The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Accountability and Assistance Advisory Council (AAAC) will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 8 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough. Topics for discussion include district plans and target-setting related to the Student Opportunity Act and general updates related to 2020 reporting.
Additionally, DESE is seeking nominations to fill one vacant at-large seat on the council. The 15-member council advises the Board on matters pertaining to the development and implementation of the Commonwealth’s district and school accountability and assistance system. The council includes eight at-large members with a demonstrated record of achievement or academic expertise in an education-related field, one business/industry person with a proven commitment to education, and six members nominated by specific entities. The Department encourages diverse candidates to apply. Individuals who are interested in serving on the council should send their résumé to Erica Gonzales, AAAC liaison, at egonzales@doe.mass.edu by Friday, January 24.
Picture of the Week:
Many thanks to the Boston Celtics for helping us celebrate 2019 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Jamil Siddiqui from East Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School! In addition to featuring Mr. Siddiqui on the jumbotron, the team supplied three tickets to the December 27 game in which the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 129-117.
3. Supporting Adult Social-Emotional Learning and Well-Being:
The Department will convene the next meeting of the statewide District Leaders Network for School Climate, Student Support, and Family Engagement from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 22 in the La Maison Francaise building at Assumption College, 500 Salisbury St., Worcester.
The meeting will focus on the critical topic of adult social-emotional learning and well-being and strategies for supporting educators. Presenters will include Principal Aimee Bronhard from the Henry Lord K-8 School in Fall River and Sara Burd, director of school counseling and social emotional learning for the Arlington Public Schools. Participants will:
Discuss how to lead and change mindsets around adult culture in schools, focusing on both high expectations and providing necessary supports for adults. How can leaders proactively create conditions and supports to foster positive adult social-emotional learning, both for adult well-being and to support student social-emotional learning? Learn some real strategies that have worked!
Engage in research and experience strategies that can be used to support well-being, reflection and adult social-emotional learning.
Discuss challenges and strategies with colleagues regarding district and school practices to support adult social-emotional learning and well-being.
The Department recommends this networking event for both district- and school-level leadership. Participants are asked to please register in advance. Anyone with questions can email Andrea Ricotta at andrea.ricotta@doe.mass.edu.
4. School-Based Medicaid Program Trainings:
MassHealth/UMass Medical School will offer School-Based Medicaid Program (SBMP) trainings in February for district stakeholders and primary SBMP contacts, including special education administrators, clinical leadership (e.g. nurse leaders and other lead service providers), and Medicaid point-people. Discussion topics will likely include but not be limited to: Medicaid/education language clarification, diagnostic codes, authorization and documentation, and Medicaid program compliance monitoring.
The regional trainings (they will be identical, so please pick one) will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with continental breakfast and lunch provided. Participants are asked to register online for their preferred session by Friday, January 31. Up to three people per district can register, but each should register individually. The trainings will be offered:
Tuesday, February 11 (snow date TBD): Somerville Holiday Inn, 30 Washington St., Somerville;
Wednesday, February 12 (snow date March 4): Chicopee Castle of Knights, 1559 Memorial Drive, Chicopee;
Tuesday, February 25 (snow date March 5): Taunton Holiday Inn, 700 Myles Standish Blvd., Taunton; and
Thursday, February 27 (snow date March 11): Marlborough Best Western Royal Plaza, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough.
Superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, and charter school leaders will receive the update automatically. For others wishing to receive this update, please subscribe
