March 2004 DOE Administrative Memorandum

Schools are encouraged to mark national nutrition month by celebrating School Breakfast Week during March 8-12, 2004. The American School Food Service Association’s theme for breakfast week is “Navigate Your Day with School Breakfast!” The American Dietetic Association’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Eat Smart, Stay Healthy!” Carrying out the message of these slogans will help make your school cafeteria and classrooms a festive and happening place during this exciting month!

If you choose to promote eating breakfast at school or at home, you will be helping your students navigate whatever challenges lie ahead. A well-balanced breakfast and well-balanced daily meals allow children to think more clearly and feel healthier. A good breakfast can make the difference between listening to their stomachs instead of listening to their teachers; achieving good grades versus mindlessly spacing out; running around during recess or feeling sick on the sidelines. In addition, recent studies indicate that kids who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain healthy weights. That is welcome news during this time of heightened awareness of childhood obesity. If you are a school that sends home a monthly calendar, March is a great time to include nutritional messages to help parents and students become more aware of the importance good nutrition plays in their daily lives.

Schools are reminded to return food service needs assessments or to contact CANS staff in Pierre with ideas for topics that need to be on the agenda of the upcoming annual Child and Adult Care Food Program / Summer Food Service Program training in May. The dates and locations will be announced later this month; more information will be sent to schools at that time. For more information, contact Melissa Halling, voice (605) 773-3566, email melissa.halling@state.sd.us.

The 40th annual South Dakota Child Nutrition Program Certification Institute will be held June 20-25 in Sioux Falls at Augustana College. All tracks are 5-day courses and qualify for 30 continuing education credits from the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA). All tracks have a size limit and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In order to guarantee enrollment, registration and payment should be submitted as soon as possible!

Registration information was mailed the last week of February; it was addressed to food service directors and authorized representatives. If a packet has not been received by March 12th, please call 605-773-4718 to let CANS staff know. The information and registration form can also be printed from the Certification Institute link on the CANS website at http://www.state.sd.us/deca/CSCF/CANS/ .

More Certification Institute updates can be expected in the monthly Nutrition Bulletin and on the CANS website.

In a growing number of circumstances, schools enroll students who are living in households other than their traditional family. It is sometimes difficult to know how to determine their eligibility for free and reduced price meals. The circumstances can vary greatly. While the Eligibility Guidance for School Meals Manual answers many questions, school personnel do and should contact Child and Adult Nutrition Services (CANS) in Pierre to discuss details of a child’s unusual circumstances and together determine the best method for handling the situation.

Children who are homeless can be an example of a situation on which a school will want to receive guidance. The most recent issue is homeless children. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) issued Numbered Memo: NSLP – 75 in December 2002. It addresses the definition of “homeless” and how school officials and others may streamline procedures for approval and documentation of free lunch and breakfast or free milk eligibility for homeless children after consultation with the school’s homeless coordinator in accordance with USDA policy.

A copy of the memo should be in the agency’s “numbered memo” binder. It can also be accessed online at http://www.state.sd.us/deca/CSCF/CANS/index.htm ; click on “Forms and Documents” bullet. Look for the numbered memos section, find the number 75 in the NSLP column and click on the title to read the memo. If there are additional questions, please contact staff members in Child & Adult Nutrition Services (CANS), 605-773-3413.

Viewers will be able to identify the coaching relationship as a partnership or joint venture. Ultimately the following objectives will be realized:

►Increasing productivity of the employee, the tram, and the Child Nutrition Program;

If you are interested in viewing this seminar, contact Sarah Straight, 605-773-4718, by March 31.

The SD Department of Health (DOH) is planning to downlink two satellite conferences in the coming months across the state to approximately 6-10 sites. More information will be sent when it becomes available. Brochures will also be posted on the DOH website calendar at www.state.sd.us/doh. There will be no charge for these conferences. Save the following dates:

►April 29, 10 am-4 pm CT, “Metabolic Syndrome: Prevention and Treatment Challenges.” The goals of this conference will be to:

--provide a critical review of research efforts to define, diagnose, and characterize the primary contributors to Metabolic Syndrome;

--outline prevention and therapeutic strategies to alleviate the physiological consequences of the Metabolic Syndrome by integrating physical activity, nutritional, pharmacological, and psychological approaches;

--identify future directions for prevention and treatment of Metabolic Syndrome.

►June 2, 12-4 pm CT, “Food Allergies in Children: Prevention and Intervention.” This conference will address diagnosis and treatment of food allergies in children. There will also be a discussion of food allergies and school policies.

