5. Early Literacy Opportunity:
The Department is excited to host a special webinar series featuring nationally-recognized voices on early literacy, including Emily Hanford, award-winning senior education correspondent for American Public Media. Dates and focus topics are:
- Thursday, January 7 - Early Literacy Screening with Dr. Nadine Gaab
- Wednesday, January 13 - Equity in Early Literacy with Emily Hanford
- Wednesday, January 27 - Early Literacy for Bilingual Students with Dr. Mariela Páez
- Tuesday, February 9 - Language Development with Dr. Sonia Cabell
The series is chance to learn more about the research and evidence-based practices featured in the Mass Literacy Guide. Register here to attend one or more sessions.
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6. DESE Resource Corner:
Leveraging Student Teachers to Support Flexible Staffing Models: The Center for Instructional Support has released important guidance on Leveraging Student Teachers to Support Flexible Staffing Models. This resource is designed to help districts work with local union partners and educator preparation programs to explore flexible staffing models that can benefit students, student teachers, and educators, including:
- Flexible staffing models for hybrid and remote learning,
- Differentiated roles for student teachers,
- Sample schedules, and
- Regulatory flexibilities for creative staffing.
The Department is encouraging schools and districts to see teacher preparation candidates as essential to instructional models this year. Not only will this be critical to preventing teacher shortages in the future, but teacher candidates can also be a key component of supporting teachers and students this year, whether in-person, remote, or in combination. District and school administrators with questions related to flexible staffing models and related flexibilities can email educatordevelopment@mass.gov.
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7. MassHealth School-Based Medicaid Program:
The MassHealth School-Based Medicaid Program has a one-page list of the top five things for schools to know for the 2020-2021 school year. The list addresses concerns brought forward during two trainings last winter and can serve as a quick reference.
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8. Skills Capital Grants:
The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced $11.7 million in Skills Capital Grants awarded to 47 educational institutions across the Commonwealth to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education. Several recipients will be able to expand their after-school and evening vocational programs for young people and adults. Congratulations to all of the grant recipients!
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- National Christmas Tree Display: Students from 56 schools across the country, including students from All Saints Academy in Webster, designed ornaments for the 2020 National Christmas Tree display.
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