Member Newsletter
May 2020
This is the last Member Newsletter of the 2019-20 school year. Enjoy your summer!
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The entire SWWC team remains committed to supporting and serving our members during this time. Please be sure to contact us with questions or concerns.
Our COVID-19 resources page
includes links to state and federal information on the pandemic. We also have a long list of instructional and informational resources, including FREE training for paraprofessionals. Be sure to take a look around - we are sure you will find something to help you during the Distance Learning Period in Minnesota.
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SWWC Registration System Updates
SWWC is transitioning to a new online registration system for our workshops and webinars. Piloting of the new registration system began with select events in September, with a transition to all event registrations through the new system by July 2020. Registrations for most events can be completed individually, for groups, or by proxy with a single online payment by credit or debit card.
If you have any questions regarding the changes to our payment processes, please contact Randy Erdman, Director of Finance, at
randy.erdman@swwc.org
.
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Only ONE Webinar Left
The Supervisory Basics Leadership Series is designed to build confidence and expertise in managing and supervising others. It is relevant for new supervisors in school districts, cities, counties and other governmental agencies. Click webinar title for more details and to register.
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On Demand Technology Certification Trainings
SWWC’s Technology Department is excited to announce an expansion in our training solutions for technology professionals through a partnership with Stormwinds Studios. Stormwinds offers a comprehensive catalog of technology certification pathways trainings through self-paced or instructor-led online courses! Now you can attend certification trainings from your device at school or home at a pace that suits your needs.
Options to purchase a single content area or the entire catalog are available with a full year of access at reduced rates only available to members of SWWC, and further reduced rates available to SWWC Technology Services Subscribers. Education and Public Sector technical support staff and leaders will find great value in advancing their knowledge base through this offering. For more information and pricing visit
www.swwc.org/tech
today!
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The VIRTUAL 2020 Science & Nature Conference
Now available ... the FREE Virtual Science & Nature Conference for teachers and parents who have students in grades K-8 (but not limited to) to use any time until the end of the school year. Students can choose from 16 different categories and find a topic they are interested in. Click this link
www.swwc.org/sn
. Enjoy and have some fun.
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VIRTUAL Author/Illustrator Program
This year, for the first time ever, SWWC is offering a FREE virtual Children’s Author & Illustrator Program. Terri Michels, an author and photographer, David Geister, an illustrator, and Pat Bauer, an author, created a virtual visit into their homes and their world of being and author and illustrator. This program is geared towards elementary students in grades K-6 to encourage the love of reading and inspire students to write and illustrate. SWWC has made this virtual program available to all SWWC members at no charge. We hope you enjoy them.
You will find the two virtual visits on the Children’s Author & Illustrator Program page:
www.swwc.org/caip
.
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FIRST Tech Challenge Grant Opportunity
FIRST Tech Challenge
helps students learn computer science, engineering, manufacturing, teamwork, problem solving, communications skills and more.
Watch the First Tech Challenge video
to learn about this exciting program. FIRST Tech Challenge in Minnesota (MN FTC) is part of an international robotics program that includes more than 6,700 teams globally. High Tech Kids, in partnership with FIRST, has been bringing FIRST Tech Challenge to Minnesota since 2013 and this season supported 200 teams. Teams of up to fifteen students collaborate to build and program a robot that competes on a 12’ by 12’ field. Each year the competition is designed to challenge students to think critically and expand their knowledge of the engineering process. The following grant opportunity is available to any school that is a member of the SWWC, Mid-Minnesota Perkins Consortium, or Minnesota West Perkins Consortium that serves junior high or high school students.
LYFT Pathways Grant Opportunity for First Tech Challenge
Grant funds are available to schools (or a partnership of schools) to start or expand a FIRST Tech Challenge programs for students in grades 7-12. The typical cost for a school to purchase equipment and cover registration for an FTC team is about $3,500 for the first year and $1,500 for subsequent years (this does not include the cost of travel or a coaches stipend)
First Year Grant - $4,500 for 2020-21 school year (includes coaching stipend)
Second Year Grant - $2,500 for 2021-22 school year (includes coaching stipend)
If we have enough teams sign up we will try to host a regional competition during the 2020-21 school year. If you are interested in the grant, contact Tom Hoff at
tom.hoff@swwc.org
.
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Creative Writing Contest Award Winners!
Since we were unable to gather for the awards ceremony, this year we did it a little different. We created a virtual Awards Ceremony to honor the winning students. Dr. Judy Wilson, Director of the SMSU Creative Writing Program, Terri Michels, guest speaker, and Executive Director of SWWC, Cliff Carmody, all shared a heartfelt message and their gratitude to all involved with this program especially the students who participated.
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Health & Safety Update - Cleaning and Disinfecting Your School
Spray and wipe! Spray and wipe! Is that good enough to sanitize your building? Recommendations from many agencies, including the CDC, state that no, that is not enough. Surfaces must be cleaned AND disinfected in order to maintain sanitization. Cleaning is using soap and water to remove dirt and impurities from surfaces. It is recommended to use a little “elbow grease” when cleaning. Disinfecting surfaces kills germs, bacteria, and viruses. Many disinfecting products require 5-10 minutes of contact before it should be wiped off. For more information on cleaning and disinfecting your buildings, check out the
Cleaning and Disinfecting PDF
located on the
Health & Safety COVID-19 webpage
.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Kayla Speidel at
Kayla.Speidel@swwc.org
.
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