MDE Weekly Superintendent Mail - 10-3-19

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Weekly Briefing for Superintendents and School Leaders

October 3, 2019

In this edition

PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Department of Education Recognizes Ten Minnesota Schools as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools

September 27, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Education recognized ten Minnesota schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019.

Read the full press release.

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ACTION ITEMS

Commissioners Ricker and Malcolm to host Statewide Call with Educators on Vaping

In response to new data released today on student vaping, Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm will host a statewide call Friday for school leaders to discuss combating student vaping.

E-cigarettes are the most commonly used commercial tobacco product among youth, so it is critical that public health officials and the general public understand the potential risks of using them. The Minnesota Department of Health has a variety of resources available for schools and parents to combat e-cigarettes and vaping.

According to the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, one in four Minnesota 11th-graders reported using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days. That represents a 54 percent increase from the 2016 survey, in which 17 percent of 11th-graders reported vaping. The jump among eighth-graders is even more significant, with nearly twice as many students (11 percent in 2019 compared to 5.7 percent in 2016) reporting using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days.

What: Commissioners Ricker and Malcolm host a statewide call with school staff about student vaping

When: Friday, October 4, 2019, at 9 a.m.

Call in Information: 877-219-9848, conference code: 4558156

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Safe Schools Supplemental Aid

Laws 2019, First Special Session, chapter 11, article 5, section 5, appropriated up to $30 million for one-time safe schools supplemental aid, contingent on the state’s fiscal year 2019 closing balance. Minnesota Management and Budget has informed us that the contingency has been met and the full $30 million is now available for payment.

All school districts and charter schools with adjusted average daily membership (ADM) for fiscal year (FY) 2018 will receive 2020 Safe Schools Supplemental Aid with their October 30, 2019, Integrated Department of Education Aids System (IDEAS) payment, equal to approximately $34.72 per FY18 adjusted ADM.

The FY20 Safe Schools Supplemental Aid should be recorded using either fund 01 general fund or fund 06 building construction fund. Record the revenue to finance code 342, safe schools levy, and source code 300, state aids received from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), for which a finance code is specified. The expenditures should be recorded using either fund 01 general fund or fund 06 building construction fund, finance code 342 safe schools levy and appropriate object codes. The revenue and expenditures should close to balance sheet code 449 restricted/reserved for safe schools levy.

The law requires the safe schools supplemental aid to be used as follows:

     (b) For a school district, safe schools supplemental aid must be reserved and used only for costs associated with safe schools activities authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.44.

     (c) For a charter school, safe schools supplemental aid must be reserved and used only for costs associated with safe schools activities authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.44, or building lease expenses not funded by charter school building lease aid that are attributable to facility security enhancements made by the landlord after March 1, 2019.

If you have questions, please contact Deb Meier (651-582-8656).

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Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Accepting Applications for Cohort 16

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework for helping schools to select and organize evidence-based behavioral interventions into an integrated continuum that enhances academic and social behavior outcomes for all students. In Minnesota, 37 percent of schools are implementing PBIS through the cohort training mode. When implemented with fidelity, schools see reductions in behavioral problems and suspensions and increases in the amount of time for academic engagement.

Every year, our PBIS State Leadership Team selects Minnesota schools that apply to take part in our two-year PBIS implementation training cohort. Our Regional Implementation Projects coordinate training and support implementation in the northern, southern and metro areas of our state.

We will select Minnesota school teams who apply to take part in our two-year Cohort 16 School-Wide PBIS Training (Summer 2020-Spring 2022) based on complete and accurate information provided in the application. A strong emphasis is placed on:

  • Evidence of data system that informs behavioral practice.
  • Administrative support and participation.
  • Demonstration of staff buy-in/informed commitment.
  • Capacity to participate in all required trainings and complete all PBIS assessment tools.

The summer, fall and spring training dates for all regions for both years are included in both the application and overview document. An overview of the Cohort 16 application is available for download on the PBIS Minnesota website.

Applications for Cohort 16 are due to Minnesota Department of Education by February 10, 2020. Only applications submitted electronically will be accepted for review.

Contact PBIS Minnesota if you have any questions about getting started.
 

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WORKSHOPS

Project North Star Training Module Workshop: October 22, 2019

This workshop introduces Project North Star training materials and resources for educators and administrators. Speakers Wendy Behrens and Cori Paulet will guide attendees on how the free training modules used in cohort or solo settings increases support for academic and social-emotional needs of underserved gifted populations. 

Registration is required. For registration assistance, email info@mcgt.net or call 952-848-4906.

Direct program questions to Wendy Behrens.  

Date: October 22, 2019

Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (registration 9:30 a.m.) 

Location: Minnesota Department of Education, Conference Center B, Room 15

Register for the Project North Star Training Module Workshop.

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Gifted Education Coordinator and Specialist Two-Day Workshop: October 23 and December 11, 2019

This two-day workshop is intended for gifted education coordinators and specialists, administrators, and others with responsibility for gifted services.

Join us as we take a close look at collaboration for services and strategies to reduce the excellence gap. Dr. Jane Kise and Dr. Scott Peters are presenters at the workshop. Presentations also include updates on legislation, funding and research. Participants will receive a copy of "Holistic Leadership: Thriving Schools" by Jane Kise, and "Excellence Gaps in Education," by Jonathan Plucker and Scott Peters.

Registration is required. For registration assistance, email info@mcgt.net or call 952-848-4906. Direct program questions to Wendy Behrens.

Time: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. (registration 8:30 a.m.)

Location: Minnesota Department of Education, Conference Center B, Room 15

Register for the Gifted Education Coordinator and Specialist Two Day Workshop.

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Physical Education 2019-20 Workshop Schedule Released

The Minnesota Department of Education, in partnership with MNSHAPE, is offering its second year of regional trainings across the state regarding the 2018 Minnesota Physical Education Standards. There will be two “catch-up” workshops offered for those teachers who were unable to attend the Year One workshops and 12 Year Two regional opportunities. The first year provided an introduction to the standards and initiated the curriculum review process. The second year workshops continue with curriculum design, with an emphasis on best practices in assessments and standards-based grading. Find more information, training dates and the registration process for the Physical Education Standards Workshop schedule.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2019-20 Math Leadership Opportunities

These meetings are designed for leaders to give and receive support; administrators and teacher leaders who are passionate about leading change in mathematics education for all students. Anyone who is in a department or team, school or district leadership position is encouraged to attend.

Sessions will focus on addressing equity issues in K-12 mathematics classrooms.

Smarter Together! Engaging All Students in Challenging Mathematics
Two-day Leadership Series
October 24, 2019, and February 18, 2020
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Conference Center B, Rooms 15-16
Learn more and register for the Two-Day Leadership Series

Minnesota Math Leaders Networking Meetings
November 26, 2019 – Equalizing Status by Fours in K-12 Classrooms
Learn more and register for the Minnesota Math Leaders Networking Meetings

March 19, 2020 – More information will be available soon on the MDE Mathematics webpage.

Meetings are sponsored by Minnesota Math Leaders and Minnesota Department of Education.

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