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Bulletin Board 3/12/2024

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Bulletin Board

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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Proposed DPI Rule Provides Districts Additional Flexibility, Autonomy on School Start Date
 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will hold a virtual hearing on a proposed rule that would provide local education agencies additional flexibility to better meet their communities’ needs in commencing a school term prior to Sept. 1.

Clearinghouse Rule 24-026 expands the types of extraordinary reasons for the DPI to grant exemptions to the existing rule. This includes factors that pertain to student graduation rates, reading and mathematics proficiency, school attendance, coordination with postsecondary institutions for dual or concurrent enrollment, mental health of students and staff, and recruitment and retention strategies for educators. CR 24-026 would also allow school boards to submit exemption requests by March 1 instead of by Jan. 1, as the rule currently requires.

Initial feedback received by the DPI shows the existing rule, originally promulgated in May 2002, is inflexible and outdated. Additionally, the DPI has experienced a large increase in the quantity of school districts that have applied for a start date exemption, showing a need for greater autonomy to meet the needs of local communities.

The hearing to accept public testimony on the proposed rule will be held via conference call at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 25, 2024. To join the conference call, call 608-620-9781 and when prompted, enter Conference ID 595 960 120#. The DPI anticipates holding additional hearings at a later date. To submit feedback on CR 24-026 online, visit the Wisconsin State Legislature’s comment form.

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Call for Student Art
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is proud to announce a new project that will annually collect high quality digital images of student artwork from across the state. The images will be printed, framed, and hung in the new home for DPI in the Tommy G Thompson Center near the capitol building in Madison for one year beginning the summer of 2024. In addition, the artwork will also be displayed on the Arts & Creativity page of the DPI Website.

Quick Overview:

  • Entries are open to all K-12 aged students in Wisconsin.
  • Each Wisconsin art educator can submit up to 5 works of art from their school’s current work.
  • Submission of the student art is done 100% digitally via the project Google Form.
  • To be considered for this year, artwork and accompanying information must be submitted no later than May 15, 2024.
  • View Project Details and the Submission Form here

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14 New Languages Added to Seal of Biliteracy Assessments
Please join us in celebration our partnership for proficiency with the MN Department of Education through which we are celebrating multilingual learners by expanding access to Seal of Biliteracy assessments in 14 new languages! Read to learn more! If your district is not yet authorized to implement the Seal of Biliteracy Program, apply to DPI, and become a part of this national movement to recognize students’ heritage and second language skills! Bilingualism is an indicator of college, career and community readiness. The Seal credential communicates a student’s ability to use languages across cultures and contexts with confidence. Let’s work together to bring this opportunity to all learners across Wisconsin.

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Stevens Institute and DPI Informational Session on Virtual Global Learning Exchange
As part of DPI’s partnership with The Stevens Initiative, we are hosting an online information session on learning through virtual exchange for school leadership. This session is intended for school administrators, directors of curriculum, central office instructional leaders, professional organization leaders, CESA curriculum leaders, etc. The virtual orientation is scheduled for March 20. Click here for more information and to register! 

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Schools Encouraged to Apply for Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Training Grants
 The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced that a new round of Wisconsin Fast Forward grants is available to help prepare students for high-demand careers. 

These grants reimburse school districts for the costs of purchasing and installing technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields. Funds also cover the cost for equipment operation software and instructional materials. Grants support technical education and reduce higher education costs through dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements on high school diplomas.

Applications must be sent by 3 p.m. CST on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Find additional information or download an application on the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program website.

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Wisconsin Creativity Summit Online August 7
Join the DPI for a fantastic day learning from nationally renown experts on creativity and education. Collaborate with others from across the state and nation focusing on practical ways to nurture creativity in classrooms, schools, libraries, and communities. Be inspired by an administrator and educators from a Wisconsin school that is recognized as a leader in cultivating creativity with their students. Take part in an opportunity to create a video sharing your story about the impact that creativity has had on your life and the importance of creativity moving forward.

Details for the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Creativity Summit
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 from 8:45 am - 4:00 pm
Free, Online via Zoom
Audience: Educators, Administrators, School Board Members, Community Leaders, Artists

Format:

  • 4 Keynote Speakers - Ted Talk Style (20 minutes) followed by connected break out sessions with participant interaction (40 minutes)
  • Wisconsin School spotlighted for its work developing and cultivating creativity
  • Keynote Panel Discussion and Q & A
  • Optional opportunity for participants to create brief video testimonial sharing the impact creativity has had on their life and the importance of creativity to our future.

Guest Speakers
Dr. Peter Gamwell, Administrator, Educator, Speaker, and Author of "The Wonder Wall"
Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, Creative Revolutionist, Pulitzer Prize nominee, IAmM.O.R.E visionary
Dr. Sarah Cunningham, Rhode Island School of Design Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships
James Wells, Award-Winning Innovative Teaching and Learning Manager for Crayola
James Murray, Waukesha STEM Academy Principal, 2017 AWSA Principal of the Year

REGISTER HERE 

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Coordinated School Health Consultant Position Announced
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is hiring a Coordinated School Health Consultant position on the Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team. Areas of responsibilities include: provide management and coordination for the Coordinated School Health project; plan and facilitate professional development and technical assistance on coordinated school health topics; maintain and build on existing partnerships and collaborations; and assume responsibility for special assignments in concert with the mission and goals of the agency, division, and team.

