Tuesday, January 16, 2024
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
Educational Equity Network Leadership Series
2024 Promoting Early Childhood Conference
Educators' Appreciation Celebration Night with the Milwaukee Bucks
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)
WI 21st CCLC 2024-25 Grant Applications Are Now Available!
New FAFSA Form Is Here!
News from Around the State
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.
2024 Promoting Early Childhood Conference
Promoting Early Childhood Conference (PEC) is an early childhood collaborative event sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in partnership with the Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners (WECCP). The conference will be taking place March 5-7, 2024.
Who Should Attend? Early childhood leaders from schools, child care, Head Start, home visiting, environmental education and other related programs and services such as: principals, 4K coordinators, special education directors, program support teachers, school board members, child care directors, Head Start directors and coordinators, professional development trainers, community teams, Early Childhood faculty at two- and four-year colleges. For more information, check out the Promoting Early Childhood Conference web page on the DPI's website.
Educators' Appreciation Celebration Night with the Milwaukee Bucks
The first 300 who purchase a ticket through the link will receive a Bucks <3 Educators Laptop sticker! PLUS, bring your teacher ID and receive 10% off in the Bucks Pro Shop the night of the game!
For information and tickets, visit the Educators' Appreciation Celebration page on the Bucks website.
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 on the event webpage.
Take the DPI's Strategic Planning Survey and Attend a Community Engagement Session!
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is currently 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. Community Engagement Sessions are coming up through the end of February in Dodgeville, DeForest, Janesville, and also online. View dates and locations on the DPI's website, and RSVP to attend an upcoming session!
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 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, Feb. 26, 2024, through Wisc.Jobs.
Show this video to your students and share on social media!
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)
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.
New FAFSA Form is here!
The new FASFA form is here, and the US Department of Education has resources available to help you understand the changes, and additional resources and updated information will be coming soon. Updated information is also available on the DPI's school counseling FAFSA information page. For a roundup of all the biggest changes, check out this article from NerdWallet! For tips on how to fill out the new FAFSA, this article is a great resource.
What should Wisconsin education officials prioritize? Here's how to weigh in with your thoughts via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Teacher retention at all grade levels, kids' mental health and test scores: State education officials want people in Wisconsin to share their opinions on those topics and others. That's because the Wisconsin department that oversees K-12 public education and libraries is creating a first-ever public-facing strategic plan. To be released in September, the 2023-28 document created using public feedback will outline overarching goals that hold the Department of Public Instruction accountable both internally and with the public.
Grow WI farm to school - win $250k grant via Wisconsin Ag Connection
The Wisconsin Farm to School Grant Program is open for applications, offering crucial funding to connect kids with local farms and fresh food. Apply now through February 2nd, 2024, for your chance to share in up to $250,000 in grants!
Nate Jung on the use of generative AI as an educational tool via PBS Wisconsin
UW-Madison professor and editor Nate Jung describes how students can approach using generative AI to improve reading and writing skills while remaining mindful of its limitations as a teaching tool
Wisconsin to launch summer EBT program for kids via WKOW 27 - Madison
The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, program starts this summer. The USDA says it will provide grocery-buying benefits for families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are closed. Under the program, families will receive $40 per eligible child, per month, according to the USDA's website.
We want to hear from you. Take the DPI's Strategic Planning survey!