 |
|
Congratulations Middle School Filmmakers
|
|
Understanding the Mind of Struggling Learners
What happens when a student's learning strengths don't match the demands of a subject or task in school? This course will focus on understanding specific learning functions of the brain (i.e., attention, language, higher order thinking, memory) and how students' strengths and weaknesses in these areas affect school performance.
This course will equip educators to make informed instructional decisions and to help students strategize and advocate for themselves as learners.
Dates: April 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2011 from 8:30 to 3:30
Location: NCES, Gorham, NH.
Instructor: Betty Reed, Center for School Success
Cost: $650 (not including graduate credit)
Graduate Credit: 3 credits from Plymouth State University, addtional $191/credit (in-state) plus $25 registration fee
Registration: Contact Lori Langlois at lori@ncedservices.org, 800-268-5437 or 603-466-5437 Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:00.
|
|
Trish Walton Returns
NCES is pleased to announced that Trish Walton will be offering workshops and courses in the North Country once again. First up will be a language arts workshop.
Effective Language Arts in an RtI World
Response to Intervention means that at least 85% of students need to achieve mastery of key skills and concepts as a result of regular classroom instruction. What that means for classroom teachers is that we need to be very effective in our teaching. Come to this workshop ready to discuss what the key language arts skills/concept are, and open to learning (and sharing!) classroom strategies and lesson ideas that will improve your language arts instruction. The workshop will be appropriate for any teacher, grade K-12.
Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 9:00 to 4:00
Location: NCES, Gorham, NH
Cost: Member School Staff $100, Associate Members $115, Others $125.
About the presenter: Trish has been a reading coach, and has taught 2nd grade, 5th grade, middle school language arts (10 years), high school English, and undergraduate & graduate students at UNH’s teacher education program. She has been a consultant in the area of Differentiated Instruction for over 15 years. She is currently teaching in Hopkinton, NH; however, she is considering making the plunge back into Educational Consulting.
|
|
Teaching Math Effectively with Interactive Whiteboard Software
The ability to move objects, group, annotate, rotate and problem solve with interactive whiteboard software makes Interwrite MOBI Learners and other interactive boards a powerful tool for teaching mathematics. The three session program covers the basics of the MOBI interactive software, the mathematical tools included in the software and how they work, and actual files made with the software that you will take home with you.
Dates: Wednesdays, January 12, 19 & 26, 2011
Time: 4:00 to 7:00 pm (light dinner provided)
Location: NCES
Register: SERIES IS FULL. Contact NCES to be notified if another series offered.
|
|
iPads in the Classroom
Learn the basics of using the iPad for personal productivity and explore education apps that enable students to create, consume and reflect on their learning. Be one of the first to impress your colleagues and students with this revolutionary device. You'll leave with a brand new 32GB iPad (wifi only) of your own!
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2011
(optional follow-up on March 8)
Time: 4:00 - 7:30 (light supper provided)
Cost: Member school staff $700, associate members $770, non-members $840.
Registration: CURRENT CLASS FULL. Contact NCES to be notified of the next class.
|
|
Apps & Tips to Make the Most of Your iPad
This users' forum will include a refresher on the basics covered in the February iPad class, some new tips and assistance with any questions you have about your iPad. There will be an opportunity for users to share their favorite apps.
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 (light supper provided)
Cost: Free to paid participants of the Feb 8th class. Member school staff $15, associate members $20, others $25.
Registration: Contact Lori Langlois to register at lori@ncedservices.org or 800-268-5437 or 603-466-5437. Purchase orders may be faxed to 603-466-2907.
|
|
Ages & Stages; Individual Differences; Developmentally-Appropriate Practices
Today's school environment, with its extremely wide range of learners, pressure to cover graded curriculum in tight time blocks, and emphasis on standardized testing, makes it difficult to meet the needs of all students. In this powerful workshop you will follow the predictable path of developmental growth patterns in children - cognitively, physically, socially, and in language - and see how each area influences the other. You will learn practical ways to align your curriculum planning, program use, and classroom practices to student's developmental needs and go back assured that you will provide optimal academic growth.
Intended for: K-4
Presenter: Jean Mann
Date & Time: Will be rescheduled for spring. Contact Lori Langlois for details.
Location: NCES, Gorham, NH
|
|
Handwriting Workshop
NCES anticipates offering a handwriting workshop sponsored by Zaner-Bloser this spring. With the emphasis on handwriting in the new Common Core State Standards, this should be an informative session. Watch for details in the next newsletter.
|
|
Common Core - Mathematics
In July, the New Hampshire State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards and committed to a thoughtful, deliberate transition that will take place over the next five years.
