Educators asked to weigh in on proposed standards

Standards for Computer Science, English Language Arts, and the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings are now available for public input.

The Honey Bee Education Institute aims to teach K-12 educators about beekeeping, honey production and extraction, pollination, and bee safety. Attendees will work hands-on with bees, honey, and wax; they will then receive curriculum for incorporating bees into classroom content.

This two-day educational experience will take place in Roscoe, S.D.; all lodging and meals will be provided. Participants will be eligible for 15 continuing education contact hours, or they may use the experience to earn one graduate credit through the University of Sioux Falls for $45. Those interested should email Spencer Cody at spencer.cody@k12.sd.us; applications are due Aug. 16.

Check & Connect is an evidence-based intervention being made available to South Dakota schools at no cost. The program has long proven successful at keeping kids on track toward graduation. The Office of Special Education Programs is offering the first phase of Check & Connect training, Preparation and Implementation, virtually, Sept. 10-11, 9 a.m. to noon CST both days.

This six-hour training will give an overview of Check & Connect and prepare those in the building who will be overseeing this program. Participants will learn the risk factors associated with students dropping out of school, the components and elements of Check & Connect, and steps for preparing and implementing Check & Connect at a school.

A second phase of the training, Check & Connect: Mentor Training, will be conducted in Sioux Falls (Sept. 24-25) and Rapid City (Dec. 11-12).

Registration is open now.

Educators seeking to incorporate the ACCESS Speaking Test with classroom practices that promote oral language development will be able to explore the connection between those two things with this two-part webinar series. Participants will engage in meaning-making activities that provide ways to nurture their students’ speaking growth.

Registration is now open. Contact Shari Lord for more details.

This two-day training teaches educators how to gather data to conduct a functional behavior assessment (FBA) on a student, which they can then use to create a behavior support plan (BSP). The first day focuses on the FBA/BSP process, identifying which students need a comprehensive BSP, and identifying the functions of behaviors in the classroom. The second day of training will teach participants how to develop efficient and effective evaluation plans, as well as follow-up procedures.

Those who complete the training will receive 20 continuing education contact hours or one graduate credit through the University of South Dakota.

Registration is now open; contact Rebecca Cain at DOE for more information.