Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Welcome to the ConnectEd Bulletin Board!
This is the place to find opportunities for further professional development, grant and awards opportunities, and much more!
Quick Navigation Links
Take the DPI Strategic Planning Survey and Attend a Community Engagement Session!
New DPI STEM Profiles Website
WI 21st CCLC 2024-25 Grant Applications Are Now Available!
Better FAFSA Form for 2024-25 Coming Soon
Educational Equity Network Leadership Series
Nominate an Outstanding WI Mathematics or Science Teacher Today!
Public Library Director Position Open in Madison, Wisconsin
News from Around the State
Take the DPI's Strategic Planning Survey and Attend a Community Engagement Session!
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is engaged in the creation of a five-year strategic plan. The Strategic Plan aims to align the work of the agency and the needs of all learners in our schools and libraries. Our strategic planning process features three phases culminating in a strategic plan in fall 2024.
Take the DPI Strategic Planning survey now!
Attend a Strategic Planning Community Engagement Session
Learn more about the DPI's Strategic Planning Process
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New DPI STEM Profiles Website
Schools are using a new STEM Self-Reflection Tool, developed by DPI Science Guy Kevin Anderson and STEM experts from across the agency, to create profiles of school STEM stories, including:
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Watertown - including Lincoln STEM Elementary School and
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Riverside STEM Academy
Beloit - shares the story of STEM programming, including materials adoption, from an administrative perspective.
- Chippewa Falls High School - shares a the high school story from "Chi-Hi" with a particular emphasis on a school STEAM team and a community supported Maker Space.
Kevin and the Lincoln STEM Elementary School educators recently presented about the tool and profiles at the sySTEMnow conference.
WI 21st CCLC 2024-25 Grant Applications Are Now Available!
The DPI is pleased to announce the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant competition, for funding beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
A 21st Century Community Learning Center provides an array of activities during non-school hours, or periods when school is not in session (such as before and after school, weekends and during school breaks). The purpose of the 21st CCLC program is to provide academic enrichment, a broad array of additional services, and offer adult family members of program participants opportunities for educational development and engagement.
Applications are due on or before 4 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2024. More information and application materials are available on the DPI’s 21st CCLC Competition website.
Better FAFSA Form for 2024-25 Coming Soon
For students who plan to attend college or career/trade school between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) processes and system will be getting big updates. This includes a new and improved FAFSA experience for students and families. As a result, the updated FAFSA form will be available in December 2023. Changes include:
- Expanded eligibility for federal student aid
- More streamlined application process
- Better user experience for the FAFSA form.
The US Department of Education has resources available to help you understand these changes, and additional resources and updated information will be coming soon. Updated information will also be available on the DPI's school counseling FAFSA information page.
Educational Equity Network Leadership Series
The Educational Equity Network invites all Wisconsin educators to continue deepening their equity work by attending the 2023-2024 Educational Equity Leadership Series. This unique series was designed to increase educators' capacity for co-creating belonging in all learning spaces. The next learning event will take place online on Jan. 25, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn about the full slate of presenters and to sign up to attend, visit the Educational Equity Network's Winter Institute Page.
Nominate an Outstanding WI Mathematics or Science Teacher Today!
Calling all elementary teachers who love mathematics and 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 website. Mentors and other supports are available for Wisconsin applicants. Have questions? Please contact Julie Bormett for math, or Kevin Anderson for science
Public Library Director Position Open in Madison, Wisconsin
Come lead a wonderful library system in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin! The City of Madison is looking for an innovative and collaborative leader who can connect the Madison Public Library to people across the community. The library is consistently celebrated as a pioneer in creative community-building activities and diverse services. In the role, you would manage nine libraries, a mobile library (The Dream Bus), approximately 135 permanent employees, and 125 hourly employees to fulfill the Library’s vision, mission and values. Learn more and apply online!
Teens don't care about civics, right? These students are engaged, give me hope. | Opinion via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“On a recent glorious fall Sunday, I witnessed close to thirty high school students gather in the Wauwatosa West High School library. They were not there for a football game or dance, or any other similar teenage social gathering. Instead, they were there to be grilled on the workings of the American political system. And, to a student, they were thrilled to be going through such an arduous process.”
Stevens Point Area Senior High students prepare for futures as medical professionals via Spectrum News
Stevens Point Area High Senior High (SPASH) students are getting hands-on experience with medical procedures through Mr. Marty’s Medical Intervention Class.
La Follette High School hosts first-ever school meal roundtable via Channel 3000 - Madison
Local, state and national leaders met with farm and school grant recipients at La Follette High School on Wednesday to discuss the present and future of school meal programs during the first-ever school meal roundtable. The DPI’s Tom McCarthy is interviewed in this story. Additional coverage of the La Follette event and an interview with the USDA’s Cindy Long can be found on NBC 15.
We want to hear from you. Take the DPI's Strategic Planning survey!