Frontline Education

1. Regents Living Environment Forum

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Regents Living Environment Educators

Dates: 12/1/2020

NewStarting Today

This FREE Living Environment Zoom forum/PLC (2nd session) is designed to give you the opportunity to hear from your peers in various districts in our area. It will be both useful and reassuring for participants to discuss the challenges faced in science classrooms whether they are live, virtual or hybrid!

The topics discussed will include: Strategies/ tools/ formats you are using to reach students, how they are working and the challenges. How you are dealing with labs and hands-on activities- live/virtual/ etc.? What are the resources you are finding most helpful. This is the second meeting of this group and new participants are welcome. Please bring something to share.

A Zoom link will be sent prior to the webinar.

2. December STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 12/2/2020

CTLE

Starting Soon

Topics: Homeless Youth

3. Guided Reading Focus Group

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators of ELLs

Dates: 12/7/2020 to 12/21/2020

NewStarting Soon

This Guided Reading Focus Group we will explore different ways to scaffold Guided Reading for ELLs in synchronous and asynchronous hybrid models.

4. Maximizing Remote Learning for Special Education Students Through Technology

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Teachers

Dates: 12/8/2020

When the pandemic forced schools to close their doors and move learning to remote classrooms, all students were presented with environments which were unfamiliar and unpredictable. While this is a challenge to all learners, our students who receive special education services felt the impact tremendously. As we navigate through this new school year, many districts are utilizing different models of instruction for their students. During this discussion with Stephanie Carbone, Questar III Model Schools Specialist, educational technology tools will be shared which can assist in removing barriers to the curriculum for students. Discussion will include immersive readers, speech to text, closed captioning, visual timers, choice boards and many more. A Zoom link will be emailed one day prior to the session. To ensure receipt of the link, please register prior to the day of the event. When registering please indicate the school district for which you are employed. Only direct employees of Questar III BOCES should choose the BOCES employee option.

5. December Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 12/9/2020

CTLE

Topics: State Aid Output Reports, State Aid Reconciliation, Fund Balance and Cash Flow Projections

6. Best Practices in a Online/Hybrid Environment Forum: ART TEACHERS

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Art Educators

Dates: 12/9/2020

Join us for a check in to see how the year is going so far. Please join us for a discussion regarding best practices in the area of art education. Bring your questions, challenges and successes to share. This event is FREE and will be held online. Access information will be sent via Frontline the day before the event. This event is open to art educators and administrators.

7. PreK ENL 101: Supporting Our Youngest Students

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators of ELLs

Dates: 12/10/2020

New

This PD will go over the identification, planning, and programming for Pre-Kindergarten Emergent Multilingual Learners . This PD will also identify best practices that foster and provide access and learning opportunities to all early learners.

8. Regents Chemistry Forum

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Regents Chemistry Educators

Dates: 12/10/2020

New

This FREE Chemistry Zoom forum/PLC (2nd session) is designed to give you the opportunity to hear from your peers in various districts in our area. It will be both useful and reassuring for participants to discuss the challenges faced in science classrooms whether they are live, virtual or hybrid!

The topics discussed will include: Strategies/ tools/ formats you are using to reach students, how they are working and the challenges. How you are dealing with labs and hands-on activities- live/virtual/ etc.? What are the resources you are finding most helpful. This is the second meeting of this group and new participants are welcome. Please bring something to share.

A Zoom link will be sent prior to the webinar.

9. TeachingBooks: Diverse Books Toolkit for Elementary Level Educators

Program: School Library System

Audience: Elementary level educators

Dates: 12/10/2020

Join this hands-on, interactive workshop to discover online resources that deepen connections to diverse books. Easily engage readers, support families, and empower colleagues with sharing tools designed for you. Work time will be given to explore and discover
ways to implement TeachingBooks resources into any learning environment. Leave with your own custom lists and resources to support book selection and instruction. All easy to find in one place.

