Principals' Weekly Newsletter
Maryland State Department of Education - November 9, 2015
New Resources from PARCC!
We are pleased to announce the release of some new resources from PARCC! Check them out!
PARCC Score Report Interpretation Guide
http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10829
New PARCC Released Items
https://prc.parcconline.org/assessments/parcc-released-items
Partnership Resource Center
Understand the Score! A New PARCC Website!
PARCC has launched a new website, "Understand the Score." It's purpose is to assist parents in understanding the PARCC home reports. Please take a look! This is a valuable resource to share with at a parent meeting or in parent communications. It is also important for teachers to understand the home report so that they can answer parent questions and address concerns. Please share this link widely!
MSDE Resources
PARCC for Teachers Webinar Series: The next webinar will be on November 10, highlighting the Maryland high school results and new resources that are available.
Register for this webinar by going to: https://msde.webex.com/msde/onstage/g.php?PRID=4f61cc931c46c04921402835a70ce71b
For links to all PARCC resources including the recording of the first Webinar on the PARCC home score reports, please go to the Maryland Public Schools link below.
PARCC Home Score Report Explanation for Parents Available in 10 Languages!
Arabic -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10832
Chinese -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10834
Haitian Creole -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10836
Marshallese -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10838
Navajo -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10840
Polish -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10842
Portuguese -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10844
Somali -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10846
Spanish -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10848
Vietnamese -- http://avocet.pearson.com/PARCC/Home#10850
Time is Running Out on These Opportunities!
Salisbury University hosts the AMC8 American Mathematics Contest 8 for middle school students
On November 17th, 2015, Salisbury University will host the renowned American Mathematics Contest 8 (AMC8) for middle school students. This prestigious competition is designed to engage and challenge young minds. Salisbury University (SU) will pay the cost of all test materials and provide lunch for all participants (including teachers, specialists, administrators, and chaperons).
The 2015 AMC8@SU Event Day will include:
· The AMC8 competition
· Teacher Workshops in Problem Solving
· Lunch (at no cost to all participants)
· Fun math talks, given by SU Faculty
· Tours of the Salisbury University campus
Please visit the official website for more information about the test itself: http://amc.maa.org/
It Takes Two: Teaching is Tough Along. Collaborate with your School Librarian - Online Workshop
School libraries of today are not what many remember as children - where you go and check out a book and leave. Today, the school library is becoming a Learning Commons, a place where school librarians have the knowhow and experience to put together fantastic bibliographies, pathfinders, and lessons for your classes- including apps, e-books, databases, online videos, and webpages. Librarians not only will lead you to these awesome online resources but collaborate with you on how to use these resources to support your lessons in 21st century style!
Wednesday, Nov 18, 2015, 04:00 PM
undefined
P.L.A.Y.D.A.T.E - People Learning and Asking Y: Digital Age Teacher Exploration
At the Maryland PLAYDATE, you are invited to the Maryland State Department of Education with other educators to collaborate & connect. During this time you will explore tools you may want to utilize in your classroom and discuss with others the challenges and best practices for those tools in the classroom.
Register Now! http://bit.ly/PLAYDATE15
Upcoming Events! Register Now!
Virtual Edcamp Maryland - Register Now!
Virtual Edcamp MD will allow teachers to collaborate with other educators throughout the nation without leaving the comfort of their own home. Professional Learning in your pajamas!
The Edcamp model was “born from” the need for teachers to guide and personalize their own professional learning. It is an "unconference" in which the participants choose session topics on the day of the event, so all topics are timely and relevant. There are no facilitators; all participants are encouraged to participate in lively discussions, share their expertise or experiences, ask questions, and collaborate with one another.
Saturday, Jan 9, 2016, 09:00 AM
undefined
Additional Opportunities
MSDE Code Contest for 2015
The Maryland State Department of Education today launched the 2015 “Maryland Hour of Code,” a contest to spark student interest in computer science and computational thinking.
The contest will award a $10,000 technology donation to a public school that ensures that every student has at least a one-hour coding experience during Computer Science Education Week, December 7-13. The Northrop Grumman Corporation has generously provided the funding for the contest.
Teachers, principals, and other school staff members are encouraged to participate. One application per school will be accepted. The deadline is 11:59 p.m., December 5.
The $10,000 prize is in the form of DonorsChoose.org funding credits. For information on DonorsChoose, go here. Teachers can find Hour of Code tutorials and resources here.
More information on the Maryland Hour of Code, as well as an application for this year’s competition, is available here.
The following is provided by the Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education.
Nominations are accepted through November 30, 2015, for the following categories:
- State Leadership in Gifted and Talented Education-Educator
- State Leadership in Gifted and Talented Education-Legislator
- Student Accomplishment in Gifted and Talented Education
- Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education- Teacher as Leader
- Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education- GT Program Coordinator
- Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education- School or School System Administrator
- Business/Community Organization, University, or Parent Leader that Supports Gifted and Talented Education
Please see attachment for nomination information.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Looking for Great Teachers, Students, Volunteers and Local Businesses
(Annapolis, MD) November 5, 2015 –The Chesapeake Bay Trust is currently seeking applications and nominations for its 2016 annual scholarship and awards program. Launched in 1998, the Trust’s Annual Awards Program honors students, teachers, individuals, communities, businesses and organizations for their work to promote education, improve local communities and help restore the Chesapeake Bay. Currently the Trust is soliciting applications for six awards: Teacher of the Year, Student of the Year, Honorable Arthur Dorman Scholarship, Ellen Fraites Wagner Award, the Melanie Teems Award and the Commercial Stewards Award. The winners of the Honorable Arthur Dorman and Student of the Year awards will receive $5,000 scholarships and the Teacher of the Year will be awarded a $2,500 grant to support environmental education at his or her school.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, December 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm and all must be applied for online. All applicants must be residents of Maryland and can complete the application or be nominated by someone. The winners will be announced during the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Legislative Reception to be held on January 14, 2016 and must be able to attend the event. For complete details and to submit an online application, visit www.cbtrust.org.
Call for Proposals! Common Ground Maryland!
Together, fifteen non-profit educational organizations are focused on creating an unforgettable learning experience rich in innovative ideas, best practices and sharing what works. Don’t miss this opportunity to submit a proposal to present at CG16. Visit commongroundmd.org, click on the Proposals to Present tab, and submit your proposal today. Proposal are due by December 30, 2015. No late submissions will be accepted.
Professional Learning for Educators from the National Aquarium in Baltimore
SPEAK UP Survey
The survey runs from October 1 to December 18.
Scholarship Information
MASSP Scholarships for Assistant Principals
“The Dr. Edna May Merson Scholarship”
MSET Grants 2015-2016
Accepting Application until December 1st
Each year MSET offers grants to educators who are MSET members. We are seeking grantees who are focusing on personalized learning in their innovative work with technology and we will be offering up to $2,000 per grant.
Grant recipients will be asked to create an iLearn Maryland course, through iTunes University, on the topic of their grant proposal. Once approved for the grant, winners will receive guidance on creating an iTunesU course.
http://www.msetonline.org/grants.htmlMaryland Professional Learning
Email: cecilia.roe@maryland.gov
Website: https://msde.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/execute/tabs/tabAction?tab_tab_group_id=_533_1
Location: 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, United States
Phone: 410-767-0574
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDProfessionalLearning
Twitter: @Md_ProfLearning