April 19, 2016
In this edition:
- District Input on Proposed 2016 WY Science Standards
- Public Input and Hearings on Revised Standards
- Free PBS Content
- Information Power - Summer Institute for School Librarians
- Celebrate the West High School Art Competition
- Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) District Coaching Opportunity
- International Literacy Association (ILA) Conference
- Two Free Summer Learning Opportunities for Wyoming Students
- Wyoming Geographic Alliance Summer Institute
Survey closes May 11th at 11:59 pm
The State Board of Education has charged the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) with creating Implementation, Communication, and Professional Development Plans for the proposed science standards. The WDE is seeking district input to design these plans and is asking Wyoming educators to review the Proposed Science Standards and provide feedback on a Needs Survey. The survey should only take 15-20 minutes following your review of the standards.
Recommended changes to K-1 ELA Extended Standards
Survey closes May 10th at 11:59 pm
The Wyoming State Board of Education has requested public input on the recommended changes to the K-1 English Language Arts (ELA) Extended Standards.
Recommended Changes to K-1 ELA Extended Standards
Proposed 2016 Wyoming Science Standards
Survey closes May 10th at 11:59 pm
The Wyoming State Board of Education has requested public input on the proposed 2016 Wyoming Science Content and Performance Standards.
Proposed 2016 Wyoming Science Standards
Public input can also be given at regional meetings, which will take place across the state. At each meeting, WDE staff will give a presentation on the proposed standards revisions, be available to answer questions, and collect public input. The State Board will then review the input before making any decisions on whether or not to adopt the standards.
 WyomingPBS is pleased to announce they will provide one DVD of any local production at no charge to an educational, government, or non-profit organization. For a list of local programs, go to www.wyomingpbs.org and search under the “Local Programs” tab at the top of the page. If you would like to request more than ten copies, please contact Lee Haines at the WyomingPBS Foundation directly at 307-857-0200. All requests must be made in writing on the organization’s letterhead and submitted to: Lee Haines, WyomingPBS Foundation, 115 N. 5th East, Riverton, WY 82501.
You may email your request by attaching your written request (on letterhead) and send it to leeh@wyoptv.org.
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 August 1-3 in Casper, WY
Information Power is an annual institute for Wyoming school librarians. Some topics for this year include integrating Makerspace into a school library, show-and-tell with 3D printer demo, Mackin e-books with Bobbi Craig, Database and E-zine Update with Chris Van Burgh and Desiree Saunders, and Group Brain with Paige Bredenkamp, WSL school library consultant. PTSB and UW credits are available.
To register, click here and scroll to upcoming events in the lower left corner of the homepage.
Entries due by April 30th
There is still time for students to enter “Celebrate the West,” a regional art competition that challenges high school students to create works inspired by their state. Entrants from WGA member states will create original two-dimensional artwork inspired by their state or informed by living in the West. Students may draw ideas from a variety of sources, including state history, landmarks, natural resources, National Parks and Monuments, people, communities, and culture. Students must submit entries by April 30, 2016. WGA staff will select “Finalists” from states and flag islands, as well as a Grand Prize winner and Second Place. The Grand Prize award is $1,000 with $500 to the Second Place finisher, and $200 to each state finalist.
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 Applications due by April 22nd
Through the State Personnel Development Grant’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), the WDE will provide professional development and technical assistance to identified districts and their coaches. The MTSS is a support system that includes evidence-based instruction, universal screening, progress monitoring, formative assessments, research-based interventions matched to student’s needs, and educational decision-making using student outcome data. School districts that are implementing an MTSS with rigor and fidelity are experiencing positive outcomes, such as gains in reading and math assessment scores for all students, decreases in inappropriate referrals to special education, a decrease in suspensions and expulsions, improved collaboration between general and special education, and corresponding cost benefits.
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July 9th-11th in Boston, MA
Early Bird Registration ends April 18th
Join thousands of education professionals at the International Literacy Association (ILA) 2016 Conference & Exhibits on July 9–11 in Boston. The conference will feature a combination of practical, research-based sessions, engaging events, informative exhibits, and renowned speakers.
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 1 - Find a Book, Wyoming
2 - Summer Math Challenge June 20th - July 29th
In partnership with MetaMetrics, the WDE is combatting the effects of summer learning loss with two new free summer learning initiatives: Find a Book, Wyoming and The Summer Math Challenge. Both learning tools use measures that are reported on the Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS).
Find a Book, Wyoming enables students, educators, and parents to build custom reading lists based on their reading ability (such as Lexile® measure) and personal interests. The tool also enables students, parents, and educators to check the availability of books at their local library, and to submit a pledge to read this summer.
The Summer Math Challenge is a math skills maintenance program based on grade-level state standards. The program is geared toward students who have just completed 1st through 7th grade and is designed to help them retain math skills learned during the previous school year. Parents who enroll their child receive daily emails with targeted activities and resources.
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 Workshops in Laramie June 27th-29th
Wyoming educators have a remarkable opportunity for continuing education this summer. UW's 2016 Summer Institute will feature several options, including Teaching with Primary Sources, Geographic Information Science in the Classroom, Story Maps, The Giant Map of Wyoming, and The Wyoming Student Atlas Project. Participants receive meals, parking, a stipend for lodging expenses, and great classroom and curriculum resources, as well as continuing education and graduate credit.
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