 |
|
Director's Notes
The North Country and all associated with Plymouth State University lost a wonderful person, impassioned educator, and a tireless advocate with the untimely death of Dr. Dennise M. Maslakowski. In the 1990s Dennise represented PSU at monthly meetings of North Country School Superintendents where she was not only a very welcome guest but also a fine and informed participant in many discussions on various aspects of education affecting North Country Education Services and its constituent School Administrative Units. I will miss her both personally and professionally, as will many others who had the privilege to be associated with Dennise. Requiescat in pace.
Since the last newsletter I have been very pleased to inform Dr. Mary Ford of Granite State College and the North Country Special Education Directors that even more special education teachers have expressed their interest to earn additional certifications in General Special Education (3), LD (11), EBD (13), and IDD (13). While I do not have finalized information from Dr. Ford, we have discussed scheduling several cohorts, including Haverhill, Littleton, and in a more northern location - yet to be named. In addition, Dr. Ford is planning to schedule an intensive, all day Monday through Friday session this summer that may be hosted by North Country Education Services. Any other SPED teachers or administrators, who are interested in this opportunity, please email me at charlie@ncedservices.org. It's not too late to be a part of this initiative.
On Friday, January 23 while attending a teleconference at NCES of the monthly meeting of the Commissioner of Education with Superintendents of Schools, we were all shocked to hear that Dr. Lyonel B. Tracy will be leaving his position as of March 23. Although at times some Superintendents disagreed with stances that he held, no one can ever accuse him of not being his own person and fostering initiatives that would promote the overall well-being of all children statewide, and striving to improve overall school performance throughout New Hampshire. I look upon Commissioner Tracy as a true educational visionary who weathered the perfect storm of national political discord, statewide budget doldrums and a global economic crisis each of which has contributed to greatly constrain the educational progress he had envisioned. His efforts will be appreciated in years to come and I would not be surprised to see him emerge as a more visible leader on a larger stage. Best of luck to you in your future Dr. Lyonel B. Tracy, and thank you for your many contributions throughout New Hampshire.
Charles F. Thibodeau, Jr.
Executive Director
|
|
Film Festival for Grades 6, 7 & 8
NCES is considering applying for a grant to work with middle school teams on developing two-minutes video that connect any content the students are learning with a community or regional issue. The project would replicate the Mabry Film Festival on a regional level. There would be professional development for the lead teachers, as well as support to the students in both the planning and development of the main point of their film as well as the technical advising on creating the video. Please contact Lori Langlois at NCES if you are potentially interested in participating. We would like to involve participants in the development of the project and the grant application process. To learn more about the Marby school film festival, visit http://mabryonline.org/archives/2007/04/2007_film_festi.html (scroll to the bottom to view the films).
|
|
Teaching American History Grant
NCES is currently working with the NHDOE and Anodyne consulting to prepare an application for the Teaching American History grant. If you've recently been asked to complete a survey pertaining to teaching American history, your district is likely already on board. If not, please make it known to your principal or superintendent that you would like the opportunity to participate in professional development focused on American History.
The project will focus on K-8 teachers in years one and two and on high school teachers in year three. Professional development will alternate among geographical areas in the North Country, Lakes Region, and Connecticut River Valley. Teachers will participate in two modules during the summer, the first being a required module of four days of intensive content and pedagogy instruction, the second being an optional 4-day field trip to historical sites, followed by four Friday evenings/Saturdays during the school year.
The theme will be the participating communities' own local history and how it fits into the full scope of American history. We propose to strengthen local history through curriculum development, perhaps even through oral history techniques, and interactions with our local history museums.
|
|
Book Talk
In partnership with the NH Staff Development Council, NCES will hold a two-hour book talk featuring The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don't Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need--And What We Can Do About It by Tony Wagner. We anticipate the group meeting after-school or early evening in April or May. If you would like to be notified when this is scheduled, please contact Lori Langlois at NCES.
|
|
Upcoming Professional Development
_____________________________________
PRIME for Life
PRIME For Life is a life-changing program developed by Prevention Research Institute that utilizes best practices and behavior change protocols to reduce alcohol- and drug-related problems. The program is delivered across the country and in parts of Europe to youth and adults in need of an evidence-based prevention and intervention program. Evaluations show PRIME For Life works to increase abstinence, delay the onset of use, and reduce high-risk alcohol and drug use. PRIME For Life helps people successfully protect the things they value. Learn more about PRIME For Life at www.primeforlife.org
Note: This is a three-day training, instead of the typical four-day training. This training is intended for implementation of the Universal Prevention syllabus. PRIME For Life for DWI offenders would require additional training.
Cost: Free for staff and/or those who provide direct service to schools from Berlin, Groveton, Lin-Wood, Littleton, Stratford & White Mountains Regional. Personnel working in or with other northern NH schools may attend at no charge if spaces remain. Contact Lori Langlois for more information.
Registration: If you plan to attend, please register by March 12 by emailing Lori Langlois at lori@ncedservices.org calling NCES at 800-268-5437 or 603-466-5437.
|
|
Botvin's LifeSkills
Botvin LifeSkills Training is a remarkably effective, research-validated substance abuse prevention program for elementary, middle, and high school students proven to help students develop essential skills found to significantly reduce tobacco, alcohol, drug abuse, and violence. LifeSkills is proven to cut student alcohol use by 60%.
