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In Every Issue:
Secretary's Column
CANS
In This Issue:
For sale or rent: Three new modular
units
Title III informational workshops to be
held
Alternatives set for non-certified
administrators
New databases aid student research
Governor rewards schools for healthy
practices
Tracking highly qualified teacher
status
Praxis test validation continues
Paraprofessionals must meet qualified status
Fee subsidy application for National
Board candidates available Oct. 1
Important message for Special Education teachers, directors
Improvement workshops for technical programs offered
New Web site
provides one-stop shopping for educators
Secretary’s Column
By Dr. Rick Melmer, Secretary
South Dakota Department of Education
Vital signs look good
When
you visit the doctor’s office, one of the first tasks at hand is to check your
vital signs. These exams may include some blood work and a blood pressure
check. Once the doctor has a chance to examine those basic measures, he or she
can tell if you are enjoying good health.
Education has vital signs as well. As a Department of Education, we are reviewing our state’s vital signs to determine the health of our K–12 educational system. If I were a medical doctor, I would pronounce the patient “healthy” after reviewing the exams we use to determine our students’ achievement levels.
First of all, we have the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam that is given to most 4th and 8th graders in the nation. The exam is given every other year (the last exam was given in spring 2003) and focuses on reading and math achievement. South Dakota’s 4th graders ranked in the top 10 in the country, and our 8th graders ranked among the top five states nationwide. We are pleased with these results, and I believe they tell an interesting story about how South Dakota students fare at the national level.
Secondly, our Dakota Step results have been returned to the schools. At the state level, we saw significant gains in overall reading and math. In math, 71 percent of students were proficient or advanced (up from 59 percent last year), and in reading, 77 percent were proficient or advanced (up from 71 percent). In addition, each subgroup (special education, minority, limited English proficient and low income) saw improvements at the state level. Clearly the hard work of our state’s educators was evident in this year’s results.
Finally, our ACT scores from the 2004 spring testing period were released. Our scores rose from 21.4 to 21.5 as a state. While about 40 percent of the nation’s students take the ACT, 75 percent of South Dakota students take this exam. This is significant since three of every four South Dakota students take the exam, and yet, we are still significantly above the national average of 20.9.
As educators, we are often asked if our schools are good.
If we say, “yes,” people want to know how we know. I would encourage you to
review our educational vital signs with the people in your community. Let them
know that South Dakota’s educational system is in great health!
Food Safety Month: Be aware when you prepare
September marks the 10th annual National Food Safety Education MonthSM. It’s presented by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s International Food Safety Council.
The theme of this year’s observance is “Be aware when you prepare.” In line with that theme, the International Food Safety Council has prepared five training lessons for use in your establishment. Each lesson can be used with all food service employees to highlight procedures for preparing food safely.
The annual food safety campaign strives to build awareness of the food service industry’s commitment to serving safe food, heighten awareness about the importance of food safety education, and encourage additional food safety training for all food service employees.
For information on how to get involved in National Food Safety Education Month, visit www.nraef.org/nfsem.
Changes due to reauthorization outlined
Most of the changes caused by reauthorization of the Child Nutrition and WIC programs affect school nutrition programs, rather than Child & Adult Care Food Program or Summer Food Service. Changes outlined below are effective now.
1) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – While the law establishes fresh fruit and vegetable as a program rather than a pilot project, the number of states and schools funded remains somewhat limited. Schools in the area governed by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation were included in the bill.
2) School Breakfast Program - Severe Need - paperwork reduction. Schools that served 40 percent free and reduced price lunches in the second prior year can now claim the higher rate of reimbursement (severe need) without having to complete the cost justification. Agencies with eligible sites will be contacted to advise them of the higher rate.
3) Duration of Eligibility of Free/Reduced Price Meals – Approved applications for free and reduced price meals are good for the entire academic year for the School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk programs. Formerly, families who had been approved were to report if their income changed by $50 per month.
4) Categorical Eligibility of Migrant, Runaway and Homeless Youth – This is an additional categorical eligibility for free meals for all programs for children who are known to fit in one of these categories.
5) Permanent Exclusion of Privatized Military Housing Allowances – Makes permanent an exclusion which had been previously implemented through policy.
6) Seamless Summer – Makes permanent and renames what was formerly called “summer waiver” or “Alisal waiver.” This allows schools that would be eligible for the Summer Food Service Program to continue on the school nutrition programs throughout the summer.
