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October 28, 2022
Updates in this email:
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has posted the 2021-22 Combined World’s Best Workforce Summary (WBWF) and Achievement and Integration (A&I) Progress Report. The summary and report are collected through the Alchemer survey tool. A Word template is available on the WBWF page of MDE’s website and can be used as a worksheet to gather the required information prior to submission using the survey tool.
This report fills two requirements:
- Under the WBWF legislation, districts and charter schools submit to MDE a short summary of their annual WBWF report.
- Districts that participate in the Achievement and Integration (A&I) program report progress toward their A&I goals.
All districts and charter schools should submit the report. Only districts that participate in the A&I program are required to complete the A&I portions. This report should be submitted by Dec. 15, 2022.
Please contact mde.worldsbestworkforce@state.mn.us with any questions or issues.
Millions of eligible families may easily claim the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) until Nov. 15, 2022. Eligible families can claim the CTC at GetCTC.org/mn.
Many families may not know that they are eligible for the CTC or that they can still claim it using a simplified filing tool. Families can also use the simplified tool to file their tax return if they have not yet received the third stimulus check. The simplified tool GetCTC.org/mn is for families who do not have a 2021 filing requirement – typically this means their income is below $12,550 if filing single, or $25,100 if filing married. The traditional filing method is still available until 2025. The November 15 deadline is for those interested in using the electronic portal.
MDE is encouraging school districts to do additional outreach to families to ensure that every family who is eligible, and hasn’t yet received the expanded CTC, will receive it. Outreach materials are available here in 11 languages, including flyers, template emails, texts and robo calls.
Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesotans can schedule appointments for children ages 5-11 to receive an updated bivalent booster at state-run vaccination sites. The announcement follows updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that expanded the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 years to protect them against newer Omicron variants.
Minnesota health care providers are ready to administer new COVID-19 booster shots for ages 5 and older that have been formulated to be more effective against the Omicron variants. Attached you will find high-level talking points on the Bivalent vaccine.
The Pfizer bivalent booster is now available for people 5 and older and the Moderna bivalent vaccine is now available for people 6 and older.Both products can be given as soon as two months after a primary vaccine series or booster vaccination. Children 5-11 receive a smaller dose than people age 12 and older. The bivalent vaccines are only recommended for use as a booster.
The updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination and provide broader protection against newer variants. The COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster are safe and help protect people from getting very sick with COVID-19. Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you should get vaccinated.
State-Run Vaccination Sites
Vaccination will start this week at the state-run vaccination sites at Mall of America, Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Paul. Parents can start making appointments now.
All state-run vaccination sites will offer the Pfizer bivalent boosters. Appointments are recommended but walk ins will be accepted.
Where to get a bivalent booster
- There are several options for where to get a bivalent booster.
- Check with your regular health care provider or local pharmacy to see if appointments are available.
- Minnesotans can make appointments at the state-run vaccination sites now: State Run Sites
- Use the state’s Find Vaccine Locations map to find vaccine providers near you—providers will update their information as appointments are available.
- Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
- Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at other community locations around Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) created the Scholars of Distinction program to recognize academic and intellectual accomplishments by talented Minnesota students that happen both in school and out of school. This program celebrates the collaboration among students and educators, as well as family and community members, that promote ongoing inquiry and the quest for new learning and new understanding of the world around us. Through a Scholars of Distinction project, students exercise their creativity, stretch what they have learned, and challenge themselves. Most importantly, their projects represent an area of focus that they are passionate about.
To earn this recognition, students must complete required work in the Minnesota Academic Standards, demonstrate mastery of complex subject matter and apply their knowledge to challenging projects. Students eligible for award consideration in mathematics, science, social studies, or STEM may be enrolled in grades 11-12 at a public or private school; homeschooled in grades 11-12, or enrolled in a Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.
Students interested in the award must complete the Intent to Apply form by Nov. 1.
For further information, visit the Scholars of Distinction webpage.
MCCC data for the 2021-22 school year must be reported by Friday December 9, 2022. Data is collected for course subject areas by grade levels:
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Early Education includes School Readiness (SR), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).
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K-8 includes English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, World Languages, Physical Education and Health.
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9-12 includes all courses.
When assigning staff to complete MCCC reporting, consider the following:
- MCCC reporting does not have to be completed by a single person.
- The staff assigned should have a strong understanding of course content and how courses are taught.
- Staff should have access to course scheduling and student grading in the student information system.
The document Minnesota Common Course Catalogue (MCCC) Program Guide provides an overview of MCCC data reporting. If you have questions, contact Karen Millette.
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The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services are thrilled to announce the 2022 School Behavioral Health Conference will be back in person at Cragun’s Conference Center in Brainerd from Nov. 2 through Nov. 4. This year’s theme is Reshaping through Resiliency: School-Based Behavioral Health in Minnesota. This conference seeks to offer attendees purposeful tools and techniques to implement and produce a positive impact on behavioral health and mental wellness. Attendees include schools, community behavioral health providers, advocates, parents, consumers, policy makers, Tribal Nation representatives and state government employees. To register, please go to Minnesota Department of Education, Health & Human Services School Behavioral Health Conference Nov. 2-4, 2022 - Formstack
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