The 2004 Legislature is currently recessed for 16 days, after 34 days in session. Members of the Body will reconvene March 15 for the final day of the 04 session; the day is reserved for consideration of gubernatorial vetoes.

All told, this year’s legislature considered 602 bills, commemorations, concurrent resolutions, and joint resolutions. A total of 361 action items were started in the House of Representatives, the Senate initiated 241.

A complete run-down of bills that were passed and will impact K-12 schools will be finalized after the final day of the 2004 legislative session, March 15, and featured in the next edition of the Administrative Memorandum.

This is a reminder that Governor Rounds is planning a special Easter mailing to South Dakota troops who are deployed away from home. Letters/cards from students need to be sent to the Office of the Governor by April 2 to be included in the shipment.

This is the third time cards and letters written by students have been sent to deployedSouth Dakota service personnel. The Governor’s Office sent boxes in time for Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day; response from students was very good. News from South Dakota about school, sporting events, art projects, school plays, music performances is appreciated by the troops.

The mailing address for packages of Easter cards and letters from local schools is:
Office of the Goveror
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070

South Dakota’s annual testing of students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 will take place between March 22-April 16 this year. Public schools are required by state law to administer the tests to all enrolled students in these grades; there is no cost to the schools for the tests or the scoring services and reports.

New to the state testing system this year are some features that respond to input received from local test administrators, including:

The South Dakota testing system, known as the Dakota State Test of Educational Progress (STEP), includes the abbreviated Stanford-10 norm referenced test plus augmentation (additional test items) in math and reading. The augmented questions specifically test each child’s mastery of the South Dakota Content Standards in reading and math.

Scores from the augmented standards-based questions at each grade are used for the calculation of each public school’s “adequate yearly progress” (AYP) per No Child Left Behind (NCLB) regulations. The percent of students tested in each grade 3-8 (i.e. “participation rate”) is also calculated for NCLB requirements.

SDBOE hearings set for March 15 on 4 sets of proposed rules, including school bus standards/procedures, changes in requirements for certification for administrators, state accountability system, new certification for school social workers.

The South Dakota Board of Education will hold public hearings on four sets of proposed administrative rules and/or changes to current administrative rules Monday, March 15, at 9:10 a.m. at the Best Western Ramkota Inn in Pierre. The rules govern four programs:

Members of the board of education have under consideration changes to current administrative rules ARSD24:06:07 and 24:06:08 that will update school bus standards and procedures to meet requirements set forth in the new national bus driver manual National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures, May 2000.

Changes to current administrative rules that govern certification of administrators, ARSD 24:16:09, are also under consideration, specifically in the number of years of experience required for full certification as a school administrator.

As required by HB 1265, passed by the 2003 Legislature, the Board is setting up a voluntary certification that may be obtained by licensed social workers who are employed in schools. The requirements under consideration will be added to ARSD 24:16:10.

A large volume of new administrative rules, 70 pages all told, will be considered by the Board in order to implement the state’s accountability system for public schools. The rules set forth policy and procedures on system components, including:

Administrative rules implementing a single statewide accountability system will comprise a new article of administrative rule, Article 24:42, and will include 11 chapters.

Copies of proposed rules may be obtained without charge from the Department of Education, South Dakota Board of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501, phone 605-773-3426, email Nicole.Kranzler@state.sd.us.

Persons interested in presenting data, opinions, and arguments for or against the proposed rules may do so by appearing in person at the hearing.

Written testimony may be forwarded to the same mailing or email address; it must arrive before March 15 to be considered.

The Department of Education reminds high school principals and counselors that the list of nominees for Regent Scholar Diplomas is due April 1. Recognizing outstanding high school graduates through presentation of a Regent Scholar Diploma is an annual activity in South Dakota through a partnership between the Department of Education and the South Dakota Board of Regents. The program recognizes graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence; the Diploma automatically admits the recipient to any one of South Dakota’s six public universities.

In order to be nominated for a Regents Diploma, a graduating senior from a South Dakota high school must have completed all high school courses listed below with no final grade below a "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and an overall average gradepoint of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale). The Diploma must be requested by the high school’s administrator.

4 units of English: Courses with major emphasis upon grammar, composition, or literary analysis; one year of debate instruction may be included to meet this requirement.

4 units of algebra or higher mathematics: Algebra, geometry, trigonometry or other advanced mathematics including accelerated or honors mathematics (algebra) provided at the 8th grade level; not included are arithmetic, business, consumer or general mathematics or other similar courses.

4 units of science including 3 units of approved laboratory science: Courses in biology, chemistry, or physics in which at least one (1) regular laboratory period is scheduled each week. Accelerated or honors science (biology, physics or chemistry) provided in the 8th grade shall be accepted. Qualifying physical science or earth science courses (with lab) shall be decided on a case by case basis.

