"Deficit perspectives and thinking lead to poor and basic instructional practices" - Gholdy Muhammad
From Grace's Desk
Happy October 1! Much is due today, so please read today's blog carefully. I hope you have noticed an improvement on buses!
Region 6 Document Hub
If you haven't done so, your School Improvement Plan draft is due today and needs to be added here. Please share your school's calendar of meetings with both Jodi and me.
DESE Math Acceleration Academies
The Department is exploring the possibility of creating a Math Acceleration Academy Grant opportunity and is seeking district and school interest. An Acceleration Academy is a week-long academic program designed to accelerate student learning through engaging, standards-aligned lessons that meet the specific academic needs of participating students. Acceleration Academy classes are small (12:1 student to teacher ratio) and can either provide students with targeted supports to master grade-level standards or provide accelerated learning opportunities for advanced learners.
School and district leaders who are interested in running a Math Acceleration Academy this school year during the February and/or April vacation week(s) are asked to please complete this short survey by Monday, October 4. The survey indicates interest but is not binding. This opportunity is open to traditional public schools, charter schools, career/vocational technical schools, and education collaboratives. Please email Thomas Zorich (thomas.zorich@mass.gov) with any questions.
College and Career Readiness through MyCAP:
My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) is a planning process that engages students in aligning current course taking with future planning. Beginning in grade 6 and continuing through grade 12, students identify interests, talents and skills that will drive the students’ work in the three domains of college and career readiness: personal/social/emotional, career development education, and academic achievement.
The Department is exploring the possibility of creating a Math Acceleration Academy Grant opportunity and is seeking district and school interest. An Acceleration Academy is a week-long academic program designed to accelerate student learning through engaging, standards-aligned lessons that meet the specific academic needs of participating students. Acceleration Academy classes are small (12:1 student to teacher ratio) and can either provide students with targeted supports to master grade-level standards or provide accelerated learning opportunities for advanced learners.
School and district leaders who are interested in running a Math Acceleration Academy this school year during the February and/or April vacation week(s) are asked to please complete this short survey by Monday, October 4. The survey indicates interest but is not binding. This opportunity is open to traditional public schools, charter schools, career/vocational technical schools, and education collaboratives. Please email Thomas Zorich (thomas.zorich@mass.gov) with any questions.
College and Career Readiness through MyCAP:
My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) is a planning process that engages students in aligning current course taking with future planning. Beginning in grade 6 and continuing through grade 12, students identify interests, talents and skills that will drive the students’ work in the three domains of college and career readiness: personal/social/emotional, career development education, and academic achievement.
MyCAP (This might be good for our MS students and Identity)
The Department will offer a three-workshop training program for the design and implementation of MyCAP at the middle school level starting on Tuesday, October 19. The Department will also offer the three-workshop professional development series at the high school level again starting on Tuesday, October 26. For schools that have previously attended the training series, there will be a “MyCAP Refresher” on Tuesday, October 5. All trainings will be held virtually. For information about a grant that is available to pay stipends to planning teams attending these trainings, click here. For more information, email Lisa Harney at lisa.m.harney@mass.gov.
Elementary School Principals Networking and PD Series:
The Department’s Early Learning Team, the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators will host a series of networking and professional development opportunities for elementary school principals (preschool to third grade) and early childhood administrators and educators during the 2021-2022 school year. The theme for this year’s series is Anti-Racist Leadership in the Early Grades. The series will be virtual (unless otherwise noted), will commence with a statewide kick-off, and will be followed by webinars, networking sessions, book discussion groups, an EdCamp forum, and a culminating statewide convening in the spring. Register online for the first convening, which will be at 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19 with Matthew Rodriguez from Equity Imperative speaking on anti-racist leadership in elementary schools. Interested principals can download more information here (download), and updates will be posted on the Early Learning Team’s news headlines page.
Friday Flyer
Please note items highlighted in yellow.