Applications are due 3/22/24. To find this posting, go to https://wj.wi.gov/13465. For questions, please contact Maria Butters at maria.butters@dpi.wi.gov or (608) 266-2690.

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Special Education and Pupil Services Virtual Academy – March and April
Join the DPI in March and April for the Special Education and Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy. The purpose of these sessions is to build awareness and understanding on technical topics related to those new to the field of Special Education and Pupil Services. Registration is free and is required for each individual event.

April 10, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4/10/24 Registration Link.

  • Supporting Neurodiverse Students- SNS and ES3 - Eva Shaw and Katie Berg
  • Universal Design for Learning - Missy Elmer
  • Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) - Caroline Rossing

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Wisconsin Educators, Please Tell Us What Training and Support You Need
To help the Wisconsin Safe & Healthy Schools Training Center and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Student Services Prevention and Wellness team better meet the professional learning needs of schools and communities, please complete the following survey by March 22, 2024. The survey is completely voluntary and takes less than 10 minutes.

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Trauma Sensitive Schools Spring Webinar
Join the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Safe and Healthy Schools Center for a Trauma Sensitive Schools spring webinar featuring Alex Shevrin Venet, author of Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education. The webinar will be held on April 9, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. There is no cost to attend.

Topic: How are trauma and inequity present in our schools, and with limited time and resources, how should teachers respond? In this webinar, Alex Shevrin Venet will introduce the framework for equity-centered trauma-informed education and its guiding principles that help educators help students, especially those impacted by trauma. We will explore proactive priorities for transforming the school environment, as well as ways to tap into larger efforts for change.

Please follow this link to view additional details and register. Registration is limited to 500 participants. Contact ahubing@cesa4.org or krasmussen@cesa4.org with registration questions.

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Upcoming Green and Healthy Schools Wisconsin Professional Learning Opportunities 
March 13: WSSC 1st Quarter Meeting 3:45 - 4:45 online + EPA presentation (online)

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Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network Updated Resources
Wisconsin Wayfinder now has videos and brochures that can be shared with families at IEP meetings, email lists, parent resource areas in schools, and school and district webpages. The DPI will continue to share additional resources as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) develops them.

Video Links to Share with Families:

Brochures to Share with Families:

Wisconsin Wayfinder provides a statewide user-friendly website and toll-free number, 877-WiscWay (877-947-2929), to provide families with convenient, direct access to compassionate and knowledgeable children’s resource guides. Please share the toll free number (877-WiscWay) and these resources and much more that you can find on the Wisconsin Wayfinder website with families in your schools, districts, and communities. Below are two additional resources that may help case managers, IEP team LEA representatives, and other educators talk about Wisconsin Wayfinder with families who have children with disabilities.

As educators in Wisconsin schools, you have incredible access to providing families with timely and relevant information.

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Bullying Prevention Online Training Program
The Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team (SSPW), in collaboration with Dr. Chad Rose at the University of Missouri, is once again offering a free, online bullying prevention training course for Wisconsin educators! This course is designed for all educators including regular and special education teachers, student services professionals, administrators, out-of-school time program staff, and any other school personnel. This five-module course can be completed by an individual in approximately two hours. The five modules provide foundational knowledge of bullying prevention:

Please visit the DPI’s Comprehensive Approach to Bullying Prevention webpage to register for access to this training program. Please contact bullyingprevention@dpi.wi.gov with any questions!

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Schools Are Making Cool Choices!
More than 500 students will have access to play “Cool Choices” at their school and take actions to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions!

Cool Choices is a six-week online game provided by Green & Healthy Schools and can be implemented at the classroom level, multiple classrooms within a school, or with teams from the same school or district. It takes about 5 minutes per day to play.

The game period is available to all Wisconsin schools free of charge. There will be an additional game period during Earth Month in April. Learn more!

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News from Around the State

State superintendent statement on Joint Committee on Finance action on 2023 Wisconsin Act 20
Dr. Jill Underly supports of the DPI-recommended early reading curricula, despite the Joint Finance Committee's decision to limit which curricula will receive state funding support.

WBAY Cares: ‘Project SEARCH’ prepares students to enter the workforce via WBAY 2 – Green Bay
High school students with differing abilities are getting a unique opportunity to explore future career paths. Not only are they getting hands-on job experience, but they’re also learning other valuable skills to help them achieve success in the workplace.

Electric bus movement looks to accelerate via WXPR - Rhinelander
Most school and transit buses on the nation's roadways these days are still powered by diesel engines but in Wisconsin and elsewhere, there is hope about the push to switch to electric fleets.

Secretary Godlewski: Presents historic Common School Fund distribution to support Wisconsin public schools via WisPolitics
Secretary of State Godlewski at the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA) Conference presented a $65 million check that will benefit Wisconsin public school libraries and media centers. As a result of smart investment strategies, the Common School Fund has experienced impressive growth – leading to a 25% increase from 2023 and setting a new financial record. The official presentation and a news conference on this presentation took place in early December.

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