7) Proprietary Centers in CACFP – Makes permanent an allowance which had been previously implemented through policy. Allows proprietary centers to participate in CACFP if they meet certain criteria of income levels.
8) Emergency Shelters – Raises the age limit from 12 to 18 for children whose meals can be claimed for reimbursement in emergency shelters.
9) Special Provision 2 and 3 – In NSLP and SBP, schools that participate in the NSLP/SBP can use district-wide percentages to calculate the claim for reimbursement.
10) Pilot States to End Reduced Price Meal Category – Five states will be authorized to eliminate the reduced price category. The states have not yet been named.
Plan to celebrate National School Lunch Week
National School Lunch Week (NSLW) will be observed Oct. 11-14. This year’s outdoor theme – “Reach Your Peak with School Lunch” – is sure to make your school district’s observation of NSLW a success!
A promotional booklet has been prepared by Child and Adult Nutrition Services to help get your creative juices flowing. The booklet includes ideas on how to promote the importance of balanced daily nutrition to students, faculty, parents and the community. The guide booklet includes activity sheets for students, menus for the week, a sample press release, a sample letter to parents, and suggestions for incorporating the theme into various curriculum areas. A PowerPoint presentation also is available upon request.
In addition, the April 2004 issue of the School Foodservice and Nutrition magazine features selected menus and recipes to use during NSLW.
CANS would like to hear how you celebrate National School Lunch Week. So, take pictures, have fun, and send in any stories or photos that could be shared in the monthly newsletter.
To request a promotional booklet, contact Jean Schuurmans at (605) 773-6026. jean.schuurmans@state.sd.us.
Important to note on commodity prices
As a reminder, your cost for processed commodity items is the price indicated on the invoice you receive. It is not the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) value-per-case price listed on the commodity order blank or receipt from CANS. The price on those forms is the USDA value of the commodity product contained in each case of the processed product.
For products from Sunny Fresh, Café Favorites, etc., your case cost is listed on the Commodity Processing Order Blank for those products. The USDA value of the commodity items is shown on the Commodity Receipt Manifest you receive from CANS and on the processing order blank.
Oak Valley offers two items: a deli-style breast slab (P010A) and smoked turkey picnic ham (P011A). The products are processed at the Oak Valley Farms facility in Watertown, S.D. There is no “fee for service” charge to public schools for these products. For non-public schools, the cost per case is $31.60. These products should be available for October delivery.
National Food Service Institute hosts workshops
Nutrition Update will be held Oct. 20-21 at the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi. Nationally recognized nutrition experts discuss recent developments and current issues, adolescent nutrition needs, the relationship between child nutrition and chronic disease, energy metabolism in children, and nutrition myths and misinformation. Participants will receive a copy of a current nutrition text, and other valuable resource materials. For information, call 1-800-321-3054.
First Choice Procurement Seminar will be held Nov. 9-11 at the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi. Based on “First Choice: A Purchasing Systems Manual for School Food Service,” 2nd Edition, the workshop presents procurement education that supports the delivery of nutritious and appealing meals to children. It emphasizes the links among purchasing, nutrition integrity, food safety, and financial success of the program. Target audience includes child nutrition professionals, school administrators and business managers, and others interested in learning more about the procurement process in Child Nutrition Programs. Approved for ASFSA credit; approval from other organizations possible. For information, call 1-800-321-3054.
Wash Your Hands teaching package coming to schools
Under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, the National Food Service Management Institute has developed the Wash Your Hands teaching package. The goal of this resource is to assist you in developing and implementing hand-washing promotions and events in Child Nutrition Programs.
The Wash Your Hands teaching package will be distributed to all agencies that participate in the National School Lunch Program at no charge initially. NFSMI anticipates distribution in early fall. The package includes the following components:
Wash Your Hands booklet (print and CD-ROM)
Hand-washing training video
Glitter Bug potion and lotion
UV light
Wash Your Hands tote bag
18 hand-washing posters
For more information, visit the NFSMI Web site at www.nfsmi.org/Information/handsindex.html.
Offer versus serve
In the mid 1970s, Congressman Bill Goodling from Pennsylvania and other congressional leaders believed that students were throwing away far too much food, so they declared “war on waste.” They wanted to reduce the waste of food and the waste of government money used to purchase and prepare this food. A part of this “war on waste” was the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) option. It was a way to avoid forcing students to take food they do not intend to eat.
