November / December 2021 PLIC Pride!

November - December 2021

A Critical Reevaluation of Classroom & Library Text

On November 4th, teachers from around the region joined Kathryn Bailey, Jaime Mendelis, Alicia Sherman and Nikki Waskie-Laura for a session designed to discuss the need for diverse and inclusive texts in instruction and library collections. This session was grounded on the principles of the Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework: Welcoming and Affirming Environment, High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction, Inclusive "student-centered learning environments that affirm cultural identities; foster positive academic outcomes; develop students' abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; empower students as agents of social change; and contribute to individual engagement, learning, growth, and achievement through the cultivation of critical thinking" (pp 6-7).

Through a consideration of excerpted work from researchers, authors, and thought leaders, participants engaged in individual reflection and collaborative discussion to identify the "why" behind this work for themselves and for their students. Participants identified several takeaways, including a recognition that providing access to a wide selection of texts promotes empathy and belonging, affirms student identities, and allows themselves and their students to experience "windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors", a phrase coined by Dr. Rudine Sims-Bishop to explain how texts can provide readers with connection and representation, expand cultural awareness, and broaden perspectives. Likewise, these takeaways are supported in the CR-S framework, as a welcoming and affirming environment is defined as "a space where people can find themselves represented and reflected, and where they understand that all people are treated with respect and dignity" and an inclusive curriculum is defined as "the opportunity to learn about perspectives beyond one's own scope" (pp 14-15).

As a final piece of this first session, participants created action plans to carry the work forward, including plans to conduct audits of their current library collections and curricular text selections. This group will reconvene in the spring to debrief the auditing process and identify the next steps for continuing this important work.

PLIC Presents at NYSCATE

Members of the PLIC team represented BT BOCES at the annual NYSCATE Conference in Rochester, NY November 20th- November 23rd. This year the conference was back in person with options for participants to join sessions virtually.

Marissa McNamara and Rick Bray presented Legends of the Hidden Template: Unlock the treasure of Google Slides Theme Builder. Here participants learned how to create custom themes in Google Slides. Real life applications were discussed including, district branding, customizing already made themes, and creating instructional content.

Rick Bray also presented two additional sessions at the conference. He facilitated the second annual Ask an EdTech Coach Panel. In this, audience members were able to pose questions and have open dialogue around current issues and topics in education. Panel members included Technology Integrationists in addition to classroom teachers. In person panel members included Marissa McNamara (BT BOCES), Ryan McGinnis (CA BOCES), and Trish Llaguno (Windsor CSD). Panel members that joined via Zoom included Glen Irvin Flores (Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools), and Rachel Murat (Maine-Endwell CSD). Great conversations and connections were made during this double session!

Rick also presented EdTech Lip Sync Battle. Participants were presented a question for discussion, two volunteers shared their thoughts, afterwards the rest of the audience voted for the option they liked most, leaving the person with the least best response (because there are no "bad responses") the opportunity to lip sync for the group. A special appearance was made by Carl Hooker (author and keynote speaker) who coined this session at NYSCATE, allowing for Rick to collaborate before, during, and after the session. Individuals in this session walked away invigorated with excitement and fresh ideas from the conversations this session fostered!

Josh Hough presented alongside Jacob Resnik (RIC Project Coordinator) Full STEAM Ahead. In this session, Josh and Jacob shared Norwich CSD’s story of building their K-12 STEAM curriculum. Participants left with actionable steps for how they could use the work done at Norwich CSD as a model for implementing STEAM aligned curriculum in their own districts.

We are the VLA!

BT BOCES' Virtual Learning Academy is going strong! When the districts in our region ask for a virtual learning option we answered the call, building a K-12 virtual school, not from the ground up, but rather from the wires out! Currently, there are 145 students enrolled that come from 14 different districts in the BT BOCES and surrounding regions.

The K-6 classes meet from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm during the day and have scheduled blocks for ELA, Math, Writing Workshop, Science, and Social Studies. Students also have PE, Music, and Art throughout the week. For grades 7-12, the schedule starts with a synchronous check-in every morning at 9:30 am, then students work asynchronously throughout the day, ending with synchronous lessons with their teachers (one class lesson in person per week).

The VLA Student Leadership Councils are starting to plan some awesome events for the year. We are VLA! Virtually Creating Connections and Community. Want to learn more? Check out the VLA website and follow their adventures on twitter @btbocesvla.

Create a Poll in Outlook

Outlook has an option to send quick polls out to recipients via email in order to quickly gather information! Once you create the poll and send the email, recipients respond directly in email or click on the link provided and vote in a browser window. As the sender, you will see the results directly in the email.

Outlook for Windows: In a new email message, go to the Insert tab and then click Poll.

Outlook for Web: In a new email message, choose the three horizontal dots at the bottom of the window and then click Poll.

When the poll opens, type your question and options.

To add additional options, click + Add Option
If you want to allow multiple answers, toggle to the Multiple Answers button to the right so that it turns green

Click Insert Poll into email

Note: You will not see the poll in your message until after you send the email.
You'll see a link to your poll in the body of the email and your name pre-populated in the CC line

Send!