Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Welcome to the first installment of ConnectEd Bulletin Board!
This is the place to find opportunities for further professional development, grant and awards opportunities, and much more!
Training Materials for Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect (Updated August 2023)
All school employees are listed as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect in statute, Wis. Stat. § 48.981(2). When a concern arises, if school staff are unsure whether they have reasonable cause to suspect child maltreatment, they must gather enough information to make this determination. Please expect this training to require approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours to complete. This training includes important information for keeping kids safe and helping school staff understand their responsibilities as mandated reporters. Each user will navigate through the content at their own pace. Click here to jump directly to the online training for all school staff.
Nominate an Outstanding WI Mathematics or Science Teacher Today!
Calling all elementary teachers who love math or science! The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for mathematics or science teaching. The award recognizes those teachers who use their deep content knowledge and pedagogical skills to support and leverage students’ strengths to be successful in learning mathematics or science. Nominations are now open for the K-6 cycle of these awards with applications due in February 2024. Learn more about this White House-sponsored award, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) by visiting the PAEMST web site. Mentors and other supports are available for Wisconsin applicants. Have questions? Contact Julie Bormett for math or Kevin Anderson for science!
Design a Civics Game for Fun and Prizes!
The Library of Congress is sponsoring a challenge to help improve public knowledge of civics – that is, the rights and responsibilities of citizens - by asking video game developers to create fun, lightweight video games related to civics that incorporate Library of Congress resources. The Library will award cash prizes to the winners and the games will be hosted on the Library's site for use by the public. The deadline for entries is 11/27/23. You can find details on the rules and information on how to enter by clicking on this link.
News from Around the State
Tri-County Elementary Teacher receives National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award
Jessica Rettler, a teacher from Tri-County Elementary, was recognized June 28 as a 2023 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award recipient during the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. Rettler is one of seven teachers recognized for the innovative ways they use agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies, STEM, STEAM and more.l
Grateful for Another Chance: Incarcerated Students Complete NWTC Industrial Maintenance Course
The 15-week Industrial Maintenance Certificate program for incarcerated students is a collaboration between NWTC and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Each summer for the past four years, a cohort of around a dozen inmates at Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center, a minimum-security all-male prison in Oneida, have been accepted as students in the program. It was an intensive program, with students completing 15 credits in 15 weeks.