WRCCS News
September 2020
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Welcome back, educators!
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WRCCS Professional Learning Networks
WRCCS Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) are a vibrant, ever-changing group of connections to which teachers go to both share and learn. These groups reflect our values, passions, and areas of expertise. PLNs are groups of colleagues, mentors, and professionals that you connect with to enhance your learning and take charge of your own professional development. It is an online community that allows you to personalize your needs and tap into a statewide wealth of knowledge. Learn more here.
Registration form: https://bit.ly/20-21regi
For Questions and/or concerns regarding WRCCS Professional Learning Networks, please email Nick Pretasky npretasky@wrccs.org.
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The DPI's Waiver and Alternative Compliance Information
https://dpi.wi.gov/cal/innovation/waivers
Please note: While charter schools are permitted their own waivers through their charter contracts, schools may require more during this school year. Please review this information from DPI in case it supports your work.
Responding to COVID-19 is a tremendous undertaking for schools. As we look toward the 2020-21 school year, the safety and health of our students, educators, and families remains of the highest importance. As schools plan for students to return, districts will need to continually seek new ways to best serve all students, improve student learning, and increase opportunities for the children they serve through a variety of options. As responses to COVID-19 vary from district to district, there may be some cases where school districts require more flexibility than state rules or regulations permit. To address this need, State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor is providing school districts with a streamlined option to explore locally-driven solutions that will improve outcomes for Wisconsin students. The COVID-19 District Flexibility Application for the 2020-21 School Year provides districts the ability to apply for regulatory flexibility needed to implement plans for restarting and delivering education in the midst of the pandemic. Districts can apply for flexibility on behalf of one, more than one, or all schools within their jurisdictional boundaries. All applicants will need to detail how their proposal aligns to their district’s strategic response to COVID-19 to enhance educational opportunities for students.
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Universal Design for Learning: UDL Forward!
The project is supported through regional CESA networks and CAST, the national technical assistance center for UDL.
Visit DPI's website here to learn more.
Contact Jayne Bischoff with any questions.
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Wisconsin Dept of Health Services: COVID-19 Guidelines
Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook
A Tool to Help You Build Resilience During Difficult Times
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CESA Purchasing is here for charter schools
Wisconsin public schools can purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through CESA Purchasing partners. CESA Purchasing is proud to be partnered with vendors that are able to supply CDC- and WHO-approved PPE for Wisconsin schools during this unprecedented time. Click here to view CDC Considerations for Schools. Safety Data Sheets (SDS or MSDS) will be provided by the vendor at the point of purchase.
Protect your students and staff by purchasing masks, gloves, disinfectants, and more. Don’t forget to mention CESA Purchasing to receive a discount!
Visit https://cesapurchasing.org/ppe for more information.
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Join or suggest someone for OEO's Advisory Council
If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please complete the Advisory Council Interest form or contact OEO with questions.
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WRCCS Events
April 14, 2021 - WRCCS School Development Day
The WRCCS School Development Day at the ISN National Conference will be held on April 14, 2021! This is a free and open to the public full day of workshop sessions, discussion and resource sharing for those starting new schools or those that are looking to innovate an existing school. More information to come!
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Other Events
Join FIELD Edventures
Join FIELD Edventures in this two-part workshop on infusing inquiry-based learning and outdoor education into your teaching practice.
We have moved the workshop to a virtual format on September 16 & 17 from 9:30-11:00 both mornings. Review the basics of inquiry, gain strategies to use with your learners and explore inquiry outdoors in the context of virtual or blended learning.
During the pandemic, students are increasingly disconnected from each other, disconnected from their communities, and disconnected from meaningful educational experiences. And they are experiencing more stress and uncertainty. Place-based, outdoor learning combats these problems! Place-based outdoor learning makes learning meaningful and relevant to kids’ lives. It increases their engagement and keeps them interested in learning. It connects them in deep ways to the people, places, plants, animals, histories and futures of their communities, while reducing their stress. Plus, outside, there is a decreased risk of disease transmission and it is easier to practice social distancing. COVID-19 makes it more important than ever that students learn outdoors, if possible.
Led by Ruth Ann Lee and Sandy Benton, participants will:
experience outdoor place-based learning that supports the way that people learn;
learn equitable discussion and reflection practices that deepen student understanding; and
leave with a plethora of resources and ideas for taking inquiry outdoors using students' near nature, school yards, and local natural areas (such as the UW Arboretum).
The cost per participant is only $74.99!
Connect with informal and formal educators who share your passion for active, hands-on learning.
Explore strategies to use with learners of all ages to get them thinking and reflecting.
Engage with the FIELD Edventures professional learning community to support your learning during the workshop and into the future!
Questions? Contact Emma Keese.
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Charter School Job Openings
Carmen Schools of Science & Technology
Lake County Classical Academy (LCCA)
Contact: Kristina Vourax
Pathways High - See WECAN for more information.
TransCenter for Youth - Executive Director
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Need support?
Director
Nick Pretasky
Associate Director
Email: support@wrccs.org
Website: wrccs.org
Location: 304 Kaphaem Road, Tomahawk, WI, USA
Phone: 715-453-1079
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wrccs/
Twitter: @WRCCSworks