*Identify exceptional diverse books
*Bring culture and race to the forefront of literary conversations
*Learn the inspiration behind books directly from the author or illustrator
*Generate reports that examine cultural inclusion in your collections
*Facilitate student reflection on the cultural representation in the books each student reads

10. Teacher Lead Evaluator Initial Training

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Administrators

Dates: 12/11/2020

New

This webinar will discuss current Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) 3012-D law and how it will impact your role as an administrator. Hands on practice with performance levels and how it relates to your district's teacher evaluation tool.
The following questions will be addressed:
- What is the purpose of the APPR process and how can it be used to strengthen your school's goals?
- What are the various protocols and logistics for an effective evaluation?
- How are differences in performance levels determined? In particular, what is the difference between Proficient and Distinguished performance levels?
- What exactly is "Student Centered Instruction"? What does it look like and sound like in real classrooms? What instructional moves can teachers make to strengthen Student Centered Instruction in their classrooms?
- How is Inter-Rater Reliability defined? We will practice scoring examples using video clips, written samples and the rubric.

11. Teacher Lead Evaluator Re-Certification Training

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Administrators

Dates: 12/11/2020

New

This workshop will dive deeper into performance levels and hands on practice, with emphasis on:
- Inter-rater reliability
- Impact on your role as an administrator
- How the APPR process can be used to strengthen your school's goals.

We will practice scoring an example using video clips and your district rubric.
Participants will:
- Hone their evaluation skills and fulfill the re-certification requirements.
- Use the rubrics determined in their own district APPR plan.

12. Best Practices in a Online/Hybrid Environment Forum: MUSIC TEACHERS

Program: Model Schools

Audience: Music Educators

Dates: 12/14/2020

Join us for a check in to see how the year is going so far. Please join us for a discussion regarding best practices in the area of music education. Bring your questions, challenges and successes to share. This event is FREE and will be held online. Access information will be sent via Frontline the day before the event. This event is open to music educators and administrators.

13. High School English Zoom Forum/PLC

Program: School Improvement

Audience: High School English Educators

Dates: 12/14/2020

The FREE High School English Zoom Forum/PLC is designed to give you the opportunity to hear from your peers in various districts in our area. It will be both useful and reassuring for participants to discuss the challenges faced in the English classrooms whether they are live, virtual or hybrid!

The topics discussed may include: Strategies/ tools/ formats you are using to reach your kids and how they are working. What are the challenges? How are you working with hands-on activities in the live and/or virtual classroom? What are the resources you are finding most helpful? What curriculum decisions have you made to adjust to the COVID culture and limitations? Please share lessons, activities, websites, strategies, or tools that you find that work well. What challenges are you facing that you would like to discuss?

A Zoom link will be sent prior to the webinar.

14. Knowledge Cafe

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 12/15/2020

CTLE

New

Topics: January SBO Calendar

15. SLS Mentor Meeting - December (1:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 12/15/2020

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

16. Regents Earth Science Forum

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Regents Earth Science Educators

Dates: 12/15/2020

New

This FREE Earth Science Zoom forum/PLC (2nd session) is designed to give you the opportunity to hear from your peers in various districts in our area. It will be both useful and reassuring for participants to discuss the challenges faced in science classrooms whether they are live, virtual or hybrid!

The topics discussed will include: Strategies/ tools/ formats you are using to reach students, how they are working and the challenges. How you are dealing with labs and hands-on activities- live/virtual/ etc.? What are the resources you are finding most helpful. This is the second meeting of this group and new participants are welcome. Please bring something to share.

A Zoom link will be sent prior to the webinar.

17. Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

Program: School Improvement

Dates: 12/16/2020

New

The amended Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) took effect on July 1, 2013, under this amended legislation beginning January 1, 2014, all persons applying to the NYS Education Department for an administrative or supervisory service, classroom teaching service or school service certificate or coaching license must complete six (6) hours of coursework or training in harassment, bullying and discrimination prevention and intervention. The training proactively addresses the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination and is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to create an affirming school environment for all students.

Participants must be in attendance for the full session to receive a certificate of completion. Given the current COVID-19 health situation, the training will be completed virtually, using Zoom.

Payment of $80.00 must be received before a participant is marked as COMPLETED. Training is limited to 20 participants, so register early. You will be contacted if the workshop must be cancelled.

The link to the zoom invitation will be sent out to registrants prior to the training.

18. SLS Communication Coordinator Meeting - AM SESSION

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 12/16/2020

New

One of at least four meetings for SLS Communication Coordinators as mandated by NY State Education Law 90.18. Communication coordinators are updated on topics relevant to the profession such as changes in curriculum, technology, and the Information Fluency Continuum. Professional Development is provided on current issues. Information is disseminated to district librarians after each meeting. All school librarians in the Questar III region are welcome.
Sign up for AM or PM, not both. The same material will be covered in each session. Access information will be sent the day before the event.