There have been many questions around this adoption, and how it will affect New Hampshire schools. The NHDOE is inviting each school to send one or more representatives to an informational session about the mathematics sections of the Common Core.
Mathematic sessions will include
- Transition plans for moving from the NECAP standards to the Common Core
- A review of the major components of the CCSS Instructional and NECAP testing implications (including timeline for transition from NECAP to new assessments)
- Grade Level review of Common Core
Date: January 13, 2011
Time: 4:00 - 6:00
Location: NCES, 300 Gorham Hill Road, Gorham, NH
Cost: Free
Registration: Contact Ellie Riel at at the NHDOE at (603) 271-0076 or eriel@ed.state.nh.us to reserve your seat.
|
|
Free Science Professional Development Grades 4-9
NCES will be partnering with Dr. Eleanor Abrams, Professor of Science Education, and Michael Middleton, an Associate Professor specializing in adolescent motivation, both of the University of New Hampshire, to offer FREE science focused professional development for upper elementary and middle school teachers in the North Country.
We will be seeking input from potential participants through a very brief online survey asking you to rank need/interest from a menu of options and to indicate the ideal time/schedule. We will disseminate the survey through principals, but to ensure you are included, please contact Lori Langlois at lor@ncedservices.org to be added to the direct invitation list or enter your contact information here.
These professional development opportunities may be a combination of workshops at NCES and in-classroom support (if desired). Anticipated start up is February or March, so keep an eye out for an announcement. The project will be funded through the NH Space Grant program.
|
|
Bullying Toolbox for Schools
Responding to NH Bullying Law (RSA 193-F)
Topics include:
- Steps beyond developing a bullying policy
- Communication with parents and students
- Training for everyone
- Program of Prevention
- Systemic approaches
- Investigations and reporting
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 from 12:30 to 4:00
Presenters: Aprylle Desrosiers, NHDOE Title IV Program Director and Randy Ross, Equity & Diversity Specialist at the New England Equity Assistance Center of the Education Alliance at Brown University.
Intended for: School administrators, guidance counselors, professional development teams and policy committees.
Location: NCES, Gorham, NH
Cost: Free
Registration: Required by contacting Lori Langlois at lori@ncedservices.org or 603-466-5437 or by completing online registration.
|
|
NEWS, UPDATES & OTHER TIDBITS
|
|
Title IID Grant Information Webinars
The Office of Educational Technology at the NHDOE will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) this year for competitive grants to eligible districts, under the ESEA Title II-D Program (Enhancing Education Through Technology), to support the improvement of student achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools. Due to budget cuts at the federal level, a total of $480,000 will be available this year for three types of Title II-D grants: Technology Leader Cohort (TLC) Program for Teachers and Administrators (15-20 school teams), Classroom Technology Mini-Grants (15-20 school teams), and a single Digital Resources Consortium Grant.
Upcoming grant webinars are scheduled for:
January 19 at 9:00 am AND 3:00 pm
January 26 at 9:00 am AND 3:00 pm
To join the webinar or for information: http://nheon.org/oet/nclb/
|
|
Director's Notes
Teamwork Works!
As we usher in a new year, I’m reminded of the words John F. Kennedy spoke a half century ago, “A child miseducated is a child lost". These words, encapsulated in the 2002 Federal mandate of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), promoted standards based education reform and school accountability for student performance. The challenge of meeting the requirements of NCLB has over the past 4 years become more and more difficult for schools due to the downturn in the economy and a greater demand for specialized services. Thus, students at risk for school failure due to disability, poverty or language require Special Services instructed by appropriately licensed staff. Consequently, at no time in our history has it been so apparent that educators must maximize all their skills, knowledge and resources to insure that not a single child is lost. Today, many schools stand at a cross road contemplating which direction or road will best help them (1) meet the challenge of meeting the needs of an ever growing diversified population of learners and (2) meet the demands of NCLB. Toward that end, many schools have opted to take a path that until recently was seldom taken. However, the journey along this path is not taken alone, but instead taken hand in hand together with others. And in doing so extraordinary things happen---the road becomes shorter, the weight on ones shoulders becomes lighter and the scenery becomes much brighter. For it’s true that most brilliance occurs from ordinary people working together in extraordinary ways. Teamwork Works, whether it is in the form of team teaching between a 10th grade Algebra teacher and a Special Education teacher, or a School Psychologist guidance counselor and 3rd grade teacher mapping a RTI initiative or collaboration between two school districts in offering an after school program for advanced learners.
