"Believe in the possibility that we can strive to be antiracist from this day forward."

From author Ibram X. Kendi in the book: How To Be An Antiracist

November marks National Native American Heritage month, as well as Diabetes Awareness month, along with Thanksgiving making November a very special month!

I have included two resources on teaching about Thanksgiving in a truthful way from Learning for Justice and an elementary resource from the Oklahoma City Public Schools both of which are outstanding resources. Additionally I have included the link to the Diabetes organization.

From the Diversity Central Website:

"NOVEMBER: National Native American Heritage Month

In response to an effort by many to gain a day of recognition for the great influence American Indians have had upon the U.S., Congress designated a week of October to celebrate Native American Awareness Week in 1976. Yearly legislation was enacted to continue the tradition until August of 1990, when President Bush approved the designation of November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Each year a similar proclamation is issued. President Clinton noted in 1996, "Throughout our history, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have been an integral part of the American character. Against all odds, America’s first peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural, political, social, and moral presence." November is an appropriate month for the celebration because it is traditionally a time when many American Indians hold fall harvest and world-renewal ceremonies, powwows, dances, and various feasts. The holiday recognizes hundreds of different tribes and approximately 250 languages, and celebrates the history, tradition, and values of American Indians. National American Indian Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the positive effect native peoples have had on the cultural development and growth of the U.S., as well as the struggles and challenges they have faced."

Massachusetts Partnership for Youth

Please check out the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth upcoming November Webinars Click here for the link to several webinars. There are some timely and relevant topics. Such as

Understanding Your Own Cultural Identity and the Impact of Systemic Racism on Education or

Creating Safer Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth & Families are just two examples.

#MSAA Chat

#MSAAChat is on the second Tuesdays of the month September - June at 8:00 PM. The next chat is Tuesday, December 14th. Thank you to our facilitators: Marty Geoghegan, Bob Silveira, and Brian McCann!

DESE MSAA Early Learning Team

2021-2022 Elementary School Principals Networking & Professional Development Series

Matthew Rodriguez from Equity Imperative and his team will deliver 3 professional development sessions (each 2 hours in length) on anti-racist leadership in the early grades. These sessions will be interactive and include whole group and small group discussions. The sessions will take place from 3:00-5:00pm on:

· Tuesday, December 7, 2021;

· Tuesday, February 8, 2021.

Book Group Discussions (all 3:30-5:00 p.m.)

January 19 and 26, 2022 – Purposeful Play: A Teacher’s Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day by K. Mraz, A. Porcelli, and C. Tyler

Please consider joining us for some deep and meaningful discussions.

Current Articles/Videos/Podcasts

As I noted in the first paragraph I have included some Native American Resources and the links are below. Additionally the link to the Diabetes Organization.

On behalf of the staff at MSAA we wish you a happy, safe and joyous Thanksgiving.

Closing Message from Bob Baldwin

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of ALL children. You are making a difference!

Warm Regards,

Beth

Beth Wittcoff

MSAA Assistant Executive Director

MSAA Matters Newsletter

Middle Level and Elementary Committee Liaison

Ring Central Gatherings

Thursday, January 6th Urban Best Practice Summit

Wednesday, January 19th DEI Youth Summit

Saturday, February 12th ED Camp Live 8:00 AM 12:00 PM @MSAA Forge Park

Thursday, March 10th 2:00 PM 5:00 PM; Friday, March 11th 8:30 - 3:00 PM our PK-8 Spring Conference is back! Devens Commons

Monday, April 4th Ed Camp Play 2.0 in partnership with DESE - Virtual

Tuesday, April 12th Assistant Principal Conference In-person @ Doubletree Hotel Milford

See member email for links to these gatherings!

There will not be a meeting on the Monday holidays.

1st Monday of the Month High School Administrator Gatherings 3 PM

PK - 8 Gathering @ 4:00 PM

2nd Monday of the Month Assistant Principal Gatherings 3 PM

3rd Monday of the Month Middle Level Administrators 3 PM

4th Monday of the Month All Level Administrators 4 PM

Professional Development Opportunities

Live/In-Person

December 2, 2021, Aspiring Administrators Workshop, Register

December 8, 2021, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): What it Is and What it Is Not, Special Education, presented by Abby Hanscom, Athena Educational Consulting, Register

December 10, 2021, Re-JOY-ning the Math Class! - Math Openers, Routines, and Experiences to Build MATH Positivity and Better Discourse, in Your Classroom: Elementary, Mathematics, presented by Marcie Abramson, Athena Educational Consulting, Register

December 14, 2021, RTI interventions and the SEI Classroom, Special Education, presented by Laurie Sullivan, Athena Educational Consulting, Register

February 10, 2022, Understanding and Addressing Implicit Unconscious Bias in Our Schools, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Karen Dodd Antonelli, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc, Register

Asynchronous

Learning Portals open Oct 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022

The Inclusive Classroom: Reaching Students of ALL Abilities, through Co-teaching and Creating Tiered Interventions, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Classroom Management: Keys to Maximizing Opportunities, for Student Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Differentiated Instruction to Promote Maximum Learning Recovery, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates and Publications, Register

Learning Recovery, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Cynthia Marchand, Ribas Associates and Publications Inc., Register 4 Graduate Credits Available

Succeeding with English Language Learners, English Language Arts, Dr. Cindy Crimmin, Ribas Associates and Publications Inc., Register Approved by DESE for the 15-PDP ELL License Renewal Requirement

Restorative Justice, Leadership/Administration, presented by Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

How to Deliver Effective Feedback: Addressing What Matters Most to Improve Professional Practice, How to have a Difficult Conversation!, Leadership/Administration, presented by, Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Effective and Stress-Free Parent Communication, Leadership/Administration, presented by Jared Procopio, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Expanding Math Mindsets: Digital Tools & Resources, to Engage Middle & High School Students, Mathematics, presented by Brian Skeffington, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Understanding the Differentiated Instruction Classroom: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register

Succeeding with Students with Special Needs: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Bill Simmons, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register

Succeeding with English Language Learners: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Dr. Cindy Crimmin, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register

SEL in the Classroom: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Dr. Deborah Brady, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register

Positive Anxiety - Making the Shift, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Patric Barbieri, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC Register

Bridging the Gap: Connecting Academics and Social Emotional Learning to Maximize Student Learning, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Getting Back on Track: Using PBIS Strategies to Create Safe and Supportive Classrooms, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Sustaining Educator Wellness for the Long Haul, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Christopher Dodge, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register

Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom: The Gateway to Learning Recovery, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Dr. Deborah Brady, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register

1 Graduate Credit Available

Succeeding with Students with Special Needs, Special Education, presented by Bill Simmons, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register Approved by DESE for the 15-PDP Special Education License Renewal Requirement

Recovering Learning Loss for Students from Low Income Homes, Special Education, presented by Dr. Roseli Weiss, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register