19. December BO-Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 12/16/2020

CTLE

Topics: BOCES Output Reports

20. SLS Communication Coordinator Meeting - PM SESSION

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 12/16/2020

New

One of at least four meetings for SLS Communication Coordinators as mandated by NY State Education Law 90.18. Communication coordinators are updated on topics relevant to the profession such as changes in curriculum, technology, and the Information Fluency Continuum. Professional Development is provided on current issues. Information is disseminated to district librarians after each meeting. All school librarians in the Questar III region are welcome.
Sign up for AM or PM, not both. The same material will be covered in each session. Access information will be sent the day before the event.

21. You Deserve a Break: Supporting Educators' Mental and Social Emotional Health

Program: School Improvement

Audience: All Educators

Dates: 12/16/2020

New

Take a break with the educators throughout the region to reflect, relax and rejuvenate your mind and body. Join Questar III as we facilitate this free webinar. Support yourself with mindfulness and other relaxation techniques. How do you destress? Bring activities and resources you use to share with the group. You deserve time for yourself - Come and join us!

22. Diversity in the School Library-- Ideas for How to Be an Antiracist School Librarian

Program: School Library System

Audience: School Librarians

Dates: 12/17/2020

New

As school librarians, we strive to help students build understanding and to make unbiased, educated opinions, and judgments. Therefore, it is supremely important that we, as school librarians, understand issues of inequity in publishing, implicit bias, how to recognize privilege, how to conduct a diversity audit, and what to do with the data.

In this session, we will review these important ideas as well as how to make strides toward becoming anti-racist school librarians!

It is not necessary for you to have attended the fall session to register for this session.

If you did attend the fall session, please feel free to bring any work you've done regarding diversity in your library (diversity audits, identification of gaps, priority lists, or programming ideas).

Please bring with you your concerns, questions, ideas, successes, goals, and excitement about becoming anti-racist school librarians!

A Zoom link will be emailed to you via Frontline the day before the webinar.

23. Regents Mathematics Forum/PLC

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Regents Math Educators

Dates: 12/17/2020

New

The Secondary Regents Mathematics Zoom Forum/PLC is designed to give you the opportunity to hear from your peers in various districts in our area. It will be both useful and reassuring for participants to discuss the challenges faced in mathematics classrooms whether they are live, virtual, hybrid or some combination thereof!

The topics discussed will include: Strategies/ tools/ formats you are using to reach your kids and how they are working. What are the challenges? How are you dealing with hands-on activities- live/virtual/etc.? What are the resources you are finding most helpful? What curriculum decisions have you made to adjust to the COVID culture and limitations?

Please share a lesson, activity, investigation, website, strategy, or tool you find works well. There will NOT be a formal presentation of any kind, rather an interactive discussion with colleagues.

A zoom link will be sent prior to the webinar.

24. Regents Physics Forum

Program: School Improvement

Audience: Regents Physics Educators

Dates: 12/17/2020

New

This FREE Physics Zoom forum/PLC (2nd session) is designed to give you the opportunity to hear from your peers in various districts in our area. It will be both useful and reassuring for participants to discuss the challenges faced in science classrooms whether they are live, virtual or hybrid!

The topics discussed will include: Strategies/ tools/ formats you are using to reach students, how they are working and the challenges. How you are dealing with labs and hands-on activities- live/virtual/ etc.? What are the resources you are finding most helpful. This is the second meeting of this group and new participants are welcome. Please bring something to share.

A Zoom link will be sent prior to the webinar.

25. SLS Mentor Meeting - December (3:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 12/17/2020

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

26. Career Pathways in the Capital Region: Manufacturing

Program: School Improvement

Audience: School Counselors, High School Building Leaders, School District Leaders

Dates: 12/18/2020

New

Please join us for this interactive event with a leading manufacturer to learn about the required skill sets and career pathways that can lead students to successful and rewarding careers in this field. It will also offer an opportunity to learn how industry and higher education are partnering to address workforce development needs, seek insights on how K-12 education can support this effort, and include virtual tours and a Q&A session.