The goals of OVS are to: 1) minimize plate waste and 2) encourage more food choices.
Schools that implement OVS must offer all the planned menu items to all students. Students may refuse a specified number of menu items. Schools that do not choose to do the OVS option must serve all food menu items to all students.
Senior high schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are required to implement OVS. In elementary and junior high/middle schools, OVS is a local option whereby students may decline one or two menu components. School food authorities may implement OVS in their School Breakfast Program as well. Full portions of a minimum required number of items must be taken for a meal to be claimed for reimbursement.
Substantial cost savings may occur with OVS. The manager determines the quantity to prepare based on previous production records and menu pattern required-serving amounts. The cashier and kitchen manager must work closely together in defining the reimbursable meals for the day.
Meals must be priced as a unit. This means paying students will pay the full meal price, and students eligible for reduced price will pay the current reduced price charge whether they take the minimum number of menu items or the complete meal. The cashier needs to determine the menu items and serving amounts before the meal service begins. A reimbursable meal must be defined for claiming purposes.
At schools implementing either the Traditional or Enhanced Menu Pattern meals, when students go through the line, they must be offered five food items. Under OVS, a student may decline up to two of the five required food items and still have a reimbursable lunch. In other words, a student must take full portions of at least three of the five food items offered to have a reimbursable lunch. Students do not have to take a milk or entrée to have a reimbursable lunch. Any three components from a Traditional or Enhanced Menu Pattern menu will make a reimbursable meal.
The five components of a Traditional and Enhanced Menu Pattern include: one serving of meat/meat alternate, two servings of vegetables and/or fruits, one serving of grains/breads, and one serving of milk.
If the meat/meat alternate is split into two menu items (i.e., the main dish and one other menu item), the student would have to take both items for the meat/meat alternate to count as one of the five food items.
Under OVS, students may take smaller portions of the declined food components. The required food components selected by the students, however, must be a full serving. The decision to decline the allowed number of food items or to accept smaller portions of otherwise declined food items does not affect the charge for the meal. Within the minimum quantities specified in the regulations for the various age and grade groups, the menu planner establishes what constitutes a “serving.” It is the student’s choice which items to decline including the entrée or milk.
OVS reduces plate waste and improves acceptability of the meal. Students have choices available, which encourage them to choose a meal that is more specific to their preferences. The food service staff is committed to promoting the nutrition goals of the school nutrition program by providing students with healthy food choices.
TEAM Nutrition publication available
The first issue of South Dakota TEAM Nutrition was mailed last week. If you are on a team but didn’t receive a copy, please let us know. You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to amy.richards@state.sd.us with your name, mailing address and e-mail address. For more information about South Dakota TEAM Nutrition, visit http://www.state.sd.us/deca/CSCF/CANS/Nutrition/index.htm.
For sale or rent: Three new modular units
Three new modular units – each consisting of two classrooms and a bathroom – are available for rent or sale.
Built at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, the units measure 24 x 64 feet. Districts may rent them on an annual basis at no charge. However, districts are responsible for transportation and set-up costs of the units. The new units are heavier than previous ones, so do require additional set-up costs such as ground work and footings.
For more information, contact Stacy Krusemark at the Department of Education, (605) 773-6231. stacy.krusemark@state.sd.us
Title III informational workshops to be held
Four informational workshops for Title III directors will be held across South Dakota. The workshops are slated for Sept. 20 in Rapid City, Sept. 21 in Fort Pierre, Sept. 22 in Aberdeen, and Sept. 23 in Sioux Falls. The meetings will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The workshops will cover topics such as: Office of Civil Rights requirements for identifying and serving limited English proficient students, Title I and Title III requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), English language proficiency standards, how to receive possible funding, program options for English language learners, and English as a new language certification.
Even though districts may not receive Title III funding, it is still an Office of Civil Rights’ requirement to identify and serve limited English proficient students and a Title I and Title III requirement under NCLB to annually assess their English language proficiency.
For more information, contact Ann Larsen, State Title III director, at (605) 773-4693 or e-mail: ann.larsen@state.sd.us.
Alternatives set for non-certified administrators
The Advisory Council for Non-Certified Administrators met Aug. 3, 2004. As per Senate Bill 173, the council determined various routes for current non-certified administrators – namely chief executive officers and building managers – to become fully certified by the July 1, 2008, date specified in law. Three alternative routes are available: a professional development plan, a testing alternative, and a waiver alternative. Information and a “Plan of Intent” can be found at www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA by clicking on “Non-Certified Administrators.”
