"Respect is an ambiguous term."
- Do we have a shared understanding of respect and what that really means for school environment?
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Students recognize that they will be "respectful, responsible, and safe" at school ... but how does that really look?
- Are we REALLY on the same page with all students?
Think of varying social settings you are in -- does the social story change depending upon the company you are in?
I would venture to guess the answer is yes, AND, it's the same for our students. The article provides guidance and instruction in reference to culturally responsive practices, PBIS implementation, and how existing practices may be excluding students. As we examine and move towards achieving equity within our schools, we challenge you to review this article and invite you to share your thoughts on how you might engage your staff to participate in an activity such as the one in the article.
Have the conversation.
Take a current pulse.
Identify next steps.
Take ACTION.
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Do you want to recognize a district, building, colleague, staff member for a job well done? Nominees will be highlighted in an upcoming Educator Guide.
Fill out the form below!
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"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
~James Baldwin
Thinking about how equity is explicitly integrated into continuous improvement plans needs to be at the forefront of the work we do. How do you lead these conversations and move your staff from words to action?
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The Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development invites you to join two upcoming current-issue webinars featuring our graduate program faculty:
Social Emotional Learning in K-12 Schools During and Post-Pandemic
Saturday, March 20
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST
The pandemic has created necessities and opportunities to prioritize SEL in the K-12 curriculum. SEL provides a framework for creating safe learning environments where all children can thrive. Please join us for a panel discussion by faculty in the College of Education and Human Development on effective SEL strategies and tools for students and educators. The webinar will include time for Q&A.
Our panelists will include:
- Dr. Lori Reichel, Assistant Professor of Physical and Health Education Teacher Education, Department of Human Performance and Health Education
- Dr. LaSonja Roberts, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology
- Dr. Andrea Smith, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies
Maximizing Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Work/Life Balance
Wednesday, March 24
5:30 - 7 p.m. EST
For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the boundaries of work/life balance in ways that could continue to shift our work for years to come. Join our panel of College of Education and Human Development faculty experts to learn how to navigate changes to organizational expectations, mental wellbeing, and physical spaces now and moving forward. The webinar will include time for Q&A.
Our panelists will include:
- Dr. Carla Adkison-Johnson, Professor and Chair, Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
- Ms. Kim Buchholz, Instructor of Interior Design, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
- Dr. David Szabla, Associate Professor of Organizational Change Leadership, Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology
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3 Items to Share with Staff
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The SISD Literacy League invites you and your students to join us in a FREE virtual author visit!
March 16 - Beth Anderson
K-2 12:30-1:15pm; 3-5: 10:15-11:15am
You can find more information about these authors and our virtual visits HERE.
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Michigan Model - Google Student Worksheets available! |
Due to the overwhelming number of teachers using the Google Classroom platform, the Michigan Model for Health™ Program has converted its PDF student worksheets into fillable Google Forms or Google Documents to make it easier for teachers to access and use for in-person and online health instruction with students.
Google Student Worksheets for the High School Skills for Health and Life curriculum and MMH Middle School modules have been completed and are available currently. Student Worksheets for grades 5 and 6 from the MMH Elementary Curriculum are being developed. MMH trained teachers in these grades may sign up anytime to receive access to the Google Student Worksheets.
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Promoting STEM through Literature |
Use literature to get your students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Each of the titles below shares a story where something was built or invented by designing, planning, gathering materials, and creating. In addition to strengthening literacy skills, your students will develop inquiry and problem-solving skills. They will also see that with perseverance, anyone can be innovative and invent new things!
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Memo Recap:
March 2 - March 16, 2021
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- The COVID-19 Handbook, Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools, provided by the US Department of Education, addresses common challenges by providing resources and practical examples for reopening schools.
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Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is publishing the Early Literacy Summer Reading Guide 2021 to support students in summer reading as we pivot to a new, better normal.
- Funding sources for summer reading programming may include: 35(a), 31a, Title 1, Title IV, CARES Act (ESSER & ESSER II), GEER & GEER II
- Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in partnership with the researchers and educational leaders from the Region 8 Comprehensive Center, has developed resources to help districts promote family engagement in literacy. These resources are intended to provide effective early literacy learning strategies for districts to use with families to support literacy learning at home.
- Family Engagement for Literacy Website
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Statewide Assessment Waiver Request Update
- As of March 4, MDE is still waiting for a response to the waiver request that was submitted in January. Until USED responds directly to Michigan’s request, schools/districts are to continue to administer WIDA assessments and prepare for other spring testing. Remember, MDE would need flexibility from both federal and state requirements to change testing plans.
Return to Learn Local Benchmark Assessment Collection Available
- Per PA 149 of 2020, all districts are required to administer benchmark assessments. The results are required to be reported to MDE and CEPI in GEMS-MARS. All responses are due by April 12, 2021.
- NWEA MAP, iReady, STAR, DRC Smarter Balanced, or MDE Early Literacy/Mathematics Benchmark assessment results will be reported through the Data Hub.
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Resources & communications on Benchmark Assessments - Return to Learn may be accessed on this webpage.
WIDA & Spring 2021 Summative Assessments: In Person Administration Required
- There is no option for "remote" or "at home" testing for WIDA, M-STEP, ACT WorkKeys, SAT with Essay, PSAT 8/9 and 10, or MI-Access assessments.
- Assessment coordinators must keep track of reasons why students might be unable to test, including parent refusals and issues related to COVID-19. These reasons need to be submitted in the OEAA Secure Site during each assessment's Students Not Tested window.
MI-Access Test Administration Manuals Now Available
M-STEP Mathematics Testing in Spanish
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- OEAA Assessment Calendar
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OEAA has created at new Assessment Calendar webpage where all forms of the assessment calendars can be accessed.
- This includes a 3-year OEAA calendar, the Summative Testing Schedule, and the list of Important Dates (PDF) version of each of the assessments. A Google Calendar version has been created as well.
- 2021 Summative Testing Schedule Updated
- Correct makeup testing day for SAT with Essay Primary Test date is April 13, 2021. The SAT with Essay Makeup Test date is April 27, 2021.
Assessment Literacy Focus
- What is the purpose of Interim/Benchmark Assessments? (page 4-5)
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Reach out to Saginaw ISD Instruction for support
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