Math Conference Date Change!

Kokopelli News Superintendents’ Council, April 2, 2008

Important Date Change!

Math Conference Date Change! The date for the upcoming math conference in October 2008 has been changed from Thursday, October 16 to Wednesday, October 15. The location will remain the Liberal High School. Please check and adjust your district calendars (if possible) to reflect this date change. We hope you will still be able to participate.

Call for Presenters We are now accepting Call for Presenters forms from educators within and outside our member districts to provide quality staff development sessions during our Reading Conference in Colby on October 13 and our Math Conference in Liberal on October 15. We need your assistance in disseminating these forms to educators within and outside your district whom you feel would be willing and able to step up their professional development to the next level - application. Call for Presenters forms are due back to Belinda at SWPRSC no later than May 16, 2008. Please feel free to share the forms with any master educator!

New Resource Available – Flashcards in a Box!  Fact: Students who recognize sight words read more fluently.  Fact: Fluent readers have better comprehension.  Fact: Flashcards in a Box can help.

 the first five hundred high utility words  printed on laminated, colorful cardstock  conveniently packaged in five durable plastic boxes  English on one side, Spanish on the other side  perfect for beginning readers, Title I, Special Ed, ESL, Dual Language

 $55.00 for the entire set: all 500 word cards in 5 sturdy boxes  At-risk and Title I funds can be used to purchase these dual language cards

KSDE Assessment Update There are several new items on the KSDE Assessment page. The latest on is the Appropriate Testing Practices Fact Sheet . You can access the assessment page by going to this link: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=420.

If you have Kokopelli-worthy news to share, please email it to Kelly at [email protected] If you have Kokopelli-worthy news to share, please email it to Kelly at [email protected] 2008-09 Universal Inservices We have quite a line-up prepared for whole or partial staff participation beginning in June 2008. Please see the brochure provided for specifics. We are now accepting registrations for all events.

Updated Science Flipcharts Now that formative items have been set for CETE’s site, KSDE will work with CETE to obtain released items that will be “plugged in” the holes of the existing science flipcharts. You can expect the updated flipcharts to be available for download on the KSDE website by the end of January if not sooner.

Southwest Kansas Virtual Career Fair for Educators April 9th from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. teaching applicants and school districts will gather in a virtual world to discuss job opportunities in Southwest Kansas. It is free and sponsored by SWPRSC and the Kansas Recruitment and Retention Program. Similar to an actual fair, recruiters have a virtual booth and potential teachers walk through and chat by either typing or voice. Candidates register on the KEEB website at www.kansasteachingjobs.com. School districts register with Pam at SWPRSC or Kylie at [email protected].

Kansas Virtual Career Fair for Educators April 29th from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. the Kansas Recruitment and Retention Program is hosting a statewide virtual career fair. Teaching candidates and school districts gather in a virtual world to discuss job opportunities in Kansas. School districts register with Kylie Stewart at [email protected]. Candidates register at www.kansasteachingjobs.com.

Title I Cadre Who: Title I teachers PK – 8th Grade What: Title I Cadre meeting with information on the following: 1. Latest updates from KSDE provided via IDL connect to KSDE 2. Assessment issues and discussion 3. Tier I and Tier II (MTSS/RtI) support and intervention strategies 4. Collegiality with other Title I teachers When: April 29th, 2008 Where: SWPRSC, Sublette Why: To come together and receive information and updates concerning Title I programs and intervention strategies. But more importantly to meet with other Title I teachers to share and discuss effective ways of providing services to kids! Come share a wonderful day of networking opportunity.

If you have any questions, contact Mischel Miller, Reading Consultant for SWPRSC. Registration is required: 800-728-1022.

Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship from Kansas Board of Regents Recipients may be eligible for $1000-$5000 per school year, depending on the number of credit hours taken. To apply go to http://www.kansasregents.org/financial_aid/awards.html and click on Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship. Specific questions can be directed to Diane Lindeman, Director of Student Financial Assistance, KBOR, at 785-296-3517 or [email protected]. The deadline to apply is May 1. Listed below are the key criteria: a) accepted for admission to, or currently enrolled in, a course of instruction leading to licensure as a teacher in one of the hard to fill disciplines (i.e., special education, math, science, foreign language, ESOL, or one of the underserved geographic areas of Kansas); b) currently licensed as a teacher enrolled If you have Kokopelli-worthy news to share, please email it to Kelly at [email protected] in a course of instruction leading to an endorsement in one of the above disciplines, or teach in one of the areas above; c) currently licensed as a teacher and been accepted for admission, or currently enrolled in a course of instruction leading to a master’s degree in a field of education as a teacher in one of the above disciplines.

If you have Kokopelli-worthy news to share, please email it to Kelly at [email protected]