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May 28, 2021
Updates in this email:
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 was enacted into law which includes $1.3 billion for E-12 education in Minnesota to help schools returning to, and maintaining, safe in-person learning for all students. Per the federal law, 90% of these funds have been allocated to eligible districts and charter schools. Another 9.5% of these funds are for flexible use by each state education agency to create a plan to meet the needs of students. As a result, MDE is asking for feedback and input on how the 9.5% could be used. A form is being used to collect feedback in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. Additional information is also available in Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish. Feedback in Karen can be emailed to mde.federalcovidfunds@state.mn.us. The public comment period ends on June 1.
Please note, this public comment does not apply to the ARP's State Fiscal Recovery Fund. Those funds are separate from Minnesota’s $1.3 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds under the ARP.
In response to a number of requests, MDE has put together a one-page flow chart that shows all of the various federal relief funds that have come to the State of Minnesota for Education. It includes a breakdown of the priorities for each of the funds and some FINCODE information for your reference.
This flow chart can be found on the Federal Relief Funds webpage.
If you have questions, please contact mde.federalCOVIDfunds@state.mn.us.
The State of Minnesota has created two videos for high schools to share with their students and families during their graduation ceremonies or online. Watch Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan’s message for the Class of 2021. Watch Education Commissioner Heather Mueller’s message for the Class of 2021.
MDE will share both videos on social media next week. Schools are invited to re-share those posts and use #mngraduates in your social media posts around graduation.
Restorative Practices Online Trainings, June 14-25, 2021, Scholarships Available
A limited number of scholarships for the Restorative Practices Online Sessions and Trainings, June 2021 are now available. People who work in schools, including teachers of color, educational aids, Indigenous educators, maintenance and nutrition staff, post-secondary students, and VISTA and Promise Fellows are eligible. For more information, contact one of the following Restorative Practices Community Partners:
- In the Cloquet/Duluth/Iron Range area, contact Laraine Mickelson, 218-390-1707.
- In the Bemidji area, contact Barb Houg, 218-444-8048 or 218-766-0645.
- In the Twin Cities metro area, contact Christopher Mendez, 612-554-7778.
- Across the state, contact Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist, at 651-582-8433.
There is still space available in the Circle Trainings, Circle to Teach, Restorative Chats and Restorative Practices and Special Needs. CEU’s and administrative CEU’s are offered.
RP Online Training Descriptions and Frequently Asked Questions about RP Online can be found on the Restorative Practices website. For further information, contact Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist, at 651-582-8433.
Reimagining Mandated Reporting
As a part of the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) ongoing efforts under the Olmstead Plan to prevent abuse and neglect, the Division of Assistance and Compliance is hosting a half-day workshop for school administrators. Miriam Itzkowitz, MSW & Katie Olson, J.D., from the Institute to Transform Child Protection at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, will present on the legal obligations of mandated reporters and what the “reasonable belief” requirement of reporting means in practice. It will provide attendees with practical tools, such as decision-making models, to implement into their daily work with families, and ask reporters to consider consequences beyond the reporting call. Attendees will gain an understanding of the racial complexities associated with reporting and the child welfare system, why they matter, and how to incorporate them into their reporting decisions. Training is provided at no cost to you. Board of School Administrator (BOSA) credits will be available.
Friday, June 18
8:30 a.m.-noon
WebEx: Register for the Friday, June 18 session
For more information about the session, please contact Monica Rasmussen at 651-582-8568.
Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network
The Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) School Climate Center invites district teams to apply to participate in this Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN) during the 2021-22 school year. A CoIIN is a learning community of multidisciplinary teams working together to address a specific, complex challenge. In this CoIIN, participating teams will work together to advance the quality of their Comprehensive Schools Mental Health systems (CSMHS). CSMHS provide a full array of tiered supports and services that promote positive school climate, social and emotional learning, and mental health and well-being, while reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness and substance use. Effective CSMHS contribute to improved student and school outcomes, including greater academic success, reduced exclusionary discipline practices, improved school climate and safety, and enhanced student social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Approximately fifteen (15) districts will be chosen to participate in this CoIIN. Learn more about CSMHS CoIIN. To apply, please complete this online application by June 11, 2021. For more information please contact Lisa Hoogheem at 651-582-8704 or Lisa.Hoogheem@state.mn.
Transforming Learning Summit
This past year brought with it massive challenges and changes to education as we know it. Which has us wondering, post-pandemic, how can we seize this opportunity to make lasting, transformational change for the better? This is why we want to inform you of the virtual Transforming Learning Summit, being held August 11-12, 2021.
This two-day summit will bring together hundreds of leaders and professionals from across the spectrum of K-12 educational settings and functions, along with their private, public and civic sector partners to advance learning and share best practices.
Take a journey with fellow educators down six pathways covering:
- Equity in Educational Practices
- Human Element of Assessment
- Student Centered Learning
- Mental Health (Student and Educator)
- Building a Culture of Learning
- Using Technology to Transform Learning
Sessions include:
- Keynote: Michael Bonner - Improving Performance Through Metacognition
- Keynote: Mandy Froehlich - Developing Core Beliefs: How to tether yourself to education
- Developing Equity Consciousness Through Storytelling, Regina Seabrook
- Creating an Award Winning Culture, Hans Appel
- Teaching with Sustainable Development Goals, Mallory Tuominen
- And Many More!
You are bound to leave with strategies and inspiration to fuel your passion for education!
Learn more and register now!
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