Monday, July 29, 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!
- DPI Focuses on Growth-Based Mindset in Updated Student Performance Level Descriptors for Standardized Assessments
- Wisconsin Special Educator Induction Program Celebrates First Year Success
- Wisconsin Creativity Summit Online August 7
- News from Around the State
DPI Focuses on Growth-Based Mindset in Updated Student Performance Level Descriptors for Standardized Assessments
Following months of extensive engagement with internal and external education partners, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is updating terminology used to describe performance levels on required statewide standardized assessments. The updated terms are intended to foster conversations promoting student potential and growth at every level. Read the press release.
A handout with more detail regarding the update can be found on the DPI’s website. Information on the Wisconsin Student Assessment System can also be found on the DPI’s website.
Wisconsin Special Educator Induction Program Celebrates First Year Success
Following its initial year of implementation, the Wisconsin Special Educator Induction Program’s preliminary results are promising! 250 new special educators across the state received professional learning, coaching, and support during the 2023-24 school year. Almost 95% of new special educators who completed the induction program indicated a likelihood to remain in their current position or in the field of special education, while 100% of districts involved in the induction program indicated they are likely to participate again in the future.
For more information, please see the Infographics on the DPI's Resources to Attract, Prepare, and Retain Special Educators webpage. In addition, a brief video clip outlining the components of Wisconsin’s Special Educator Induction Program has been added to the DPI’s Support for Educating Students with IEPs webpage. If you are interested in more information or would like to nominate a new special educator to participate in the 2024-25 Induction Program cohort, please contact your local CESA.
Wisconsin School Counselor Association Summer Academy
July 31, 2024, 9:00am - 4:00pm
UW Green Bay--Green Bay, WI
We are thrilled to provide three workshops, with options to focus on student mental health, suicide prevention, school avoidance, or ASCA Model work.
School Refusal and Anxiety – From Understanding to Treatment
Presenters: Dr. David Jacobi, Clinical Director, Rogers Behavioral Health; September Casteel, Director of Operations, Rogers Behavioral Health; Travis Nugent, Therapist-OCD & Anxiety Program, Rogers Behavioral Health
Creating a Continuum of Supports: K-12 Suicide Prevention Curriculum Implementation and Promoting Student Mental Health
Presenters: Andréa Donegan, School Counseling Consultant, WI Department of Public Instruction; Libby Strunz, School Mental Health Consultant, WI Department of Public Instruction; Jenny Holle, WISH Center Regional Coordinator
ASCA Model Implementation Camp
Presenter: Stacy Eslick
Visit the WSCA web site for more information and to sign up.
Teaching Writing in the Age of Chat-GPT
This two-day event brings middle and high school educators alongside our post-secondary colleagues to think together about how to best meet the needs of our students in a rapidly changing technology environment. Presentations and workshops seek to increase educator capacity and understanding in utilizing AI technology as well as making intentional and informed decisions about how, when, and where to use (or not use) AI in the classroom.
All the details:
- When: Wednesday, July 31 & August 1; 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Where: Madison College, Goodman South Campus
- Who: Middle & High School Educators, Instructional Coaches, Administrators, and Directors of Instruction
- Cost: $250 per attendee; reduced rate of $200 per attendee available for GMWP members and / or teams of 3+ from the same school or district. Registration fee includes lunch on both days.
- Registration is now open!
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.
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
Changes from the Kohl Foundation via The Kohl Foundation
The Kohl Foundation will continue to be a vocal champion for the one job that makes all other jobs possible – teachers, and by extension, school principals and leaders. However, the organization in the future will not be awarding student scholarships.
Community Clothes Closet in Menasha holds fundraising blitz to provide new clothing for students via We Are Green Bay
Menasha’s Community Clothes Closet will host its annual Cool for School event on Aug. 16-17. The event allows students in need to receive new clothing of all kinds for free.
Whitewater school district integrates new state literacy guidelines into summer school via WPR
The hot summer months are dwindling away and the next school year is on the horizon, when more than 800 students from the Whitewater Unified School District will return to the classroom after weeks of summer learning.