Upcoming Events

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

• Trainings to tackle bullying, sexual harassment issues
• GESA works!

• High Schools That Work/ Middle Grades That Work Orientation workshop to be offered

• State Conference for Early Childhood

• School Health Matters offered via DDN

Trainings to tackle bullying, sexual harassment issues

• Jan. 23-24, 2007, Lake Area Technical Institute, Watertown

• Feb. 13-14, 2007, Southeast Technical Institute, Sioux Falls

The training is provided by Colorado State University – Interwest Equity Assistance Center. It is appropriate for superintendents, principals, special education directors, school nurses, school counselors and others interested in these topics.

Pre-registration for the events is required. Cost is $35 per person, which includes materials, supplies and lunch. CEU credits are being arranged. Registration is available online at www.southdakotapd.comm.

For more information, contact Jerry Sauer at (605) 773-4740. jerry.sauer@state.sd.us.

GESA works!

Generating Expectations for Student Achievement, or GESA, is a successful research-based program, and it’s coming to South Dakota.

GESA examines five areas of disparity in the classroom and encourages teachers to use proactive instructional strategies to eliminate the disparities and support high expectations. GESA identifies equity issues related to instructional materials and curriculum, differential treatment, and specific behaviors used by teachers.

Research findings from classrooms using the GESA system show consistently that all students gain, and students with the greatest need gain the most. Teachers learn to coach each other on equitable teaching strategies.

GESA workshops will be held in two locations: 

• Jan. 25, 2007 -- Mitchell Technical Institute, Technology Center, Mitchell
• Jan. 26, 2007 -- Ramkota RiverCentre, Lake Sharpe Room, Pierre

Both sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $40, which covers materials, lunch and breaks. Download a registration form at www.doe.sd.gov/octe/training/docs/GESA.pdf.

Sponsors of this event include the South Dakota Department of Education, Mitchell Technical Institute, and South Dakota Women Work.

High Schools That Work/ Middle Grades That Work Orientation workshop to be offered

Schools interested in joining the High Schools That Work/Making Middle Grades That Work network are invited to a two-day orientation tentatively set for Jan. 29-30, 2007. 

Both initiatives focus on key practices designed to prepare students for further education and careers by improving curriculum and instruction at the middle- and high-school levels. A number of South Dakota schools already participate in this national reform effort.

Expected results include: increases in the number of students taking higher-level courses; improved attendance and graduation rates, and postsecondary enrollment; decreases in dropout rates and discipline referrals; and more students with a focused plan of study in a career cluster.

The workshop will be held at Mitchell Technical Institute. Please contact Marsha Kucker at (605) 280-0650 or mkucker@edec.org for information.

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.

A new course, School Health Matters, will be offered via the Dakota Digital Network in 2007. The course will consist of eight sessions held on Tuesday afternoons. Sessions will be held 4:20-6:30 p.m. (CST) on each of the following dates: 

• Feb. 20 and 27
• March 6, 13, 20 and 27
• April 3, 10 and 17 (make-up day, if necessary)

Topics include: online predators, methamphetamine use, obesity, South Dakota health standards and assessment, developing and implementing school policy, asthma and allergies in kids, and teen alcohol use.

Sites for this course include the following locations: Beresford School District, Bon Homme School District, Brandon Valley School District, Brookings School District, Children’s Care Hospital & School (Sioux Falls), Colman-Egan School District, Colome School District, Hanson School District, Harrisburg School District, Howard School District, Huron School District, Lake Area Multi School District (Watertown), Lead-Deadwood School District, Madison School District, Marty Indian School, Menno School District, Parker School District, Pierre School District, Redfield School District, Sioux Falls School District, Sisseton School District, Spearfish School District, Webster School District, Willow Lake School District, Winner School District, and Woonsocket School District.

Course registration begins January 16. Click here for more information and to register for the courses. Registration deadline is Feb. 9.

Coordinated School Health is providing the course. School Health Matters is free; however, any fees for college credit are the responsibility of the participant.