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IN THIS EDITION |
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OF SPECIAL NOTE... |
Dear Superintendents and Charter Directors,
On Wednesday evening, the School Safety Technical Assistance Council—an advisory council to the Minnesota Department of Education—voted to approve the “Toolkit for Ensuring Safe and Supportive Schools for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students.”
The toolkit was first introduced as a draft in May and has undergone significant review and revision since that time, with discussion at several public meetings and opportunity for public comment. The final draft incorporates input from our department, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the council and its working groups, and members of the public.
Schools in Minnesota have been working through these issues for some time. In recent months and years, our School Safety Technical Assistance Center has received requests for technical assistance from schools across the state on issues relating to transgender and gender nonconforming students. We have been repeatedly asked to provide information and resources that schools may use to assist in developing their own policies and practices that meet the unique needs of their community.
This toolkit is a response to those requests and needs. It is important to understand that like many resources we provide, this toolkit is a collection of resources and best practices for school districts and charter schools to use if they choose. It does not serve as regulatory guidance, nor is it a mandate in statute or rule. While districts are required to follow state and federal law—which the toolkit does speak to—how districts choose to implement local policies to comply with the law is at the discretion of local school boards and administrators.
We need to continue working together to make sure that all students are able to thrive in the classroom. We believe this toolkit will help us move closer toward that goal. Too often, gender nonconforming and transgender students feel unsafe, bullied, or harassed in our schools, and I hope this resource can help districts and charter schools tackle issues of bullying and harassment and to set local policies on this issue.
The toolkit as adopted is posted on the School Safety Technical Assistance Council webpage (http://education.mn.gov/safeschools) and is available for your use. You will note there are descriptions of sidebars that still need to be laid out; a final designed version of the document will be available on the same page in the near future. As always, please reach out to the School Safety Technical Assistance Center with any questions at MDE.SSTAC@state.mn.us or call 651-582-8364.
Thank you for all that you do for students every day,
Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius
Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey
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PRESS RELEASE |
Saint Paul —July 14, 2017, Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith and the State Capitol Grand Opening Planning Committee announced the winners of the Minnesota State Capitol Essay contest. Nearly 300 Minnesota students in grades 3-12 submitted essays about what the State Capitol Building means to them, to our state's history, and to our shared future. The winners will share their essays at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the State Capitol Grand Opening Celebration, Friday, August 11.
Read press release.
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ACTION ITEMS |
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) levy reporting system is now open for entering FY17 actual expenses. Actual expenses must be entered for approved Career and Technical Education programs by September 15, 2017.
For step-by-step instructions, use the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Levy Web-Based Reporting System User’s Guide (July 2017) available on the Career and Technical Education Levy webpage.
For assistance with detailed questions about the CTE levy program system, email Joel Larsen or call 651-582-8395.
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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 date 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 7 * Please note change from 11/8 to 11/7 *
Thursday, December 14 *
Wednesday, January 17
Wednesday, February 21
Wednesday, March 21
Wednesday, April 18
Wednesday, May 16
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If you are a new superintendent or charter school director, or if you have not already done so, it is time to recertify your IOwA for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) External User Access Recertification System for FY18. The identified official with authority needs to be designated and reviewed annually in accordance with Minnesota State Access Control Security Standard 1.0.
Only the identified official with authority (e.g., superintendent, executive director, director, or board chair) is allowed to authorize access by local education agency users to MDE secure websites. For further information, including a frequently asked questions document and instructions for designating the IOwA, visit the External User Access Recertification webpage.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Pat Olsen at 651-582-8624, or email questions to mde.school-verify@state.mn.us.
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If your district or charter school will be welcoming a new superintendent or director, please note the following important information that will assist in the transition.
Each year, information regarding schools and districts is updated in the Minnesota Department of Education master database for organizations that validate sites for all major department reporting systems such as MARSS, STAR, UFARS, MMR, assessments, etc. It is important that a single point person be identified as the site verification coordinator for your district. This person has access to request and certify school configuration changes and update other essential contact information for all sites within the district through a secure website.
We ask that you review your district and school sites, as well as the district contacts which you can update for the FY18 school year. To ensure data collections, payments, and reports are correct, district and school site information and contacts for the FY18 school year must be reviewed and certified by August 31, 2017.
Please read the May 17 memorandum from Matthew Porett regarding the timeline and critical steps to maintaining accurate district and school site directory information, which is critical in correctly processing records for your district including students, staff, payments, and federal programs.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Pat Olsen at 651-582-8624 or email questions to mde.school-verify@state.mn.us.
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State Library Services announces two competitive initiatives. The Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant opportunity with $520,000 available for grants and the Early STEM Literacy in Libraries Mini grant opportunity, with $50,000 in funding. These initiatives are made possible with a federal award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, entitled “LSTA State Grants”, CFDA 45.310.
Eligible applicants are public libraries that meet the definition of public library in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.001, public school district or charter school libraries and tax exempt non-profit organizations willing to serve as fiscal agents to benefit legally established Minnesota public libraries. The anticipated grant periods are November 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018.
There is an informational webinar scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 1 p.m., Central Daylight Time. Refer to the grant opportunity site for the complete announcement and grant documents.
Applications must be submitted through email to Pamela Jones. Applications are due for both initiatives by September 15, 2017, 3:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time. For more information email Jennifer R. Nelson, State Library Services and Charter Center Director, or call 651-582-8791.
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ITEMS OF INTEREST |
Read the July 2017 memorandum: Program plan for e-Learning days. Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, school boards and charter schools may adopt a plan for utilizing e-Learning as instructional days for up to five days during the school year due to inclement weather. For assistance developing plans for e-Learning days, please email Jeff Plaman, the Online and Digital Learning Specialist, or call 651-582-8457.
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The Minnesota Board of Teaching has taken the following licensure actions:
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Geurink, Christopher (FF# 483068) On July 19, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order whereby Mr. Geurink’s teaching license is subject to a stayed suspension.
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Kinzer, James (FF# 356790) On July 19, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order whereby Ms. Kinzer’s teaching license is subject to a stayed suspension.
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Stieg, Brenda (FF# 473306) On July 19, 2017, the board adopted a stipulation agreement and consent order whereby Ms. Stieg’s teaching license is revoked.
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