6. Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinet Applications due June 15:
The deadline is fast approaching for applications for the 2020-2021 Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinet. As the 2020-21 school year approaches, DESE needs educators’ voices, ideas, and feedback more than ever to help navigate the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and leading, professional learning, and educator evaluation.
The Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinet is open to all educators who work with students across all grade levels and content areas, and DESE strongly encourages educators of color to apply as the agency works to center voices who have been historically marginalized in public education. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 15 at midnight. For more information, please go to the link above or email educatordevelopment@doe.mass.gov.
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7. Materials Evaluation and Selection Network:
Districts that are considering high-quality instructional materials as part of their long-term continuous learning and/or Student Opportunity Act plan are encouraged to join DESE’s 2020-21 Evaluating and Selecting High-Quality Instructional Materials for English Language Arts, Math, and Science Network. The network combines three in-person differentiated sessions with monthly personalized virtual support to guide district teams through a strong instructional materials selection process for ELA, math, and/or science in any K-12 grade span.
To apply, click here. To register for one of three information webinars that will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24; Wednesday, July 22; and Wednesday, August 19, click here. Anyone with questions about the network should email Woodly.Pierre-Louis@mass.gov about ELA, Ian.T.Stith@mass.gov about math, or Nicole.Scola@mass.gov about science.
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8. CTE Partnership Planning Grants:
The Department is pleased to announce the availability of federally funded, competitive Career and Technical Education (CTE) Partnership Planning Grants to help regional and local partnerships expand existing and/or develop new CTE programs and initiatives. This is the first of two cycles of planning grant funding available during the 2020-2021 school year. Recipients of planning funds will be eligible to apply for implementation grant funding for the 2021-22 school year. Grant materials and information are available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2021/405/, and proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.
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9. Retrieving Student Medications:
As a follow up to last week’s guidance on students and staff retrieving personal belongings from school buildings, please note that school nurses should only return unused medications (including epi-pens and inhalers) to parents or guardians, not to students themselves.
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10. Distinguished Educators Sought:
The Department recognizes distinguished teachers and principals throughout the Commonwealth through its Distinguished Educator Recognition Program. The Department may consider these educators for advisory boards, task forces, and special recognition programs.
This year, DESE is gathering information about distinguished kindergarten through fifth grade educators in Massachusetts, and the agency invites people to recommend distinguished, early- to mid-career elementary classroom teachers, specialists, and/or principals who have demonstrated effective practices that promote deeper learning, leadership beyond the classroom, contributions to education that are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight, and strong potential for professional and policy leadership. Please submit a recommendation by Wednesday, July 15.
Please direct any questions about the Distinguished Educator Recognition Program to educatorrecognition@doe.mass.edu.
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- Rebuilding community: The Rennie Center has released the second installment of its Back-to-School Blueprint series, this one focused on rebuilding school communities. The guide includes strategies schools can use to build positive staff culture, assess school climate, promote a sense of belonging, affirm student identity, and develop family partnerships.
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- Examples of career technical education remote learning: The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators has compiled a video highlighting strong remote learning practices in career technical education.
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