Tuesday, October 15, 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!
- Fostering Young Readers Through Language and Literacy
- October - National Bullying Prevention Month
- Wisconsin Farm to School Recognition Program Launch
- October is Manufacturing Month
- October 2024 is Gifted Education Month
- Pertussis in Wisconsin Schools
- Cybersecurity Awareness & Keeping Kids Safe Online Month
- Military-Connected Prospective Student Information Session and Campus Tour
- Opioid Prevention Grant
- Special Education Conference
- Building the Heart of Successful Schools Conference Scholarships Available
- Educational Equity Fall Institute
- PBS Wisconsin Education’s ‘Wisconsin Biographies’ collection welcomes Roberto Hernández
- 2024-25 Transition Readiness Grant Awards
- Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project 2024
- Anti-Human Trafficking Webinars for School Staff 2024-25
- We've Moved! Update Your DPI Contacts
Fostering Young Readers Through Language and Literacy
A Guide for Connecting the 2023 Wisconsin Act 20 Across Early Childhood Systems
This collaboratively developed resource provides an overview of the 2023 Wisconsin Act 20 and highlights the intersections to key early care and education systems (child care, Head Start, 4K). It also offers practical strategies for educators to create effective learning environments that nurture the development of strong young readers.
October - National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. While this provides us with a time to renew focus on bullying prevention efforts, it is essential that schools work to prevent and respond to bullying throughout the year to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming school climates for students of all identities. According to the 2023 Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 21.6 percent of Wisconsin high school students report being bullied on school property in the past year, and 17.8 percent of Wisconsin high school students report being cyberbullied through means such as texting, social media, or video games. Female, LGBTQ+ students, and students with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions are at especially high risk of experiencing both school-based and cyberbullying.
Check out these bullying prevention resources for use this month and throughout the school year:
- DPI’s Bullying Prevention Toolkit serves as a resource for schools to implement and strengthen their comprehensive approach to bullying prevention and response. The toolkit provides guidance for both bullying prevention practices and response protocols. Letters, fillable forms, and caregiver resources are also included. Please visit DPI’s Comprehensive Approach to Bullying Prevention webpage to access the toolkit and related resources.
- The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has recently released the Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Curriculum, a key component of the Office’s Preventing Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying initiative. The 10-unit curriculum follows a central theme: nurturing the development of respectful, compassionate young people and communities.
Children’s Wisconsin Bullying Prevention Lessons are designed for K-12th grade students, school staff, parents, and caregivers. This bullying prevention content helps counselors and teachers increase awareness about bullying and gives students the grade-appropriate skills they need to prevent and stop it. These lessons, games, and activities address different types of bullying, including sexual harassment at the middle school level and cyberbullying at the middle school and high school levels. This content empowers bystanders to stand up to bullying and improve the climate of their school.
Wisconsin Farm to School Recognition Program Launch
The DPI Farm to School (F2S) team would like to share about an exciting new program, the Wisconsin Farm to School Recognition Program! The purpose of the program is to help schools promote and celebrate their F2S accomplishments. Schools that sign-up complete activities in the three core elements of F2S (local procurement, nutrition and agriculture education, and school gardens) and the number of activities they complete determines their broccoli-pun recognition level. Many of these activities can be seamlessly incorporated into existing programming.
There are four levels of recognition (with an additional bonus level), Broccoli Seedling, Broccoli Sprout, Broccoli Floret, and Broccoli Crown (Bonus: Broccoli Flowering School). Participation is by school (versus district) but there is no limit to the number of schools within a district that can participate. Prize incentives will be given for each completed level. The program officially launched on October 1, but schools can join at any point in the school year. Awards will be given at the end of May 2025.
