October 8, 2007

Reprint from Superintendent's Bulletin:  Eid Al-Fitr

TO:   All Staff
FROM:  Valeria Silva, Chief Academic Officer
    Heidi Bernal, ELL Director
RE:  Eid Al-Fitr (Feast of Fast-Breaking)—End of Ramadan
 

The Muslim feast of breaking the Fast (Eid Al-Fitr) is expected to be on Friday, October 12th or Saturday, October 13th, 2007.  Unfortunately, we cannot ascertain the exact day until the evening of the 11th.   If the holiday falls on Friday, October 12th, Muslim students will be given an excused absence.  Muslim staff who wish to observe this religious holiday will be excused from work that day without pay, or may be paid through the use of vacation or personal leave if available through their employee contract with prior approval from their principal or supervisor.
 
Following is additional information regarding Eid Al-Fitr that may be useful:

• Muslims shop for the Eid celebration as it approaches
• Muslims pay mandatory food or money to the poor (Zakat Al-Fitr) before Eid prayer Community gathers together in the mosques, convention centers, gyms or community halls to celebrate the Eid
• This is usually a huge gathering that begins with chants and praises of gratitude, followed by prayer and sermon
• Public greetings and good wishes continue through the day
• Friends and family members gather in their homes to eat together
• Children receive treats and gifts from adults
• Many families go to the Mall of America and other places for entertainment
• Schools may see female students with henna decorations and designs on their palms, fingers, and nails. This is for beauty purposes and does not have special religious significance
• People exchange the common greeting Eid Mubarak or Blessed Eid for several days

If you have questions on concerns, please, contact Abdisalam Adam, Somali Community Specialist at 651-767-8388. 

Reprint from Superintendent's Bulletin:  Reading Institute Level I (Non-tenured teachers)

TO:  All Elementary School Principals
 
FROM:  Valeria Silva, Chief Academic Officer
Kate Wilcox-Harris, Executive Director of Professional Development
 
RE:  READ:  Reading Institute Level I (Non-tenured teachers)
 
We are offering Reading Institute Level I training for all non-tenured teachers of reading on the Achievement of Tenure track. Please encourage any teachers who have not completed this course to register for it on http://pdexpress.spps.org.
 
First priority for registration in this institute will be given to non-tenured elementary teachers and those currently serving as literacy coaches who have not received this training. Others may request registration on a space-available basis.
 
The first day of the course is Thursday, October 11, 2007 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00p.m. Here is a list of all the dates when the course meets.  All course locations will be at 1001 Johnson Parkway.
 
Reading Institute Level I
Day One
Thursday, October 11, 2007
8:00 AM -4:00 PM
Day Two A
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
3:30 PM -6:30 PM
Day Two B
Monday, December 10, 2007
3:30 PM -6:30 PM

Thursday, December 13, 2007
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Day Four A
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Day Four B
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
3:30 PM  - 6:30 PM
 
REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED AFTER 70 PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.
 
To read in-depth about this offering and complete the required registration, please visit http://pdexpress.spps.org>> and follow these steps:
 
Sign in using your User Name and Password. If you do not know your User Name and/or Password, please go to the right side of the screen and select, "Forgot Password?" and the information will be sent to you via email.
 
Select "Courses" in the upper portion of the screen.
 
For complete descriptions and requested registration choose Course Catalog.
 
Filter the Course Catalog by clicking on topic or strand.  From the list, select Reading.   Then click on Apply Filter.
 
REMINDER:  Registration for the all day sessions begins at 8:00 am and the course begins at 8:30 am.  Registration for the after school sessions begins at 3:00 and the course begins at 3:30.
 
Please contact Laurie Brazeman at laurie.brazeman@spps.org with any questions or concerns.

Notification of Services

All students on your eligibility lists have been mailed a Notification of ELL Services. Students' CAMPUS Levels are being updated to reflect their current status. If you have any questions regarding notifications, please contact your TOSA.

You will be receiving an updated list soon.

Updated Eligilibity Chart

 Please replace any Eligibility Charts you have with this updated one.

Moodle!

Moodle is a course management system (CMS) - a free, Open Source software package designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effective online learning communities. You can download and use it on any computer you have handy (including webhosts), yet it can scale from a single-teacher site to a 50,000-student University.

Learn more about Moodle at: http://moodle.org/

This is the site where "courses" are being posted - http://moodle.spps.org/moodle/

This is the site for teachers or others to request a Moodle course (http://connect.spps.org/Moodle_course_request_form.html)

Moodle is an open source (free) alternative to BlackBoard (forum software) that the district has been paying for.

Moodle courses can be set up with open access or restricted access.

If you have questions about using Moodle for SPPS courses, contact Chris Turnbull at chris.turnbull@spps.org

MCA Training for Grades 7, 8 and 11

The goal of this training is to train the coaches in the buildings. The coaches will then train the math teachers in their respective buildings. We are calling this the train the trainer model.

