Contents
- 1 SVSU Local Standards Board Resources
- 2 Designing an Effective Writing Program to Meet the Challenges of the Common Core for Grades K-8
- 3 Science Notebooks Come Alive
- 4 Strategic Writing Instruction: The Sentence Writing Strategy
- 5 The Persuasive & Argumentative Writing Strategy
- 6 Organization and Collaboration in Special Education
- 7 Operational Thinking: From Concrete Models to Abstract Ideas
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment The SVSU Professional Learning Committee is committed to providing ongoing professional learning opportunities for all staff that support each school’s academic and behavioral goals. “Educators engaged in professional learning will identify a need and then work to adjust their practice to meet student learning needs, increasing the likelihood of student achievement. Systemic support of this cycle of professional growth by using the standards to plan, facilitate, and evaluate professional learning in schools and district further ensures that improved learning for educators will lead to improved learning for students.” (April 2011 Vermont Department of Education - A Guide for Increasing the Effectiveness of Professional Development in Schools and Districts) | PersonnelDirector of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Laura Boudreau 802-753-5820 Mathematics Teacher Leader Pat Conway 802-753-5820 Student Data and Assessment Specialist Melissa Senecal 802-447-8419
Technology Integration Specialists
Sally BisaccioDave Hansen |
SVSU Local Standards Board Resources
PURPOSE: A local standards board shall be established and maintained for the primary purpose of recommending teachers for relicensure.
SVSU Local Courses
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of courses free of charge to our staff. This applies toward recertification credit and/or salary increase for teachers. Below you will find a list of courses, times, dates and availability. To register for one or more of our local classes, download and fill out the registration form. For additional information, call the SVSU Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department at 753-5820, or email Lisa Poplaski.
SVSU Graduate Courses
The SVSU periodically hosts graduate level courses, which can be taken for either college or recertification credit. In order to provide easier access to graduate level courses that meet student needs, for our staff and professionals in the area, we network with colleges (e.g. Southern New Hampshire University, Colchester; University of Vermont, Burlington; St. Joseph’s College, Rutland). This support is provided in two ways. The K-12 Curriculum Committee designs courses and the SVSU secures professors. We work with higher educational institutions to provide graduate credit. In other instances, specific courses are provided in Bennington by the college or university. The Professional Standards Board reviews, and to date has approved all courses for recertification.
We are pleased to announce our first five course offerings for the summer of 2017. We have five graduate level courses available through Castleton University. All courses are offered on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. The SVSU system will pay for the local contracted course in advance for you. However, if you do not successfully complete the course, you will be responsible for reimbursement to the district. Please sign up as soon as possible because we will open up the classes to other districts after the SVSU sign-up deadline listed at the bottom of each flyer.
1. Review the five options listed below and the detailed descriptions attached to this email.
2. Fill out both sides of the attached Contract College Course Prior Approval form and send to Lisa Poplaski as soon as possible to hold your spot.
1. Review the five options listed below and the detailed descriptions attached to this email.
2. Fill out both sides of the attached Contract College Course Prior Approval form and send to Lisa Poplaski as soon as possible to hold your spot.
3 Graduate Credits from Castleton University - Instructor: William Atwood- Collins Writing Educational Associates
Dates: July 10, 2017 through July 14, 2017, and two after school follow-up sessions.
Grades K-8
1 Graduate Credit from Castleton University - Instructor: Jean Ward
This course will focus on improved, multi-disciplinary student learning using science notebooks to emphasize alignment of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in language arts and math.
Dates: July 20, 2017 and July 21, 2017
Grades 3-8
1 Graduate Credit from Castleton University - Instructor: Kristina Hansen, SIM Professional Developer
Dates: July 10, 2017 and July 11, 2017 and one additional fall follow-up session
Grades 6-12
1 Graduate Credit from Castleton University - Instructor: Kristina Hansen, SIM Professional Developer
Dates: July 12, 2017 and July 13, 2017 and one additional fall follow-up session
Grades 7-12
3 Graduate Credits from Castleton University - Instructor: Dawn Campbell, Special Education Teacher, Pownal Elementary School
Dates: August 7-11, 2017 from 8:30-4:30pm, and one follow-up date in September
Open to all grade levels
3 Graduate Credits from Castleton University - Instructors: Dr. Sue Generazzo and Dr. Gillian Galle, Castleton University
Dates: July 17, 2017 through July 21, 2017, and one follow-up session on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 8-11:30amPlease let us know if you have further questions. Lisa Poplaski can be reached at (802) 753- 5820 or lpoplaski@svsu.org.
Grades K-6 and 7-8 Specialists
Professional Development Opportunities - Castleton University
Professional Development Opportunities Sponsored through Castleton Center for Schools.
Middle Level Education & Consultation
Castleton University is extremely pleased to announce that Susie Girardin and the Castleton Center for Schools have partnered to offer a broad range of professional development opportunities, including but not limited to middle level education, for Vermont educators and administrators.Other Professional Development Opportunities
The Vermont Higher Education Collaborative
Castleton University and Castleton’s Center for Schools are proud to partner with the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative (VTHEC) in responding to the professional development needs of districts, schools, educators and administrators throughout Vermont. Please visit the VTHEC site for information on programs, courses, workshops and staff.Marlboro College
Marlboro College will be offering a graduate program informational session on April 11th from 3:30-4:30 pm at Central Office. Snacks will be provided. This is an opportunity to meet with the admissions counselor for education programs at Marlboro College to learn about upcoming professional development opportunities.Vermont Science Initiative NGSS Science Leader Program
Audience: Teacher Leaders, Coaches, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional CoachesThe Vermont Science Initiative (VSI) NGSS Science Leadership Program will help build in-house capacity for science professional learning. The program will develop science education leaders across Vermont who can support other teachers in understanding the shifts in the NGSS by facilitating professional learning in their own supervisory union/district using the research-based Next Generation Science Exemplar System for professional learning (NGSX). This opportunity kicks off with a summer institute July 9-14, 2017. Stipend, use of materials and NGSX, and ongoing support as leaders implement the professional development is provided. Learn more on the VSI website or email VSI Project Managers Renee Affolter or Deanna Bailey.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons, Math/Science Partnership Program Manager, (802) 479-1425 or pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov
Vermont Science Initiative Science and Engineering Academy
Audience: Administrators, K-8 EducatorsThe Vermont Science Initiative (VSI) is offering sustained support for K-8 teachers through a combination of a summer institute on science and engineering, three follow-up days, sustained support through on-site team meetings (PLCs), and additional content through the NSTA Learning Center. Teachers will deepen their understanding of science and engineering content and best instructional practices and earn four graduate credits. This opportunity kicks off with a summer institute from August 6-11, 2017. Learn more on the VSI website or email VSI Project Managers Renee Affolter or Deanna Bailey.
Contact: Pat Fitzsimmons, Math/Science Partnership Program Manager, (802) 479-1425 or pat.fitzsimmons@vermont.gov
VEEP Summer Institute | June 26–30, 2017
Energy & Climate as Disciplinary Core IdeasDeveloping the foundation for teaching energy and climate in the classroom
This five-day summer program is created to give teachers of grades K–12 the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Next Generation Science Standards, energy, and climate through hands-on exploration, discussions with experts, field trips, and collaboration time for unit creation. Using the three-dimensional learning of NGSS as the pedagogical foundation, you will explore the science content and method of topics such as renewable technologies, climate change, sustainability, and energy project-based learning. You will develop additional strategies and learning opportunities to engage your students in applying energy knowledge in meaningful ways that support the shift from “learning about” to “figuring out.”