3 units of social studies: History, economics, sociology, geography, government--including U.S. and South Dakota, American Problems, etc.

2 units of a modern or classical language (includes American Sign Language): The two units must be in the same language.

1/2 unit of fine arts*: coursework in art, theatre or music--appreciation, analysis, or performance.

* Effective Fall 2005, the requirement will increase to 1 unit of fine arts, including coursework in art, theatre or music--appreciation, analysis, or performance.

1/2 unit of computer science: Students will have basic keyboarding skills and have had experience in using a personal computer including word-processing, database and spreadsheet software and in using the Internet or other wide area networks.

To request the designation of eligible graduating seniors as Regent Scholars, the high school administrator must submit the high school’s official list of nominees, including:

The information will be printed on the Regent Scholar diplomas; the diplomas will be sent to the high school administrator for presentation to the students during graduation ceremonies.

To ensure that the diplomas are received in time for graduation, requests must be submitted by April 1, 2004, to Deedra Gesinger, Department of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501, fax 773-6139 or email deedra.gesinger@state.sd.us.

Public schools are invited to compete for monetary awards and public recognition in the Healthy School award program recently announced by Governor Mike Rounds. Application packets are now available and are due April 30.The recognition program award will spotlight public schools that are leaders in health education in South Dakota. Programs in selected schools will serve as models for other schools.

Awards will be given to schools at four levels: 1) elementary, 2) middle/junior high, 3) high school and 4) district-wide. Up to three finalists will be selected at each level. Winners will be announced in August 2004 at the joint Associated School Boards of South Dakota/ School Administrators of South Dakota convention in Sioux Falls.

The top winner at each level will receive a banner and a $5,000 check. Other finalists in each category will receive a plaque.

To request an application, a public school-level or districtwide administrator is invited to contact Janet Ricketts, South Dakota Department of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2291, email janet.ricketts@state.sd.us , fax (605) 773-3782. Interested persons should note that requests for applications must be made by a public district superintendent/CEO, assistant district superintendent, public school principal, or assistant public school principal.

Elementary schools in South Dakota are invited to submit a proposal for funds to support a cross-age peer tutorial program. The grants are offered by the Chance to Succeed project, Plan for Social Excellence, Inc. Deadline is Friday, May 7, 5 pm eastern time.

Funds are available in the amount of $8,000 per year for three years. It is expected that schools will have co-investment strategies in place to support the project, including in-kind contributions, cash and sweat equity. Potential school partners include public, tribal and private universities, other entities within the school district, and community groups.

Microsoft’s Fresh Start for Donated Computers program replaces Windows licenses and operating systems free of charge on computers that have been donated to K-12 schools. Purpose of the program is to help K-12 schools ensure that qualifying donated personal computers are properly licensed to run a Windows operating system.

In South Dakota, K-12 schools that have received surplus computers from state government are encouraged to investigate the Fresh Start program and find out if the second-hand computers qualify for the legitimate operating system licenses. Fresh Start offers at no charge license documentation and Windows installation CDs; schools can choose either Windows 98 or Windows 2000, whichever best matches the functionality of the donated personal computer and the technology environment and standards of the school.

Gov. Mike Rounds is inviting nearly 200 high school and college bands from across South Dakota to participate in the dedication of the Korean War Memorial, Saturday, Sept. 18 in Pierre.

“This will be a special event in our state’s history,” said Rounds. “I am hoping every South Dakota high school and university with marching bands will send their students to participate in this celebration.”

Those interested in participating can contact Ron Woodburn at Ron.Woodburn@state.sd.us or (605) 773-4750.

The day’s events begin with a Heroes parade passing by the Capitol at 10:30 a.m. (CST). The dedication ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. (CST) on the shores of Capitol Lake, followed by an extensive military aircraft veteran’s salute and daytime fireworks display.

The governor is also inviting schools and communities with jazz bands to provide entertainment in the U.S.O. Tent. The tent, located in the Capitol parking lot, will offer coffee, donuts and entertainment before and after the parade and after the formal dedication ceremony.

Nearly 26,000 South Dakotans fought in the Korean War, and more than 170 died in combat. The Korean War Memorial honoring veterans features a 7-foot-tall bronze statue of a Korean War soldier dressed in winter battle gear. The statue will be placed next to the Flaming Fountain at Capitol Lake and was sculpted by Pierre artist Lee Leuning and artist Sherri Treeby. The sculpture was designed with input from a committee of Korean War veterans appointed by the governor.

