Upcoming Events

For a more complete list of professional development opportunities, visit www.southdakotapd.com.

• View Special Education Data training online

• Training addresses Consolidated Application process

• State Conference for Early Childhood

• DDN sessions cover new social studies standards

View Special Education Data training online

Training addresses Consolidated Application process

The Department of Education encourages districts to attend a Consolidated Application training in February. The sessions, which will be held at several locations, are designed to help districts complete the General Narrative and Needs Assessment sections of the Consolidated Application.

Sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, Feb. 12 -- Sioux Falls Ramkota
• Tuesday, Feb. 13 -- Pierre Ramkota
• Thursday, Feb. 15 -- Rapid City Ramkota

All sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch is provided. (The sessions noted above address the content of the Consolidated Application. Sessions scheduled for April will address the e-grant application process.)

Participants will receive guidance regarding measurable goals and objectives and the alignment of strategies, indicators and funding sources to support those goals. The session also will include discussion of compliance issues related to budget and staffing.

The department recommends that every district send at least one district employee to the training. The training would benefit both the authorized representative and the special education director, due to the collaboration with the special education State Performance Plan. Each person attending the training should register separately. 

State Conference for Early Childhood

“Soaring Over the Rainbow to Early Success” is the theme of the 2007 State Conference for Early Childhood. The conference will take place March 1-3, 2007, in Aberdeen. 

Highlights include:

• Keynote speaker Sharon MacDonald, M.Ed., will demonstrate how to use music and movement to teach children of different abilities, needs and temperaments. Participants will learn how to use inexpensive materials to deal with the often chaotic and confusing classroom, while building confidence, interest and preserving the child’s self-esteem.
• Keynote speaker Jean Feldman has been actively involved in education for more than 35 years. Dr. Feldman is the author of “A Survival Guide for Preschool Teachers,” “Transition Tips and Tricks,” and “Wonderful Rooms Where Children Can Bloom.” Some of her recordings include: “Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs,” “Dr. Jean and Friends,” and “Kiss Your Brain!”

For an agenda and registration information, go to http://www.sdaeyc.org/ and click on “Conferences.” You can also contact Betsy Pollock, Department of Education, at (605) 773-4640 or betsy.pollock@state.sd.us.

DDN sessions cover new social studies standards

A “roll out” of the state’s new Social Studies Content Standards is slated for March. Training sessions will be offered via the DDN, for the noted grade levels, on the following dates:

• March 5 (grades 3-5), 5-7 p.m. (Central Time)
• March 19 (grades 6-8), 5-7 p.m. (Central Time)
• March 22 (grades 9-12), 5-7 p.m. (Central Time)

Participants will examine the new content standards and discuss possible ideas related to teaching the standards. Teachers who served on the Social Studies Content Standards Revision Committee will lead the sessions. Each session will be two hours in length.