STAT In Action
September 2016
"It's okay to be where you are, it's just not okay to stay there!"
What's on the September PD Agenda?
Tips4Tech: What’s New for DreamBox
Tuesday, September 6th 4:05-4:35 pm
Tips4Tech: Tweet That! Intro to Twitter and Twitter Chats for Professional Learning
Tuesday, September 13th 4:05-4:35 pm
#mayschat: Beating the Back to School Blues Tips for Management, Organization, & More
Thursday, September 15th 8:00-9:00 pm
DIP Day
Monday, Sept. 19th 8:00 am-3:30 pm
Tips4Tech: ActivSlates for Teachers on the Move
Tuesday, Sept. 20th 4:05-4:45 pm
Webinar: How A M@YSed are U? Online overview of A M@YS University and PD Process at Mays Chapel
Wednesday, Sept. 21st 7:00-8:00 pm
Tips4Tech: Wild About Wixie
Tuesday, September 27th 4:05-4:35 pm
Breakfast Bunch: Questioning with the New Bloom’s
Friday, September 30th 8:15-8:45 am
STAT Updates
DreamBox AssignFocus ... We now also have the option to assign specific standards based activities for students through DreamBox. Thanks to some wonderful teachers that have already reached out for support I have been able to learn a lot more about how this works from both the student and teacher end. Stop by DIP Day Monday to learn more or stay tuned for an upcoming STAT Webinar or Tips 4 Tech for additional details.
Other Single Sign On Resources Available in BCPS One ...
- ClassFlow (grades PK-12)
- EduTyping (grades 3-5)
- Wixie (grades PK-8)
- Pearson EnVision (grades 3-5)
- DreamBox (grades PK-5)
- Discovery Education (grades PK-12)
- VoiceThread (grades PK-12)
- Microsoft Office Online (grades PK-12)
If you are in need of additional support or want to learn more about any of these single sign on resources that are available to you and your students, please let me know!
Technology Updates
Teacher Tech Set Up ... although we have only been back to school for a few short weeks we have had several reports of broken HDMI cables. This is the cable that connects your docking station to the projector so when it breaks teachers cannot project and lose sound capabilities. The key to preserving these cords is protection. Technology task tables or teacher desks should be set up on the side of the board where the wall plate for cable connections is located. Your desk/table should either be blocking or protecting this plate, or at least close enough that it keeps students away from the area. Replacement cables are no longer covered so please be vigilant and make adjustments to protect these cables in your rooms if necessary.
Don't forget the Labrador Lock! We have had a surprising number of tech requests lately considering how many devices were repaired over the summer. Without question, we know that when students are using devices, accidents will happen, but we are noticing that devices are being dropped more frequently at this point in the year than in years past. As you being the school year, please take some time to repeatedly review device procedures with your students. As the students continue to get more comfortable with the technology we don't want them to also get more lax with their care for the devices as well. Reminders are always helpful!
Do you DLU? If you haven't already done so, check out the Department of Digital Learning's Digital Learning University! New fall workshops are now available for registration. For more information on this exciting professional development activity, click here!
Digital STEM Lab Sign Up ... Need a place for your little labs to get messy with all of their new and exciting Next Gen Science units! Remember to include your name, reason for use, and times of use to the calendar. To sign up for the STEM Lab click here!
When in doubt ... request! As always, don't forget the tech request form! The more information that you can include in your request the easier it is to resolve your issue in an efficient manner. If you are placing a request for a student device don't forget to include the computer number so that technicians can easily locate the device on the cart. Also, please remember that if you are requesting support for a student password or an issue specific to an individual student account you must include the student name so that we can troubleshoot the issue properly,
Don't forget to register for A M@YS University!
STAT Spotlight!
Other Updates and PD Opportunities from the Superintendent's Bulletin
229. DIGITAL LEARNING UNIVERSITY: Digital Learning University (DLU) currently offers more than 40 different modules with topics ranging from Device 101 to Facilitating Meaningful Independent Work in an LCE. DLU participants must register for the Digital Learning University: Digital Tools to Support the Teaching & Learning Framework – 2016–2017 School Year CPD Course and complete five modules during the 2016–2017 school year in order to earn 1 MSDE credit. Each three-hour module is comprised of two hours of instruction and a one-hour reflection. Participants may repeat this process to earn additional MSDE credits. Learn more about Digital Learning University by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/DLUenroll. Interested participants must register for the individual workshop modules by logging into BCPS One at https://bcpsone.bcps.org, selecting the Professional Learning tile, and then selecting the Registration System tile. The workshop titles begin with Digital Learning University Module and can be found in the Professional Learning Modules catalog. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Amanda Lanza, Specialist 443-889-4035
232. GRADING AND REPORTING WEBINARS: The Division of Curriculum and Instruction will offer a series of optional Webinars on the six guiding practices outlined in the 2016–2017 Grading and Reporting Procedures Manual. The entire series will consist of three Webinars, with each Webinar focusing on a different aspect of grading and reporting. As noted below, there will be a series of Webinars for elementary staff and another series of Webinars for secondary staff. No stipend will be paid for participation. Elementary Webinars – September 13, 20, and 28, 2016 – 3:30–4:30 or 4:30–5:30 p.m. Secondary Webinars – September 15, 22, and 29, 2016 – 2:30–3:30 or 3:30–4:30 p.m. Instructional staff must register for the Webinars by Monday, September 12, 2016, by logging into BCPS One at https://bcpsone.bcps.org, selecting the Professional Learning tile, and then selecting the Registration System tile. The session is titled Grading and Reporting Webinars. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Linda Marchineck, Coordinator 443-809-4601
