5. Health and Physical Education During COVID-19:
The Department has partnered with Lighthouse Wellness & Health Education Consulting to offer a series of webinars focused on supporting health and physical education teachers and administrators in delivering high quality instruction during COVID-19, whether in person, remote, or hybrid. Register here for the first session, “Utilizing Resources to Support Remote Instruction in Health and Physical Education,” which will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2. The session will feature Sean Nevills from SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America. The one-hour webinar will explore resources available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and SHAPE America to support educators in planning meaningful instructional experiences for students in health and physical education classes.
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6. InSPIRED Fellowship Application Now Open:
The Department is now accepting applications for the third cohort of InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity) Fellows. This opportunity is for current educators with close connections to their school communities and the ability to help current and prospective educational leaders understand the impact of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and multiracial educators on PreK-12 students. Fellows will receive a $2,000 stipend for successful completion of projects. To learn more or apply, visit the InSPIRED Fellows application by Monday, December 14. Please contact EducatorDevelopment@mass.gov with any questions.
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7. OPTIC Content Fellows Application Now Open:
The Department is convening a group of educators with expertise in culturally responsive practices to serve as OPTIC (Online Platform for Teaching and Informed Calibration) content fellows. The fellows will establish benchmark scores and create exemplars of written feedback for teaching videos on the OPTIC professional learning platform, a tool educators can use to calibrate perceptions of great teaching. As content experts and skilled practitioners in culturally responsive practice, OPTIC content fellows will provide Massachusetts educators with important reference points for ongoing reflection and discussion about great teaching. Content fellows will also support the development of a “what-to-look-for” tool focused on observable elements of culturally responsive, anti-racist teaching. Fellows will receive a $2,000 stipend for their work. More information and details on how to apply or nominate someone is available online. Applications are due by Monday, December 28. Please email EducatorDevelopment@mass.gov with any questions.
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8. BinaxNOW COVID-19 Testing:
The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced the distribution of the first round of Abbott BinaxNOW tests from the federal government that has been prioritized for use in K-12 schools providing in-person instruction. Phase 1 of this testing initiative will reach 134 public school districts, charter schools and special education schools across the Commonwealth. Guidance was released from DESE on Monday, November 16, and the tests are expected to be released by December 1.
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9. Guidance on Preventing and Addressing Hate and Bias Incidents:
Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office recently issued guidance to school officials about their legal obligations to prevent and address hate and bias incidents at their educational institutions. The AG’s Guidance on Schools’ Legal Obligations to Prevent and Address Hate and Bias Incidents, which was sent today to school superintendents, charter school leaders, and school administrators, describes how schools must respond to hate and bias incidents involving students and what proactive steps schools must take to prevent such incidents. It also highlights several best practices that schools should consider for preventing and responding to hate incidents. The AG’s Office is also offering a directory of relevant training and other resources.
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10. DESE Resource Corner:
Updated web pages for Strategic Initiatives and the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning: Two major centers in DESE, the Center for Strategic Initiatives and the Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning, now have their own section of the DESE website. The Center for Strategic Initiatives coordinates and partners with stakeholders to identify, design, pilot, and elevate strategies that advance educational equity for Massachusetts students - particularly those traditionally or currently underserved. The Kaleidoscope Collective is a pilot program created to nurture Deeper Learning in Massachusetts public schools.
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