Educational Resources Digest – Week of May 18
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To Parents and Colleagues
There has been a burst of energy for curating, creating, and distributing resources and opportunities to support learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with regularly scheduled programming. We’ve created a digest of what has come through Washington STEM’s inboxes during the past week. As remote learning continues, we will provide additional resource lists as we find them.
Please note that we work with a diverse set of partners, and these opportunities and events are not tailored to any particular audience or partner. Please review each opportunity to decide if it’s relevant to your needs.
— Cheers and be well!
Upcoming Programs and Webinars
Happening in May
5/22 Superintendent Chris Reykdal on Washington Schools during COVID-19
When: May 22, 12:30 pm PT
Where: Online
Washington state Superintendent Chris Reykdal will outline the current status of our schools and answer your questions.
Beginning 5/26 ISB Education Systems Thinking Workshops
When: May 26 – June 11 (multiple workshops)
Where: Online
ISB Education is offering another 4 STEM clock hrs Systems are Everywhere workshop – with a focus on systems, crosscutting concepts, and inclusion of ISB scientists and their work around COVID19.
This workshop is to engage K through 12 students with systems in their world, during their June science unit. Please gather a team and have them register together— then they will have colleagues to implement (e.g. team teach across a grade level) the resources for weaving CCCs into their June science unit/packet/online class. The take-aways are lesson activities.
Deadline 5/22 BEST Mentor Program
When: Proposals Due May 22 by 3:00pm
The Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) is seeking Mentor Academy Faculty, Preservice Mentor Academy Faculty, Induction Coaches, and Roundtable Facilitators. The complete procurement and submittal instructions can be found on the contracts page of the OSPI website.
Specific regions of need for Induction Coaches are:
- Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island County
- Southwest Washington
- Central Washington
- Spokane / Northeast Washington
Deadline 5/29 National Board Regional Coordinators and Trainers
When: Proposals Due May 29 by 3:00pm
OSPI is seeking regional coordinators and a facilitator trainer to support National Board in Washington State. The complete procurement and submittal instructions can be found on the contracts page of the OSPI website.
Happening in June
6/8- 6/10 JFF Horizons: Designing a Future that Works
When: June 8-10
Where: Online
JFF invites you to join a powerful gathering of private, public, and nonprofit leaders and innovators to build an equitable economic recovery together. Horizons is a free, immersive virtual experience.
Happening in July
7/22 – 7/24 Teacher Leadership in the Time of COVID-19 Trainings
When: July 22-24, 2020
Where: North Bend, WA
Cost: varies
If you’ve experienced CSTP’s Teacher Leadership Framework before or not at all, you’ll want to attend this new session to explore the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to be an effective teacher leader both face to face with colleagues and virtually. During this session participants will bring an edge to their practice as teacher leaders as they analyze and reflect on their own strengths and areas for growth for leading in many situations. We will use protocols and activities that can be adapted for both settings as well as reflect on how leadership is evolving and changing and more important now than ever. Participants will leave this session with a solid foundation for understanding teacher leadership, as well as materials and activities they can easily adapt and use with colleagues and teacher leadership opportunities to consider and explore.
Other Resources
Student Resources
Students can earn micro‑scholarships from colleges a wide range of colleges for their achievements as early as 9th grade.
SwiftStudent will help you write a financial aid appeal letter – for free. SwiftStudent offers students:
- a way to start the appeal conversation with financial aid officers
- clear information about financial aid requirements
- customizable template letters to help you share your situation with your school
Beyond Youth Mental Health COVID-19 Survey
This survey was designed to gather responses on how youth (grades 5-12) like yourself are affected by COVID-19 and how you are coping during this time. Your responses will be extremely helpful to improve mental health services for youth (parents/guardians are welcome to fill out the survey on behalf of the youth). (grades 5-12). Chance to win $25 gift certificate.
CoronavirusCollegePrep is an education resource built by students and for students. Included are college prep links, student blogs, and projects.
Map of New Free Drive-In and Library WiFi Hotspots
The Washington State Broadband Office estimates 300+ new drive-in WiFi hotspots are coming soon statewide, as part of an initiative to bring free public broadband internet access to all residents. Currently, 140 drive-in hotspots are operational (the map will be updated regularly), in addition to the existing 301 WA state library hotspots.
Educator Resources
Puget Sound College and Career Network Regional Response to COVID-19
WSAC presentation from the PSCCN. The slides include links to various resources as well as information about the impact of COVID-19 across various education concerns.
COVID-19 ELO & Childcare Response Page
This page includes important information and resources for youth program and childcare providers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Local Improvement Network partners shift Work to Support Students’ STEM and SEL Needs Online
In the Renton Local Improvement Network, these programs have been partnering with schools and families to integrate offerings during the school day and after-school, so it became even more crucial to ensure that students didn’t lose these connections. Article includes links to resources outside of the Renton area.
Video Series Featuring 2020 Washington Teacher of the Year, Amy Campbell
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction debuted a new video series featuring special education teacher Amy Campbell, who gives us an inside look in her classroom.
Articles
How Washington school districts are succeeding and struggling since coronavirus shut them down
The weekly survey, which asks about meals, child care, remote learning and graduation, offers a small window into the way Yakima and other districts are succeeding and struggling in the six weeks since schools closed. Since the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) created the survey in March, between 69% to 83% of districts have responded in a given week. (The Seattle Times, May 13)
Without more federal funds, half of all child care centers could close forever
Nationwide, the coronavirus pandemic has devastated the child care industry: an estimated 50 percent of licensed child care centers in the nation are at risk of closing permanently, a loss of more than 4.4 million child care slots, according to a report by the Center for American Progress. (The Hechinger Report, May 13)