Hello, our April newsletter is here!

Educators from across Area VI converged at the Southern Illinois Law & Leadership Conference at John A. Logan College on March 28, 2024, for an inspiring and informative event. Hosted under the guidance of Dr. Gary Kelly, the event was a testament to collaboration and dedication in the field of education.

The success of this event was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Guin Mundorf, LLC; Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA); Illinois Principals Association (IPA); Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C.; Poettker Construction Company; Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, LTD; Illinois ASBO; Veregy; and Smith-Hafeli Construction for their invaluable contributions.

If you are up for renewal, you may begin renewing your Professional Educator License on or after April 1, 2024. Your license needs to be renewed on or before June 30, 2024. The link to renew will not populate in your Action Center on your homepage unless you have entered all your required professional development. Be sure you have fulfilled all your applicable professional development hours and/or Illinois Administrator Academy courses in your ELIS account. Please contact us if you need assistance renewing your license.

ISBE FAQ: 2024 License Renewal

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/License-Renewal-FAQ.pdf

ROE#21 was honored to facilitate a poverty simulation at Marion Junior High School today! It is eye-opening and humbling to experience firsthand the challenges many face. Huge thanks to all participants, volunteers, and Crystal Newcomb, SEL Coach, for organizing this meaningful event!

Community Prevention Resources wants to remind everyone that if you don’t properly dispose of the unused or expired prescription drugs in your home, they might find a new one.

Keep friends and family safe. Dispose of medicines safely by dropping them off at a collection site on National DEA Take Back Day, which is an annual event meant to promote public awareness regarding safe disposal of unused medicines.

Take action on April 27, 2024, from 10am - 2pm, and dispose of your unused/expired prescription drugs. To learn more and find a location near you, visit DEATAKEBACK.com.

Who is Eligible by Law?

All children and youth who don't have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living:

In an emergency or transitional shelter, with friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship (also known as doubled up)
In a motel, hotel, campground, car, bus or train station or other public place, an abandoned building
In inadequate accommodations, such as no utilities or running water, no working kitchen, infestations/mold/vermin, number of bodies vs. beds
As an Unaccompanied Youth, including youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

Tackling Childhood Homelessness: Early Intervention Matters

Childhood homelessness casts a shadow over our society, with devastating effects on health and development. Homeless children birth to five are twice as likely to suffer from chronic diseases, hunger, and malnutrition than housed peers. They also face double the rate of learning disabilities and three times the risk of emotional and behavioral issues.

These challenges don't just disappear; they linger into adulthood, leading to long-term health problems. However, legislative actions like the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act provide provisions to combat the issues faced by this vulnerable population. One pivotal aspect of this legislation is the prioritization of homeless children for early education programs. Collaborative efforts involving entities such as Regional Office of Education #21 (ROE #21), Birth to Five IL, and the Coalition for Children & Family play a vital role in implementing and enhancing these initiatives. By pooling resources, expertise, and advocacy efforts, these organizations can ensure that homeless children receive the critical support and intervention they need during their formative years.

Early intervention is crucial. It not only addresses immediate needs but also helps break the cycle of homelessness by providing stability and educational opportunities. By doing so, we safeguard children's well-being and empower them for a brighter future.

In short, combating childhood homelessness isn't just about finding shelter—it's about protecting innocence and nurturing potential. Each child we support represents a step towards a society where every child can thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

New Carpentry Class Completes Community Project

This year’s new regional Carpentry class held in Benton provides hands-on classroom instruction on all entry-level construction/carpentry skills including safety education when using hand and automated tools. Students from all Franklin County High Schools have the opportunity to enroll in this class.

Teacher Timothy Hall is active in Franklin County communities and reaches out when he learns of area businesses completing projects his students might participate in to acquire valuable on-the-job experience. Most recently, Mr. Hall assisted a hair salon in West Frankfort with their extensive remodeling project. The salon paid for all the materials and the Carpentry students constructed the front counter/storage unit for the business.

Mr. Hall explained that he provided several options and instructions to the students and then stood back and observed their work as the project took shape in the Carpentry classroom. From there, the design was completed to the Salon owner’s specifications; then, the students framed the project out, covered it all with ½ wood-backed boards which were then stained with a black stain. The countertop is marble epoxy with a raised section per design specifications. Storage shelves were also added on the back side of the counter where the salon employees would be standing.

The completed project was quite impressive, and upon delivery, the salon staff were very pleased with the quality work the Carpentry students had done for them under the direction of Mr. Hall.

Mrs. Gina Grant, an educator at ECHO Alternative School, recently oversaw the completion of some impressive artworks by her students. These captivating pieces are now on display around the campus, bringing joy to all who see them.

Phishing for Trouble: Part 2 - Spot the Scam!

Last month, we learned about phishing scams. Now, let's sharpen your skills to identify them in your inbox!

Red Flags:

Suspicious Sender: Look closely! Phishers often use fake email addresses that mimic real companies (e.g., micros0ft.com instead of microsoft.com). A technique called "email spoofing" may also be used to disguise their email address as someone you know or trust (e.g., your bank or colleague). These fake addresses may look nearly identical to the real one, so be cautious and hover over the sender's name to see the true email address.
Generic Greetings: "Dear User" is a red flag. Legitimate entities typically address you by name.
Urgency Traps: Beware of emails pressuring you to act quickly, like "Account Suspended!" This tactic aims to cloud your judgment.
Info Fishing: Never share personal details via email or text messages, even if it seems urgent. Legitimate companies won't ask for this information this way.
Shady Attachments/Links: Don't open unexpected attachments, or click links, even if they seem familiar. Phishing emails often hide malware in files.
Branding Inconsistencies: Phishers try to copy logos and layouts, but there might be mismatched fonts, colors, or logos. Check URLs carefully when hovering over links.

Stay Alert!

If an email raises any doubts, trust your gut! Report suspicious emails to your IT staff. Also, consider forwarding them to anti-phishing organizations, such as APWG.

Join us for an extraordinary day of virtual professional development at the Illinois Technical Assistance Project's Virtual Institute.

The IL SLD Support Project is excited to collaborate with various Illinois Technical Assistance Projects to present a diverse array of sessions tailored for educators across all grade levels and subject areas.

Whether you're a special education teacher, general education teacher, administrator, or paraprofessional, this conference has something for everyone.

Our sessions will cover a broad range of topics including:

Academic support in reading, writing, and math
Understanding dyslexia
Navigating autism in the classroom
Harnessing the power of technology in education
Effective behavior management strategies
Early childhood education insights
Classroom management techniques
Innovative instructional strategies
Promoting inclusive practices

Don't miss out on this opportunity for professional growth and collaboration! Save the date and stay tuned for more details on registration and session schedules. We look forward to seeing you there! Register here: https://buff.ly/3IHn7es

April 3rd

April 9th

April 10th

April 11th

April 12th

April 13th

April 16th

April 17th

April 18th

April 19th

April 23rd

April 24th

April 25th

April 26th

April 30th

It looks like most of us have texted the wrong person; however, wardrobe malfunctions and calling someone the wrong name tied for a very close 2nd place. Let's see what will win this month...