Improving the way we keep you updated on professional learning,
alternative programs, partnerships, and resources.
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Congratulations to our 15 Local Spelling Bee Winners!
The Kane County Regional Office of Education is gearing up to host the county-wide virtual spelling bee in March. This annual event is sponsored by the Scripps National Spelling Bee, with students competing all throughout the country. The spelling bee will look different this year, but it is still an exciting time for our students who qualified.
Throughout the months of December, January, and February, local schools held their own competitions and produced school champions. They will be competing in the Final Local Spelling Bee on March 17th, hosted by ROE. The winner will represent Kane County in the National Finals.
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This year, the preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, and semifinals will all be held virtually to ensure the safety and health of all participants.
The National Finals will take place in Florida this year on July 8th. Typically, the Spelling Bee is hosted in Washington DC, but due to COVID-19 restrictions and a need for an outdoor location, the bee will take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney Resort. The event will be nationally televised.
Thank you to all the schools and sponsors who worked hard to make this happen in a challenging year. “We are proud to have schools and their commitment to continuing the Spelling Bee this year,” says Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent of Education. “Schools were creative in finding ways of keeping the event for their students, and their hard work does not go unnoticed.”
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Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month! Women have contributed a lot, and especially in the education field. Did you that Elizaberg Callister Peale was the first women educator in the US, back in 1783? Or did you know that in 1826, the first public high schools were open to girls in New York and Boston?
To help you celebrate in a significant way in your classroom, we found some resources to help teach.
Scholastic has created a collection of valuable resources to help educate youth about the accomplishments made by women throughout history. From women's suffrage to the first woman on the supreme court, there are a plethora of good resources to use in school.
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Better PD isn't Lucky, It's Inspired!
Are you looking for a way to shake up your professional learning for 2021?
Try Inspire! Inspire is a professional learning subscription box that comes with strategies, activities to implement in the classroom, and gifts for teachers to use both in and out of the classroom! Each box also includes reflection points to earn 8 PD hours.
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World Language Workshop
Join us on April 22nd & April 29th from 3-4:30pm for a workshop on 7 Tips to Creating an Integrated Performance Assessment in a World Language Course.
In this 2-Day workshop, World Language teachers will learn how to design Integrated Performance Assessments. Using the practice of Backward Design, teachers will first be guided through the process of defining unit learning outcomes based on ACTFL Can-Do statements. Next, the presenter will lead the participants in selecting an authentic resource and creating an interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational task for their own IPA. Rubrics and implementation strategies will also be discussed.
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Thanks for Celebrating CTE Month!
February has ended, and that means so has CTE Month, Thanks for following along with us and celebrating our students, teachers, and industry partners in the career and technical education field.
Week 4's celebration highlighted STEM, Manufacturing, Transportation, Trades & Counselors programs.
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Week 4: STEM, Manufacturing, Transportation, Trades & Counselors Programs |
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Missed our first three videos? Check them out here:
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The Juvenile Justice Center gets a visit from Craig Boykin
Noted Guest Speaker Delivers Important Message to Kane County JJC Students
On Monday, February 22nd, all Kane County Juvenile Justice Center School students had the opportunity to hear and see Craig Boykin via Zoom as part of Black History Month programming.
Using engaging video clips and sharing his own, personal life story, Mr. Boykin was able to captivate most of the students. He skillfully intertwined the historic mission of civil rights leaders with the tragic plight of mass incarceration, especially among African Americans.
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Mr. Boykin drove home the power of education and how it can change lives, including those of young people in juvenile detention. Having lived through many of the trials and experiences of the Kane County JJC students gave Mr. Boykin credibility and created willingness among the students to listen to what he had to say. During the question and answer time, one young lady profusely thanked Mr. Boykin and shared how his talk had inspired her to continue to work to reach healthier life goals. Mr. Boykin promised to send this student an autographed copy of one of his books, My Life, Your Inspiration. The Kane County JJC School under the leadership of the Kane County ROE continually invests in providing its students with meaningful special events and elective courses that make an impact for those they serve.
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Waubonsee Community College Career Fair
Kane County Regional Office of Education partner Waubonsee Community College is hosting a statewide virtual career fair on April 9th from 10am - 4pm. The goal is to connect attendees with potential employers, as well as resources and services.
Other Illinois colleges participating in this event include: Black Hawk College, Kennedy-King College, College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, Harold Washington College, Highland Community College, Illinois Valley Community College, Joliet Community College, Kankakee Community College, Kishwaukee College, Morton College, Oakton Community College, Parkland College, Prairie State College, Shawnee Community College, and Triton College, Waubonsee Community College.
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Education Shortage Report
On February 28th, the Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents (IARSS) published the Educator Shortage Survey. In coordination with the Regional Offices of Education and Intermediate Services Centers in Illinois, the groups collaborated with Goshen Education Consulting and Illinois State University to survey approximately 600 districts regarding the teacher shortage crisis and the impacts on COVID - 19. The effect of COVID left many positions unfilled due to health concerns and an increased need for subs.
In Kane County, the results were not as high as the statewide average in Illinois, due to the county being in a more populous area, but the area is not immune to the overall effects.
“We are aware of the situation and are collaborating with the districts to provide relevant professional development in needed areas. We provide workshops to help staff in the districts to receive credentials for job growth. We also provide training on compassion fatigue to help retain teachers. In addition, 15 advancement courses through Illinois Online Academy focus on teacher wellness,” says Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent of Education. “We are committed to assisting our districts in retaining employees and are finding ways to attract young adults into the field of education.”
*Note* Not all schools/districts were able to report numbers due to the challenges of COVID-19. The data is based on the results received.
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The Progress Report: PD Overload
In this week's post of The Progress Report, Jenna Moller discusses the meaning behind personal & authentic relationships and introduces an upcoming online book study hosted through Illinois Online Academy.
The Progress Report is a collaborative discussion space for professional learning. If there are any topics that you would like to see a post on or guest write yourself, please contact Katie Algrim.
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Where Can I Find Information Regarding COVID-19 In Illinois? |
ISBE is working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure we are providing the most current resources and guidance to support Illinois education communities regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
The Illinois Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline and email address provides consistent information, answer questions, share facts about symptoms, and provides up-to-date information from the CDC. Call 1-800-889-3931 anytime or email dph.sick@illinois.gov
News and information updates from all around Kane County.
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Catch Up On Branching Out |
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"Branching Out" is our new weekly YouTube series with quick videos designed to help educators branch out of their comfort zone and integrate new ideas and technology into their classroom.
To subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay up-to-date with the newest installments, click here.
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Upcoming & Ongoing Workshops |
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AA #2001: Illinois Performance Evaluation – Teacher Evaluation Training
March 18th & 19th
$400
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AA#1374: Implementing Social & Emotional Learning System-Wide to Improve Student Achievement
Ongoing
$125
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English Language Learner:
Evaluation & Assessment
Ongoing
$195
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Growth Mindset
Ongoing
$40
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Kane County Regional Office of Education | 630-232-5955 | kaneroe.org
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