Even Start funds are available for new family literacy programs in South Dakota. The RFP is available from the SD Department of Education. Proposals are due in Pierre May 3. According to the announcement, the funds must be used to improve the educational opportunities for children and adults by integrating early childhood education, adult education for parents, and parenting activities into a unified family program that builds on existing community resources to create a new range of services.

New projects will not be funded for less than $75,000. If selected, new projects must supply 10 percent of the total cost of the program in the first year the project receives assistance. Eligible entities that may apply for funding must be partnerships—either a local education agency (school district) applying in partnership with a community-based or other nonprofit organization or a community-based or other nonprofit organization applying in partnership with a local educational agency (school district). School districts that have Title I programs and/or are in a rural areas are urged to apply.

The process of selection will be competitive. Priority will be given to applications that (1) demonstrate that the area to be served has a large percentage or high number of children and adults who are in need of services, as indicated by poverty, TANF, illiteracy, unemployment, limited English proficiency, or other related indicators; (2) are a school district, (3) are located in a rural area, (4) are empowerment or enterprise zones, and (5) demonstrate capacity to operate an effective program.

Deadline for submitting completed applications is May 3, 2004. Interested parties may obtain an application by contacting Julie Elrod, Department of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, South Dakota 57501-2291, phone (605) 773-6400, email julie.elrod@state.sd.us, or by contacting Betsy Pollock at (605) 773-4640 (leave a message).

County emergency managers and sheriffs ready to help schools with bomb threat procedures

The Office of Homeland Security in Pierre recently provided bomb threat procedures to all sheriffs’ offices and county emergency coordinators throughout the state. Schools that do not have procedures in place for responding to bomb threats are urged to contact either the local sheriff or the county emergency coordinator for a copy of the procedures and whatever other assistance is needed.

According to information received from the SD Dept. of Public Safety, a pair of publications, “Recommended Bomb Threat Procedures for Schools” and “Bomb Threat Aid,” is now available in both sheriffs’ offices and county emergency offices. The goal is to assist every school in the state in establishing appropriate procedures for reacting to bomb threats.

“Recommended Bomb Threat Procedures for Schools” outlines step-by-step procedures a school should follow if a bomb threat is received or if a suspicious package is discovered. “Bomb Threat Aid” is a form that can be located near the school’s phones and used by whoever answers the phone in the case of a phoned-in bomb threat. The form will help the person receiving the bomb threat record information that will be helpful to investigators arriving on the scene; it includes questions that the person can try to ask the caller in order to get more details.

The Dept. of Education completed the state’s first analysis of Safe and Drug-Free/Gun-Free School data in February in order to implement the state’s Unsafe School Choice Option policy as required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Purpose of the program is to ensure that students are protected and have a safe environment in which to learn.

A total of 22 schools in 15 school districts were flagged when their self-reported data revealed that the number of violent criminal offenses that occurred on school property during the 2002-2003 school year exceeded the state’s criteria. Schools that exceed their limit two years in a row will be identified as “persistently dangerous schools” as required in Title IX, Section 9532, of NCLB. South Dakota’s first identification will take place next year, based on data from both the 02-03 and the 03-04 (current) school year.

The data items from the annual report that are used by the department for purposes of the Unsafe School Choice Option policy are:

Definitions of the violent criminal offenses are available on the web-entry system used by schools to report their numbers at the close of school each year.

As a courtesy, schools that were flagged based on one-year data received a letter from the department in February, outlining the policy and the number of offenses that were tabulated. Representatives of these schools will be invited to a technical assistance this spring.

All public school districts superintendents and CEOs received a letter outlining the program; the state’s policy was first explained in detail in the May 2003 edition of the Administrative Memorandum. The edition is still available online at http://www.state.sd.us/deca/Secretary/news/adminmem.htm.

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) requires school policy, parent notification; some surveys may require active parental permission

Public school districts (legal education entities/LEAs) must have policies covering the requirements of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) and must notify parents annually of the policies and/or any substantive changes to the policies, according to a reminder received from the U.S. Dept. of Education.

South Dakota schools recently received a letter on the subject from U.S. Department of Education’s Family Policy Compliance Office and a follow-up memo from Dr. Rick Melmer, Secretary, South Dakota Dept. of Education.

In addition to the policy and notification requirements, student surveys that are funded in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education and ask students for personal information in any of eight categories require prior written parental consent before a student may participate in the survey. If a survey contains one or more of the identified categories, schools and contractors must protect student privacy and give parents the right to inspect the survey.