October is Manufacturing Month
For CTE teachers, Manufacturing Month is a chance to take advanced manufacturing students to events that promote manufacturing as a career. Here are a few of the events around Wisconsin:
- Mid-State Technical College: Heavy Metal Tour - October 2
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: First Annual Welding Rodeo - October 9
- Lakeshore Technical College: Manufacturing Rocks - October 11
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: This Girl Can Weld - October 12
- Northcentral Technical College: Find ROI in AI - October 15
- Northwood Technical College: Northwood Tech MAX: Manufacturing & Automation Experience - October 22
- UW Stout: Manufacturing & Workforce Summit - October 23
- Lakeshore Technical College: Sparks Welding Career Night - October 24
- Northwood Technical College: Manufacturing Day - October 24
October 2024 is Gifted Education Month
Dr. Underly’s proclamation of Gifted Education Month includes this key phrase: “The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted’s 2024 conference theme of Imagine, Innovate, Inspire is both ambitious and attainable. All three “I’s” are renewable resources that must be consistently uplifted each day, month, and year in service of all learners in our schools…”
Pertussis in Wisconsin Schools
The Department of Health Services Bureau of Communicable Diseases continues to report Pertussis is increasing nationwide and that Wisconsin has reported cases in 49 counties as of September 20, 2024. Therefore, Wisconsin school districts can expect to be seeing cases of pertussis along with other respiratory infections (influenza, COVID, RSV) along with “the common cold” this fall, winter, and possibly the entire 2024-25 school year. In an effort to support the health and safety of students, staff, and community members, while balancing attendance concerns, the Department of Public Instruction has posted Pertussis in Wisconsin Schools information.
Cybersecurity Awareness & Keeping Kids Safe Online Month
In today's digital age, it's crucial to equip children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely. By understanding the potential risks and learning how to protect themselves, children can become responsible digital citizens and enjoy the benefits of technology without compromising their security.
- Equip students with the skills to navigate the digital world safely by teaching them about online privacy, responsible social media use, and the dangers of cyberbullying.
- Foster digital literacy in classrooms to empower students to critically evaluate online information, recognize misinformation, and protect their personal data.
- Create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable discussing online safety concerns and seeking help when needed.
- Helpful resources: Wisconsin DPI’s Keeping Kids Safe Online K-12 Contest, K-8 Cybersecurity Lessons, and Cyber Career Profiles
- Return to top
Military-Connected Prospective Student Information Session and Campus Tour
Monday, November 4, 12:30-3:15pm
Union South, 1308 W Dayton St
Madison, WI
For the first time, our office is partnering with UW-Madison Campus and Visitor Relations to host a military-connected student visit day. This will be an excellent opportunity for military children in the state of Wisconsin to learn more about UW-Madison and how to fund their academic dreams. We want all prospective students to have the opportunity to discover how UW-Madison supports military-connected Badgers.
During this visit, attendees will receive a 45-minute information session from the UW-Madison Admissions office covering the college application process, timeline, and requirements. Afterward, University Veteran Services will present a 30-minute overview of military education benefits, including state and federal GI Bill benefits, and our role in the benefit application and certification processes. The visit will end with a guided tour of campus. This information session targets high school and adult learners, so military children across the state will be eagerly welcomed! To RSVP or for more information, inquire via email.
Opioid Prevention Grant
Any public school district, tribal school, private school, independent (2r and 2x) charter school, or consortia may apply for an opioid prevention grant. The focus is on grants that will support new or existing substance use prevention programs supplemented with knowledge and skills specific to opioid prevention and unintentional fentanyl exposure. Funding priorities will be projects that address substance use prevention policy and opioid prevention messaging, evidence-based substance use prevention curriculum, or programs with a clear description of how this will be enhanced with opioid prevention knowledge and skills. The equitable geographic distribution of funds will also be considered. Up to $50,000 per grant, depending upon enrollment and type of organization will be allocated. Applications are due to DPI by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16. For more information and recorded webinar, visit the DPI Opioid Prevention Grant webpage.
Special Education Conference
The CESA 11 EdEvents Special Education Conference 2024 will be held from November 14-15, 2024, at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Keynote speakers include Mills Rodgers, a national speaker on topics related to educational equity of diverse populations, and Kate Swensen, founder of Finding Cooper’s Voice. This year, the DPI Special Education Team will also have a number of sectional presentations on topics including Act 20 and special education, working collaboratively in special education, College and Career Ready IEPs at a Glance, Behavior as a Form of Communication, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Developmental Language Disorder, and DPI updates. Link to registration and more information.
Building the Heart of Successful Schools Conference Scholarships Available
Scholarship applications are now available for registration for the in-person conference on December 5, 2024. This scholarship application will be available until 8 a.m. on October 31, 2024, or until the maximum number of applications have been received. All applicants will be notified of their application status in early November. Additional information on the Building the Heart of Successful Schools Conference can be found on the WISH Center website.
