Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Welcome to the ConnectEd Bulletin Board!
This is the place to find opportunities for further professional development, grant and awards opportunities, and much more!
- Who Can Teach Personal Financial Literacy?
- Teaching & Learning Summer Institute: “Transforming Systems for Innovation"
- March 28 Educational Equity Network Spring Institute
- DNR Accepting Entries for Air, Air Everywhere Poetry Contest
- Call for Student Art
- 14 New Languages Added to Seal of Biliteracy Assessments
- Schools Encouraged to Apply for Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Training Grants
- Wisconsin Creativity Summit Online August 7
- Special Education and Pupil Services Virtual Academy in April
- Trauma Sensitive Schools Spring Webinar
- News from Around the State
Who Can Teach Personal Financial Literacy?
The Personal Financial Literacy requirement related to Act 60 (passed in 2023) requires 0.5 credit of personal financial literacy (PFL) for high school graduation beginning with the class of 2028. A common question is, Who can teach it? The short answer: It depends.
It depends on the PFL standards each school board adopts. If the district adopts the Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy, teachers holding licenses to teach social studies*, family and consumer sciences, or business and information technology are qualified to teach the PFL required course. In other cases, reference the PFL FAQ for more details on this and other questions, or contact one of the three consultants who handle the area: Jen Jackson, Business and IT; Julie Anderson, Family and Consumer Sciences; or Kris McDaniel, Social Studies.
*Includes the new social studies license (2700) and social studies licenses prior to the repeal and re- creation of PI 34 in 2018 (1710 - economics, 1701 – broadfield social studies, and 1700 – social studies).
Teaching & Learning Summer Institute: “Transforming Systems for Innovation"
A three-day retreat for school teams on innovation and growing hope.
When: July 15–18, 2024
Where: Lowenwood, Land O'Lakes (contract pending)
Who: School teams of between 4–6 people, including (but not limited to) administrators, educators, and instructional leaders, will engage in hands-on activities, sessions, discussions, and networking to discover and develop pathways to innovate. Continuous support for implementation will be provided throughout the 2024-25 school year via online sessions.
What: Through hands-on experiences, concurrent sessions, small-group discussion, networking, and reflection, school teams can joyfully explore ways to create their own pathways to hope. Participants will also receive implementation support throughout the 2024-25 school year through online sessions.
Topics include:
- Alternatives to Traditional Grading
- Culturally Relevant Instruction
- Flexibility within the Law
- Growing Hope
- Personalized, Competency-based learning
- and more…
Registration includes food and lodging. Limited to 60 participants. Registration priority will be given to school teams of between 4–6 people. Please complete the application on the bottom of this page. Download the application PDF to preview questions (For planning only. Applications must be submitted through the online form.)
March 28 Educational Equity Network Spring Institute
The Educational Equity Network invites all Wisconsin educators to continue deepening their equity work by attending the 2023-2024 Educational Equity Leadership Series. This unique series was designed to increase educators' capacity for co-creating belonging in all learning spaces. The next learning event will take place online from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Sessions include:
- Education for Liberation: Centering Black & LGBTQI+ Students
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Isang Bagsak as an Educational Framework: Embodying Cross-Racial Solidarity towards Asian Americans
-
RACE: The Power of an Illusion - Part II: The Story We Tell
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Defective and Deficient: Disability Oppression as a Tool of Racism
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As well as Welcome and Concluding practices.
To learn about the full slate of presenters and to sign up to attend, visit the Educational Equity Network's Spring Institute Page.
DNR Accepting Entries for Air, Air Everywhere Poetry Contest
This year DNR is offering Wisconsin's parents and teachers a classroom or virtual learning opportunity. Parents and teachers can lead students through an activity (or more than one!) from the Air, Air Everywhere Teacher's Activity guide. The guide includes ten activities to help third, fourth and fifth grade students learn about air quality and the importance of clean air.
Teachers and parents can submit original poems and riddles created by their student(s) to Wisconsin DNR. Three winning poems will have their work featured below as well as on the DNR’s social media accounts.
REQUIREMENTS
- Open to all third, fourth and fifth grade students in Wisconsin.
- Any form of original poetry or riddle is acceptable. Entry must be 200 words or less and describe air and/or the importance of clean air.
- Writing MUST be the original work of the student.
- Each entry must be in PDF or Word format, or written out in an email. No Google Doc links will be accepted.
- Each entry must include the name of the author, the name of the parent/teacher and the parent/teacher's email and phone number.
- Email entries to: DNRAirEducation@wisconsin.gov
- Submit entries by Friday, May 3, 2024, to be eligible. Contest entries will not be returned and will become the property of the contest sponsor.
Instructions
As part of the Where's the Air? activity, students will complete simple sensory experiments to discover the characteristics of air and then write a poem or riddle describing air. Parents and teachers, do not forget to use the Wisconsin air quality facts and information document to help students complete their riddles and poems. This resource is filled with facts on Wisconsin's air quality history and current status to help students understand the state's air quality!
Download the complete Air, Air Everywhere guide, which includes ten activities. For more information about air education, contact Lindsay Haas.
Call for Student Art
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is proud to announce a new project that will annually collect high quality digital images of student artwork from across the state. The images will be printed, framed, and hung in the new home for DPI in the Tommy G. Thompson Center near the capitol building in Madison for one year beginning the summer of 2024. In addition, the artwork will also be displayed on the Arts & Creativity page of the DPI Website.
Quick Overview:
- Entries are open to all K-12 aged students in Wisconsin.