The eight categories set forth in PPRA, a provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, include:

South Dakota schools that had PPRA policies in place prior to the enactment of No Child Left Behind in January 2002 are not required to develop or adopt a new policy; however, it is important to note that policies may need to be updated. Within No Child Left Behind, the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) was amended--an additional category (religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent) was added to the seven previously-existing categories and other minor changes were made to existing language.

It should also be noted that South Dakota’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey is not funded by the U.S. Department of Education and therefore not subject to the requirement for prior parental permission. Currently, PPRA requires active parental permission before minor students are required to participate in a survey only when the survey is a) funded in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education and b) reveals information concerning one or more of the eight categories denoted above.

Overall, PPRA requires every local education agency (LEA) that receives funds under any U.S. Department of Education program to develop and adopt policies, in consultation with parents, concerning student privacy. The policies relating to surveying of students must address:

LEAs must directly notify parents of these policies, and at a minimum, they shall provide the notice at least annually, at the beginning of the school year. Also, an LEA shall notify parents within a reasonable period of time if any substantive change is made to the policies. In the notification, the LEA shall:

Answer: Active parental permission requires prior written parental consent. It is required before a student may participate in a survey funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education that asks for personal information in the eight categories described in PPRA (e.g., sexual behavior, illegal or antisocial behavior, and mental or psychological problems).

Passive parental permission means the parent is provided an opportunity to opt out of (remove the child from) participation. The district may assume parental consent if they hear no timely objection from the parent.

Answer: Yes. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) are both examples of these types of surveys. Neither of these surveys is funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education. Both require “passive” parental permission and are voluntary.

Questions concerning the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) may be directed to: Janet Ricketts, Director, Coordinated School Health Program, phone (605) 773-3261, email janet.ricketts@state.sd.us.

For more information: U.S. Department of Education, Family Policy Compliance Office. phone (202) 260-3887, website www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco.

Schools that may be concerned about mosquitoes during athletic events and around school property next summer and fall are encouraged to partner with community officials and attend the Dept. of Health’s West Nile Preparedness and Mosquito Control Seminar. The event is set for Monday, March 15, Ramkota River Centre, Pierre. A registration fee of $10 to cover the noon meal and breaks is due by March 8.

The seminar is designed for South Dakota municipalities and partnerships that are considering public mosquito control programs in 2004. Seminar speakers will provide information on the status of West Nile virus in South Dakota, mosquito control and management, educating the public about West Nile, and responding to West Nile virus. Specialists from Centers for Disease Control, the SD Dept. of Health, SDSU Cooperative Extension Service, and other public and industry representatives will be available throughout the day.

The Department of Health’s grant program for 50% matching funds for mosquito control equipment and chemical will be discussed and information on preparing a mosquito management plan will be provided. The Department has a one-page grant application available on its website at www.state.sd.us/doh/WNVgrants/; eligible applicants are municipalities, counties, tribal governments, or any combination in a partnership agreement. Schools can participate in partnerships for the purpose of integrated mosquito control in their locale.

A packet of information, 2004-2005 School Immunization Requirements, was distributed to all South Dakota schools recently by the SD Dept. of Health. It is important that schools get it in the hands of the school nurse(s) or the district’s designated immunization official.

If a packet did not reach your school and/or the appropriate person, contact Michelle Hudecek, SD Dept. of Health, 615 East 4^th St., Pierre SD 57501, voice 605-773-5323, email michelle.hudecek@state.sd.us.

The State of South Dakota is selling used vehicles and equipment on the eBay internet website between March 1-May 31. The items are all surplus property of the State of South Dakota.

EBay, characterized as “the world’s online marketplace,” provides a global trading platform where practically anyone can trade practically anything. According to company information, on an average day, there are millions of items listed on eBay with thousands of members from all over the world buying and selling in an auction-style format. The website explains how to locate what you are looking for, and also how to bid and pay for the item, if you are the successful bidder.

Further information about the public auction is available from State Property Management, 500 East Capitol, Pierre SD 57501-5070, voice 605-773-4935. The eBay website is located at http://www.ebay.com/.

A new law, HB 1221, passed during the 2004 legislative session will speed up the production of Braille books for blind students in South Dakota. The law requires textbook publishers that sell textbooks in South Dakota to provide upon request an electronic file of the textbook. Similar laws are in effect in most other states.

The file will be used by the Braille & Talking Book program at the South Dakota State Library to produce Braille versions of textbooks needed by blind students in South Dakota. Receiving an electronic file of the textbook from the publishers will greatly speed up the process because it will eliminate the need to first enter each page of the textbook into the computer.