244. VISUAL ARTS – WORKING WITH NEW STANDARDS AND LEARNING PROGRESSIONS: Staff in the Office of Visual Arts will offer a collaborative lesson and unit planning, two-part workshop for visual arts teachers. There will be a sequence for the elementary school level, as well as a combined sequence for the middle and high school levels. Teachers will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with the new standards and develop proficiency using learning progressions. Teachers should register for the appropriate sequence. Attendance at both sessions is required. Date Time Location Sequence Tuesday, September 20, 2016, and Thursday, October 20, 2016 4 – 7 p.m. Lutherville Lab Elementary School: Working with Curriculum and Learning Progressions Wednesday, September 28, 2016, and Tuesday, October 25, 2016 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Loch Raven High School Middle and High School: Working with New Standards and Learning Progressions Teachers must register for the appropriate session at least one week prior to the session date by logging onto BCPS One at http://bcpsone.bcps.org, selecting the Professional Learning tile, and then selecting the Registration title. The workshops are titled Visual Arts ES Working with Curriculum and Learning Progressions and Visual Arts MS/HS Working with New Standards and Learning Progressions and can be found in the Workshops-Registration catalog. Stipends will be offered. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Sherri Fisher, Coordinator 443-809-4030
290. SCIENCE – NATURE FOR TEACHERS WORKSHOP: The next Nature for Teachers workshop is titled The Chesapeake Watershed: A Sense of Place and a Call to Action and will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Nature Center. Teachers will explore landforms, wildlife, and how humans are co-evolving with nature. Award-winning environmental author, Ned Tillman, will lead participants on an adventure in the woods to discover and discuss how humans are creating the Anthropocene – the Age of Man. Each participant will receive a signed copy of his book, The Chesapeake Watershed: A Sense of Place and a Call to Action. Through his anecdotes of growing up in Maryland, Ned informs and inspires participants to get outside and take better care of the places they love. The program will include a PowerPoint presentation followed by a short hike. 16 All teachers are invited to join this informally-guided outdoor experience with experts in the field to learn more about the natural world. The Nature for Teachers workshop experiences vary from year to year, but always provide the opportunity to visit interesting environmentally-related areas of Baltimore County and Baltimore City. Teachers will learn in an atmosphere of no pressure, no prep, and no grades! Interested teachers must register for the workshop by Monday, September 19, 2016, by logging into BCPS One at https://bcpsone.bcps.org, selecting the Professional Learning tile, and then selecting the Registration System tile. The workshop is titled Nature for Teachers – The Chesapeake Watershed: A Sense of Place and a Call to Action and can be found in the Workshops-Registration catalog. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Attendance is optional; therefore, a stipend will not be provided. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Tom Melito, Outdoor Science Resource Teacher 410-949-4973
302. MARYLAND CERTIFICATION: Certificate Renewal The Office of Certification processes Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certificates on behalf of BCPS educators and administrators within the 90-day renewal window. There is no grace period or extension for completing renewal requirements. Failure to maintain a valid professional certificate will result in loss of tenure for one year or termination of employment at the end of the renewal period in the event requirements are not met. 23 Official transcripts, MSDE credit slips, and/or test score reports documenting completed certification requirements must be submitted 90 days prior to the expiration date. Employees are not to submit documents directly to MSDE. Documents must be sent to the Office of Certification via interoffice mail to: Department of Human Resources, Office of Certification, Greenwood Campus, Building E. Electronic transcripts (eScripts) must be sent directly from the college or university to certunit@bcps.org. eScripts sent directly to the educator or a photo copy of the electronic transcript will not be accepted. Maryland regulation states that it is the individual’s responsibility to know and meet the renewal requirements prior to the certificate’s expiration date. General reminder letters are sent out one year prior to the expiration date of a certificate. These letters are general notifications, which are not specific to each educator or administrator. Information regarding renewal requirements can be found on the Office of Certification’s Web site at http://www.bcps.org/offices/personnel/certification. Endorsements The Office of Certification will evaluate the credentials of a professionally certified staff member who wishes to add an additional endorsement. To add an endorsement or receive an evaluation, the certificate holder must submit a request. Instructions on how to submit a request can be found on the Office of Certification’s Web page at http://www.bcps.org/offices/personnel/certification/endorsements.html. Any questions regarding an employee’s certification can be sent to the Office of Certification at certunit@bcps.org or to the certification analyst identified below. Employees may also call the Office of Certification at 443-809-4147 or 5768. Last name A-K Barbara Watkins bwatkins@bcps.org Last name L-Z Michelle Smith ismith3@bcps.org Information regarding renewal requirements can be found on the Office of Certification’s Web site at http://www.bcps.org/offices/personnel/certification. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Carla Simons, HR Officer 433-809-4147
Stay tuned for more STAT updates ...
Need instructional support? Contact your STAT Teacher!
Email: kcox@bcps.org
Website: www.redefinepd.weebly.com
Location: Mays Chapel Elementary School, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, United States
Phone: 443-809-9809
Twitter: @katie__cox