Building math coaches are required to attend this training. We would like all math teachers trained as soon as possible after the training. If there is not a math
coach in your building, we would like department chairs or a department representative to attend. Our math team at 1001 Johnson Parkway is available to assist in
this effort.

Training for special ed and ELL will be all day training for each area. Any special ed or ELL teacher may attend.

We understand that there are math teachers who have attended training in the past. If this is the case, you are not required to attend.

The sessions will be held on the following dates, times, and locations.

Who/Date/Time/Location

• Junior High Math Coaches October 23, 2007 1-3 1001 Johnson Parkway
• High School Math Coaches November 20, 2007 1-3 1001 Johnson Parkway
• Special Education Teachers December 11, 2007 8-3 360 Colborne Auditorium B
• ELL Teachers January 15, 2007 8-3 1001 Johnson Parkway
  

All of these training sessions are on PD Express. Please register as soon as possible. Thank your for your assistance with this. Please contact Marty Gaslin at 651-793-5515 if you
have any questions.

Spotlight:  Homecroft Elementary

Homecroft Elementary School offers a developmental bilingual program in grades K-6 for native Spanish speakers.  The program’s main objective is to help students learn English while at the same time they continue to develop their skills in Spanish.  It has been proven that students who read and write in their native language are able to learn a second language more easily and rapidly.  Students in kindergarten and first grade develop their literacy skills in Spanish while at the same time develop their oral vocabulary in English.  Beginning in second grade, students receive literacy instruction in both languages.  From third grade on, students receive instruction in all subjects in both languages.  With a better understanding of their native language and with the guidance of the fully bilingual personnel the students’ confidence and pride in themselves, their family and culture will be strengthened.  Homecroft students who will exit from the developmental bilingual program in sixth grade will have the option to continue their dual language studies in the Spanish immersion program at Highland Junior and Senior High Schools.

Homecroft Elementary

Minnesota Public Radio and The Red Balloon Bookshop presents Newbery Reader's Theatre with Sharon Creech Kate DiCamillo, Karen Hesse and Katherine Paterson, at The Fitzgerald Theater on Sunday, October 14th, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Join Minnesota Public Radio's Cathy Wurzer for an afternoon of storytelling from these Newbery Award winning authors. Cellist Jacqueline Ferrier-Ultan will perform a live musical score for the event. The authors will be reading from Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moon & The Castle Corona, Kate DiCamillo's The Tales of Despardeaux & The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust & Spuds, and Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved & Bread and Roses, Too.

Tickets are available for $15.00(adults) and $7.50(children 16 and under). Minnesota Public Radio members receive a $3.00 discount.

Media Camp for all Asian Pacific American High School Students

Oct. 18 - 21

Application Deadline: October 12,2007

A fun-filled 4-day retreat with your Pan-Asian Pacific peers and it’s FREE!

Multi-Media Production Camp: learn digital photography & print production, tell your stories through photographs, create & edit your own videos.

Connect with your peers; attend discussions, game night, banquet, and other fun-filled activities.

Through hands-on media training, the Media Camp for Asian & Pacific Islanders American Youth will provide students a chance to explore current issues in forms which can effectively reach a broad audience. Students will learn Digital Photography and produce their own postcards to tell their stories.  Students will also have leadership training opportunities & build memories &  friendships that last a lifetime.

Apply online at:  www.amamedia.org/programs/media_camp_register.shtml or e-mail applications to: roger.tang@amamedia.org

send in your application today to:

Asian Media Access
3028 Oregon Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55426
Tel: 612-376-7715
Fax: 612-376-7730

Download 2007 Media Camp Flyer (PDF, 469KB)
Download Registration Form (PDF, 44k)
Download Permission Form (PDF, 36k)

Important: You must have a signed Permission Form by your parents or guardians if you are under 18 years of age. You can send it in ahead of time with your registration or bring it with you on the first day of the camp.

Grant Opportunity

Gates Millennium Scholars and Page Education Foundation at October 23 Forum for Students of Color Interested in College Scholarships
One-stop shopping for two important scholarships exclusively for students of color.

The Minnesota Minority Education Partnership (MMEP) will hold an event to encourage Minnesota's students of color to apply for the Gates Millennium scholarships and Page Education Foundation scholarships on Tuesday, October 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, at the St. Paul College, in the Commons Area.  St. Paul College is located at 235 Marshall Avenue, in St. Paul.  

Students of color, their families, high school guidance counselors, college access advisors or any other professionals who advise students on college preparation or entry are encouraged to attend this event, as are community members who are interested.  Representatives from both organizations will be on hand to will present information on the application process and acceptance criteria, and to provide tips to make the application process easier.

It should be noted that the bulk of these scholarships are awarded to high school students who are interested in attending college, not to students who are already in college.

