CiTi ISS Weekly Communicator

4/26-4/30/2021

The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to provide professional development, support and resources to foster adult learning and student achievement. You will find offerings from Instructional Support Services, Distance Learning and Model Schools Teams.

Teaching In Remote Learning Environments PD

These workshops are offered at no cost to participants, as it is supported by the Teaching in the Remote Learning Environment (TRLE) grant.

SEL Topic 3: Creating a Professional Culture Based on SEL

May 5th @ 9:00 AM

Register in MLP.

SEL Topic 4: Classroom Based SEL Activities

May 26th @ 2:30 PM

Register in MLP.

SEL Topic 5: Leadership for SEL

July 15th @ 9:00 AM

Register in MLP.

SEL Topic 6: Integrating SEL into a Culturally Relevant Classroom

August 11th @ 2:30 PM

Register in MLP.

The Science of Reading: A Defining Movement Coalition

What is does the phrase "science of reading" mean? Click here to read the shared definition.

NGLS Professional Development Options

The CiTi School Improvement Team is focused on supporting teachers and leaders with the implementation of high quality, rigorous curriculum and the continuous improvement of instruction aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards.

Dignity for All Students Act: Required Training for Certification/Licensure (Teachers, Administrators, Teaching Assistants, Coaches, etc)

Six hour training in Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Discrimination in Schools.


In Person: May 20th, 2021 8:30-3:30 Register in MLP

In Person: June 23rd 2021 8:30-3:30. Register in MLP.

A friendly reminder that all Arts in Ed requests must be submitted in the next month because we will no longer be taking new requests after May 21st.

We have partnered with DCMO BOCES to continue growing our list of virtual opportunities for this school year. Like all of you, our artists are working hard to modify and adapt to the changing learning environment and are continuously adding new enrichment opportunities that can now be enjoyed virtually. We currently have over 80 high-quality virtual opportunities for students and schools to enjoy with more being added daily. If you have any questions regarding a specific program please feel free to reach out to WJones@citiboces.org.

Mindfulness-based SEL Educator Network Meetings

This group meets monthly to experience practices together as well as share strategies for implementation with students whether in person or virtual. Join us!


Upcoming Dates:

  • 5/12

Meetings are scheduled 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Book Study: The Teenage Brain

Written for parents and educators, Frances E. Jensen, MD explores the adolescent brain function and development in the context of learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision making. **Updated dates**


Read the full description and register here.

Book Study: What We Say and How We Say it Matter

We all want our students to feel safe, collaborate well with others, feel ownership for their learning, and be joyfully engaged in their work. What teachers say to students--when they praise or discipline, give directions or ask questions, and introduce concepts or share stories--all affects student learning and behavior.


Read the full description and register here.

Book Chat: Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence by Dan Siegel

Have you been curious about meditation, but your skepticism requires more information before "buying it”? Or, maybe you are simply geeky like me and love to soak up the science to understand something more deeply? Either way, you might find Dan Siegel's book AWARE is just the kind of book that might intrigue you. AWARE provides practical instruction for applying Siegel's Wheel of Awareness tool as a way for cultivating more focus, presence and peace in your day to day life. Who doesn't need that?? Learn more and register in MLP.

Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness in Practice: An Asynchronous Module

From elementary schools to psychotherapy offices, mindfulness meditation is an increasingly mainstream practice. At the same time, trauma remains a fact of life: the majority of us will experience a traumatic event in our lifetime, and up to 20% of us will develop posttraumatic stress. This means that anywhere mindfulness is being practiced, someone in the room is likely to be struggling with trauma. This raises a crucial question for mindfulness teachers, trauma professionals, and survivors everywhere: How can we minimize the potential dangers of mindfulness for survivors while leveraging its powerful benefits? This asynchronous or self-paced opportunity brings you through this powerful question. Learn more and register in MLP

Writing Practice as Resilience Practice and Book Chat: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

This summer journey will invite the participant to come with a journal, a pen that glides across the page and a copy of Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones. This is not just about writing practice, whether you want to be a writer or just a casual scribbler. It is also a way to view writing as study of the mind, as self-discovery and a Zen-like activity. All of this can lead to greater self-awareness, insight and resilience. We will gather on Zoom once a week for 6 weeks for 90 minutes. Learn more and register in MLP.

Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators - Year Long Inward Journey/Book Study

Back by popular demand! Let's build our resilience together with a year long exploration of habits and dispositions.


To learn more, please check out the full listing in MLP.



Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation for Educator Resilience

Life can feel quite scattered and stressful, even on our best days, let alone when life holds disruption and uncertainty. We tend to walk through our days living in the past or future, rehashing and rehearsing, and spend very little time in the present moment. Mindfulness Meditation is the intentional directing of attention on the present moment experience with loving awareness. The goal is to rest in this awareness and cultivate an open heart and open mind. This 6 week course will offer the foundations of Mindfulness Meditation that can support resilience and open-hearted awareness.


Learn more and register in MLP.

Math & Science Virtual Conference- FREE with Asynchronous Sessions


The Staff and Curriculum Development Network is proud to provide educators with a two-day Virtual Conference focused on Mathematics and Science integration. The virtual conference is FREE. Click here to learn more and to register.

Eliminate the Rote Memory of Sight Words with Accurate Phonics and Morphology- FREE, On Demand Webinar

The Reading League is hosting a webinar presented by Denise Eide. The presentation will help you discover answers to your students’ questions about English spelling! This session will introduce some of the key phonograms and spelling rules while demonstrating their application to both high-frequency words and advanced vocabulary. Practical tools for teaching will be interwoven with the neuroscience of reading to provide educators a clear understanding of the roles of phonemic awareness and systematic phonics in learning to read.

**OCLI educators can access this webinar for FREE using code: OCLIMAY2021

Click here to register.

Literacy Network (May Session)

Click here to register for the May Literacy Network session. The discussion topic will be focused on assessments as we continue to take a deep dive into effective writing practices.

Phonics & Word Chaining Webinar aligned with Science of Reading

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Harnessing the Power: Google and Microsoft - Strengths and Limitations

Online Sessions from 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Zoom) Please register on MLP.



5/18 Microsoft Publisher & Google Suite
In this session, you will explore the differences between how Google and Microsoft handle publishing and basic paint/drawing tools. First, we will look at Publisher and understand the limitations of Publisher files and publishing generically in Google. We'll close out by comparing and contrasting Microsoft Paint and Google Drawings. We'll also have a quick detour of the Snipping Tool, and how to take screenshots on Chromebook devices.