Converting a print textbook into Braille is a complex process that takes three-five months and sometimes longer to complete. Many variables determine the length of time it takes to produce a Braille book. The biggest variables are length of the print book, complexity of the material and the number of required raised line drawings (graphics) which are produced by hand.

Currently, the first step requires Braille transcribers to re-enter the entire book, keying in each word or scanning each page. After keying or scanning, the document needs to be proofed for spelling, punctuation and if scanned for sections that the scanner could not read. The publisher’s file will eliminate this step.

With the publisher’s electronic version of the book, the transcriber will load the file into a computer, run it through a Braille translation program, and format the material on each page. This prepares it for final proofing, insertion of graphics and binding of the multiple volumes that comprise a Braille textbook.

Use of a publisher-furnished electronic file will save approximately two-six weeks in production time for each textbook, depending on the length and complexity of the text.

The SD State Library is responsible for production of Braille textbooks for K-12 students. This service is provided through a partnership with Pheasantland Industries at the SD State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls and the federal prison in Yankton. Textbooks are custom-produced for the student if it is not possible to borrow or purchase a Braille version of the textbook the student’s class is using. In FY 03, 90 Braille textbooks were produced for use by SD students.

The State Library also insures textbooks for visually impaired students are available in large print and audio cassette, as necessary. A school that has a visually impaired student enrolled who requires textbooks in special formats can contact the Braille and Talking Book program, Kathy Schreiber, 1-800-423-6665, as soon as the textbook selection for upcoming classes is firm. Goal of the program is to have the special format versions available to the student at the opening of each semester or school year.

Educators, parents, and community members are invited to attend (at no charge) CareeReality presentation at the Pierre Ramkota River Centre, March 11. Prior registration is not required.

Participants will receive information to assist youth pursue career paths in science and technology, discover trends in the workplace, identify essential skills for student success, and gain insight on new and emerging jobs and careers.

Questions can be directed to Angela Ostrander, Office of Career and Technical Education, 605-773-4527, email angela.ostrander@state.sd.us.

Educators, counselors, scout leaders, parents and other interested adults are invited to Women in Science conference at the South Dakota Discovery Center, Pierre, March 11. The event is scheduled 8:45 am – 5 pm, CST.

Purpose of the one-day event is to help adults inspire and encourage young girls to explore nontraditional coursework and careers and to expand girls’ career options. There is no registration fee.

Highlighting the conference will be a keynote speech by Dr. Noelle Umback, a forensic scientist with the Chief Medical Examiner’s office in New York City. Dr. Umback participated in the forensics work related to the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. She is a graduate of Lemmon High School and South Dakota State University.

Other activities include a multimedia, interactive presentation by DeVry University, HerWorld, discussions with professional women currently engaged in science and technology careers, a science and technology scavenger hunt, and a tour of the SD Discovery Center and Aquarium with a closing reception.

Section 504/ADA Advanced Issues is available via an audio conference March 17 at 1pm CST (12 noon MST). The event is presented by Thompson Publishing Group, Inc.; there will be a charge for participation.

The presentation will cover the application of Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to students in elementary and secondary schools. It will also offer an overview of the intersections of the No Child Left Behind Act with Section 504/ADA. A sampling of recent court decisions, an examination of recent increases in hearing officer decisions, and analysis of OCR letters of findings will be discussed.

Nationally-recognized character education experts will headline the South Dakota Character Education Conference in Pierre July 8-9. Dr. Hal Urban, San Francisco, and Deb Austin Brown, West Virginia fifth grade teacher, will make keynote presentations during the two-day event.

Purposes of the conference is to assist schools in resuming a proactive role by developing caring, respectful environments in schools and classrooms where students learn core ethical values. Registration if $50. College credit is available.

In addition to the keynote speakers, a variety of breakout sessions will be offered. Lodging at state rates has been arranged.

For further information, contact Sue Burgard, Dept. of Education, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre SD 57501, voice 605-773-5238, email sue.burgard@state.sd.us.

Specialized training for high school math and science teachers is available at this summer; the two-day workshop will be offered twice—in Sioux Falls in June and at another location during July. Exact dates and locations will be announced via the Board of Regents’ website (below) in the near future.

Led by SDSU’s Dr. Kurt Cogswell, the events will offer high school teachers an opportunity to:

ü learn how to use state-of-the-art scientific word processing and computer algebra software to create technology-enhanced classroom materials and online lessons;

ü have online lessons they create included in an internationally recognized digital library that is part of the NSDL (National Science Digital Library) Project;

ü do all this in two days, get a graduate credit for doing it, and receive a reduced tuition rate.

Dr. Cogswell is also Editor-in-Chief of the MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching) Mathematics Editorial Board. The workshops are being supported by South Dakota’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, EveryTeacher.

