Commissioner's Weekly Update 11 9 18 - LOOK Act, Rethinking Discipline, Early Learning Network

A message from the
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education

November 9, 2018

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News from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Webinars on LOOK Act Opportunities
Picture of the Week: Phoenix Charter School Lawrence
Rethinking Discipline Convening
Winter Early Learning Network Meetings
Nominations Open for Teacher Recognition Programs
Upcoming Deadlines: FY18 Charter School End of Year Financial Report
For Your Information:
- Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools

1. Webinars on LOOK Act Opportunities:

The Language Opportunity for Our Kids (LOOK) Act creates a new opportunity for districts to consider the programmatic needs of English learners. The Department is excited to support districts in developing and implementing new English learner education programs.

The Office of Language Acquisition will host webinars on Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, December 11 to provide guidance and instruction regarding the submission of proposed English learner education programs. The webinars will also provide information about competitive grants that can help fund the design of new programs, including bilingual programs. Any district that is planning to propose a new English learner education program is encouraged to participate in one of the webinars. Registration is open at http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=9921, and a quick reference guide clarifying the process and forms for any submission is available online.

Picture of the Week:

On October 19, 2018, Secretary Peyser and Deputy Commissioner Wulfson presented students from Phoenix Charter School Lawrence with a ceremonial charter for their new school. Michael Caban, the school’s community engagement and recruitment specialist, accompanied them. The presentation was part of a ceremony at Devens in which 17 other charter schools received renewed charters.

3. Rethinking Discipline Convening:

The Department’s Rethinking Discipline Initiative has continued its partnership with Engaging Schools to host in-person convenings about restorative and equitable approaches to discipline. Although the convenings are designed for schools and districts that are part of the Rethinking Discipline Initiative, there are a limited number of additional slots available for the second convening of the school year, “Building a Restorative Culture and Implementing a Restorative Conferencing Continuum,” which will run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30 at Devens. The deadline to register is Monday, November 26. Email Stacy Cabral at Stacy.Cabral@doe.mass.edu for a detailed description of the event, information about availability, and registration details.

4. Winter Early Learning Network Meetings:

The Department’s Early Learning Team and teams from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) will host three regional networking opportunities in December. Teams that include a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement coordinator, Head Start representative, community-based early education and care representative, and public school early childhood coordinator and/or special education coordinator are invited to attend. The meetings will run from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on: Wednesday, December 5 in the Northeast region (EEC Office, Lawrence), Friday, December 7 in the Southeast region (Kuss Middle School, Fall River), and Thursday, December 13 in the Central region (new EEC Office, 324-R Clark St., Worcester). More information and registration are available online. Anyone with questions can contact a member of the Early Learning Team at 781-338-3010 or achievement@doe.mass.edu.

5. Nominations Open for Teacher Recognition Programs:

Two teacher recognition programs are currently accepting nominations: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is accepting nominations for state history teacher of the year through March 31, 2019, and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is accepting nominations through March 1, 2019. This year, PAEMST will honor science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teachers serving students in grades 7-12. For more information about these and other recognition programs in which DESE participates, email Claire Smithney.

6. Upcoming Deadline: FY18 Charter School End of Year Financial Report

Charter schools must file their FY18 end of year financial report by November 21. More information is available online.

7. For your info:

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools: Unified Champion Schools promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on Special Olympics Unified Sports teams and in inclusive youth leadership opportunities. At its core, the program is about unifying all students— with and without disabilities—using sports as a catalyst for social inclusion and attitude and behavioral change. The Unified strategy works to reduce bullying and exclusion, promote healthy activities and interactions, overturn stereotypes and negative attitudes, eliminate hurtful language in schools and communities, and engage young people as leaders of a new, positive social movement. Schools or districts that are interested in the program can email patti.doherty@specialolympicsma.org for more information.

Copyright © 2018 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, All rights reserved.

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