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 8:00 to 4:00
Presenter: Kathy Moaratty
Cost: Free for staff from Berlin, Groveton, Lin-Wood, Littleton, Stratford & White Mountains Regional. Other schools may participate at no charge if space is available. Lunch will be provided.
Location: NCES, Gorham, NH
Registration: If you plan to attend, please register by February 18 by emailing Lori Langlois at lori@ncedservices.org calling NCES at 800-268-5437 or 603-466-5437.
|
|
PowerPoint Unleashed
Learn how to use custom animation, motion paths and triggers in PowerPoint to create animated sequences. Basic knowledge of PowerPoint necessary for this workshop.
A second session of this workshop has been added on March 3.
More information
|
|
Newscasts, Podcasts…What’s all the noise about?
Learn to create an audio only activity incorporating writing, social studies or science. These skills could be used to create an interview with someone from the past.
More information
|
|
Formative Assessment and Diagnostic Probes Follow-Up
This session is for K-12 mathematics educators and is a follow-up to the Formative Assessment & Diagnostic Probes sessions done on November 10th and December 8th with Christine Downing. In this follow-up session, participants will utilize curriculum topic studies in a more in-depth approach to design their own diagnostic probes. In addition, a protocol will be presented which helps to streamline the analysis of student work based on completion of diagnostic probes. Finally, activities will be presented to engage participants in aligning probes to the GLEs and GSEs and how to utilize NECAP support materials to create probes. Throughout the session, additional formative assessment classroom techniques (FACTs) will be shared by the presenter. Participants are encouraged to bring the following resources to the session:
- Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics (text received through prior sessions or may be purchased from NCES).
- Current mathematics program (teacher edition only) being utilized in school
- Copies of NH GLEs/GSEs
If you did not attend a prior session, you are still welcome to attend this session.
Presenter: Christine Downing NECAP Mathematics Content Specialist for the NH DOE.
Location: NCES Conference Room
Dates: May 15, 2009
Time: 9:00 – 3:00
Cost: NCES Member School Staff $20, Associate Member Staff $25, All others $30
Registration: Contact Becky Ring at 466-5437 or becky@ncedservices.org
Questions: Contact Matt Treamer @ 466-5437 or matt@ncedservices.org
|
|
Performance Tracker for Administrators
The 2008 NECAP results are now in Performance Tracker. We will walk you through reports to look at results across grade levels and across groups. This will help you find curriculum and/or group trends. Come with a small team and leave with new ideas, tools, flowcharts, and worksheets to inform instruction.
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from 9:00 to 11:00
Location: North Country Education Services, Gorham, NH
Trainer: Paula Churchill
Cost: Free for North Country Administrators and their team
Registration: If you plan to attend, please register by March 2 by emailing Becky Ring at becky@ncedservices.org or by calling NCES at 800-268-5437 or 603-466-5437. Space is limited to 15 participants.
|
|
Performance Tracker for Title I Project Managers
Delving Deeper into NECAP Data
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 from 9:00 to 11:00
Location: North Country Education Services, Gorham, NH
Trainer: Paula Churchill
Cost: Free for North Country Title I Project Managers
The 2008 NECAP results have been imported into Performance Tracker. Learn to use this software to understand the performance of Title I students and pinpoint critical areas that need improvement. This will be an introductory session in using Performance Tracker with time for hands on practice. You will leave with flowcharts and tools so you can replicate the reports when you get back to your district. Come armed with questions, leave with tools to pinpoint improvement areas.
Username and password: Contact your local i4see coordinator if you do not already have a username and password. You should request building-level access at a minimum, and district-level access if possible.
Registration: If you plan to attend, please register by March 2 by emailing Becky Ring at becky@ncedservices.org or by calling NCES at 800-268-5437 or 603-466-5437. Space is limited to 15 participants.
|
|
Educating the 21st Century Learning
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at the
Inns at Mills Falls, Meredith, NH
The Local Education Support Center Network (LESCN) will host a conference on "Educating the 21st Century Student: Web 2.0 Safe and Savvy " on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Church Landing at Mills Falls, Meredith, NH. Peter Reynolds of Fablevision is scheduled to deliver the keynote. Scott Spradling, formerly of WMUR, will moderate a panel discussion. A variety of breakout sessions will feature NH professionals with expertise on internet use and the students in our schools. Registration at www.lescn.org. Register by March 1 to avoid late fee.
|
|
Performance Pathways Users Group
These video conferenced sessions are to provide a context for users to ask questions of each other and to share experiences including tips, tricks and best practices regarding the development and support of Performance Tracker.
Dates: April 10 and June 12 from 9:00 to 11:30. Contact Becky Ring to register for the NCES location at 466-5437 or becky@ncedservices.org
|
|
|
Teaching Geometry Inductively
|
 |
|
|
|
.
There are eight students in the Plymouth State University math course being taught by Greg Superchi at NCES. The course features the integration of geometry and technology using Capri II Plus software.
|
|
|
|
|
Youth Leadership Project Mini-Grants
The North Country Health Consortium's Substance Abuse Program is seeking teams of 5-8 youth, led by one adult, to apply for one of 20 $1,000 youth grants to be used toward performing a prevention activity in the community!
Visit www.nchc-csap.org/youthgrants.html for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
.
x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