New databases aid student research
Students can take advantage of two new research databases – SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Researcher – available from the State Library Web site.
SIRS is available on personal computers located on South Dakota campuses (K-12 and state government) as well as South Dakota libraries.
The SIRS Discoverer database focuses on grades K-6 with articles and graphics from more than 1,600 magazines, newspapers and U.S. government documents. Items in the database are selected for their educational content, interest, and level of readability for middle and elementary curriculum topics.
SIRS Researcher focuses on grades 6-12. It’s a general reference database containing thousands of articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues. Articles and graphics are selected from 1,500 domestic and international publications.
The State Library will do free in-service training on database usage and navigation. For information, call Dana Ruby at the State Library, 1-800-423-6665.
Governor rewards schools for healthy practices
Three South Dakota schools and one school district are the recipients of $5,000 awards under the Governor’s Healthy School recognition program.
Winners of the first Governor’s Healthy School Award are Sioux Valley Elementary in Volga, Chamberlain Middle School, T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, and the Meade School District. The awards were presented at the Joint Convention in August.
“We congratulate our winners for providing a well-rounded approach to student learning,” Gov. Mike Rounds said in a media release. “They know that healthy students learn better, and these schools are doing a great job of finding ways to promote student and staff wellness.”
Winning schools were chosen for their efforts in areas such as health promotion for staff, health education, family and community involvement, school-based nutrition programs, health services, physical education, healthy school environment, and counseling services.
The Governor’s Healthy School recognition program is designed to spotlight the importance of healthy practices in schools, especially for programs that directly affect students and staff. It rewards schools that promote healthy practices with $5,000 and a banner to display at the school. Winners are chosen at four levels: elementary school, middle school/junior high, high school, and school district.
This year’s finalists included Brandon Valley Middle School in Brandon, Central High School in Aberdeen, and the Watertown and Yankton school districts. Finalists each receive a plaque.
For more information on how to develop your school health programs, contact Kari Senger at the Department of Education, (605) 773-6808. kari.senger@state.sd.us
Tracking highly qualified teacher status
Administrators now can track the status of teaching staff by viewing the “Highly Qualified Status” report online at https://www.state.sd.us/applications/common/launchpad/Logon.asp. You will need to enter your district user name and password to access the information.
The report allows administrators to see which of their teachers are not highly qualified for core content areas they may be teaching. Please note that the “Highly Qualified Status” report reflects the current (live) data available in the certification program. If a teacher’s certificate expired on July 1, 2004, and this teacher has not completed the renewal process, the teacher may now be reported as NOT highly qualified.
To be considered “highly qualified,” teachers must be properly certified in all the content areas they are teaching. If they do not have a major and have contractual teaching experience prior to the 2002-03 school year, they must be fully authorized and have three years of teaching experience, a graduate degree or National Board Certification.
If you have teachers that do not meet these requirements but have graduated after December 2002 in a South Dakota teacher preparation program, the Department of Education has populated either the CAAP exam or a portfolio to their certificate. This will give them highly qualified status.
If they graduated prior to December 2002 or come from outside the state, they will need to send documentation of a state test. This could be either the Praxis, or it may be some other test that will grant them highly qualified status.
Questions regarding the “Highly Qualified Status” report should be directed to Deedra Gesinger, Department of Education, at (605) 773-6934. deedra.gesinger@state.sd.us
Praxis test validation continues
The Department of Education has completed validating more than 40 content areas for the Praxis test. Another set of tests are scheduled for evaluation in early fall.
A test advisory council will recommend qualifying scores at the November Board of Education meeting. Qualifying scores will be posted on the department’s Web site. A list of the tests and matching content areas can be found at www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/Praxis/Praxis.htm.
As of July 1, 2005, teachers new to the profession need to pass both a content and pedagogy test to be certified in South Dakota. This will apply to the fall graduating class of 2005. Existing teachers wishing to add an endorsement onto their certificate after the July 1 date also will need to take a test. Teachers may take coursework to support the test, or they may simply take the test and meet or exceed the qualifying score to add the endorsement.
The first session of tests for South Dakota will be available at the April testing date. Tests are administered at the public universities and some private universities across the state. Pre-registration is necessary. A list of test dates is available at www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/Praxis/Praxis.htm. Teachers may take the test as many times as necessary before submitting their scores to the Department of Education.
