Weekly Newsletter
Thursday September 21, 2023
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FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Professional Development Resources Available from Global PD Teams
Unlock unlimited access to professional learning videos, books, study guides and reproducibles from Global PD Teams. Professional development materials, including videos and book chapters are available to schools interested in prioritizing school culture and student achievement. Administrators and educators can access a vast library of videos, books and more along mini-courses for micro-certifications. Topics covered include:
- Building effective interventions
- Supporting new teachers
- Improving school culture
- Strengthening grading practices
Resources have been designed in collaboration with leading educational experts and are tailored to fit the needs of educator skill level, time commitment and more.
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BPA Health and the Idaho Youth Suicide Prevention Program Partner to Provide Resources to Idaho Schools
The Idaho Youth Suicide Prevention Program (formerly Idaho Lives Project) has partnered with BPA Health to provide free services to youth up to age 24 who have attempted suicide or who have had treatment for serious thoughts of suicide. Please join BPA Health on October 11 or 12 to:
- Learn about the program and the services provided to youth, young adults, and their families
- Meet the BPA Health Regional Clinical Case Managers
- Learn how to refer youth, young adults and families to the program
Please call the BPA Health Referral Line to request any of these services at (208) 947-5155, Monday – Friday from 9 am to 5 pm MST.
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$199 Million Awarded to Pathways to Partnerships Program
The U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA) has announced that it will fund 20 model demonstration projects focused on improving self-sufficiency for children and youth with disabilities.
The nearly $199 million in funding for the Pathways to Partnerships innovative model demonstration project supports collaborative partnerships between state vocational rehabilitation agencies, state and local educational agencies and federally funded centers for independent living to help individuals with disabilities seamlessly transition to life after high school. This award is the largest discretionary grant ever administered by the RSA.
Read the Press Release
Learn About the Program
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E-Rate Portal Will be Temporarily Offline in Early November
USAC has announced that the E-rate User Portal (EPC, or E-rate Productivity Center) will be offline starting October 30th, 2023 to modernize the BEAR invoicing tool (FCC Form 472). It is expected to be back online November 7. The new feature will make reimbursement requests easier to submit by integrating the tool into EPC. The legacy BEAR invoicing system will be decommissioned during this time. Schools and libraries should prioritize completing their 2023 and 2022 E-rate forms due as soon as possible before the October 20, 2023 due date. To learn how to prepare for the planned outage, read the Broadband Program newsletter here, or click here to read USAC’s FAQ’s about the system upgrades coming soon.
Access Broadband Newsletter
Read System Upgrade FAQ
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FOR TEACHERS
Learn More About Available WIDA (University of Wisconsin - Madison) Self-Paced Workshops
WIDA (University of Wisconsin - Madison) is offering a variety of self-paced workshops for educators, all available until August 31, 2024. WIDA offers professional learning that educators can complete when you want, where you want and at your own pace. Complete the workshops individually or expand your learning with your local professional learning community, take advantage of interactive and engaging learning and access relevant, practical content that you can put into action immediately:
- Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics
- Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena
- Exploring the WIDA Pre-K-3 Essential Actions
- Home Languages in the Classroom
- Making Language Visible: Exploring the Key Languages Uses
- Newcomers: Promoting Success through Strengthening Practice
- Reframing Education for Long-Term English Learners
- Social Studies: Engaging Multilingual Learners through Inquiry
- The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach
Access program information and learn more about registration at the button below.
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Dyslexia Professional Development Schedule Now Available for Download
Idaho Code 33-1811 Section 4a and 4b requires teachers in grades K-12 to receive professional development "not later than the beginning of the 2023 - 2024 school year." The State Department of Education is providing access to professional development meeting this requirement through three separate, 50-minute virtual synchronous training courses.
For ALL K-12 teachers, administrators, and school counselors
- Training #1 Characteristics of Dyslexia
For K-5 instructional staff members, instructional coaches, or others involved in the instruction of students, including special education
- Training #1 Characteristics of Dyslexia
- Training #2 Dyslexia Assessment and Accommodations
- Training #3 Instruction and Intervention
Attendance at all three sessions will meet the requirements for K-5 teachers. Contact Karyn Kilpatrick-Snell at kkilpatrick-snell@sde.idaho.gov or 208-332-6967 with additional questions or information about certificates of completion. Download the updated PD schedule at the button below.
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New $2.7M Grant for Grades 6 -8 Math Teachers - Registration Now Open
RANGE (Rural Action Network for Growth and Engagement) has created a new program geared towards grades 6 - 8 math teachers in Idaho. It is currently soliciting applications from local teams of grades 6 - 8 mathematics teachers in rural-serving Idaho districts. RANGE is part of a four-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Partners at Boise State University, the University of Idaho and rural-serving schools will work together to learn about supporting grades 6 -8 math teaching through job-embedded professional development.
Benefits of the program include:
- 3 years of free, job-embedded math teaching PD with expert support
- Specific focus on local teaching strategies & leadership development
- Teacher stipends, ~$500 to $3000/year (depends on role, increases annually)
- Paid teacher PD credits (2 credits /year)
- School stipends (~$1000/year)
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FOR PARENTS
Idaho Parents Invited to Register for Curricular Materials Selection Committee
The State Department of Education and the State Board of Education are currently accepting applications for the Curricular Materials Selection Committee. The department will continue to accept applications until all spots are filled. There are still vacancies available for Idaho parents. Please add your voice to the conversation about classroom materials and student success. Committee members evaluate all textbooks/instructional materials offered for adoption and make recommendations to the State Board of Education.
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Learn More about Kindergarten Readiness with First Things First
Parents preparing to send a student to kindergarten are encouraged to take advantage of resources for kindergarten readiness with First Things First, a dedicated webpage with information for parents of preschoolers, babies and toddlers. Review topics like "is my child ready for kindergarten?," "what is kindergarten readiness?" and more. Whether parents are preparing for the next year of school or want to get a jump-start on early childhood development topics, First Things First has useful resources for parents of young children, available in both English and Spanish.
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Statewide School Supply & Hygiene Drive for Students Experiencing Homelessness
The State Department of Education is seeking volunteers to participate in a state-level school supply and hygiene drive to support students experiencing homelessness by donating items to a regional location through October 27.
Last year, Idaho identified more than 9,000 students experiencing homelessness within the K-12 public school system. Another 1,800 students are in the state foster care system. In recognizing the unique needs and challenges these students face, the Idaho State Department of Education is launching a state-level school supply and hygiene drive. You are invited to help by donating items to any of the regional locations through October 27th.
Region 1 - Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d'Alene District Office
1400 N. Northwood Center Ct. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Heather Somers - HSomers@cdaschools.org
Region 2 – Lewiston
Lewiston District HUB
1114 9th Ave Lewiston, ID 83501
(Old high school in Lewiston, entrance located in the back of the building on 10th Ave. A sign is above the double doors. Please ring door bell).
Tuesdays 9am-12pm
Cynthia Nunez - 208-790-6467
Region 3 – Nampa
McKinney-Vento House
446 Lake Lowell Ave. Nampa, ID 83686
Monday-Thursday 1pm-3pm
Niall Trimble - ntrimble@nsd131.org
Region 5 – American Falls
American Falls District Office
270 East Bridge Street Blackfoot, ID 83221
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Jason Brower - Jasonb@sd381.k12.id.us
Region 6 – Blackfoot
Blackfoot District Office
270 East Bridge Street Blackfoot, ID 83221
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Joy Mickelsen - mickj@d55.k12.id.us
Learn more about homelessness and the support available to families experiencing housing instability.
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