4. LearnLaunch Workshops:
LearnLaunch is excited to announce its upcoming 90-minute, highly interactive workshops to support Massachusetts administrators and school leaders with critical steps for equitable learning in remote and hybrid models. In the coming weeks, the workshops will focus on social emotional well-being, building relationships, and digital engagement.
- Cultivating a Culture of Caring will guide educators through strategies for building a strong culture of caring in remote, hybrid, or in-person models. Participants will explore strategies and resources that cut across the 10 Building Blocks, with an emphasis on cultivating 1:1 relationships, communication, and building community. These will be held on at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12; Thursday, January 14; and Tuesday, January 19. Register here and explore the Engage Learners Building Block tool.
- Relationship Mapping to Support Social Emotional Well-Being will guide district and school leaders through the process of relationship mapping. A positive, stable relationship with a caring adult (whether a teacher, administrator, coach, or staff member) has proven benefits for students’ social emotional, personal, and academic well-being. These will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20; Monday, January 25; and Thursday, January 28. Register here and explore the Include Social-Emotional Learning Building Block tool.
- Beyond Screens: Using Zoom to Deepen Engagement will guide district leaders, school leaders, and secondary school teachers through actionable tips and strategies for using Zoom to deepen engagement in remote, hybrid, and in-person instructional settings. These will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21; Friday, January 22; and Tuesday, January 26. Register here and explore the Engage Learners Building Block tool.
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5. Professional Learning through Kaleidoscope:
The Department’s Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning is pleased to announce a professional learning opportunity, Engaging Students as Complex Thinkers, from 3:45-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14. In this session, teachers will explore practices that ask students to apply disciplinary thinking and skills, such as those of scientists, mathematicians, sociologists, writers, and researchers, to real-world problems in ways that build student engagement in remote, hybrid, and in-person learning. Educators will have time to collaborate with colleagues from across the Commonwealth to strategize ways to apply these practices and mindsets in their own virtual or in-person classrooms. Please register online.
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6. Student Learning Time Dashboard:
The Department recently posted the learning time survey results as a Student Learning Time Dashboard. The data was collected for the weeks of November 2 and 9 and is based on the learning model that districts were in at that time, either in-person, hybrid, or fully remote. Some districts may have changed their model since November. The data posted on the dashboard represents a snapshot of that specific point in time for grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. It is important to note that the data collection predated the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s vote on December 15 to adopt emergency regulations on student learning time (download) with respect to hybrid and remote learning models. Those regulations take effect on Tuesday, January 19, at which point districts are required to be in compliance or have received a waiver from DESE.
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7. Announcing GLEAM Collaboration and Preparation:
Eligible local education agencies (LEAs) that intend to submit proposals for a Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) grant are encouraged to apply for the GLEAM: Collaboration and Preparation grant. The collaboration and preparation grant is designed to pay for the staff time needed to develop detailed and thoughtful GLEAM grant proposals. Proposals for the collaboration and preparation grant must be received at DESE by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21.
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8. Share-a-Thon on Discourse Strategies:
The January Share-a-Thon on Tuesday, January 26 is an opportunity for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas to learn and share strategies, resources, and best practices for remote and hybrid instruction with a particular focus on helping students engage deeply with each other around content. Feel free to join for either or both sessions offered.
- 3:00-4:00 p.m. Share-a-Thon: Participants will have the chance to experience discourse from a student perspective in the classrooms of two featured teachers from different content areas. Participants will also be able to join content-alike colleagues for a broader discussion of strategies. Teachers are encouraged to come ready to share resources and ideas for engaging students with discourse strategies!
- 4:00-4:30 p.m. Bonus Session: The Department’s educator effectiveness team will highlight the adapted student feedback surveys (now available in five additional languages) to help elevate student voice in understanding teaching and learning this year. The team will also facilitate a discussion among participants about other ways participants are soliciting input from students on their learning environments.
Registration is open online, and anyone with questions can email Jenn Sauriol.
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9. Early Literacy Screening Assessment Grant:
The Department invites schools serving students in grades K-2 to apply for funding to purchase an approved early literacy screening assessment. These valid, reliable early literacy screening assessments help educators understand students’ literacy needs and inform instructional decisions. Grant funding is available to fully fund the purchase of the assessment, as well as training and support for teachers. Grant proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28. Details are available at https://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2021/576/.
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10. Flu Vaccine Deadline:
The state Department of Public Health has extended the deadline for students to receive an influenza vaccine to Sunday, February 28. An updated FAQ is available for download and will soon be available in additional languages. An updated list of immunizations required for school entry is available for download. Updated information call also be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations.
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11. Teacher of the Year Nominations and Applications Open:
The nomination and application forms for the 2022 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year are now open. Each year, the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year program honors a Massachusetts teacher who exemplifies excellent teaching in the Commonwealth. Information on the process and criteria are at the link above. This year, DESE is giving preference to applications from elementary teachers and specialists, but all are welcome to apply. More information is available online. Applications are due Monday, March 22.
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