The tests meet the “highly qualified” teacher requirement of No Child Left Behind.
Paraprofessionals must meet qualified status
Paraprofessionals working in a program supported by Title I Part A funds must be “qualified” under the provisions of No Child Left Behind by Jan. 8, 2006. They may meet this requirement in one of three ways:
The Department of Education is granting certificates once paraprofessionals have achieved the “qualified” status. Data on paraprofessionals is gathered via the Personal Record Form (PRF) system, where you will see listed only those paraprofessionals that are currently working in a Title I program.
If you have paraprofessionals that are NOT working in a Title I program but have completed the requirements, or, if they achieve this status after the PRF data collection is complete, you will need to submit their names for certificates to be awarded. Please send this information to Nicole Kranzler at nicole.kranzler@state.sd.us. For questions, contact Nicole at (605) 773-3426.
Additional information regarding paraprofessionals, including the ParaPro test, can be found at: www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/Parapro%20Certification/parapro.htm.
Fee subsidy application available for National Board candidates
The South Dakota Department of Education will award funds through the Candidate Subsidy Program to teachers who pay the registration fee for National Board Certification. The application will be available online Oct. 1 at www.state.sd.us/deca/Secretary.
Subsidies of $500 to $1,000 will be awarded to eligible National Board Certification candidates. Eligible candidates must:
The Candidate Subsidy Program gives each state federal funds to award to teachers for partial payment of their candidate fees. Funds for the subsidy program are provided by the U.S. Congress through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Teachers who meet the eligibility requirements must return their application to the Department of Education by Friday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m. (CST).
Questions regarding the process can be directed to Roxie Thielen at the Department of Education, (605) 773-5669 or roxie.thielen@state.sd.us.
Important message for Special Education teachers, directors
For the spring administration of statewide assessment, Special Education teachers should not use the current STAARS portfolio for students who require an alternate assessment. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandates all students be measured on their knowledge of the general curriculum, which stands up to validity and reliability standards. The department's Special Education Programs is in the process of revising the STAARS alternate assessment, in order for students with disabilities to participate fully in the statewide assessment system. Special Education Programs will notify educators in the fall when the new alternate assessment is available. Please check the Special Education Web site at www.state.sd.us/deca/Special/ for updates. Questions should be directed to the Department of Education's Special Education Programs at (605) 773-3678.
Important information for alternate assessment students taking the SAT 9 writing assessment will be provided at the department's fall regional workshops slated for Sept. 20-24. For more information, contact Dawn Smith, Special Education Programs, at (605) 773-3678. E-mail: dawnl.smith@state.sd.us
Improvement workshops for technical programs offered
The Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE) will use a new regional approach for completing the Perkins Program Improvement Process (PIP) for the 2004-2005 school year. School districts in the Northeast region are scheduled for a review this year as part of the four-year cycle. The review is one step in the process of maintaining program approval and continued federal funding through the Perkins Act.
Career and technical education teachers in the Northeast region will be invited to attend a regional PIP in-service. They will have the option of attending one of the two sessions listed below.
School districts in the Southeast region will meet Jan. 19, 2005, at Southeast Technical Institute. The Central region will meet Jan. 20, 2005, at Mitchell Technical Institute. The Western region will meet Jan. 26, 2005, at Western Dakota Technical Institute
The workshops will assist instructors in reviewing their programs to determine goals and action plans to improve the instructional program. Attendees will see how data can be used for decision-making and how to utilize federal funds more efficiently. The audience for the workshops is career and technical instructors of approved programs.
For information, visit www.state.sd.us/deca/DWCP/index.htm. and click on “Program Improvement Process.” Or contact Gary Grey in the department’s Office of Career and Technical Education at (605) 773–4726. gary.grey@state.sd.us.
New Web site provides one-stop shopping for educators
A new Web site, www.southdakotapd.com, links educators to a calendar of professional development opportunities available in South Dakota.
The site provides a central clearinghouse of training opportunities offered by education-related organizations including the South Dakota Department of Education, School Administrators of South Dakota, Associated School Boards of South Dakota, South Dakota Education Association, Technology & Innovation in Education, Midwest Alliance of Professional Learning and Leadership, and Dakota Interactive Academic Link.
Users can search for professional development workshops by date, by city, by subject matter or by profession (eg., teacher, counselor, administrator, school board member, food-service staff, librarian, bus driver).
The site is designed to provide convenient one-stop shopping for educators looking to further their knowledge and skills.