27. ENL Teacher Winter Solstice Rejuvenation

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators of ELLs

Dates: 12/21/2020

New

ENL Teachers, are you over "it" (whatever your "it" is), tired, stressed, and in need of some time for you? Then come spend an hour rewarding and rejuvenating yourself before the winter break. Winter Solstice is December 21st, and what better way to celebrate than with some self-care among peers who understand the fall you have been having? Together we will share an inspirational speech, a moment of meditation, an empowerment activity, and a brevity of levity before heading off to our respective winter Solstice of Solace.

28. Regents Global History and Geography & US and Government Forum/PLC

Program: School Improvement

Audience: US History and Global History Educators

Dates: 12/21/2020

This Social Studies PLC is a space where area Social Studies teachers have the opportunity to connect and share ideas. Participants are invited to discuss challenges faced in the live, remote, or hybrid classroom. Share a lesson, activity, website, strategy, or tool you find works well. Ask your colleagues for ideas and advice. Or, just come to lend a listening ear as we vent about the frustrations of our current professional responsibilities and challenges. Please note, there will NOT be a formal presentation of any kind. This is intended to be an interactive discussion with colleagues.

Listed below are some possible discussion questions to help us get started:
What curriculum decisions have you made to adjust to the COVID culture and limitations?
What is working? What is challenging?
Which resources are you finding most helpful?
How have you been balancing your workload?

A zoom link with be sent prior to the webinar.

29. Model Schools Sandbox Event #2

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 1/5/2021

"Dig" into new educational technology and strategies for incorporating technology into the classroom. Each event will focus on a different tool, or set of tools, that can be used for instruction, and will help educators learn how to best incorporate technology into their curriculum in a meaningful way. Access information will be sent via Frontline the day before the event. Open to Model Schools subscribers only.

30. January Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 1/6/2021

CTLE

Topics: ESSA, Mid-Year Review and Timely STAC Reminders

31. Online Book Study for RTI for ELLs

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators of ELLs

Dates: 1/7/2021 to 2/25/2021

New

The text RTI for Diverse Learners by Catherine Collier addresses elements for RTI at Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 to "provide direct pragmatic suggestions for implementing instructional interventions in classroom settings with ELL/CLD" (p.11). Participants will take a "choose your own adventure" grade-level approach by exploring a different set of considerations weekly based on a selected grade-level scenario. You will be asked to explore how your choice of interventions from the text are appropriate, could be modified to meet the need of the student, or would likely be ineffective based on evidence from the scenario. Come engage with a book study that works around your goals and sets you at the helm of your learning! Weekly sessions begins on Jan. 7 and end Feb. 25. Each week a new chapter will be addressed and a new set of interventions provided to explore and analyze.

Participants will be provided with a complimentary copy of the text. Due to the constraints of asynchronous feedback, this study will be limited to the first 25 participants. Thank you for your understanding.

Please note that these weekly dates are not meeting dates. They are weekly reminders.

32. SLS Mentor Meeting - January (3:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 1/11/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

33. Knowledge Cafe

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 1/12/2021

CTLE

New

Topics: February SBO Calendar

34. January BO-Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 1/13/2021

CTLE

Topics: Tying out Service Contracts to BOCES Aid Runs, EPE Initial Reporting

35. Writing Revolution Spring Book Study PLC

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators of ELLs

Dates: 1/13/2021 to 4/14/2021

New

The Capital District RBERN is excited to offer a spring semester book study PLC based on The Writing Revolution by Judith C. Hochman and Natalie Wexler. Participants will be introduced to the six principles of the Hochman method to improve ELL student writing and reading comprehension. We will begin by exploring sentence expansion activities that are quick, easy, and versatile.
Session 2: Strategies for increasing sentence complexity and variety.
Session 3: Note taking and planning paragraph writing
Session 4: Summarizing
Session 5: Revisions strategies for single and multiple paragraph writing
Session 6: Assessment and bringing it all together
Participants will be invited to implement and share exemplars of these strategies from their own classrooms during sessions 2-6.
Each participant will receive a copy of this wonderful resource.