Educational Equity Fall Institute
Thursday, October 24th
Please join The Network for a transformative virtual day dedicated to learning and unlearning the complexities surrounding systemic changes to address racial disproportionality. We will begin our morning with Menominee Educator and Leader, Kaméwanukiw Paula Rabideaux, who will lead us in grounding through ancestral homage and wisdom. This will set the foundation for understanding and honoring Indigenous knowledge as we engage with the day's learning.
Next, staff from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will provide an overview of racial disproportionality in education, offering key insights into how it impacts students and systems in our state. Dr. Maxine McKinney de Royston and ananda de oliveira mirilli will then guide participants in identifying how inequities show up within their schools and districts, encouraging deep reflection and collaborative problem-solving.
Participants will explore the concept of systemic change in education, gaining clarity on their own roles in initiating and sustaining meaningful transformation. They will also be introduced to the Theory of Change, a powerful framework for mapping out the short- and long-term actions necessary to achieve sustainable equity practices.
Participation in the Educational Equity Network's Fall Institute is completely FREE and funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Register to attend now!
PBS Wisconsin Education’s ‘Wisconsin Biographies’ collection welcomes Roberto Hernández
PBS Wisconsin Education recently added a new story to the Wisconsin Biographies collection. Roberto Hernández: Working for La Comunidad shares the story of Roberto Hernández, who became an activist for better educational opportunities for his fellow Latino students in Milwaukee.
2024-25 Transition Readiness Grant Awards
The DPI is excited to announce the Transition Readiness Grant (TRG) Awards for the 2024-25 school year. School districts and charter schools under Wis. Stat. 118.40(2r) and (2x) were eligible to compete for funding that supports evidence-based practices related to the successful transition from high school for students with Individualized Education Programs. The $1.5 million fund will support:
- Transportation options (including contracted services or vehicle purchases),
- Competitive Integrated Employment Training (CIE) Programs,
- Post-secondary tuition or supports for students, and
- Transition Training for Staff Members.
For a full list of awards, visit the TRG webpage.
Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project 2024
The Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (WACP) began in 2023 as a collaborative project between the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Arts Board created to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wisconsin Arts Board. The project offers FREE music, lesson plans, and materials created by Wisconsin artists and educators to Wisconsin schools, communities, and libraries. The project continues in 2024 with MORE collaborations, connections and opportunities!
The 2024 WACP will center on the theme of “Curiosity”. As Sir Ken Robinson once said, "If teachers can keep the flame of curiosity burning in children, then pretty much everything else will follow from that. Curiosity is the engine of achievement." This year's project will launch on this website around October 18, 2024. Below are the artists and educators contributing to this year's project. We are grateful to each of them!
To learn more and to see a list of our contributing artists and educators, head to the website.
Anti-Human Trafficking Webinars for School Staff 2024-25
The Department of Children and Families, in partnership with DPI, will again provide free learning opportunities in the 2024-25 school year. Click here to view a flier of the trainings with registration. The two sessions are:
- ‘It Happens Here’ Facilitation Guide & Lessons: Training for School Staff & Other Professionals Supporting Anti-Trafficking
- It Happens Here’ Documentary Community Screening & Discussion
We've Moved! Update Your DPI Contacts
As of August 5th, the DPI is now located within the Tommy G. Thompson Building, a few short blocks away from our previous location at GEF-3. Our new address is:
201 West Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone numbers and email addresses for DPI colleagues will remain the same.
- News: DPI Releases Standardized Testing Results for 2023-24 School Year
- Guest Editorial: Updated Proficiency Levels Better Reflect Wisconsin Student Performance
- News: State Superintendent, White House National Cyber Director Host Roundtable on Cybersecurity in Wisconsin Schools
Fordham Institute Report: Pre-K programming and third grade achievement: Evidence from Wisconsin via Fordham Institute
This report from the right leaning Fordham Institute looks at Wisconsin’s 4K programming. The report for Wisconsin found a 20 percent increase in the number of students who achieved proficient and advanced levels of reading when a district implemented 4K programming.
Elections can be polarizing. How are Wisconsin teachers bringing them into the classroom? via Wisconsin Watch
Teachers across the country are facing decisions on how to talk about elections in an increasingly polarized world. In Wisconsin, there are a lot of factors that may influence that decision, from district policies to heightened division to teachers’ individual comfort with the subject.
Return to main ConnectEd index