at jacqulyn.gantzer@doe.mass.edu or Craig Waterman at cwaterman@doe.mass.edu.
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9. DESE Resource Corner
Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students: Commissioner Riley recently posted a letter to district and school leaders regarding resources available through the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students.
The program is available for staff training and technical assistance across the Commonwealth on topics such as reducing bullying, serving transgender and non-binary students, and incorporating LGBTQ-inclusive lessons into classrooms. The letter also encourages participation in the regional councils of the Massachusetts Gender and Sexuality Alliance Leadership Council (which consists of a state council and five regional councils) and shares other LGBTQ-related resources.
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- Innovative Schools Learning Excursion: Next Generation Learning Challenges and the Barr Foundation invite teams of educators, parents, students, and community leaders to apply for the March 2020 Innovative Schools Learning Excursion to the Vista Unified School District in California. Applications are due Friday, January 24.
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- Selective Service: The U.S. Selective Service System and the U.S. Department of Education are reminding students that under the Military Selective Service Act, males ages 18-25 must register for potential military service.
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