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IN THIS EDITION |
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ACTION ITEMS |
Recent events in the news including the verdict in the Philando Castile case and the release of the police dashcam video in that fatal shooting, along with the terroristic attacks in London and last week’s shooting of four people in Virginia, including U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise, can be traumatic and create an array of feelings in children and youth as well as adults. During the school year, principals and teachers often provide structured opportunities for students as well as adult staff members to discuss the events and share their feelings, which can include fear, anger, sadness, frustration and more. While a majority of students are on summer break, there is a strong need for children, youth and adults to discuss and process the events and to connect with others. Parents, family members, youth organization leaders, faith leaders and other adults can all lead efforts to have people come together and talk at this important and trying time. The challenge for adults in helping youth and other adults cope with events is that such happenings can also be frightening and sad for many adults. The School Safety Technical Assistance Center has suggestions on How to Talk About Traumatic Events and Tragedies.
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Legislation passed in 2015 makes submission of a district or charter school’s Read Well by Third Grade local literacy plan a prerequisite for receiving literacy incentive aid, as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 124D.98. This data and plan submission is due by July 1. As of Wednesday, June 21, 40 percent of Minnesota districts and charters had not entered the online data and plan submission, and another 25 percent had not finalized their submissions. Unless data and plan submissions are completed, these local education agencies will not be eligible for their 2017-18 literacy incentive aid.
Information for superintendents and charter school directors regarding the assignment of local personnel to complete this submission, and other useful information can be found in the announcement memorandum dated April 17, 2017. General information about this year’s submission can be found on the Read Well K-3 Data and Plan Upload page, along with a link into the submission application itself. There are step-by-step directions with screen shots to guide you through navigation of the web-based application, and there is an extensive frequently asked questions document that we would strongly recommend you read prior to completing your submission. They are both found on the upload page.
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New preschool funding was recently made available in the 2017 legislative session. All districts and charters are eligible to apply for this new one-time funding. This funding will be distributed among voluntary pre-K applications received in January and the new school readiness plus applications due July 1. Recent changes by the Legislature include awarding five additional points to applications that deliver programs through a mixed-delivery system. Due to this and other program revisions by the Legislature, districts and charter schools that submitted an application for voluntary pre-K in January are required to fill out the FY18 Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Supplemental Application Information form in order for their application to be considered complete. If you submitted an application in January for voluntary pre-K, you are still eligible to apply for school readiness plus.
For questions about voluntary pre-K or your application submitted in January, please email mde.vpk@state.mn.us. For questions about the new school readiness plus program, email mde.schoolreadinessplus@state.mn.us.
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Please read the memorandum from Greg Sogaard, Division of School Finance. Public school districts are reimbursed for expenditures incurred in providing pupils the instructional materials and pupil support services required when pupils are attending a nonpublic school (includes home schools), which are established and operating within the district's boundaries. Please forward this information to your district administrator for nonpublic pupil aids.
If you have any questions, please contact Greg Sogaard.
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If you are a regular Minnesota school district (not charter school or alternative learning center), please provide a brief update, required by Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03, on whether or not your district denied statewide enrollment options applications for enrollment during the 2016-17 school year. Complete and submit this information by using Survey Gizmo to MDE by July 15.
Email or call 651-582-8572 Cindy Jackson if you have questions about the statewide enrollment options program.
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The 2017 Superintendents’ Conference will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 8 and 9 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest (formerly the Northland Inn) in Brooklyn Park. More information and registration is on the Minnesota Association of School Administrators’ website.
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You are invited to participate in the monthly audio conference calls during the school year. It is intended that regular monthly dialogues with you will provide insight into hot topics, answer your questions and most importantly, to hear your ideas about how we can work together to help all students learn at their highest potential. Come ready with your questions, comments and ideas for sharing with your fellow superintendents.
The calls are normally scheduled for the third Wednesday of the month, however there are two exceptions indicated below. All calls are held 9:30-10:30 a.m. You will receive call-in instructions prior to each call.
Wednesday, September 20
Wednesday, October 18
Wednesday, November 8 *
Thursday, December 14 *
Wednesday, January 17
Wednesday, February 21
Wednesday, March 21
Wednesday, April 18
Wednesday, May 16
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
This two-day
series, presented by Timothy D. Kanold, PhD, is designed to help school and district leadership teams implement K-12
mathematics programs that sustain and improve the learning of each and every
student over time. Research-affirmed practices and protocols that can significantly improve student learning and teacher knowledge of mathematics are provided in the series.
Date: September
21, 2017 and February 8, 2018
Time: 8:30 – 4
p.m.
Location: Minnesota
Department of Education, Conference Center B, Room 15-16
Audience: Teams from schools or districts, administrators,
district curriculum leaders, teacher leaders, teachers, coaches
Sponsor: Minnesota Council of
Teachers of Mathematics (MTCM) and Academic Standards and Instructional
Effectiveness
View flyer and register
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What does fluency with basic facts actually mean, and how is fact fluency developed? During this session participants will explore meaningful activities and games designed to help children progress along a developmental trajectory towards lasting fact mastery. Sample alternative basic fact assessments, including video and written examples of students at work, will also be examined and discussed.
Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Time: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Hopkins High School
Audience: Teams from schools or districts, administrators, district curriculum leaders, teacher leaders, teachers, coaches
Sponsor: Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MTCM) and Academic Standards and Instructional Effectiveness
View flyer and register
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This webinar will provide additional information regarding this new Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) program. $4,125,478 is available for sub-grants to districts or consortia of districts for student support and academic enrichment grants.
Sub-grants provide support for three broad area:
- Providing students with a well-rounded education including but not limited to professional development, innovative instructional structures, and development of educational experiences;
- Supporting safe and healthy students including, but not limited to school mental health, drug and violence prevention, and health and physical education; and
- Supporting the effective use of technology for personalized learning opportunities.
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Location: Join this Webinar
Audience: District administrators, principals and community partners
Sponsor: MDE, Division of Academic Standards and Instructional Effectiveness
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ITEMS OF INTEREST |
The Minnesota Board of Teaching has taken the following licensure actions:
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Armstrong, Chris (FF# 496250) On June 16, 2017 the board adopted Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order denying the licensure application of Mr. Armstrong.
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Lanphear, Jessica (FF# 421456) On June 16, 2017 the board adopted Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order denying the licensure application of Ms. Lanphear.
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Larkin, Todd (FF# 341475) On June 16, 2017 the board adopted a Stipulation Agreement and Consent Order whereby Mr. Larkin’s teaching licenses are surrendered.
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Morris, Andrew (FF# 496294) On June 16, 2017 the board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order whereby Mr. Morris’s teaching license is subject to a stayed suspension with conditions and the pending case related to his application at the Office of Administrative Hearings is dismissed.
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Olmscheid, Jordan (FF# 480879) On June 16, 2017 The board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order whereby Mr. Olmscheid’s teaching license is suspending for one year and until he meets certain conditions.
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Smith, Mark (FF# 295397) On June 16, 2017 the board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order whereby Mr. Smith’s teaching license is subject to a stayed suspension.
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