Tuesday, December 19, 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!
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2024 Play Make Learn Conference Call for Proposals
Take the DPI Strategic Planning Survey and Attend a Community Engagement Session!
Internship Applications Open for the DPI's State of Wisconsin Student Diversity Internship Program (SWSDIP)
Wisconsin Historical Society Virtual Ojibwe Storytelling Series Starts in January
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
News from Around the State
2024 Play Make Learn Conference Call for Proposals
You are invited to submit a proposal to present at the 2024 Play Make Learn Conference (PML). The conference is a place for collaboration and discovery in the design, research and practice of playful learning, games for learning and positive social impact, making and makerspaces, STEAM education, and arts in education. PML creates an inspirational space for preK-12 educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers to tinker together, share knowledge, and celebrate one another’s work. Find out more.
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
Internship Applications Open for the DPI's State of Wisconsin Student Diversity Internship Program (SWSDIP)
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is currently seeking applicants for the State of Wisconsin Student Diversity Internship Program (SWSDIP). Interested people must be at least 18 years of age by May 22, 2024 and living in Wisconsin during the internship program. Candidates must be enrolled in, recently graduated (2022/2023) from, or planning to attend (2023/2024) a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate school.
The goal of this internship program is to connect people from culturally diverse groups with various lived experiences to state government. Our hope is that this internship will provide interns with a snapshot of what working at DPI is like, so they are excited to explore a career here. More information about this internship program can be found here.
Interested individuals may apply online by 11:59 pm on Monday, February 26, 2024, through Wisc.Jobs.
To apply for a position, the applicant must enter the job code:
- Position 255101: Equity and Inclusion Human Resources Generalist (Human Resources Team)
- Position 255102: Communication and Research Intern (Special Education Team)
- Position 255103: Homeless Children & Youth Education Intern (Title I and School Support Team)
- Position 255104: Media Relations and Speechwriting Intern (Education Information Services Team)
- Position 255105: Family Youth & Community Engagement Consultant (Operations Partnerships and Innovation Team)
Wisconsin Historical Society Virtual Ojibwe Storytelling Series Starts in January
Tune in virtually each Tuesday evening from January 9-30 to hear from Ojibwe storytellers from the Lac Courte Oreilles, Sokaogon, Lac du Flambeau and Bad River Tribes. This is the third year the Wisconsin Historical Society is hosting this series, which has brought in listeners from across the state, country and globe to listen to and learn from Ojibwe narrators. Visit the WHS web site for more information and to sign up for the series.
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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.
Jill Underly: Don't let extremists criminalize librarians, censor libraries in Wisconsin via the Wisconsin State Journal
In this OpEd, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly expresses her stance against censorship and in support of our libraries.
Badgerlink Touted as Cure for Winter Break Blues via BadgerLink
Various outlets from around the state talk about reading resources available online through BadgerLink, as well as online learning tools to keep students engaged and entertained over the winter break.
Local students learn the importance of kindness: 'When it's up to you, be kind' via TMJ4 - Milwaukee
Students at Lowell International Elementary School got out of the classroom Tuesday afternoon to learn some important life lessons. Additional coverage on CBS 58.
We want to hear from you. Take the DPI's Strategic Planning survey!