Transition Plus January 21st
Intelligence + character that is the true goal of education
Trouble Viewing your Memo?
If you are having trouble with a link - make sure you are using your MPS Google Account
Locker Information
Happy New Year from Barnes & Noble!
2 things:
- All Educators get a special 25% discount every Sat and Sun in January – classroom and personal purchases. More info here.
- We recently came out with STEM/Literacy project based learning plans K-8. We are holding a workshop/demo Jan 25th at our stores. Please let me know who from your school you recommend that I reach out to and I will provide additional info.
Tactile art materials/objects needed!
Screening of "THE KIDS WE LOSE"
Dr. Ross Greene Author of Lost at School & The Explosive Child is coming to Minneapolis. A screening of his documentary “The Kids we Lose” is being hosted by the Special Education Department at:
Southwest High School
January 21, 2020
6:00p.m.-8:30 p.m.
This will include a follow-up question and answer session with Dr. Ross Greene, There is more information in the flyer, linked here.
Please consider helping us get the word out by:
posting the linked flyer in your building,
print and backpack home the flyer with students.
add to your outward facing newsletters
Please encourage staff in your building will take advantage of the opportunity to engage with Dr. Greene and his Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model of working with our students whose emotional and behavioral needs may stand in the way of their academic success.
The Nail Tech CBI module will be holding a staff manicure event on Friday, Jan 31 from 10:30-11:30 in the cafeteria.
Please join us in the cafeteria so that students can give you a manicure. Students will not be cutting nails or cuticles, as they don’t have enough experience or training for that. They will file, push cuticles, buff and paint your nails.
SEL message
Hello All,
I have enjoyed sharing and bragging about the amazing SEL work that our staff is doing when meeting with district staff. So many of us engage in such authentic ways with each other and our students.
A quick reminder to start each class with a warm welcome and end with an optimistic close. If you need ideas for welcoming activities, many can be found in the SEL Toolkit that you can access from the Staff Intranet page.
We have 3 more weeks of emphasis on Social Awareness. This is a good time to appreciate and respect the diversity and experiences of those around us.
Have a great week!
Tia
Food Service News
Breakfast sandwiches:
Wednesday mornings $2.50
Staff lunch meal deal:
Thursdays $5.50
Bakery Orders:
Don't forget that you may order baked goods from the Food Service class at any time. Our prices are reasonable, and we can make just about anything. We love special orders!
Staff Reminders
Timeliness
- As the weather continues to change please keep in mind your start time - Plan accordingly.
Engagement notes
- If a student is in need of clothing items, backpacks, food, or any other basic need item, please refer them to their case manager or social worker in order to access them.
When taking a class on an outing, please bring a list of all students and destination to the engagement desk and the front office desk.
Updated Student Information
- Please be sure to let Melissa or Traci know of any changes that need to be made in Discovery - Change of address, phone numbers, contact info, etc. We want to be sure student records are accurate.
Supplies
- Please let Traci know of any class supplies you will need for 2nd semester
Classroom furniture needs
Please have your wish list to Traci by the end of the day on Wednesday, January 23rd. The sales rep will be touring with Traci and we need to be able to know exactly what the needs are in order to get a quote.
4th Annual Gallery Walk
We are seeking presenters for the 2020 Connect! Celebrate! Energize! Gallery Walk. This is a fun event for special education teachers, staff, related service providers, and general education teachers to come together to share and learn from one another on the amazing things that are happening throughout MPS! It will be taking place on 3/4 from 4-6pm.
In the past, we have had a small secondary representation of presenters and would love your help in recruiting some for this year's event. If you know of any successful or unique interventions, activities, visuals, resources being used in the middle and high schools, we would love to have them represented at this year's gallery walk. You can either direct the teacher (or related service provider) to fill out the below google form OR you can just email me with their name and what they would be interested in presenting.
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions about this event as well...Michele or I would be happy to elaborate.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1TfRokmlVsioUjBWP6e_kqsQn74VlqiabA1d2LFpo22U
This "call for presenters" message was sent out a couple weeks ago to all special ed teachers (including secondary).
Please fill out this brief form if you have an idea/topic you would be willing to share with your colleagues.
This is an open house style gallery walk. Presentation is an informal style of sharing intervention ideas, stories, and successes. It will be a fun night to connect with fellow teachers around the district. And, you will go home with ideas, materials, and raffle prizes! A light dinner will be served!
Past years topics have included: Visual supports, social stories, Core communication, comprehensive literacy, social emotional strategies, sensory and regulation activities, self management, reinforcement and token boards, STAR strategies, and many more! Our group can help purchase materials if you would like to include a "make and take" activity at your station.
If you want more information, please contact Hailey.Deloya-Vegter@mpls.k12.mn.us
ACCESS Winter 2020 Brochure
Here is the link to the ACCESS Winter Online Access brochure
http://guide.mpls.k12.mn.us/2020-winter-access-brochure-final
Minneapolis Public Schools - 2020 Winter Access Brochure - Page 1
Check out the new classes and activities in this Winter Access brochure and find one that’s just right for you! Most evening classes begin the week of January 30th.
guide.mpls.k12.mn.us
Gradebook Information
We have had IEP's returned in the mail due to incorrect addresses being used. A couple of teachers have said they took the address from the IEP. Please be sure you are going into Gradebook to get the most current address. Also, be sure you are letting us know if you get demographic updates for students.
The SOURCE is a great learning tool to learn about all of the features that exist on Gradebook. I found this -
Learn More About Your Students
Viewing Student Information
You can easily learn more about a student by selecting the student's name (from the attendance or gradebook screen). When a students name is selected a pop-up window displays the following:
- 1. Student Name, ID Number & Grade.
- 2. Student Picture.
- 3. Student Personal information including: DOB, address, email & phone.
- 4. Parent/Guardian contact information: Name, phone (if different than student), & email (if on file).
- 5. Health information will show here if a student takes medications or has other health conditions you should be aware of.
Learn more at:
https://source.mpls.k12.mn.us/gradebook-a-guide-for-teachers
Gradebook: A Guide for Teachers — The Source
Can't find what you're looking for? Submit an eTicket with your training request. In the category dropdown menu, select "Training," and the eTicket will come straight to the Design & Training team.
source.mpls.k12.mn.us
MicroGrants up to $2000 from Arc MN available to our students through Spring 2021!!
Here is a link to the Minnesota Microgrant Partnership. webinar
You can find more information on our website here.
Link to the application here.
The flier highlighting students who have received grants to improve their job prospects or get settled into independent housing is attached for you to see how previous grants have been used.
You might also be interested in Arc's new podcast, Focus on the Future.
Finally, Arc has a Free online interest mapping tool called Get Set! It’s also available for students to do some future planning.
Need more information? Contact Susan Sochacki Marketing Specialist, Minnesota Microgrant Partnership The Arc Minnesota 651.604.8056 Toll-free: 833.450.1494
CBI Round 4
East African Cultural Celebration planning Module Facilitator Needed for Round 4 (Feb 7-March 6)!! The whole module is available for planning. The celebration is on March 13th afternoon. There are so many community experts in the building and we should be able to get a great group of students to plan it. check out the CBI Module Overview
Let Colleen know if you would like to facilitate.
Coming Up at TPlus
Tuesday---------------- Lic Staff PD ----------------- 8:30-9:30
Wednesday-----------
Thursday---------------
Friday-------------------- PSWE -------------------------- 8:30-9:30
Third Friday of the Month-------Newsletter Submissions for Families