- Each Wisconsin art educator can submit up to 5 works of art from their school’s current work.
- Submission of the student art is done 100% digitally via the project Google Form.
- To be considered for this year, artwork and accompanying information must be submitted no later than May 15, 2024.
- View Project Details and the Submission Form here
14 New Languages Added to Seal of Biliteracy Assessments
Please join us in celebration our partnership for proficiency with the MN Department of Education through which we are celebrating multilingual learners by expanding access to Seal of Biliteracy assessments in 14 new languages! Read to learn more! If your district is not yet authorized to implement the Seal of Biliteracy Program, apply to DPI, and become a part of this national movement to recognize students’ heritage and second language skills! Bilingualism is an indicator of college, career and community readiness. The Seal credential communicates a student’s ability to use languages across cultures and contexts with confidence. Let’s work together to bring this opportunity to all learners across Wisconsin.
Schools Encouraged to Apply for Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Training Grants
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced that a new round of Wisconsin Fast Forward grants is available to help prepare students for high-demand careers.
These grants reimburse school districts for the costs of purchasing and installing technical education equipment used in vocational training and technical education in advanced manufacturing fields. Funds also cover the cost for equipment operation software and instructional materials. Grants support technical education and reduce higher education costs through dual enrollment credits, industry-endorsed certificates, and technical endorsements on high school diplomas.
Applications must be sent by 3 p.m. CST on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Find additional information or download an application on the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program website.
Wisconsin Creativity Summit Online August 7
Join the DPI for a fantastic day learning from nationally renown experts on creativity and education. Collaborate with others from across the state and nation focusing on practical ways to nurture creativity in classrooms, schools, libraries, and communities. Be inspired by an administrator and educators from a Wisconsin school that is recognized as a leader in cultivating creativity with their students. Take part in an opportunity to create a video sharing your story about the impact that creativity has had on your life and the importance of creativity moving forward.
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 from 8:45 am - 4:00 pm
Free, Online via Zoom
Audience: Educators, Administrators, School Board Members, Community Leaders, Artists
Format:
- 4 Keynote Speakers - Ted Talk Style (20 minutes) followed by connected break out sessions with participant interaction (40 minutes)
- Wisconsin School spotlighted for its work developing and cultivating creativity
- Keynote Panel Discussion and Q & A
- Optional opportunity for participants to create brief video testimonial sharing the impact creativity has had on their life and the importance of creativity to our future.
Guest Speakers
Dr. Peter Gamwell, Administrator, Educator, Speaker, and Author of "The Wonder Wall"
Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, Creative Revolutionist, Pulitzer Prize nominee, IAmM.O.R.E visionary
Dr. Sarah Cunningham, Rhode Island School of Design Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships
James Wells, Award-Winning Innovative Teaching and Learning Manager for Crayola
James Murray, Waukesha STEM Academy Principal, 2017 AWSA Principal of the Year
Special Education and Pupil Services Virtual Academy in April
Join the DPI in April for the Special Education and Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy. The purpose of these sessions is to build awareness and understanding on technical topics related to those new to the field of Special Education and Pupil Services. Registration is free and is required for each individual event.
April 10, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4/10/24 Registration Link.
- Supporting Neurodiverse Students- SNS and ES3 - Eva Shaw and Katie Berg
- Universal Design for Learning - Missy Elmer
- Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) - Caroline Rossing
Trauma Sensitive Schools Spring Webinar
Join the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Safe and Healthy Schools Center for a Trauma Sensitive Schools spring webinar featuring Alex Shevrin Venet, author of Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education. The webinar will be held on April 9, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. There is no cost to attend.
Topic: How are trauma and inequity present in our schools, and with limited time and resources, how should teachers respond? In this webinar, Alex Shevrin Venet will introduce the framework for equity-centered trauma-informed education and its guiding principles that help educators help students, especially those impacted by trauma. We will explore proactive priorities for transforming the school environment, as well as ways to tap into larger efforts for change.
Please follow this link to view additional details and register. Registration is limited to 500 participants. Contact ahubing@cesa4.org or krasmussen@cesa4.org with registration questions.
State superintendent statement on recent bomb threats in Waukesha via Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Dr. Jill Underly: "All our students and educators have the basic human right to feel safe, included, and supported – especially when at school and at public libraries."
Two Wisconsin teachers inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
English and language arts teacher Shelly Moore Krajacic of South Milwaukee High School and sixth grade history teacher Terry Kaldhusdal of Kettle Moraine Middle School were both honored Thursday with surprise celebrations from their students and the NTHF. Maddie Fennell, Acting Executive Director of NTHF, presented the awards to both teachers.
Wisconsin Senate passes bill to require Asian American history in schools via Madison 365
The Wisconsin State Senate has unanimously approved a bill to require schools to teach the history of Asian American people.
Rural Wisconsinites don’t want referendums funding their school districts, but the Legislature leaves them no choice via Up North News
There are 91 school referendums on ballots across the state for the April 2 spring election in Wisconsin. They’ve become a fixture as the Legislature has refused to provide public school funding that keeps up with inflation—for 16 consecutive years.
Templeton principal chosen for state honor via Waukesha County Freeman
“Templeton Middle School Principal Brad Hoffmann was selected as the 2023-24 Wisconsin Association of School Councils (WASC) Junior and Middle School (JAM) Administrator of the Year. The award recognizes Hoffmann for his support of Templeton Middle School’s Student Council.”
Certified student data now available on DPI’s WISEdash Public Portal via Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
The update includes 2022-23 graduation, attendance rates, and 2023-24 certified enrollment data.