As we have done so successfully in the past, NCES looks forward to being a catalyst in bringing about greater partnerships and or collaboration between districts, relative to assisting them in meeting today's daunting educational challenges. Perhaps to serve as a guide along a path that until recently was seldom tread upon.
Bruce Labs Named Superintendent of the Year
On behalf of North Country Education Services, I and our member districts extend heartfelt congratulations to Bruce Labs on being named New Hampshire Superintendent of the Year for 2010-11. Toward that end, he will receive a special award during the National Conference on Education in Denver, Colorado this February.
Mark Joyce, the Executive Director of New Hampshire School Administrators Association capsulated Bruce’s noteworthy contribution to public education when he said “Bruce is a wonderful example of a true champion of children, working tirelessly on behalf of children and citizens of his communities.”
Speaking for all our members, recognition could not have happened to a more deserving and worthy individual than Bruce Labs. Congratulations Bruce on this noteworthy honor. It could not have happened to a finer gentleman and educator.
Welcome New Members
This past month two Vermont School Districts joined NCES. Welcome new member Blue Mountain SD and Superintendent Richard Pike and welcome Orange East SU and Superintendent Don Johnson.
Ray Healey
Executive Director
|
|
Farewell to NCES Administrative Assistant
And last, but certainly not least, we wish long time NCES Administrative Assistant Becky Ring a fond farewell. Becky accepted a position elsewhere and we wish her the best in her new endeavor. We would like to acknowledge and thank her for her dedication and hard work over the years. She will be missed.
|
|
|
.
|
 |
|
|
|
High School Battle of the Bands
The North Country Youth Prevention Council is organizing a statewide Battle of the Bands competition in April. Stay tuned for more details.
|
|
|
|
|
Substance Abuse Prevention Posters
Have a spot where parents and adults gather? The North Country Health Consortium has posters targeting parents to discourage them from providing alcohol to their children. Contact Bob Thompson at the North Country Health Consortium to obtain posters at 603-837-2643 x 602.
|
|
|
|
|
Many Faces of Facebook
Join Special Investigator Jennifer Frank of the Plymouth State University Campus Policy Department's Crimes Against Women Unit will be presenting "Many Faces of Facebook" session to parents, students, law enforcement, school personnel and other interested individuals.
January 12, 2011
6:00 PM
Woodsville High School
January 19, 2011
6:00 PM
White Mountains Regional High School
No registration required. Sponsored by North Country Health Consortium.
|
|
|
|
|
Parents' Guide to Facebook
ConnectSafely.org offers a free 34 page guide to read or print (PDF). The guide is frequently updated to keep pace with changes in features and privacy settings on Facebook.
|
|
|
|
|
Understanding Bullying:What everyone should know
Intended audience: administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, substitutes, coaches and paraprofessionals.
Presenter: Dr. Malcolm Smith
Location: Groveton High School
Date/Time: February 10, 2011 from 1:00 to 4:00
Cost: Free
Registration: Contact Shelli Roberts by January 24 at s_roberts@sau58.org or 636-1075 ext 1.
|
|
|
|
|
Understanding Bullying
Intended audience: Parents, caregivers and educators
Presenter: Sue Buteau, UNH Cooperative Extension
Date/Time: February 10, 2011 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Location: Groveton High School
Cost: Free
Registration: Contact Shelli Roberts at s_roberts@sau58.org or 636-1075 ext 1 by Janaury 24th.
|
|
|
|
|
Military Culture 201
The NH Department of Education and the Educational Outreach Committee of the National Guard are offering a series of FREE workshops that will allow educators who may not have had a personal experience of having a deployed family member gain some perspective about what it feels like. Bring your questions, many resources are available.
The session for northern NH is schedule for May 4, 2011 at NCES from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Target Audience: school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses, and support staff.
Cost: Free
Register online
|
|
|
|
|
Educating the 21st Century Learner
This year's Local Education Support Center Network spring conference will feature Gary S. Stager, Ph.D. as the keynote. Save the date, Friday, April 8, 2011 at Church Landing at Mill Falls, Meredith, NH.
|
|
|
|
|
Learning Forward in the Digital Age
Save the date, Wednesday, May 18, 2011 for the Learning Forward (formerly NH Staff Development Council) spring conference. This year's conference will feature Marilee Sprenger, an international educational neuroscience consultant and author of Brain-Based Teaching in the Digital Age.
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Info
For more information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