Both the Gates Millennium Scholarships and the Page Scholarships are awarded only to students of color. They have different acceptance criteria, different requirements for disbursement, and differing award levels - and together provide an important array of options for students of color and their families that are concerned about financing a college education.  

This event is a part of MMEP's new initiative to develop a state-wide network of college access programs, called the Minnesota College Access Network (MCAN).

"We want all students from middle-schoolers to high schoolers and their families, to attend the presentation and get a feel for how the application process works" said Jennifer Godinez, Associate Director of MMEP and Executive Director of MCAN.  "It is important to think about and plan for college early. Start thinking about college at middle school and you and your family have time to develop a plan."

For more information on the criteria for Gates Millennial scholars, go to www.gmsp.org

For more information on the Page Education Foundation, go to www.page-ed.org

Questions about this event should be directed to Mona Harris at mharris@mmep.net.   Light refreshments will be served and RSVP's are not necessary.  

St. Paul College is located in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood in St. Paul, on the corner of John Ireland Boulevard and Kellogg Avenue, an easy exit off of 94.  Directions and maps can be found on their web site: www.stpaul.edu

Understanding Somalia:  An Interactive Workshop

Instructor: Dr. Cawo Abdi, Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota

This workshop is intended for K-14 teachers to give them a better picture of Somalia's recent history and current issues. The two-hour session will include a brief lecture, further reading resources for teachers, and tools for teaching about Somalia and Africa. There will be time for teachers to ask questions and share curriculum and lesson plans.

Understanding Somalia will take place during the Somali Family Resource Conference (registration site), hosted by Somali Family Services of Minnesota, and SFF encourages teachers to attend the full day conference.  The conference aims to bring members of the Twin Cities communities together to promote understanding and inter-cultural exchange in the Somali community.

Conference Keynote Address (noon): "Sister Schools: Minnesota and Somalia" by Mohamud Hamud of Puntland State University, Garowe, Somalia.  For more information about the Somali Family Resources Conference, please visit http://www.ussfs.org.
 

WORKSHOP DATE: Wednesday, October 24
TIME: 1PM - 3PM (Workshop Only); Somali Family Resource Conference 9AM - 4PM
LOCATION: Room L3000 Minneapolis Community and Technical College
COST: FREE - this workshop is funded by the Institute for Global Studies' Title VI grant and Somali Family Services of Minnesota
CREDIT: Teachers earn 2 CEUs. Academic credit not available.
REGISTER:    http://igs.cla.umn.edu/outreach/registration.html

Free Workshops (and CEUs) for teachers interested in Global Issues

Below is a series of workshops, geared for K-16 teachers, focusing on issues related to global studies. There is an opportunity to earn $100 for creating curriculum related to the workshop themes. If interested in this opportunity read on.

The workshops featured below include:

Workshop Series: Exploring National Identity in the European Union

This four-part workshop series examines the dynamic role of nationalism and national identity in the European Union.  The series kicks off with
a closer look at the institutional nature of the EU and its effect on national identity, including a discussion that provides a framework for teachers to explore their own understanding and teaching of nationalism.  Using this lens, the following three workshops will investigate national representations in art such as literature, theater, and visual arts, of specific European countries.  The aim is to allow teachers to delve into the cultural identities of each nation and consider the role of the European Union in the shaping of national
identities and the perception of identity.

Workshop 1 has already taken place

Workshop 2: Identity and Multiculturalism in France

Trica Keaton, Department of American Studies, Njeri Githire, African American and African Studies, and Pam Wesely, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota
Saturday, October 27, 2007 9:00 - 4:00 in room 710 Social Sciences Building, U of M

Workshop 3: Sweden: Immigration and Cultural Change
Lena Norrman, Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch, University
of Minnesota
Erika Holmquist-Wall, Assistant Curator at the Minneapolis Institute of
Arts
Saturday, November 10, 2007 9:00 - 4:00 at the American Swedish Institute

Workshop 4: Becoming an EU Member Nation

Saturday, December 8, 2007 9:00 - 4:00 in room 710 Social Sciences
Building, U of M

Each workshop is $15.  Fee includes lunch, CEUs, readings and materials.
Teachers have the opportunity to earn $100 for developing lesson plans
upon completion of the course.
To register, visit www.igs.cla.umn.edu/outreach.
Questions?  Contact Molly McCoy at outreach@umn.edu or 612-624-7346

Please distribute widely

Grant Opportunity:  Target Field Trip Grants

Target Field Trip Grants are one part of the Target commitment to supporting education. This innovative program provides educators with grants of up to $1,000 each to fund a field trip for their students. Application deadline is November 1. 

MinneTESOL Professional Conference

Friday and Saturday, November 2-3, 2007
University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis

To register online go to:
https://www.acteva.com/go/minnetesol

For more information or to download the registration form, please visit the MinneTESOL website at: www.minnetesol.org/