36. SLS Mentor Meeting - January (1:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 1/14/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

37. February Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 2/3/2021

CTLE

Topics: Understanding State Aid Projections and Tax Cap

38. June BO-Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 2/3/2021

CTLE

Topics: Preparation for Closing Fiscal Year Submittal of Budget to SED for SBM4

39. Jennifer Serravallo: Virtual Presentation and Q&A

Program: School Improvement

Audience: K-8 Educators

Dates: 2/3/2021

New

Jennifer Serravallo is a literacy consultant, speaker, and the author of several popular titles including the NY Times Bestselling The Reading Strategies Book, The Writing Strategies Book, Understanding Texts & Readers, and The Teacher's Guide to Reading Conferences. Complete Comprehension is a revised and reimagined whole book assessment and teaching resource based on the award-winning Independent Reading Assessment. Her latest book, Connecting with Students Online: Strategies for Remote Teaching and Learning offers concise, doable answers for teaching in this unprecedented pandemic. Jennifer was a Senior Staff Developer at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and taught in NYC public schools. Join us for a one hour presentation and Q&A.

40. SLS Mentor Meeting - February (1:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 2/8/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

41. SLS Mentor Meeting - February (3:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 2/8/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

42. February STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 2/10/2021

CTLE

Topics: Aid Projections and NYSED Gold Star Report

43. Knowledge Cafe

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 2/23/2021

CTLE

New

Topics: March SBO Calendar

44. March BO-Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 3/3/2021

CTLE

Topics: ESY Summer Program Dates

45. RTI for Twice-exceptional ELLS: Part 3

Program: Capital District RBE-RN

Audience: Educators of ELLs

Dates: 3/4/2021 to 3/11/2021

New

This two-session PD addresses specific ideas for meeting the classroom needs of ELLs with Disabilities. Participants will engage with the NYS Advanced Literacies, Universal Design for Learning, and other resources to explore opportunities for generating student success. You should have some prior knowledge of the differences between language difference and disability and ideally have participated in Parts 1 & 2 of this series. We will be referencing the text RTI for Diverse Learners that was provided for attendees of the previous sessions of RTI for ELLs. If you do not have a book, you may wish to purchase one prior to the first session but it is not mandatory. The ISBN is 9781452223452, 1452223459.

46. SLS Mentor Meeting - March (1:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 3/9/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

47. March Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 3/10/2021

CTLE

Topics: Budget Vote Process, Disclosure Requirements and Contingent Budget

48. SLS Mentor Meeting - March (3:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 3/11/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

49. March STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 3/17/2021

CTLE

Topics: DVPUB Verifications, DCPUB Cost Calculation and DCPOD Screen

50. Knowledge Cafe

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 3/25/2021

CTLE

New

Topics: April SBO Calendar

51. Model Schools Sandbox Event #3

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 3/30/2021

"Dig" into new educational technology and strategies for incorporating technology into the classroom. Each event will focus on a different tool, or set of tools, that can be used for instruction, and will help educators learn how to best incorporate technology into their curriculum in a meaningful way. Access information will be sent via Frontline the day before the event. Open to Model Schools subscribers only.

52. April Coffee Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 4/9/2021

CTLE

Topics: State Budget Analysis, Property Tax Report Card and Budget Notice

53. SLS Mentor Meeting - April (3:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 4/12/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

54. April STAC Talk

Program: Special Education Aid Assistance Service

Dates: 4/14/2021

CTLE

Topics: Review March Payments, New Summer Program Application - New or Amended and Statute of Limitations

55. SLS Mentor Meeting - April (1:30 time slot)

Program: School Library System

Audience: Librarians

Dates: 4/14/2021

Monthly meeting of the SLS mentors and mentees. Topics include library administration, classroom management, collaboration, technology, advocacy, communication, and more. Open to Questar III regional librarians who are part of the SLS Mentor program.

56. April BO-Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 4/16/2021

CTLE

Topics: BOCES Capital Fund & Rental Reporting: SA-109 & SA-116A

57. Knowledge Cafe

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 4/21/2021

CTLE

New

Topics: May SBO Calendar

58. May BO-Talk

Program: State Aid Planning

Dates: 5/5/2021

CTLE

Topics: CoSer Restrictions & Survey of Best Practices

59. Model Schools Sandbox Event #4

Program: Model Schools

Dates: 5/6/2021

"Dig" into new educational technology and strategies for incorporating technology into the classroom. Each event will focus on a different tool, or set of tools, that can be used for instruction, and will help educators learn how to best incorporate technology into their curriculum in a meaningful way. Access information will be sent via Frontline the day before the event. Open to Model Schools subscribers only.