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Upcoming Events
For a more complete list of professional development
opportunities, visit
www.southdakotapd.com.
Training addresses WIDA ACCESS
Placement Test
A training set for May 13 will address the basics of
the WIDA English language proficiency standards. Participants
also will learn how to administer the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test
for grades K-12, and how to use the results to make ELL
placement and service decisions.
The training will take place at University Center in Sioux Falls
(282). The program will be accessible via DDN sites in Aberdeen
(NSU Library 117), Pierre (State Capitol A) and Rapid City (SDSM&T
CB109). The training will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Presenters include Jesse Markow and Andrea Oliver of the WIDA
Consortium.
To register, go to
www.southdakotapd.com and click on May 13. Questions can be
directed to Dr. Sara Waring, Department of Education, at (605)
280-7286 or
sara.waring@state.sd.us.
Substance abuse training
available in two locations
LifeSkills is a highly effective substance abuse prevention
program. Trainings will be offered at the following locations:
Sioux Falls, May 27-28, and Aberdeen, Aug. 12-13.
Teachers, school counselors, prevention advocates, safe and
drug-free school coordinators and school nurses are invited to
attend. The cost of the training is $20 per participant, and
graduate/undergraduate credit hours will be available.
LifeSkills training is sponsored by the South Dakota Departments
of Education and Health, Department of Human Services, Human
Service Agency, and Volunteers of America.
Save the date for Section 504
training
Registration for a special training, “Section 504: The Other
Service Option for Students with Disabilities,” is now open at
www.southdakotapd.com.
The training will cover many of the issues in the Section 504
process. School staff, administrators, counselors, school nurses
and Section 504 coordinators are invited to the June 19
event in Pierre. Continuing education credits will be offered.
Find your balance as a leader:
New event targets school administrators
School leaders are stretched in a hundred different
directions. The new Balanced Leadership Academy will help
frazzled superintendents and principals find their balance! The
first session begins June 23-27 in Sioux Falls.
The Balanced Leadership Academy, which includes five sessions,
is based on McRel’s 21 key leadership responsibilities. School
administrators will leave the program with the skills of knowing
how to lead, why leadership is so important, and when it’s
critical to provide effective leadership.
This academy is a joint effort of the School Administrators of
South Dakota, South Dakota Department of Education, McRel, and
North Central Comprehensive Center.
For more information,
click
here.
Joint conference addresses
special education transition
The Department of Education’s Special Education Programs and
Transition Services Liaison Project will hold a joint conference
June 23-27 in Pierre. The two groups plan to hold the
event annually to address commonly asked questions and to
provide in-depth transition training for secondary teachers.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn new information,
discuss what is happening in the world of special education, and
network with others who share the same passion for education.
Graduate credit hours will be available. For information, e-mail
Bev.Petersen@state.sd.us.
21st Century Community Learning
Center Conference:
Headliners to include children’s literacy specialist,
game expert
The 2008 21st Century Community Learning Center Conference is
scheduled for July 7-8 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in
Pierre.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Keith Polette, who is the director
of English education at the University of Texas at El Paso. With
23 years of experience as a practicing educator, Keith will
present cutting-edge strategies that bring the magic of teaching
reading and writing to life. Erik Szabo is the president and
founder of Board Games Express, the world’s largest specialty
board game store. Known to many as “The Game Guy,” Erik travels
the country showing child care providers and educators how to
“do games” better.
The conference is free to 21st CCLC directors, staff and
volunteers. For others, there is a $50 registration fee. One CEU
credit is available, and college credit is being explored.
For more information,
click here
or contact Sue Burgard, Department of Education, at (605)
773-5238.
Parent involvement topic of
conference
Parents often wonder how they can become more involved in
their children’s schooling. A FREE conference slated for Aug.
15-16 in Sioux Falls will help them find meaningful ways to
do just that. The conference is hosted by the South Dakota
Department of Education and South Dakota Parent Information and
Resource Center. It will be held at the Downtown Holiday Inn.
The conference theme is “Partnerships with Families Create
Success: Make This the Best School Year Ever!” Karen Mapp,
author of “Beyond the Bake Sale,” will offer a keynote
presentation. South Dakota’s Secretary of Education Rick Melmer
also will address the group.
School leaders are asked to share this information with
parent-teacher groups, school boards and interested parents.
For information about the conference,
click here
and check back frequently for updates. Questions can be directed
to Dawn Smith, Department of Education, at (605) 773-2535.
Presenters wanted for 2008 South
Dakota Interchange
The 2008 South Dakota Interchange will take place Sept.
24-25 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
Infinite Campus is issuing a call for presenters to share their
experiences and expertise as an Interchange session leader (and
get cool stuff). Presenters will demonstrate ways in which their
district uses Campus to solve real-world challenges on a daily
basis. To submit a proposal,
complete this form. Questions can be directed to Barry
Brahier at
barry.brahier@infinitecampus.com.
Registration and session descriptions will be available at a
later date.
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