The Wyoming Department of Education has updated its Back-to-School Toolkit for the 2019-20 school year. The toolkit provides basic information and updates about education in Wyoming which can be shared freely with staff, students, parents, and community members. New additions include a WY-ALT FAQ, cut score information for WY-TOPP and WY-ALT, and an update to PTSB teacher certification for computer science.

The 2019 Wyoming Education Snapshot will be added to the toolkit in September following release of assessment data.

October 1-2, 2019 at UW Gateway Center Laramie

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow will host the S5S Policy Summit beginning with a pre-conference September 30. This year’s theme is “Pursuing Excellence Together." Presentations cover topics in education law, state accreditation, and school improvement and support. 

PTSB and UW credit will be offered. The summit is open to all.

Applications due October 14, 2019

The United States Senate Youth Program provides a week-long educational experience for high school students interested in a career in public service.

Student delegates will spend a week in Washington, D.C. to hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, and participate in meetings with the president and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

All transportation, hotel, and meal expenses are provided. Each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. 

September 24-25, 2019 in Lander

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This workshop is for school leaders to reflect on their school’s policies and systems to craft a personal leadership action plan that promotes equitable educational opportunities for multilingual learners. Specific topics include policy, instructional leadership, and collaborative relationships between students, teachers, families and data teams that are necessary for multilingual learners to thrive. 

WIDA Presenter: Lori Hanna. WDE Facilitator: Antoinette Hallam, EL & Foreign Language Consultant.

Application deadline: August 31, 2019

The U.S. Census Bureau is offering teachers the opportunity to become a Statistics in Schools Ambassador. A free online training program offers Census Bureau data, tools, and classroom activities for students K-12 designed to help students use census data to develop critical research skills in a data-driven world.

Ambassadors will receive instructional content, support, recognition, networking opportunities, promotional items they can use and promote the Statistics in Schools program, and general 2020 Census awareness.

For more information, contact Stephanie Freeman at (307) 640-8975 or stephanie.freeman@2020census.gov. 

September 23-27, 2019

Take Your Parent to PE Week is a fun, immersive way to introduce parents to the physical education program and teachers at their child’s school. Toolkits are available for parents and schools. 

Registering your school as a Take Your Parent to PE Week participant enables your school to be eligible for prizes worth more than $40,000. 

Each year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee reaches 11 million students. When you enroll your school in the spelling bee program, your teachers receive materials for conducting classroom and school spelling bees, supplemental vocabulary and reading lists, and information about how school champions can continue on in further levels of competition.

School enrollment for the 2019-20 school year is now open. 

If you have new teachers in your school, feel free to forward this update to them.

News of upcoming professional development conferences, webinars and workshops are included, along with resources and materials to assist you in helping students meet the Wyoming's content and performance standards. Latest developments in the standards review process are also offered. Subscriptions are free.