Final information on exact dates and locations, costs, and registration will be posted at the Board of Regents EveryTeacher web site: http://www.sdbor.edu/grants/everyteacher/index.cfm

Interested teachers may also visit Dr. Kurt Cogswell’s 2004 Summer Workshop Information Website http://learn.sdstate.edu/cogswelk/2004Workshops/
Summer2004WorkshopPage.htm

MERLOT is a free and open resource designed primarily for faculty and students of higher education. Links to online learning materials are collected at the MERLOT website along with annotations such as peer reviews and assignments. Board of Regents MERLOT membership fees and EveryTeacher funds are extending this distance education strategy to K-12 math and science teachers through summer training sessions. Teachers who participate in the workshops can then access the resources for their classrooms as well as contribute effective technology integration strategies by developing and posting online learning materials.

Seven South Dakota students won generous donations to their favorite charities by successfully participating in the nationwide Laws of Life essay contest. This is the first year South Dakota students entered the competition.

The contest requires the student to write an essay about values, people, and/or events that have been meaningful in his/her life and will continue to have positive influence. State-level winners were selected from among students who won first place in their local community’s contest.

1^st place – Diana L. Gyllings – Brookings School District - $1000 to Heifer International
2^nd place – Alicia Jungers – Watertown School District - $500 to Make-a-Wish Foundation
3^rd place – Shane Stumvoll – Spearfish School District - $300 to United Way
4^th place (tie) – Tiffany Davis – Marion School District - $100 to The Banquet in Sioux Falls
4^th place (tie) – Rachel N. Knutson – Pierre Public School - $100 to the Multiple Sclerosis Society
6^th place – Melanie Jane Smith – Meade School District - $100 to the Black Hills Humane Society
7^th place – Tony Ullom – Flandreau School District - $100 to the Park Board City Pool

The local contests were held in school districts that receive funds through the Character Education Partnership federal grant. The Laws of Life essay contest was first created by John Templeton in 1987 as a gift for the young people in his hometown of Winchester, Tennessee. His vision was to encourage young people to reflect and write about their own “Laws of Life” and then to publicly recognize them for thinking about values and principles that will guide them wherever they go or in whatever they do in life. The John Templeton Foundation has generously given materials and support to the South Dakota effort. The Foundation awarded the state a one-time grant to use for the cash awards that were given to charities chosen by the winners.

Several federal agencies recently posted new resources on the web that may be of interest to school counselors and principals. The topics featured include girls’ health issues and prevention of teenage pregnancy. The resources include:

As part of their public education efforts, Girls Incorporated, the organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, develops and disseminates fact sheets on a variety of issues facing girls. Periodic updates of several of these fact sheets are funded by their cooperative agreements with CDC-DASH, including Girls and Violence, Girls and Sexual Activity, Girls and Sexual Health, Girls and Substance Abuse, and Girls and HIV, AIDS, and other STDs. Visit http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/page.php?id=3.1 to view and download copies of these and other fact sheets.

Every year in this country, close to 850,000 teenage girls become pregnant. The consequences of these pregnancies are enormous, as only one-third of these girls complete high school. To raise awareness about this troubling issue, a day has been designated as the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. May 5, 2004 has been designated as the day this year. Teens can go online and take a fun, engaging “quiz” that presents them with real life scenarios around the issue. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, sponsor of the event, has a variety of materials available to help you promote this important Day in your community. For more information or to order materials, visit http://www.teenpregnancy.org/national/default.asp or call (202) 478-8500.

Schools can receive materials and assistance from a national bullying prevention campaign that was announced March 1by U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona. “Take A Stand. Lend A Hand. Stop Bullying Now!” was unveiled at a Washington, DC middle school.

The “Stop Bullying Now!” campaign was developed by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration in partnership with approximately 70 health, safety, education and faith-based organizations. Bullying behavior among students is viewed as a school safety issue and can be a mental health concern; improvement of school climate can contribute positively to student learning. Prevention of bullying can be part of a school’s overall effort to provide a safe and drug-free facility for students.

All campaign materials including animated webisodes, public service announcements and resources for educators, health and safety professionals, parents and others are available online March 1^st at http://www.StopBullyingNow@hrsa.gov.

A single, comprehensive website that contains information about funding and applying for all federal grant programs was unveiled recently by US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. The website, www.grants.gov, makes it easier for organizations, including schools, to learn about and apply for federal grants.

The cross-agency website has information about more than 800 available grant programs involving all 26 federal grant-making agencies. These agencies together award more than $360 billion in grant funds. The site provides information in a standardized format across agencies.

To date, application packages have been posted to the grants.gov website by five agencies – the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Justice and HHS. This section will be expanded in the coming months as federal agencies continue to post application information about additional grant opportunities. The site has been developed with extensive input from organizations that apply for and receive federal grants to maximize its potential to simplify the process and meet the needs of the community.

South Dakota high schools that had students who took the 2003 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT or P/N) last October recently received materials from the College Board, publishers of the college entrance examination.

ScoreWrite: A Guide to the New SAT Essay is designed to help high school teachers strengthen their students' argumentative or persuasive writing skills. ScoreWrite was sent to high school principals, high school P/N coordinators, and high school English department heads.

The ScoreWrite package contains a 64-page manual and a DVD program. The manual will include an essay topic similar to the ones that will appear on the new SAT, holistic scoring guide and criteria for holistic scoring, pre-scored anchor papers, information on organizing an essay scoring session at a school, information on how an essay prompt is selected and how scoring standards are set, etc. The DVD program is a visual supplement to the manual and offers training on both the SAT essay's holistic scoring method and on conducting a reading to score practice essays at a school.

In August 2004, a new version of ScoreWrite will be available, with a new prompt and anchor papers for schools to use. These will be sent to all PSAT/NMSQT schools before Labor Day. For further information, schools are encouraged in the ScoreWrite materials to visit www.collegeboard.com, the College Board's web site or to contact Joyce Ann Moon, Senior Educational Manager, K-12, The College Board, phone number 847/866-2828, Ext. 310.

USA Today is now accepting nominations for its seventh All-USA Teacher Team. The annual recognition program honors 20 K-12 teachers as representatives of all outstanding educators. The 20 individuals and instructional teams named to the First Team will be featured in USA Today in October 2004 and will receive trophies. A cash award of $2,500 will be shared by each of the First Team educators and their schools.

Nominations must be postmarked by April 19. For more information or to download a nomination form, log on to www.allstars.usatoday.com.

Nominees must be fully-certified teachers K-12 teaching full-time during the 03-04 school year; individuals must have at least four years of experience, including the 03-04 school year. Teams of up to four teachers who team teach—i.e. they collaborate to plan, teach and evaluate the same group of students—are eligible to be nominated as an instructional team. Team members must average at least four years of teaching experience, including the 03-04 school year.

Teaches may be nominated by anyone willing to describe their accomplishments in writing, including administrators, colleagues, past and present students and parents, and community volunteers. No self-nominations are accepted; the nomination form includes a portion that the teacher must complete, describing how he/she has achieved the success described by the nominators.

A total of $30,000 in prizes will be awarded to schools with winning volunteer programs by Midwest Living magazine. Deadline for entries is April 1. Full contest rules are available at www.midwestliving.com.

Schools can nominate outstanding volunteers—parents, teachers, students and community members—who give their time, enthusiasm and expertise to continue making the school a great place to learn. The entry form can be filled out electronically on the website, or a copy can be printed out and mailed. A form and rules can also be obtained by calling 1-800-678-8093.

Money will be awarded to schools with top volunteers and programs with significant efforts in the 01-02 and/or 02-03 school years. Entries will be judged on the scope and impact of the effort, creativity, teamwork and the potential for replication. Grand prize is $10,000. Entries will also compete for 10 $1,000 first-place prizes, 20 $250 second-place prizes, and a special $5,000 Ford Freestar prize for the “Parent Who Makes a Difference.”

School districts that have teamed with local communities to develop and implement innovative activities that advance student learning are encouraged to enter that 2005 national Civic Star

Award program co-sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators and Sodexho School Services.

This year’s top winner, Frederick County Public Schools in Frederick, Md., received $10,000 in cash and scholarships. Thirty-two other winners received plaques and were honored during the AASA annual conference in California.

The annual Week of the Classroom Teacher is an opportunity for schools and communities to honor the professionalism and dedication of their teachers. The event is held during the first full week of May each year, and is sponsored nationally by the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI).

Free resources for planning and implementing special activities for the week are available at www.acei.org (click on “Week of the Classroom Teacher” link). Downloadable materials include a detailed planning guide, posters, bookmarks, letterhead, advertisements, and sample newsletter articles.

The annual Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust will be commemorated this year from Sunday, April 18 through Sunday, April 25. The Day of Remembrance is April 18.

The observances are coordinated by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. This year’s event will honor the memory of the Jews of Hungary, deported 60 years ago in the final stages of World War II, as well as individuals, organizations and countries that attempted to rescue them.

Schools wanting more information can access the Museum’s website at www.ushmm.org.